DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE


The Department of Public Service works to insure a safe and healthy residential and business environment for the citizens of Middleburg Heights by providing a wide variety of services. These services and responsibilities include:

Solid Waste Collection
Recycling Program
Maintenance of City Properties
Street Repair & Pavement Management
Snow & Ice Removal
Street Sweeping
Traffic Lights & Signs
Storm & Sanitary Sewer Maintenance
Waterline Breaks & Water Problems
Defective Sidewalk Program
Storm Water Management Program
Autumn Leaf Collection
Animal Control
Senior Driveway Snow Program
Senior Bus Transportation
Tree Planting & Tree City USA
Mosquito Control
Forms & Fees
Permits



SOLID WASTE COLLECTION

Household rubbish collection is handled by a private company that contracts with the city to provide services on a weekly basis. All household rubbish is picked up once per week on Friday.
Household rubbish should be set out for curbside collection no later than 6 a.m. Friday morning. It can also be set out after 6 p.m. Thursday evening.

Food waste must be drained and placed in a plastic bag.  Sharp items, broken glass, syringes, etc., should be placed in a separate container before placing in a bag or can.

REQUIRED CONTAINERS

Plastic bags placed at the curb must be securely tied and not to exceed 40lbs.

Trash containers must be made of plastic or metal

Containers size - minimum of 20 gallon to maximum 35 gallon

All containers must have lids and lift handles

Maximum weight of container and contents not to exceed 50lbs.

Cardboard boxes should be broken down and stacked next to containers


Most non-hazardous household rubbish, including furniture, television sets, mattresses and appliances can be placed on the curb for pick up.

Collections are not made on the following holidays:

New Year’s Day

Memorial Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Thanksgiving Day 

Christmas Day

If a holiday falls during the week, rubbish collection will take place on Saturday.  Regular pick up day is Friday.  Holiday pick up day is Saturday.

If time permits, trash may be picked up Friday, but the day late policy will be honored.

REFRIGERANT/FREON REMOVAL

Refrigerators, air-conditioners, dehumidifiers, etc. require special treatment mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A certified contractor must remove the refrigerant, and the appliance must be tagged to indicate this removal before these items can be placed on the curb for removal. Remember to remove refrigerator and freezer doors.

LATEX PAINT

Latex paint can be included with regular household waste for curbside pick up. Leftover paint should be allowed to dry out in the can, or be thoroughly mixed with cat litter or sand before being placed in the trash in opened cans. Full containers of latex paint can be donated to charities that accept these products.

WEIGHT LIMITS

Household rubbish for curbside pick up should be placed within five feet of the curb in 20- to 35-gallon rubbish containers, or in plastic bags, not exceeding 60 pounds each in weight. Please refrain from putting broken glass, syringes or sharp objects loosely in to plastic bags.


Hedge cuttings, limbs and branches should be securely tied not exceeding four feet in length and 45 pounds in weight.

EXCLUDED ITEMS

Building materials resulting from construction, remodeling, repair or demolition operations and large automotive parts generated by a residential unit are excluded from curbside pickup. Waste generated by commercial contractors is also excluded. 


HEAVY AND BULKY REFUSE ITEMS

Household applicances, funiture, etc.

Carpeting-rolled and tied in 4 foot sections, separated from padding

Tables and swing sets, etc.-dismantled

Refrigerators, freezers-DOORS REMOVED-FREON REMOVED

MAINTENANCE OF CITY PROPERTIES

The Service Department is responsible for the complete maintenance of all city buildings, and related building equipment, including mechanical, plumbing, electrical, stand-by electric generators, heating and air-conditioning systems and other equipment.

A trained and certified crew and Facility Maintenance Manager perform in-house maintenance and oversee outside contractors.

STREET REPAIR & PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT

Service Department employees make scheduled and emergency repairs to our asphalt and concrete streets, including repairing potholes, cracks, joints, curbs and sections of streets.

Contractors are hired to remove and replace larger sections of deteriorated asphalt and concrete pavement.

Large construction, reconstruction and repairs are managed under the direction of our City Engineer through a public bidding process. Information about projects will be posted after streets are selected for repairs and major improvement projects are approved. There are 8.5 sq. miles, 135 lane miles and 65 road miles in Middleburg Heights.

STREET SNOW & ICE REMOVAL

The Service Department provides a thorough, quick and efficient snow removal service. During winter storms, the Service Department has trained and certified snowplow and salt truck operators to clear our streets of snow and ice. The service garage is manned continuously from December through the end of March to ensure quick response to changing weather conditions.

During snowstorms, main streets, hills, intersections, curbs and other high-risk areas receive special attention. Local streets and collector streets also receive prompt snow removal and salting.

Motorists should keep in mind that plow trucks are heavy vehicles that can skid under certain conditions. Please keep a safe distance.

STREET SWEEPING

The purpose of our street sweeping program is to remove trash, grit and pollutants that can enter the sewer system as well as to provide a clean environment for our community.

TRAFFIC LIGHTS & SIGNS

The Service Department maintains all street signs, traffic signals and pavement striping in the City. We manufacture our own signs, and employ outside traffic consulting services and contractors as needed for certain repairs and installations, and for a major portion of street pavement striping.

STORM & SANITARY SEWER MAINTENANCE

The city has in place a storm sewer maintenance program that includes cleaning catch basins every 3 years or earlier if needed. There are 54 miles of storm sewers and 1,219 manholes.

The city is under contract with the Cuyahoga County Sanitary Engineer’s Office for the maintenance and repair of our sanitary sewer system. The engineer’s office website is  www.cuyahogacounty.us. Sanitary backups are handled by the County Sanitary Engineer’s crews. Call the Sanitary Engineer’s Office directly at (216) 443-8201 on weekdays until 4:00 p.m. Evenings and weekends, call (800) 683-2689.

Resident calls are also received by the Service Department Office during working hours and are promptly referred to the county. The Service Department is also available to help with additional or unusual problems associated with backups. There were 624 calls made to the County Sanitary Engineers’ office in 2005. There are 63.5 miles of sanitary sewers and 1,480 manholes.

WATERLINE BREAKS & WATER PROBLEMS

Waterline breaks that occur on our city streets, tree lawns, fire hydrants, etc. are the responsibility of the Cleveland Department of Public Utilities Division of Water.

When a waterline break is called in to our Service Department, the call is routed to the Cleveland Division of Water for repairs. After the waterline is repaired, permanent repairs are made on the area affected by the water leak.

If brown water is discovered during waterline repairs, run cold water in the lowest part of the home, such as the basement, until the water clears.

For water quality problems, such as dirty water or low pressure, call the Cleveland Water Department at (216) 664-3168. For meter or billing problems, call (216) 664-3130. The water department website is www.clevelandwater.com.

DEFECTIVE SIDEWALK PROGRAM

The city of Middleburg Heights has a continuing program to repair sidewalks throughout the city. The reason for the program is to prevent injury to those using sidewalks and to avoid costly lawsuits.

It is in the interest of the City and property owners to correct sidewalk hazards. Certain streets are selected each year and the sidewalks are inspected. The City will be responsible to make repairs to blocks if tree lawn roots have caused defects found. All other defects are to be repaired by the property owner.

A white “X” on your sidewalk constitutes the city’s responsibility, while a black “X” is the resident’s responsibility.

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Our Storm Water Management Program is designed to preserve and protect the quality of storm water entering our streams and storm sewers. The City actively supports clean-water efforts to prevent pollutants from getting into our water supply. Residents can help preserve water quality in our streams and in Lake Erie by not allowing oil, antifreeze, paint and other household and yard chemicals to enter our storm sewer system. Do not pour anything into the storm drains that will ultimately affect the drinking water.

For further information about protecting our water supply, visit  www.cuyahogaswcd.org.

AUTUMN LEAF COLLECTION

The Service Department conducts an annual leaf collection program in the fall. Leaves can be raked to the tree lawn near the curb. Do not rake the leaves into the streets.

Leaf pickup season begins about mid-October and continues through December, weather permitting At least four citywide collections will be made during the season. More pickups will be made, if necessary.

Only leaves should be placed out for pickup. Do not include branches, rocks, wire, rope, metal objects and household trash. Leaf piles containing foreign objects will not be picked up.

ANIMAL CONTROL

Our Animal Control Officer assists residents in the capture and removal of all nuisance animals pertaining, but not limited, to skunks, raccoons, possums, groundhogs, squirrels, reptiles and other exotic animals within city limits. In some cases, it will be necessary to refer to the Ohio Division of Wildlife or the County Board of Health for assistance. Their respective websites are: www.dnr.state.oh.us/odnr/wildlife and  www.ccbh.net.

Ohio Law requires every dog owner to renew dog licenses between December 1 and January 31 of each year. The cost for each license is $16. To obtain or renew a dog license, contact the Cuyahoga County Auditor’s office at (216) 443-7028, or visit any Pet Supplies Plus or Discount Drug Mart store.

The animal control office provides traps and will dispose of animals captured in these traps, or in traps purchased by the resident. Residents are required to sign a release form, and to follow trapping procedures and regulations when obtaining a trap from the animal control office.

For information about obtaining a trap, and hints for successful trapping, please call our animal control office from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at (440) 234-2216, Ext. 1506.

For animal control problems, call (440) 234-2216, ext. 1506 Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Or call the animal control officer’s numeric pager at (440) 489-2758.

See our Forms section for a Lost Pet Report if needed.

WILDLIFE-PROOF YOUR YARD

To help avoid problems with wildlife in your yard, our Animal Control Officer suggests:

  • If you feed birds, clean up all the seeds that spill daily.
  • Seal off sheds and decks with hardware cloth (inexpensive mesh is available at hardware stores). Install it four inches into the ground, or install L-shaped ones 16 inches out from wall to keep animals from burrowing underneath.
  • Don’t leave garbage outside.
  • Treat your lawn for grubs. They are a tasty treat for skunks and raccoons.
  • Remove any rotten wood from your woodpile. It attracts insects, worms, skunks and raccoons. Keep your woodpile six inches above ground.
If deer are a problem, you may have to alter your shrubbery. Deer are attracted to hostas, rhododendrons and flowers.

SENIOR DRIVEWAY SNOW PROGRAM

Snow removal for seniors will begin after the first 2 inches of snowfall.

To help us maintain fast service, please keep your driveways free of vehicles. Addresses should be easy to read and please place your snow card sign where it is visible from the street.

During storms please be patient as we have 1,100 driveways to plow.

SENIOR BUS TRANSPORTATION

F.I.R.S.T. is a nonprofit organization emcompassing the cities of Middleburg Heights, Berea, Brook Park, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls, Strongsville, Olmsted Township and Columbia Township. 

The F.I.R.S.T. consortium provides transportation service to residents who are 60 years of age or older or adults with disabilities.  Many of the vehicles are lift equipped to accommodate wheelchairs.

The shuttle does not operate on holidays or weekends. For further information, or to schedule a trip, please call 1-800-983-4782.

By coordinating transportation service, F.I.R.S.T. provides cross jurisdictional trips, and expanded service area and more destination points.

TREE PLANTING & TREE CITY USA

The Service Department plants and maintains trees on treelawns and all other public properties. A certified City Forester, Crew Leader and Arborist supervise tree planting, the removal of diseased trees and stumps, and wood chipping for recycling purposes.

Trees are planted and replaced on our tree lawns according to a master plan. The Service Department also administers a comprehensive landscaping program for city properties.

Middleburg Heights has been named a Tree City USA community by the National Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to community forestry.  The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.

The City participates in the national Tree City USA Program and in Annual Arbor Day ceremonies. Middleburg Heights has earned Tree City USA awards from The National Arbor Day Foundation for the past 12 years.  Trees in our cities and towns help clean the air, conserve soil and water, moderate temperature and bring nature into our daily lives.  Tree City USA designation recognizes the work of elected officials, staff and citizens who plant and care for the community forest.  For further information, please log onto the National Arbor Day Foundation website at www.arborday.org.

Since our Tree City USA Program began in 1996, we have planted 3,763 trees and done extensive landscaping on public properties.

MOSQUITO CONTROL

Our Service Department works with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health to help control mosquitoes and the spread of West Nile virus.

The Board of Health has current information on the dates and locations for mosquito spraying. Please check their website at  www.ccbh.net.

FORMS & FEES

The Service Department offers certain forms and information about fees in a downloadable PDF file format. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader software to download and print these forms and fee information.

The following FORMS are available in PDF format for downloading:

PERMITS

Permits are required for projects.  The purpose of a permit is to ensure that all work is performed to proper standards and entitles the permit holder to the required inspections.

Homeowners should verify that all contractors are licensed and bonded with the city of Middleburg Heights.  Contractor registration status may be confirmed by calling 440-234-2218.

The following permits are available by contacting our Service Department office:

Curb Cutting

Drive Apron

Road Opening Bond

Sanitary Sewer Connection

Sanitary Tap-In

Sidewalk

Storm Sewer

Mechanical Games 

Tree

We request that apron and sidewalk inspections be scheduled 24 hours before the pour, but they may be scheduled the same day.