Fall Clean-up
Annual Fall Clean-up Event
October 28, 2023
The fall clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, October 28, 2023.
- If there is rain or snow, the cleaning should take place the following day, Sunday, October 29.
- If there is rain or snow on both days, it will be expected that as much of the clean up as possible is completed between rain and snow times.
- CTC Management will follow up the week of the clean-up to clarify the approach that should be taken.
Meeting Time + Place
Your Ward Rep will email you with specific details, as each ward will have an individual meeting time that will vary by time and location. Plan on a tentative start time between 8:00am-9:00am!
Membership Participation:
All co-op members are required to participate in the bi-annual (fall and spring) cleaning of our grounds, as segmented by ward. Non-members are also welcome to participate in our grounds’ beautification, a fun and rewarding experience. No sign-in at the event is required; however, your work is crucial toward maintaining low monthly rental rates, with our bi-annual clean-ups saving our co-op thousands of dollars.
Recording Attendance
Attendance will be taken by your Ward Rep at the event. Make sure you check in for your attendance to be counted, otherwise your household may incur a nonparticipant fee.
Cannot Attend?
If your household is unable to attend, you must email your Ward Rep for instruction toward a makeup, or alternative, assignment. Fulfillment duty alternatives include pre-clean up assignments within your ward, stocking laundry room supplies, extra cleaning in Monarch way station, peace garden or fruit garden or additional laundry duty.
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Task List:
Community Grounds
Each ward will receive equipment - rakes, brooms, garbage bags, etc. - to collect leaves, twigs and branches, trash, and other unwanted items for the occasion. For efficiency, please complete the following:
- Clean up all trash within ward and around dumpster areas and put in dumpsters
- Pick up rocks and large sticks/branches, and place by dumpsters in a pile for UMN Landcare to remove
- Dispose of all unwanted or abandoned items present throughout the ward
- Clear toys, bikes, and lawn items for UMN mulch machines to pass. Unwanted items can be disposed of or recycled.
Raking Leaves:
- Rake leaves six feet away from buildings, trees, bike racks, and fences into a flat grass area.
- Do not make piles; instead, rake leaves away from structures in a single line formation, or in rows, for mulch machine accessibility.
- Rake up matted leaves that are stuck to the turf (prioritize matted leaves over loose leaves, as the matted leaves damages the turf)
- Remove all non-organic material from tree leaves, such as trash and large twigs
- Do not put leaves in bags
- Pull leaves out of the playground corners and move to open turf areas in rows
- Sweep debris (leaves, sticks, etc.) from street curbs and rain gutters to middle of street/driving lane, allowing for the street sweeper to remove without moving vehicles.
- Clear weeds and any trash from community gardens/flower beds (Peace Garden, Fruit Garden, Hasta Gardens)
- Roll up any garden hoses from your ward and properly store in storage
- Additional duties can be needed depending on your ward. For example, pulling weeds in the Peace Garden, maintaining the Fruit Garden or Monarch Waystation clean up
Snow Shovels
- Set out snow shovels from ward storage:
- One shovel per shared walkway for 2- and 3-bedroom units (including front and back)
- One shovel per side of 1-bedroom buildings
Laundry + Storage Rooms
- Organize all laundry rooms and the storage room in your ward so others can easily and efficiently access the room
- Dispose of any outdated or unwanted items, signage, and trash
CTC Compost Update (November 2022):Our co-op’s compost bins are closed until further notice. During this time, the bins are only accepting plant debris/trimmings (grass, garden weeds, leaves, small twigs). Please do not discard anything other than plant trimmings into the bins while closed (especially NO household food scraps!). Visit umnctc.org/compost for full details and updates. |
Supplies:
- All rakes, snow shovels, and garbage bags are in your Ward Storage. If bags run out, please use a personal garbage bag. Thank you!
- Return all rakes to your Ward’s storage unit after use. Please put rakes away neatly and organized so others can easily and efficiently access the room.
Notice of Photography:
Pictures may be taken at CTC events and spaces and used/published by our co-op. By entering the event premises, you consent to be photographed, as well as accept the photos may be used for display or in future promotions for CTC. If you don’t wish to be included, please inform the photographer.
Additional Requirement Reminders
Prior to the Event:
Clear Yards/Garden Beds by Sunday, Oct. 22
Ongoing Household Requirement + Upcoming Inspections
Residents are responsible for removing all possessions and external items and/or growth. Yard Inspections take place in the week before clean-up day, beginning October 23. Respective noncompliance fees will occur if applicable.
- Clean out front and back flower beds (free of weeds and plants when season is done)
- Organize and remove clutter in yards and common areas
- Review the Clutter and Debris Policy for more on your responsibility for maintaining yards, unit garden beds, and common areas, a year-round requirement for all residents.
- All bikes must be claimed and organized; any abandoned bikes after clean-up will be removed
- One-Bedrooms: All items in hallway must be removed and cleared; no items in hallway
- Storage area organized, with all items fitting inside the bin
Continuously Keep Outdoor Spaces Tidy
Eliminating all yard and outdoor clutter is an on-going requirement for all residents to fulfill year-round, per CTC's Clutter + Debris Policy. In which case, Yard Inspections can occur at any time throughout the season without notice; thus, continuously keep yard spaces neat and tidy to avoid incurring violation fees.
Clear Out Community Garden Plots
Community Garden Plot holders: All garden plots need to be cleared by [date pending]. More details and directions emailed to individual gardeners.
While you are outside during the clean-up.....
Photo Collaboration Project
Sept. 1 - Nov. 5, 2023 | $25 PRIZE
Slow down, notice and connect to the world around you. Explore our community with new eyes and capture those awe-inspiring photos -- from the grand, small, and everything in between! It could be a stunning landscape, a family gathering, a community event, or the tiniest details of nature.
No matter your age or skill level, we encourage everyone to participate and submit your photo(s) by Nov. 5, 2023!
More about the Photo Collaboration Project + Enter Photos.
Plastic Recycling Challenge
OCTOBER 1, 2023-SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 | 1,00LB. GOAL
If you find any soft plastics (plastic film packaging, bags, wrappings) throughout the grounds - and at home - you can collect these items and contribute to our current Plastic Recycling Challenge. Every bag, wrapper, etc., counts as we aim to collect 1,000 pounds for recycling within 12 months. And here's the exciting part: If we reach our goal, Trex will generously award us with a beautiful bench made from recycled materials!
- Remember to clean and dry your plastic film packaging before dropping it off.
- Start collecting accepted plastic items as you seen them and at home to help propel us to our goal
- Encourage others to participate!
- Bring your collected plastic our designated collection bins located in the Community Center and the Study Center.