It has been a wild summer and some trees simply do not know what to do.

Some trees have turned and are dropping leaves on lawns across the city. Anxious residents are eager to get rid of these leaves, normally done by raking leaves into the streets.

Slow down.

The city has not started leaf pickup just yet, so any leaves raked in the streets will sit there for a while. This can create a frustrations for drivers and neighbors and, frankly, a mess.

Only a small number of trees have dropped, so homeowners eager for a clean lawn should use the kraft paper bags as well as lawn stickers, available for 35 cents each at various locations across the city. The city will announce leaf pickup and the three free program and the street leaf pickup in the near future, after a significant amount of leaves have dropped.

This is also a good time for homeowners to look at storm drains in the streets in front of their homes. These need to be cleared of debris (such as leaves) by the homeowner.

When draings are plugged, the streets can flood. If multiple drains on a street are not open, city streets become flooded quite quickly. The water often lingers long after the rain is done if homeowners do not do their part.

By doing these simple things, homeowners can do a lot to keep the streets clean for all of us.