The city of Hollister has reached an agreement with a street sweeping contractor to take over the role of cleaning local streets at a cost of $155,316 per year. City Manager Billy Avera said the service will be "exactly the same as the city is currently doing," except break-downs in equipment won't mean that streets won't get cleaned, as is the case when one of the city's two street sweepers requires repairs.

"The public shouldn't see any change in the services they receive," he said. "There won't be any down sweepers" as there are now, so "we should actually be getting a better service."

Cities are required to sweep their streets to stay in compliance with the California State Water Board and meet the obligations of the federal Clean Water Act. Hollister's fleet of two street sweepers — a model Avera said is no longer made — will be reduced to one that will be used just for special events (such as downtown parades) as well as clean-up at city construction sites or during emergencies.

With Tuesday's action by the city council, Hollister entered into a two-year contract with Contract Sweeping Services.

Councilman Ray Friend asked Avera to make sure that the street sweeping schedule is publicized so that residents know when to move their cars off the curb so gutters can be cleaned. Avera said the schedule would be posted online by the end of the week.