Enough Hurricane Florence tree and yard debris has been collected in Jacksonville to fill six football fields, goal post to goal post, ten feet high. It is the estimate of the City that it could be December before all the vegetative, construction and demolition debris is collected. And, now is the time to be getting stuff to the curb for pickup.
Thirty collection trucks with pick up arms and trailers are in the field seven days a week to collect the vegetative debris, and now, also the construction and demolition debris. City crews are continuing regular garbage pickup, helping with smaller piles on yard waste day as well as appliances, electronics and other special items.
Contract debris removal crews have been on the job since the winds died down. The City has a previously executed contract with a debris management firm in the event of an emergency event such as a hurricane. The management firm works to ensure the actions taken are eligible for FEMA reimbursement to the City. The current bill is more than $1.8 million for the first ten days into the collection work. That would require about a five-cent property tax increase if not for the FEMA reimbursement.
Therefore, residents are urged to place items as soon as possible at the curb while the contract crews are here. It is not practical to extend the crews beyond the time when the City crews can pick up the remainder. Please place yard waste and vegetative debris in one pile, construction and demolition items in another and pile separately electronics and discarded appliances. Each pile should be at least three feet apart from the other.
At this time, the contract crews have not finished their first round of the City for yard waste and vegetative debris. More than 2,100 loads of vegetative debris have been collected and placed at the City’s temporary mulching site across from the Center from Public Safety. A second round will be made when the first round is completed. The contract crews are also assisting in keeping streets clear by cutting limbs that are a danger to safe passage.
Residents are reminded that it is unlawful to open burn debris without a permit in the City. More than forty unlawful burning activities have been stopped in the City. Also, please don’t park cars on the streets during this time as this impedes traffic, can be dangerous for emergency vehicles and in some cases, causes debris pickup to be postponed.