Commission hears update on storm-debris final pass; city says vegetative pickup will finish this week

Augusta public works staff told the City Commission on March 18 that the final pass for vegetative storm debris collection is on track to be completed by the end of the week in most districts, and the city reiterated rules for what qualifies for pickup.

Commissioner Katherine Smith Rice raised constituent complaints about fresh cuttings, root balls and stumps appearing at curbside that are not part of the September storm clean-up; she asked whether crews could collect the newer piles before the Masters tournament. Public works director Leidra Collins said the city had advertised the final-pass schedule through multiple channels and that districts 1, 2, 3 and 7 had been certified complete for the final pass; she said Districts 4, 5, 6 and 8 were making substantial progress and the goal was completion by the end of the week.

Collins clarified that certification of a district as complete applies to vegetative curbside debris tied to the qualifying storm event and does not automatically cover root balls and stumps; those items require specialized equipment and remain in active collection status. She directed residents with uncollected qualifying debris to report addresses to 311 for follow-up.

Commissioners emphasized public outreach: several asked staff to continue publishing daily or near-term maps and schedules so residents and property owners know when crews will be in specific neighborhoods. Commissioner Don Clark and others said some neighborhoods still showed large uncollected piles; Collins acknowledged certain park and riverfront cleanup tasks required different equipment and that separate plans were in progress.

Commissioners also warned residents that non-storm items such as mattresses, fences and newly cut yard waste placed at the curb would not qualify for FEMA reimbursement and therefore might not be collected by city crews. Administrator Allen said the city risks losing FEMA reimbursement if crews collect ineligible materials.

Ending: Staff said most vegetative final-pass pickup will be complete by the end of the week, asked residents to use 311 to report outstanding qualified debris, and will provide commissioners and the public with updates on park and Riverwalk cleanups; no policy change was adopted at the meeting.