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Greenwood officials outline debris removal progress, FEMA deadline and Waller Street work
Summary
City staff updated council on debris pickup, Team Rubicon support, DOT contractor work, a FEMA assistance deadline, Waller Street construction progress and related community impacts.
City staff and council members reviewed ongoing storm recovery actions, including large-scale debris collection by DOT contractors, the local role of Team Rubicon, an approaching FEMA assistance deadline, and progress on Waller Street construction.
A city staff member reported the city-county food drive is running (began Jan. 13 and continues through Feb. 20) and said the stated goal is to collect “10,000” (the meeting record did not specify units). Staff also reminded anyone with hurricane damage that the last day to apply for FEMA assistance is “tomorrow,” as stated during the meeting; no calendar date for that deadline was posted in the transcript.
On debris removal, staff described coordination with the state DOT contractor working through zones and said DOT verifies zone clearance before crews depart. Team Rubicon — the nonprofit disaster-response organization — was described as “no longer physically here, but … still committed to trying to work in our community when they can.” Staff said Team Rubicon is likely to return in approximately two to three weeks after required training; the organization told city staff that very large root balls may be out of its operational scope. The city said it has been sending reports of remaining curbside debris via an online widget so DOT and the cleanup contractor can re-check reported locations.
Council members and staff discussed limitations on removing debris from private property. Staff said DOT/removal contractors will clear debris in the public right-of-way, but the city is not contracting to send crews onto private property to grind stumps; staff suggested the city could provide referral information for private stump-grinding services. Staff also said some private-property situations may require code-enforcement notices if homeowners do not remove downed trees or root balls.
On local projects, staff displayed photos of Waller Street construction and said the contractor AOS is making progress; because the street is one-way, sections must be closed during construction, and staff acknowledged traffic impacts for nearby businesses. The city plans a reactivation event for Waller Street in April (staff referenced an April 5 target) to coincide with the street reopening and downtown activation efforts.
Staff also briefed council on current job openings in city departments: three firefighter positions, three police officers, one senior crewman at Holt Works and three regular crewman positions. The city said it is fully staffed for CDL drivers and one light-duty slot remains open.
Staff urged residents to put debris at the curb before DOT leaves a zone, to help ensure it is collected during the contractor’s pass. The city continues to coordinate daily with the cleanup contractor and to accept reports through its online portal for additional checks. Staff said they have been consulting FEMA and peers in other jurisdictions about best practices for large-scale debris management.
Ending: Staff said they expect continued cleanup activity over coming weeks and will follow up with council and residents with scheduling updates and guidance on private-property cleanup options.
