Q: Can you share insight into the recent response to hurricanes Helene and Milton as well as any effects to NW St. Johns County?
A: The county’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated for the better part of three weeks due to these two storms. We track the storms from the time the state of emergency is declared until 24 hours after the storm has passed. There is [as of interview date of Oct. 16] still an ongoing effort to assist those in Hastings and the southern part of our county who experienced flooding.
NW St. Johns County was very fortunate. We had tree branches down, but not a lot of widespread damage.
Q: Can you address the storm debris cleanup situation?
A: First, it’s important to note that storm debris cleanup is not the responsibility of FCC Environmental. Their contract does not include this. Instead, the county is to hire subcontractors to pick up storm debris. The challenge for the county is to hire an adequate number of trucks, we’re competing with other counties and municipalities across the state, many of which have more tonnage of debris than we do. The companies are paid based on weight. So, for illustration, with Hurricane Matthew in 2016, we had 700,000 cubic yards of debris; the last two storms together only accounted for 30,000 cubic yards.
The county has been working internally to try to pick up as much storm debris as possible. Every available resource we have is dedicated to this, but I understand that debris is not being picked up as fast as we would like. Everyone’s patience is appreciated.
Q: What’s the latest on FCC Environmental?
A: So far, their contract starting in Clay County has not impacted trash pickup in St. Johns County. We have terminated their contract, but FCC is trying to get us to rescind this decision. I’ve been pretty vocal about my frustration with them, but the level of service has improved somewhat.
Q: When will the road construction finally be completed on Longleaf Pine Parkway?
A: It looks like the work is completed, but there is still more to be done. The road may not be open until the end of this year or even into January. This is because the county has to go through all the rules and regulations from the Florida Department of Transportation prior to opening. Every foot of roadway must be inspected to ensure it meets FDOT requirements.
Q: What can you tell us about the recent community meeting with Public Works regarding U-turns on Race Track Road?
A: There was concern expressed by neighbors in the Pine Chase/Pine Crossing neighborhoods about the number of U-turns taking place at the intersection of Butterfly Branch Drive and Race Track Road as a result of the strip mall to the east of this intersection. The neighbors wanted to eliminate U-turns here, but staff from Public Works provided traffic crash data that shows, although possibly counterintuitive, a U-turn is actually safer than a left in/left out of a parking lot entrance. This is actually part of the FDOT’s Target Zero initiative to reduce the number of transportation- related serious injuries and deaths across Florida to zero. They are just not seeing fatal collisions with U-turns in the same numbers as left turns across roadways.
Q: What is the best way for our readers to contact you?
A: Readers can email me at bcc1cwhitehurst@sjcfl.us or call me at (904) 584-5348.
