City leaders will be issuing a Request for Proposals to solicit outside assistance with the public works department’s efforts to clean up the debris left behind within Yazoo City from the winter storm last month.
Yazoo County took a similar approach in early February with its deadline for proposals being tomorrow.
“I want to state for the public and for the record that the second day after this (storm) happened, I was talking about issuing RFPs,” said Mayor David Starling. “And I was told that we shouldn’t do it. With that being said, we will get an RFP issued.”
The RFP request was approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen during its Monday meeting.
The city council said it has been heavily approached by city residents on the status of the debris cleanup with many rights-of-way in the city piled with loads of vegetation, branches and other debris from the January winter storm.
Otha Gilmore, with the city’s public works department, admits that the cleanup efforts could “take months.”
“I am going to be honest and say that this is going to be a very lengthy process,” Gilmore said. “We have streets that we haven’t even touched. It’s a nuisance out there. You have some two-lane roads that are now considered one-lane roads because of the debris. We are on it, and we are doing everything we can. I dare not put a time frame on it. But if I had to say it, I would say it could be months.”
Gilmore encouraged the city leaders to bring in outside assistance to help the public works department. Even with the massive debris, he added that the department still must maintain its normal daily operations.
“All of our guys are stuck on debris, but we still have a city to take care of,” Gilmore said. “We still need to do potholes, ditches and other things. But right now, we can’t even go to the store without somebody asking us when their streets are going to be cleaned. We are doing everything we can.”
Austin proposed that the city council issue RFPs for outside assistance.
“In an effort of transparency, was that not proposed initially,” asked Starling.
“Yes, but we were told that public works could get it picked up,” replied Board Attorney Lilli Evans-Bass.
“I know, but I am here now to say that they can’t do the work,” replied Austin.
Starling said another issue he noticed is that after city work crews clear a street of debris, more piles are left right behind them.
“What I have noticed riding around is that in the morning when a street can be cleared of debris, by that afternoon, people have come back and there is more debris on the street,” he said. “I am going to ask for your patience in preserving the integrity of the city. The debris on your street might take longer because there is an entire city that our public works department is trying to pick up. Take Grand Avenue for example. Grand Avenue was clear from Canal Street all the way down to Walmart. By that afternoon, Grand Avenue was back to the way it was. But what about West Second? What about Jefferson? What about some other streets? I am going to ask for your patience as we move through a street and pick it up.”
“It’s not that they are not working,” added Alderman Jammie McCoy. “There is stuff everywhere. Everybody be patient. It is going to get done. It is just going to take some time.”
The city council also reminded residents not to place household garbage in the debris piles.
“Whatever it takes to get us back on track, that is what we need to do,” said Alderman Charlie Jenkins.
“We will definitely be discussing it in executive session,” added Starling.
