Accusations circulating on social media that the city public works department assisted a property owner with cleaning debris on private property was addressed during the recent city council meeting.
Alderman Sir Johnathan Rucker asked Jermain Greer, public works director, to offer some explanation surrounding the matter during the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting Monday afternoon.
“I know I talked to you about the issue on Highway 3,” Rucker said, to Greer. “Could you tell the general public what you shared with me as far as it being said that the city was out there tearing down a building on Highway 3? What really happened?”
Greer said the public works department did not assist with the demolition of a structure on private property or with the removal of the debris on the site.
“Social media stated that some city vehicles were on a private site, picking up debris and things of that nature,” Greer said. “It was over there on Roosevelt Drive, but the purpose of the trucks going on private property was because it was safety issue with debris being put on the streets. It would have caused one-way traffic, and there was a safer route that I made the decision on for the citizens. It was a safety issue, as far as the trash.”
Greer said the city worker pushed the debris causing a safety hazard in the street closer to the building, away from traffic.
“There was no tearing down or nothing,” Greer added.
The discussion led to Alderwoman Elizabeth Thomas questioning what the city is obligated in picking up when it comes to debris. For example, if a homeowner hires a contractor to cut down a tree, who is responsible for picking that debris up.
“If the contractor who cut it and put it down there at the street, it is their responsibility,” Greer said. “If the homeowner puts it out there, the city can pick it up.”
“The ordinance states very clearly that if the contractor is hired to remove anything from any property, the contractor is responsible for the debris,” added Mayor Diane Delaware. “Most contractors already know that so we shouldn’t even be here having a confusing conversation about it. Over the years, we have had some issues.”
Delaware added that if the homeowner leaves debris for pickup, the debris should be placed on the curb, not the street. Board attorney Lilli Evans-Bass also said that it is considered a misdemeanor if a contractor does not remove the debris from the job.
“The city ordinance says that they must remove it,” Evans-Bass said.
