QUESTION: I am unable to locate a tree contractor to take care of my fallen trees. Can the City recommend a tree contractor?
ANSWER: The City is not able to recommend any specific contractors, however we recommend residents check with any potential contractor to assure they are licensed and insured.
QUESTION: Trees are down in my gated or private community. Why has the City not been here to clear the trees?
ANSWER: The City is not currently authorized to remove debris in gated communities. City staff are reaching out to the gated communities to coordinate the process for gaining FEMA approval for the City to collect the debris. Once this approval is obtained, debris from approved gated communities will be collected as debris management contractors collect the debris throughout the City.
QUESTION: When is the City going to clear the alleys/roads?
ANSWER: Trees blocking rights-of-way will be taken care of by the City’s debris management contractors. Efforts are focused on first clearing primary corridors, then secondary roadways, followed by neighborhood streets and alleyways. A regional resource shortage is currently being experienced in Broward County for debris collection. The City of Hollywood is working diligently with Broward County, State and Federal officials to resolve this shortage. The debris cleanup effort is extensive and residents should be prepared for this cleanup effort to take a considerable amount of time.
QUESTION: Trees in swale (area between the street and sidewalk) fell in resident’s yard (swale to private property). How will the City assist?
ANSWER: The removal of downed trees located in the swale that have fallen onto private property will be addressed after roadways are cleared which could take an extended period of time. Property owners seeking to have downed swale trees cleared sooner should contact a licensed tree removal company. The City's debris contractors will not remove trees on private property or swale trees that have damaged private property including homes and cars.
QUESTION: My neighbor’s tree fell in my yard and caused damages to my property. How can the City assist?
ANSWER: This is a civil matter between yourself and your neighbor. During this emergency we will allow ample time for residents to clean up before taking any Code Compliance action.
QUESTION: My tree fell into the alleyway; will I be cited by Code Compliance? Do I need to remove the tree?
ANSWER: You will not be cited by Code Compliance during the storm cleanup period, which will be an extended period of time. Debris contractors for the City will clear debris from public rights-of-way including alleys, but you will need to take care of any portions of the tree on your property. This could take some time for City contractors to clear. If you want the tree cleared more quickly, you are advised to contact a licensed, insured contractor.
QUESTION: Can the City come to my property to inspect the trees and provide advice on them?
ANSWER: The City arborist is tasked with storm response priorities and will not be available to provide this service. We recommend hiring an independent arborist should you be concerned.
QUESTION: I don’t have the resources to remove the tree that fell on my house and damaged my property, is there any assistance?
ANSWER: Resources are available through the City’s Community Development Division to assist income-eligible, low to moderate income (LMI) residents with removing fallen trees and debris only to the extent necessary to make their dwelling habitable. Meaning, that if a fallen tree blocks the entry or exit to your home or has damaged the structure and made it uninhabitable, then the tree can be removed to resolve the situation or to facilitate repair of the affected area in conjunction with the Emergency Housing Repair Program.
The key is that assistance from Community Development is available only to LMI residents and the tree debris must affect the dwelling’s habitability. If the caller believes they meet the LMI criteria, they should contact the Community Development Division 954.921.3271.
QUESTION: Will Waste Pro be collecting Garbage/Recycle/Commingled on normal pickup days?
ANSWER: Modified garbage service in the City of Hollywood has resumed, per the normal collection schedule. If you have garbage bags that do not fit in your gray garbage carts, please place them on the curbside and they will be collected as a courtesy.
Recycling collection will resume on Monday, September 25 on your regular pickup day. When collection resumes, blue recycling carts should also be placed out in front of your property for collection.
Normal commingled collections are suspended at this time. All garbage customers are asked to bring their gray garbage carts to the front of their property until further notice for curbside collection, even if they have an alleyway. All garbage, recycling and all storm debris will be picked up at the curb. The City has debris management contractors to collect storm debris. All storm related debris should also be placed curbside at the front of your property. To assist with recovery efforts, the City is asking residents to separate downed tree limbs, palm fronds and other brush from bulky items damaged in the storm. These materials will be picked up by the City's debris contractors as they make their way across the City over the next several weeks. Garbage and all storm debris will be picked up at the curb.
QUESTION: The debris contractor has already come through my neighborhood and collected the debris. I have more to place out. What should I do?
ANSWER: The debris contractors will be making future passes through the City to collect debris that is placed for collection.
QUESTION: Is there a pile size limit for bulk pick up?
ANSWER: The regularly scheduled commingled collection service is currently suspended. The City has retained debris management contractors to collect the storm debris. Storm debris material should be replaced curbside for collection and not in the alley. There is no pile size limit for this storm debris collection. We urge residents not to block the roadway and debris should be cut into 4 foot sections. Tree branches and vegetative debris should be separated from other debris.
QUESTION: Will the City pick up debris placed for collection from businesses/commercial properties?
ANSWER: Commercial properties must make arrangements to have debris from their properties removed via contractor. The City debris management companies will not collect debris that is placed curbside from commercial properties.
QUESTION: There is a tree that is leaning or has hanging branches that look like they are going to fall.
ANSWER: Debris management companies are mobilized within the City to mitigate the storm damage. Crews are systematically responding throughout the City to address tree hazards along the right-of-way. Due to the high volume of work, we ask for your patience while we make our way through the City.
QUESTION: Will the City repair a broken sidewalk caused by a fallen tree?
ANSWER: The City of Hollywood annually funds a 50/50 shared cost sidewalk replacement program in partnership with our residents to assist residential property owners with necessary sidewalk repairs for the sidewalk abutting their property. Typical construction costs are approximately $150.00 for a 5’ by 5’ sidewalk section of which the homeowner share would be reduced by 50% to $75.00 per section. Upon request, the City will inspect the sidewalk and provide a firm construction cost estimate for your consideration.
Please indicate your interest in the 50/50 sidewalk program and we will follow up to provide you a detailed cost estimate. Should you have any questions, contact Francisco J. Leon, Project Engineer, via email fjleon@hollywoodfl.org or phone number 954.921.3900.
QUESTION: My tree fell in the backyard and it is cut up for removal. I cannot bring it to the curb in front of the house for collection as the City is requiring. Why can’t I place it in the alley for collection?
ANSWER: To speed recovery efforts and minimize the disruption of services due to blocked alleys, the City is requesting material be placed curbside for collection in front of the property until further notice. Should this be impossible, residents are advised not to place material in the alley in a manner that blocks vehicular access. Debris placed for collection on the alley side will experience a delay in collection service.
QUESTION: I would like to volunteer to help with recovery efforts, how can I assist?
ANSWER: Hands on Broward opened a Volunteer Reception Center on Tuesday, September 12th. It’s open from 10AM to 5PM daily and is located at 5815 N. Andrews Ave., Suite A, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. You can go to the center or contact Hands On Broward for more information at 954-233-1300.
QUESTION: FPL Power Outages: I do not have power and want to know when the power will be back on?
ANSWER: The City does not know when power will be restored to specific areas. You can check out the FPL Power Tracker online and see when and where they are making the repairs. http://www.fplmaps.com/ FPL website: FPL.com
Twitter: twitter.com/insideFPL
Facebook: facebook.com/FPLconnect
FPL Power Tracker: FPL.com/powertracker
QUESTION: There is a power line/pole down in my yard/alleyway. Do I need to report it?
ANSWER: FPL is aware of power outages affecting entire neighborhoods. You do not need to report these outages. However if your home is an isolated power outage, call 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243).
QUESTION: Is the Boil Water Alert still in effect?
ANSWER: The boil water alert for all City of Hollywood water customers has been lifted.
QUESTION: Will FEMA be in Hollywood?
ANSWER: FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSAT) have begun visiting Broward County households who have pre-registered online. DSATs provide support to disaster survivors at their homes or in their communities, offering options for how to access programs that can help them move forward in their recovery. DSATS work by grid and are visiting the areas with most storm impact first. DSAT members will be wearing dark blue FEMA vests and must produce a Federal ID. We have not been informed by the county that DSATs have begun working in Hollywood. The county has advised that they will let us know when they begin working in our area. If someone knocks on your door and says they are with FEMA and they do not provide proper identification, please call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866.720.5721.
