FALLEN TREES

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 working to gain authorization to remove debris in gated communities.  City staff are reaching out to the gated communities to coordinate the proper releases and discuss 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. If you are in a gated community and have questions about the status of this effort, please contact the City of Hollywood’s Emergency Management Coordinator Jaime Hernandez, jahernandez@hollywoodfl.org or 954.921.3053.

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 by the City as long as these trees have not damaged private property. These removals will be prioritized behind the City-wide debris cleanup effort. 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. We will allow ample time for residents to address these matters and handle 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. The alleys 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:  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 public rights-of-way and on other public property such as parks. Due to the high volume of work, we ask for your patience while crews make their 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.

STORM DEBRIS REMOVAL

QUESTION:  How is the City determining where debris gets collected first?  Will it be fairly distributed?

ANSWER:  The City has been sectored into 8 sections for deploying and tracking debris collection resources.  This is to ensure debris removal crews are working in all areas of the City. Every effort is being made to apply all available debris assets in such a manner that all areas receive equitable service.

QUESTION:  Do I need to separate vegetative debris from other storm debris or bulky items damaged in the storm? 

ANSWER: Yes, all storm related debris should be placed curbside at the front of your property. To speed 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.  All collections, storm debris, garbage and recycling are currently taking place a the curb.  

QUESTION: When is the City going to clear the alleys?  When is the City going to pick-up debris?

ANSWER: Debris pickup is currently underway with several debris removal teams working within the City. We continue to have a regional resource shortage in our area for debris haulers due to the varying rates different areas of state are paying for debris collection. The City of Hollywood is working diligently to resolve this shortage while making sure the City complies with FEMA regulations so that federal reimbursement for the cost of storm debris cleanup is not jeopardized. The debris cleanup effort is extensive as of 9/27/17 debris crews had collected approximately 26,000 cubic yards of debris. Unfortunately, we cannot provide a specific schedule of when various areas of the City will have debris collected. Residents should be prepared for this cleanup effort to take a considerable amount of time.  

 QUESTION: The debris contractor has already come through my neighborhood and collected 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 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:  Debris from businesses/commercial properties will not be collected by the City’s debris management contractors and should not be placed out for collection.

 REGULAR GARBAGE/RECYCLING/COMMINGLED COLLECTION

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. Recycling collection has resumed its normal schedule on Monday September 25th.   Regularly scheduled commingled collection services are currently suspended.  All garbage and recycling customers are asked to bring their gray/blue carts to the front of their property until further notice for curbside collection, even if they have an alleyway. All garbage, recycling and 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 speed 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. Garbage, Recycling and all storm debris will be picked up at the curb.

PERMITTING FOR STORM RELATED DAMAGE

QUESTION: Is the City waiving permit fees for storm related damage?

ANSWER: Yes, in an effort to expedite repairs required as a result of damage caused by Hurricane Irma, the Building Division has made changes to its permitting policies and procedures for a 90 calendar day period, effective September 21, 2017. This 90 day grace period will assist the residents and commercial businesses of the City in restoring their property and returning to normal operations as quickly as possible.  Fees for certain permits like fences, A/CMore information can be found at http://www.hollywoodfl.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=467 (or go to www.hollywoodfl.org under City News)

FEMA AND OTHER AVAILABLE DISASTER ASSISTANCE

QUESTION: What kind of assistance is available for Hollywood residents?

ANSWER: Individual Disaster Assistance: FEMA has declared Broward County eligible for individual assistance to help support your recovery. To find out what type of assistance is available, go to www.disasterassistance.gov.

Disaster Assistance For Low To Moderate Income Households: The City's Community Development Division can provide grants for rental assistance, security deposits, utility deposits, to make interim repairs to stabilize homes, to mitigate water damage and to assist with paying insurance deductibles.

Community Development has implemented a Disaster Housing Repair Strategy funded by State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) funds in order to provide assistance to low- to moderate-income households impacted by Hurricane Irma. Eligibility is primarily income-based, and total household income cannot exceed $60,950.00 (based on a household size of four).

The City's Community Development Division can provide grants for rental assistance, security deposit, and utility deposit to income-eligible households that have been temporarily displaced from their home due to Hurricane Irma. Grants to income-eligible homeowners whose home has been damaged by the hurricane are also available to make interim repairs to stabilize homes and make it habitable. This includes mitigating water damage and drying-in damaged roof. Grants are also available to assist with paying insurance deductible for income-eligible households damaged by Irma.

Assistance provided through the Community Development Division cannot be used to duplicate assistance provided by other federal/state agencies or private insurance companies.

Applications are available online at the link below. You may also call the Community Development Division at 954.921.3271 Monday through Thursday from 7A-6P for additional information. Please bring completed applications to the Community Development Office at City Hall, 2600 Hollywood Boulevard, 2nd floor Room 203.

 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.

VOLUNTEERING

QUESTION: I would like to volunteer to help with recovery efforts, how can I assist?

ANSWER: Hands on Broward organizes volunteer opportunities and can be reached at 954-233-1300.

FPL

QUESTION: There is a power pole leaning in my yard/alleyway. 

ANSWER:  Please call to report this problem to FPL Customer Care Call Center.  The number for Broward County is 866-263-9185. You will need either your full social security number, or your FPL account number and last four digits of your social security number to identify your account. Representatives are available Monday – Friday from 7:30am – 7:30pm and Saturday from 8am-5pm.

If you are having a power outage, this can be reported at 24/7 at 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243).