CLEARWATER – If Clearwater is devastated by a hurricane or other disaster, AshBritt, Inc. will handle much of the cleanup. At its May 17 meeting, the Clearwater City Council awarded a contingency contract to that Deerfield Beach-based company for the demolition of unsafe buildings and the “timely removal and lawful disposal of all eligible storm-generated or other disaster-related debris … including hazardous and industrial waste materials.”
To remain eligible for FEMA disaster response and recovery grants, the city must have a plan for debris removal, the implementation of emergency protective measures and the permanent restoration of eligible facilities and infrastructure. This contract meets those criteria but, being a contingency contract, it doesn’t incur any expense until the services are actually performed.
“This contingency contract ensures that in the event of a natural or manmade disaster, the City of Clearwater will have a contractor with the experience, equipment, manpower, resources, permits and licenses to perform all disaster-related debris removal, remediation and disposal services,” a staff memo to the City Council says.
Stormwater utility rates to rise
The city’s five-year stormwater rate fee plan is expiring, so at the May 17 meeting City Council unanimously approved a new five-year rate plan.
Beginning Oct. 1, 2012, the current monthly rate of $13.04 per Equivalent Residential Unit will rise to $13.40. On Oct. 1, 2013, it will go to $13.77 per ERU. On Oct. 1, 2014 it will be increased to $14.15. As of Oct. 1, 2015, it will climb to $14.54, and on Oct. 1, 2016 it will go up to $14.94.
“Since the 2008 rate increases were passed, several significant flood control and water quality projects have been completed or are under way, including Beach Walk, Alligator Creek Wetlands Creation, Alligator Creek Channel G, Alligator Creek Channel F, Lake Bellevue, Tropic Hills Phase I and Tropic Hills Phase II,” a staff memo to the city council says.
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