by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Going green could soon cost a little more for Duval County residents in need of a new City-issued recycle bins.
The ordinance, introduced Jan. 25 by the City Council president at the request of the mayor, would impose a $13 fee for delivery of a recycle bin to residential solid waste customers in Jacksonville.
It would allow the City’s chief of solid waste to adjust that fee when economic factors warrant.
The measure was originally introduced to the City Council Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee and the Finance Committee.
The measure has since made its way through second readings and re-referrals before being deferred for action by both committees during their meetings Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
City spokeswoman Jennifer Savage said the measure has been deferred for at least one additional cycle as City officials meet with council members individually to answer questions.
The City spent $60,000 annually on the bins over the years and distributed around 10,000 of the blue containers annually. Savage said the Solid Waste Division incurred extra fees for storage, delivery and associated costs.
In July 2009, the City provided bins to newly built homes and new residents only, which lowered the number to 2,200 a year and saved $47,000, but requests remained significant enough to offer bins to residents for a fee. State statutes mandate each municipality offer a recycling program, said Savage.
The $13 will go entirely toward the purchase, storage, handling and fuel for delivery, she said.
The administration set the fee, which could change after the individual council member meetings.
Whether the measure is approved or not, residents can still use an equivalent-sized container or paper bags to place their recyclables for pickup.
Acceptable items for recycling include plastic food, beverage and detergent bottles; glass bottles and jars; newspapers and magazines; and metal cans.
Other notes from Tuesday’s finance committee meeting:
• An ordinance regarding the redevelopment of the St. Luke’s Hospital Building and Florida Casket Co. building at 518 Palmetto St. was approved by the committee.
The agreement, among the City, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission and the Jacksonville Historical Society, would provide grant assistance to help with the purchase of the two buildings for the historical society to redevelop for use as archives and exhibit space and a genealogy center.
The City’s Historic Preservation Trust Fund would issue a grant of up to $250,000 toward the purchase. The historical society would raise private funds for the remaining costs.
The purchase price of the buildings is $575,000 and renovations are estimated at an additional $1.25 million.
The City’s investment will be reimbursed should the society sell the buildings, although Executive Director Emily Lisska told the committee the society had no intent to sell and “covets this property.” If the buildings are not purchased by Dec. 31, 2013, the City is not obligated to pay the grant.
• The committee approved three measures requiring no local matches that will add funds for various purchases.
The first, $252,453 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will go toward the purchase of equipment in gaps relevant to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosive response teams in antiterrorism operations for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Specialty Response Teams.
The second, $15,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice, will purchase a work-assist vehicle to enhance the safety and efficiency of the property and evidence warehouse.
And the third, another $106,845 from the U.S. Department of Justice, will purchase a print workstation to allow the sheriff’s office immediate access to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement database.
Finance Committee Chair Warren Jones said he was particularly happy with the “no local match” portion of such bills.
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