Davie Update

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

DAVIE UPDATE

By Mayor Judy Paul

The Davie Town Council recently entered into an agreement with Coastal Environmental Services to provide commercial waste services and residential curbside solid waste, bulk, and modified recycling services effective June 1, 2021. Under this new contract, residents will receive two curbside solid waste and recycling pick-ups per week and one bulk pick-up per month. In addition, residents will receive new 96-gallon waste carts. During the transition to the new contract, the Town will be evaluating the existing residential and bulk curbside routes. This evaluation will result in new waste/ recycling days and bulk pick-up days and maps throughout the Town. These changes will be made to enhance service delivery and reduce missed or delayed pick-ups. The Town will undertake a public information campaign to ensure notices are sent in advance for you to plan appropriately. Be on the lookout!!! The biggest challenge for Davie and is the same challenge for everyone in Broward County is the processing of recyclables. For years, recycling has declined based on the global market and contamination issues making the repurposing of recyclables cost-prohibitive. As a result, the cost to recycle has tripled and shamefully recyclables are being placed in landfills due to contamination. This is unconscionable, which is why the Town has taken a hybrid approach to ensure that the Town still gets credited with recycling. In this new contract, you will still have a recycling container (beige) and a waste container (green). They will both be picked up twice a week by the same truck and taken to the Waste Energy Facility on SR7/441. There, the materials will be burned generating electricity resulting in energy credits. We ask that you still source separate, the material between recyclables and household waste as the Town, other Broward municipalities, and Broward County are currently collaborating to determine the feasibility of opening a government-run recycling facility in Broward County. If, and when this occurs, this would require the separating of materials and the Town will be in a state of readiness to participate. In the meantime, we will have lower waste and recycling costs than anticipated and still doing our best for the environment. The Town of Davie is now a participating municipality in the Broward County Residential Drop Off program. Davie residents can dispose of household hazardous waste, residential electronics recycling, and bulk and yard waste at any of the County’s dropoff centers including the Central Residential Drop-Off Center (RDOC) located at 5490 Reese Road, Davie, FL 33313. The facilities are open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Davie residents may only utilize the Central RDOC for bulk and yard waste. Please note, this center is operating on an alternating schedule and will be open to Davie residents every other Saturday (March 6, March 20, etc.) until further notice. Only two individuals per vehicle will be allowed to unload their waste and residents will be required to wear a face-covering while unloading waste. For more information, please visit www.davie-fl.gov/solidwaste. Davie bills its residents for solid waste services on its tax bill. The original FY2021 residential solid waste assessment was $330.49 per household prior to the new contract with Coastal. Based on savings during FY2021 and the negotiated new contract, we will be able to reduce next year’s (FY2022) solid waste assessment amount to an estimated $258. The FY2023 solid waste assessment will be based solely on the new contract and is estimated at $308.00. Throughout the transition of the collection companies and beyond, the Town will have a municipal solid waste liaison to assist with any questions, concerns, or unforeseen issues that may arise. The contact number is 954-797-1045, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We can also be reached via email at waste@davie-fl.gov. On a final note, I want to let you know that the Town operated a COVID-19 Vaccination Point of Dispensing (POD) site at Pine Island Park during the month of February. The POD operated on an appointment-only basis and vaccinated residents 65 and over. The Town vaccinated 50 patients for 10 days utilizing Town Fire Rescue personnel. Thank you to all Town staff that made this site a great success and we look forward to hosting a larger vaccination site in the future Selected Walmarts have been added to vaccination sites including two in Davie: University Drive north of Griffin Rd. and Stirling Rd and Pine Island Rd. Walmart’s scheduler can be found by visiting Walmart. com/covidvaccine In conjunction with the United States Conference of Mayors and municipalities across the country, the Town of Davie has proclaimed the 1ST day of March 2021 as: COVID-19 VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS MEMORIAL DAY. Our hearts go out to the families who have lost a loved one. On Feb 14 Silver Ridge Elementary and schools around the county commemorated the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS 3 years ago with a children’s day of service. A Peace Pole was dedicated at Silver Ridge by the students and then they spent the day beautifying the campus. A great tribute. If you need to contact me please call 954-797-1030 or email me at jpaul@davie-fl.gov. Mayor Judy Paul Town of Davie