High Springs Debris Cleanup Resolved With FEMA

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs City Commission met on Oct. 24, 2024, approving three resolutions and an interlocal agreement with Alachua County. An unexpected addition was made at the beginning of the meeting, when an Interlocal Agreement for debris removal between the City and Alachua County was added to the agenda. This agreement, along with the resolutions, received unanimous approval. Commissioner Bryan Williams was absent.

The Interlocal Agreement, which was previously discussed and approved, allows Alachua County to provide debris removal services for the City of High Springs. Although FEMA earlier raised concerns over the High Springs cleanup under the county's contract with the service provider, Alachua County agreed to carry out the cleanup at no charge to the city, ensuring compliance with FEMA regulations.

In other City business, three resolutions were approved. The first authorized Alachua County to continue providing 9-1-1 Emergency Addressing Services to the City, with High Springs City Manager Jeremy Marshall authorized to execute the agreement.

The second resolution extended the work of the City’s lobbyist, Andrew Clee, who has represented High Springs in Tallahassee. City Manager Marshall remarked that his work as a lobbyist on behalf of the City in order to gain approval of a $1 million legislative appropriation for the police department was an example of his work. Ultimately, the legislative appropriation was vetoed by the governor.

The third resolution involved an addendum with Paul Stressing Associates, Inc. to specifically address the terms, scope and findings of fact in support of the Priest Theater Project. A list of fees for different tasks was included in the addendum. This is the first addendum to the original contract with this company.

The Manager Marshall also requested the upcoming Nov. 12 organizational meeting to begin at 5:30 p.m. Commissioner Andrew Miller shared that the City Clerk will accept nominations for the City Employee of the Year from both the public and the Commission.

Lasharda Lisi, FEMA's Intergovernmental Congressional Specialist, attended the City Commission meeting to detail FEMA’s range of support services available to residents affected by hurricanes. FEMA offers several forms of assistance, including serious needs assistance, transitional sheltering, and displacement assistance.

Residents seeking help can access services through disasterassistance.gov, call 800-621-3362, or text 43362 with their zip code for direct assistance.

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