At its June 23, 2021 meeting, the City Commission approved a referral to the Neighborhoods and Quality of Life Committee a discussion on options for additional pressure washing and other efforts to improve the cleanliness of City streets and sidewalks.

The Sanitation Division has been very successful in its mission to maintain cleanliness throughout the City.  It has also received high marks as it relates to preparing for, implementing strategic plans, and maintaining cleanliness during highly attended events pre-pandemic.  In addition, the Sanitation Division has continued to work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, providing Citywide litter control, pressure cleaning, and street sweeping services.

As the City entered Fiscal Year (FY) 20/21, the Sanitation Division continued its diligent efforts to observe COVID-19 protocols in order to protect the safety of all employees.  However, during its first quarter, the Division was challenged with a reduction in staff of 11 full time in-house positions due to attrition, layoffs, and the loss of 45 budgeted temporary staffing positions.

In an effort to provide uninterrupted City service, the Sanitation Division received approval to rehire over 20 temporary staffers to help cover the gaps due to the unexpected vacancies, and the increased amount of pedestrian traffic in the Mixed Use Entertainment (MXE) District since December 2020.

There have also been modifications made to the scope of services that the Sanitation Division provides in order to assist with activities related to the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.  The pressure washing crews also altered their routes to include augmenting and increasing the cleaning of bus stops and benches.

The Sanitation Division currently has five, one-person crews, and two, two-person crews for pressure cleaning operations.  These crews work five days a week, Monday - Fridays and clean an average of two blocks per day, per crew member.  Additional pressure washing is done on an as-needed basis, as well as in preparation for special events, holidays, and when providing assistance to other departments. 

Areas of coverage:

1. Ocean Drive
2. Washington South
3. Washington North
4. Lincoln Road West  (two-person crew,) once the crew is finished by 9:00am they continue on to Collins Avenue
5. Lincoln Road East (two-person crew,) once the crew is finished by 9:00am, they continue on to Collins Avenue
6. 41^st  Street
7. North Beach

Prior to the pandemic, the Sanitation Division dedicated crews that serviced alleys throughout the City, including crane trucks that were assigned to patrol the alleys and collect discarded items.  However, since the pandemic, due to a shortage of crew members, cleanliness in alleys has become a challenge, particularly with illegal dumping and the overflowing of dumpsters.