Latest news with #BenBecker
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
JEA: Mandarin water main project nearing completion after costly, early failure
A massive water main replacement project in the Mandarin area is finally nearing completion after months of traffic headaches and construction delays. Action News Jax's Ben Becker has learned that the underground JEA water main at the center of the project failed decades sooner than expected, triggering emergency repairs. JEA tells Becker the water main, located along San Jose Boulevard between Old River Road and Claire Lane, was originally installed in 2001 with a material designed to last 80 to 100 years. Instead, the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe failed after just 25 years, forcing JEA into an urgent and costly replacement project now totaling approximately $3.3 million. HDPE, the material used in the original installation, was expected to be a long-lasting solution. But during repairs last summer, crews found the pipe had been installed deeper than the original design specified. That led JEA to proactively replace the entire section, citing potential future impacts. While JEA did not log the pipe's manufacturer from the 2001 installation, the utility has since revised its design standards, including how directionally drilled pipes are installed and inspected. The new water main being installed is made from ductile iron, a more traditional and durable choice for pressurized systems. This is not an isolated issue. The HDPE pipe installed via horizontal directional drill (HDD) was and continues to be used around the city and is approximately 1.3% of the water and sewer infrastructure, according to a utility spokesperson. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Horizontal directional drilling typically has a lower restoration cost vs. traditional excavation and can be used as an installation method if existing utilities or conflicts are not in the path. The unexpected failure has prompted the utility to strengthen design oversight and field inspections moving forward. JEA insists that customers should not expect widespread issues or similar replacement projects elsewhere. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The utility emphasized that it conducts ongoing evaluations of system conditions and has no immediate plans for additional emergency work on other directionally drilled HDPE pipes. However, Becker asked the utility where the other HDPE pipes are located and how much it would cost to replace them, and is waiting for a response. As construction nears completion, local drivers may finally get a break from the months-long lane closures and congestion that have plagued the busy stretch of San Jose Boulevard. Barring further delays, JEA anticipates full project completion and road restoration by June 17 - about a month later than originally scheduled. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mayor Deegan, Meridian Waste reach contract agreement amid legal disputes
The Office of Mayor Donna Deegan and Meridian Waste have announced a mutually agreeable resolution and compensation agreement after proposed legal actions. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Action News Jax's Ben Becker has been keeping you informed about this deal, with the latest update coming after the deadline for compromise was passed. Council President Randy White is introducing the proposed contract amendment as a one-cycle emergency bill at a City Council meeting on Tuesday night. The City of Jacksonville provided the following goals of the amendment, which are 'ensuring quality solid waste services for the Northside, minimizing the financial impact on the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget and reserve funds, avoiding lengthy and costly litigation for both parties, and streamlining the archaic and cumbersome rate review process moving forward.' 'I appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Meridian Waste on a solution that works for the city and the company. Together, we have made this process more efficient for future administrations and councils, delivered long-term financial stability for all parties, and ensured that Meridian Waste will continue providing the same high-quality service that our citizens have come to expect for many years to come,' said Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. According to a release by the COJ, the amended contract will: Extends the term of the contract by six additional years (expiring September 30, 2033) with a locked in base rate and an annual CPI adjustment capped at 5% for the remainder of the contract. This brings long-term stability to budgeting and planning. Eliminates the Rate Review process in all following years, which will save hundreds of staff hours across multiple city departments and make way for a more efficient process in the future. Establishes the FY 2024/2025 base rate at $22.39; however, defers payment of a portion of the Base Rate ($1.03/unit) for a 12-month period (Oct. 1, 2024 - Sept. 30, 2025) until October 31, 2025. This allows for proper budgeting for FY 2025/2026 and minimizes the impact to Reserve Funds withdrawals. Meridian Waste will receive a retroactive payment for services rendered from Oct. 1, 2024 - Mar. 31, 2025, by April 30, 2025. Includes a new commitment by Meridian Waste to provide an in-kind or cash Community Partnership Investment valued at $150,000 divided equally over the next three years, starting with the City's FY 2025-2026 fiscal year, to benefit City economic development, health, human services, environmental and/or beautification initiatives. 'Meridian Waste has always approached this contract with the City of Jacksonville as a partnership, and we believe the proposed amendment achieves the overriding goals of the Mayor, the Council and the Company to ensure the long-term cleanliness and health of the Northside while being fiscally responsible to their constituents and our valued customers,' said Dave Shepler, Meridian Waste's Area President for the state of Florida. Changes will only affect the Northside, the Westside and Southside will not be affected. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Committee recommends Citizens Property Insurance leave its downtown Jacksonville headquarters
Action News Jax's Ben Becker has learned that a committee at Citizens Property Insurance Corporation has recommended that the company move its headquarters out of downtown Jacksonville. Becker obtained a 'notice of intent to award' leased office space to an address at 8787 Baypine Road, which is near Baymeadows Road and Interstate 95. The City of Jacksonville has been fighting to keep Citizens Insurance from leaving Downtown for nearly a year. On Feb. 28, Action News Jax obtained internal documents detailing 41 employee safety complaints dating back to 2023. They ranged from a naked man entering a nearby building, a man being stabbed Downtown, a bullet going through one of the EverBank building's windows, and a homeless man exposing himself and then urinating on himself in front of a Citizens employee. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Here are the ITN score rankings from a few weeks ago the committee was using as a guide to make its decision this week. The newly chosen site had been ranked first. The existing location downtown ranked third. 1.) Jacksonville IV FGF, LLC c/o Boyd Watterson Asset Management. Proposed Location: 8787 Baypine Road 32256, Pts: 78.18 2.) Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc. Proposed Location: 4800 Deerwood Crossing Pkwy 32256, Pts: 77.88 3.) Amkin West Bay LLC a Florida Limited Liability Company. Proposed Location: 301 West Bay Street 32202, Pts: 76.55 4.) JAX LC Owner 2 LLC. Proposed Location: 14000 Citicards Way 32258, Pts: 76.47 5.) The Atlantic Land and Improvements Co. Proposed location: 550 Waters St., Pts: 51.89 6.) 841 Prudential MOB. Proposed Address: 841 Prudential Drive, Pts: 44.01 7.) Rosecran 2004, LLC. Proposed location: 225 Waters St., Pts: 39.11 Action News Jax is continuing to follow this developing story and will have the latest on CBS47 Action News Jax at Noon. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jacksonville's Office of General Counsel: City Council violated charter in Meridian Waste deal
The fight between the City of Jacksonville and one of its trash haulers took another step Monday toward a possible lawsuit. The city's General Counsel has issued a binding written opinion saying City Council violated the charter when it approved a 29% rate increase for Meridian Waste. It amounted to $4 million per year over three years. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan vetoed the legislation this month and vowed not to pay the hauler even after Council overrode her veto. The rate review committee had recommended a 5% increase. The Mayor's Office sent Action News Jax a statement that reads in part: 'We stand by our original proposal of a 5% increase that went through the rate review process. We are open to and look forward to discussing further with Meridian Waste.' [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Meridian Waste sent a statement in response to the General Counsel's opinion that reads: 'Meridian Waste stands by the terms of its fairly negotiated agreement with the City that was reviewed, considered and approved by following the long-standing formal rules of the Consolidated Government, pursuant to an open, transparent and diligent process that took place over the past several months. This included a City-code required tri-annual rate review process that is also an express provision of the City solid waste agreements that allows for the setting of rates by the City Council to adjust for market conditions and projected expenses to ensure consistent, quality residential solid waste collections for the next 3 years. As was evidenced in this process, $22.39 is well below the $24.11 rate of the Area III Jacksonville hauler as well as other nearby cities and counties with rates ranging from $24.80 (Hillsborough Co.) to $38.08 (Neptune Beach). 'Therefore, it is not only highly unfortunate, but perplexing, that the Mayor's Office is choosing to pursue this unreasonable, unproductive and, in the Company's view, illegal path, on a matter that has been thoroughly debated and considered in the public, pursuant to long-established City rules, resulting in a definitive approval by the City Council, which is the appropriating body for the City and the rate-setting authority for the City. 'No one wishes a repeat of 2021 when Jacksonville made national news for garbage and debris littering its streets due to underperforming contracts and below market compensation rates. Meridian Waste will pursue all legal avenues necessary to enact the properly adopted legislation overwhelmingly passed in December, and decisively upheld in January.' Sources close to the situation tell Action News Jax's Ben Becker that it is likely Meridian will sue the city at some point to be paid the $12 million. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
