Locals Want the City to Maintain Its Properties

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Ernest Farmer lives on Francis Road. He's called it home for three decades and thought the city was a good neighbor.

But Farmer says the city stopped maintaining the property that backs up to his.

"We've had snakes coming from there and I don't know if they are moccasins or black snakes," says Farmer.

He says since June, he has called the city about mowing the overgrown lot and nothing has been done.

"They said it belonged to the JEA. The JEA says it belongs to the city," says Farmer.

He says if it was on his property, he would have been cited and facing fines for failing to comply with the Municipal Code.

"I used to cut it, but since I have become disabled I don't feel I should be trying to do that," He says.

The City of Jacksonville owns the public easement, the Jacksonville Electric Authority owns the 15 x 15 lot at the end of that easement.

Gerri Boyce is with the JEA.

"We have over 1,500 properties that we maintain. We will have someone go and look at our 15 X 15 lot and if it needs cutting we will mow it, but we can't do anything about the easement," says Boyce.

Boyce says the JEA has advised the city about the problem.

The Public Works Right of Way Streets Maintenance Division is responsible for the easement, they have yet to respond; but they are fully aware of the problem.

While you have to maintain your property or face a fine, the city's Municipal Code Compliance Division does not cite nor maintain city owned property.

If you know of city owned property overgrown contact 630-CITY, or your councilman or county commissioner in your area.

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