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Trash collection was once again on the agenda at a Port St. Lucie city council meeting Monday night as council members tried to reassure residents that it will get better.

“Our solid waste issues are not resolved,” said City Manager Russ Blackburn. “They won’t be resolved for a while, but we’re making a lot of progress.”

Previous Coverage: Port St. Lucie council talks about reimbursing residents for shoddy trash removal

Blackburn said that progress can be seen in the city renting nine garbage trucks to help clear the trash from neighborhoods, focusing mostly on neighborhoods that haven’t been serviced for more than a week.

Four of those trucks are already on the road. The other five will be brought in by the end of the week, Blackburn said.

“We’re going to do everything we can to be out there to make sure people have a good quality and level of service,” he said.

“Quality” is not a word many residents have used lately when describing trash collection in the city.

Many who live in Port St. Lucie said they no longer know when or even if their trash will get picked up.

'It's outrageous!' Port St. Lucie residents wait for garbage removal as city tries to provide answers

The company responsible for trash collection, Waste Pro, has blamed staffing issues for the problem.

In a letter to the city on Friday, the company’s attorney threatened legal action if city officials continue with what the attorney called “a smear campaign.”

“Please consider this a formal demand that City cease and desist from further false and misleading disparaging statements about Waste Pro,” the letter said.

There was still some criticism from council members Monday night, as some members blamed Waste Pro for the city having to spend money to rent those nine garbage trucks.

“That's nine trucks that we're paying for,” said Councilman Dave Pickett. “That's nine trucks that's coming out of our bottom line.”

“I just wish that Waste Pro would be more communicative with the city like they are required to do,” said Councilman Anthony Bonna.

“I know everyone is without patience at this point,” said Mayor Shannon Martin. “We are all so sick and tired of this as much as every other resident is.”

Waste Pro has been ordered to continue collecting trash in Port St. Lucie until September when another company will take over service in the city.

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