July 3, 2018

Welcome to Your City @ Work, where you will find City of Dunedin highlights from the City Manager's office each month.

MESSAGE FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Welcome to the July edition of Your City @ Work, a monthly online newsletter. Our goal is to keep you up to date on pending issues and actions before the City Commission so that you can participate in the decision making process. We hope you will find this form of communication educational and informative. 
 
We’re having a busy summer at City Hall. The City Commission considered the Downtown East End Plan and authorized City staff to seek qualified firms via a Request for Qualifications for a conceptual site design for a new City Hall, parking garage and mixed use development in the area that currently holds the city facilities (Technical Services Building/Municipal Services Building) and the surface parking lot (Wood Street lot).
 
We are preparing contracts for design and construction of the Blue Jays player development facility and stadium . S taff is completing budget documents and on July 17 th will present a balanced budget based upon a comprehensive Strategic Plan and an ambitious but attainable Business Plan to the City Commission.
 
I am excited about all that we are achieving this summer and look forward to putting more programs in place that will serve the community as we execute the Capital Improvements Plan and implement the Business Plan.
 
I hope that you are having an enjoyable summer. My door is always open if you have questions or comments.
 
Jennifer K. Bramley, City Manager
CITY NEWS
CITIZENS' ACADEMY
Dunedin Citizens’ Academy offers residents an “All Access, Back Stage, VIP Pass” to learn about their government and the services delivered. Each session uses hands-on activities and lectures to provide participants with insight on how local governments work and the functions of City departments.

COMMUNITY POLICING OFFICERS
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office has a special unit known as Community Policing Officers. CPOs work to resolve issues and keep our community safe.

Watch the DTV video about our CPOs .
MADE IN DUNEDIN
How many Dunedin oranges have you seen around town? The newest installment of Made in Dunedin shares the story of artist Steve Spathelf and the Dunedin oranges.

Watch the interview with Steve Spathelf .
KEEP IN CODE
The Code Enforcement Division addresses a variety of property issues in the community. The main goal of the Code Enforcement process is to achieve voluntary compliance by educating residents on the community’s health, safety, environment and property values. The Code Enforcement Division encourages residents to stay informed.

SHORT-TERM RENTALS
As Dunedin continues to be a destination for vacationers, education on short-term or transient uses rentals as increased. Transient uses or short-term rentals are defined as any rental period of less than 90 days or three calendar months. Vacation or short-term rentals, such as Airbnb, HomeAway and VRBO are considered transient uses. Dunedin offers a variety of locations where short-term rentals are approved.

SKINNER BOULEVARD PUBLIC INPUT
The City of Dunedin was approved for a Planning Grant to develop a strategy to revitalize the Skinner Boulevard corridor from Alt 19 to Bass Boulevard. On Monday, July 16 from 3-5pm and again from 6-8pm the City of Dunedin will be hosting Public Input meetings about an enhanced Skinner Boulevard.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
In order to know when to evacuate for hurricane surge flooding, you must Know Your Zone . Evacuation levels are based on the threat of storm surge.

DOWNTOWN EAST END PLAN (DEEP) UPDATE
The Downtown East End Plan (DEEP) was presented to the City Commission on June 19, 2018.
The Plan included the following:
  • Unified Development on Gateway
  • Skinner Improvements
  • Workforce Housing
  • Discussion of City Hall locations
The Plan represents a strategy to revitalize the east end of Downtown through redevelopment, adaptive reuse, physical improvements, affordable housing opportunities and green space.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA MORATORIUM LIFTED
During the Commission meeting on June 21, the City Commission voted to end the moratorium on medical marijuana. Interested dispensaries will be able to follow the same application process necessary for opening a new business with the City’s Planning & Development Department. City staff has been directed by the Commission to draft regulations for new dispensaries within city limits.

CITY PROJECTS & DEVELOPMENTS
CLEARWATER FERRY UPDATE

Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year pilot program for travel between Clearwater Beach and Dunedin via the Clearwater Ferry.

DUNEDIN LIBRARY OFFERS HOT SPOTS

Starting on July 9, the Library will now offer Wi-Fi Hot Spot rentals. The Library offers a variety of technology classes on current applications and devices. 

NEW PLAYGROUNDS
FOR SUMMER

Dunedin Parks & Recreation recently opened three new playgrounds - at Hammock Park, Scotsdale Park & Edgewater Park.

STAY CONNECTED
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FUNEDIN FACT
On July 26, 1884, Dunedin got it's first newspaper, the West Hillsborough Times . The paper was four pages long and printed in Dunedin off of what is now Edgewater Drive.