AUGUST 10, 2018
The City of Largo welcomes you to LARGO
TODAY, News from the City Manager. Stay up-to-date on the superior service Largo aims to offer our residents, businesses and homeowners each week.
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READY FOR 100 CAMPAIGN
In support of Largo's strategic focus on sustainability, the Largo City Commission recently voted to approve an organizational commitment to achieve 100% renewable, zero-emission energy by 2035. Largo will explore ways to reduce energy consumption and increase efficiencies through technology, building upgrades and retrofits. Largo's commitment also includes supporting a community-wide transition to 100% renewable energy through stakeholder engagement and encouraging benefits for the most vulnerable in our community.
The Suncoast Sierra Club's Ready for 100 Campaign is proud to welcome Largo as the 75th City in the nation and 4th in the state of Florida to commit to an environmentally and fiscally sustainable energy future. Interested in the transition to 100% renewable energy? Join the conversation on
LoveLargoFL.com.
- Laura Thomas
BACK TO SCHOOL TRAFFIC REMINDER
Chief Jeff Undestad reminds everyone that with the opening of the school year on August 13th, there will be an increase of children walking along the streets and riding bikes to and from school. Traffic will be heavy on the first day of school, please take extra care coming to work. Remember that traffic in both directions must stop for stopped school buses on roadways without raised medians. Largo Police Officers will be actively enforcing the speed limits posted in school zones. The Police Department will continue to support state traffic campaigns throughout the school year including the ongoing Click It or Ticket Campaign. Emphasis will also continue on pedestrian and bicycle safety to reduce fatal traffic incidents. Be sure to be on the look out and drive carefully.
BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT TAX REFUND PROGRAM TERMINATION
Largo Economic Development received a letter on August 6th from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) informing the City that Wal-Mart Stores East requested to withdraw from participation in the Brownfield Redevelopment (BFR) Tax Refund incentive program. In March 2013, the City followed the process identified by state statutes to designate the Wal-Mart property located at Roosevelt Blvd. and US Highway 19 as a brownfield site. The BFR Tax Refund incentive was submitted by Wal-Mart Stores East to the DEO following the brownfield designation and the award was solely underwritten by the State, with Largo not financially participating.
- Carol Stricklin
PINELLAS COUNTY CONTRACTOR LICENSING DEPARTMENT
The newly created Pinellas County Contractor Licensing Department opened to the public on July 2nd following a change in state law. The Contractor Licensing Department assumes the operations function of the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board (PCCLB), a formerly independent body that was created by special act of the Florida Legislature in 1973. Under the direction of new director Glenn Wardell, the department will continue to work with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and the county's Consumer Protection Department to fight unlicensed contracting in Pinellas Couty, including all local municipalities. The department operates from county-owned office space at the Young-Rainey Science, Technology and Research (STAR) Center at 7887 Bryan Dairy Road. Residents and business owners can report unlicensed construction activity by calling the Pinellas County Hotline at (727) 582-6767 or online
https://fs30.formsite.com/Pinellas8/unlicensedactivity/index.html.
-Carol Stricklin
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INDIAN ROCKS ROAD AREA SANITARY SEWER MANHOLE REHABILITATION
As an ongoing effort to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows in the City of Largo, the Engineering Services Department continues with a multi-phased set of sanitary sewer projects in the Indian Rocks Road area and surrounding neighborhoods. The final phase of this work focuses on the rehabilitation of 34 sanitary sewer manholes. This work will begin the week of August 13, 2018 and will be completed in 60 days. Engineering Services has mailed out letters with specific details to residents living near the 34 manholes.
This work will occur in the general area bounded between the following roads:
The successful completion of this multi-phased work is expected to eliminate 25 million gallons of rain and groundwater per year from the entering sanitary sewer system.
- Jerald Woloszynski
CROSSWALK ART PROJECT
The paint has dried and Largo's first-ever crosswalk project is now on display for all to see. The City of Largo invites everyone to stop by the Largo Public Library through August 11th to pick up a mini-box of chalk and write a thank you note on the sidewalk on either side of the project between the Largo Public Library and the Central Park Performing Arts Center.
Draw hearts, smiley faces and messages of appreciation to the artist, Tiffany Beasi, and to the North Pinellas Cultural Alliance for their community partnership in bringing public art to Largo.
Visit Largo.com for more information.
- Brenda Clark
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MEETING AND EVENT UPDATES
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GATEWAY/MID-COUNTY AREA MASTER PLAN CHARRETTE
The Forward Pinellas consultant team for the Gateway/Mid County Area Master Plan held a charrette for stakeholders on August 1st at the EpiCenter at St. Pete College. Community Development Director Stricklin and Planning and Economic Development staff participated. Draft work products were presented and reviewed, including: a Vision Statement and Planning and Design Principles; selection criteria for focus areas; and a map of potential focus areas. The consultant team is continuing to hold stakeholder interviews, and a public open house is planned for the fall. The Consultant Team will present to the Largo City Commission on September 11, 2018.
- Carol Stricklin
WEST BAY DRIVE RESURFACING JOINT AGENCY MEETING
Pinellas County hosted a joint agency meeting regarding the West Bay Drive resurfacing project design on August 2nd at the Largo Library. Presenters included Pinellas County staff and their consultant, Kimley-Horn. In attendance were representatives from Forward Pinellas, the City of Belleair Bluffs, the City of Belleair Beach, and City of Largo Community Development and Engineering staff. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the design process for future transportation corridor improvements for West Bay Drive between the Belleair Causeway Bridge and Clearwater - Largo Road. The improvements will include multi-modal improvements as part of the resurfacing project. Kimley-Horn is scheduled to prepare two design concepts for the corridor, which will be included in a report to be produced in November. Two additional agency meetings are planned, and Pinellas County has requested that the City of Largo provide feedback on the design process. Staff will solicit additional City Commission direction at a Work Session as the design concepts become available.
- Carol Stricklin
INTERAGENCY BANKERS ROUNDTABLE: OPPORTUNITIES IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
On August 7th, Economic Development Coordinators Rojas-Norton and Nunez attended an event at the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council offices. The event, hosted by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, was a banker roundtable on CRA opportunities in economic development. The program attendees heard from leaders of federal, state and local economic development programs regarding activities that revitalize communities, support small businesses, and create jobs. Presenters included the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the Florida Redevelopment Association as well as community organizations with economic development programs. The event also included an overview of the Community Reinvestment Act and how economic development activities can meet community development needs.
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HIGHLAND FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER HOURS
Beginning August 11th, the Highland Family Aquatic Center will have the following new operating hours for Recreational Swimming:
August 11th - October 28th, every Saturday and Sunday, 12:00-2:00pm, $5/$8 per person admission.
September 3rd (Labor Day), 10:00am-2:00pm, $12/$24 per group of 5 admission.
The pool will be closed on September 8th for the Corporate Sports Challenge, September 29th for the Family Fun Aquathon, and October 27th due to Spooktacular at Largo Central Park.
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