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From the Desk of Sarasota
City Manager Tom Barwin
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PHOTO OF THE WEEK
During National Night Out this week, the Robledo family met Eli, a 2-year-old German Shepherd with the Peace River K-9 Search and Rescue Association who is here assisting the Sarasota Police Department. Hosted by SPD, the annual National Night Out is a chance for police officers and residents to get to know each other in a fun, relaxed setting to help create strong community bonds. Thanks to all who coordinated this important partnership policing event and to those who attended.
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City Career Opportunities
Control System Tech I - Plant Maintenance
Deputy City Auditor & Clerk
Director of Utilities
Event Production Runner
Facility Maintenance Tech - SPD
Irrigation Technician I
Landscape Maintenance Tech II
Maintenance Mechanic Solid Waste Collection
Maintenance Tech I - Facilities
Manager, Redevelopment
Operations Manager, Business Improvement District
Police Officer, 2nd Class
Rec Attendant (RLTCC)
Recreation Specialist
Treatment Plant Operator C - Wastewater
Utility Mechanic I - Wastewater Collection
Utility Mechanic I - Water Distribution
Volunteer/Unpaid Intern
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This Week's Items to Know:
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1.
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Storm Debris Collection - Progress Report Progress is being made with storm debris collection. As of mid-week, approximately 40% of the storm debris throughout the city limits has been picked up during the first collection cycle. Crews are working in
all areas of the City now and we expect they will finish the initial pass for the entire City by October 20th.
Approximately 75%
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Sarasota storm debris trucks lining up to be weighed by
contract monitors in a makeshift tower.
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of the debris north of Fruitville Road has been collected, as contract and Public Works crews continue to work from north to south. Additional crews are now in neighborhoods south of Fruitville Road and on the barrier islands.
So far, a total of 20,000 cubic yards has been picked up. We calculate the amount of debris created by Irma is almost the same amount of yard debris our crews would pick up over
two years. It's an enormous task made even more challenging with so many communities throughout the southeast seeking the same resources.
For those awaiting debris collection, we appreciate your patience.
The Storm Debris Hotline is still active and will continue to take calls as long as necessary: 1-855-428-4526.
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2.
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Buyer Beware - Watch for Possible Contractor Scams We'd like to issue a reminder to be careful when hiring unsolicited contractors who may be looking for work following Hurricane Irma.
Crews collecting storm debris last weekend noticed flyers placed on
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There are no additional fees for storm debris pickup by the City. Residents do not have to pay a private contractor for debris removal.
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piles advertising collection for a "reasonable rate".
Please note:
There are no additional fees for storm debris pickup by the City. Residents do not have to pay a private contractor for storm debris removal.
Also, watch for anyone going door to door in an unmarked vehicle, offering an unusually low rate, requiring payment up front or refusing to provide a written estimate.
It's wise to be cautious and alert, especially at this time when unscrupulous individuals may try to take advantage of homeowners recovering from Irma.
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3.
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Bond Rating Upgraded - Moody's Aa1 & Aa2 We're pleased to report Moody's Investor Service recently
upgraded the City's bond ratings, assigning the City
two of the top three highest and best ratings given.
The General Obligation debt was upgraded to Aa1, one notch from
 the highest rating.
Also, non-ad valorem debt was upgraded to Aa2, which is very good news as the City prepares to issue revenue bonds for the upcoming St. Armands paid parking improvements.
The better ratings will result in better interest rates for the City. Our financial team estimates the upgraded non-ad valorem debt rating will save the City an estimated $250,000 a year in interest payments on the St. Armands Garage alone. Well done!
These ratings are the result of the City Commission's disciplined policies with debt and pension liabilities, the City's historically stable financial state, a growing tax base, and strong management of City resources.
Congratulations to the Finance team for achieving this excellent rating and affirming the City's dedicated stewardship of taxpayers dollars.
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Finance Dept. - Trifecta of Awards! More kudos for the Finance Department! The team earned the Government Finance Officers Association award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting.
The addition of this award completes the GFOA's "Trifecta" for the Finance team for the fourth straight year. Earlier in the year, they received awards for Excellence in Financial Reporting and Distinguished Budget Presentation.
The Popular Report award recognizes
the department's commitment to explaining the City's finances in a helpful, user-friendly format. The award winning report was produced for the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2016.
To consistently achieve so many professional awards -- while also earning bond rating upgrades -- is a testament to our talented and dedicated Finance team. Congratulations, one and all!
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The Finance Department 2017: (L to R) back row: Laura Wittenbauer, Lorrie Simmons, Michele Keeler, Mark Stinson; middle row: Margie Holman, Lisa Shay, Kelly Betz; front row: Finance Director Kelly Strickland, Michelle Valentich, Susan Dodd, Deputy Finance Director David Flatt
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Seawall - Phase I Complete A much needed 240-foot shoreline stabilization seawall at Bayfront Park, adjacent to O'Leary's Tiki Bar, is now completed. The timing couldn't have been better with it being finished ahead of schedule and just before the arrival of Hurricane Irma.
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The new seawall will help protect the
shoreline at Bayfront Park.
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The seawall was installed to protect the shoreline by minimizing erosion.
Phase II of the project, the
living seawall, is currently in the design stage. Staff is working with Reef Innovations, a local contracting team, to design and install concrete modules which will absorb more velocity, helping to restore the area for wildlife habitat and minimize erosion elsewhere. We're also working with Mote scientists
to better understand and document the impacts of wave action and how the living seawall can mitigate these forces.
Together, these measures will help maintain this valuable City asset and future shoreline and habitat preservation and restoration efforts.
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6.
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Lift Station Operations To gain better insight into critical infrastructure potentially vulnerable to climate change, Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown and I recently inspected Lift Station 10. Located off the North Trail near 18th Street, it handles nearly 20 percent of the City's wastewater (approximately 2 million gallons) every day, before being transported to the treatment plant on 12th Street.
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Peering into one of four valve vaults at LS 10. Crews descend
6 feet to conduct preventative maintenance checks on valves.
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LS 10 was among the more than 200 critical infrastructure components recently evaluated for its vulnerability to future climate conditions. With its proximity to a canal that feeds into Sarasota Bay, LS 10 was identified as a priority asset that could be considered for future hardening to withstand sea level rise and extreme weather events.
The facility underwent a major rehabilitation in 1995, including the addition of an emergency standby generator which is tested regularly. Had power been lost at LS 10 during Irma, the Utilities Department is confident the generator would have functioned well, as others did at various lift stations across the city.
Over the past two years, many major components at LS 10 have been replaced as part of the City's ongoing preventative maintenance program. Twice a year, the electrical system is tested via thermo imaging to detect problems before they create a possible electrical issue at the facility.
We greatly appreciate the hard working Utilities crews who help ensure the health and safety of residents and safeguard the environment by properly maintaining all the lift stations, including LS 10.
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With the Utilities Department lift station crew at Lift Station 10.
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7.
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Veterans Day - Seeking WW II-era Women In the spirit of Rosie the Riveter, the theme for this year's annual
Veterans Day parade, on Sat., November 11, will be "We Can Do It!"
The Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee (POC) is seeking to honor Sarasota-area women who served in World War II and supported the
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WW II-era women will be honored during the annual Veterans Day parade on Sat., Nov. 11.
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war effort at home.
During the war, many women suddenly found themselves in the workforce, producing defense machinery and equipment in shipyards and factories. The experiences of two women named Rose, and others who pitched in for the war effort, were combined to create the iconic figure Rosie the Riveter.
On Veterans Day, the POC will honor women and their immeasurable contributions which helped lead the U.S. and the Allied powers to victory and end WW II.
To be included in the women's "We Can Do It" recognition, please contact Dan Kennedy with the POC: 941-812-5406.
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annual parade will start at Main St. & Osprey Ave. at 10 a.m. on Sat., November 11. A ceremony will follow at 11 a.m. at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park, located at Main St. & Gulfstream Ave.
The keynote speaker will be former U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant C.J. Bannister, who now serves as the Director of Veteran Services for Goodwill Manasota. During her 8-year tenure in the military, Ms. Bannister was honored with many awards and medals including the National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal.
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Van Wezel: Shows on Sale Now!
The following is a list of shows through Dec. 2017. To view the entire Van Wezel season visit
www.VanWezel.org
Big Stage Ballroom - Fred Astaire
Fri., October 8 - 7 p.m.
Tickets
Neil Berg's 50 Years of Rock and Roll
Fri., October 13 - 8 p.m.
Willie Nelson & Friends
Tues., October 17 - 8 p.m.
Mon., October 30 - 8 p.m.
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Straight No Chaser will be at the Van Wezel Nov. 16.
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Tickets
So You Think You Can Dance
Fri., November 3 - 8 p.m.
Sat., November 4 - 7:30 p.m.
Tickets
Celtic Thunder
Wed., November 15 - 7:30 p.m.
Tickets
Straight No Chaser
Thurs., November 16 - 8 p.m.
Tickets
Decades Rewind
Dave Koz 20th Anniversary Christmas Tour
An Irish Tenors Christmas
Leann Rimes
Sun., December 3 - 7 p.m.
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Catch Dave Koz on Nov. 28.
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Tickets
Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story
98 Degrees Christmas
Mon., December 11 - 8 p.m.
Tickets
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Sun., December 17 - 2:30 p.m.
Tickets
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Thurs., December 21 - 7 p.m.
Tickets
A Christmas Carol
Moscow Ballet Great Russian Nutcracker
Fri., Dec. 29 - 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Tickets
To purchase tickets over the phone call 941-953-3368 or stop by the Box Office at 777 N.Tamiami Trail.
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Thanks for reading this week's edition. If you'd like to receive Weekly Briefs directly to your inbox, click 'Join Our Mailing List
' below or send us an email at
[email protected].
Tom Barwin
City Manager
941-954-4102
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