Welcome to LARGO TODAY , News from the City Manager. Stay up-to-date on the superior services the City of Largo offers to our residents, businesses and visitors to build the "Community of Choice in Tampa Bay."
THIS WEEK IN LARGO May 8, 2020
REOPENING LARGO SERVICES: PHASE 1
The City of Largo has created a COVID-19 Recovery Team to safely and strategically begin a phased approach of reopening city facilities to the public. The team has carefully reviewed and is following guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), the Governor's Executive Orders, OSHA Workplace Standards, and Pinellas County Orders. To achieve a regional approach to recovery, the team also participated in discussions with neighboring community partners.

WHAT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
Largo Golf Course
Now open to
limited capacity

Southwest Pool
To reopen on May 11
to limited capacity

Dog Parks &
Tennis Courts
To reopen on May 11

All information is subject to change pending updates to County, State and Federal guidelines. Additionally, new safety precautions have been set in place as facilities open. Find the latest information on Largo.com/COVID19 .
NEWS AND UPDATES
TEMPORARY OUTDOOR RESTAURANT SEATING
To accommodate local business owners with compliance under the Governor’s Order, the City has created temporary guidelines for seating at restaurants in open outdoor spaces, such as lawns and parking areas. These guidelines will help ensure businesses remain in compliance with the intent of the City's Code, Florida Building Code, and Florida Fire Prevention Code while maintaining social distancing. Temporary outdoor seating is only allowed while the executive order is in effect.
UPCOMING VIRTUAL MEETINGS
To protect the health and safety of our residents and visitors, the City of Largo will temporarily host meetings virtually. Members of the public who wish to tune in or comment during the meeting will have several options. If you have any questions, please contact cityclerk@largo.com or call 727-587-6710 ext. 7003.
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, May 12 at 4pm
Meeting ID: 265-008-227

Call in: 1 (415) 930-5321
(Long distance fees may apply)
Access Code: 841-600-525
Audio Pin: (simply press #)
BUSINESS CONTINUITY PROGRAM ONLINE
The Largo City Commission established the Business Continuity Grant to assist small businesses that have experienced economic injury resulting from closures or partial closures due to the COVID-19. Applications can now be submitted online through the City’s application portal. The program provides a $1000 grant, on a first-come, first-served basis, for eligible businesses to assist with commercial rent or commercial mortgage assistance.

We currently have had 225 cases either start an application, submit one, have it partially reviewed, approved or denied. 49 businesses have been approved and 17 have already received their checks. Largo will continue to accept applications as long as funds are available. Interested businesses can apply online.

TO QUALIFY:
  • Applicants must employ between 2 to 50 full-time equivalents (or contracted equivalents)
  • Have a physical brick-and-mortar establishment physically located within incorporated Largo
  • Have a City of Largo Business Tax Receipt that is current, as of March 31, 2020
  • No outstanding code enforcement violations
  • Only independently-owned and operated businesses are eligible

Mobile businesses and home-based businesses do not qualify. Businesses that own their properties must be current on their 2018 property taxes.
VIRTUAL MEMORIAL DAY PRESENTATION
Join the City of Largo virtually on Monday, May 27 at 7pm as we honor those who have lost their lives while fighting for our country. The ceremony will be hosted by Lieutenant Chris Burke and will include a presentation of colors by City of Largo's Honor Guard, Mayor Woody Brown, keynote speaker Chad Canaynay and more. We will be going live from our Facebook page starting at 7pm, so be sure to join us! You can also tune in to Largo TV on Spectrum ch. 639, WOW! ch. 15 and Frontier Communications ch. 45.
COUNTY ALIGNS WITH GOVERNOR'S ORDERS
The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners has  issued new guidance that aligns with Governor Ron DeSantis’ Phase 1 reopening plan ( Executive Order 20-112 ). Pinellas County remains under a declared Local State of Emergency to facilitate its COVID-19 response.

 To report possible violations, call the Sheriff Tips line at: 727-582-TIPS (8477). Find more information, visit PinellasCounty.org/COVID19 or call Pinellas County Customer Information Center (CIC) at 727-464-4333.
VIRTUAL COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR
Join Largo Mayor Woody Brown for a Facebook Live Virtual Coffee Chat on Monday at 8:30am at Facebook.com/LargoWoody and Facebook.com/CityofLargo. Mayor Brown will talk Largo, COVID-19 and more as well as answer questions from viewers. Coffee is encouraged but not required.
EXPANSION AND SUPPORT OF PUBLIC SERVICES FOR LARGO RESIDENTS
The City of Largo’s Housing Division recently reached out to its public services sub-recipients to find out about their status of operations and current or potential impacts resulting from COVID-19 to the services they provide to Largo residents. Some of the agencies have already had an increase in clients and others are anticipating either a backlog of clients to serve or an increase due to the economic impacts from COVID-19. The Housing Division was able to provide additional funding from the FY 19-20 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant based on the needs indicated by these agencies.

Additional funding has been allocated for the following:
  • Gulfcoast Legal Services
  • Tampa Bay Community Development Corporation
  • Catholic Charities Pinellas Hope
  • Westcare – A Turning Point
  • Pinellas Opportunity Council, Senior Chore Services Program (once operations resume)
Arrow Woodard
Housing Division, Community Development| 586-7489 | awoodard@largo.com
ROADWAY RESURFACING - WEST BAY DRIVE
Night time mill and resurface of West Bay Drive from Clearwater-Largo Road to Missouri Avenue is scheduled to begin Tuesday or Wednesday evening (May 12 or 13) depending on paving crew availability, and will continue for two weeks. Operations will be from 7 pm to 7 am Sunday night through Thursday night, weather permitting. One lane will remain open in each direction during mill and resurface operations.

Barry Westmark
Senior Engineer | 587-6713 | bwestmar@largo.com
RESPONSE TO COMMISSION DIRECTIVE
At the May 5 City Commission Meeting, Commissioner Holmes requested that staff determine the name of the Porsche dealership on the US 19 Frontage Road South of East Bay Drive. Staff response is that the site plan and Development Order were approved under the name “Porsche Clearwater”. The sign on the construction trailer also says: “Porsche Clearwater”.

Community Development Department
Planning Division| 587-6749 | askaplanner@largo.com
LIVE MUSIC WITH CPPAC

Please join the Central Park Performing Arts Center (CPPAC) on Facebook this Sunday evening at 5pm for a special Mother's Day a live stream session with our friends at DTSP LIVE. CPPAC will highlight some of the best local talent that the Bay Area has to offer! Be sure to tune in and say hello in the virtual concert world. All of us at CPPAC miss you and hope you are staying safe!
CITY OF LARGO STAFF IS HERE TO HELP
Below is important contact information while City facilities remained closed to the public.

KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED
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From Captain Play! coloring sheets to online fitness videos, Largo Recreation is here with ways to stay active and healthy while at home.
Access library eResources on your device, all free with your library card. eResource digital media includes: eBooks, eAudiobooks, downloadable and streaming music, TV shows, comics, movies, and eMagazines.
audio books ebranch database
MAKE LARGO COUNT IN THE 2020 CENSUS
Do you want more funding for schools, highways, and healthcare in our area? The census count determines billions of dollars in funding for federal and local programs in our state, Congressional representation, and election boundaries. The 2020 Census is now live online! You can fill out the Census at My2020Census.gov , simply confirm your address and complete the brief survey. Then tell your friends to take it, too!
MISSION: Provide Superior Services that Inspire Community Pride

VISION: To Be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay

VALUES: INTEGRITY | COLLABORATION | PASSION | CREATIVITY