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 OCTOBER 4, 2019
NEWS & UPDATES
NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH
Each year, the month of October is recognized as National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Cybersecurity awareness plays a huge role in protecting our City and nation's cyberinfrastructure. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) is a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and to ensure that all Americans have the resources they need to be safer and more secure online. The NCSAM 2019 overarching message – Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT. – will focus on key areas, including citizen privacy, consumer devices, and e-commerce security. Find more information by visiting Largo.com .

- Hansel Roush
IT Security Administrator I 727-586-7421| hroush@largo.com
LARGO POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES ACCREDITATION
The Largo Police Department has successfully completed their Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Re-Accreditation with Excelsior Status for the third time, a high honor. The final Compliance Assessment Report is available by contacting the Largo Police Department.

- Chief Jeff Undestad
Police Chief I 727-587-6730
DOWNTOWN PLAZA PROJECT UPDATE

T he Downtown Plaza project at West Bay Drive and Seminole Blvd. has entered the construction phase with Brightview Landscape Development, Inc. as the authorized contractor. Pre-construction site preparation is underway. The existing Date Palms have been transplanted to other sites where they will be permanently located. S ilt screens, tree barricades, temporary construction access and other preparations are being put into place. When completed, the plaza will include new landscaping and hardscaping improvements, signage, a monument feature with solar powered lighting, a walking path and benches.

- Teresa Brydon
Economic Development Manager I 727-586-7360 I tbrydon@largo.com
LARGO IS RANKED A TOP U.S. CITY TO RETIRE IN 2019
The City of Largo was ranked #10 by ChamberofCommerce.org as  one of the top 100 cities to retire in 2019.  The website ranked optimal cities for retirees based on variables that cover aspects such as cost of living, crime levels, and quality of life. 

Largo's central location, attractive community, warm climate as well as low crime and poverty levels were noted as top reasons to make Largo the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay for retirees. The report notes: "Warm weather lovers will feel very comfortable in Largo as the city gets plenty of sunshine throughout the year, and winters are very mild, with the temperature rarely dipping below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, even during December and January. The city is very affordable, too, with a median monthly housing cost of just $866."

Other cities in the Tampa Bay area made the list. Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa were ranked #69, #70, and #97, respectively. Download the full list and report

- Laura Fatkin
Digital Engagement Specialist I 727-587-6470| lfatkin@largo.com
HURRICANE IRMA RECOVERY
In February, the City Commission authorized the City Manager to execute grant agreements and amendments with the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) that allow the City to be reimbursed in excess of $2 Million for Hurricane Irma expenditures. Since February, the City Manager has executed six amendments in order for the City to be reimbursed.

In order to receive reimbursement, the City’s Finance Department is required to document, and the State audits, each individual expenditure. Although the City’s grant agreement is with FDEM, most of the reimbursement monies come from U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

In August, the City received reimbursements totaling $140,580.13.

  • To date, the City has received $1,258,596.39 in reimbursement from both FEMA and FDEM;
  • The City has applied for a time extension that will allow the City to qualify for an additional reimbursement amount of $220,000 for debris removal costs; preliminary indications are that the time extension will be approved; and
  • There is approximately $1,000,000 in remaining reimbursable expense to be finalized, approved and disbursed by FEMA/FDEM.

Cheryl Reed
Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator I 727-586-7452 | creed@largo.com
MEETING UPDATES
US 19/ROOSEVELT BOULEVARD MEETING WITH FDOT AND PSTA
The City of Largo, with the assistance of professional planning consulting group Kimley-Horn and Associates, has been working on developing a special area plan (SAP) for the US Highway 19 N and Roosevelt Blvd/East Bay Drive area. The intent of the SAP is to incentivize catalytic change, overcome the challenges associated with conventional forms of auto-oriented, strip commercial development, as well as correct the lack of connectivity for all modes of transportation. On September 23, City staff members from Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), PSTA, Forward Pinellas and Pinellas County Traffic Engineering met to discuss transportation concepts for the SAP and its impact within the area. Staff discussed and viewed exhibits illustrating opportunities for enhancement along East Bay Drive and Roosevelt Boulevard; County (including Pinellas County and Forward Pinellas) projects and their impacts in the area such as the Gateway Expressway , Gateway Mid-County Master Plan , the Pinellas County Complete Streets project and the US19/Frontage Road study. Staff will continue to engage and work closely with agencies, stakeholders and the public as we prepare the SAP. To learn more about the SAP, stay informed, see upcoming meetings, and more please visit largo.com/us19sap .

- Rick Perez
Planning Manager I 727-587-6749 I rperez@largo.com
NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION MEETING - BERT SMITH PORSCHE
A Neighborhood Information Meeting was held on September 26 at Largo City Hall to discuss a proposed auto dealership development to be located at 15500 US Highway 19 North. The property totals approximately 7.39 acres and is designated Residential/Office/Retail (R/O/R) on the City of Largo Future Land Use Map. All property owners and residents within 500 feet of the subject property were invited to attend the meeting. Representatives of the project, Daniel Bergin and Spencer Laccabue of Civil On Demand were present to discuss the project. Two City Planners were also present to answer questions from the public. The meeting was attended by one resident from the City of Largo. The concerns raised by the attendee included tree preservation, noise, and hours of delivery. The project representatives discussed how tree preservation will be included in the landscape improvement plan, hours of delivery, and the measures used to reduce noise generated by the business. Staff stated that the final site plan submittal would be available to be viewed by any interested parties.

- Rick Perez
Planning Manager I 727-587-6749 I rperez@largo.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
ANNUAL HOMELESS CENSUS - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteer recruitment for the 2020 Homeless Census is underway. More than 300 volunteers are needed to ensure that every person experiencing homelessness has a chance to be counted. This annual event is a requirement from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of the federal homeless funding for Pinellas County. The City will host a mid-county deployment for the Homeless Census. This is a great opportunity to be out in the community and learn more about the people that experience homelessness. The Homeless Census has been approved by the City Manager as a Community Partnership event – therefore staff can volunteer during work hours with their manager’s approval. Volunteers are asked to attend a one-hour training session (training sessions will be held in early January) and serve one four-hour shift on the day of the Homeless Census (January 23, 2020). Register today to volunteer . Law enforcement will have a separate registration coming out soon. For questions regarding this event, contact: Arrow Woodard, Housing Division, awoodard@largo.com .

- Arrow Woodard
Housing Grants Specialist I 727-586-7489 I awoodard@largo.com
JOIN OUR TEAM
Are you interested in helping to build the community of choice? There are great opportunities from interns to engineers. The City of Largo provides outstanding benefits and a modern wellness program. Join us as we serve the community by providing superior services that inspire community pride. The City of Largo is a great place to work, naturally!
MISSION: Provide Superior Services that Inspire Community Pride

VISION: To Be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay

VALUES: INTEGRITY | COLLABORATION | PASSION | CREATIVITY