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 NOVEMBER 8, 2019
NEWS & UPDATES
LARGO WINS 1ST PLACE
Largo Public Works Solid Waste Team Member Shauwn Clark brought home the ‘gold medal’ from the 2019 SWANA International Road-E-O Competition! This year’s competition was hosted by the Arizona SWANA Chapter in Glendale, Arizona on October 24-25, 2019, in conjunction with Wastecon. The State of Florida and the City of Largo had two employees participate in this year’s event. Shauwn won 1st place in the Frontloader category, beating out 12 other drivers from all across the country.

In addition, first-time competitor Andrie Bonney also did an outstanding job representing Largo and competing against the 12 drivers in the Rearloader category. Providing superior services that inspire community pride cannot happen without the hard work and dedication of team members like Shauwn and Andrie and Team Largo is very excited to celebrate this achievement.

- Brandon Graham
Multimedia Supervisor I 727-586-7337| bgraham@largo.com
HOLIDAY CLOSURE AND COLLECTION NOTICE
City of Largo facilities will be closed on  Thursday, November 28  and  Friday, November 29  for the  Thanksgiving  holiday. There will be no trash or recycling collection on  Thanksgiving . Residential collection moves to  Wednesday , and commercial collection moves to  Friday . There are no changes to residential collection on  Friday . Visit Largo.com/MyTrashDay for more information.

- Lauren Fatkin
Digital Engagement Specialist I 727-587-6470 x. 5015 | lfatkin@largo.com
LARGO GOLF COURSE SURPASSES $1 MILLION REVENUE
For the first time in 10 years, the Largo Golf Course surpassed the $1 million in revenue and generated revenue that exceeded expenses. Kudos to the manager and staff at the golf course who have implemented a variety of changes to help decrease expenses, increase revenue and participation , all without increasing the fees to play. Various new programs and practices such as footgolf, golf bike rentals, and pub leagues were introduced. As a municipal executive golf course, we are working to develop new golfers, create programs that meet the needs of today's busy lifestyles, and provide services for those who have been playing for over 20 years.

Largo Golf Course - just another reason for Largo to be the community of choice.

- Lara Khoury
Recreation Business Manager I 727-587-6740 x.5012 | lkhoury@largo.com
LARGO RECYCLES DAY TO BE RECOGNIZED
The City of Largo is proud to recognize Thursday, November 15, 2019 as Largo Recycles Day. The City of Largo is committed to recycling and sustainability and providing superior services that are valued by the community. These efforts are central to Largo’s strategic planning, fiscal sustainability, environmental stewardship and community pride. The City of Largo would like to honor these commitments and help create a community that is sustainable for generations.

Largo residents, visitors and businesses recycle millions of pounds of items every year helping to reduce our impact on the environment and keep our future Largo sustainable for generations. Visit LargoRecycles.com to find events, learn tips, view schedules and more.

- Laura Thomas
Sustainability Administrator I 727-586-7424 | lthomas@largo.com
2019 CITIZENS' ACADEMY - POLICE DEPARTMENT
Thanks to Largo Police Department for hosting another jam-packed, exciting night for our Citizens' Academy! Participants started the evening by having dinner with Police Chief Jeff Undestad where they were able to have many questions answered regarding the services provided by the Largo Police Department. Soon after, the class was divided into two groups where they were able to try out the firearms training simulator, tour the facility and learn about the various
vehicles the department uses. At the end of the evening, the class was topped off by an exciting demonstration from the K-9 unit officers. Next week, the class will receive a tour of the Largo Public Library.

- Courtney Fogarty
Deputy City Clerk I 727-587-6710 | cfogarty@largo.com
RECREATION, PARKS AND ARTS QUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS






















- Lara Khoury
Recreation Business Manager I 727-587-6720 | lkhoury@largo.com
HIGHLAND AVENUE TO BE REPAVED
Pinellas County is repaving Highland Avenue. The paving will take place from 7 pm to 5 am starting from Belleair Road working southward to East Bay Drive. The work is expected to last 3 weeks.

- Jerald Woloszynski
Engineering Services Director I 727-587-6713 | jwoloszy@largo.com
ROSERY ROAD NIGHT WORK ON NOVEMBER 11-12
David Nelson Construction will be performing night work on Monday, November 11-12, from 11 pm - 5 am on the Rosery Road Reconstruction Project. This night work will relocate a Pinellas County watermain. The water will be shut off in the vicinity of 7th Street NW and 11th Ave NW, from 2 – 5 am for the new piping to be placed. It is required to be performed at night by Pinellas County Utilities to limit the impact to businesses and residents. Businesses and residents have been notified by David Nelson Construction.

- Brian Highnote
Construction Manager I 727-587-6713| bhighnot@largo.com
BUILDING CODE EFFECTIVE GRADING CLASSIFICATION
On Wednesday November 6, Community Development Building Division staff met with Mr. Bryan Burgett of the Insurance Services Office (ISO) and submitted the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS ® ) questionnaire. Through the BCEGS ® program, ISO assesses the building codes in effect in individual communities and how those communities enforce their building codes. The assessments place special emphasis on mitigation of losses from natural hazards. The prospect of lessening catastrophe-related damage and ultimately lowering insurance costs provides an incentive for communities to enforce their building codes rigorously. In 2015, the City of Largo Building Division received a grading classification of 3 for both residential and commercial/industrial properties. The grading classifications are 1-10, 1 being top-grade. It is estimated the final report will be completed in 90 days. To learn more please visit www.isomitigation.com/bcegs/

- Robert Hatton
Building Official I 727-586-7488 | rhatton@largo.com
VETERANS BRUNCH AT LARGO COMMUNITY CENTER
The Veterans Brunch was held on November 5 at the Largo Community Center and was made possible with the partnership between the Palms of Largo and the City of Largo Recreation, Parks and Arts Department. There were close to 200 in attendance. The event began with a warm welcome from Vice Mayor Carroll, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Others recognized in the audience were Chief of Police Jeff Undestad, Assistant City Manager Maggie Paluch, Officer Joel Quattlebaum, Office Vu Tran, Jon Rowles Constituent Advocate from Congressman Charlie Crist’s office and Sarge the American Bald Eagle who was brought to us by Donna and Kevin from McGough Nature Center. The event would not have been possible without the help of the Palms of Largo and Community center volunteers and staff. The warm welcome was followed by a presentation by guest speaker, Arnold Goren. The prayer was given by Jim Keller who is the Spiritual Director at Sable Plams. Prior to the brunch, there was a moment of silence for the Missing Soldier Table. During brunch, everyone was entertained by “The Just Us Duo” with upbeat patriotic favorites.

- Christina Lorenz
Community Center Manager I 727-518- 3133 | clorenz@largo.com
MEETING UPDATES
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PLAN UPDATE
I n partnership with Pinellas County, the City of Largo co-hosted an affordable housing focus group at Largo Public Library on November 4, 2019. Local for-profit and non-profit developers who represent both the owner-occupied and rental affordable housing development markets attended. The participants emphasized the importance of having similar programs and codes among jurisdictions,. Density bonuses, local funding sources, and assistance with land identification/assembly were indicated as the most important components that a jurisdiction could provide to support development of affordable housing. The importance of helping current residents restore/rehabilitate their homes to retain these units as part of the local affordable housing stock was also mentioned.

A public meeting was also held in the evening of November 4, 2019 to obtain resident/agency input on impediments to fair housing. Feedback included the need for more education to residents and landlords on the fair housing laws. Additional input is also being collected from the public through surveys and upcoming community meetings throughout Pinellas County. All of the information gathered through these meetings, including the two held this week, will be used in the development of the CDBG Five-Year Consolidated Plan and the required Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing that will be submitted along with the Consolidated Plan to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Arrow Woodard
Housing Grants Specialist I 727-586-7489| awoodard@largo.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY AT LARGO CENTRAL PARK
Join the City of Largo in honoring those who have served at the annual Veterans Day Ceremony on  Monday, November 11  at 7pm in Largo Central Park. The intimate ceremony at the Military Court of Honor in Largo Central Park will include a musical tribute by Florida Fanfare Brass and the Temple Terrace Highlanders pipe band, presentations and a message from keynote speaker, City of Largo IT Customer Service Manager, William Parker.  Largo's Event Planning Committee will also award the annual "Barbara Bush Citizen Patriot Award" to this year's recipients, Sheila Mustacio & Lt. Col. Carol Barkalow.

- Lauren Fatkin
Digital Engagement Specialist I 727-587-6470 x 5015 I lfatkin@largo.com
SOGGY DOGGY SPLASH PARTY TO BE HELD
The 15 th Annual Soggy Doggy Splash Party will be held at the Highland Family Aquatic Center on Saturday and Sunday, November 9 and 10. Pet owners are permitted to bring their dogs to enjoy a swim but as directed by the Pinellas County Health Department, owners will not be permitted to enter the water. Owners will need to provide proof of vaccination for the dog upon admission. Splash’s Snack Bar will be open. Dogs less than 20 inches tall will be admitted from 11:00 am-1:00 pm and dogs taller than 21 inches will be admitted from 1:30 pm-3:30 pm. Cost is $7.00 per dog, owners are free. Discount swim for all dogs who attended the Saturday event will be on Sunday from 12:00 pm- 3:00 pm. Cost with special token (received on Saturday) is $5 per dog or if no token from Saturday cost is $10 per dog, owners free.

- Joan Byrne
Recreation, Parks & Arts Director I 727-587- 6720 | jbyrne@largo.com
TWO EVENTS - ONE GREAT PARK
Art in the Park and Largo Car Show are coming to Largo Central Park on Saturday, November 16. Starting at 9 am, the Largo Car Show will welcome visitors who want to see all types of cars, from classic to electric vehicles and everything in between. Then, starting at 10 am, Art in the Park will feature handmade goodies from artists, art demonstrations and exhibitions. A perfect time to start your holiday shopping if you haven't already! Both events are free and open to the public.

- Katie Bishop
Communications & Engagement Specialist I 727-587- 6740 x. 2104 | kbishop@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