JULY 13, 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.

This Week in Largo
GRANTS AT A GLANCE
The City of Largo recently applied for the following grants and funding opportunities in order to bring new (or continuing) funding into the City. Grants can provide valuable resources that can be used to carry out projects or provide services the City would not otherwise be able to provide. Grants allow the City to expand programs and create new programs that are in alignment with the Strategic Plan in order to better serve City residents.

Applied for and Awaiting a Decision from the Funder:
  • Community Development: Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant - $40,000
  • Police: Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant - $14,577
Applying for grants provides a great opportunity for the City to reach out to other organizations with similar goals as well as to align the City's goals and priorities with community initiatives that are seeking to serve similar constituents. Applying for a grant - whether its awarded or not - provides the City of Largo with an opportunity to increase the capacity of all of the parties involved.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected].

- Cheryl Coller Reed
Intergocernmental Relations Coordinator I 586-7452 I [email protected]


MEHLENBACHER ROAD SIDEWALK AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS
Pinellas County Public Works is scheduled to construct sidewalk and drainage improvements to address an ADA issue on Mehlenbacher Road directly east of the Pinellas Trail from 7/16/18 to 7/20/18. Mehlenbacher Road will be closed between Belleair Forest Drive and 10th Street NW with detours directed to Rosery Road. Message boards will be installed and the work is scheduled to take place from 7:00 am - 6:00 pm, weather permitting, and should last for one week.
- Ann Rocke
Program Engineer I 587-6713 I [email protected]


CITIZENS' ACADEMY OF LARGO
Largo residents are invited to get a behind-the-scenes look into city government at this year's Citizens' Academy. Participants will experience hands-on demonstrations, unique field trips and learn what is involved in running a city. Elected officials and City leaders will host engaging sessions designed to provide attendees insight on how local government works.

Registration is now open for the free ten-week course scheduled for Monday evenings from September 17th through graduation on December 4th. Classes generally meet from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Applications are available at Largo.com/Volunteer and must be submitted by September 3rd.

-Diane Bruner
City Clerk I 587-6710 I [email protected]

 
NEW ONLINE COMMUNITY BUDGET APP 
The City of Largo is proud to introduce its new online community budget input app, Balancing Act, designed to make the budget process more accessible to the Largo community.

With Balancing Act, residents can learn about the City's General Fund budget, adjust revenues and expenditures to create a balanced budget, while providing feedback to City Leaders on budget decisions. Engage in the budget process by choosing to increase funding for programs, decreasing taxes, trimming expenditures, or sharing comments all while balancing the City budget.

"We are excited for Largo to provide the Balancing Act application to our community, so they can more easily be a part of the budgeting process," said City of Largo OMB Manager, Meridy Semones. "We look forward to community engagement to help determine what our future Largo will look like."

To launch the app, visit Largo.com/BalancingAct. Feedback received through Balancing Act will be reviewed by City Commission and City leaders in the next few months. The community is also encouraged to engage further by attending the upcoming Budget Work Sessions, public hearings or by emailing [email protected] .
- Lauren Fatkin
Web & Marketing Specialist I 587-6740 I [email protected]

PROJECT UPDATES
LAKE AVENUE SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENTS
The Lake Avenue Sanitary Sewer project has reached substantial completion. The project included a new sanitary sewer collection system on Lake Avenue, Southwind Lane, and Cheryl Road. It also included a new sanitary sewer lift station on Lake Avenue, and the elimination of an existing lift station on Tall Pines Drive. All excavation and roadway restoration has been completed, including the intersection of Ulmerton Road and Tall Pines Drive. It is anticipated that properties adjacent to the project should be able to connect to the new collection system in about 30 days.
 
- Chuck Mura
Senior Engineer I 587-6713 I [email protected]
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
50th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBIT: LARGO HIGH SCHOOL BAND OF GOLD
The legendary Largo High School Band of Gold is being celebrated in a 50th Anniversary Exhibit in Gallery 120 at Largo Public Library now through August 30th.
 
Follow an interactive timeline, with special memorabilia featuring sights and sounds, as the original 1968 "Packer Band" transforms into the World Champion Band of Gold under the leadership of band director Robert R. Cotter, bringing national and international fame to Largo.
 
A reception will be held in the Jenkins Wing of the library on July 14th at 10:30am followed by the opening of the exhibit. Guests are invited to continue the celebration with a tour of Largo High School after the exhibit opening. 

- Nancy Coleman-Romanos
Marketing and Special Events Librarian I 587-6715 I [email protected]

BEAT THE HEAT AT HIGHLAND FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER!  
Here We Glo, a unique family event programmed during the evening hours at the Highland Family Aquatic Center on July 20th with lasers, black lights, glow necklaces and lighted mohawks. Limited to 250 individuals with wristbands on sale now at the Highland Recreation Center. Activities include music with DJ Nick Potts, $1 hot dogs, prize wheel and special lighting. Admission bracelets are $5/$8 per person. The event is from 8:45-11:45pm.  
 
Can you believe that five years have passed already? July 21st will be the five year anniversary for the Highland Recreation Complex. The new facility was opened in June 2013 with amenities including a large indoor playground, indoor track, two basketball courts, large activity rooms, interactive electronic game room, and a preschool. Celebrate with us and enjoy free hot dogs, Apple Pie from Village Inn, free massages from Blue Q Massage & Wellness, and the prize wheel. Aquatic Center admission is a buy one, get one (BOGO) on this special anniversary from 10am-2pm.

- Mark Abdo
Recreation Program Supervisor I 587-6720 I [email protected]
   
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