AUGUST 21, 2020
Good afternoon, Oldsmar’s finest –

Greetings from City Hall! Another two weeks have flown by, and we are still fighting the good fight, against the pandemic and toward defining the new normal, while monitoring the latest development of Tropical Storm Laura.

We are diligently monitoring Tropical Storm Laura to prepare for any impact. We will be opening a Sandbag Station at a NEW LOCATION on Saturday, August 22, from 9 am-2 pm. Please bring your photo ID showing your Oldsmar Address to the Municipal Services Center, located at 300 Commerce Blvd, to retrieve your sandbags. There is a limit of TEN (10) bags per address. Any future dates/times for sandbag distribution will be announced on the City’s Website and Facebook Page.

Also, if you aren’t a subscriber to ALERT Pinellas, please consider doing so.  It requires very little effort to enroll, and can make a huge difference in your ability to stay informed about City events, especially emergencies.  It is absolutely the most effective means we have of getting a message to Oldsmar citizens.

Council meetings have returned to being held virtually, for the time being.  We had a couple of service awards given to long term employees Bill Dennis (20 yrs), Kerry Thomas (15 yrs) and Chuck Monette (15 yrs) this week, which was fun.  Making sure to observe CDC guidelines, we had employees come over on Tuesday, wearing their masks, and keeping their distance from each other, while I gave out the awards.  Then, at the Council meeting in the evening, I read my awards speeches to the public, because that is where we usually do the ceremonies.  The response was great and the feedback said it was a hit.  I think its important to celebrate all employees, especially those that have stayed with us for a long time.  Congratulations to all three recipients.

Don’t forget the Oldsmar Face Off challenge, which will be going into it’s third week next Monday.  It’s been fun so far, and the video production has been stellar.  It requires very little to participate, and the prizes are serious!   If you haven’t done so already, be sure to check it out, and consider entering the contest! You won’t regret it.

Lastly, with apologies, we had to cancel our Celebrate Oldsmar event this year, due to COVID-19. Too many unknowns to consider, so we will wait until next year.

Have a great weekend, and don’t forget to look at the information below for future reference.
Thanks.

Al b
SANDBAG STATION SATURDAY
The City will open the Sandbag Station at a NEW LOCATION on Saturday, August 22, from 9am-2pm. There is a limit of TEN (10) bags per address. Please bring your photo ID showing your Oldsmar Address to the MUNICIPAL SERVICES CENTER, located at 300 Commerce Blvd. NOTE: If the decision to add more dates is determined, those will be announced on our City Website and Facebook Page.
PREPAREDNESS GUIDE
The Pinellas County 2020 All-Hazard and Hurricane Preparedness Guide is now available for pickup at City facilities. This publication contains vital information to help you properly prepare your home and business.

The Guide is also available online.
ALERT PINELLAS
Receive alerts about emergencies and other essential City news by signing up for ALERT Pinellas - a FREE service to residents and businesses.

You choose how to receive alerts and can enter up to five different Pinellas County locations for notifications. An excellent resource during the Hurricane Season.

FLOOD ZONE
Hurricanes, tropical storms, and continuous rain can create flood hazards - especially with high tide & storm surges. It's not uncommon to hear about projected flooding of areas. Knowing your flood zone will help you prepare & plan beforehand to protect your property.

EVACUATION ZONE
In order to know when to evacuate, you need to know in which zone your property is located. Don't know? Don't worry - Pinellas County provides this specific information. Additionally, you'll see the closest shelters & hotel accommodations to help you plan ahead.
FREE FACE MASKS
The Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce is distributing FREE Face Masks. Masks are available Monday - Friday, 9 am to 12 pm at their Oldsmar office, located at 101 State Street West.

For more information, call their office directly at (813) 855-4233. Additional locations across Pinellas County are also offering this service.
WATER UTILITY SHUT-OFFS
Termination of service for Water Utility Bill non-payment will resume beginning on Monday, August 31, 2020.

If you have a past due balance, the City is offering payment plans to avoid termination.

Please contact the Utility Billing Office directly for assistance by calling 813-855-5257.
CARES ACT FUNDING AVAILABLE
The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners approved a new round of funding to support an even broader range of financial assistance for residents and families affected by COVID-19.

Pinellas County Residents who have lost jobs or have suffered significant income loss can apply to help pay for overdue rent, mortgages, and utility bills.

COUNTY COVID-19 TESTING
Sites across Pinellas County are offering FREE Testing for COVID-19. In Oldsmar, CVS, located at 3771 Tampa Road, provides drive-through and supervised self-swabbing - an appointment is required for CVS.

Health related questions can be directed to the Florida Department of Health Call Center, open 24/7 at (866) 779-6121 or [email protected]

2020 CENSUS
You can be counted in the 2020 Census via your PHONE or ONLINE! Census data impacts our daily lives, informing important decisions about funding for services and infrastructure in our community, including jobs, roads, businesses, and schools.

Oldsmar is currently 2nd in Pinellas County for our response rate - take the Census to help us get to #1 and make Pinellas Count!

SPACEcraft RELAUNCHED!
SPACEcraft is designed to create and build a sense of community together. Stop by and Make, Play, Read and Grow for FREE - Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6 - 8 pm in the east parking lot of City Hall, 100 State Street West. Please note - social distancing will be practiced during each program.

OLDSMAR TRAIL CHALLENGE
Explore a different segment of the Oldsmar Trail each week in August during the Oldsmar Trail Challenge! A new trail leg is featured weekly, with route signage to help you measure distance and guide you along.

Be sure to take a photo of your completed weekly journey and share it on social media with hashtag #TrailChallenge.
YOUTH PARK SCAVENGER HUNT
Grab the family and rediscover a Park in Oldsmar during the Youth Park Scavenger Hunt! Explore a different park each week to find the answers to the scavenger hunt clues.
Be sure to take a participation photo and share it on social media with hashtag #ParkScavengerHunt.
100 State Street West, Oldsmar 34677
MyOldsmar.com (813) 749-1100