I am very proud of the superior services provided to residents, businesses and visitors each and every day. In order to achieve our vision to be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay, we are making intentional investments in our employees, starting with training made available to various members of our Management Team. Participants were introduced to principles of the Commonwealth Center's High Performance Organization Model, identified by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) as a key development practice for local governments. The training demonstrated proven methods for developing leaders at all levels of the organization, process re-engineering, as well as a focus on developing team, coaching, and mentoring skills.

During this three-day training, staff work-shopped ideas to make Largo a better place to live, work and play by transforming our organizational culture. Ultimately, this means that employees at all levels of the organization will be provided with the opportunity to provide input, share knowledge, and develop new ways of delivering internal and external services. The organization is made up of intelligent, skilled and creative individuals whose engagement and participation will produce effective solutions resulting in more efficient services provided to the community. This is a big job and will not be achieved overnight. As City Manager, I am committed to continuing to offer this development opportunity in all departments and divisions throughout the upcoming years, and I am confident that this ongoing work is the best way to achieve the outcomes desired in the City's Strategic Plan.

In the coming months, we will work together with staff at all levels - as one organization - to define implementation practices that will identify efficiencies, streamline operations and create professional development opportunities for all staff. Our goal is to foster an engaged and fulfilling workplace culture, because ultimately, it is our employees that will make us the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay, Naturally!



- Henry Schubert

City Manager I 586-7454 I citymanager@largo.com

The City’s United Way Campaign kicks off on November 12th and runs through December 14th. Last year, your generosity raised $9,000! Our goal this year is $10,000. During the campaign, City employees can choose from two ways to participate. This includes:

The City’s United Way Campaign Committee is staffed with volunteers from each Department. Employees can expect to receive an email with more details about the campaign, the name of their Department campaign committee member and a snapshot of the exciting upcoming fundraising events that are planned during the campaign.



- Jerry Woloszynski

Engineering Services Department Director I 587-6713 I jwoloszy@largo.com

The City of Largo participated in a live interview on WMNF 88.5's Sustainable Living radio show on November 5th. Largo's Sustainability Coordinator, Laura Thomas, joined representatives from the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County to discuss recycling and take listener questions. Residents from across the region, including Largo, called in with questions and enthusiasm about our successful recycling programs. Visit  https://www.wmnf.org/events/sustainable-living/ to hear the interview and learn more about how to keep our future Largo sustainable for generations.

-Laura Thomas

Sustainability Coordinator I 586-7424 I lthomas@largo.com

Beginning November 12th, the intersection at Trotter Road and Dryer Avenue will close for pipeline construction beneath the roadway as crews continue working south along Trotter Road to 19th Avenue SW. The intersection is scheduled to remain closed for two weeks. Message boards, road closed, and detour signs are posted to provide the public advance notice of the closure and detour route. The intersection will temporarily open for the weekend on November 17th and 18th. Please use caution.

- Barry Westmark

Senior Engineer I 587-6713 I bwestmar@largo.com

At the October 16th City Commission meeting, the City Commission directed staff to identify other local communities in the Tampa Bay area that have LED billboards. Working with the billboard company, Clear Channel Outdoor, the Planning Division has identified the following local governments that have LED billboards in their jurisdictions:

- Rick Perez

Planning Manager I 586-7350 I rperez@largo.com

Largo's newly formed Community Ambassador program was unveiled at a meet and greet on November 8th, at Sages West Bay Bistro. Residents interested in becoming Community Ambassadors shared what they love about Largo and what types of outreach activities they were most interested in supporting. From community events to sustainability education and everything in-between, over 40 candidates expressed interest in helping the city expand its reach throughout the community. Commissioner Jamie Robinson joined staff from Administration, Economic Development, Recreation, Parks & Arts, and the Library in meeting the group and sharing opportunities. The City looks forward to providing engaged residents new ways to support Largo's vision to be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay.

- Brenda Clark

Community Outreach Coordinator I 586-7630 I bgraham@largo.com

The City of Largo Communications & Marketing team is honored to announce the winning of two exciting awards from The Tampa Bay Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) at its 4 ^th Annual PRestige Awards on November 8th. In the category of Websites, Largo was awarded the top PRestige Award for the All New Largo.com. One judge commented that “This website is much better than most cities – aesthetically and functionally. It doesn’t look like a municipal site (which is a good thing)!”

In the category of Reputation/Brand Management, Largo was awarded the Certificate of Excellence for Largo’s new Naturally brand campaign, placing 2nd behind PRestige Award winner Visit Orlando, whose entry received a perfect score from the judges and also won the very top “Best of Show” award. Commenting on the new brand campaign, one judge stated, “Fun, refreshing campaign! Like the thought and time put into creating the visuals and the implementation is top-notch! Great job!”

Tampa Bay PRSA is the local chapter of the national Public Relations Society of America which has more than 30,000 members comprised of communications professionals spanning every industry sector nationwide as well as college and university students who encompass the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).

- Brandon Graham

Multimedia Supervisor I 586-7337 I bgraham@largo.com

This week's session was hosted by the Engineering Services Division and took place at City Hall. As a new department, this was their inaugural solo presentation, and staff focused on division activities, responsibilities and communication initiatives. Class members introduced themselves and also provided the locations of their homes. This gave staff an idea of how many were impacted by current or upcoming Engineering projects. The class had a lot of questions for Director Woloszynski and Assistant Director Cieslak and remained engaged throughout the evening. Commissioner Jamie Robinson was also in attendance. Next week's session will be hosted by the Community Development Department in the Community Room, and Citizens' Academy will not meet the week of Thanksgiving.

- Diane Bruner

City Clerk I 587-6710 I dbruner@largo.com

The Engineering Services Department is hosting an open house to share design plans with the community for Rosery Road Phase 1 Community Streets Improvements. Rosery Road is an important part of the City’s Community Streets network. The goal of the project is to transform Rosery Road into a Community Street, which will provide safe and efficient routes from neighborhoods to local destinations and improve mobility for pedestrians and cyclists from the Pinellas Trail to Missouri Avenue. The project includes a shared use path from the Pinellas Trail to Missouri Avenue, a median with a mid-block crossing west of Missouri Avenue, improved sidewalks, and ADA improvements in addition to roadway reconstruction, drainage improvements, and improvement of subsurface utilities. Phase 2 of the project will ultimately create a connection from the Pinellas Trail to Eagle Lake Park.

The open house will include exhibits to share plan details with, and obtain feedback from, the public and a presentation at 6:30 pm. The open house will be at St. Paul United Methodist Church (northwest corner of Highland Avenue and Rosery Road) November 15th, from 6-8 pm.

- Barry Westmark

Senior Engineer I 587-6713 I bwestmar@largo.com