This Week in Largo
FEBRUARY 22, 2019
The City of Largo welcomes you to LARGO TODAY , News from the City Manager. Stay up-to-date on the superior services Largo aims to offer our residents, businesses and homeowners each week.
Are you interested in helping to build the community of choice? There are great opportunities in the City of Largo from college interns to engineers and you can find them all by visiting Largo.com/jobs . Largo provides outstanding benefits including medical, paid holidays and an outstanding employee wellness program. Each team member serves the community and strives to provide superior services that inspire community pride. Join the City of Largo because we are a great place to work, naturally!
HIGH PERFORMANCE ORGANIZATION TRAINING
Officer Patrick Vann was awarded, the Jeffrey Yaslowitz K9 team of the year award at the Pinellas County First Responders of the Year Awards Banquet. This award banquet is on its 15th year and hosted by the county commission. It recognizes first responders in many categories. This is the first time a Largo K9 has won the event.

In August, Ofc. Vann and Chase tracked an armed subject who brandished a knife. Ofc. Vann located the subject, who became uncooperative and combative. Ofc. Vann went hands on with him and they ended up on the ground fighting. Chase administered a bite to the offenders leg while Ofc. Vann tried to gain control. Once in custody, and officers arrived to assist, it was discovered that his radio mic was severed and he had cut marks on his vest and back. The offender had a box cutter and had cut him multiple times. On top of that, officers did not know where Ofc. Vann was because he couldn't get his radio traffic out with the damaged radio. There was a delay in assistance.

For their teamwork, courage, and willingness to put their personal safety aside for the community, they were selected as the team of the year by a panel of county veterinarians. Ofc. Vann did an outstanding job on this call and we are all glad that he is okay and recognized for his efforts.

Congratulations Officer Vann & K9 Chase!

- Jeff Undestad
Police Chief I 587-6707 I jundesta@largo.com
FIRST RESPONDER TRAINING: ELECTRIC VEHICLE SAFETY
T he Largo Fire Department and the Tampa Bay Clean Cities Coalition  hosted a regional training for First Responders at the Central Park Performing Arts Center on  February 15th . This day long course was created to provide guidance on how to safely deal with emergency situations involving alternative fuel passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, and commercial fleet vehicles. The training covered electric, hybrid, fuel cell, and gaseous fuel vehicles such as CNG, LNG, and LPG and featured live demonstrations with alternative-fuel garbage trucks, school buses, and other vehicles. Visit Largo.com/LEAP  to learn more about Largo's focus on electric vehicles, charging stations, and other sustainability goals.

- Laura Thomas
Sustainability Coordinator I 586-7424 I lthomas@largo.com
ACCESSIBILITY OUTREACH SURVEY: FEEDBACK NEEDED
T he City of Largo is working to ensure that our community and visitors with disabilities are able to participate in its programs, services and events. In keeping with this ongoing effort, the City is seeking input from those with disabilities to help address and prioritize current and future accessibility needs. Input will also be welcomed from local businesses, agencies and organizations.

Your comments and opinions are important to us and will provide valuable information regarding how the City can better serve individuals with disabilities. Thanks for your input!

Click here to participate in the survey.

- Kate OConnell
Communications and Marketing Manager I 586-7455 I koconnel@largo.com
PROJECT UPDATES
2nd STREET SW AREA ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
Residents can expect the following road closures as part of the ongoing 2nd Street SW Area Roadway Improvements project. The working areas will be closed to all through traffic; local traffic will have access to their homes. Detour routes will be provided.

The roadway closures are scheduled to occur in the following areas:

  • 2nd Street SW at 8th Avenue SW – March 6th - 8th
  • 3rd Avenue SW East of 2nd Street SW – February 25th & 26th
  • 3rd Street SW at 5th Ave SW – February 25th & 26th and March 4th & 5th
  • 4th Avenue SW at 2nd Street SW – February 28th & March 1st
  • 5th Avenue SW between 2nd Street SW & Seminole Blvd – March 7th & 8th
  • 5th Avenue SW at 5th Street SW – February 26th, 27th, & 28th
  • 6th Street SW at 7th Ave SW & 6th Ave SW – February 25th & 26th

Residents and those traveling within this area may encounter trucks and equipment throughout the duration of the project, so for the safety of the workers, please drive with care when encountering work zones.

- Robert Hatton
Engineer II I 587-6713 I rohatton@largo.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
MOBILE CHEMICAL AND ELECTRONIC COLLECTION
Pinellas County and the City of Largo encourage residents to bring unwanted electronics and chemicals for free disposal such as household batteries, paint, and other harmful chemicals on March 9th at Largo Home Depot, 10689 Ulmerton Rd, Largo, FL 33771 from 9am-2pm.

The City of Largo reminds residents that hazardous waste items should never be disposed of in residential trash collection. These chemicals have the potential to contaminate our ground, air, and surface water if they reach the county's landfill. Hazardous waste can also cause potential harm to Solid Waste workers in transport. Accepted items include fluorescent light bulbs, cleaners, computers, TV’s, printers, ink cartridges, and rechargeable household batteries, pesticides, paints, paint thinners, fertilizers, and automotive fluids.

For a complete list of accepted items Pinellas County Solid Waste Operations at (727) 464-7500 or visit www.LargoRecycles.com . This service is offered for free to Pinellas County residents, businesses with electronics or chemicals should arrange for drop off and payment by calling EQ Florida at (813) 319-3400 for chemical disposal.

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