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 APRIL10, 2020
NEWS AND UPDATES
The City’s Emergency Management Team continues to monitor the evolving health concerns in response to COVID-19 and taking proactive measures to help preserve the health and well-being of our community. Find the latest information and updates on Largo.com/COVID19 .
COMMUNITY CONVERSATION -COVID-19
Please join city leaders for this virtual event on Wednesday, April 15 at 4pm. This community conversation will begin with a situational update from city leadership and more importantly, allow an opportunity for residents to ask questions. It is important we stay informed and connected as a community during this time. Residents can register to participate online or listen in over the phone by calling 1-415-930-5321 and using acc ess Code: 674-850-544. For the audio pin simply press #. The Webinar ID is 395-221-851. You can submit questions in advance to communications@largo.com or via voicemail at 727-587-6740 x7630.
UPCOMING VIRTUAL MEETINGS
To protect the health and safety of our residents and visitors, the City of Largo will temporarily host meetings virtually. Members of the public who wish to tune in or comment during the meeting will have several options. If you have any questions, please contact cityclerk@largo.com or call 727-587-6710 ext. 7003.
AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, April 14 at 3pm
Meeting ID: 415-612-387
Call in: 1-415-655-0052
Access Code: 143-457-215
Audio Pin: (simply press #)
CITY COMMISSION
WORK SESSION
Tuesday, April 14 at 4pm
Meeting ID: 480-949-675
Call in: 1-415-655-0052
Access Code: 343-457-959
Audio Pin: (simply press #)
CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
Thursday, April16 at 6pm
Meeting ID: 626-732-563
Call in: 1-415-655-0052
Access Code: 323-989-126
Audio Pin: (simply press #)
TO OFFER PUBLIC COMMENT
  • Email your comments now to PublicComment@Largo.com and they will be read aloud.
  • Share your comments live during the meeting by entering them in the question section and they will be read aloud.
  • Voice calling and TTY are also available by dialing 727-586-7334 

* There will be no public comment at the City Commission Work Session.
PINELLAS COUNTY'S SAFER AT HOME RESOLUTION
On Thursday, April 9, Pinellas County Commission Chair Pat Gerard extended the declaration of a Local State of Emergency for another 7 days, along with the County’s previous orders pursuant to it. This includes that public beaches and beach parking areas in Pinellas County will remain closed at least through April 17. Find more information, visit PinellasCounty.org/COVID19 or call Pinellas County Customer Information Center (CIC) at 727-464-4333.
STOP THE SPREAD: BE SMART AND STAY 6 FEET APART
To report a violation of the Safer at Home Order requirements, call 727-582-TIPS (8477).
GRANTS -AT-A-GLANCE
FDEM and FEMA Public Assistance Reimbursement Grants

COVID-19: On behalf of the City, the Finance Department has submitted a request for public assistance to the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) for consideration under the COVID-19 Public Assistance Grant.

The Public Assistance (PA) Grant is a federal grant program, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to aid state and local governments in returning an area to pre-disaster conditions. A minimum of 75% of eligible costs is provided to address emergency protective measures taken to manage, control and reduce immediate threats to public health and safety, to provide medical care and sheltering as well as for the repair and restoration of public facilities, infrastructure, or services which have been damaged or destroyed due to COVID-19. Eligible applicants include local and Tribal governments as well as certain private, not-for-profit organizations.

Hurricane Irma: In 2018, the City applied for a time extension pertaining to the City’s additional debris management costs associated with Hurricane Irma. Late last month, the City learned that FDEM approved the time extension and approved reimbursements to the City of additional debris management costs totaling $220,868. The City also expects to qualify for a final reimbursement in the amount of $121,600; this final amount is expected in the near future.

Cheryl Coller Reed
Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator / 586-7452 / creed@largo.com
COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES
The City of Largo Community Development Department remains committed to helping the business community and continues to remain operational to assist customers via phone, email, and eTRAKiT to process permits, schedule certain no-contact inspections, process business tax receipts, answer questions about land use, review development applications, and provide business assistance. As the situation surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) changes, our Economic Development team is working hard to provide businesses the most up to date resources available. A special Business Resources page has been created to help businesses stay up to date on financial resources, grants, purchasing opportunities, business assistance, and resources for employers. For permits, contact permits@largo.com . For planning questions, contact askaplanner@largo.com If a business has a specific need, our Economic Development team can be contacted at ecodev@largo.com and we will try to assist or provide resources. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Karisa Rojas-Norton
Economic Development Coordinator / 586-7360 / krojasno@largo.com
ESSENTIAL BUSINESS EXPLAINED
To help local businesses comply with public safety rules under the statewide and county "Safer at Home" orders, Pinellas County has issued expanded guidance on which services are considered essential during the COVID-19 pandemic.
GREAT FAMILY VIDEOS TO WATCH
Recreation, Parks and Arts and Communications and Engagement staff are proud to release a series of programs to educate and entertain during this time of "Safer at Home." Preschool instructors have filmed daily "Circle Times" featuring Letter of the Day activities and Story Time. Fitness staff have filmed a series of exercise videos that featuring Captain Play that encourage children and families to keep moving. Other new videos include "Getting to Know Your Largo Parks" as we take a guided walk through Largo Nature Preserve, Datsko Park, Northeast Park and McGough Park. And finally, we release a series of videos on the wonderful animals at the Narrow Environmental Education Center featuring turtles, snakes, hawks, and the beloved owls. View all of these videos and other great ways to play online by visiting PlayLargo.com/DigitalResources .
Joan Byrne
Recreation, Parks and Arts Director/ 587-6720 / jbryne@largo.com
Get to Know
Your Parks
Get Fit With
Captain Play
The Animals of McGough Nature Park
RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR SUMMER CAMPS
The Largo Rec team is diligently working on serving you and that's why we've added an online reservation form for summer camps! For those families wanting to register their child for full day camps, fill out our online reservation form and a member of our team will be in contact with you once our facilities are re-opened to complete the payment process. Have questions? Feel free to email LargoCamps@largo.com

Visit LargoCamps.com for more information on full day camps and more.
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF 6TH STREET SW
Please be advised that 6th Street SW at West Bay Drive will be closed, starting  Monday, April 13 until Thursday, April 16 at the end of day. The City’s Contractor, Nelson Construction, is performing ADA/Crosswalk improvements and street reconfiguration. Access to all properties can be made through adjacent roadways. Should you have any questions, please contact Brian Highnote in the Engineering Services Department.

Brian Highnote
Construction Manager/ 587-6713 x 4402 / bhighighnot@largo.com
PERMITS AVAILABLE ONLINE
Permits are now available online. Here is the updated list:

  • Screen Room - NEW! as of 04/08
  • Pool Enclosure - NEW! as of 04/08
  • Sidewalk - NEW! as of 04/08
  • Sign - NEW! as of 04/09
  • Addition - Residential + Commercial - NEW! as of 04/09
  • Commercial Remodel - NEW! as of 04/09
  • Driveway New as of 4/08
  • Patio Deck New as of 4/08
  • Carport New as of 4/08
  • Mechanical
  • Electrical 
  • Plumbing
  • Roof
  • Window/Door
  • MH Roof Over
  • Fence
  • Pool Fence
  • Tree
  • Solar
  • LP Gas
  • Natural Gas
  • Demo
  • Repair - residential + commercial
  • Generator
  • Shed 
  • Residential remodel 
  • Fire Sprinkler
  • Fire

If you do not have an online account, please email permits@largo.com  to request online access.

Robert Hatton
Building Official/ 586-7488 / rhatton@largo.com
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF 2ND STREET SW
Please be advised that 2nd Street SW at West Bay Drive will be closed until end of day  Monday, April 13. The City’s Contractor, Nelson Construction, is performing ADA/Crosswalk improvements and street reconfiguration. Access to all properties can be made through adjacent roadways. Should you have any questions, please contact Brian Highnote in the Engineering Services Department.
Brian Highnote
Construction Manager/ 587-6713 x 4402 / bhighighnot@largo.com
LARGO MEDICAL CENTER TEMPORARY BANNER
A sign company has requested a permit for Largo Medical Center to install a temporary banner with the message, "Resilience" on the side of their building. Although the sign exceeds the normal banner size, the sign will be permitted for 60 days to support the community as part of the COVID-19 emergency situation.
Carol Stricklin
Community Development Director/ 586-7490 / cstrickl@largo.com
SANITARY SEWER PIPE REPLACEMENT
As part of an ongoing effort to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows in the City of Largo, the Engineering Services Department’s contractor will be replacing approximately 200 feet of badly deteriorated sewer pipe between properties at the north end of Del Robles Terrace and Arvis Circle West. The work and property restoration is estimated to take 3-4 weeks concluding in early May 2020. Mr. Brian Highnote is the point of contact for this project and can be reached at (727)587-6713 X4402.
PINELLAS COUNTY WATER MAINTENANCE
Pinellas County Utilities will be conducting the routine bi-annual water system maintenance program to optimize water quality starting on Sunday, May 17 through Friday, June 5. The attached information is provided to assist you in your notification efforts, detailing the temporary change to chlorine disinfection, treatment time frame and potential customer concerns.
 
If you have any questions about this program, please call Pinellas County Utilities Customer Service at 727-464-4000 .
TAMPA BAY FAIR HOUSING SYMPOSIUM
The Tampa Bay Fair Housing Consortium, of which Largo is a member, was planning to host its annual symposium through virtual webinar as an accommodation during COVID-19. However, due to constraints with alternate duties of many of the speakers, current financial impacts on the housing community, and concerns over computer access for attendees, the Consortium voted to postpone this year’s symposium indefinitely. Refunds will be issued to those who registered for the event. The Consortium is working on placing additional information resources on the Consortium website for both residents and landlords. The City of Largo, through its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding offers free fair housing legal services to low-income households in Largo through Gulfcoast Legal Services . Services are being provided via telephone (727-821-0726) during this time.

Carol Stricklin
Community Development Director/ 586-7490 / cstrickl@largo.com
CITY OF LARGO STAFF IS HERE TO HELP
Below is important contact information while City facilities remained closed to the public.

MAYOR WOODY BROWN'S SAFER@HOME MESSAGE
KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED
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From Captain Play! coloring sheets to online fitness videos, Largo Recreation is here with ways to stay active and healthy while at home.
Access library eResources on your device, all free with your library card. eResource digital media includes: eBooks, eAudiobooks, downloadable and streaming music, TV shows, comics, movies, and eMagazines.
audio books ebranch database
MAKE LARGO COUNT IN THE 2020 CENSUS
Do you want more funding for schools, highways, and healthcare in our area? The census count determines billions of dollars in funding for federal and local programs in our state, Congressional representation, and election boundaries. The 2020 Census is now live online! You can fill out the Census at My2020Census.gov , simply confirm your address and complete the brief survey. Then tell your friends to take it, too!
MISSION: Provide Superior Services that Inspire Community Pride

VISION: To Be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay

VALUES: INTEGRITY | COLLABORATION | PASSION | CREATIVITY