Building the community of choice in Tampa Bay is all about serving you. It’s about what we do and why we do it. So what’s Largo been up to lately? Check out a few of the highlights and visit  Largo.com/Connect  to learn more.

- Lauren Fatkin

Web & Marketing Specialist I 587-6740 I lfatkin@largo.com

As part of Duke Energy’s continuing commitment to provide safe and reliable electrical service to our communities, we must invest in the proper care and maintenance of the Transmission infrastructure. Part of this maintenance program involves vegetation management within our right-of-way (ROW) corridor. In order to ensure continued reliable electric service, crews will be pruning and, in some cases, removing trees in the ROW of our LTL 230kv transmission line corridor within your community. Work is scheduled to begin in May and expected to be completed by August. This letter constitutes the notice required by Florida Statute 163.3209.

The LTL 230kv is a 13.92 mile power line that starts at the Palm Harbor Substation located at 1250 SR 584, Palm Harbor, FL and ends at the Largo Substation located at 1430 East Bay Drive, Largo, FL.

Affected landowners will be notified individually as the project proceeds and prior to work commencing on their property. Although we do not anticipate any power interruptions at this time, should an outage become necessary to complete this work, we will notify affected customers in advance.

Trees are a leading cause of power outages. Duke Energy’s progressive tree care practices help minimize outages during storms and reduces restoration time following storm-related damage. Duke Energy Florida has been recognized for its tree care practices with the distinctive Tree Line USA designation from The National Arbor Day Foundation. We work to balance the need for reliable electric power with sensitivity for the environment and aesthetic considerations. During the performance of this necessary work, our contract tree crews use the most currently accepted standards within the tree care industry, and are supervised by an Arborist, certified by the International Society of Arboriculture.

This maintenance project is only one of many investments we are making on our transmission infrastructure. We strive to provide our customers and communities with excellent service and reliability. Although severe weather may still cause an outage, in Florida, our 4,000 employees are committed to keeping your lights on and efficiently restoring power following inclement weather, while offering bills lower than the national average.

- Trevis McIntyre

Vegetation Management Specialist I trevis.mcintyre@duke-energy.com

The Communications & Marketing team was recently notified that Largo.com has been awarded a GOLD in the Hermes Creative Awards. Hermes is an international competition for creative professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of traditional materials, marketing and communication programs, and emerging technologies. Kudos to the web team for all your hard work!

- Lauren Fatkin

Web & Marketing Specialist I 587-6740 I lfatkin@largo.com

Combining art and awareness, Largo Youth Leadership Council did an amazing job improving Largo's water quality by painting storm drains in Woodrow Park on April 27th. These fun, colorful drains help remind our community to put "Only Rain Down the Drain" to keep Largo's waterways clean.

- Katrina Gordon

Planner II I 587-6749 I kgordon@largo.com

The City of Largo's Office Administrators and other key staff helped kick-start the organization's transition to becoming ocean-friendly. Staff replaced single-use plastics, which can clog our stormdrains and pollute our waterways, for more eco-friendly options for use at City facilities. Largo is committed to the health of our community, environment and economy and will prohibit the use of many single-use plastics on City property starting on July 1, 2019. Visit Largo.com/PlasticFree to learn more about the ordinance or how to buy ocean-friendly products for your next event. 

- Laura Thomas

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

In partnership with Duke Energy, the City of Largo has installed seven electric vehicle charging stations, free for public use. The last the station, a Level 3 charger, was installed at the Central Park Performing Arts Center, next to the Largo Central Park Playground. This is one of only a handful of Level 3 chargers available in the County that are capable of rapid charging your vehicle in as little as 45 minutes. View all of Largo's charging stations on  PlugShare.com .

- Laura Thomas

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

As part of the USF Community Sustainability Partnership Program, students visited the Largo Public Library last week to engage with residents and distribute a Community Survey. The survey asks for input from the community about three strategic focus areas, sustainability, public health and safety, and community pride in order to use the answers to enhance City services. To take the survey visit TinyUrl.com/LargoSurvey .

- Laura Thomas

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

A Neighborhood Information Meeting was held on April 24th to discuss a 10-unit single-family attached development located at 1480 6th Ave NW. The property totals approximately 2.1 acres and is designated Residential Low (RL) future land use. All property owners and residents within 500 feet of the subject property were invited to attend the meeting. Pat Montecki of Arcturus Group and Johnny Buscema of USA General Contractor were present to discuss the project. Planning Division staff as well as representatives from Engineering, Parks, and the Police Department were also present to answer questions from the public.

The meeting was attended by twelve (12) residents from the City of Largo. There were concerns raised by attendees regarding stormwater run-off, tree preservation, and removal of the existing fence. There was also a discussion about the proposed paving of 6th Ave NW to provide access to new residential units and parking spaces for the Northwest Park. Staff stated that the final site plan submittal would be available to be viewed by any interested parties.



- Carol Stricklin

Community Development Department Director I 586-7490 I cstrickl@largo.com

The 16th Annual Tampa Bay Fair Housing Symposium was held in Tampa on April 26, 2019. The City of Largo is an active member of the Tampa Bay Fair Housing Consortium that organizes the annual event. The Symposium included implicit bias training, a Fair Housing 101 course, and presentations by the US Department of Justice on sexual harassment in housing. The afternoon session included a panel discussion with Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, Forward Pinellas and Hillsborough County’s Long Range Planning Department regarding the Symposium’s theme of “Strengthening Diversity in our Communities.” The panel discussed the importance of incorporating transit/multi-modal transportation into land use to strengthen equity and accessibility for households of all income levels. The event had 210 attendees, which included non-profit and for-profit housing agencies, property managers and property maintenance employees, attorneys, residents, lenders, and governmental staff.



- Carol Stricklin

Community Development Department Director I 586-7490 I cstrickl@largo.com

LEARN HOW TO REDUCE FOOD WASTE

Did you know that the United States throws out almost 40% of the food we produce? Ever wonder what those food labels at the store really mean? Learn how to reduce your food waste, read labels, and more importantly, save money! Join Largo Recycles and the Pinellas County Extension at the Largo Public Library for this free event on May 14.

- Dino Pinto

Communication & Marketing Specialist Specialist I 586-7455 I dpinto@largo.com

TACO'VER BBQ

Let me be frank, I know we said we would have Taco'bout it Tuesday's every month at City Hall, but for May we are going to taco'ver BBQ! It's no dig in the ribs, the Bearded BBQ will make a pit stop at the EOC on Tuesday, May 7 from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, bacon it easier for the staff from Highland Rec, the Police Department, City Hall and across the City to meat for lunch. Don't fear the wurst, the Taco Lady will be back in July, but it would be a pig misteak to pass on this one!

Do you have something you want to taco'ver BBQ about? Reach out to Marketing@Largo.com to be this month's feature!



- Dino Pinto

Communication & Marketing Specialist Specialist I 586-7455 I dpinto@largo.com