This week's Academy session was hosted by the Public Works Department. The evening began with a bus ride to the back lot of the complex where the various pieces of equipment were set up, with staff available to answer questions and demonstrate their equipment. Then it was participants' turn to work the controls, a few even scooping up dirt with the backhoe, asking questions of Public Works team members as they went. After touring the equipment, participants headed back to the Operations Center for dinner and presentations by each division. They had a lot of questions about recycling and class member Leslie Caplin announced a Largo Sustainability Series presentation next Tuesday night at the Library to discuss items that can be recycled. Commissioner Donna Holck attended the session and thanked participants for stepping up to learn about their City. Thanks to all Public Works team members for a great session and Commissioner Holck for joining in. Next week the class will go to the Police Department. After that there will be only two sessions left; the Library on November 11 and Finance/OPB on November 18.

- Diane L. Bruner

City Clerk I 727-587-6710| dbruner@largo.com

According to the CDC, about 50 million Americans report having a disability. Disabilities can affect people in different ways, even when one person has the same type of disability as another person. Some disabilities may be hidden or not easy to see. People-First Language is a way of communicating that reflects respect for people with disabilities by choosing words that portray them accurately.

Check out this guide for suggestions on how to communicate with and about people with disabilities.

As we work toward creating the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay, the Web Team is making strides to ensure that city-wide communication is accessible to all people by continuing to incorporate web ADA best practices, updating documents, web/digital content and streaming media to be fully ADA compliant by 2020.

- Lauren Fatkin

Digital Engagement Specialist I 727-587-6470 x. 5015 | lfatkin@largo.com

The City of Largo's Office of Performance and Budget Director, Meridy Semones, has successfully completed the distinguished International City/County Management Association's (ICMA) Leadership program. ICMA is the leading organization of local government professionals. The Leadership ICMA is a competitive, intensive two-year program designed to cultivate key competencies needed for successful leadership at all levels of local government management. Meridy was in a class of just 15 government leaders who graduated from the program on October 23 at the organization's annual conference in Nashville. She is one of only 180 city officials to have completed this program. The program focused on topics such as leadership philosophy, organizational effectiveness and strategic planning. Leadership ICMA concluded with capstone project where students where asked to demonstrate their competence in concepts presenting throughout the program working on a local government consulting project. Congratulations Meridy; your participation and graduation from this program is a tremendous benefit to the City of Largo, the members of TeamLargo as well as to our citizens.

- Henry Schubert

City Manager I 727-586-7454 | citymanager@largo.com

Please congratulate Officer Albin Soto and his partner Tianna Audit for being recognized at the Pinellas Substance Use and Mental Action Forum. They were awarded the 2019 Community Hero Award for their work with a family in need. The family members were at the ceremony to personally thank Officer Soto and Tianna for their compassion and caring. Albin has definitely hit the ground running as this is the first year for this specialty unit. Congratulations!

- Major Joseph Coyle

Police Major I 727-587-6730 | jcoyle@largo.com

Largo Recreation, Parks and Arts is proud to announce that four team members have successfully completed the national Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification program. Congratulations are due to Ali Bill, Supervisor at Southwest Recreation; Doug Betts, Supervisor at the Community Center; Jessica Crawley, Manager of Highland Recreation and Mike Baker, Athletics Supervisor. The Certified Park and Recreation Professional certification is the national standard for all parks and recreation professionals who want to be at the forefront of their profession. Attaining the CPRP designation shows that individuals have met education and experience qualifications, and illustrated a commitment to the profession as well as their knowledge and understanding of key concepts within parks and recreation. Largo's Recreation, Parks and Art Department now has eleven certified professionals that commit to 20 hours of approved continuing education coursework every two years. Thank you Ali, Doug, Jessica and Mike for your superior service that makes Largo the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay.

- Joan Byrne

Recreation, Parks and Arts Director I 727-587-6720 | jbyrne@largo.com

On September 23rd, the Largo Recreation, Parks and Arts Department earned their 20th year re-accreditation status through the National Recreation and Parks Association Commission on Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies. Being an accredited agency requires adherence to more than 140 standards for best practices in the Recreation and Parks industry. The standards span business processes, organizational management, planning, risk policies, programming analysis and more. The Largo Recreation, Parks and Arts Department was the first municipality in Florida to be accredited and the 22nd agency in the country. Today, there are only 176 accredited agencies.

- Lara Khoury

Recreation Business Manager I 727-587-6720 | lkhoury@largo.com

City of Largo is working with the Pinellas Complete Count Committee to ensure that residents in our region, including across the City of Largo count in the U.S. Census 2020. Every 10 years, the federal government is required by the U.S. Constitution to count all residents in the United States through a national census. The information is used to make sure everyone is equally represented in our political system and that government resources are allocated fairly for critical programs that support education, housing, health and transportation services in our community. To find out more visit: pinellascounty.org/census2020 or reach out to connect@largo.com to request a local presentation.

- Julianne Perez

Community Engagement Administrator I 727-587-6740 x. 7630 | jperez@largo.com

On October 22 and 23, Vice Mayor John Carroll participated in the Florida League of Cities’ FAST Fly In to Washington, D.C. During his visit, he had an opportunity to meet with members of Florida’s Congressional Delegation including Representative Charlie Crist, Representative Kathy Castor, Senator Marco Rubio and Senator Rick Scott.

The Federal Action Strike Team (FAST) was created by the Florida League of Cities to strengthen intergovernmental relations with Florida’s congressional delegation by establishing proactive communications regarding federal policy that affects local governments.

Municipal officials had an opportunity to discuss long term re-authorization of the federal National Flood Insurance Program, cybersecurity, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance for municipal websites, as well as infrastructure investment with federal elected officials and their staff.

- Cheryl Coller Reed

Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator I 727-586-7452| creed@largo.com

On October 17, 2019, Rick Perez was awarded a Redevelopment Professional certificate from the Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) Redevelopment Academy. Rick was one of 26 FRA members that were recognized at the organization's annual conference in Tampa for successfully completing the five course program designed to promote a high level of knowledge and professionalism in the field of redevelopment of communities in Florida. Economic Development Manager Teresa Brydon was in attendance at the annual conference and presentation of FRA certifications.

- Carol Stricklin

Community Development Director I 727-586-7490 | cstrickl@largo.com

The westbound outside lane of West Bay Drive from Missouri Avenue to Clearwater-Largo Road will experience sustained closure for five months to March 2020, according to contract schedule. The contractor is working diligently to complete work much sooner than the contract time. While the contractor will make every effort to keep the outside lane open when possible, motorists should assume the lane will be closed when planning westbound travel on West Bay Drive in this segment. Detour routes to 8 ^th Avenue SE/SW and Ulmerton Road are posted at https://largo.com/WestBayDrive .

- Barry Westmark

Senior Engineer I 727-587- 6713 | bwestmar@largo.com

Grants Awarded to Largo Police:

Applied for a Grant and Awaiting a Decision from the Funder:

- Cheryl Coller Reed

Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator I 727-586-7452| creed@largo.com

The Office of Congressman Charlie Crist will host mobile office hours at the Largo Library from 10 am to 5 pm on November 7.

These office hours offer Pinellas County residents who do not live close to Congressman Crist’s offices in Midtown, downtown St. Petersburg or Seminole a more convenient way to meet one-on-one with the Congressman’s caseworkers. Residents can drop in on the designated day or make an appointment by calling Congressman Crist’s District office at (727)318-6770.

Congressman Crist maintains a year-round office at 696 1 ^st Avenue North, Suite 203, in downtown St. Petersburg.

- Cheryl Coller Reed

Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator I 727-586-7452| creed@largo.com

In honor of those who have served in the U.S. military, the City of Largo, Florida will host the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Largo Central Park on Monday, November 11 at 7pm. The intimate ceremony at the Military Court of Honor in Largo Central Park will include a musical tribute by Florida Fanfare Brass and the Temple Terrace Highlanders pipe band, presentations and a message from keynote speaker, William Parker. Largo's Event Planning Committee will also award the annual "Barbara Bush Citizen Patriot Award" to this year's recipients, Sheila Mustacio & Lt. Col. Carol Barkalow.  Sheila and Carol are creators of Heaven on Earth for Veterans Inc. Find more information on LargoEvents.com.

- Kate O'Connell Oyer

Communications and Engagement Director I 727-586-7455 I krojasno@largo.com

The City of Largo invites residents, businesses and other community members to an informative community forum to learn about the US 19 / Roosevelt Boulevard Special Area Plan (SAP) on Wednesday, November 6 from 6-8 pm. This plan intends to create an attractive, sustainable and economically vital urban destination that incorporates a higher degree of mixed uses, density and accessibility to multiple modes of transportation. Please drop in anytime between 6-8 pm. The forum will be held at Pinellas Technical College, Clearwater Campus, Building 10 at 6100 154th Ave N, Clearwater.

For more information about this project, visit Largo.com/US19SAP .

Looking forward to seeing you there!

- Rick Perez

Planning Manager I 727-587- 6749 | rperez@largo.com