This week's Citizens' Academy session was hosted by the Recreation, Parks and Arts Department. Over a delicious barbecue dinner in the Parkview Room, Ms. Byrne provided a department overview, including their budget and cost recovery strategy, followed by a backstage tour of the Tonne Playhouse. The class then boarded the department bus for a tour of other facilities. The first stop was McGough Nature Park for a tour led by Donna Vitale, Nature Program Supervisor. Participants got to meet all of the owls and Sarge, the bald eagle. On the way to the park, Ms. Byrne told the class the story of how the Friends of Largo Nature Parks began and the work they continue to do in the community. Participants also learned about the park's Avian Vet Program. The next stop was the Southwest Complex and a tour by Recreation Program Supervisor Megan Leary. The class also got to see the pool, diving platforms and tennis courts before boarding the bus to the Highland Complex. The route to Highland included Trotter Road, which Engineering staff presented on the previous week. At Highland, Manager Jessica Crawley led a tour of the busy facility and encouraged participants to return to the first floor via the slide. After Highland, our last stop of the night was the Community Center. Manager Christina Lorenz led a tour of the facility, including backstage in the ballroom, the kitchen and the art studio. She also spoke about the activities and trips that are available. It should be noted that Ms. Byrne and Lara Khoury had an ambitious schedule for the evening of dinner, Performing Arts Center tour and the bus tour of the other facilities in only 3 hours and made it work by presenting and answering questions while traveling between the facilities. The evening was fun and informative for all of the participants and kudos to all staff members for sharing their facilities with us. Next week the class will be back at City Hall for an evening hosted by the Community Development Department.

- Diane Bruner

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

Since Hurricane Irma, the City of Largo has implemented many changes to our Emergency Management Program including remodeling our Emergency Operations Center, staffing changes, and a new City Emergency Operations Plan. Representatives from various City of Largo departments had the recent privilege of presenting our "Citywide Approach to Emergency Management" at the Florida City and County Management Association onsite training session at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus. Presenters included Deputy Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator Joe Pennino, Division Fire Chief of Operations Chris McDonald, Assistant Engineering Services Director Rafal Cieslak, Largo Fire Rescue Public Education Specialist Summer Mahr, Assistant Finance Director Rebecca Spuhler, and Assistant Chief of Emergency Management and Special Operations Cody Johnson.

- Deputy Chief Joe Pennino

Deputy Fire Chief I 727-587-6714| jpennino@largo.com

Mayor Brown welcomed Cub Scout Pack 404 to Largo City Hall on  October 15 , 2019, with a Q&A session in the Community Room followed by a tour of the Commission Chambers. The pack then led the Pledge of Allegiance at the Largo City Commission Meeting.

- Lauren Fatkin

Digital Engagement Specialist I 727-587-6740 I lfatkin@largo.com

Treasury Manager Jared Meyer reports that the final debt payment has been made on a $20 million loan, the proceeds of which were used, as follows; $16,937,000 for construction of the new Highland Recreation Complex, $3,000,000 to refinance a wastewater loan to reduce interest costs and $63,000 to pay debt issuance costs.

The loan was taken in two $10 million increments, dated December 2011 and January 2012, with interest rates of 1.71% and 1.72%, respectively. The $3,000,000 portion was repaid by the wastewater fund and the $16,937,000 portion was repaid from the "Penny for Pinellas" local option sales tax. The Highland Complex is now debt free in less than ten years, which was the intent of the borrowing plan.

Treasury Manager Meyer also reports that the final debt payment will be made in December 2019 on a $10 million loan taken in March of 2010 for construction of the new Largo Community Center. The loan carried an interest rate of 3.44% and the entire borrowing will be repaid from the "Penny for Pinellas" local option sales tax. When the final payment is made, the Largo Community Center will be debt free in less than ten years, which was the intent of the borrowing plan. These loans were initiated in accordance with City's Debt Policy guidelines.

- Kimball Adams

Finance Director I 727-587-6719| kadamsl@largo.com

Grant writers/managers in Recreation, Parks and Arts (RPA) and the Largo Police Department (LPD) have had a busy summer and fall; here’s an update on RPA’s grants. Next week’s Grants at a Glance will feature an update from LPD.

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

Grants Awarded to Recreation, Parks and Arts:

Cheryl Coller Reed

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

D o you have a great idea for an innovative and collaborative new project? Apply for the the Largo Sustainability Grant today! The Sustainability Grant is a staff engagement tool that supports HPO and Largo's organizational values. It aims to create social, environmental and financial returns on investment and strengthens the organization's commitment to sustainability. Each year a total of $20,000 will be available to Largo team members to fund various projects. Once this fund is spent, no more projects may be approved for that fiscal year. 

Laura Thomas

Sustainability Administrator I 727-586-7424 | lthomas@largo.com

David Nelson Construction Company will begin construction on West Bay Drive from Missouri Avenue to Clearwater-Largo Road Monday, October 21. Construction duration is 300 days.

Improvements will include sidewalk, street light, street furniture, and bus shelter replacement, construction of mid-block crossings, and mill and resurface/restriping of West Bay Drive.



Please plan extra time for safe westbound travel.

Barry Westmark

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

The City of Largo would like your input as it relates to the US19/Roosevelt Boulevard Special Area Plan (SAP). The intent of the SAP is to incentivize catalytic change, overcome the challenges associated with conventional forms of auto-oriented, strip commercial development, as well as correct the lack of connectivity for all modes of transportation. To learn more about the SAP, please visit Largo.com/US19SAP .

Let’s get started!

Katrina Lunan-Gordon

Planner II I 727-587- 6749 | kgordon@largo.com

On Friday, October 18, the City of Largo will be hosting a table at the Pinellas County Reverse Trade Show at St. Petersburg College in Seminole. Procurement Analyst Wheaton, Economic Development Coordinator Rojas-Norton and Community Engagement Administrator Perez will be representing the City. The goal of the event is to connect small and local businesses with department buyers from various municipalities and government agencies within Pinellas County and surrounding counties. This free annual event also features presentations from experts on government contracting.

Karisa Rojas-Norton

Economic Development Coordinator I 727-586-7360 | krojasno@largo.com

On October 14 and 15, The Community Development Department demolished a vacant, abandoned house as part of the City's program addressing nuisance properties. The house at 511 Cleveland Avenue was abandoned since 2014 and has had numerous ongoing code violation issues. The City obtained the property through a foreclosure action and determined the house needed to be demolished due to years of neglect. The lot will eventually be redeveloped with a house that will contribute to the ongoing revitalization occurring in Largo’s downtown neighborhoods.

Abandoned houses attract criminal activity, depress property values, and discourage investment. Each derelict property represents a chronic nuisance that can impact an entire neighborhood. Largo has committed to abating these problem properties with various strategies, including lien forgiveness programs, foreclosure, the acquisition of properties, and redevelopment through the City’s affordable housing programs.

Tracey Schofield

Community Standards Manager I 727-587- 6799 | tschofie@largo.com

Largo Recreation, Parks and Arts is proud to present the 2019 RPA Annual Report. This report summarizes the key department accomplishments and metrics for this year. As the City of Largo strives to fulfill its vision to be the “Community of Choice in Tampa Bay” the Recreation, Parks and Arts Department is a key factor in differentiating our community. The quality and quantity of our parks, cultural programs and recreational amenities for all ages and interests is unmatched. We are committed to being leaders in building community pride, providing facilities and programs that support healthy lifestyles for our residents and enhancing a beautiful, green and sustainable future for the City of Largo. Our department and its dedicated staff of professionals are working hard to make Largo better each day and we hope you share our pride in the accomplishments included in this report. 

Annual Report 2019

Lara Khoury

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

The Highland Family Aquatic Center will be host to the 4 ^th Annual Largo Taste Fest on Saturday, November 2 from 5:30-8:30pm. Individuals can reserve tickets now by calling Recreation Administration at (727) 587-6720 or purchasing at any of the following facilities: Highland Recreation Center, Largo Community Center, Central Park Performing Arts Center, or Southwest Recreation Center.

The reservation fee is $25 per ticket or day of admission is $30 per ticket. All phone reservation tickets will be at the will call table at the admissions gate. Each ticket includes admission, food sampling and one complimentary beverage. The Largo Taste Fest is a community fundraiser with sponsorship, tickets and silent auction sales supporting children’s summer camp scholarships.

Besides all the marvelous tastings from area restaurants, we will have live music, a silent auction and artwork from Largo High School for viewing. To see participating early restaurant menus go to:

http://www.playlargo.com/special_event_detail_T38_R183.php

- Mark Abdo

Recreation Program Supervisor I 727-587-6720 I mabdo@largo.com