Welcome to LARGO TODAY, News from the City Manager. You can find a copy of this edition and previous eNews at Largo.com/LargoToday. 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."

-Henry Schubert, City Manager
THIS WEEK IN LARGO - January 7, 2022
IMPORTANT DATES
NEWS AND UPDATES
FUNDING RECEIVED FOR BODY-WORN CAMERA PROGRAM
The Largo Police Department was recently awarded $314,000 in funding through the FY 2021 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies grant administered by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance. The funds will be used towards the implementation of the department’s Body-Worn Camera Program that includes 157 cameras, technology upgrades, and data storage enhancements. Stay tuned for opportunities to learn more about the Largo Police Department’s Body-Worn Camera Program with upcoming community engagement sessions.
NEW HIGHLAND PLAYGROUND RECOGNIZED
Recreation Management magazine recently recognized the new Highland Recreation playground as the "Playground of the Future". Read more to learn the process that developer Rep Services went through to plan and build this new structure, and how it is revolutionizing the way we design future playgrounds.
LARGO SHREDFEST IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER
The City of Largo will host its free ShredFest event on Saturday, January 15 at the Starkey Road Collection Center (1551 Starkey Rd) from 9am-12pm, or until full capacity has been reached. This easy, drive-through event allows residents to bring up to five boxes of documents for free and secure on-site shredding and recycling. All patrons are to remain in their cars during the event.

The Starkey Road Recycling Center is also a 24-hour facility where residents can drop off their mixed recycling at no cost, recycle used cooking oil and pick up free, recycled mulch all year-round. 
20TH ST NW COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT UPDATE
Construction contractor Crisdel Group, Inc. plans to begin construction on the 20th Street NW Community Streets Improvements project January 18, 2022.The project includes reconstruction of 20th St NW from West Bay Drive to Mehlenbacher Road and construction of a buffered 10 foot wide multi-use path on the east side of the road.The contract time for completion is 330 days, or December 2022.Variable message boards have been deployed to announce start of construction. Motorists traveling between West Bay Drive and Mehlenbacher Road should use 14th St NW. 
HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM ON HOLD
Largo's Housing Rehabilitation Program is currently not accepting new applications at this time. The Housing Division is working on revamping the program and closing out cases currently in process and have paused accepting new clients into the program. Residents may contact the Housing Division to be notified when the program re-opens by calling
727-586-7489 Ext. 7314 or emailing Housing@largo.com.
2022 COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Our local not-for-profit hospitals and the department of health want to hear from you! These organizations are working together to get the community’s perspective on the most pressing health and wellness needs. Information collected will be used to develop programs and services to address the identified issues and measure impact.

Community feedback and data captured from the prior needs assessment conducted in 2019 lead to several initiatives to address the needs faced by so many in our community. This included programs such as mental health first aid courses provided to first responders, educators and public facing officials, the launch of school-based food pantries and other initiatives addressing food insecurity, the creation of a database of behavioral health providers in Polk County, reducing barriers in access to care, children’s health and safety programming, and so much more.
COMING SOON TO CPPAC
Jethro Tull's
Martin Barre Band
January 13 & 14

Martin Barre has been the guitarist of Jethro Tull for 43 years whose sound is a major factor in their success. His band is a total commitment to giving Tull fans and a broader audience the chance to hear tracks not performed for many years.
Bobby Collins w/ Mark Riccadonna
January 29

Bobby has been a regular performer on most all late night talk shows as well as working alongside comedy legends such as Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfield. He has released six comedy CD's, most recently Im On The Boat.
MISSION: Provide Superior Services that Inspire Community Pride
VISION: To Be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay
VALUES: INTEGRITY | COLLABORATION | PASSION | CREATIVITY