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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
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THIS WEEK IN LARGO - FEBRUARY 3, 2023
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CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT
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After 42 years of service to the Largo community, Henry Schubert, Largo’s City Manager announces his retirement as of June 30, 2023. Henry started with the City in 1980 in the Planning Department and has served in multiple roles, including Acting Fire Chief, City Clerk, and in the City’s budget office.
Before serving as City Manager in 2016, Henry served as Assistant City Manager. Under his leadership, the City invested in community landmarks such as the Largo Central Park, the Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo Public Library, Largo Community Center, and Highland Recreation Complex. As a result of these accomplishments, Henry was awarded the Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA) Assistant for Excellence in Leadership Award in 2008.
Since becoming City Manager, Henry has effectively led the organization through a multi-year transition toward becoming a High-Performance Organization (HPO). Henry has empowered the Largo Team Members to serve our community with superior services through this model. As a result of Henry’s commitment to HPO, the City of Largo has been named a National Top Workplace in 2021 and 2022.
On behalf of the City Commission, I would like to congratulate our City Manager, Henry Schubert on his forthcoming retirement and extend gratitude for his more than 42 years of consecutive service to the City of Largo." -Mayor Woody Brown
Henry’s legacy also includes the vision for an active and interconnected Downtown, sparked by the design and construction of Horizon West Bay, Largo’s mixed-use City Hall project set to open in late 2024. Henry will leave behind a lasting culture of integrity, passion, creativity, and collaboration. Henry and his wife Dorothy look forward to spending more time traveling and enjoying fine wine and dining.
"I wish to thank the City Commission, our residents, and all the members of Team largo for the opportunity to serve as your City Manager. I appreciate everyone’s support and commitment to our vision of building the community of choice in Tampa Bay." -Henry Schubert, Largo City Manager
In February, City Administration will begin the search for an executive recruitment firm to conduct a nationwide search to identify the most qualified candidates. The successful candidate will be selected by the Mayor and City Commission. Stay tuned to Largo.com for ways in which the Largo community can learn more about the process and City Manager candidates.
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CITY OF LARGO IS A TOP WORKPLACE
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The City of Largo is proud to announce that the City of Largo has been named a National Top Workplace again for 2023! Top Workplaces is the nation's leading employer recognition program recognizing outstanding companies since 2006. Organizations are selected by team member input from the Energage Employee Engagement Survey provided to Largo team members in November 2022. The survey measured team member engagement and overall workplace culture including living out our mission, vision, and values.
The City of Largo earned two Culture Badges, highlighting our strengths including supportive managers and clued-in employees. The survey is also a tool to better understand team member experiences across the organization and identify areas of improvement. On February 1, 2023, the City of Largo was formally named a Top Workplace for the third year in a row. Congratulations, Team Largo, for all you do to make us a Top Workplace and build the community of choice in Tampa Bay!
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SANITARY SEWER SMOKE TESTING
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The City’s contractor will begin smoke testing the sanitary sewer system on Wednesday February 8 for a 2-3 week duration. Smoke testing allows the City to identify cracks and defects in the sewer system. Smoke testing will occur in the following two areas bounded by: Ponce de Leon Blvd, 4th Ave NW, the Pinellas Trail, and the CSX Railroad; the Missouri Avenue corridor from Jasper Street to East Bay Drive
Notification letters have been mailed to over 2,000 addresses notifying residents and businesses of the upcoming smoke testing. It also informs them the smoke is non-toxic, leaves no residue and creates no fire hazard. The smoke will not enter the house unless there is defective plumbing present, or dry drain traps. They are asked to pour a gallon of water down each sink, shower, bathtub, floor drain or any other connections to the sanitary sewer.
And finally, door hangers will remind residents two days in advance of when smoke testing will take place on their specific street. Residents may contact Engineering Services Department at 727-587-6713 Ext. 4416 for any questions.
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SITE PLAN APPROVAL FOR LANTOWER BAYSIDE APARTMENTS
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In January, the City issued a Development Order (DO) to authorize the redevelopment of the property located at 16485 US Highway 19 North. The property is located near the southeast corner of US Highway 19 N frontage road and Whitney Road and includes one (1) vacant parcel of land totaling approximately 8.38 acres. The parcel is located in the Largo Tri-City Activity Center Transit Core Overlay with an underlying Future Land Use Map designated of Commercial General (CG). The Developer has a executed a Green Building Density Bonus Agreement with the City and will construct the project to achieve a Leadership in Energy Efficient Design (“LEED”) or National Green Building Standard (“NGBS”) Silver certification in return for a 2.5 units per acre density bonus above the 30 units per acre (u/a) allowed for properties located in the Largo Tri-City Transit Core Activity Center overlay. The DO authorizes development of the property, with a four (4) story, 271-unit apartment building, landscape buffers, signage, and associated infrastructure improvements.
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Registration is now open for Largo residents! Non-residents can register starting Wednesday, February 15. This year's Summer Camp theme, "Peace, Love, Play" includes over 60 full and half-day summer camps for preschool, elementary, middle school, and teenage children. Mix and match summer camps and locations to plan a fun and exciting summer for your child.
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KIDS TAG ART PINELLAS AWARDS SUPPORTING PINELLAS SCHOOLS
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The City of Largo provided sponsorship for the Kids Tag Art Pinellas Awards, an annual event and fundraiser facilitated by the Pinellas Tax Collector's Office to support art programs in elementary schools across Pinellas County. Mayor Woody Brown presented the City's sponsor award to Tess Meyer from Ridgecrest Elementary (39:41 of the video). Commissioner Jamie Robinson stood in for a local business sponsor to present their award to Madison Wheaton of Gulf Beaches Elementary (45:27 of the video). Congratulations to these talented students and the community leaders that support them!
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ENTERTAINMENT NIGHT AT LARGO GOLF COURSE
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The Largo Golf Course hosted the first entertainment night on Friday, January 20. The beautiful evening consisted of a sunset, food truck, live music, dancing and drinks. There were more than 100 people in attendance for the first concert series on "The Breezeway" patio area of the golf course. If you missed the first one, there are more entertainment nights scheduled for February 17 and March 24 from 6-9 pm.
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SOUTHWEST POOL HOSTS COLLEGE TEAMS
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Southwest Pool hosted 13 colleges from around the United States for their annual winter training. During the months of December and January these teams traveled to Largo to escape the cold and train for their upcoming swim seasons. Teams trained at the facility from 5am until 9pm, 7 days a week. This year was the first year the city oversaw this program, and we look forward to welcoming them back to our newly renovated facility in 2025.
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HORIZON WEST BAY CONSTRUCTION
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Construction of Horizon West Bay which will include Largo City Hall is underway. As of February 1, 2023, work continues on the following tasks:
- Sitework
- Concrete Foundations
- Underground Utilities
Road closures for the duration of the project include:
- 4th Street NW, between West Bay to 1st Ave NW
- 5th Street NW, between West Bay to 1st Ave NW
- 1st Avenue NW, between 4th Street to 5th Street
Upcoming early morning work: Wednesday, February 8 at 5am
Residents and businesses located in Downtown Largo may notice an early morning start to construction on Wednesday, February 8. Contractors on the Horizon project on West Bay Drive and 4th St NW will be laying approximately 120 yards of concrete starting at 5am. This early start allows for over a dozen trucks to load concrete in 30-minute intervals before the concrete vendor’s facility's normal operating time. This part of the project will last through most of the morning hours on Thursday and should last only one day. During this process, trucks on-site will be required to back out, so neighbors may hear truck backup warnings.
Largo’s new mixed-use complex, Horizon West Bay, sets a vision to attract new restaurants, cafes, and retailers to Downtown Largo. The facility will be located on the northern 400 block of West Bay Drive in Downtown. View more information and ways to stay informed on the latest updates at HorizonWestBay.com. Get the most up-to-date information on projects happening Downtown by signing up for the Downtown enewsletter.
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The Chipper Experience! Where Comedy & Magic Collide
Saturday, February 4 at 8pm
Chipper Lowel, two-time “Comedy Magician of the Year,” brings a high-energy blend of hilarious comedy, original magic, and jaw-dropping mentalism. He performs dangerous juggling stunts, ad-libs, improvisations, and surprises galore that make audiences of all ages double over in laughter. Don’t miss it!
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MISSION: Provide Superior Services that Inspire Community Pride
VISION: To Be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay
VALUES: INTEGRITY | COLLABORATION | PASSION | CREATIVITY
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