Oldsmar City Manager's
Weekly Update
May 22, 2020
Official City Seal
Oldsmar City Manager
Al Braithwaite
Greetings from a slightly more populated City Hall -

As of Monday, May 18 th , the City instituted the second phase of our return to work plan. In it, most facilities are still closed to the public, but business that could be completed virtually is still encouraged, and arrangements can be made for business that needs to be completed in person.  We are still following all CDC guidelines, and ask that you wear a mask if you are going to meet with an employee in one of our facilities, but we are getting closer to a full return. I think that the communities’ commitment to the “Safer at Home” rule has resulted in keeping the case numbers down, up to this point.
Specifically, and worthy of note, is our Library, who offers an interesting hybrid service delivery method for patrons.  Essentially, you can contact the Staff, tell them what you are looking for, and if it is a physical text or story book, they will find it, and have it ready for you to pick up, outside the door.  We have received several complaints from citizens about the doors not being opened yet, but we still have some final adjustments to be completed for workflow and protective measures in order to be ready to provide full services.  Remember, you may not recognize what full services will look like, even when the time has arrived.  That can be disconcerting for some, who dislike change (like ME).  One of the lasting lessons to be gleaned from this experience is the need to adapt to what technology provides for us…..in more and more cases, whether we like it or not!  Yes, of course you can still get a good old regular book, for sure…..but if you just force yourself to look at the digital offerings that are available from the Library…..for FREE, you will have opened up an amazing new world of learning and entertainment options.  As an aging dinosaur, let me share with you that I have been shocked (in a good way) at the level of information available to me, through our Library resources. And yes, it took the pandemic to make me realize that.  Here is the beautiful part……you can get any kind of help you need from our incredible staff.  Just call them and ask for whatever you need…..I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the results.

On a personal note, I’d like to give a shout out to my Lunch Pal from Oldsmar Elementary.  I want to tell you how much I miss spending time with him, and once this is over, I hope to make up for that lost time in some way, shape or form.  He graduated this past year, in what will likely go down as the most bizarre school year in history, and he will be off to Middle School, at the end of the summer.  When I was a kid growing up in New York, we used to have a couple of snow days every year, which was fun (for the kids).  This, however, is unbelievable.  The necessary adjustments made by families, both economic and in schedule juggling, have been nothing short of incredible.  I still believe in my heart that we will be okay, and just have to power through this, as we have so many other things during our lifetimes.  One of my dearest friends lost BOTH of her brothers to this disease, which crushes me.  I can’t fathom what that would do to a family, as it has in so many cases.  Sorry for the sad moment, but the point is this….let’s not ever forget what every family is putting up with to get through this, and let’s remember to use it as a learning lesson for the kids.  Being kind goes a long way always, but never has it been more important than it is right NOW.  My lunch pal (let’s just say his name is…..Sean….I hope I don’t get in trouble for using his real name) has the heart of a GIANT.  I want to spend time with him to give him some perspective on how this pandemic will change his life, and I want to get his perspective on how he sees it changing everyone’s life around him.  I want to hug him, or at least give him the newly invented “Air Five”……can’t wait to see him again.  I know he is being kind, and we can all use that lesson. 

Please consider participating in the School Mentorship program , which is available at both of our Elementary schools in Oldsmar. It’s a very short time commitment each week, and you will get as much out of it, as the student does. Just becoming a part of their lives is one of the best things you can do.  We need more people doing things like that.

Be strong, be positive, be confident, and be safe……I can’t remember from week to week if that is how I said it last time, but the overarching theme is the same…..this week, we will add “be kind”…..to each other, to the mix. You can’t go wrong doing that….ever.  Be like my lunch pal.

Have a great week, and we will talk again…..as always, please use the reference information provided below however you see fit.  Thanks!

Al b
CONTACT THE CITY
FACILITIES
City Hall (813) 749-1100
Public Library (813) 749-1181
State Street Center (813) 749-1155
Cypress Forest Rec Center (813) 749-1152

DEPARTMENTS
Administrative Services (813) 749-1106
City Clerk's Office (813) 749-1115
Fire Rescue (813) 749-1200
Leisure Services (813) 749-1260
Public Library (813) 749-1181
Public Works (813) 749-1136
Planning & Redevelopment (813) 749-1122
Utility Billing (813) 855-5257
ALERT PINELLAS
Receive alerts about emergencies and other essential City news by signing up for ALERT Pinellas - a FREE service to residents and businesses. You choose how to receive alerts and can enter up to five different Pinellas County locations for notifications. An excellent resource for the upcoming Hurricane Season.

DOWNLOAD THE APP
To provide a more Connected City experience, the City of Oldsmar offers a FREE mobile app to enjoy convenient access to calendars, view job opportunities, or watch a City Council meeting online.

Available for both Android and Apple devices.


YOU LIKE US!

Be sure to LIKE or FOLLOW the City on Facebook.

We're posting unique activities to help you practice social distancing and news from City Hall.


INDIVIDUAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Pinellas County residents can apply for one-time financial assistance for those who have lost jobs or significant income due to COVID-19 to help pay for overdue rent/mortgage and utility bills.
DEADLINE TO APPLY IS JUNE 1.

SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS
$5,000 grants NOW AVAILABLE to assist Pinellas County small businesses that had to close or significantly reduce operations due to COVID-19 to cover wages, vendor bills, and mortgage/rent costs.
DEADLINE TO APPLY IS JUNE 1.

CITY COUNCIL VIRTUAL MEETING
The Tuesday, May 19, 2020, Oldsmar City Council meeting was held in a virtual setting as we practice social distancing.

You can always view the meetings on the City's
YouTube Channel.

LIBRARY CURBSIDE PICK-UP
Curbside pick-up (ONLY books & items in the Oldsmar Library catalog) now available Mon-Fri, 1-4 pm at the Library, 400 St. Petersburg Dr. E. To place a request,
email [email protected] or call (813) 749-1173 . Limit 5 per Library Card. The staff will call you when your request is ready. Check their website to see what's available.

HOLIDAY CLOSURES
City offices and facilities will be closed on Monday,
May 25 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

Regular business will resume on Tuesday, May 26.

As a reminder, Oldsmar's annual Memorial Day Ceremony was canceled to practice safe social distancing.
VA LIVE STREAM - MEMORIAL DAY
The VA will offer live stream links & videos of the Memorial Day 2020 Ceremonies at VA National Cemeteries from across the country.

They will post links as they occur on Memorial Day (Monday, May 25).

FLY YOUR FLAG
Show Tampa Bay that Oldsmar is the most patriotic community by proudly flying the American Flag on Memorial Day - Monday, May 25. With the cancellation of our annual ceremony, this is another opportunity to pay respect for the soldiers whose bravery came with the ultimate sacrifice.

100 State Street West, Oldsmar 34677
MyOldsmar.com (813) 749-1100