Greetings from a mostly vacant City Hall, where we continue to try and provide necessary services, while dealing with the adjustments to life activities caused by COVID-19. The Federal Government had predicted that the past two weeks would be the worst of it, and while we don’t know if that has proven to be true, we certainly hope so. Your City employees continue to serve, and stand ready to do anything that public service requires, within the restrictions in place by the Governor’s, County and Mayor’s Executive Orders. The details of which can be found on our City website - CLICK HERE.
As I hope you would understand, there are a few things that we have not done as well, or as timely as we normally would, because of the reduced staff numbers required by the Executive Orders. While we certainly want to know about any need that you consider to be urgent, we ask for patience as we continue to try and provide essential services at the level you have become accustomed to. Specifically, our Utilities MUST be functional, our Public Safety Services as well, just to name a couple. Doing those things with limited staff can be a real challenge.
I’d like to also ask for your cooperation in how you present Solid Waste. We have allowed the hauler, Republic Services, to temporarily halt the collection of bulk and yard waste, simply because it eliminates the need for their employees to have to handle it manually (which drastically increases their chance of getting sick). This means they will not pick up anything that isn’t in the automated containers, until we are through the worst of this emergency. These are not city employees. Sanitation work is extremely hazardous, and you can imagine what would happen if Republic had a great number of their employees fall prey to this virus. It would be a disaster for EVERY community they serve. To provide a solution for those who cannot hold back on bulk or yard waste, we have staffed several containers on our site on Hayes Rd., just as the street curves. If you must dump bulk or yard waste, take it to that site, provide proof that you are a citizen, and you will be able to place it in one of the containers. For hours of operation and other details, please see the city’s website- CLICK HERE.
Also, another reminder for those that have been relegated to using alternatives to toilet paper. Please do not put “Wipes” in the toilet, they clog the lines, cause back-ups, and can disable entire system flows. Because we are short staffed, we may not be able to respond as quickly as we normally do if YOU have a sewer line problem, so please respect that simple rule.
We are increasing our array of virtual resources for your interaction and enjoyment. I hope you have all seen Mr. Anthony from our Library Staff, reading several children’s books with animation on You Tube. If not, please CLICK HERE. It is fantastic and the kids will love it! Heck, I loved it!!!! I think there are currently 5 of the stories completed and ready to view, and there are more coming. By the way, they are produced by another member of City Staff. We have some amazingly talented people on this team.
Along that line, we are adding Leisure Service resources to the online and interactive list. For more information on what those are and how you can participate, CLICK HERE.
The Council held our first “virtual” Council meeting last Tuesday, and it went very well. It is available for viewing on the City's YouTube Channel - CLICK HERE.
That’s it for this week.
Stay safe, stay positive, stay confident. We will be okay. Hug your kids!
Happy Easter and Happy Passover!
Al b
OLDSMAR EGG HUNT - Social Distancing Style
We're challenging Oldsmar neighborhoods to create a city-wide social distancing Egg Hunt! Get creative with your designs & display on Sunday, April 12, where they can be seen from a safe distance. Share your egg-cellent creations on social media with #OldsmarEggHunt
Oldsmar's Leisure Services Department has been working diligantly to provide additional resources for all of our residents - EXPLORE, WELLNESS, ACTIVITIES, and EDUCATION TABS.
The Tuesday, April 7, 2020, Oldsmar City Council meeting was hosted in a virtual setting as we practice social distancing. You can always view the meetings on the City's YouTube Channel.
