Oldsmar City Manager's
Weekly Update
May 29, 2020
Official City Seal
Oldsmar City Manager
Al Braithwaite
Greetings from City Hall-

Great news!  We are slowly moving back towards full operations. In fact, starting Monday, June 1 st , all City employees will be back to working their normal schedules, and while some of our services will be altered somewhat, they will all be available.  City Buildings will, once again, be open to the public, however, we urge you to consider that doing business virtually is still much safer and the preferred method for employees and citizens.  If you need to physically come to a city building, you will be required to bring and wear a mask. All CDC guidelines will continue to be followed, and while masks are not mandated by law, they will be required in order to have a personal meeting with a city employee.  We hope you understand how important protecting our citizens and employees is, and this is an easy way to enhance the likelihood of keeping everyone safe.
As most of you probably know, our awesome Library has had to make some significant adjustments to the way we do business, and they are listed below.  Before you make a trip over there (it will be open on Monday, June 1 st , with limited hours), please familiarize yourself with the following guidelines. They are:
 
  • The library will be open Monday-Friday from 9 am to 5 pm
 
  • All visits, including computer use, are limited to one hour per person per day
 
  • You will be able to make an appointment for a visit or computer use beginning 9 am on June 1 by calling 813-749-1181
 
  • Walk-ins welcomed as occupancy allows
 
  • Library services will be limited, and staff cannot provide one-on-one assistance with computers
 
  • Masks or face coverings are encouraged, staff will be wearing masks
 
  • There is no programming, meeting and study rooms are unavailable
 
The curbside pickup service will cease, starting on Monday, once the building is open to the public.
 
On the Parks front, our playground equipment will be open, starting on Monday.  We have had to plan for attending to all of the equipment we have around the city, cleaning and disinfecting, and in some cases, putting it back in working order (ie – basketball goals/backboards).  Our staff will be attempting to address all of the requirements as quickly as possible.  There are many parks in the city, and we have fitness equipment on trails, as well. Please be patient with us as we attempt to prepare the equipment for use once again.
 
It’s important to note that we are STILL following all CDC, State and County guidelines.  The basic rules of battling the virus remain true, and will continue to be a part of our routine for what is likely to be a long time to come.  The Governor has not lifted all restrictions, nor has the County, and we still have a few Executive Orders in place, that the Mayor is considering now.  My point is simply to make sure that everyone knows that we are going to be open for business on Monday, although we still encourage you to do whatever business you can remotely, if at all possible.
 
Our next Council meeting will be held, LIVE, on Tuesday, June 2 nd , at 7 pm in the Council Chambers.  The Public is welcome, however, we will be following CDC guidelines, so audience spacing and requirements may result in adjustments, once we get an idea of how many are in attendance.
 
The best rule to follow is to call ahead, if you are planning to come to a city facility, starting Monday.  Any and all special requirements will be presented to you, so you can be informed about any possible restrictions on hours or contacts.  Some of our programming in Recreation has not returned yet, and some access to portions of facilities will continue to be restricted.  If in doubt, please ask.
Hopefully, the information provided below, and in past e-newsletters has proven to be valuable information for each of you to use as a reference.
 
This will be my last WEEKLY e-newsletter, since we are going back to normal operations next week, or as normal as they can be.  Thank you so much for the support we’ve received, and don’t forget that this does NOT mean that the risk is over.  Continue to pay attention to the basic rules that have gotten us this far, and we’ll be okay.  I am so proud of your city staff, and how they’ve responded throughout this emergency.  We may have been undermanned at times, and slower at some things than you have been accustomed to, but we’ve never left, and ALL of our people should get credit for being on the front line of this emergency.
 
Be safe, be confident, be positive, be careful…….life is going to continue to be different, and that’s okay.  Take care of each other and have a great and SAFE weekend!

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
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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 30.

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 30.

DISASTER PREP SALES TAX HOLIDAY
The 2020 Sales Tax Holiday for Disaster Preparedness materials runs from Friday, May 29 - Thursday, June 4.

During this period, qualifying items related to disaster preparedness are exempt from sales tax.

PUBLIC LIBRARY OPENS JUNE 1
The Oldsmar Public Library opens on Monday, June 1, with hours M-F, 9am-5pm. Beginning that day, you can make an appointment for a visit or computer use by calling (813) 749-1181. Walk-ins welcomed as occupancy allows. All visits, including computer use, are limited to one hour per person per day. Services will be limited; staff cannot provide one-on-one computer assistance. Programming, meeting/study rooms are unavailable. Mask/face coverings are encouraged. The due date for materials is July 1. No fines are accruing. The Library will not accept donations at this time.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The Oldsmar City Council meeting for Tuesday, June 2, 2020, will begin at 7pm in the Council Chamber, 101 State St. W., 2nd Floor. To reduce exposure, please attend the meeting ONLY if you need to speak in person. You can reach Council by calling (813) 749-1115 or emailing [email protected] .

FREE RECYCLING DAY
Oldsmar's Annual Recycling Day event will be at the Oldsmar Sports Complex parking lot, 3120 Tampa Rd., on Friday, June 5, 8am-noon. ENTER via Tampa Rd, EXIT via Curlew Rd.
This event, in partnership with the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, is offered for FREE to Oldsmar residents and businesses to properly dispose of documents, electronics, and medications safely and securely.
Limit of five (5) boxes/bags for shredding , unlimited for others. Partners will enforce social distancing by removing items from vehicles.

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