News to Know

Good morning and a fabulous Friday to you!!!!!

 

Substantial Damage Letters

 

The Building Department and other county department have just finished and rolled out a substantial damage link where residents can visit the website at http://Pinellas.gov/sdsi to search for their home address, click on the dot to view their status, and print a copy of the substantial damage letter.  A postal letter will still be mailed out but this link will provide it faster so you can move forward.

 

Please share this information with your relatives, neighbors and friends.  It should prove to be very useful.

 

 

Stacy O’Donnell Executive Aide, Commissioner Dave Eggers Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 sodonnell@pinellas.gov Office (727) 464-3276   All government correspondence is subject to public record law.

Storm Closure Update (Dec. 16, 2024)

Fort De Soto Campground will re-open in phases beginning with Area 3 on Dec. 19 along with a partial opening of Fort De Soto Park, including East Beach.  Other areas of the park and campground will remain closed as repair efforts are still underway. If you need to cancel an upcoming reservation, please contact us at 727-582-2100 and a representative will assist you.

The causeway and boat ramp are also currently open.

• Good day to all!!!

   

  It has been a while since a writing to you and am thankful to say thank goodness hurricane season is now over.  It was a very rough season for so very many and it is my sincere hope that those extremely affected are beginning to work towards getting some of their lives back.  It won’t be normal for a long while and I can only imagine how frustrating, stressful and expensive this is for you and I am so very sorry.  What I do know is the determination, tenacity, resiliency and grit of the citizens that live in North County things will only get better as time progresses.

   

  Below is some information that may be of interest to you.  I know it is lengthy, but it is good information to know.  Also,  I would highly suggest if you have a contractor you are working with sit in on the public information webinar for contractors scheduled for Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. Contractors are asked to pre-register at Webinar Registration - Zoom.  I am sure it will provide very useful information as to the process.

   

  If you haven’t already please take a moment to view the website https://pinellas.gov/storm-recovery-permitting.  It has a lot of information.

   

  Substantial Damage determination letters distribution continues. As of Dec. 11, 1,339 letters have been mailed and another 4,000 will go out in the coming weeks. Building and Development Review Services continues to issue permits online and through the in-person Permit Support Hub.  I have also attached a substantial damage flowsheet for your information.

  Live Storm Repair Permit updates are now available at: https://pinellas.gov/substantial-damage-substantial-improvement/

  It might appear everything is moving at a snail’s pace, and we are quite aware everyone is anxious to rebuild/restore  I would feel the same way.    I must share that a lot of work actually goes into determinations that are being made; which I am sure you can appreciate.  Here is some information about the processes for determinations and substantial damage letters.

•  

• The Building Department is working closely with the State contractor, who at this point has completed inspections of approximately 5,400 properties in the unincorporated county. They are now conducting quality control on the data prior to entering the information into the FEMA estimator tool.   In some cases, there can be up to 54 data fields where information is reviewed and/or entered before the tool can provide a determination.  It appears to be an arduous process that I know we all want to have completed accurately for our property as well as others.  The Building Department has requested an additional 50 professionals from the State to assist with this data entry, and they are in the process of fulfilling this request. This team will support all communities coordinating with the county, including our unincorporated areas.

   

  The Building Department continues to work very hard to keep all the wheels rolling forward in their department with regular permits and inspections amidst the additional amount and complexity of storm work and FEMA.  With that, they are working extremely hard to have all letters mailed out by year-end.  That may sound far but in reality, it is only a couple weeks away.  To help facilitate this goal, Building have activated an additional 19 professionals from third-party contractors. Those folks have been trained and are focusing on quality control and data entry for the unincorporated county to supplement the work the state contractor has completed for unincorporated.

   

  I know folks in Ozona and Crystal Beach are wondering why they have only received a few letters in their entire communities.  Well, both communities had quite a bit of damage and the Building Department is continuing to work on them but still have many properties that need to be processed. With the additional team from their contractor, the Building Department expects to make significant progress in the coming weeks.

•  

Debris:

FEMA Assistance – The deadline for FEMA Individual Assistance for Helene and Milton is Jan. 7, 2025. As of Dec. 11, FEMA had 270,684 registered individuals for assistance.

Housing:

Upcoming Deadlines for Public Assistance

• FEMA Assistance Applications:
• • Hurricanes Helene and Milton: Jan. 7, 2025  (Deadline extended)
• US Small Business Administration Physical Damage and Economic Injury Loans: Residents and businesses can visit sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance to apply, contact disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955 for assistance. The Physical Damage Disaster Loan Application deadline for both hurricanes Helene and Milton has been extended to January 7, 2025. The loans can be used for code-required upgrades related to the Substantial Damage rules, among other needs.
• FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program for Nonprofits, Houses of Worship and Governments: Hurricanes Helene & Milton: Dec. 20 (Deadline extended)
• Economic Injury Loan (Hurricanes Helene & Milton): July 11, 2025

Communications & Outreach

• A public information webinar for contractors is scheduled for Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. Contractors are asked to pre-register at Webinar Registration - Zoom

 

 

We want to again thank everyone for their continued patience through all of this.  It is new to everyone but like I said with all the determination, tenacity, resiliency, and grit of the citizens living in North County, it can only get better!!!

 

 

Stacy O’Donnell Executive Aide, Commissioner Dave Eggers Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 sodonnell@pinellas.gov Office (727) 464-3276   All government correspondence is subject to public record law.

Below are photos of the post Hurricane Helene and Milton restoration clean up at Ft De Soto Park. East Beach is visible because of the view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. We will try and keep you updated as information comes in.

Link below to see the current update on the damage and recovery process at Ft De Soto County Park.

https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/park-manager-shows-catastrophic-damage-to-ft-desoto-park-details-recovery-efforts/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Marc Portugal

Public Information Officer

City of St. Pete Beach

312.371.2660

mportugal@stpetebeach.org

St. Pete Beach Announces Waiver of Permit Fees

for Storm-Related Repairs to Homes and Businesses

November 7, 2024, ST. PETE BEACH, FL – Based on the direction from the City Commission, The

City of St. Pete Beach has authorized an immediate waiver on 100% of the fees for storm-related

work permits. This applies to both residential and commercial permits.

Permit fee waivers began on Wednesday November 6th, 2024, and are retroactive to October 1st,

2024. The waivers will last through Tuesday January 14, 2025. At that time, the City Commission will

meet and evaluate the possibility of extending the waiver.

From City Manager Frances Robustelli: “The City Commission and city leadership believes that

waiving storm-related permit fees is a critical step to help facilitate the recovery process for our

residents and businesses.”

The city is also processing permit fee reimbursements retroactively, as well, which shall be received

in the same method as originally transacted (credit card, check, etc.)

For more information on permitting processes and FEMA packets on Substantial

Improvement/Substantial Damage, visit the City of St. Pete Beach website here: Post Storm

Specific FAQs | St. Pete Beach, FL

###

Good day!

 

Well, we have been in Milton recovery for a few weeks now and continue to work our way forward.  People have been going through their belongings, cleaning out their homes, working with insurance, applying for FEMA assistance and now some may be ready to start to work on repairing their homes.   You may or may not have heard recently mentions of the Substantial Damage Rule. It is EXTREMELY important for you to please read the information provided in this link Pinellas.gov/sdsi to familiarize yourself with the Substantial Damage Rule, what the guidelines are and how you will move forward.    The information that is being provided is for citizens living within unincorporated Pinellas County.  Should you be reading this email and live within a city limit, please contact your city of residence. 

 

Once you read over the information and you live in a flood hazard area within unincorporated Pinellas, you can call the Pinellas County Building Department at 727-464-3888 or sdinspection@pinellas.gov to request a substantial damage inspection.

 

Should you have additional questions, the Building Department if fully versed and would be best to contact.  You may contact BDRS at 727-464-3888, by email at buildingpermits@pinellas.gov (if it has to do with storm damage permitting) or sdinspection@pinellas.gov if it has to do with substantial damage inspections.

 

I hope you find this information helpful.  I will continue to provide you with information I believe could be helpful to you.

 

Stacy O’Donnell Executive Aide, Commissioner Dave Eggers Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 sodonnell@pinellas.gov Office (727) 464-3276

UPDATE ON HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON

FUNDRAISER

FINAL REACH OUT FOR TBFB’S GOAL OF $2000.00

 First and foremost, Tampa Bay Free Beaches is hoping you all are unharmed and recovering from the past 2 storms which have hit many of our members and friends hard. Things are slowly coming back to a semblance of normalcy, and we must not lose track of our mission. *

 As of 10/28/2024 we have raised $1580.00 to help those in need. Many have lost their jobs in the beach industry due to the destruction of the on-shore flooding. This fund will assist those out-of-work employees. We thank all who have given so generously from their hearts and their billfolds to help those affected by the storms. Any donation, whether large or small, would be wonderful. * We will continue this fundraiser until the end of October.

Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You. *

“HELPING THOSE IN NEED”

Tampa Bay Free Beaches (TBFB) has a long and storied history of providing philanthropic community support. Examples include work during the COVID pandemic and more recently a collaboration with CASA in St. Petersburg who provides invaluable assistance to domestic abuse survivors in Pinellas County.

All these efforts and initiatives are successful solely because of the financial and material support of our membership and allies. Now, TBFB needs you again.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton roared past our communities leaving scores of our friends and neighbors in desperate shape. TBFB will ba adding to the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber's efforts to raise funds for those out of work employees. A donation like this shows our strong relationship and support for the coastal community that we are now a partner with.

Contributions can be made as follows:

1. Mailed to TBFB Hurricane Assistance, c/o Jack Clark, Treasurer of TBFB, 1705 Dorothy Blvd, Lutz, FL 33558

2. Go to: www.tampabayfreebeaches.org. select “donations”. In the “Comment Box”, please be sure to indicate that the funds are for “Hurricane Helene Assistance”.

3. We can arrange VENMO, PAYPAL, etc. Also, you may email jack@tampabayfreebeaches.org with any questions or concerns.

Tampa Bay Free Beaches thanks you all for your continued support of our Ft. DeSoto East Beach mission. We remain on track and things are moving forward as hoped and planned. Let’s take a brief break from that, however, to rally together to help those in need, many of whom have supported us privately, publicly and politically to help us move our mission forward.

Thank you so much,

Tampa Bay Free Beaches

Dear Industry Partners,

The beautiful weather this past week reminds us why we love this place we call home. With clear skies and the sun shining upon us once more, I wanted to personally reach out to you with a sense of gratitude and unwavering optimism. With so many challenges in our rearview mirror and some still in front of us, our foundation remains stronger than ever, and our community continues to show the resilience and strength that defines us.

As we continue to see more and more of our destination return to action, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater remains committed to promoting and shining a spotlight on our beloved destination. In fact, I am sending you this note from the heart of London in the U.K. as St. Pete-Clearwater has brought the sunshine to Brand USA's Travel Week. As part of our trip to continue to retain and further develop key international markets, we will also take part in special events with key travel tour operators and media in Amsterdam to celebrate the return of Delta Air Line’s seasonal flight from Amsterdam to Tampa International Airport starting this Saturday. This route will bring even more international visitors to our destination and provide a bridge to major cities throughout Europe to our destination.

In addition to our international efforts, your VisitSPC team has also been around the U.S. making sure meeting planners, tour operators, media, and potential visitors know we are open for business. This past weekend we made a strong presence at the NYC Wine & Food Festival, a fantastic opportunity to amplify our destination’s culinary offerings.

Additionally, the team’s planned activities for the month include meeting planner events in Tallahassee, New England and the Bahamas, as well as sales and trade events in Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Mexico, Brazil and Colombia. These events allow us to connect with valued partners and showcase the unique experiences that St. Pete-Clearwater offers. Our main message to everyone – there is no need to cancel any plans and no need to hesitate about booking a trip to St. Pete-Clearwater. The news coverage of our area that they may have seen on TV or online does not represent our current look, and certainly not the entirety of our eclectic destination.

While much of our destination has been able to re-open their doors quickly, including many of our top attractions, we know our award-winning beaches and waterfront communities, which saw historic storm surge during Hurricane Helene, are in need of a little more time to fully recover. Throughout it all, we look forward to sharing the continued growth of our destination across our social and digital channels with each passing week.

We've weathered the storms, welcomed clear skies and are emerging stronger than ever. Together, we are Still Shining.

Brian Lowack 

The Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections has relocated 25 polling places following the impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Despite these changes, Pinellas County voters still have access to the same voting options they are familiar with, including voting by mail, in-person early voting, and voting on Election Day.

“While some adjustments were necessary, voters in Pinellas County can still rely on the voting methods they’ve used in the past,” said Supervisor of Elections Julie Marcus. “Whether you choose to vote by mail, at an early voting site, or on Election Day, you can rest assured that access to the ballot remains constant, and election integrity is paramount.”

(For a complete list of polling place changes, please see at the end of this message)

The Supervisor of Elections implemented extensive contingency plans to ensure minimal disruption to voters. The accessibility and security of voting options remain top priorities. Voters can feel confident that despite any weather-related obstacles, every eligible voter will have the opportunity to cast a ballot.

No changes have been made to early voting or secure mail ballot return locations.

Early Voting: Oct. 21 – Nov. 3, 2024

Early Voting for the November 5 General Election will be held from Monday, Oct. 21, through Sunday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Early voting sites include:

• Centre of Palm Harbor, The, 1500 16th St., Palm Harbor, 34683
• Countryside Recreation Center, 2640 Sabal Springs Dr., Clearwater, 33761
• Gulfport Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S., Gulfport, 33707
• J.W. Cate Recreation Center, 5801 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 33710
• Supervisor of Elections Office, 501 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 33701 (Entrance on 5th St.)
• Supervisor of Elections Office, Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court St., Rm. 117, Clearwater, 33756 (First Floor, North Side)
• Supervisor of Elections Office, Election Service Center, 13001 Starkey Rd., Largo, 33773 (Starkey Lakes Corporate Center)

Voting by Mail

The deadline to request a mail ballot is 5 p.m. on Oct. 24, 2024. For mail ballot requests, please call 727-464-VOTE (8683).

Returning Mail Ballots

Mail ballots can be returned at one of 21 secure ballot return locations across Pinellas County between Oct. 21 and Nov. 3. Voters can find hours and locations on VotePinellas.gov or in the mail ballot kit. Ballots may also be returned to any of the three Supervisor of Elections Offices between now and Nov. 5. Please note, mail ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Important Reminders

• If you have not received your mail ballot, call us at 727-464-VOTE (8683) or check VotePinellas.gov/CheckMyMailBallotStatus.
• Voted mail ballots cannot be accepted at polling places on Election Day. However, voters may surrender their mail ballot at the polling place and vote in person instead.

Voters choosing to vote on Election Day should anticipate longer lines at polling places due to a long ballot and disruptions caused by the hurricanes. For a complete list of polling place adjustments and additional election information, please visit VotePinellas.gov or see the attached PDF.

For hurricane-specific information, visit VotePinellas.gov/Hurricane.

###

 

 

Ashley McKnight-Taylor

Communications Director

Representing Julie Marcus, Supervisor of Elections

13001 Starkey Rd., Largo, FL 33773

(727) 453-7553

ATaylor@VotePinellas.gov

Find us on Facebook ~ Follow us @VotePinellas

 

Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. -- F.S. 668.6076

Conforme a la legislación de Florida, las direcciones de correo electrónico son registros públicos. Si no desea que su correo electrónico se divulgue como respuesta a una solicitud de registros públicos, no envíe un correo electrónico a esta entidad. En su lugar, póngase en contacto con esta oficina por teléfono o por escrito. -- F.S. 668.6076