From the Florida Department of Health (DOH), August 5, 2020

Beware of contact tracing or testing scams. Our colleagues at the health department in Jefferson County shared that some of their residents are getting fraud calls from someone claiming to work with them. The person is asking for personal information such as a Social Security number. Never provide personal information when someone calls regarding COVID-19 tests or contact tracing! Public health will only ask for your date of birth for confirmation if you have been tested. If a call or text seem suspicious, ask for the caller's name and the name of the supervisor. Hang up and give us a call at (727) 824-6932. Our staff can confirm if the caller is a state employee.

Whether schooling from home or on campus, school supplies are still necessary for students to participate in the learning process. Here is a link to the Florida Department of Revenue website that details what is and what is not exempt from State tax, August 7 through August 9, 2020. 

https://floridarevenue.com/backtoschool/Pages/default.aspx 

Heads Up! Utility Rates Set to Rise...

City of St. Petersburg utility rates and charges are evaluated on a yearly basis and are updated annually. St. Petersburg City Council will consider adjustments to water, wastewater, reclaimed water, stormwater and sanitation utility rates and charges for the coming fiscal year. Read the full news release here: http://www.stpete.org/internal-news-detail_T2_R1224.php?fbclid=IwAR1cxHuutDpAXlOzXUCdgsHCrDetmII2Dttlp76QE_mJO-dHRENutMVljDE

The City has conducted a study of potential speed mitigation measures for Pinellas Point Drive that are plausible and non-plausible. Citizens along with the Greater Pinellas Point Civic Association have raised the issue of speeding along Pinellas Point Drive (Focus is mostly on 70th Ave S to the 4th St S Merge).

The 33-page PDF version of the study can be found here:  GPPCA_PPD_Traffic_Safety_Study_July2020.pdf

The Follow Up Meeting With City and CM Figgs-Sanders can be found here: 8-18-20 Pinellas Point Dr S- Zoom Virtual Meeting Recap (1).pdf

In May 2019, the Pinellas County School Board approved a new charter school for South Saint Petersburg. That school is being built at 62nd Ave S and 22nd St S in Greater Pinellas Point.

NorthStar Academies operates in several Florida cities. It provides alternative education programs for students who struggle in traditional classroom environments. The schools manage their own enrollment and staffing. Visit their website for more information (www.northstaracademies.com).  Below is a background news article GPPCA released on its Facebook page, April 19, 2020.

And in other news: A Charter School is under construction at 2220 62nd Ave S in Greater Pinellas Point. Follow this link for information about the genesis of the academy in Pinellas County.

https://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/2019/05/14/pinellas-school-board-approves-three-charters-denies-one/?outputType=amp

St. Pete Pier Set to Open to the Public, 7.6.2020

The wait is over! It’s time to exPIERience the new St. Pete Pier. In order to facilitate social distancing and open ‘The St. Pete Way’, reservations are required to visit the St Pete Pier during its opening week. Tickets will be issued for Monday, July 6 at 5:00 PM through Sunday, July 12 at 8:00 PM. 

To reserve tickets, individuals are asked to visit the City of St. Petersburg Pier website at www.StPetePier.org, navigate to the events page, and follow the directions listed. There, individuals will be asked to select the day and time they would like to have their exPIERience.

Reservations are necessary for all who wish to visit the new St Pete Pier during the grand opening week.

ADA ANNIVERSARY

July 26 marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The ADA is a comprehensive, wide-ranging civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, transportation and telecommunications.

The City of St Petersburg has long committed to the goals of the ADA. In 1972, before the ADA was signed, the City created the Committee for Assistance to the Physically Impaired, and in 1995 the City established the Committee to Advocate for Persons with Impairments (CAPI), which is still active today. 

Equal access, participation and enjoyment for people of all abilities is vital for a thriving St. Pete. The City offers many programs and resources for people with disabilities, like accessible boat ramps at the Municipal Marina, wheelchair lifts at municipal pools, beach wheelchairs, adaptive golf carts at municipal golf courses and assistance with taking garbage cans to the curb.

Additionally, qualified applicants can earn loans or grants through the Housing Rehabilitation Assistance Program to make modifications to the home to make it accessible for persons with disabilities. More information can be found at stpete.org/housing.

Learn more at stpete.org/ADA. 

Duke Energy offers bill payment assistance to customers who are experiencing financial difficulties due to the impact of COVID-19. Here is a link directly to their website. Upon landing on the site, scroll down to the Customer Assistance section. Be safe to be well out there!
https://www.dukeenergyupdates.com/…

Sharing from our friends at WFLA News Channel 8. This is disappointing, yet understandable considering the State of Florida just reported 8,942 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, June 26, 2020. Be safe to be well out there!

https://www.wfla.com/…/alcohol-consumption-suspended-at-al…/