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** RECOVERY INFORMATION
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**
Recovery and Rebuilding Virtual Townhall
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Affected by the hurricane and making home repairs? Join our Hurricane Recovery + Rebuilding Virtual Townhall (https://www.tampa.gov/register) on November 1 at 11 am to learn about permitting, tax assessment implications, grant programs, & more. The panel will include Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez, City of Tampa Chief Building Official JC Hudgison, and Whit Remer, City of Tampa's Sustainability and Resilience Officer. Examples of questions that our panel can answer:
* What if I was in the middle of a home renovation when the storms hit and how does that factor in the 50% rule?
* Do I keep my tax rate/structure after I rebuild?
* What grant programs are available to me as a homeowner


** Beware of Contractor Scams
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After a disaster, qualified contractors are usually in high demand. Scammers or unqualified out-of-state workers may take advantage of those in need of expert service. If you have been approached to have work done on or at your home, you can check if that individual is licensed at myfloridalicense.com (https://www.myfloridalicense.com/) . See tampa.gov/hurricane for tips when hiring a contractor.



** Storm Debris Collection
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* Curbside Collection: Debris collection continues 7 days a week. Debris from Hurricanes Helene & Milton is estimated to be an approximate 1,000,000 cubic yards. That’s 10,000 football fields! The collection strategy:
+ The City of Tampa has hired 150 additional contractors to support its Solid Waste teams. Although regional demand for haulers has caused stiff competition, the City is doubling its payment rate to increase resources.
+ Household debris will be collected first, and then vegetative debris collected second. This means it may be a bit before all vegetative debris is picked up curbside. Thank you for your patience.
+ The full storm debris collection process is expected to take approximately 90 days. FEMA will reimburse the City of Tampa for the cost of collection up to 90 days, so staff is striving to reach that goal — to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.
* Vegetative Storm Debris Drop-Off Sites: Tampa residents can bring vegetative storm debris for free to one of two drop-off sites: Gadsden Park and 22nd St Park. Just need to bring ID, showing a City of Tampa address. Both sites are open daily from 7 am – 5 pm. Reminder: No plastic bags.
* McKay Bay Transfer Station: Have debris (any kind) and ready to dispose of it? Take it for free to the McKay Bay Transfer Station. Just need to bring ID, showing a City of Tampa address. Open Mon-Tues, Thurs-Fri 7 am – 5:30 pm and Wed & Sat 7 am – 3:30 pm
* New Debris Webpage: Follow along and track progress on the new and improved debris webpage at tampa.gov/debris (https://www.tampa.gov/debris) . There’s a progress map, FAQs, curbside collection guidelines, and more.




** Apply for FEMA
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FEMA assistance is available to City of Tampa residents who experienced damages/losses due to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton - financial help for temporary lodging, basic home repairs and other disaster-caused expenses. Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov (https://www.DisasterAssistance.gov/) , the FEMA app, or by phone at 1-800-621-3362. Note: After applying for FEMA assistance, a home inspection may be necessary to help determine whether the home is safe, sanitary and livable. Inspectors do not make decisions regarding eligibility for assistance. Information gathered during the inspection is part of several criteria used by FEMA to determine if applicants are eligible for federal assistance. Some programs available are:
* Individual Assistance (https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual)
* Clean and Sanitize Assistance (https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/clean-and-sanitize-assistance-4)
* Transitional Sheltering Assistance (https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_tsa_qrg_20241009_final.pdf)
* Operation Blue Roof (https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Emergency-Operations/Blue-Roof-Info/)
* Small Business Administration Loans (https://www.sba.gov/)

Inspectors will make an appointment with the applicant before coming and will already have the applicant’s FEMA application number. They carry photo identification. For security reasons, federal identification may not be photographed or recorded. Inspectors will never ask for, or accept, money. Their service is free. Don't believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment. Don't give your banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector. FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect your personal financial information. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to the Tampa Police Department or contact Florida's Office of the Attorney General by calling 866-9-NO-SCAM (866-966-7226) or visit myfloridalegal.com (https://www.myfloridalegal.com/) .

2024 FEMA Application Deadlines:
* Hurricane Debby - November 12
* Hurricane Helene - November 27
* Hurricane Milton - December 11


** Disaster Unemployment Assistance
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Lose your job and/or income due to a hurricane? You may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Learn more & submit a claim online at FloridaJobs.org (https://www.FloridaJobs.org) .



** FEMA Online Application Help
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The City of Tampa is helping residents impacted by Hurricane Milton by providing computer access and assistance with online FEMA applications for those without internet or needing support with the process. While FEMA representatives will not be onsite, City staff will answer general questions and aid in navigating the online forms. Four sites are open Monday - Saturday from 8 am - 12 pm:
* Copeland Park (11001 N 15th St)
* Port Tampa Center (4702 W McCoy St)
* Cyrus Greene Center (2101 E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd)
* Cordelia B. Hunt Center (4810 N. Himes Ave)


** Resident Damage Self Reporting Form
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Residents can self-report damages to help prioritize the City of Tampa's damage assessment operations using the Resident Damage Self Reporting Form (https://www.tampa.gov/SelfReport) .



** Help Tampa
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Together, we can make Tampa stronger and more resilient. The City of Tampa is gathering a list of volunteers interested in supporting our community’s recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. If you're ready to lend a hand and assist in relief efforts, please provide your contact information via the form at tampa.gov/HelpTampa. To donate new items, food, or essential supplies please email Neighborhoods@tampagov.net (mailto:Neighborhoods@tampagov.net) .
GET INVOLVED
Coffee with a Cop
On November 5 from 10 am – 12 pm, Tampa Police staff will meet with the community to discuss crime patterns, safety tips, and quality of life concerns over a cup of coffee at Capital One Café (700 S Village Circle).

Mayor's Food Truck Fiesta
Grab lunch on November 6 from local food trucks in Lykes Gaslight Square Park. Participating trucks will be open from 11 am – 2 pm (https://www.tampasdowntown.com/events/mayors-food-truck-fiesta-24-243-847-650/?occurrence=2024-11-06) : Grounded Coffee House, Rollin Bites, Impasto, Currywurst Truck, & Just Smokin BBQ.

Veterans Day
Please note that all City of Tampa offices will be closed on November 11 in observance of the Veterans Day holiday. There will be no trash or recycling pickup that day.

Job of the Week
The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is hiring a CRA Director (https://www.jobapscloud.com/Tampa/sup/bulpreview.asp?b=&R1=240920&R2=900955&R3=001) to oversee the City of Tampa’s eight Community Redevelopment Areas, which includes a wide variety of redevelopment and economic development activities such as fiscal operations, policy development, capital project administration, CRA program management, redevelopment plan implementation, and property acquisition.
LAST WEEK'S HEADLINES
volunteers
City of Tampa crews, volunteers partner together to help clean hurricane victims’ homes (https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/city-of-tampa-crews-volunteers-partner-together-to-help-clean-hurricane-victims-homes/)
WFLA NewsChannel 8
Tampa is working to get back on its feet with the community coming together.

Tampa crews working around the clock to clear hurricane debris: 'All hands on deck'
Tampa crews working around the clock to clear hurricane debris: 'All hands on deck' (https://www.fox13news.com/news/tampans-have-90-days-clear-out-debris-all-hands-on-deck)
FOX13
“We're getting this done as quickly as we possibly can."

Tampa Convention Center wins Best Convention Center two years in a row (https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/tampa-convention-center-wins-best-convention-center-two-years-in-a-row/)
WFLA NewsChannel 8
The Convention Center took gold in the prestigious Stella Awards.

Tampa’s DASH Teslas make 30,000 trips in first year
Tampa’s DASH Teslas make 30,000 trips in first year (https://www.wfla.com/news/tampas-dash-teslas-make-30000-trips-in-first-year/)
WFLA NewsChannel 8
Tampa said customer satisfaction ratings average 4.95 out of 5 stars.
cleaning supplies
Cleaning supplies dispersed to hurricane-affected residents (https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2024/10/26/volunteers-tampa-hurricane-supplies-cleaning)
Spectrum Bay News 9
Vanessa Nettingham said that without the donations they’ve gotten, something like this would never be able to happen.
glass of water
Tampa residents will have changes to their utility bills following Milton (https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/tampa-residents-estimated-water-bill-due-milton-damage/67-baf7faae-7c15-4324-9133-31a9ccf2e401)
10 Tampa Bay
Residents will see changes to their bills since water meters can't be read from storm damage.

Tampa Police Ybor Night Out
Police ramp up patrols in Ybor City nearly a year after Halloween shooting (https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/community/tampa-police-ramp-up-patrols-ybor-city-one-year-halloween-shooting/67-58348415-6184-443d-910d-66511562a535)
10 Tampa Bay
Tampa police are hosting “Ybor Night Out” on Tuesday in honor of the victims from last October’s shooting and to show that Tampa stands together for safety.

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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Meet Craig Hickson, a Building Maintenance Inspections Specialist in the Logistics & Asset Management Division. He has worked for the City of Tampa for over seven years. Currently, his favorite part of the job is working with historical structures. He said, “When I was a young child growing up in the Forest Hills area, going to Tampa Theatre was a special treat. I still remember how impressed I was with the ornate building, architecture, furnishings and fixtures. And the ‘stars’ in the lobby and theatre ceilings? Wow. Now, I am part of a team working on some life safety improvements, so I have been all over that building – from the basement, back stage, in the projection room, and even to the attic above those “stars” in the ceilings. Plus, I am honored to be involved with the group planning the upcoming major renovation of this almost 100 year old Historical Theatre. Also, working with Facility Management, I remember walking into historic Tampa Union Station a few years ago, and a sudden
rush of memories hit me: I had gone there as a child with my parents to pick up relatives who came into town. I stood there in the Lobby, looking around, amazed – and glad the building was still here.”

What do you like to do in your free time? What is this “free time” of which you speak? I do stay busy, and active. For the past 17 years, I have pedaled my bicycle across Florida from the Atlantic to the Gulf with a group I call friends. Team C2C (Coast 2 Coast) does a 3-day supported bike ride each October, and a hilly Spring Ride each year, too. If you think there are no hills in Florida, I invite you to come along for a little ride in Florida’s “Central Ridge” region. I have ridden my bike at 50-plus MPH on several occasions. Always downhill, of course. I also enjoy playing competitive racquetball (indoors, with air conditioning; this IS Florida) from 2 - 4 hours a week on average. I don’t consider either of the above activities as “exercise” because I enjoy both of them so much, and each one helps to work out frustration, aggravation and general unease for me.

What is your favorite place or restaurant in Tampa? Many of the classics (Tampa Theatre, Riverwalk, Bayshore Blvd., Carmine’s, La Teresita, Goody Goody), of course. They are “classic” for a reason; but also some of the unique, eclectic or just plain ol’ good like 4 Rivers Smokehouse (Burnt Ends, moist brisket, and sides like Texas Cornbread, collard greens, and incredible bread pudding), OIA’s (Downtown on Ashley Street), craft Butter’s Burgers (their East Polk Street burger is my favorite there – but start hungry!), Trip’s Diner on Florida Ave just south of Sligh for all-day breakfast, great omelets, salads, sandwiches and classic American diner food.

What is your favorite holiday? Easter, because it commemorates that everything Jesus said was shown to be true because of his resurrection; and Thanksgiving, because there is so much I have to be thankful for that I try to live with thankfulness and gratitude all year round.

What is something unique about your job that others wouldn’t know? During my time working for the City, I have been in/on most high rises downtown and along Bayshore, plus inside areas of landmarks which most people never see, including areas inside Tampa Theatre, Tampa International Airport, Tampa Union Station, even Courthouses and jails. The views from Tampa’s high rises are spectacular, being able to see Sulphur Spring’s River Tower and Busch Garden’s roller coasters from Downtown. Another great thing is how our Facility Management supports and helps so many other City of Tampa employees and their needs on a daily basis.

SPECIAL FEATURE
Our Solid Waste teams & 150 contractors have collected 260,000 cubic yards of storm debris so far. That’s equivalent to almost 80 Olympic size pools!
COMING UP THIS WEEK

Monday, October 28 at 11:30 a.m.
Press Conference – CIT FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SAFETY

Monday, October 28 at 1:30 p.m.
TAMPA HILLSBOROUGH EXPRESSWAY AUTHORITY SPECIAL BOARD MEETING

Tuesday, October 29 at 10 a.m.
Press Conference – ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT EXPANSION

Tuesday, October 29 at 6 p.m.
Press Conference - TAMPA POLICE DEPARTMENT YBOR NIGHT OF REMEMBRANCE

Wednesday, October 30 at 9 a.m.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AVIATION AUTHORITY BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, October 30 at 11 a.m.
Press Conference – FAIR OAKS TOPPING OUT CEREMONY

Wednesday, October 30 at 12 p.m.
VISIT TAMPA BAY'S ANNUAL MEETING & LUNCH

Thursday, October 31 at 9:30 a.m.
TRUE VALUE AMERICAN HARDWARE STORE GRAND OPENING

Thursday, October 31 at 12 p.m.
SOUTH TAMPA CHAMBER LUNCHEON

Thursday, October 31 at 1:45 p.m.
ST. JOSEPH'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL HALLOWEEN PARADE

Friday, November 1 at 6 p.m.
UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA MINARET DINNER

Saturday, November 2 at 8:50 a.m.
THE CHISELERS, INC. "WALK FOR THE MINARETS"

Saturday, November 2 at 11 a.m.
Ribbon Cutting - LA UNION RESIDENCE & SOCIAL HALL

Saturday, November 2 at 7 p.m.
TAMPA MUSEUM OF ART - PAVILION XXXVIII: ENDLESS SKY
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