Mayor's Message August 2024
Coming Together After Tropical Storm Debby With Tropical Storm Debby now behind us, we must remember we still have more than three months of storm season ahead (June 1 st – November 30 th ) . According to NOAA.gov the peak of storm season is September 10 th with most activity occurring between mid-August and mid- October. Many of our residents and businesses have felt the disruptions and stress that come with such storm events. Despite these challenges, I am moved and inspired by the resilience and solidarity shown by our community. From the first warning of the storm, neighbors came together to offer helping hands, share supplies, and provide a comforting presence. Our first responders and ISRS Police Department Emergency Managers and County Partners have worked tirelessly, demonstrating unwavering dedication to our safety and storm preparation. Our Town’s leadership team and public works professionals have been instrumental in preparing our Town before the storm and are continuing to restore it in the aftermath. Beach access clean-up is on the to-do-list and efforts to clean up and repair our Town will continue into the weeks ahead. As we continue the clean-up process, it is more important than ever to maintain this spirit of unity. Let us continue to support each other, check on our neighbors, and lend a hand wherever it is needed. Every small act of kindness contributes to the greater good and helps us recover stronger than before. If you see any maintenance items that need the attention of the Town, please take a picture and report it using our RShores App. These reports are received into our work order system and prioritized for completion. You can download the App using your cell phone in Google Play or the App Store. Once installed, select the “Start Request” button on the main screen and follow the prompts. Our Town and Pinellas County are working diligently to assess and address any damage. We are committed to providing resources and assistance to those affected. Pinellas County needs your help documenting flood damage to apply for potential state and federa l emergency assistance. If you have any damage from the storm please report it as soon as possible to ensure all damage is accounted for: https://pinellas.gov/emergency-information.
At the time of this writing, the Pinellas County dashboard indicates the following damages to date:
Source: pinellas.gov/damagedashboard.
Residents who need help cleaning up damage on their properties as a result of Tropical Storm Debby can request assistance through the Crisis Cleanup hotline at (844) 965-1386 or by visiting crisiscleanup.org. Local voluntary relief organizations will be able to respond to these requests as available. This hotline will remain open through Friday, August 23 rd .
I would also like to highlight the effectiveness of our dunes during Tropical Storm Debby. What is remaining of our beach dunes performed admirably, stopping the water at critical points along the beach. Walking along the shore the day after the storm, you can see from the wrack left behind how far up the water reached and where it was halted by dunes, seawalls, or private property. These natural and man-made barriers played a crucial role in protecting our homes and infrastructure. However, our dunes can only withstand so much and a long-term solution for beach nourishment is urgently needed. Thank you for your courage, compassion, and unwavering community spirit. Together, we will restore our beautiful Town and emerge from this storm season more connected and resilient. Community Spotlight on Flood Mitigation Efforts I am delighted to highlight the inspiring efforts of a remarkable Redington Beach resident, Jeff Fuller. Jeff discovered a passion for home improvement projects and living on Boca Ciega Bay he recognized the potential risk of home flooding associated with our beautiful waterfront properties. Using his skills and enthusiasm for DIY projects, Jeff began collaborating on ways to help other barrier island resident s protect their homes from flooding.
Jeff has diligently worked on practical, cost- effective , mini storm prep projects aimed at mitigating flooding. He is sharing his journey and solutions with our community, hoping to give back and empower fellow residents with valuable knowledge. Jeff leverages his communication skills to raise awareness about the risks of home flooding and the proactive steps everyone can take. His website offers step -by-step ideas and suggestions that have proven successful in mitigating floodwaters from entering homes. I encourage you to explore Jeff’s incredible work and learn more about his projects. You can visit his website at https://floodprep.weebly.com/home.html and click the following link to watch the video of the presentation given to residents at the City of Madeira Beach on April 23, 2024 Flood Protection Workshop. Stay posted and track Jeff in future YouTube videos and on his updated website coming soon! With permission, if you have questions for Jeff please feel free to email him directly at floodprepper@gmail.com . Thank you, Jeff, for your dedication and for setting a remarkable example of community spirit and resilience! Sand Available & Sandbag Disposal After each storm, residents can access the leftover sand in the town hall parking lot for their Redington Shores property. Please remember to bring your own bags and a shovel. For the next major storm , the Clerk’s office will ensure a new supply of sand is ordered, and Public Works will set up a sandbag station, allowing each resident to fill up to 10 bags which will be provided amid the storm . The Town will send notifications through our RShores App when these supplies become available before a major stor m. Many residents often ask, "What should I do with these sandbags after a storm?" Pinellas County Government has the answers to help guide you!
For sandbags that did NOT come into contact with floodwaters: • Keep and store clean sandbags to reuse them for future storms. It’s best to store sandbags in a cool, dry area indoors or under cover.
• To dispose of clean sandbags, spread the sand on lawns or landscape beds. Place the empty bags in your garbage bin (not your recycling bin). • Do not dump sandbags onto the beach. Sand used to help stop flooding may be different from beach sand and can cause issues for turtle nesting, among other problems.
For sandbags that have come into contact with floodwaters: • Sandbags that have been in contact with floodwaters may be contaminated by sewage, animal waste, oil or chemicals. Wear gloves and a dust mask when handling potentially contaminated materials. Do not place used sand in or near bodies of water, playgrounds, sandboxes or other areas of direct human contact. • Bring used sandbags, separated from other waste, to the Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex, 3095 114th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. • Disposal fees apply. Disposal fees for sandbags will be waived after hurricane season, from Dec. 1, 2024, through the end of 2024. • Do not put sand or full sandbags in your regular trash or yard waste. Do not mix sandbags with yard debris for disposal. Visit pinellas.gov/sandbags for more information. For updates on Hurricane Debby recovery efforts, visit disaster.pinellas.gov.
Source: https://pinellas.gov/sandbags
Everyone Can Help with Small Steps and Stoops Did You Know? Walking down the beach and picking up trash can nearly double the calories you burn! As you stoop and gather litter, you might also find some hidden treasures. In the wrack (seaweed & seagrass), you can discover over 300 types of seashells and 60 varieties of sea beans. Additionally, this natural debris provides a vital habitat for various wildlife, including the rare and endangered piping plover shorebirds. The wrack often targets the human litter left behind which can be collected by hand. By personally p icking up plastic and other litter, we can significantly reduce the threats to wildlife from ingestion and entanglement.
Pictured above are results of a 15-minute walk picking up bottle caps, cigarette butts, and other plastics stuck in the wrack along the shore.
During the storm a lot of trash in wrack washed up along the beach. The picture above is beach access #10
By cleaning our beaches, we not only enhance our own well-being but also support the preservation of precious ecosystems. Next time you visit the beach, consider bringing a reusable shopping bag to collect any litter you find. Together, we can keep our beaches clean and protect the wildlife that depends on them.
Source: INWATER RESEARCH GROUP A non- profit organization Protecting the Marine Environment https://www.inwater.org/
Debris Removal Waste Connections Residential has outlined three easy steps to yard waste removal
For effective and eco -friendly yard waste removal, Waste Connections recommends using 30- gallon paper bags, which are available at local hardware stores. These bags are convenient and essential for easy composting. Ensure you only include leaves, yard clippings, and grass clippings in these bags.
For larger items such as long sticks, branches, or limbs, please create separate bundles. Each bundle should be no longer than 4 feet and weigh no more than 40 pounds. By following these guidelines, you help us turn your yard waste into valuable compost, b enefiting our entire community and a commitment to sustainable practices.
Source: https://www.wasteconnections.com/services/residential/residential-yard-waste/
For additional information or questions on debris removal please contact Waste Connections at 727-572-6800 or visit their website: https://www.wasteconnections.com/ Local Businesses ~ Save the Date On Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 9:30 am – 10:30 am at Town Hall, I will be collaborating with Barry Rubin, President and CEO of the Treasure Island & Maderia Beach Chamber of Commerce to host my second Mayor’s Morning Brew : Business Edition! This “ Brew ” will spotlight our local businesses, provide information on Business Tax Receipt Renewals and much more! Mr. Rubin will facilitate a conversation amongst business owners and about ways we can support our local businesses. Residents are welcome to attend too! https://timbchamber.org/
Introducing Our Town’s Updated Logo I am thrilled to share with you the newly updated logo for the Town of Redington Shores. This refreshed design beautifully captures the essence of our community, highlighting the natural beauty of our beaches, the serenity of our palm trees, and the vibrant wildlife that enriches our shores.
Our updated logo symbolizes our commitment to preserving the unique charm and environment of Redington Shores while we continue to improve and beautify our community. It serves as a reminder of the serene and picturesque place we are fortunate to call home. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to making Redington Shores a wonderful place to live. Together, we will embrace the future while cherishing our rich heritage. Yours in service, L ISA H ENDRICKSON , MPA, CPM, SPHR 17425 Gulf Blvd. Redington Shores, Florida 33708 Office: (727) 397 -5538
Work Cell: (727)492-6495 mayor@redshoresfl.com
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