Commission News

City Commission Meeting - June 20, 2022

Bill Feihl (IT) Receives Years of Service Award

Please join us in congratulating Mr. Bill Feihl who was recognized at Monday night’s City Commission meeting for completing 5 years of service at the City of Safety Harbor!

Congrats, Bill, and thank you for your years of dedication, devotion, and service to the City, to your co-workers, and to the citizens!

Pictured L to R – Bill Feihl (IT) and Mayor Ayoub

Safety Harbor Fire Department Swearing In Ceremony

Please join us in congratulating Safety Harbor Fire Department employee Julio Marty-Castillo who was officially sworn in to service at Monday’s City Commission Meeting.

Mayor Ayoub facilitated the Oath of Office, and Julio was pinned with a Safety Harbor Fire Badge.

Congratulations, Julio, and welcome to the Safety Harbor Family!

Pictured L to R – Julio Marty-Castillo, Mayor Ayoub, Fire Chief Stefancic

Terry Prockno Retirement from Public Works

Please join us in congratulating Mr. Terry Prockno from Public Works on his retirement from the City of Safety Harbor.

Terry was recognized at Monday’s City Commission meeting. Congrats to Terry and his family, we wish him all the best!

Pictured: Terry Prockno (Center Right) with Mayor Ayoub, and Public Works Staff

Congratulation to City Interns

At Monday’s City Commission meeting, City interns from Pinellas County Schools were recognized for their contributions.

Congratulations to them both, and we look forward to the amazing things each will accomplish and best wishes on a bright future!

Pictured: City Interns with Mayor Ayoub

City Commission Meeting - June 6, 2022

Commission Chambers Dedicated to William Blackshear

At the June 6, 2022, City Commission Meeting, the Mayor and Commissioners formally named the Commission Chambers - William Blackshear Commission Chambers - in dedication to former Safety Harbor City Commissioner Mr. William Blackshear who was the first African American elected official in Safety Harbor, Pinellas County, and the State of Florida. Mr. Blackshear passed away last year, so his daughter and son-in-law Jackie and Harry Williams were in attendance to accept the dedication proclamation.

Years of Service Awards

Please join us in congratulating Mr. Joseph Hans (Fire Captain – 20 YOS), Amber Healy (Firefighter/Paramedic – 5 YOS), and Mr. Doug Smith (Firefighter/Paramedic – 5 YOS) who were recognized at the June 6, 2022, City Commission meeting for completing milestone service at City of Safety Harbor!

Congrats, Joey, Amber, and Doug, and thank you for your years of dedication, devotion, and service to the City, your co-workers, and the citizens!

Pictured L to R: Amber Healy, Doug Smith, Mayor Ayoub, and Joseph Hans

Pride Month (LGBTQ+) Proclamation

At the June 6, 2022, City Commission meeting, members from the City’s Diversity Advisory Board accepted a proclamation from City Commission recognizing the month of June 2022 as Pride Month (LGBTQ+) to acknowledge the history of prejudice and discrimination toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and non-binary individuals, and as an opportunity to celebrate the advancements of the human rights and LGBTQ+ rights movements.

Pictured L to R: Lewis Ponds (DAB Chair), Sandra Mejicano (DAB Vice-Chair), Randi Latzke (DAB Member), and Mayor Ayoub

Alzheimer's Awareness Proclamation

At the June 6, 2022, City Commission meeting, members from the community accepted a proclamation from City Commission recognizing the month of June 2022 as Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. The Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Alzheimer’s Association to “Paint Safety Harbor Purple” and encourage Safety Harbor businesses to incorporate purple in their lighting, drinks they serve, etc. to help bring awareness to Alzheimer’s disease.

Pictured L to R: Susan Petersen (Safety Harbor Chamber), Mayor Ayoub, and Steve Olson (Alzheimer’s Association Board of Directors)

City Commission Meeting - May 16, 2022

Public Works Week May 15 – 21, 2022

At Monday night’s City Commission Meeting, the Mayor and City Commission recognized May 15 through May 21, 2022, as Public Works Week recognizing the contributions that public works personnel make to our health, safety, comfort, and quality of life each and every day.

Please join us in celebrating the Safety Harbor Public Works Department!

Pictured L to R – James Ryan, Streets/Stormwater Supervisor; Pasquale Carelli, Water/Wastewater Foreman; Sherry Kennedy, Sanitation Supervisor; Renee Cooper, Public Works Director; and Mayor Ayoub

Wes Elliott, Library - Years of Service Award

Please join us in congratulating Mr. Wes Elliott who was recognized at Monday night’s City Commission meeting for completing 25 years of service at City of Safety Harbor!

Congrats, Wes, and thank you for your years of dedication, devotion, and service to the City, to your co-workers, and the citizens!

Pictured L to R – Wes Elliott and Mayor Ayoub

Christopher Palmieri Employee of the Quarter – 1st Quarter 2022

Congratulations to Wes Elliott from the Library for being named the Christopher Palmieri Employee of the Quarter - 1st Quarter 2022. Wes was recognized at the May 16, 2022, City Commission Meeting and was nominated by his co-workers for being the “go-to guy,” reliable, dedicated, and always taking the initiative to help out whenever needed. Way to go, Wes!

The Christopher Palmieri Employee of the Quarter Program was established in June of 2018 in memory of City Employee, District Chief Chris Palmieri. Throughout the year, we remember our friend and co-worker, and the example he set as a positive and committed employee of the City of Safety Harbor, which is the true meaning behind our Employee of the Quarter Program.

Pictured L to R – Wes Elliott and Mayor Ayoub

City Commission Meeting - May 2, 2022

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Proclamation

At the May 2, 2022, City Commission meeting, the Mayor and Commissioners recognized May 2022 as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate the many contributions of Americans who are of Asian and Pacific Islander descent representing more than 20 million Americans across the United States.

Pictured L to R – Diversity Advisory Board Chair Lewis Ponds, Jr. and Mayor Ayoub

Mental Health Awareness Month Proclamation

The Mayor and City Commission recognized May 2022 as Mental Health Awareness month in an effort to call upon the citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, and schools in Safety harbor to recommit our community to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health and the steps our citizens can take to shine a light on mental illness, fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for equal care.

Pictured L to R – Recreation Superintendent and Strategic Planning Health Committee Member – FRPA Shannon Schafer and Mayor Ayoub

Recognition of Sri Chinmoy Oneness–Home Peace Run Day

At the May 2, 2022, City Commission Meeting, the Mayor and Commissioners recognized May 4, 2022, as Sri Chinmoy Oneness–Home Peace Run Day to help promote international friendship, understanding, and world harmony through support of the global Peace Run and participation in the holding of the Peace Torch.

Mayor Ayoub Appointed VP/Treasurer

of the Mayor's Council of Pinellas County

Congratulations to Mayor Ayoub on his appointment to VP/Treasurer of the Mayor’s Council of Pinellas County on May 4, 2022!

Pictured L to R – St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, Largo Mayor Woody Brown, Mayor Joe Ayoub, County Commissioner Renee Flowers, and South Pasadena Mayor Arthur Penny

Professional Municipal Clerks Week

The Mayor and City Commission recognized May 1 through May 7, 2022 as Professional Municipal Clerks Week, sponsored by the Internal Institute of Municipal Clerks to recognize the vital role and contributions City Clerks provide in serving local government and their communities.

Pictured – The City Clerks of Pinellas County at the Mayor’s Luncheon on May 4, 2022. Safety Harbor City Clerk Rachael Telesca pictured center right.

City Commission Meeting - April 18, 2022

Paul Henderson, Fleet Mechanic - Years of Service Award

Please join us in congratulating Mr. Paul Henderson who was recognized at last night’s City Commission meeting for completing 5 years of service at City of Safety Harbor!

Congrats, Paul, and thank you for your years of dedication, devotion, and service to the City, to your co-workers, and the citizens!

Pictured L to R – Paul Henderson, Public Works, and Mayor Ayoub

Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council Recognition

At the April 18, 2022, City Commission Meeting, the Mayor and Commissioners recognized by proclamation the 60th anniversary of the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and their significant contributions over the last six decades to the quality of life for Tampa Bay region residents by providing a forum to foster communication, coordination, and collaboration in identifying and addressing issues and needs regionally.

Pictured L to R – Commissioner Diaz, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council Board Member, and Mayor Ayoub

Junior Mayor Macey T.

At the April 18, 2022, City Commission meeting, Macey T. was sworn in by Mayor Ayoub as Junior Mayor for the months of April and May 2022.

The City of Safety Harbor recognized Macey for her volunteer efforts in cleaning up Safety Harbor and creating a safer and healthier environment for residents, visitors, animal and marine life in their community.

Way to go, Junior Mayor T!

Safety Harbor Supports Safe Streets Pinellas

At the April 18, 2022, City Commission Meeting, the Mayor and Commissioners adopted a resolution supporting Safe Streets Pinellas, a vison zero effort to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries on the Pinellas Transportation Network. The City is committed to working with Forward Pinellas and partner agencies to identify and implement projects and programs that reduce the potential for serious traffic injuries and fatalities by taking a safe systems approach where feasible and appropriate.

Pictured L to R – Safety Harbor Commissioner Merz, Forward Pinellas Board Member; Whit Blanton, Executive Director of Forward Pinellas; Joanne “Cookie” Kennedy, Indian Rocks Beach Mayor and Forward Pinellas Chair; and Mayor Ayoub.

City Commission Meeting - April 4, 2022

First Presbyterian Church of Safety Harbor Celebrates Centennial Anniversary

At the April 4, 2022, City Commission Meeting, the Mayor and City Commission presented First Presbyterian Church of Safety Harbor staff with a proclamation declaring April 1, 2022, as First Presbyterian Church of Safety Harbor Day and congratulated them on celebrating 100 years of serving our community.

Thank you for your service to the Safety Harbor Community!

National Library Week Proclamation

At the April 4, 2022, City Commission Meeting, the Mayor and Commission recognized the week of April 3rd through April 9th 2022 as National Library Week to encourage all residents to obtain a library card and to connect with their local Library.

Pictured are members of the Library Advisory Committee, Library Foundation, Friends of the Library, and Library Staff along with Mayor Ayoub.

North Pinellas Women's Club Day Support National Prevent Child Abuse Month

The City of Safety Harbor City Commission recognized April 4, 2022, as North Pinellas Women’s Club Day to recognize their support of National Prevent Child Abuse Month and to express gratitude for their continued effort in making Safety Harbor and Pinellas County better for all citizens.

Pictured are members of the General Federation of Women’s Club (GFWC), Junior GFWC, Members of Rotary and Kiwanis, and Mayor Ayoub.

Gary Marshall, Assistant Finance Director - Years of Service Award

Please join us in congratulating Mr. Gary Marshall who was recognized at last night’s City Commission meeting for completing 10 years of service at City of Safety Harbor!

Congrats, Gary, and thank you for your years of dedication, devotion, and service to the City, your co-workers, and the citizens!

Pictured left to right are Stacey Marshall (Gary’s wife), Gary Marshall (Finance), and Mayor Ayoub

Kathy Howell, Accounting Assistant - Years of Service Award

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Kathy Howell who was recognized at last night’s City Commission meeting for completing 10 years of service at City of Safety Harbor!

Congrats, Kathy, and thank you for your years of dedication, devotion, and service to the City, your co-workers, and the citizens!

Pictured left to right are John Howell (Kathy’s Husband), Kathy Howell (Finance), and Mayor Ayoub

City Manager Spoor Receives 2022 Home Rule Hero Award

Please join us in congratulating Safety Harbor City Manager Matthew Spoor for receiving the Florida League of Cities 2022 Home Rule Hero Award. City Manager Spoor was recognized for his hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2022 Legislative Session. City Manager Spoor worked tirelessly throughout the session to promote local voices making local choices, protecting the Home Rule powers of Florida’s municipalities, and advancing the League’s legislative agenda.

Congratulations, CM Spoor, and thank you for being Safety Harbor’s Home Rule Hero!

Pictured left to right are Commissioner Steingold, Vice Mayor Besore, City Manager Spoor, Mayor Ayoub, Commissioner Diaz, and Commissioner Merz.