Commission News

Commission Meeting - May 15, 2023

Aging Americans Month Proclamation

The Mayor and Commission presented Jason Martino from the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas with the Older American Month Proclamation.

Safety Harbor includes a growing number of older Americans who contribute their time, wisdom, and experience to our community.

The City of Safety Harbor and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas recognize the need to create a community that offers services and supports older adults who may need to make choices about how they age.

To learn more about the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, visit their website: https://www.agingcarefl.org/

And don’t forget Safety Harbor Public Library hosts SHINE Medicare Counseling the 2nd Tuesday of the month.

American Public Works Association West Coast Branch Award Recognition

At the May 15, 2023, City Commission meeting, the Mayor and Commission recognized Safety Harbor Public Works and Engineering staff on winning 3 awards from the American Public Works Association West Coast Branch:

Project of the Year, Environmental: Inflow and Infiltration Study and Abatement
Project of the Year, Disaster or Emergency Construction/Repair: Old Harbor Place Sanitary Sewer Repair
Professional of the Year, Water Resources: Pasquale Carelli, Water/Wastewater Foreman

National Public Works Week

At the May 15, 2023, City Commission meeting, the Mayor and Commission proclaimed May 21 – 27, 2023, as National Public Works Week. Public Works staff (pictured L to R with Mayor Ayoub) Pasquale Carelli, Jamie Ahrens, Renee Cooper, Sherri Kennedy, and Sasha Binzel accepted the proclamation.

Since 1960, American Public Works Association has sponsored National Public Works Week. This week is used to energize and educate the public on the importance of the contribution of public works functions in their daily lives. Planning, building, managing and operating our vital infrastructure is at the heart of our local communities and our quality of life.

Public Works professionals work daily to provide a quality of life for their community with sustainable practices and procedures to ensure future generations of a livable community.

To learn more about our Public Works Department, follow the City of Safety's Facebook page throughout Public Works Week.

City Commission Meeting - May 1, 2023

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

At the May 1, 2023, City Commission meeting, Mayor Joe Ayoub presented Terri Kearnes, Human Resources Director and Diversity Advisory Board Liaison, a proclamation from the City Commission recognizing May as Asian Pacific American 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.

Christopher Palmieri Employee of the Quarter

Breanne Smith-Pedroza, Library Assistant II, was recognized at the City Commission meeting on May 1, 2023, for being selected as the Christopher Palmieri Employee of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2023.

Breanne is the face of the front desk at the Safety Harbor Public Library, greeting patrons with a smile and positive attitude in person or on the phone. She’s also the meeting room coordinator, helping people daily with study room reservations and community meetings in the Library’s conference and large meeting spaces. When she’s not at the front desk or helping with meeting room scheduling, she makes sure the Friends of the Library Book Store items are priced and stocked. In addition to all of this, she helps train new circulation staff, does the heavy lifting with courier deliveries, ensuring everything is checked in and available for holds before the library opens.

Thank you for all you do and congratulations, Breanne!

Public Service Recognition Week

Since 1985, the first full week of May has been designated for this time of recognition to honor all the men and women who serve America as federal, state, county, and local government employees. And at the May 1, 2023, City Commission meeting, the Mayor and Commission recognized City staff and presented the Public Service Recognition Week proclamation.

New Employee Swearing In Ceremony

At the May 1, 2023, City Commission meeting, new employees were sworn into service.

Congratulations to all, and welcome to Team Safety Harbor!

City Intern Recognition

At the May 1, 2023, City Commission meeting, the Mayor and Commission recognized the City’s interns from Spring. Efraim Haraktis who worked with the Human Resources Department, and Karis Ellis who worked with Engineering.

Thank you both for your time this past semester!

National Women's Lung Health Week

The City of Safety Harbor presented a proclamation to the American Lung Association declaring May 8 - 14, 2023 as National Women's Lung Health Week.

City Commission Meeting - April 17, 2023

Chamber of Commerce President Retirement Recognition

Mayor Ayoub and the City Commission recognized Susan Petersen for all of her accomplishments and commitment to her community, residents, businesses, and people throughout her 10 years with Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce.

Congratulations, Susan! We wish you a happy and healthy retirement.

National Library Week Proclamation

Mayor Ayoub and the Commission presented the National Library Week Proclamation to Safety Harbor Public Library staff, the Library Advisory Committee, the Friends of the Library, and the Library Foundation.

National Library Week takes place April 23 - 29, 2023. The Safety Harbor Public Library and City encourages you to visit the Library and explore their services by visiting in person and virtually throughout this week and the whole year.

In addition to the National Library Week celebration, Safety Harbor Public Library is celebrating its 85th Birthday on Wednesday, April 26, 4-6pm. Stop by the Library rotunda for cake, learn about the Library's history, and sign a birthday card. There will be raffle prizes for one lucky child, tween, teen, and adult!

Safety Harbor Finance Department Award Recognition

The Safety Harbor Finance Department has been awarded the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from GFOA for its annual comprehensive financial report for Fiscal Year 2021. This award is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. It represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

They also earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from GFOA for its budget for Fiscal Year 2021. This award represents a significant achievement by the City and reflects the commitment of the Finance Department in meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.

Firefighter/EMT Holly Warkenthien Retirement Recognition

Mayor Ayoub and the City Commission recognized Firefighter/EMT Holly Warkenthien on her retirement from the Safety Harbor Fire Department at the April 17, 2023, Commission meeting. Holly started full-time employment with City in 1991.

Thank you, Holly, for your dedication and service over the last 32 years and congratulations.

Captain Mike Pounds Retirement Recognition

Mayor Ayoub and the City Commission recognized Captain Mike Pounds on his retirement from the Safety Harbor Fire Department at the April 17, 2023, Commission meeting. Mike has worked for Safety Harbor Fire Department for 26 years.

Thank you, Mike, for your dedication and service. Congratulations!

City Commission Meeting - April 3, 2023

Employee Recognition

The Mayor and Commissioners recognized Human Resources Director Kim Nicholls for all of her accomplishments and dedication to the City for the last 9 years.

Kim Nicholls started her role as Human Resources Director with the City of Safety Harbor in 2014. Kim’s local government experience in Pinellas County spans over 24 years, working for the cities of Pinellas Park, Largo, and Safety Harbor. Kim has accepted an opportunity to return to the City of Largo as the Assistant Human Resources Director.

Kim has been an integral part of the HR Department and Management Team. Some of her accomplishments during her tenure include: completing an in-house Employee Benefit and Salary Survey, implementing our first online employee application system, and overseeing the creation and publication of the annual “Heart of the Harbor” employee benefits book, and quarterly “HarborGram” employee newsletter – to name a few.

Thank you, Kim, for your years of service to the City of Safety Harbor, the management team, your co-workers, and the HR Department. Congratulations and best wishes on your new adventures! We'll miss you!

Pictured L to R: City Manager Matt Spoor, HR Director Kim Nicholls, Mayor Joe Ayoub

Years of Service Recognition

Please join us in congratulating Mr. CJ Moore (Utilities Maintenance II – Public Works) for 5 years of service. CJ was recognized at the April 3, 2023, City Commission meeting for completing milestone service at City of Safety Harbor!

Congrats, CJ, 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: CJ Moore (Public Works) and Mayor Ayoub.

Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation

The Mayor and Commission recognized April 2023 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Safety Harbor. The GFWC North Pinellas Woman's Club attended the meeting and received the proclamation from Mayor Ayoub.

GFWC North Pinellas Woman’s Club Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention Committee, along with the support of the Kiwanis Club of Safety Harbor and the Rotary Club of Safety Harbor, helped raise awareness in the community by planting “pinwheels for prevention” at Safety Harbor City Hall. The pinwheel represents the great childhood that every child deserves, and the role we each play in providing a loving and supportive environment for the children in our lives.

City Commission Meeting - March 20, 2023

Mayor and Commissioner Swearing in Ceremony

Mayor Joe Ayoub and Commissioner Carlos Diaz were sworn into office at the City Commission meeting on Monday, March 20, 2023.

Congratulations, Mayor Ayoub and Commissioner Diaz!

Commissioner Steingold Appointed Vice Mayor

Commissioner Andy Steingold was appointed Vice Mayor of Safety Harbor at the Commission Meeting on March 20, 2023. He will serve in this role for the next year. Congratulations, Commissioner Andy Steingold!

March 2023 is Irish-American Heritage Month

At the March 20, 2023, City Commission meeting, the Mayor and Commissioners presented the Florida Irish American Heritage Association with a proclamation declaring March 2023 as Irish-American Heritage Month.