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News From the City of Treasure Island • May 7, 2025
City Hall • 10451 Gulf Blvd.
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 INYMI: Permit refund checks for storm-related permits are starting to be mailed out. Getting these systems to function correctly to track the refunds was critical for maintaining compliance during the annual audit.
The first checks were released this past Friday, May 2, and will continue to be processed and released weekly. They will be distributed from oldest to newest. Checks will be mailed to the address on file for the property owners. The city sincerely appreciates everyone’s patience as staff worked with contractors to get everything functioning together to issue these refunds.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to apply for permits by May 31, the date the waiver for permit fees expires. Visit MyTreasureIsland.com/CDD to get started.
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 Treasure Bay needs your help! Join us for a community planting event as we install native vegetation along the ponds to stabilize the shoreline, improve habitat, and protect our waters.
What to Wear & Bring:
- Closed-toe shoes or water shoes (expect to get muddy!)
- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
- Reusable water bottle
- Gardening gloves
The city will provide:
- Planting tools and materials
- Water refill station
- Light snacks
Sign up here: https://www.mytreasureisland.org/residents/volunteer.php
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 Promoting safety one step at a time. Treasure Island Fire Rescue will host its 3rd Annual Walk to the Beach Day on Friday, May 23, from 1 to 3 p.m. along Gulf Blvd.
Inspired by the success of "Walk to School Day," this event promotes community togetherness while highlighting the health and environmental benefits of walking. Additionally, it raises important awareness about bicycle and pedestrian safety on the beach and beyond, just in time for Memorial Day weekend and the start of summer.
The event will feature five safety stations along Gulf Boulevard, with volunteers positioned at each crosswalk between 104th and 108th Avenue. These volunteers will wear safety vests and carry flags and stop signs to assist pedestrians and ensure safe street crossings. They will also provide educational tips on the importance of using crosswalks and staying alert, whether walking or driving.
Are you interested in joining this educational campaign? TIFR invites new community safety organizations to participate in these efforts. TIFR’s goal is to raise awareness about the importance of keeping our beautiful beaches safe—not just for residents but everyone who comes to enjoy them.
Volunteers play a key role in making this event a success. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact mnelson@mytreasureisland.org or call 727-547-4590.
Don’t miss this opportunity to help make our beach community safer, stronger, and more connected!
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 After an active hurricane season in 2024 that caused significant destruction in our area, it is more important than ever to be prepared for storms. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 and is fast approaching. To help residents and business owners prepare, the City of Treasure Island is hosting a Hurricane Expo on Saturday, May 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. This event will take place on the 5th floor of City Hall, located at 10451 Gulf Blvd.
The event will feature a special presentation by Mike Clay, the Chief Meteorologist at Spectrum Bay News 9. He will provide valuable insights into what to expect during this hurricane season.
Additionally, city and county staff will deliver important presentations on storm response plans, evacuation procedures, and how residents and businesses can prepare before a storm approaches.
Attendees will receive critical safety and survival tips, flood insurance education, Red Cross resources, and more.
Residents are encouraged to visit mytreasureisland.com/stormready to sign up for Alert Pinellas, check their evacuation zone, and gather storm preparation resources.
Stay informed. Stay safe. Get storm-ready with Treasure Island.
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 At the May 6 City Commission Meeting, Treasure Island Fire Rescue Firefighter/Paramedic Jason Howard was proudly recognized and honored for 25 years of exceptional service with TIFR, and a remarkable 31 years of total service to the City of Treasure Island.
Jason began his career with the city in 1993 in the Public Works beautification department. In 1994, while volunteering with the Gulfport Fire Department, he attended fire school, driven by a deep desire to serve his community. In 1997, he took it upon himself to complete EMT training, all while continuing to work in Public Works. His dedication led to his transfer to Treasure Island Fire Rescue in 1999. In 2004, he was sponsored by the department to obtain his paramedic license.
Over the past two and a half decades, Jason has answered thousands of calls for service—ranging from structure fires and medical emergencies to motor vehicle accidents and natural disasters. He has consistently responded with skill, compassion, and integrity.
FF Howard holds every certification offered within Treasure Island Fire Rescue and has played a vital role in mentoring new firefighters, serving on multiple committees, and exemplifying teamwork and leadership. A true lifelong learner, he has earned the respect and admiration of his peers, supervisors, and the community.
Jason has served on multiple emergency deployments, including Hurricane Charley in 2004 and Hurricane Sally in 2020. Most recently, he was on the front lines during Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year.
As Jason embarks on a well-earned retirement, we extend our deepest gratitude for his service, sacrifice, and the legacy he leaves behind. He’s known for always being ready to work—and for making sure the coffee pot was hot and full.
He will be greatly missed. Thank you, Jason.
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 The city of Treasure Island has several board vacancies that need to be filled. Be a voice in your community by applying for one of these board openings.
Code Enforcement Board
Upcoming vacancies available August 2025
Code Enforcement Board
- At-Large Member
- Alternate Member
Planning & Zoning Board/LPA
LIFT Board of Directors
CLICK HERE to apply.
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 During Stormwater Stewardship Month, the city continues to explore stormwater-what it is, the threats it poses, pollution, and potential solutions.
Stormwater refers to any water that falls from the sky and reaches the ground. Storm surge represents a separate threat: an abnormal rise in seawater levels during a storm, measured above the typical tide cycle. The winds generated by a storm significantly influence storm surge. Depending on the storm, the surge can rise gradually over time or swiftly with considerable destructive energy.
About Stormwater Stewardship Month
This month-long campaign is dedicated to educating residents and visitors about stormwater runoff, common sources of pollution, and what we can all do to help. Organized by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC), in collaboration with local governments, partner organizations, and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF IFAS), the campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of stormwater management and our collective role in protecting the environment.
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 Information from Pinellas County Government:
Give your feedback through May 23 on the Recovery Draft Action Plan!
After receiving more than 3,000 resident survey responses and completing an extensive review of data for unmet needs following the recent hurricanes, Pinellas County has published the Draft Action Plan for the upcoming Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program.
The draft plan outlines how the County will put people first in using $813,783,000 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
You can view the full draft plan, a slideshow of key points, and leave public comments at: recover.pinellas.gov. The draft plan will be available for public comment online from April 23-May 23, 2025.
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 Say hello to Lisa-Marie Kennedy, Treasure Island's new City Clerk.
𝟏) 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝? 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟.
I’m a Tampa native, born at MacDill Air Force Base. I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of South Florida and have worked in public service ever since. I served as a Deputy Clerk at the Hillsborough County Clerk’s Office for 10 years, where I held various roles and developed a deep appreciation for preserving public records and history.
My husband is also a former Deputy Clerk for Hillsborough County, so he fully understands—and supports—my passion for recordkeeping. We have two wonderful children, a 10-year-old and a 1-year-old, as well as two cats and a dog. Our home is full of love—and pet hair!
𝟐) 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐤 𝐝𝐨, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞?
The City Clerk is the official recordkeeper for the city. Clerks serve not only today’s citizens, but also future generations by ensuring a clear, accurate record of how the city has developed over time.
It’s essential that five, fifteen, or even fifty years from now, people can look back and understand how we got to where we are.
The City Charter outlines key responsibilities, such as attesting to all City contracts, supervising city elections, and administering oaths of office, but at the heart of it all is preserving the city's history.
𝟑) 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐤?
I’m excited to continue several initiatives the previous City Clerk started that focus on digitizing records and improving data redundancy. I strongly believe in transparency and public accessibility, so one of my main goals is to make more documents available for public viewing on the City’s website.
Fun, light-hearted questions:
- If you could rename Treasure Island for a day, what would you call it?
I would name it Memory Beach, since so many people, myself included, remember coming to this beach with family.
- If you were a sea creature, what would you be?
An octopus because they’re always ready to lend a hand.
- What’s your most unusual talent?
Making corny jokes.
- What’s your most recent karaoke song?
“I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany
Sunsets
Walking the beach, shell hunting.
- What is a bucket list item for your first year as City Clerk?
Wait, will this job kill me within a year? Getting all of the City’s Commission and board records online.
- Describe Treasure Island in three words.
Friendly. Beautiful. Nostalgic.
- If your job had a theme song, what would it be?
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder
- If you had a slogan, like a bumper sticker for life, what would it say?
“If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to meet it.” – Jonathan Winters
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 Treasure Island friends and visitors — Florida's Sea Turtle Nesting Season runs May 1 through October 31. Endangered sea turtles return to our beaches to lay their eggs during this special time.
Help protect sea turtles by doing your part.:
- Keep beaches clean: Remove chairs, umbrellas, and trash at the end of the day.
- Lights out at night: Avoid bright lights on the beach after dark. Artificial lighting can confuse hatchlings trying to find the ocean.
- Respect marked nests: If you see roped-off areas on the beach, please keep your distance.
- Fill in holes and flatten sandcastles: These obstacles can trap nesting turtles and hatchlings.
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 It’s time to show Treasure Island Beach some love! We’ve been nominated for Best Beach in Florida in USA Today’s 2025 Reader’s Choice 10Best Awards!
VOTE HERE and share the link with your fellow beach lovers.
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City Manager Placed on Leave
The Commission voted 3-2 to place City Manager Charles Anderson on paid administrative leave. The Assistant City Manager/Fire Chief, Trip Barrs, will serve in his place while the Commission prepares to vote on a resolution for his possible removal at the May 20 meeting. The city will also work with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) to identify interim candidates.
Honoring 31 Years of Service
Firefighter/Paramedic Jason Howard was recognized for his dedicated 31 years of service to Treasure Island's residents and visitors.
Overview of Approvals
- Previous Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously.
- Contract Extensions: Continued agreements with HVAC and general contractor service providers.
- State Grant: Approved an amendment to the state-funded grant supporting the city’s Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment.
Projects & Improvements
- Downtown Utility Work: Approved an easement for Duke Energy at 1 Milliken Court to support infrastructure upgrades.
- Rosselli Park: Commission approved a $33,800 contract with Kimley-Horn to design new pickleball courts.
- Wastewater System: The city will explore transferring its wastewater system through a study with Pinellas County.
- New City Bus: Approved the $147,026 purchase of a 2026 Blue Bird bus for Parks & Recreation and emergency operations.
Permitting Staff Boost
In response to the increasing number of permit applications, the Commission has approved the re-hiring of six temporary permitting staff and two contracted zoning personnel. Commissioners also highlighted the need for improved communication with the public regarding the status of permits. Additionally, they emphasized that permits will not expire during the ongoing state of emergency.
Engineering Contract Stays
A motion to partially terminate services with Advanced Engineering Design (AED) was rejected. AED will continue its current work, including the city’s Vulnerability Study and infrastructure projects.
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