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News From the City of Treasure Island • May 14, 2025
City Hall • 10451 Gulf Blvd.
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 The Sanding Ovations Masters Cup is making its much-anticipated return this fall, promising to be bigger and better! After last year’s cancellation due to hurricanes Helene and Milton, the beach is back and ready to show off what it does best: sand, sun, and awe-inspiring art.
This year’s festival will run from November 20 to 23, with an encore weekend happening November 29 and 30. Admission is free, making this event even more exciting.
The theme will be “The Gallery of Sand,” a celebration of creativity inspired by the art and color you’d find in museums, murals, and galleries across Tampa Bay. But instead of hanging on walls, these masterpieces are built right into the beach. Crafted by world-renowned sculptors, the sand creations at Sanding Ovations are a 3D gallery of art.
“The theme enables us to highlight the quality of sand sculptors that Sanding Ovations brings in worldwide. These artists are world champion sculptors who create sand sculptures worthy of being in any gallery,” said Sanding Ovations founder Dan Doubleday.
Sanding Ovations is Treasure Island’s signature event and a big reason the city remains one of the most popular beach destinations in the country. The festival brings together jaw-dropping sand art, six days of live music, lots of great food, local vendors, a colorful kite festival, and one of the most impressive fireworks displays of the year. It’s a mix of beach vibes and international flair, drawing artists and visitors worldwide to celebrate what makes Treasure Island such a unique and vibrant place.
This year’s event will include some exciting new additions as the city continues its journey of rebuilding and recovery. While we’re keeping the specifics under wraps for now, we can assure you that there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
For updates, sponsorship opportunities, and everything related to Sanding Ovations, visit SandingOvationsMastersCup.com. Also, follow the City of Treasure Island’s social media and Sanding Ovations’ social media pages.
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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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 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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 It’s week two of Stormwater Stewardship Month. This week’s focus is on the Impacts of Stormwater Runoff.
As rainwater flows over developed areas, it picks up harmful substances like chemicals, fertilizers, pet waste, and trash. These pollutants flow untreated into waterways, threatening aquatic life and affecting our drinking water, recreation, and fishing. Stormwater runoff can contribute to algal blooms, which reduce oxygen levels in the water, harming fish and other wildlife. Educating the public about the impacts of runoff motivates residents to be a part of the solution and not the problem.
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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 Treasure Island wants to hear from you! Treasure Island residents — take a minute to fill out our quick six-question survey about last year’s hurricane season. Share your thoughts, ideas, concerns, or anything else that’s on your mind.
Your feedback helps us improve our community's preparation. Thanks for being part of the effort to keep Treasure Island storm-ready!
CLICK HERE to take the survey
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 Say hello to Gary Volenec – Treasure Island’s new Assistant Public Works Director!
1) What’s your background? Introduce yourself. I'm a Florida resident of over 50 years. I grew up in Indian Harbour Beach, a small town south of Cape Canaveral where my father worked. After graduating from the University of Florida, I moved to Tampa, where I married and raised my family.
2) For those who don’t know, what does an Assistant Public Works Director do, and what are some things you’re excited to bring to the role? The Public Works Department is responsible for managing most city-owned facilities and services. Our duties include the maintenance and operation of the wastewater collection and transmission system, solid waste collection, and the bascule and fixed bridges. We also manage city-owned buildings, properties, and seawalls, which includes landscaping and groundskeeping. Additionally, we oversee the stormwater collection system and maintain city streets and signage.
With experience in municipalities, private consulting firms, and owning my own consulting business, I am eager to utilize my diverse skills to effectively serve the City of Treasure Island.
3) What are some things you're focused on modernizing or bringing to the table as the city's Assistant Public Works Director? The City Manager and I have talked about the importance of enhancing technical support and management for several upcoming Capital Improvement Projects, along with other infrastructure needs. Treasure Island is facing increasing environmental and redevelopment challenges. However, I believe there are tremendous opportunities for our community to rebuild stronger while preserving the unique character of our island.
Fun, Light-hearted Questions:
1) Describe Treasure Island in three words: Well-kept secret.
2) If Treasure Island had a Public Works mascot, what would it be? Captain Morgan.
3) Have you ever used a traffic sign as a Halloween costume? No, but I have gone as a pirate!
4) What’s your go-to karaoke song? Never have one.
5) Sunrise or sunset? Both.
6) Favorite beach activity? Surfing—growing up near Cocoa Beach, it was just what you did!
7) What’s a bucket list item for your first year as Assistant Public Works Director? Rebuild the dune walkovers.
8) If your job had a theme song, what would it be? "Do It Again."
9) If you had a personal slogan—like a bumper sticker for life—what would it say? "Always take the high road."
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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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