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News From the City of Treasure Island • April 2, 2025
City Hall • 10451 Gulf Blvd.
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 Are you ready for an intriguing evening at Treasure the Island Day this Saturday, April 5? The fun begins at 4 p.m. and continues until 8 p.m. as City Hall buzzes with excitement while we celebrate our amazing community. Come hang out with city staff, meet local organizations, and soak in all the fun. The little ones will have a blast with kid-friendly activities and a petting zoo while everyone can enjoy live music from Alex Whalen and DJ Derrick. Try your luck at BINGO, indulge in delicious food and drinks, and relish the festive atmosphere. It’s all about celebrating Treasure Island—so bring your friends, family, and neighbors for an entertaining evening.
* Please note: One Park Place (road in front of City Hall) from 104th to 105th Avenue, and a portion of the City Hall parking lot will be closed from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the Treasure the Island Day event.
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 The initial 500 feet of rip rap (large rocks) have been placed in the water. Currently, crews are cutting the top of the seawall. Once complete, they will fill in the area behind the seawall and begin shaping the land.
Surveying for the reef balls, which will help create a habitat for marine life, is scheduled for the end of this week. Crews anticipate starting the installation of the reef balls shortly after.
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 Exciting news! The Treasure Island Parks and Recreation Department has been awarded a $281,650 grant from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Florida Section Foundation to support hurricane relief repairs at Treasure Bay. This funding will be used to repair the tennis court fences, resurface the clay tennis courts, and address all necessary electrical work to restore and improve the lighting at the tennis court light poles.
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 Mayor John Doctor and Vice Mayor Tammy Vasquez recently traveled to Tallahassee, joining other local leaders from across Florida to engage with lawmakers at the start of the legislative session. Their primary focus was securing $6 million in funding for Treasure Island’s Public Safety Building.
A special thanks to Ms. Bobbie Shay Lee, whose connections helped Mayor Doctor and Vice Mayor Vasquez gain valuable meetings with key decision-makers, including Representative Linda Cheney, Senator Nick DiCeglie, Senator Darryl Rouson (Vice Chair of Appropriations), and Senator Ed Hooper (Chair of Appropriations), who is notoriously difficult to meet with.
In addition to advocating for Treasure Island, the Mayor and Vice Mayor connected with other Florida mayors facing similar challenges. One mayor, whose city has successfully navigated the issues that Treasure Island is currently addressing, has expressed interest in visiting to offer guidance and support.
This trip was a vital step in securing the resources needed for Treasure Island to improve public safety and reinforce our community.
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 Last week, two members of Treasure Island Fire Rescue (TIFR) attended the Pinellas County Officer Development Seminar. Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Drooger and Firefighter/Paramedic Jordan Dahlstrom spent two days listening to speakers from across the country as well as Chief Officers from Pinellas County. They also participated in the Hands-on Training (HOT) portion of the program, where they enhanced their skills in the role of a company officer, focusing on Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) operations, Vent, Enter, Isolate, and Search (VEIS), and hose management evolutions. The Pinellas County Training Group dedicated three days of training in honor of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Captain Bill Gustin, who passed away in March.
Lieutenant Steven Rowland represented TIFR as our Training Lieutenant and HOT instructor for the VEIS evolution.
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 The City of Treasure Island recognizes that the permitting process can often seem overwhelming and complicated. You might be wondering: Why are permits so important?
Permits are essential for ensuring community safety, safeguarding property investments, and maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Following these guidelines also helps our city stay eligible for vital programs like FEMA disaster assistance.
FEMA requires communities to enforce floodplain management regulations to maintain good standing in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Noncompliance can result in serious consequences, including reclassification, probation, or even suspension from the program—affecting everyone in our community.
City codes reflect these requirements, mandating that any development within a flood hazard area must have the proper permits and approvals before work begins. These regulations aren’t just about following rules; they’re about safeguarding Treasure Island for future generations.
Moving Forward: How the City is Supporting You
To assist residents, city staff are reaching out to those with pending or missing permits to provide guidance and support. Additionally, Permitting 101 Workshops with Renee are now available Monday through Wednesday to help answer questions and clarify the process.
To further protect our community and ensure compliance, the city is increasing monitoring efforts for unpermitted work. Here’s what you can expect:
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Unpermitted Work: Stop Work Orders will be issued for projects that lack required permits. Remember, all permits must be fully approved before work begins.
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Unlicensed Contractors: Our Code Compliance team will report any unlicensed contractors to the appropriate agencies.
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Debris & Building Materials: The city has completed debris removal. Property owners must now arrange special collections through Public Works at 727-547-4575 x250. The city does not collect building or construction materials—you must haul them off yourself or hire a private contractor.
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Seawall Repairs: Seawalls are critical infrastructure, and many have sustained damage. Code Compliance will begin contacting property owners regarding necessary repairs and replacements.
If you notice unpermitted work, debris in easements, or damaged seawalls, please report these to Code Compliance at codes@mytreasureisland.org. Florida law requires complainants to provide their name and address when submitting a report.
Treasure Island is here to support you. Thank you for your cooperation as we work together to rebuild and strengthen our community.
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 Treasure Island’s new permitting process has proven successful, with over 85% of permits issued for post-hurricane rebuilds. As permit applications begin to slow and the next hurricane season approaches in a little more than two months, the city is again refining its permitting process to expedite rebuilding efforts and better prepare residents for the upcoming storm season. These updates went into effect on Monday, March 24.
Updated Permitting 101 Workshop with Renee
- Now offered Monday through Wednesday
- Two group workshops available: 9–10 a.m. and 3–4 p.m.
- Individual intake appointments will be available every half-hour from 10:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. (Registration required)
- Attendees are encouraged to complete a workshop before scheduling an individual appointment and to have all paperwork prepared in advance.
- To schedule an individual appointment, contact City Hall at 727-547-4575 or email mmarty@mytreasureisland.org.
Community Development Department (CDD) Adjustments
- A dedicated team will return to normal permitting operations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, focusing on permits for new builds, elevation projects, and non-storm-related permits.
Thank you for being so patient as we continue to work for you to rebuild and get Treasure Island back better and stronger than ever.
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 Pinellas County residents and workers—your voice matters! Take the 2025 National Community Survey and help shape the future of our community. Share your feedback by April 10! The survey is available in English and Spanish: https://pinellas.gov/national-community-survey/.
Spread the word and encourage your neighbors to participate!
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