October 16th, 2024

Dear Friends:
It is hard to know where to even start.  Venetian Isles has been struck by two hurricanes and suffered significant damage which would have been even more severe if Milton had not made a last minute shift away from Tampa Bay.  Never in my 31 years of living in VI have I seen such destruction.  While we may have seen flooding in other neighborhoods such as Shore Acres, we never thought it could happen here!!!  Unfortunately, it did and the task of rebuilding will be onerous and will take time.
I did an informal “drive-by” survey through VI to see how many homes had been damaged by flooding from Helene by counting houses that had belongings and drywall piled on the curb and found that at least 64% of the homes in VI appear to have been damaged.   As many residents have yet to return to VI after Helene, there could be more homes that were impacted.  Regardless, the statistics below are staggering.  In addition to damage to the interior of people’s homes from the flooding, we have been made aware of failure or damage to numerous sea walls and roofs within VI

CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG MULTI AGENCY RESOURCE CENTER (MARC)

• A Multiagency Resource Center (MARC) will open with expanded services on Monday, October 14, from 1-7 p.m. at the Enoch D. Davis Center (1111 18th Ave. S). Starting Tuesday, the MARC will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. At this centralized location, people can access various services and information related to disaster recovery.


• In addition to FEMA, the following agencies will provide assistance at the MARC: Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, Florida Department of Commerce, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Florida Department of Insurance Regulation and Florida Department of Children and Families with Hope Florida Navigators.
  
• When visiting a MARC, it’s a good idea to bring identification, proof of residence, insurance information, and any documentation related to your disaster-related losses to facilitate the application process and ensure you receive the appropriate assistance. Residents can register for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov , via the FEMA app or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
  

CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG PERMITTING UPDATES
In the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the City of St. Petersburg has taken steps to make the permitting process faster, more accessible, and more convenient for homeowners who need to file permits for repairs to their homes due to storm and flood damage. The City is waiving the application and inspection fees for permits to perform demolition and repair of properties damaged by the hurricane. While permits are still required, affected residents can remediate storm damage to their property without permitting fees over the next six months.
Mobile Permitting Sites will reopen on Wednesday (10/16) morning. Locations will be the same as they were post-Helene:

• Azalea Recreation Center: 1600 72nd St N
  
• Enoch D. Davis Center: 1111 18th Ave S
  
• Roberts Recreation Center: 1246 50th Ave N
  

Homeowners can also visit the main permitting office at the City's Municipal Services Center at One 4th St. N. Operating hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 AM - 5 PM and Wednesday from 8 AM - 12 PM. Please note: Remote Permitting Sites will accept debit or credit cards only; cash and checks will not be accepted. Check here for real-time updates on Remote Permitting Site activation, locations, and operating hours.
REBUILDING AFTER FLOOD & STORM DAMAGE
Where to start

• Before you do anything, contact your insurance company.
  
• Remove wet contents immediately to prevent extensive damage and mold.
  
• Clean and disinfect everything that got wet – mud left from flood water can contain sewage and chemicals.
  
• Do not begin construction or remediation until you've been given an estimate from your insurance company.
  

When you need a permit

• Minor water intrusion that requires the replacement of floor finishes, such as carpet, wood, and tile, do not require a building permit.
  
• Water intrusion and flood/storm damage that affects walls, fixtures, built-in cabinetry, windows, doors, roof, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing do require a permit for repair or replacement.
  
• The permitting process can be expedited after storm events.
  
• Email [email protected] or call 727-893-7231 for any permitting-related questions.
  

Why you need to verify your contractor

• If you are planning to have work done that requires a building permit, it’s important to select a qualified and licensed contractor to perform the work.
  
• Under state and local law, any contractor you hire must be state-certified or licensed. Properly licensed, experienced contractors will provide you with safer, higher-quality services.
  
• Beware of any contractor who:
  
• Cannot provide a state license number.
  
• Asks you to obtain the building permit as an “owner/builder” or claims you will save money by not obtaining a permit.
  
• Asks to be paid in cash or asks for large payments upfront.
  
• Before hiring any contractor, ask for their name and license number, then use this Contractor Search feature to verify that they are eligible to work in Pinellas County. Report unlicensed contracting by calling (727) 582-6767 or submit a report online.
  
• If you do not have internet access, you can also call the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board at (727) 582-3100 and choose Option 2 for Licensing to check whether a contractor is licensed.