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GOVERNMENT LIAISON John Miller, 941-276-5570, jmiller941@embarqmail.com

By the time you read this, repair of our 15 miles of Irma-damaged seawalls will be underway. The City has contracted
with three firms at a cost of $32.8 million. It is projected to be 75 percent funded by FEMA, with Punta Gorda and the
state equally splitting the remaining 25 percent, or $4.1 million each. As they wait for the federal reimbursement, the City
likely will have to cover FEMA’s cut, $24.6 million, as well as its own contribution. Work has been prioritized, starting with
the most seriously damaged seawalls. The project will most likely take 18 months to complete. More details can be found
on the City website www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/home under Services and Canal Maintenance
www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/services/canal-maintenance/storm-related-seawall-failures.

Pamela R. Davis was sworn in as the City’s Chief of Police at the January 3 City Council meeting. Chief Davis has more
than 26 years of law enforcement experience having spent most of her career with the Anne Arundel County (Maryland)
Police Department. Most recently she was the Director of the Professional Development and Training Academy for the
Baltimore Police Department. Chief Davis plans to continue emphasis on community policing, transparency and
communications. In addition, formation of a resident advisory council and business advisory council are underway. Upon
a thorough review of policies and procedures as well as training programs, she will institute enhancements where
appropriate to be on par with national standards. Please help us welcome Chief Davis and her family to our community!

Our new Punta Gorda Library is finally seeing some progress as City staff is completing de-watering of the remaining fill
area and will finish site work in January, pending favorable weather conditions. The Library’s final design is underway
with a projected construction start date in March.

Aqua Consultants continues to assist City staff in development of brand and marketing materials to be used in promoting
the new tagline Florida’s Harborside Hometown. Presentations of the brand are scheduled for the Mayor’s State of the
City and TEAM Punta Gorda annual meeting.

The Citywide drainage swale regrading has been completed in Burnt Store Isles and equipment has been moved to
Punta Gorda Isles where work will begin from 1301 to 1319 Socorro Drive.

If you would like more detail concerning these projects or other city goings on, feel free to contact me or go to the City
website, www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us. It is a very informative and user friendly website.

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