I'd like to make an important announcement because hopefully we would have done this earlier.

But today is our city clerk Rose Marie Cole's birthday.

And uh we wish her a very happy birthday and uh promised I would not ask everybody to sing to her.

So I appreciate that.

Happy birthday.

That move item two point one or April Service Awards.

And uh we have four service awards present today.

So uh first one I'd like to call forward for the 20 year employee award.

I'd like to call forward uh Ann Lopez, who I guess is not here.

Uh but um I'd ask the city manager to go ahead and read her write up.

Thanks, presentation.

Okay.

For Ann, who I'm sure is watching from home.

Um we appreciate you.

Anne began her journey with the CRA, I'm sorry, with the city in April of 2006 as the city manager's office assistant.

From day one, she served as the welcoming face of the city manager and city council's offices and helped develop procedures still in use today.

Coming from the private sector, Anne quickly embraced public service and learned how local government impacts residents every day.

She has always invested in her growing skills, supporting payroll, P cards, invoice processing with precision, volunteering for day caring, and paint your heart out clearwater, and coordinating city hall tours for students, teaching them about the roles of the city manager, the mayor, and the city council.

And 2011, and was promoted to the executive assistant to the city manager, getting exposure to citywide initiatives and major projects.

She later joined the community redevelopment agency, which became her career's defining chapter when the CRA became its own department in 2016, and served as executive assistant managing project funding, payroll, purchasing, drafting grant agreements, and coordinating programs funded through the CRA and the Downtown Development Board.

She became the DDB's primary port of contact, guiding trim budget, event funding, board elections, and serving as a staff liaison.

Her leadership and attention to detail earned promotions to CRA senior division manager and interim CRA executive director in 2023, where she led the distribution of the 1.25 million dollars in ARPA funding through the North Greenwood Community Service grants, ensuring meaningful community impact.

Today, as CRA assistant director, Ann advances city strategic priorities, supporting economic and housing opportunities, strengthening community well-being, and helping ensure CRA operates as a high performing organization delivering superior public service.

Anne has also earned the reputation as the CRA historian, understanding the full picture, and always asking, is it in the statute?

Is it in the plan?

And is it in the budget?

She continues to invest in her professional growth, earning a digital marketing, I'm sorry, digital media marketing certification, graduating from the Florida Redevelopment Agency as a Florida Redevelopment Professional in 2023, and joining the city's inaugural executive leadership academy in 2024.

And is also the proud mother to Noah and Skylar, who like to tell their friends that their mom works for the city and helps lead important projects and make a difference in the community.

And has been steady, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to Clearwater success.

If something needs to get done, she's probably already reviewed it, approved it, funded it, and can likely tell you with a budget code from memory.

Thank you, Anne, for your continued commitment to the city in helping make Clearwater thrive, and we hope you feel better.

Playing the role of Anne this afternoon is uh CRA director Jesus Nino.

So if we have something to give to Anne, we can give the Jesus and you'll make sure she gets it.

So Anne is out and her gift is at the office.

It'll be okay.

No, I'm sure she appreciated uh echo everything that the city manager says she is definitely one of our stars, so thank you.

Thank you, Ann, for your 20 years of service to the city.

It's uh greatly appreciated, and we appreciate you.

Next, we'll move to our 30-year employee award.

I'd like to call forward Andrew Blabelt from the Public Utilities Department.

It is with great pride and appreciation that we recognize Andrew on his 30-year anniversary with the City of Clearwater.

Since beginning your career on April 29th of 1996, you have grown from a dedicated technician into a cornerstone of the public utilities team, demonstrating a long commitment to service, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Throughout your three decades of service, you have successfully navigated many flows of city operations, starting in the wastewater collection division, transitioning to a construction inspector role within the public works, and ultimately returning to public utilities as assistant manager over the wastewater collection and reclaimed water divisions.

While the work of Wastewater Services is often behind the scenes, it is critical to public health, environmental stewardship, and quality of life.

You have consistently met those challenges with professionalism, adaptability, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to keep the city running safely and efficiently.

Your career path is a true example of working your way up through the ranks through dedication, experience, and a commitment to learning.

You are widely recognized as the expert, frequently sought after by homeowners, contractors, and colleagues alike for guidance on complex issues and design challenges.

Your ability to provide clear, practical solutions while maintaining a professional and approachable demeanor reflects the city's commitment to superior public service.

In your current role as assistant manager, your impact is felt every day.

You work closely with your team, mentoring and developing staff within the wastewater collection and reclaim water divisions.

By sharing your institutional knowledge and leading by example, you support the city's strategic priorities of a work, force development, operational excellence, and a high-performing government.

Your leadership helps ensure reliable infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability for the community.

On behalf of the public utilities team and the city manager's office, thank you for 30 years of dedicated service to the City of Clearwater.

Your expertise, leadership, and commitment to excellence embody what it means to deliver superior public service and contribute to a high performing organization.

Thank you.

Appreciate your dedication to the City of Clearwater and to our citizens.

Melody demonstrated outstanding customer service to the public utilities department by managing the recovery of an electric vehicle procurement after the original vehicle was scrapped by the manufacturer.

Recognizing the risk to time-sensitive federal grant funding, she remained persistent in working with the vendor while also evaluating technical alternatives to keep the project on task.

Her work exemplifies the spirit of innovation and responsibility that helps Clearwater thrive, strengthening our community today while building sustainable resilient future.

Thank you.