Charlotte Assembly 2007 -  The Charlotte Assembly Steering Committee held two meetings and has begun identifying topics to be discussed at the 2007 Assembly scheduled for June. The tentative topics range from growth management and roads to education and government efficiency. The next meeting of the Steering Committee will take place on April 12, Murdock Administrative Complex, Room B106. The meeting is open to the public.  For more information call Joyce Ross 941.743.1316, or email joyce.ross@charlottefl.com.

Devil Rays Season Tickets - The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will be moving their spring training to Charlotte County Sports Park in 2009.  The Rays are currently taking season ticket deposits.  By placing a $50 deposit (per seat) fans will be placed on the Port Charlotte Priority List.  Call Devil Rays Season Ticket Sales at 727.825.3137.

Commissioners' Roundtable - The Board of County Commissioners have started meeting as a group with County staff to receive briefings on special topics.  This enables the staff to give the information to all commissioners at the same time and permits the commissioners an opportunity to receive significant background information on complex issues before the item is addressed at a regular commission meeting or workshop.  These sessions are for general discussion purposes, only, no decisions are made and no votes are taken. The next Commissioners' Roundtable is April 3, 9:00 a.m. and the topic will be the Charlotte County Comprehensive Plan.  The Community Development Department will be presenting a brief history of the Florida Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan), how Florida Statutes mandate and govern the Comp Plan and the planning methodology incorporated into Comp Plans.  The County is required by the Department of Community Affairs to review our Comp Plan by 2010.  This is expected to be a two year process that will include significant public input and community meetings.  The Community Development staff will also brief the commissioners on this Comp Plan review process.

2-1-1 Goes Mobile - Charlotte County is pleased to announce that 2-1-1 Charlotte, the toll-free community services information line, is now accessible from T-Mobile, Nextel, Cingular, Metro PCS, and Sprint cellular phones. In June 2005, 2-1-1 Charlotte was launched by Charlotte County with partnerships between Charlotte County Human Services, the Center for Abuse & Rape Emergencies, Inc. and the United Way of Charlotte County, Inc. This service was initially available only from landline telephones in Charlotte County, but now thanks to the cooperation of these wireless providers residents may now access 2-1-1 via their cell phones. Persons with land lines can continue to access this service by dialing 2-1-1. However, residents using other cellular service providers or calling from outside Charlotte County can reach 2-1-1 Charlotte’s 24/7 call center by dialing 941.205.2161.

Help Stop Illegal Dumping - Charlotte County takes illegal dumping seriously.  Illegal dumping is disposal of waste in an unpermitted area. It is also referred to as "open dumping," "fly dumping," and "midnight dumping" because materials are often dumped in open areas, from vehicles along roadsides, and late at night. Illegally dumped wastes are primarily materials that are dumped to avoid either disposal fees or the time and effort required for proper disposal. To report illegal dumping in Charlotte County call 1.866.Y.DUMP.CC or fill out a form on-line.

County Construction Updates - County facilities expected to be completed in the next 30 days are the EastPort Operations Building, Oyster Creek Regional Park, Fire Station #15 (Eisenhower), Fire Station #16 (US 17 & Palm) and the Public Works Maintenance & Operations Building.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

April Pools Day - Charlotte County Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department is proudly announcing the second annual April Pools Day Event on April 14, 2007 from 11am to 4:30pm at South County Regional Park Pool located on 670 Cooper St., Punta Gorda. The event will feature live music, free swim lessons and water aerobics classes conducted by County Aquatic staff, a free stroke clinic conducted by the Charlotte County Blue Fins swim team, the second annual Lightning Mile Swim competition, a community water volleyball game, and the biggest splash contest conducted in the diving well. The cost is regular pool admission ($2.50 plus tax for adults, $1.50 plus tax for children). Come participate and enjoy what is sure to become a favorite spring time event in Charlotte County. Please call South County Regional Park Pool at 941.505.8686 for more information.

Are you looking for an educated and well-trained workforce? - In response to private businesses’ need for an educated and trained workforce, all of Southwest Florida’s public and private educational institutions will refer their graduating seniors, students, and alumni to a single hiring event at the Alico Arena located on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) – the 1^st Annual Regional Career Recruitment Expo. This event will take place on April 18, 2007, 1:30p.m. to 6;30 p.m. at the Alico Arena (FGCU Campus). For more information, contact Jim Wall at 239-225-2500 or visit the Alliance of Educational Leaders’ website at www.SWFLeducation.com

Public Safety Classes - Charlotte County Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources in cooperation with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office will be offering free public safety classes at the South County Regional Recreation Center 670 Cooper Street, Punta Gorda:  Scams will be presented on April 5, Identity Theft on April 5 and home Security on April 17.  All classes are from 9;0 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and are presented by experts from the Sheriff's Office.  Join us for an educational session on how to avoid becoming a victim.  Space is limited so call the Recreation Center at 505.8686 to reserve your seat.

BIG SURF IX YOUTH FISHING TOURNAMENT Charlotte County Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department is announcing its ninth annual "Big Surf" youth fishing tournament. The tournament for ages 14 and under will be held Saturday, May 19th, 2007 from 8:00-10:30a.m. at Chadwick Park, Englewood Beach, 2100 N. Beach Road, Englewood. Participants must pre-register by May 17th at the Tringali Park Recreation Center, 3460 N. Access Road in Englewood. This is a free event with trophies awarded in four categories for two age divisions. A cook-out will take place for all participants immediately following the tournament and door prizes will be given away. The first 50 children registered will receive a free rod and reel sponsored by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. A 75 child limit will be enforced for the tournament. Bait will be provided. Tournament sponsors and donations are needed. To be a sponsor or to obtain additional information, please call Tringali Park office at (941) 473-1018.

MEETINGS

Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners holds its regular meeting at 9:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.  Land use issues are addressed on the third Tuesday and Administrator's Overview is held on the first Tuesday of each month. These meetings are held at the Murdock Administrative Complex, Room #119.

To view the agenda for the Board meetings click here: Commission Agenda.  The meetings can also be viewed live on CCTV20, (Comcast Channel 20) or can be viewed via live stream on our website - Streaming Video 

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A variety of government meetings are archived for on-demand viewing. Check out our inventory here: On Demand Video

Charlotte County has dozens of official meetings and activities each month.  For an itemized listing click here: Meeting Calendars

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