CC02-18-13MinLONGWOOD CITY COMMISSION
Longwood City Commission Chambers
175 West Warren Avenue
Longwood, Florida
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 189 2013
7:00 P.M.
Present: Mayor Brian D. Sackett
Deputy Mayor John C. Maingot
Commissioner Joe Durso
Commissioner Bob Cortes
Commissioner H.G. `Butch" Bundy
Dan Langley, City Attorney
Jon C. Williams, City Administrator
Sarah M. Mirus, City Clerk
Troy Hickson, Police Chief
Bill Gulbrandsen, Fire Chief
Fran Meli, Director of Leisure Services
Wanda Broadway, Human Resources Manager
Pamela Barclay, Director of Financial Services
Michelle Longo, Executive Assistant to City Administrator
1. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Sackett called the meeting to order at 7:00
p.m.
2. A moment of SILENT MEDITATION was followed by the PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE.
3. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS. Ms. Mirus read the following
announcement:
A. Senior Matinee will be held on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., Longwood Community
Building, 200 West Warren Avenue. This month's feature is
Moneyball.
4. RECOGNITIONS/PROCLAMATIONS.
A. District #3 Nomination of the Business Person of the Month
Award for March 2013.
Commissioner Cortes nominated Mr. Kourosh Rouhi, Owner of
Ali Baba House of Kabob, located at 1155 West State Road 434,
for the Business Person of the Month Award for March 2013.
Nomination carried by a unanimous voice vote.
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5. BOARD APPOINTMENTS.
A. District #1 Appointment to the Charter Advisory Committee.
Deputy Mayor Maingot nominated Mr. Tom DeNegre, 330
Ferdinand Drive, to the Charter Advisory Committee. Nomination
carried by a unanimous voice vote.
B. District #3 Appointment to the Charter Advisory Committee.
Commissioner Cortes nominated Mr. Logan Cody to the Charter
Advisory Committee. Nomination carried by a unanimous voice
vote.
6. PUBLIC INPUT.
A. Public Participation.
Tom Hibma, 113 Shady Court, stated six (6) months ago, he
appeared before this Commission asking for approval for Shadow
Hill to join the Beautification Assessment Program. He said he
was grateful that they said "yes". Since then, six (6) months have
passed, and they have asked for the improvements to be made. He
stated the maintenance and tree -trimming began in November. He
said they were told that the improvements would begin sometime
after the first of the year, and they were now in the middle of
February and no improvements have been made. He said they
were asking that these improvements begin as soon as possible.
He said they have sent several electronic mails and talked with
people in person, as well as made telephone calls asking when this
will begin. He said they have been told the Purchasing Division
was holding up the progress. He said two (2) hours ago, he found
that the bids have not even been placed, even though it was six (6)
months later. He said he was asking the Commission to look into
this matter and see if they can put Shadow Hill on the fast track, so
that their community can satisfy the needs of the property owners
of Shadow Hill Subdivision.
Captain Chris Deisler, representing the City of Winter Springs
Police Department, 300.North Moss, Winter Springs, Florida,
32708, said he and Chief Hickson started their professional and
personal friendship as recruits in class 40A at the Seminole
Community College Police Academy. He said he wanted the
Commission to know over the years that he has known Chief
Hickson, he has known him to be nothing more than a man of
integrity, character, and one who was willing to do the right thing
even when it was not popular. He said he does not know what
more he can say personally to them. He said he would like to offer
this one (1) additional piece of information. He said his Chief of
Police, Kevin Brunelle, was away at a training academy in
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Quantico, Virginia, so he could not be here to speak in front of
them. However, if he was in town, he would be right next to him
in support of the Police Chief, and he wanted the Commission to
know that the Members of the Police Department of Winter
Springs Administration support Chief Hickson one hundred
(100%) percent.
Charles Lane, 196 14t' Avenue, said the Chief became a friend of
his and he was able to observe professionally since the mid 1990's.
He said he became known to him as a man of integrity and of the
greatest character he has witnessed, and an individual who has
great and real concern for others. He said he came to know
Reverend Elijah W. Harrington through the Hickson family, and
said if he could have been here this evening, he would have said
without a doubt that Longwood has the very best man they could
have for the Chief of Police, Troy Hickson.
R. Edward Morrow, 1465 Cricket Court, said he was a Member of
the Citizens on Patrol (COP) Program. He said in becoming a
Member of that Program, you get to know who the boss was. He
said, as a newcomer to working with the Chief in that position, he
said he had never met a person in working for Law Enforcement
for close to 35 years that does the job as well as he does. He gives
them every opportunity to better themselves and to help better the
Police Department, and they strive to work hard and do their best
to do that. He said he has given common citizens of this
community an opportunity to serve in a very noble practice to
work with Law Enforcement. He said he has worked with Chiefs
of Police, Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) when he attended schools, and this man was
top drawer, and they were very fortunate to have him.
Clarence Lane, 198 14th Avenue, said that he has been a resident in
the 32750 zip code since 1971. He said he met Chief Hickson over
seventeen (17) years ago when he was a Sargent, and immediately
what became known to him was the strength of his character and
the leadership qualities he exhibited not only as a police officer,
but in his personal life as well. Even in the most extreme
situations that happened in the City that he had witnessed, his
calm, cool, direct and disciplined leadership stood out as it stands
out today. He said for his family and friends, knowing Chief
Hickson was the Chief give them a sense of security and comfort
and he said they humbly request to all in the decision -making
capacity, that Chief Hickson remain the Chief of Police of the great
City of Longwood.
Mark Marrow, representing Champion of Choices, 968 Palmer
Avenue, Winter Park, Florida, 32789, said that he was here on
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behalf of his friend, Troy Hickson. He said he speaks at schools
all over the country. He said he has a Program called Champion of
Choices and he has spoken at over 450 middle and high schools,
and he said Chief Hickson was instrumental in getting him into
schools in this area. He said he has been to so many funerals of
young people who have taken their life much too young. He said
two (2) weeks ago he was in Tampa, Florida for a young boy
named Miguel Rodriguez, who hung himself, and he said they
were seeing so many children who have no hope. He said Chief
Hickson was instrumental in getting him into Lyman High School
and many other schools in this area that have made a difference in
the children's lives. He said they have received over 150 letters
from students that say their life was changed from their one (1)
hour presentation. Children that have been cutting and burning
themselves and with suicidal thoughts said it had forever changed
them. He said he has cried and laughed with this man, and they
have shed tears over the tragedies they have seen in their
communities, but he was making a difference. He said he was my
friend, and he was honored to be here today. He said they have got
to step up, stand up; and speak up, and he does all those, and he
said if something happened to Chief Hickson, if he was let go or
left his post, it would be a very dark day in this community. He
said he was an amazing person, and said he was here to state that.
Tom C. DeNegre, 330 Ferdinand Drive, said he first met Troy
Hickson in 2008. He said he and Commissioner Durso ran against
each other in District #2 and they both went to Chief Hickson and
asked him a lot of questions, and he gave them both good, solid
answers, and he respects him for that. He said he found out that
Chief Hickson was being questioned for his integrity, and he
wanted them to all to know he was a fine guy, and he said they just
need to keep him here.
Pastor Norweida Maxwell, 2035 West Central Boulevard, Orlando,
Florida, 32805, said she Pastors at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist
Church located at 480 West State Road 434 in Longwood. She
said her congregation has had a very close relationship with the
Commission, as well as the Chief of Police. She said she came this
evening on behalf of the Church and the Members, some of who
were here in support of Chief Hickson. She said that she has never
known anyone to show such honesty and integrity, and he has
worked closely with them, and she said they were looking forward
to having him as the Chief of Police here in Longwood for a long
time to come.
Ken Keiser, said he was employed with the City of Apopka Police
Department. He said that he has known Chief Hickson for about
twenty-eight (28) years. He said he knows Chief Hickson not only
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in the capacity of Law Enforcement, but they also teach at
Seminole State College. He stated they were both instructors and
has been for many years. He said he has been with the Criminal
Justice System in Seminole for nineteen (19) years, and Chief
Hickson has been there almost as long. He said he has never met
anybody with such integrity in all his life in his career, and has
never seen anyone more straight in this business, and he said he
stands here to tell you that he stands with him.
JoAnne Rebello, 301 Loch Lomond Avenue, said until proven
otherwise, she has complete confidence in the Police Chief, Troy
Hickson. She said after making some inquiries, she said she has
been able to surmise that there were some disgruntled employees
who would like a change in management. She said her question
was, why? Is there any legitimacy in their questions, or was this
grandstanding tonight, and a ploy to make both the Chief and the
Commissioners look poorly. She said it was her understanding
that they have a Personnel Policy with procedures to follow when a
former employee feels that there was a wrong doing or thought of
mistreatment. She said correct her if she was wrong, but coming to
a Commission Meeting and requesting media presence was not
part of that Policy. She said when she has issues with procedures
or City employees, or with anyone seated at the dais, she can either
go to them each individually as Commissioners, or collectively at
one of these meetings. She said she believes in free speech and the
rights of individuals to speak their peace. She said she also
believes in the relevancy of that speech and the correctness of the
venue. As Commissioners, she said she would hope of all the
speeches they have heard tonight, that they weigh which thoughts
were justifiably correct, misguided or a witch hunt. She asked
does not the duty of the hiring, firing and reprimands of the Chief
lay in the hands of the Administrator, not with the Commission.
Kendra Wolfrum, 253 West Palmetto Avenue, said that she was
here as a resident and she works within the community at a
retirement center and was here to support Chief Hickson. She said
she feels very safe in the community and happy with the resources
he provides them with. She said she also has over 100 residents
that feel safe and secure in their environment with the resources he
was providing for them. So, from a business standpoint and as a
resident of the community for thirty (30) years, she was in support
of Chief Hickson.
Averill Gallowav, 475 Pasadena Drive, said she has been a
homeowner here since 1977, and she said it has been very quiet.
The few times the police have been out, they have done a great job
over the years. She said this past year and a half, there has been a
problem home, and the police have been called time and again.
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She said most of them on this street have taken good care of their
homes and each other. This home became a problem and was way
out of control. She said she was so impressed with how the police
handled it. That home has been totally taken care of, and she has
been to the Police Department several times and been treated with
the utmost respect. She talked with an officer today and he said
look at it, the whole home was being renovated and new people
will be coming in. The stress was gone now, and she asked the
officer how they did it. She said he replied, those who have been
down here so many times, they reflect the Police Chief. She said
she stands here on behalf of the Police Chief, and wanted to thank
him and all of them.
Rvan Lovd, 456 Autumn Oaks Lane, Lake Mary, Florida 32746,
said that he first met Chief Hickson about five (5) years ago. He
said he Pastors the Pentecostal Church located at 561 Orange
Avenue. He.said they have worked with Chief Hickson closely on
many different things. He said his Senior Pastor was good friends
with Chief Hickson and said he knows if he was here tonight, he
would be standing with Chief Hickson. He said he was a breath of
fresh air for the community, and people in his fellowship were in
support of Chief Hickson. He said they were behind him, and he
could tell them many people in their fellowship have worked with
him and have been impressed by the things he has put in place. He
does exude character and integrity, and they were in support of
Chief Hickson.
7. MAYORS AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
District #5. Mayor Sackett said his understanding was that anyone can
file an ethics concern with the State and it goes through its due process. It
takes a while to go through, and they should always presume someone to
be innocent before other thoughts enter their mind. He said it was their
responsibility at the State level to take care of that concern. He said it was
not their responsibility. He said they were compassionate in listening to
them as Commissioners, but it was the responsibility of the City
Administrator. As Commissioners, they were responsible for the hiring or
replacement of the Administrator, City Attorney or the City Clerk. He
stated that was within the City Charter. He said they will hear what it has
to say and it has to go through its process, and they have strong support.
He said he has gone through numerous events with Chief Hickson and
seen how he shines for the City in many, many ways. He said this was
something they have to get through. Mayor Sackett said he does support
him at this point, and he said he knows it will come out with a successful
resolution. That was where he said he was standing right now.
District N. Deputy Mayor Maingot said he has known Chief Hickson for
nearly fourteen (14) years, and have always found him to be of sound
character, both professionally and personally. His interests have always
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been providing the highest standard of safety for the City and citizens.
Since being appointed Chief, he said he has always been extremely
satisfied with his command of the Longwood Police Department. He said
he was certain that his actions in each and every instance will be reviewed
by the senior City authority, and found to be in compliance with proper
protocol and procedure.
Deputy Mayor Maingot moved to reaffirming a vote of
confidence in the Chief of Police, Chief Hickson.
Commissioner Bundy said he would like to hear from the other
Commissioners.
Mayor Sackett said it was not going to be a matter of debate; it was going
to be a matter of Commissioner input. He stated let's go that way for
input, and then they will return to the motion. He noted it was not
seconded, it was standing.
Commissioner Durso said that this has been a tough week because he said
he considers Chief Hickson not only a very competent and fair man of
integrity, but he also considers him a friend. He said he has worked with
Chief Hickson on more events and community organizations than he can
count, such as churches and Rotary. He said he works with abused and
neglected children, and Chief Hickson has always been willing to offer his
services for anything they might need to serve the children in Seminole
County. He said he can say without any equivocation whatsoever, that he
wholeheartedly stands behind him. In this Country, you are innocent until
proven guilty. Being a manager was tough and sometimes, they have to
make decisions others may not like. He said Chief Hickson was a good
man, and they were certainly lucky to have him. He said as a side note,
ninety five (95%) percent of the time they all trust them to do the business
of the City, but the five (5%) percent of the time, they all come forward
and really let them know how they feel. He said in this instance, he
assured them, they hear them loud and clear, and they were with Chief
Hickson.
Commissioner Cortes said it was said that the reflection of the character of
a man was not by who he really was, but by the amount of people that he
has touched. He said he believes this was just a small portion of the
people in the room that the Chief has touched. He said he counted over
one hundred (100) people here tonight, and he guarantees that was a small
fraction of how many lives he has touched positively. It shows to who he
was by their presence here tonight definitely. He said he has known Chief
Hickson probably for over twenty (20) years in his line of work, back
when he was a patrol officer. Who would have known they would come
to know each other in a different capacity working here in the City and
protecting all of them. He said he was one hundred (100%) percent
confident that all this was going to go away and be cleared. It was going
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to show what they all know about the Chief, but was going to cement it
that they have the best Administrator in the Police Department, and he has,
without a doubt, his complete support.
Commissioner Bundy said along with Deputy Mayor Maingot, they have
been here the longest, over thirteen (13) years. He said they have had
opportunities prior to that work with Chief Hickson on various projects,
and he said a lot has been said tonight about honor, integrity and
dedication. He said he wants to speak a little bit about friendship. He said
they all were blessed with the opportunity to meet a lot of really good
people. He said in politics, they do not have a lot of friends, but they find
out who they were when things were tough. He said the crowd here
tonight really speaks volumes to the character of the man he believes was
a Christian man and stated he was not a Sunday Christian. He said he was
a Christian that lives it every day of his life. Commissioner Bundy said he
has been a good friend and advisor to him for a long time. He said most of
them know who the prior Chief was. He was Tommy Jackson. He said as
good a Chief as the City of Longwood has ever had, but he said he has to
say that they have been lucky that they have had two (2) Police Chiefs in a
row as good as anybody has ever had. He said when this first came about,
the City Administrator called each of them to let them know what was
going on. He said he called Chief Hickson and told him one (1) thing. He
said it to him again earlier this evening, and he said he will say it right
now in front of everybody on the public forum. He said to Chief Hickson,
he has his back.
Mayor Sackett said there was a motion on the floor.
Commissioner Bundy seconded the motion.
Mayor Sackett said they have a motion and a second, and he said he would
like to second it. He said they all would like to second it in a huge ringing
endorsement of the Police Chief, the man of strong character.
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Mayor Sackett said he really appreciates the people of the City coming out
to talk and handle the meeting in a very professional way. He said people
expressed themselves with their particular words that ring in their ears and
that touch their heart and speak to the character of a wonderful man. He
then asked Chief Hickson to come to the podium.
Chief Hickson said the day he took office as the Chief of Police he said he
made a vow to keep honor and integrity and to never tarnish this badge
that he wears, and until the day that he was either removed from office for
whatever reason or that he retires, he said he will continue to serve them
with the utmost dignity, respect, integrity and character, and he promised ---
everyone he would never let them down.
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The Commission recessed at 7:37 p.m. and reconvened at 7:44 p.m.
Mayor Sackett said he had a presentation to the City from the Apostolic
Christian Renaissance Church with Apostle Angel Rosado. He said he
attended the twenty (20) year service of this Church, which was in
between the Shell Station and the restaurant on Dog Track Road, and this
service was three (3) hours long in a language he did not understand.
There was an interpreter there for the three (3) hours telling him every
word that was spoken. He was amazed that there were one thousand
(1,000) members there, and parking was a great concern for safety there
also. They were presently using the Lyman High School facilities, and
that seems to be working for them. They presented a plaque to the City of
Longwood for its continued twenty (20) years of support. He said last
week was State of the Cities and was a presentation by all the Mayors as
to what was going on and what challenges they were facing and the
positive things going on in their cities. He said they had 175 cars at the
Car Show. He said the Mayors meet tomorrow and at Chambrel at Island
Lake on Wednesday to open up its computer room. He said the Orlando
Regional South Seminole Hospital was having a Longwood Council
"Business After Hours" Event. He stated Lyman High School wanted to
discuss with them in regards to the use of their fields and was going to
meet with them next Wednesday. He said the Superintendent of the
Seminole County Public Schools, Mr. Walt Griffin, put forward his
recommendations for the rezone of the North Phase. Under his
recommendation it has Rangeline Road, Longwood Club and Longwood
Plantation going to Winter Springs Elementary School. He said now the
understanding of the School Board was that for each child that was
rezoned who was a second grader, there would be no impact on that
second, third, fourth, or fifth grader. They would be allowed to attend the
school that they were rezoned to. He said that was not the real thought
that was going behind. He said they were talking more about subdivisions
and keeping the subdivisions where they were, and what was up with
someone going from Longwood Club and Longwood Groves to Winter
Springs Elementary. As of now, Greenwood Lakes Middle School and
Lyman High School children would not have a feel for community
because they would be attending Winter Springs, Lake Mary, and then a
Longwood school. He said that was very wrong, and he has a meeting
with the Superintendent tomorrow for a discussion. He asked if he was
alone in his thinking or was everyone else alright with the rezoning.
Deputy Mayor Maingot said he wholeheartedly endorses the Mayor's
stand on the matter. He said they have to make sure the children were
well protected, and also, the community. He said those children were not
going to know to which City they really belong when it comes to their
senior time of education. He said he feels it was very disjointed and
troubling to him, and he said he does certainly endorse him and that he go
there and fight for what was right for them.
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Mayor Sackett said the next fight for what was right was February 25th
during the Budget Meeting, but that was what he said he would do.
Commissioner Durso said he wholeheartedly agreed that they all fought to
keep the School open, and they do not want to see the children shuttled
around anymore, so whatever he can do to keep them stable.
Commissioner Cortes said he also spoke with one (1) of the School Board
Members of Seminole County Public Schools. He said he mentioned
Longwood Plantation, and they actually petitioned to get out of Winter
Springs and be transferred to Woodlands, and they were denied. He said
the fact that there were more children moving to Winter Springs was
troubling.
District N. Deputy Mayor Maingot said recently there was the Highland
Games in Winter Springs, and at the last Council of Local Governments
(CALNO) in Seminole County Meeting, their Mayor Charles Lacey
pointed out they had over 37,000 people in attendance. He said
Associated Consulting International (ACi), Inc. was developing Concord
Village, a mixed -use facility at the City of Casselberry. He said that Lake
Mary introduced a new theme known as Wine Art Wednesday's on the
first Wednesday of every month with food trucks and wine and anticipate
quite a lot of people to be there. He said on February 141, he participated
in the Tourism Development Council, which was held in Geneva. He said
they were pushing the County to make a definite decision regarding the
citing of their large field for activities. It will probably be based on
softball and baseball, and will either be on Rinehart Road or at another
field near the airport. He said he spoke up regarding the preponderance of
hotels near the Rinehart location. He said the silence was deafening.
There were all these hoteliers present with a tremendous investment in
property, and he said he sort of led the opening for them to come forward
and to go with it to support the idea as opposed to all the way out by the
airport, and he was a little disappointed that they did not. He said the
other thing he would like to do is to invite the Wekiva Ambassador, who
works for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the
Wekiva Advisory Management Committee to come and do a presentation.
It would probably be done here because it is good for us to expand on
those things.
District #2. Commissioner Durso inquired about when do they revisit the
contract on Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) on Longwood
Elementary School.
Mr. Williams said they just renewed that in October. It was on an annual
basis and the rental fees went down significantly.
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Commissioner Durso then said this Thursday the Tri-County League of
Cities will be held in Altamonte Springs at 11:00 a.m. and asked the other
Commissioners to be there if at all possible.
District #3. Commissioner Cortes said as he sees the Florida Department
of Transportation (FDOT) construction and the lanes changing and two (2)
ponds being developed at the corner of Interstate-4 (I-4) and State Road
434, he asked if anyone knew what FDOT was going to do with the ponds.
Mr. Williams said he did not know what was being done with those two
(2) particular ponds. He said he could reach out to FDOT and see if
maybe they could enter into an agreement.
Mayor Sackett said he did get in touch with Ms. Noranne Downs at
FDOT, and she said she has no hesitation with State Road 434 being
called Longwood Boulevard. She also will work with whomever
regarding the exit to Sleepy Hollow. It will be set-up, and that maybe the
numbers won't have to be as tough to be able to put in a street light there.
Commissioner Cortes said as he saw the infrastructure of those ponds
developing, the dirt was high and the pond was deep and he said that tells
him there was going to be light. He said maybe if they have access, it
would be a great entrance to the City with maybe some fountains as
people come off I-4 this will be a great opportunity for them because the
City limits really start there because the Police Department works
accidents at that intersection.
Mayor Sackett said plus, the depth of that pond will require the fence that
has been in the past ugly to them and not as permanent as they would like,
and asked Mr. Williams if that was correct. He noted they do not do a
good job of fencing.
Mr. Williams said they have certain standards. He said he will reach out
to them.
Commissioner Cortes said the pond was deep, and he said he thinks there
was a perfect opportunity for them as they develop and not a big, ugly
fence.
District #4. Commissioner Bundy said that he wanted to remind everyone
the Ribbon Cutting for the Early Learning Coalition was on February 28t'
at 10:00 a.m., and the other Ribbon Cutting was cancelled. He wanted to
give a pat on the back to the Planning Division staff and the Fire
Department. He said they worked hand -in -hand with the property owner
and contractor and the Coalition to make sure the transition was pretty
smooth. He said they were actually having their Board Meeting on
Thursday. He also said he has been keeping all of them apprised of a
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health situation in the family, and tonight was show and tell. He said Mrs.
Donna Bundy was doing very well, and he said he was very proud of her.
8. ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA. None.
9. CONSENT AGENDA.
A. Approve the Minutes of the February 4, 2013 Regular Meeting.
B. Approve the Monthly Expenditures for January and February
2013.
C. Approve the Monthly Financial Report for January 2013.
D. Approve a purchase order in the amount of $25,229.75 to
SunGard Public Sector for year three (3) of a multi -year
contract.
E. Approve a Contract for Professional Services between the City
and the State Attorney, Phil Archer, for legal services as a
Municipal Prosecutor and authorize the Mayor to sign the
Contract.
F. Approve an updated Treasury Management Master
Agreement with SunTrust Bank and authorize the Mayor to
sign the updated Agreement.
G. Approve an Agreement between the City and Longwood Babe
Ruth League of Seminole County, Inc. for the use of the City's
baseball and softball fields.
H. Approve an Agreement between the City and Longwood Babe
Ruth of Seminole County, Inc. for the use of Candyland Park's
concession stand.
Commissioner Durso moved to approve Consent Agenda
Items 9 A-F. Seconded by Commissioner Cortes and
carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Deputy Mayor Maingot said he thinks that Longwood Babe Ruth
has been doing a great job, but he thinks from a fiduciary point of
view he would like to produce together with them something that
shows the revenue and expenditures, and also, something that
shows the City's expenditures for that entire program.
Mayor Sackett asked for what purpose.
Deputy Mayor Maingot said he wanted to make sure that one of
the things to put into the discussion for the background was
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baseball and softball program for the residents of Longwood and
the surrounding area. His said his follow up question was, what
was a split of residences, or where do they fall as far as the
children of Longwood and those outside of Longwood. He said he
wants to make sure that the City residents were not supporting a
program which was only in part addressing the needs of
Longwood, as opposed to Casselberry or Altamonte Springs.
Mayor Sackett said this year there were over 700 boy participants,
but he said he does not know how many girl participants there
were.
Ms. Meli said Babe Ruth would not know the difference between
resident and non-resident. Babe Ruth and Little League
organizations both have boundaries. Longwood was within that
boundary, but so were some of the surrounding areas. She said
Altamonte's Babe Ruth was Altamonte and around Altamonte, so
those organizations have boundaries.
Deputy Mayor Maingot said boundaries were a technicality. He
asked where the people sign up, they have their address on them,
don't they.
Ms. Meli said they do, but Babe Ruth does not track that. She said
they can ask them to track it, but they usually have upwards of 800
children participating.
Mayor Sackett said a 32750 would be kind of difficult, but it could
be done.
Deputy Mayor Maingot said he had never seen a document like
this before, and especially if they were asking for it to go for two
(2) years.
Ms. Meli said that was for tournament reasons.
Deputy Mayor Maingot said that he wanted to ensure that they
know what the revenue was coming in, and that they know what
the cost to the City was, and that they know how many players
were youngsters from Longwood as opposed to others around
them, regardless of what their boundaries were. He said it was a
matter of for your information (FYI).
Mayor Sackett said, as a person who was out there all the time, he
said he sees people from Winter Springs playing ball, and they
i spend money in the City and at the concession stand, which they
get all sorts of money from all sorts of different people. He said
his daughter plays on the Altamonte League, and he does not pay
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Altamonte taxes, but there was a tradeoff he was sure when they
do all the numbers. He asked Mr. Williams if that was a
conversation he wanted to have with the new Board.
Mr. Williams said they can certainly talk with them about that.
Commissioner Durso asked Ms. Meli to track how many outside
children were using the facilities, and also he would like to know
how many of the Longwood children were using the other
facilities, because he said he was sure it was possible that children
from East Longwood and West Longwood and from South
Longwood were going to Altamonte, Winter Springs, Lake Mary
and Seminole County programs. He would like to see what the
tradeoff was, if possible.
Commissioner Bundy said it was asking them to track information
that they do not normally track. He said he was not really
interested in getting into that because then they will be saying they
have Altamonte children coming here. He said what he was
interested in was what was the revenue generated and what was the
cost for the program. He said what they spend on Babe Ruth
versus the revenue because at $120 a team, that was not a lot of
revenue coming back in. So, what do they spend for electric
lighting, etc., he wants to see a financial breakdown because the
residents of Longwood were subsidizing the Longwood Babe
Ruth, there was no doubt about that. He just wants to see to what
extent.
Commissioner Durso moved to approve Item 9 G from the
Consent Agenda as presented. Seconded by Deputy Mayor
Maingot and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Deputy Mayor Maingot said Babe Ruth pays the City $3,000 for
the use of the concession stand. He asked who was responsible
and who pays for the cost for maintenance and replacement cost of
equipment at the concession stand.
Ms. Meli replied Babe Ruth handles everything inside, and the
City handles the roof and the exterior of the building. Everything
inside was Babe Ruth's equipment and their responsibility.
Commissioner Durso moved to approve Item 9 H as
presented. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Maingot and
carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS.
A. Read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 13-2003, which
provides for a SunTrust Equipment Finance and Leasing
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Corporation Equipment Schedule No. 5; Equipment Schedule
No. 5 provides for the purchase of twelve (12) new marked
police vehicles and three (3) unmarked police vehicles.
Mr. Langley announced having proof of publication for this Item.
He then read Ordinance No. 13-2003 by title only.
Mayor Sackett opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor
or in opposition to the Ordinance.
Commission Bundy moved to close the public hearing.
Seconded by Commissioner Cortes and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
Deputy Mayor Maingot moved to approve Ordinance No.
13-2003, as presented Item 10 A. Seconded by
Commissioner Cortes.
Commissioner Durso asked if this was the same thing that they
have done in the past.
Mr. Williams said this was the program to secure the new vehicles.
He said the Chief could speak best to the disposal of those assets.
Chief Hickson said they were putting those vehicles on the market
as a full package. Obviously for spares, they may be keeping one
(1) or two (2) of them. Most of those vehicles will be going on the
block for sale, and the money will go into the Fleet Fund.
Mayor Sackett asked how many vehicles that would be.
Chief Hickson said he believes they will be keeping two(2), but
they have other vehicles that were going to be going out, so he said
he believed there were going to be thirteen (13) vehicles that will
be sold.
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
11. REGULAR BUSINESS.
A. Approve staffs recommendation to proceed with the layout of
the Dog Park at Arbor Park.
Ms. Meli said she had two (2) layouts for the Dog Park. She said
she took both layouts to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board,
and they recommended that they leave the toddler playground in.
�. She said she had reservations about leaving the toddler playground
in next to the Dog Park. She said the plan she was recommending
was the entrance to the Dog Park will be on the south side of the
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gate, which was close to the existing parking at Arbor Park. The
other plan would have the parking along Grant Street and the gates
on the Grant side on the east side of the Park. She said she has
serious safety concerns for young children, and a fence that dogs
can go over. Everyone was supposed to have their dogs on a leash
between the car and the Dog Park. She said she does not want to
take that risk.
Mayor Sackett asked how old the equipment that was in the Park
was.
Ms. Meli said the equipment was very old, and in the next couple
of years they will have to replace it.
Mayor Sackett said give me a number of years.
Ms. Meli said she has been here nine (9) years, and it was older
than that.
Commissioner Bundy said it was twenty (20) years old.
Ms. Meli said she talked to a playground installer about relocating
the equipment, and he said he would not take responsibility of
dismantling it and relocating it. She said at some point they were
going to have to remove it and replace it, or just remove it. She
said with the City budget, she does not know what their desire was
with having to buy new playground equipment. It was a toddler
park only. A five (5) year old would not have fun on it because it
was for two (2) or three (3) year olds.
Commissioner Bundy said he does not think it has been replaced
since the toddler park was put in place. He said there was some
use by parents with smaller kids, but not near the intensity as a
playground area in Candyland. In talking with the Administrator,
one of the things they discussed was the fact that most of the folks
who use it were from Skylark Subdivision. He said since they
bought the house on Raven Avenue that they knocked down, they
were going to have some green space. He said they discussed
putting some similar equipment in that area. It was shady there
with a lot of trees and was more centrally located within Skylark,
since they seem to be the ones predominately using it, but it would
not be restricted to Skylark residents. He said he has some
concerns, because of the parking out front. He said he understands
their concerns with the dogs that were supposed to be on a leash,
but were not. He said they were going to have people parking on
Grant Street and creating situations where they will be backing out
right onto the roadway. He said Skylark was the biggest
subdivision in the City and consequently, they have the most
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traffic there. He said he would like to see moving the telephone
poles out to discourage the parking there.
Ms. Meli said they can see if they can move those pilings out.
Right now, there was no restricted parking there. She said they
may want to keep it unrestricted but make it less easy to park
because it was a wide strip of grass that they could easily park on.
Mayor Sackett said to Commissioner Bundy, so he was speaking in
favor of Exhibit 1 with some modification to it.
Commissioner Bundy responded in the affirmative and some
assurance that they were not just taking the toddler equipment
away and it disappears forever.
Ms. Meli said all of our playgrounds have two (2) to four (4) year
old equipment as well.
Commissioner Cortes said he has to say he was a little
disappointed in what he has just seen here, which was really not
much information. He said today he took pictures, which Ms.
Mirus put up on the screen, of what they were talking about for
them to have a better view. It was a large tract, so they do have
room. He said one of his concerns was it was the only toddler
playground. He talked with some residents using it, and they said
if there was a three (3) to five (5) year old playground in
Candyland, which there was not, there were ten (10) year old kids
along with three (3) and four (4) year olds that have nothing to do.
He said parents told him it would be nice if they had some sort of
playground equipment that they could put their toddlers on to play
here, while their bigger children play at the other, and that way
they won't have to take them from one park to the other. He said
he went in and inspected it and it looks pretty solid and the plastic
was not cracked and the poles probably need some painting, but he
said he has seen worse. He said until they can afford to buy some
new equipment in a few years, he thinks they have an opportunity
both in Candyland and in the place Commissioner Bundy
mentioned.
Deputy Mayor Maingot said that property was pretty big, and one
has to ask how much property they want for a Dog Park. He feels
they can accommodate both of them with an adequate separation.
He said they can have the Dog Park at one end and do some
upgrading like painting and cleaning for the toddler park, with
maybe some wooden chips on the base and could make use of both
of them right there.
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Mayor Sackett asked the age of children for the equipment at
Candyland.
Ms. Meli said it was for age two (2) and up. She said they do not
have a play structure like that in the playground. She stated they
do have the toddler swings and some bouncy things and some low
play areas in the main play structure, but there was nothing like
that specifically in Candyland.
Mayor Sackett said honestly over the years, he has lived here he
could count on his two (2) hands the number of people he has seen
playing there. He has seen more middle schoolers there but just
sitting there. He asked if there was a group that says this was an
acceptable piece that can be moved or not moved.
Ms. Meli said she has talked with different playground installers,
and they said they would not take the responsibility of moving
something that age.
Commissioner Durso asked Ms. Meli how much would that same
playground cost new.
Ms. Meli said they would probably pay about $40,000 to $50,000.
Playground equipment was very expensive with the installation
added to it.
Commissioner Cortes said the one they installed at Longwood
Plantation cost them $10,000.
Mayor Sackett said some of the schools have that price tag of
$15,000. It was the installation price that doubles it.
Ms. Meli said she could look into that, and get back to them.
Mayor Sackett asked for a motion identifying Exhibit 1 or Exhibit
2.
Commissioner Bundy moved for Exhibit 1 without the
toddler park, and to provide for the toddler park to be
placed in that area whether it was at Candyland or Skylark.
Seconded by Commissioner Durso.
Deputy Mayor Maingot said if they had a limited amount of space,
then he said he could deal with that. But, they have existing
equipment there for toddlers, and there was more than adequate
room to establish a buffer for a Dog Park. He asked what was the
sense of putting aside something that already exists that people
could enjoy.
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Ms. Meli said one (1) reason the Dog Park was going to the south
side was because it was wider, and then they have the right-of-
way of the train that encroaches. Then, the future trail also
encroaches. She said it could be moved down but they would lose
open space for the dogs. It would become long and narrow.
Mayor Sackett said leaving the park where it was would mean
people parking where they want them to and walking through the
park to get to the dog park. That was the issue.
Mr. Williams said he would like to add they were aware of
stormwater drainage issues at Candyland and across Grant Street,
and one (1) of the projects they were going to put forward for their
approval to budget for was a stormwater project that would
incorporate a portion of this Park for the treatment of the runoff
that would come from Grant Street. In terms of space, he said he
thinks they could certainly occupy all the space that was out there
and maybe even need some more.
Mayor Sackett asked, projected where.
Mr. Williams said it was very early in the process, but they have
identified the need to fix it.
Commissioner Bundy said $40,000 was not a realistic number. He
said he knows they want to go with a certified installer, and that
was expensive, but find out who McDonald's buys theirs from
because he can guarantee they do not spend $40,000. Every time
they get the government involved it seems the prices just go
through the roof.
Commissioner Cortes said he would forward a folder to Ms. Meli
with all the information about the purchase and installation of the
equipment that cost them $14,000 installed. He said they got a
grant from the manufacturer of $5,000 and it ended up costing
Longwood Plantation about $9,800 total. He also said this Park
was used by undesirables at night, and he questions this being used
for the toddlers.
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
B. Consider waiving or reducing the rental fees at the Longwood
Community Building for a birthday event to be held on July
21, 2013 for eight (8) hours.
Mr. Williams suggested they waive the $25 per hour attendant fee
as well.
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Commissioner Durso moved to approve Item 11 B as
presented with the addition of the $25. Seconded by
Commissioner Cortes.
Discussion ensued regarding Agenda Item 11 B.
Commissioner Bundy said for clarification was the motion to
follow the City's recommendation to waive the attendant fee or all
of the fees.
Commissioner Durso said all of the fees.
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
C. Approve a purchase order in the amount of $480,000 to
Bartow Ford Co. for the purchase of fifteen (15) fully equipped
2013 Ford police interceptor vehicles.
Commissioner Durso asked was this the same deal they spoke
about earlier.
Mr. Williams responded in the affirmative.
Commissioner Bundy moved to approve Item 11 C as
presented. Seconded by Commissioner Cortes and carried
by a unanimous roll call vote.
D. Authorize to pursue Quiet Title Action on the Townhomes of
Longwood.
Commissioner Bundy moved to approve the request.
Seconded by Commissioner Durso and carried by a
unanimous roll call vote.
E. Authorize to implement the Evergreen Wage and
Classification Study relating to proposed grades, wage rates
and suggested adjustments for non -union employees.
Mr. Williams said Deputy Mayor Maingot made a request to
provide a chart of job task analysis in comparison to the open
market. He stated the Human Resources Manager was re-
classified as Human Resources Director. He said he will
demonstrate that comparison Countywide to what they currently
offer here. He said he met with the current Human Resource
Manager and asked her to pull together copies of job descriptions
and salaries, so they can provide that comparison, and with that,
make the motion to amend to implement as presented with leaving
her in the position of Human Resource Manager for a period of up
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to six (6) months at which time he said he can come back and
revisit reclassification to the Director position upon satisfying them
�. of her responsibilities.
Mayor Sackett said so leave it as a Manager until a six (6) month
period, and then he will discuss about Director.
Mayor Sackett thanked Deputy Mayor Maingot for requesting
about the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) and to see
how that all worked out, and also about Medicare.
Deputy Mayor Maingot said he wanted to see where they were
going.
Mayor Sackett said everyone pays FICA and Medicare and that.
was what happens.
Mr. Williams said he wanted to point out the differences they see
here were on an annual basis, and these grades will be looked at
from this point forward, so the impact will be far less than
$55,000. He said the other aspect of it was as he has discussions
with them over time, they were taking longevity and service
bonuses and merging that into the individual salary. He said what
they will have to take a look at this year as well was those folks
that have already received it and how that adjustment plays out so
they do not end up getting more than what they budgeted for. He
noted they do have some more work to do here.
Mayor Sackett said this was Step 1 and then they go into their
budget meetings and then they have more details coming up in six
(6) months, for instance with the manager versus the department
head.
Commissioner Cortes said when they revisit this next year, he
hopes there will be some sort of merit program in place where the
future increases will be merit based.
Mr. Williams said they certainly hope that they will have finality in
terms of whether there was going to be an eighteen (18) step pay
plan or whether or not the proposed wage grades and classification
were just going to be adopted and move them forward. He said
ultimately the one thing for sure was that they were moving
forward toward a merit process.
Mayor Sackett said all those discussions were occurring, and they
were moving forward and were not staying stagnant on anything.
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Commissioner Bundy moved to approve it as
recommended by the City Administrator. Seconded by
Commissioner Durso.
Mayor Sackett said this was with the understanding this was for a
full year and asked when it was effective.
Mr. Williams said they will do their best to have it by the next
payroll, but not this week's payroll. He also said these adjustments
include adjustments for both Ms. Mirus and him, if they were okay
with that as well.
Deputy Mayor Maingot said one of the reasons he asked for this
was because this was for forty-seven (47) employees and they have
150, and the difference has not been reconciled. Once they go on
the trajectory and outlook for five (5) or more years, where were
they going in terms of the additional dollars they need to meet all
of these commitments. He asked, from where they were getting it.
Mayor Sackett asked, have they technically made a commitment
for five (5) years out.
Commissioner Bundy said this was for one (1) year, and this was
now, and it has nothing to do with next year.
Deputy Mayor Maingot said once they set-up the expectations...
Mayor Sackett said that was not necessarily true.
Commissioner Bundy said the expectations four (4) years ago were
they were going to get a raise but the economy took care of that.
Mayor Sackett said they will have that in the budget talks, but this
was to get us through with these employees for the remainder of
the fiscal year in October.
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
12. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT.
Mr. Williams said he wanted to let the Commission know that the Senator
clone will be arriving tomorrow morning at approximately 8:00 a.m., and
they will be accompanied by an installer. The installer said spectators
were welcome, participators were not. They will be working on installing
the tree and doing some soil testing and it will be a historic day.
Deputy Mayor Maingot noted he would be there.
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13. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT. No report.
14. CITY CLERK'S REPORT.
Ms. Mirus said on May 23`d from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the
Commission Chambers, Attorney Pat Gleason will here to speak to
both City staff, City Commission and City board and committee members
in regards to Government -in -the -Sunshine Law and Public Records Law.
15. ADJOURN. Mayor Sackett adjourned the meeting at 8:44 p.m.
r
Brian D. Sackett, or
ATTEST:
. �Go
Sarah M. Mirus, MMC, MBA, City Clerk
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