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CC08-18-2025Min LONGWOOD CITY COMMISSION Longwood City Commission Chambers 175 West Warren Avenue Longwood, Florida MINUTES August 4, 2025 6:00 PM Present: Mayor Brian D. Sackett Deputy Mayor Abby Shoemaker Commissioner Tony Boni Commissioner Matthew McMillan Commissioner Matt Morgan Dan Langley, City Attorney William Watts, City Manager Michelle Longo, City Clerk David Dowda, Police Chief Troy Feist, Fire Chief Shad Smith, Public Works Director Magdala Ridore, Human Resources Director Nerys Hernandez, Records Coordinator Liane Cartagena, Community and Media Relations Manager 1. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Sackett called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. 2. OPENING INVOCATION. Rabbi Jacob Rodriguez, with Congregational Rebirth gave the invocation. 3. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Commissioner McMillan led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS. Ms. Longo read the following announcement. A. The "Downtown Longwood Cruise-In" Car Show will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Historic District of Longwood. 5. PROCLAMATIONS/ RECOGNITIONS A. Presentation of the Beautification Award to Evergreen Dentistry, 500 East State Road 434, Longwood. Mayor Sackett presented the Beautification Award to Dr. Parez Baig. Photographs were then taken. B. Nominations for the Annual Key to the City Award. Mayor Sackett nominated Commissioner Tony Boni. Commissioner Morgan nominated Rachel Jones. Commissioner McMillan nominated Michelle Longo. 8/4/2025 / 1 Nominations carried by a unanimous voice vote. 6. BOARD APPOINTMENTS A. District#2 Nomination to the Land Planning Agency. Nomination was deferred to the next meeting. B. City Commission nomination of a resident to the Board of Trustees for the City of Longwood Police Officers' and Firefighters' Pension Trust Fund. Commissioner McMillan nominated Justin Lerro for reappointment to the Police Officers' and Firefighters' Pension Trust Fund. Nomination carried by a unanimous voice vote. 7. PUBLIC INPUT A. Public Participation. None. 8. MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORT A. District#2. Commissioner Boni commended the Police Department on their back-to-school event. He attended the Seminole County 1765 Map Ribbon Cutting/Seminole 250 Press Conference and Reception held at the Museum of Seminole County History on Wednesday, July 30. He attended his 40th High School reunion. He thanked the city manager for addressing an issue at Water View Apartments. District#3. Commissioner McMillan commended the Police Department on their back-to-school event. He stated that he and Commissioner Boni attended the event representing the Longwood Rotary. He thanked the city manager for attending a Longwood Rotary meeting as a speaker and providing an update on the city's current developments. He attended the Seminole County 1765 Map Ribbon Cutting/Seminole 250 Press Conference and Reception held at the Museum of Seminole County History on Wednesday,July 30. He also attended the committee meeting the day before, which was for America 250, which is celebrating the 250th birthday of the country. He said the cities and Seminole County are coordinating and commended Liane Cartagena for her participation. He will not be attending the Florida League of Cities (FLC) Conference next week and will be out of town. He remains committed to participating in an FLC legislative committee. District#4. Commissioner Morgan commended the Police Department on their back-to-school event. He thanked all those who took part in the event. He gave a special thanks to the Citizens on Patrol group. He was a guest speaker at Decision Tactical for a special veteran's event they hosted. He met with the candidates who were interested in the interim city clerk position earlier today. On July 23, he and Commissioner Boni had wings at the Longwood VFW, noting that it helps support the Longwood VFW Post. He said that Alestone Brewery has been offering a "kids eat free" with a meal purchase once a week throughout the summer. He commended Sparky's Distribution, located in the city, for making him a BMX bike. He thanked Longwood Rotary Club for bringing back the Mini Maker Markers at the Longwood Farmers Market at Reiter Park. 8/4/2025/2 District#5. Mayor Sackett commended the Police Department on their back-to-school event. He received a call from AARP with a request to be interviewed about senior activities in Longwood. A representative from AARP attended the Senior Matinee and conducted an interview with him and some of the seniors who were in attendance. He donated $1,000 to the PE Coach at Longwood Elementary for equipment. He noted that the Lewis House was mentioned during the budget workshop. He went to Lyman High School and met with the administration, who are thrilled to be able to use their students to do some work on the house. He mentioned businesses that have left the city, for example, the Wendy's, and that their signs need to be covered in white as stated in the city code. District#1. Deputy Mayor Shoemaker asked Commissioner Morgan if he would be attending CALNO on Wednesday or if she needed to attend. He will be attending the meeting. She complimented Ms. Cartagena on the work she does on capturing the photos of the events. She thanked Ms. Longo for all the work she has done for the city. 9. COMMISSION AND STAFF ADDITIONS OR CHANGES A. ADDITIONAL ITEMS RAISED DURING MAYOR'S AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS. None. B. ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA. None. 10. CONSENT AGENDA III A. Approve the Minutes of the July 21, 2025, Work Session, and July 21, 2025, Regular Meeting. B. Approve the Monthly Expenditures for July 2025. C. Approve an increase in the amount of$20,000 to purchase order No. 25-00073 for Emergency Vehicle Repair, Inc. Mayor Sackett pulled Item 10C for separate discussion. Commissioner Boni moved to approve Items 10A and 10B as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Morgan and carried by a unanimous roll call vote. Discussion ensued on Item 10C. Chief Feist addressed the Item and spoke about the $20,000 needed for repairs. Mayor Sackett moved to approve Item 10C as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Morgan and carried by a unanimous roll call vote. 11. PUBLIC HEARINGS. None. I 12. REGULAR BUSINESS A. Discussion on Interim City Clerk. 8/4/2025 /3 Mr. Langley and Ms. Ridore presented the item. The options were to fill the role with an internal candidate, engage a consulting firm or other professional organization, and the cost associated with each. Discussion ensued on the process for looking for an internal candidate, the time of appointment for an interim clerk, the salary range, qualifications, and selecting an interim clerk. Each commissioner gave their opinion on each internal candidate and expressed a desire to look for an external candidate from an outside contractor to get an experienced clerk. Commissioner McMillan moved to work with an outside contractor for selecting an Interim City Clerk. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Shoemaker and failed by a two-to-three (2-3) roll call vote with Commissioner Boni, Commissioner Morgan, and Mayor Sackett voting nay. Commissioner Morgan moved to select Liane Cartagena for consideration for the Interim City Clerk role, authorize the City Attorney to work with the selected candidate to draft an Interim City Clerk employment agreement, and set an agenda item for the consideration and approval of the Interim City Clerk appointment and associated employment agreement for the next Commission meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Boni and carried by a three-to-two (3-2) roll call vote with Commissioner McMillan and Deputy Mayor Shoemaker voting nay. B. Read by title only, set August 18, 2025, as the public hearing date and approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 25-2270 approving a Citizen Participation Plan. Mr. Langley read Ordinance No. 25-2270 by title only. Mr. Smith presented the Item. Commissioner Morgan moved to approve Ordinance No. 25-2270 and set August 18, 2025 as the public hearing date. Seconded by Commissioner McMillan and carried by a unanimous roll call vote. C. Read by title only and adopt Resolution No. 25-1699, authorizing the City of Longwood to enter into a Grant Agreement and its amendments thereto with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for the Skylark Drainage Rehabilitation Project at 800 and 804 Raven Avenue. Mr. Langley read Resolution No. 25-1699 by title only. Mr. Smith presented the Item. Deputy Mayor Shoemaker moved to adopt Resolution No. 25-1699 as presented 12C. Seconded by Commissioner Boni and carried by a unanimous roll call vote. D. Read by title only and adopt Resolution No. 25-1700, which amends the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget and authorizes funding for the State Road 434 Corridor Landscaping/Hardscaping Improvement Project. 8/4/2025/4 Mr. Langley read Resolution No. 25-1700 by title only. Mr. Smith presented the Item. Commissioner Morgan moved to adopt Resolution No. 25-1700 as presented 12D. Seconded by Commissioner McMillan and carried by a unanimous roll call vote. E. Approval to award a construction agreement and approve a purchase order in the amount of $679,581.26 to Earthscapes Unlimited for the State Road 434 Median Landscape Improvements from Rangeline Road to Roberts Street Project (ITB#PW-LS-SR434). Mr. Smith presented the Item. Commissioner McMillan moved to approve Item 12E as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Boni and carried by a unanimous roll call vote. 13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Watts reported on the Tiny Home project and noted that the Community Development team was approached by a developer who would like to transform the former Whispering Oaks property. He said a tiny home community is an allowable use under the current zoning of the area. The developer was told about Corner Stone and their desire to come into the city and create their tiny home project. Discussion ensued on tiny homes, including whether they would be on wheels or a foundation, and the location of the area. It was noted that the homes would be on a foundation. Mr. Watts commended Public Works for working on an emergency contract related to the city's right- of-way mowing. They are also working on a long-term contract for a mowing company. He commended Public Works and Leisure Services for the upgraded sidewalks at Candyland Sports Complex. He reported on the balance of the Pennies for Parks fund, the round-up of the utility bill program, and the approximate balance is $3,400. He reminded the commission of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) open house at the Longwood Community Building on Tuesday, August 5, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. to discuss the planned improvements on State Road 434 from west of Oleander Street to U.S. Highway 17-92. 14. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT. Mr. Langley thanked Ms. Longo for her service to the city of Longwood. 15. CITY CLERK'S REPORT Ms. Longo reported that the Florida League of Cities Conference would be held next week, August 14 through 16, at the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and that Commissioner Morgan would be the voting delegate for Longwood. She stated she had received a request from Karen Bush, with Our Legacy, to attend the August 18 commission meeting to thank Longwood for their support when they host their annual GR8 to DON8 5k/8k Run for Organ Donation at Lyman High School. If there were no objections, she would place it on the agenda. There were no objections. Ms. Longo said she would like to thank the commissioners for the opportunity and trust they placed in her as the city clerk; it was her sincere honor to serve the city of Longwood. She said she enjoyed her 8/4/2025 /5 • time working with a dedicated team and contributing to the well-being of the community and wished the city continued success. 16. ADJOURN. Mayor Sackett adjourned the meeting at 7:22 p.m. Minutes approved by City Commission: 08-16-2025. Brian D. Sackett�a ATTEST: Liane Cartagena, Acting City Clerk 8/4/2025 /6