CC11-03-2025Min LONGWOOD CITY COMMISSION
Longwood City Commission Chambers
175 West Warren Avenue
Longwood, Florida
MINUTES
November 3, 2025
6:00 PM
Present:
Mayor Brian D. Sackett Dan Langley, City Attorney
Deputy Mayor Abby Shoemaker William Watts, City Manager
Commissioner Tony Boni Liane Cartagena, City Clerk
Commissioner Matthew McMillan David Dowda, Police Chief
Commissioner Matt Morgan Shad Smith, Public Works Director
1. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Sackett called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. OPENING INVOCATION. Pastor Eric Scholten with First Baptist Church of Longwood gave the invocation.
3. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Commissioner Morgan led the Pledge of Allegiance.
I 4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS. Ms. Cartagena read the following announcements.
A. The City of Longwood will host a Concert in the Park and Food Trucks on Saturday, November 8,
2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Reiter Park. The concert will begin at 6:00 p.m. featuring
Aaron Lightnin.
B. The "Downtown Longwood Cruise-In" Car Show will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025,
from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Historic District of Longwood, located off Church Avenue.
C. The Longwood Movie in the Park will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, beginning at 7:00
p.m. in Reiter Park, 311 West Warren Avenue. This is a free event and the movie will be A
Minecraft Movie.
5. PROCLAMATIONS/ RECOGNITIONS
A. Proclaiming November 9 - 15, 2025 as "Law Enforcement Records Personnel Week" in the City of
Longwood.
Mayor Sackett read the proclamation. Staff from the Longwood Police Department received the
award and photographs were taken.
B. District#4 Nomination of the Business Person of the Month Award for November.
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Commissioner Morgan nominated George Margoles, President & CEO of Recovery
Connections, 1607 Cherrywood Lane, as the Business Person of the Month for
November. Nomination carried by a unanimous voice vote.
6. BOARD APPOINTMENTS. None.
7. PUBLIC INPUT
A. Public Participation. None.
8. MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
District#3. Commissioner McMillan congratulated the Longwood Historic Society on a successful
Monster Dash 5K reporting the event raised sufficient funds to complete a roof project for a historic
building. He commended the Milwee Technology Student Association (TSA Booster Club) for their
presentation at the Longwood Rotary Club on short notice, and intended to seek formal city
recognition for them with a proclamation for Engineer's Week in February. He attended Leadership
Seminole's "Call to Service" event, Seminole County Chamber's Mayors' Update, and Longwood's
Dogtoberfest where he adopted a nine-month-old terrier mix puppy named Faith from Seminole
County Animal Services, and urged others to adopt pets from local shelters.
District#4. Commissioner Morgan reported attending the Lyman High School Pep Rally, Longwood
Elementary School's Trunk or Treat, Seminole County Chamber's Mayors' Update, Longwood's
Dogtoberfest, and the People, Activities, Recreation, Conservation, Seminole (PARCS) Foundation
Fundraiser for special needs playground & park equipment. He praised the Lyman High School Young
Men and Women of Excellence clubs for volunteering at the Monster Dash 5K. He also thanked Mr.
Watts for taking action on a safety issue involving speeding cars in a neighborhood with autistic
children. He announced he will be inducted into the Boys and Girls Club of America Hall of Fame in
Connecticut on December 5 but will return in time for the Longwood Christmas Parade on December 6.
District#5. Mayor Sackett reported attending the Lyman High School Pep Rally with Commissioner
Morgan, Seminole County Chamber's Mayors' Update, Monster Dash 5K, and meeting with new
President and CEO of The Sharing Center, Tekoa Pouerie, where he committed to delivering the
opening prayer for The Sharing Center's Thanksgiving breakfast. He then proposed giving city
employees the Friday after Christmas and the Friday after New Year's Day as days off.
District#1. Deputy Mayor Shoemaker reported enjoying the Scout ride-sharing program but noted long
wait times, sometimes up to an hour. She congratulated Commissioner McMillan on adopting his dog,
Faith. She confirmed Commissioner Morgan will attend the CALNO (Council of Local Governments)
meeting.
District#2. Commissioner Boni reported attending Seminole County Chamber's Mayors' Update,
Monster Dash 5K, and Leadership Seminole's "Call to Service" event. He thanked Police Chief Dowda
and Deputy Chief Aprile for their excellent team and keeping the city safe. He congratulated
Commissioner Morgan on being inducted into the Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame and Commissioner
McMillan on adopting his dog, Faith. He gave a shout-out to Daryl and Debbie Richardson, owners of
Three Odd Guys brewery, for hosting a social event for his senior group, and thanked Mayor Sackett for
attending the event and providing pizzas for the seniors. He announced an upcoming food drive for
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seniors scheduled Wednesday, November 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Northland Church where
food will be distributed at a drive-thru line behind the church and will be in pre-packaged bags on a
"while supplies last" basis.
9. COMMISSION AND STAFF ADDITIONS OR CHANGES
A. ADDITIONAL ITEMS RAISED DURING MAYOR'S AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS
Commissioner McMillan requested a proclamation for Engineer's Week in February to
recognize Milwee's Technology Student Association (TSA Booster Club). The proposal
was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
Mayor Sackett moved to approve holidays for city employees on the day after
Christmas and the day after New Years. The specific dates were confirmed as December
26 and January 2. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
B. ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA. None.
10. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approve the Minutes of the October 20, 2025, Regular Meeting.
B. Approve the Monthly Expenditures for October 2025.
C. Approve a purchase order in the amount of$140,000 to Helping Hands Lawn Care, Inc. for
Citywide Landscaping Services.
D. Approve a final change order for $17,500.98 to Garcia Civil Contractors, LLC for South Pedestrian
Corridor Project (PO#25-00219), adjusting total project cost to $521,449.51.
Deputy Mayor Shoemaker moved to approve Items 10A through 10D making a change
to 10A removing her attendance for a ribbon cutting of FORMe Studios. Seconded by
Commissioner McMillan and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS. None.
12. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Discussion on the State's Proposed Property Tax Reform.
Mayor Sackett formally notified the public about upcoming property tax measures in the State
Legislature. He advised the Commission to direct public questions to State Legislators and refrain
from sharing personal opinions on behalf of the city. The topic will be further discussed at the
Florida League of Cities Legislative Committee Meetings on December 4.
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B. Read by title only and adopt Resolution No. 25-1704, approving and authorizing the Florida
Department of Transportation (FDOT) State Highway Maintenance Memorandum of Agreement
Contract No. AT489.
Mr. Langley read Resolution No. 25-1704 by title only.
Mr. Smith explained the agreement includes a new provision where FDOT will fund the City to
conduct street cleaning on Highway 17-92 and State Road 434. The City plans to sweep these
highways six (6) times a year, which is an increase in service. The remainder of the agreement is a
continuation of a long-standing agreement.
Commissioner Morgan moved to adopt Resolution No. 25-1704 as presented 12B.
Seconded by Commissioner Boni and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Watts reported that the State Road 434 landscaping project is progressing, with dead vegetation
being removed to make way for new drought-tolerant native plants and improved irrigation. The
project's contract includes a three-year maintenance guarantee, which covers the replacement of any
plants that die during that period. The City Manager acknowledged the current poor appearance of the
median but expressed confidence that it will be restored to a beautiful state.
14. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT. None.
15. CITY CLERK'S REPORT
Ms. Cartagena advised that the annual rotation of the Deputy Mayor will take place at the next
Commission meeting on November 17. The position will rotate from District #1, Commissioner
Shoemaker, to District#2, Commissioner Boni. The City will close at noon on Friday, November 21, in
preparation for the 2025 Longwood Arts & Crafts Festival.
In reviewing the 2025 meeting calendar and fiscal year 2025-2026 holidays, Ms. Cartagena noted City
offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 31, and Thursday, January 1, in observance of the New
Year's holiday. She asked the Commission to consider canceling the first meeting in January (1/5/2026),
as has been done in past years. The next scheduled meeting would be January 19.
Deputy Mayor Shoemaker questioned if her term should be extended, suggesting a precedent where
terms were adjusted due to mid-term appointments.
Mr. Langley, said he would review the City Charter regarding the rules for Deputy Mayor rotation and
provide a determination at the next meeting.
Ms. Cartagena reported information for the annual Martin Luther King,Jr. Good Citizenship Award will
be sent to the Commission. Nominations will be made at the December 15 City Commission meeting,
with the award presentation scheduled for January 19.
She announced two ribbon cuttings including ReNova by Design, 1000 Savage Court, on Wednesday,
November 19 at 4:30 p.m. and FORMe Wellness, 954 W. SR 434, on Friday, November 21 at 5:00 p.m.
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She asked the Commission to confirm their approval of these ribbon cuttings. The Commission gave
their approval and asked for invitations to be sent out.
Ms. Cartagena reminded the Commission that Lyman High School will hold its Veteran's Day ceremony
and breakfast on Tuesday, November 11, at 7:30 a.m. in the courtyard and to advise if they plan to
attend so that she may submit the RSVP. Also, Alta Trilogy's ribbon cutting will take place on Thursday,
November 13, at 5:00 p.m., located at 1050 S. Ronald Reagan Boulevard.
Additionally, the Commission received an invitation to the grand opening of Urban Youth Park, a new
parkour gym, located at 2350 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, on Saturday, November 15, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00
p.m.
16. ADJOURN. Mayor Sackett adjourned the meeting at 6:47 p.m.
Minutes approved by City Commission: 11-17-2025.
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111 Liane Cartagena, City Clerk
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