PR12-02-2025Min LONGWOOD PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
Longwood City Commission Chambers
175 West Warren Avenue
Longwood, Florida
MINUTES
December 2, 2025
6:30 PM
Present: Larissa Morgan, Chair
Amanda Sackett, Vice-Chair
Judi Coad, Member
Jennifer Barr, Member
Ardel Cheffer, Member
Jason Jose, Member
Aryn Nichols, Member
Chris Capizzi, Leisure Services Director
Ryan Rinaldo, Recreation Manager
Donna Alt-Bowes, Recording Secretary
1. CALL TO ORDER. Chair Morgan called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. PUBLIC INPUT
A. Public Participation. None.
3. ACTION ITEMS
A. Approve Minutes from the November 4, 2025, Meeting.
Member Jose moved to approve the November 4, 2025, minutes as presented.
Seconded by Vice-Chair Sackett and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
4. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
Member Cheffer did not have a report.
Member Jose asked staff if they have received anything from Orlando Health about Celebrate
the Season. Mr. Rinaldo responded he had not but he would reach out again and copy
Member Jose on the email. He also stated he had not heard from Duke Energy despite
contacting them on multiple occasions.
Chair Morgan reported she had their first meeting for the Autism Walk and that the event will
be better than last year. She asked staff about coordination with Horsepower Ranch for the
Luau. Staff confirmed contact and secured the date.
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Vice-Chair Sackett reported the Arts and Crafts Festival was well attended.
Member Nichols did not have a report.
Member Barr expressed concern about a man bathing in the fountain at the Clock Tower
Park.
Discussion ensued and members were advised Mr. Capizzi would notify the Police
Department.
Member Barr suggested relocating road closure signage for the Arts and Crafts Festival closer
to the end of the road, as drivers were turning around near the Community Building.
Discussion ensued about potential improvements.
Member Barr asked if Aldi could serve as the food sponsor for National Night Out once Winn-
Dixie closes. Mr. Capizzi explained that this could not be determined until the transition is
complete.
Discussion followed regarding sponsorship alternatives.
Member Barr advised that she and her parents would be unavailable to operate the train at
Celebrate the Season due to a family event.
Discussion ensued regarding Celebrate the Season volunteer assignments.
Member Jose volunteered for him and his family to operate the train.
Vice-Chair Sackett advised she would assist with costumes prior to Letters to Santa.
Member Cheffer advised she would assist with costumes and ticket sales.
Member Coad asked if Breakfast with Santa was sold out. Mr. Rinaldo advised approximately
forty (40) tickets remained.
Member Coad reported she would be unable to attend the Tree Lighting and Christmas
Concert due to a family commitment but may stop by if still in progress. She stated Celebrate
the Season planning is complete and asked for a sponsorship update. Mr. Rinaldo advised
sponsorship totals are approximately $7,500.00, which is several hundred dollars ahead of
last year, with multiple new sponsors.
Discussion ensued regarding additional sponsorship opportunities.
Member Coad advised she will pick up the gift certificates from Culver's for Breakfast with
Santa and Chick-Fil-A for Celebrate the Season.
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Member Coad asked for a time to assemble game materials and review prizes. Mr. Rinaldo
advised Monday from 9 am to 3 pm and Tuesday from 9 am to 1 pm.
Discussion ensued and Members agreed to meet Tuesday at 11 am at the Community
Building.
Member Coad asked if parade planning was progressing. Mr. Rinaldo confirmed.
Discussion ensued about the Board participating in the parade.
5. STAFF REPORT
Mr. Capizzi reported that staff continues to manage parade lineup adjustments due to last-minute
registrations and that they would provide confirmation within the next day about where the Parks
and Recreation Advisory Board would be in the parade. He noted a new addition to the parade
includes the VW Club with seventeen (17) participants. The parade will proceed rain or shine. He
then reviewed logistics for the parade and the tree lighting ceremony.
Mr. Capizzi advised Celebrate the Season will follow these events and the Chanukah Celebration is
scheduled on December 21, featuring a helicopter gelt drop. A safety meeting with Chabad Orlando
representatives is scheduled for the following day as well as a meeting with Maritza Rivera for the
Strawberry Festival, noting more strawberries will be ordered this year. He then advised staff will be
meeting with Angel Rivera from the Central Florida Mustang Club for the Mustang Round-Up in
February.
Mr. Capizzi reported Duke Energy removed several mature palm trees at Candyland and new
cabinetry will be installed at the Candyland concession stand. He advised staff has been approved to
allocate just over$10,000 in impact fees for Duke Energy to provide power to the skate park lighting.
The FRDAP-funded skate park project will begin after the new year.
Mr. Capizzi advised staff will obtain White Fountain Grass from Pell's Nursery for Warren Avenue,
and that the new Community and Media Relations Manager (CRMR), previously held by City Clerk,
Liane Cartagena, will begin on Monday. He also advised Member Cheffer's brochure will be shared
with the new CMRM once onboarding is complete. He noted preparations are underway for January
and Spring events and multiple traffic signs have been deployed for upcoming events. Additionally,
the new sound system at Reiter Park will allow the Tree Lighting countdown to be heard throughout
the park and poinsettias will be installed at the butterfly garden at Reiter Park.
Member Coad asked if the removed palm trees would be replaced. Mr. Capizzi advised they will not.
Member Coad then asked about the status of the TV system installation at Reiter Park. Mr. Capizzi
advised the IT Department is sourcing a unit suitable for sun exposure.
Discussion ensued about the installation of the TV system at Reiter Park.
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6. ADJOURN
Member Coad moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Vice Chair Sackett and
carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Chair Morgan adjourned the meeting at 7:07 p.m.
Minutes approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board: 01-06-2026
Chair
ATTEST:
Donna Alt-Bowes, Recording Secretary
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