CC04-06-2026Min LONGWOOD CITY COMMISSION
Longwood City Commission Chambers
I 175 West Warren Avenue
Longwood, Florida
MINUTES
April 6, 2026
6:00 PM
Present:
Mayor Brian D. Sackett Troy Feist, Fire Chief
Deputy Mayor Abby Shoemaker David Dowda, Police Chief
Commissioner Tony Boni Dustin Woolbright, Financial Services Director
Commissioner Matthew McMillan Chris Kintner, Community Development Director
Dan Langley, City Attorney Shad Smith, Public Works Director
William Watts, City Manager Jacqueline Aubrey, Community & Media Relations Manager
Liane Cartagena, City Clerk
Absent:
Commissioner Matt Morgan (excused - sick)
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Sackett called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
2. OPENING INVOCATION
Rabbi Jacob Rodriguez from Congregation Rebirth gave the invocation.
3. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Deputy Mayor Shoemaker led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Cartagena read the following announcements.
A. The City of Longwood will host a Community Health Fair on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 10:30
a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Longwood Community Building. Citizens of all ages are welcome to
join this event featuring vendors, raffle prizes, bingo, and fun, family-friendly activities.
B. The City of Longwood will host a Food Truck Battle and Concert in the Park on Saturday, April
11, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Reiter Park. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. and
the band is The Caribbean Crew.
I C. The "Downtown Longwood Cruise-In" Car Show will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from
5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Historic District of Longwood, located off Church Avenue.
D. The Senior Matinee will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at
the Longwood Community Building, 200 West Warren Avenue. This month's feature is Wicked:
For Good.
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5. PROCLAMATIONS/ RECOGNITIONS
A. A Proclamation celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Woodlands Elementary School.
Commissioner McMillan read the proclamation and presented it to Cathy Lambert, Principal of
Woodlands Elementary. Photographs were taken.
B. Proclaiming the month of April as "Fair Housing Month" in the City of Longwood.
Commissioner Boni read the proclamation and presented it to Leylah Saavedra and David Hamstra
of Pegasus Engineering, LLC. Photographs were taken.
C. Proclaiming the month of April as "Water Conservation Month" in the City of Longwood.
Deputy Mayor Shoemaker read the proclamation and presented it to Susan Davis, Governmental
Affairs Manager for St. Johns River Water Management District. Photographs were taken.
D. Presentation of the Beautification Award of the second quarter of 2026 to Jack in the Box at 815
West State Road 434.
Mayor Sackett presented the Beautification Award to Munter Qali, Managing Partner of Jack in the
Box. Photographs were then taken.
6. BOARD APPOINTMENTS
7. PUBLIC INPUT
A. Public Participation.
Kristina Gaardbo, 190 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., announced the upcoming opening of Holy City Zoo
Barbecue, with a County ribbon-cutting on April 7, 2026 (open to the public) and a City ribbon-
cutting on April 14, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with food provided. She thanked City
staff for support and invited the Commission and public to attend.
Roger Happ, 107 S. Silver Cluster Ct., raised concerns about stormwater management and alleged
impacts from the Alta apartment complex grading and utility installation, stating that storm events
have caused backyard and pool flooding in his neighborhood over the past five years. He
requested City attention to water management and stormwater flow impacts.
B. Presentation by Matthew Ori, Senior Consultant, and Robert Ori, Executive Vice President at
Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. on the Status of Utility Rates.
Robert Ori with Raftelis gave a presentation on the City's utility rate study. He outlined significant
increases in construction and operational costs, noting that the City's water treatment plants have
exceeded their useful life and require replacement. Estimated costs for a new water plant have
increased substantially, now exceeding $70 million. Additional financial pressures include the
anticipated loss of utility revenue from the hospital site.
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Mr. Ori recommended prioritizing water system improvements and suggested slowing the septic-
to-sewer program due to rising costs and funding constraints and to reevaluate funding strategies,
including potential customer contributions and future grant opportunities.
The Commission discussed the financial implications and acknowledged the need for future rate
adjustments to support infrastructure improvements.
Commissioner Boni stated he hoped the City would utilize a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR)
delivery method to minimize change orders during construction.
Mayor Sackett emphasized the importance of balancing infrastructure needs with affordability,
stating the City must protect residents' pocketbooks while continuing to provide quality water and
sewer services. He also expressed concern about slowing the septic-to-sewer program, noting that
residents previously benefited from free connections.
Commissioner McMillan acknowledged the findings of the study and noted that it provided a clear
picture of the City's financial reality and infrastructure needs.
Deputy Mayor Shoemaker expressed appreciation for the consultant's work and noted that she
was already familiar with the presentation and its findings.
II Direction was provided by the Commission to staff to draft an ordinance outlining proposed rate
changes for future consideration.
8. MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
District#2. Commissioner Boni reported on the 29th Annual Easter Egg Hunt, estimating attendance of
approximately 10,000, and thanked the Church on 434, Magic 107.7, and Huey Magoo's. He suggested
planning a special 30th anniversary event next year.
District#3. Commissioner McMillan discussed concerns related to fiber installation work occurring
throughout the City and requested updates on progress and impacts. He also noted that the utility rate
discussion provided important insight into the City's infrastructure needs.
District#5. Mayor Sackett reported on the Longwood Elementary Carnival with thousands in
attendance, also noting a new interim principal, Dr. Cummings. He attended the Egg Hunt and thanked
Citizens on Patrol (COP) volunteers. He reported the GR8 to DON8 5k/8k Run/Walk event at Lyman
raised over $100,000.
District#1. Deputy Mayor Shoemaker commented on her experience with the Scout transportation
service noting that while wait times were long, the service was reliable. She recognized Elsie and
Johnny Richardson on their 65th wedding anniversary and for their community service.
. COMMISSION AND STAFF ADDITIONS OR CHANGES
A. ADDITIONAL ITEMS RAISED DURING MAYOR'S AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS
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Deputy Mayor Shoemaker requested thorough review of the draft Commission Handbook
(distributed around March 28) and noted Ms. Cartagena had already corrected certain accuracy
issues she requested. She requested use of darker, legible header colors for printed documents.
Deputy Mayor Shoemaker moved to have Ms. Cartagena change header font colors to a
darker legible color not using red. Seconded by Commissioner McMillan.
Upon Mr. Langley's advice against a broad rule affecting standard redline practices, the motion
was withdrawn.
B. ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
10. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of the March 16, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes.
B. Approve the Monthly Expenditures for March 2026.
C. Approval of$3000.00 donation to the Scouting America Central Florida Council from the State
Law Enforcement Confiscation Fund in accordance with Florida Statute 932.
D. Approval of a purchase order for $51,112.60 to MES Service Company, LLC for the purchase of
air packs.
Commissioner McMillan moved to approve Items 10A through 10D as
presented. Seconded by Commissioner Boni and carried by a 4-0 roll call vote with
Commissioner Morgan absent.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. APPLICANT WITHDRAWAL- Minor Conditional Use Permit (CUP 01-26)to allow a private school
(House of Academia) in a Neighborhood Commercial (NC) zoning at 465 West Warren Avenue.
Applicant withdrew their application prior to the hearing.
B. Read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 26-2279, allowing Special Education Schools in the
Industrial Core zoning district.
Mr. Langley read Ordinance No. 26-2279 by title only.
Mr. Kintner presented the Item and explained that the ordinance language was revised to clarify
that the one-mile separation radius applies within the same zoning district. He also noted that,
although the applicant is a nonprofit and not required to pay a business tax, the applicant agreed
to pay the $160 business tax for schools.
Mayor Sackett opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or opposition to Ordinance No.
26-2279.
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Commissioner McMillan moved to close the public hearing. Seconded by Deputy Mayor
Shoemaker and carried by a 4-0 voice vote with Commissioner Morgan absent.
Commissioner McMillan moved to adopt Ordinance No. 26-2279. Seconded by
Commissioner Boni and carried by a 4-0 roll call vote with Commissioner Morgan absent.
C. Read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 26-2280, amending the Land Development Code and
City Code of Ordinances to authorize, where permitted by law, publication of required
advertisements and public notices on a publicly accessible website, in lieu of publication in a
newspaper of general circulation.
Mr. Langley read Ordinance No. 26-2280 by title only.
Mayor Sackett opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or opposition to Ordinance No.
26-2280.
Deputy Mayor Shoemaker moved to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner
Boni and carried by a 4-0 voice vote with Commissioner Morgan absent.
Commissioner Boni moved to adopt Ordinance No. 26-2280. Seconded by Commissioner
McMillan and carried by a 4-0 roll call vote with Commissioner Morgan absent.
D. Read by title only, set April 20, 2026, as the second public hearing date, and approve the first
reading of Ordinance No. 26-2281, amending section 6.10b of the City Charter to revise debt
authorization thresholds and voting requirements.
Mr. Langley read Ordinance No. 26-2281 by title only.
Mr. Watts presented the Item.
Deputy Mayor Shoemaker noted that CPI adjustments were referenced in the supporting materials
and emphasized that this should be clearly included in the ballot language so voters understand
that debt thresholds would increase annually.
Mayor Sackett opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or opposition to Ordinance No.
26-2281.
Commissioner Boni moved to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner
McMillan and carried by a 4-0 voice vote with Commissioner Morgan absent.
Deputy Mayor Shoemaker moved to include language in the ballot question referencing
CPI adjustments.
Mr. Langley initially suggested motion language to approve the ordinance subject to adding
language to the ballot question indicating that the debt thresholds would be subject to annual CPI
adjustments.
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Deputy Mayor Shoemaker moved to approve Ordinance No. 26-2281 subject to adding
language to the ballot question referencing annual CPI adjustments. Seconded by
Commissioner McMillan.
The Commission discussed transparency in ballot wording and index selection. They expressed a
preference to evaluate the Producer Price Index (PPI) versus the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and to
include fallback language if the selected index is discontinued.
Deputy Mayor Shoemaker revised her motion to approve Ordinance No. 26-2281 on first
reading with direction to staff to further refine the language for second reading,
including review of the appropriate index and corresponding ballot language. Seconded
by Commissioner McMillan and carried by a 4-0 roll call vote with Commissioner Morgan
absent.
12. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Read by title only and adopt Resolution No. 26-1716,which amends the FY 2025/2026 budget
and authorizes purchase order rollovers for FY 2024/2025 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
projects, grants, and other necessary adjustments.
Mr. Langley read Resolution No. 26-1716 by title only.
Mr. Woolbright presented the Item.
Commissioner Boni moved to adopt Resolution No. 26-1716 as presented in Item
12A. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Shoemaker and carried by a 4-0 roll call vote with
Commissioner Morgan absent.
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Watts provided updates on WOW's fiber installation work, noting that staff continues to monitor
contractor activity and address issues such as utility impacts. He also reported the receipt of an $80,000
cybersecurity grant and announced the upcoming Budget Workshop scheduled for Wednesday, April 8,
at 1:00 p.m. He advised that construction of the Aldi is anticipated to begin toward the end of April and
that discussions are ongoing regarding redevelopment of the hospital site and the potential Island Lake
site. He further provided updates on Fire Stations 15 and 17 and noted continued progress on
infrastructure and stormwater improvement projects. Additionally, he stated that participation in the
Community Rating System (CRS) is expected to provide residents with up to a 15 percent reduction in
flood insurance costs.
14. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT. None.
15. CITY CLERK'S REPORT
Ms. Cartagena provided reminders for the Tri-County League of Cities meeting at noon, on April 16, in
Casselberry, the employee night out event at 5:00 p.m., on April 17, in Reiter Park, and the nomination
for Business Person of the Month for District #2 at the next meeting on April 20. Coordination for
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Commissioner participation in a local Cub Scout meeting was also discussed with Commissioner Boni
and Mayor Sackett confirming their attendance on Monday, April 27, at 6:45 p.m.
6. ADJOURN. Mayor Sackett adjourned the meeting at 7:59 p.m.
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Minutes approved by City Commission: April 20, 2026.
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