P&R09-06-12Min q OD
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR :MEETING
DATE: Thursday, September 6, 2012
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
LOCATION: Longwood Commission Chamber
175 West Warren Avenue
Longwood, FL 32750
Minutes
Present: Lori Rice, Chair
Nikki Bright, Vice Chair
Abigail Shoemaker, Member
Judi Coad, Member
Scott Bevis, Member
Fran Meli, Leisure Services Director
Karen Behling, Recording Secretary
Absent: Dave Putz, Member
Anna Rivera - Laguer, Member
L CALL TO ORDER 7:00 pm
2. PUBLIC INPUT- none
3. STAFF REPORT
a) The Summer Camp was successful at Longwood Elementary. The pool was missed but we had a
water day each week. A theater camp rented the auditorium four weeks for their summer camp.
The school campus was hopping day and night this summer.
b) Downtown Longwood Cruise In — Second Saturday of the month from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on
Church Avenue. The July show celebrated National Collector Car Appreciation Day. 'There were
230 plus cars. The event continues to be popular and is growing.
c) The Food 'Truck Bazaar has not been successful due to a lack of diners. The bazaar has moved to
the parking lot in front of the old hotel on the first Saturday of each month. If it outgrows the
space, it will be moved back to Church Avenue.
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d) National Night Out — Rained off and on the whole evening. Fire Department beat the Police
:Department in the annual softball game. Winn Dixie provided food and water.
e) 'The new programs at Longwood Elementary can be found on the City's website. We have
Meditation classes starting soon which will be offered during the day and night. MVP Sports will
be starting sports clinics for children from pre - school to school aged children for home school PE
credits. This program will be offered during the day. The city has an instructor that is looking
into trying to start a free Yoga class at Reiter Park. The City is going to be offering Ballroom
Dance lessons to be held on Tuesday evenings. We have a craft person that will be renting the
media room at the school, one Friday night a month for a Parents Night Out Program.
f) A Garage Sale — will be offered in the spring for the cost of $15.00 for a 10 x 10 space along the
covered walk way at Longwood Elementary School
g) A Theater Program is renting (3) rooms every Sunday afternoon at Longwood Elementary
School.
h) The City is providing space for (6) six Girl Scout Troops and (2) two Boy Scout Dens each with
numerous Packs. These entire troops meet free of charge at Longwood Elementary School.
) The City of Longwood has been contacted by an Eagle Scout to fulfill his service project at
Longwood Elementary School by installing Florida friendly plants and a sign in front of the
school. His entire project is being done through donations.
Chair Rice asked what the new times for the car show would be this fall. Ms. Meli replied the time will
move an hour earlier and the City will provide lights. Chair Rice asked what the annual expense is for
renting lights for the car show. Ms. Meli replied about $4,800.00 annually. Ms. Meli stated we pay the
DJ $300 per month to play music for the car show. Ms. Meli stated we have (4) four staff members that
work the car show each month also. The second weekend will be open for the parking lot use at the
Longwood Community Building starting in January.
4. ACTION ITEMS
A. APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING — JUNE 5, 2012
Member Coad moved to approve the previous minutes. Seconded by Chair Rice,
and the motion passed 3 -2 -2 with Member Putz and Member Rivera - Laguer absent.
B. DOG PARK
Ms. Meli updated the board on the status of starting the "Dog Park ". Research has
begun on getting pricing for installing a five (5) foot black vinyl fence with divided
areas for small and large dogs. The Dog Park will have a double gate at the
entrance and shrubs on the outside perimeter. Inside the Dog Park the City of
Longwood will install benches, water fountains and dog bags. Ms. Meli stated over
a period of time the City of Longwood will install sidewalks.
Chair Rice asked if the City of Longwood has a size for the Dog Park. Ms. Meli
replied the size will depend on the price received back from the contractor on the
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fence. Ideally, the City of Longwood would like at least one acre. Chair Rice asked
where the parking area will be for the Dog Park. Ms. Meli replied the City of
Longwood will be using the existing area. Chair Rice asked how much money is
budgeted to construct the Dog Park. Ms. Meli replied the City of Longwood has
$38,000 budgeted.
Vice Chair Bright left 7:53 returned 7:55
C. DISCUSS HALLOWEEN
The City of Longwood will be holding their annual Halloween Event on October 27
at Reiter Park. Winn Dixie is going to help sponsor this event by setting up a tent
and passing out candy. The City of Longwood will be partnering with Covenant
Community Church in holding "Truck or Treat ", and the church will provide their
own candy. The costume contest will have assigned times this year for each age
group. We have a local preschool that will be sponsoring a bounce house, and we
will have two balloon artists this year. The City of Longwood's table will be set up
closer to the front entrance handing out bags with fliers.
Ms. Meli stated on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 26 thru 28 the church
will be running "Face the Fear" located at Longwood Elementary School. The
hallways, Art room and Music room will be used for this program. The City of
Longwood will receive one dollar from each ticket sold.
D. DISCUSS "IT'S A COMMUNITY AFFAIR" EVENT
Ms. Meli stated that ($5,000) five thousand dollars has been put in the 2013 budget
for "It's a Community Affair ".
Discussion by the Parks and Recreation Board continued about hosting a "Chili
Cook Off ".
Motion was moved by Vice Chair Bright to have "It's a Community Affair" event be
named a Chili Cook Off, and the motion was seconded by Member Shoemaker and
it was passed with a 5 -0 -2 vote.
E. ADOPT A PARK PROJECT
Ms. Meli stated she has policies from other area cities and counties that she will
make copies of and bring back to the Board at another meeting. She said a local
group pays money to have a plaque made stating this organization or group has
adopted this park.
Ms. M:eli updated the Board on the budget cuts that Leisure's Services is facing next fiscal year and
the loss of (5) five staff positions.
Ms. Meli stated that the City of Longwood will be changing the Christmas event this year. The tree
lighting; event will happen on the first Friday night in December. The tree will be lit around 6:15
pm. The City will be contacting local businesses in the area and asking them to decorate and turn
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their lights on the same night. This event will have more street entertainment, a craft area for kids
and foods from around the world.
Vice Chair Bright left due to a medical condition at 9:02pm
5. BOARD UPDATES - none
Ms. Meli handed out the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board rules per the City of Longwood
Charter. This is to be used as a reference point.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Rice adjourned the meeting at 9:05prn
lei
Lori Rice, Chair
ATTEST:
Karen B.ehling, Recording Secreta
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