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CC12-21-2020MinLONGWOOD CITY COMMISSION Longwood City Commission Chambers 175 West Warren Avenue Longwood, Florida MINUTES December 21, 2020 6:00 P.M. Present: Mayor Richard Drummond Deputy Mayor Abby Shoemaker Commissioner Matt McMillan Commissioner Matt Morgan Commissioner Brian D. Sackett Dan Langley, City Attorney Clint Gioielli, Acting City Manager Michelle Longo, City Clerk David P. Dowda, Police Chief Chris Kintner, Community Development Director (Zoom) Shad Smith, Public Works Director Craig Dunn, Information Technology Director Judith Rosado, Financial Services Director 1. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Drummond called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION 3. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Deputy Mayor Shoemaker led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS. Ms. Longo read the following announcements. A. The City of Longwood will host the Florida Smash Beer Festival on Saturday, January 9, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Reiter Park, 311 West Warren Avenue. Tickets will be available the day of the event for $40. B. The "Downtown Longwood Cruise -In" Car Show will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Historic District of Longwood located off of Church Avenue. CC 12-21-2020/1 C. The "Downtown Longwood Food Trucks" will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2021, from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Reiter Park, 311 West Warren Avenue. D. Longwood Movie in the Park will be held on Friday, January 15, 2021, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Reiter Park, 311 West Warren Avenue. This is a free event and the movie will be Lena and Snowball. 5. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS A. District #5 Nomination of Business Person of the Month Award for January 2021 (Presentation scheduled for January 18, 2021). Commissioner Brian Sackett nominated Waste Connections, Inc. for the Business Person of the Month for January 2021. Nomination carried by a unanimous voice vote. B. The nomination of the Beautification Award. (Presentation scheduled for January 18, 2021). Commissioner Matt Morgan nominated Danbury Mill for the Beautification Award. Nomination carried by a unanimous voice vote. C. Nomination and selection of the recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Good Citizenship Award (Presentation scheduled for January 18, 2021). Commissioner Matt Morgan nominated Ms. Nina Yon, president of The Sharing Center, for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Good Citizenship Award. Commissioner Matt McMillan nominated Mr. Brett Mason, owner of Hourglass Brewery, for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Good Citizenship Award. Commissioner Sackett nominated Ms. Deb Barr, Recreation Manager of the Lake Mary Senior Center for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Good Citizenship Award. All nominations carried by a unanimous voice vote. 6. BOARD APPOINTMENTS. None. CC 12-21-2020/2 7. PUBLIC INPUT A. Public Participation. None. 8. MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORT District #1. Deputy Mayor Shoemaker thanked all the City departments and said we have been a busy City. She also said she had not attended all of the events, just some, and would let her fellow Commissioners enlighten everyone on all of the fun, fantastic things going on. She wished everybody a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays. District #2. Mayor Drummond said two weeks ago was a very busy time for the City. He said the Chanukah celebration on December 10 was a great evening, the weather was perfect, and there was a huge crowd. He said they had entertainment and Rabbi Majesky was handing out dreidels and Jewish candies. It was a nice time to get together with members of our community and celebrate. He reported the day after that was the Longwood Holiday Showcase at Reiter Park and they had kids from Elevate dancing and singing. He said it was cool to see an outdoor presentation like that. He reported the next day was the Car Show and once again, there were a ton of people, more people with their cars than citizens to see cars. He said it was a beautiful night. He mentioned the Santa Visits Longwood event the past Saturday and Sunday, and said it is always a great event for Santa to drive through the neighborhoods accompanied by the Fire Truck, the Police, and the Citizens on Patrol (COP). He wished everybody a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and thanked everybody that attends the meetings in person and online. District #3. Commissioner McMillan said he too attended many of the events including the Chanukah Celebration and the Holiday Showcase put on by Elevate. He briefly visited the Longwood Historic Society 7-foot Santa Claus event at the Bradlee -McIntyre House and stopped by the Polar Express viewing the past weekend. Commissioner McMillan stated keeping with his theme "The true, the good, and the beautiful" reported an example of each. He said the truth is often a scientific achievement and noted that vaccines are in the area. He stated the Pfizer Vaccine had already been distributed and the Moderna Vaccine should be coming and was starting to be distributed to medical workers and emergency personnel. It will work its way through the most vulnerable. He said the virus has tested us all in so many ways. Today he received word on the passing of a brother with the Knights of Columbus from COVID last night. He said in March, a few of us believed we would have a vaccine by the end of the year. He knows enough people out there that want the vaccine and noted as it is distributed it is CC 12-21-2020/3 going to make it harder for the virus to spread. He thinks we are at the beginning of the end of this Pandemic. He is aware that these vaccines were accelerated and are not without risk and noted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Advisory Committee approved the Pfizer vaccine by a vote of seventeen -to -four (17-4). He said these vaccines may not be for everybody and hopes we are patient with our neighbors who are hesitant about these vaccines. He noted he developed a penicillin allergy later in life after having taken the drug as a child. He said to trust your Doctor, not your politicians, and do your homework. This was overall a great achievement for science and medical researchers, which was now going to be available to our community. He said as far as "The Good'; he has seen courage, a civic virtue that is important and needs to be practiced and grown over time. He saw it on a small scale at the Holiday Showcase, put on by Elevate. He said the performers did a great job. It takes courage to perform in public in front of colleagues and strangers. Some of these students were performing solos. He mentioned a young lady who performed the song "Oh Holy Night" with tough notes who was confident and hit all of the notes. He said it was great to see the stage used for the arts in a way to help our young people learn to display courage because that is how you develop that virtue and that is what you need when facing a pandemic. He provided an example of "The Beautiful" as the natural beauty of the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter. He noted it happens every twenty years, but the planets have not been as close to one another since 1226.On the Solstice of the longest, darkest night of the year, we can look up and see a beautiful, astronomical event, summon our courage and gratitude for the labors of our healthcare workers, and have reason to hope for a brighter 2021. He wished everybody a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. District #4. Commissioner Morgan asked for a follow-up on the City having a presence on the Nextdoor App and the spray painting seen in the city. Ms. Longo said she would go over the Nextdoor App during her report. Mr. Gioielli said the spray painting reported over the weekend on social media was misreported and took place at the same time as the original back in November. He noted the Police Department did a report on November 12 and had already been in contact with the business owner to work on a plan to cover the unsightly view. The owner of the business is planning to paint the entire building and did not want to waste time or money painting over the spray paint. He mentioned there is no indication or evidence that this has anything to do with a gang or any kind of organized criminal enterprise. CC 12-21-2020/4 Commissioner Morgan inquired about options to present certificates of recognition to the Lyman High School Girls Volleyball Team on their state championship. He brought up the possibility to present them to the team at the school. Ms. Longo stated she would reach out to Principal Rice to see if they could set up a presentation if the Commission agreed. Commissioner Morgan moved to have the Commissioners present certificates of recognition to the Lyman High School girls' volleyball team and have the City Clerk reach out to the school to inquire about a presentation. Nomination carried by a unanimous voice vote. Commissioner Morgan reported meeting with Bernie Falco the owner of VirtueEd, the online tutoring system, on Wednesday, December 9. He wanted to remind everyone that option is available. On December 10, he said we had a busy day with the Food Trucks. He commended the Parks & Recreation staff and Leisure Services for a job well done. He mentioned the Chanukah Celebration at Reiter Park that same evening and said there was a huge attendance. Afterward, he went to the Longwood Historic Society Committee meeting for Black History month where they recognized African American history in the City of Longwood. He noted attending the 7-foot Santa event at the Bradlee -McIntyre house and explained the socially distanced setup and activities of the event. He thanked the Longwood Historic Society and its members for giving up six hours of their Holiday weekend to make this event special for the kids. He reported the Grand Opening of Historic Cigars of Longwood on December 19 and said the owner invited him and his wife. He noted many people not from Longwood came out to it and said he hopes the business is successful. He said before the 7-foot Santa event, he helped the American Muslim Community Center with their pandemic relief free food giveaway. He mentioned how Atif Fareed and his team continue to do so much for this community. They served anyone that needed help or food. He said they are proud of the work they do there. He also mentioned a Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District Photography Contest and explained the photos should capture an animal in its natural habitat. All photos must be taken within Seminole County by a Seminole County resident and be related to Conservation, scenery, wildlife, and nature. The contest ends January 15, 2021, and entry forms can be found on the Seminole Soil and Water website. Forms and photos can be emailed to Amy Volpe at amyvolpesswcd.3@gmail.com. He reported Milwee Middle School PTSA and Waterstone Church did a Drive through Whobilation Celebration with the teachers on December 16, 2020 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. It drummed up a lot of attention. He thanked the team that put together the Santa Visits Longwood event and commended the CC 12-21-2020/5 Commissioners, City Manager, and City Clerk. He wished everybody a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. District #5. Commissioner Sackett said people have gone through hardships during COVID and visiting a hospital is not the easiest thing to do. He also said we got Christmas right and thanked all of the City departments for a job well done and the neighborhoods for showing up. He asked for an update on the Art Council that was supposed to paint the railroad boxes. Mr. Gioielli said he and Chief Dowda have been in contact with Mrs. Bundy a couple of times to follow-up, anticipating this question, and there is something internal on their end that is delaying them. He said they have reached out and proactively tried to encourage them to get started. He offered to call again and get a new update. 9. ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA. None. 10. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve Minutes of the December 7, 2020, Regular Meeting, and December 9, 2020, Executive Session. B. Approve the Monthly Expenditures for December 2020. C. Approve the Monthly Financial Report for November 2020. D. Approve a Financial Advisory Agreement with Hilltop Securities, Inc. Commissioner Sackett moved to approve Items 10A through 10D as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Morgan and carried by a unanimous roll call vote. 11. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Read by title only and adopt Resolution No. 20-1547, establishing the City's Notice of Intent to use the Uniform Method for collecting Non -Ad Valorem Assessments in 2021. Mr. Langley read Resolution No. 20-1547 by title only. Ms. Rosado presented the Item. Mayor Drummond opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or opposition to Resolution No. 20-1547. CC 12-21-2020/6 Deputy Mayor Shoemaker moved to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Sackett and carried by a unanimous voice vote. Commissioner Sackett moved to adopt Resolution No. 20- 1547 as presented Item 11A. Seconded by Commissioner Morgan and carried by a unanimous roll call vote. 12. REGULAR BUSINESS A. City Commission approval to amend the Joint Use Stormwater Pond Construction Agreement relating to the UPS Pond Expansion and Bennett Drive Drainage Improvements Project. Mr. Smith presented the Item and went over the reason for the amendment. He stated the extra cost is around 6% and UPS agreed to pay for part of the change. He noted that once this is done we would have to do our portion of the drainage next year and coordinate with the surrounding property owners. Commissioner McMillan moved to approve Item 12A as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Sackett and carried by a unanimous roll call vote. 13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Gioielli thanked the Commission for their kind words about City staff and said it means a lot to hear their Commission is recognizing them. He reported the increase in COVID cases specifically in Seminole County. Regarding the vaccines, last week Seminole County Advent Health received 20,000 doses. Several thousand have already been administered to local healthcare workers with no significant side effects reported. He said tomorrow, we would see 8,100 doses of Moderna delivered to a couple different facilities in Seminole County including South Seminole Hospital. He noted the priority list includes hospital workers, department health workers, long-term care facility workers, its residents, and Emergency Medical Technicians. They will move down the list of priority to essential workers including Law Enforcement and then residents who are 65 and older. Mr. Gioielli stated staff is continuing to work on a new Fire Department and are still considering a couple different sites as options to present to the Commission. He said in the meantime, we are starting to prepare a Request for Proposal (RFP) to partner with an architectural group that will help staff with planning vendor contacts, rough cost estimates, and the planning portion necessary to get the project started. CC 12-21-2020/7 Mr. Gioielli noted they are in-between seasons with Babe Ruth; improvements have started in Candyland Park. He reported that staff presented a contract offer to the Blue Collar Union and is waiting on their response. He mentioned staff has begun to plan an Employee Appreciation Event and is hoping to host and invite the Commission to the event in March 2021. Lastly, he mentioned the purchase and installation of the new trees at the Cemetery has started. He said this will complement it and offer a barrier between the Cemetery and the Park. He wished everybody a Merry Christmas and thanked them for their support. 14. CITY ATTORNEYS REPORT Mr. Langley wished everybody a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. He said good riddance to this year as it has been a trying year. He hopes next year is much better and said the City shined this year. He thanked everyone. 15. CITY CLERK'S REPORT Ms. Longo said Commissioner Morgan asked staff to look into the use of Nextdoor as a way to create stronger ties with the neighborhoods we serve and provide another social media tool to communicate with our residents. She stated there was an option to set up a free public agency page that has an application process and once submitted the approval would be received within two business days. She pointed out one interesting way this differs from other social media tools, which was public agencies can target their messages to Nextdoor members in specific neighborhoods, zones, districts, or service areas. She provided an example and noted she felt the Commission would appreciate the ability to target posts. She addressed public record retention, to note Archive Social does not archive Nextdoor; Nextdoor has a unique way of running their platform and does not allow other companies to archive their social media. They do however provide a way to archive content and engagement and it can go back four years. She then asked for the Commission's consensus and approval to move forward with the Nextdoor public agencies application process and set up a city page and profile. Discussion ensued about the Nextdoor App and communication strategies. It was the consensus of the Commission to move forward to gather more information on how to limit certain communication on Nextdoor. CC 12-21-2020/8 She reminded the Commission that City offices would be closed Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25 and Thursday, December 31 and Friday, January 1, for the Christmas and New Year's Holidays. She also noted the January 4 meeting was canceled and the next regular meeting would be on January 18, 2021. She wished everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year full of health, wealth, and happiness. 16. ADJOURN. Mayor Drummond adjourned the meeting at 6:53 p.m. Minutes approved by City Commission: 01-18-2021 ATT T Michel e o , C City Clerk J Richard Drummond, Mayor CC 12-21-2020/9 1 This Page Left Blank Intentionally, 1 CC 12-21-2020/10