CC12-19-2022Min LONGWOOD CITY COMMISSION
Longwood City Commission Chambers
175 West Warren Avenue
Longwood, Florida
MINUTES
December 19, 2022
6:00 P.M.
Present: Mayor Matt Morgan
Deputy Mayor Matthew McMillan
Commissioner Abby Shoemaker
Commissioner Tony Boni
Commissioner Brian D. Sackett
Dan Langley, City Attorney
Clint Gioielli, Acting City Manager
Michelle Longo, City Clerk
David Dowda, Police Chief
Chris Kintner, Community Development Director
1. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Morgan called the meeting to order at 6:14 p.m.
2. OPENING INVOCATION. Pastor Phil Ayers with LifePoint Christian Church
gave the invocation.
3. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Commissioner Shoemaker led the Pledge
of Allegiance.
4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS. Ms. Longo read the following
announcements.
A. The Senior Matinee will be held on Wednesday, December 21,
2022,from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Longwood
Community Building, 200 West Warren Avenue. This month's
feature is Last Holiday.
B. The City of Longwood will host the 9th Annual "Chili Cook-Off" in
conjunction with the monthly car show on Saturday, January 14,
2023,from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. in the Historic District of
Longwood located off of Church Avenue. A taster's kit can be
purchased in advance for$5.00 or on the day of the show for
$7.00.
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C. The "Downtown Longwood Cruise-In" Car Show will be held on
Saturday,January 14, 2023,from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the
Historic District of Longwood located off of Church Avenue.
5. PROCLAMATIONS/ RECOGNITIONS
A. District#2 Nomination of Business Person of the Month Award
for January 2023 (Presentation scheduled for January 16, 2023).
Commissioner Boni nominated Richard Grimaldi, owner of
Gameroom Concepts Unlimited for the Business Person of the
Month for January 2023. Nomination carried by a unanimous
voice vote.
B. Nomination of the Beautification Award (Presentation scheduled
for January 16, 2023).
Commissioner Boni nominated Fancy Fruit on US Highway 17-92
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 16, 2023).
Commissioner Sacket nominated Warren and Cathy Brown for the
Martin Luther King Jr. Good Citizenship Award.
Mayor Morgan nominated Jon Ham for the Martin Luther King Jr.
Good Citizenship Award.
Commissioner Boni nominated Ian Schneider for the Martin
Luther King Jr. Good Citizenship Award.
Commissioner Shoemaker nominated Matt Morgan for the Martin
Luther King Jr. Good Citizenship Award.
All nominations were carried by a unanimous voice vote.
D. Recognition of Northland Church for their participation in the
Hurricane cleanup.
Commissioner Boni recognized Pastor Josh Laxton with Northland
Church for their outstanding community service and efforts
through the clean-up following Hurricane Ian and presented him
with a certificate of recognition. Photographs were then taken.
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6. BOARD APPOINTMENTS. None.
7. PUBLIC INPUT
A. Public Participation.
Jon Ham, 107 Meadowlark Drive, Altamonte Springs, 32701. He stated
the City asked him five (5)years ago to drive Santa through Longwood
and he agreed. He participates in Santa Visits Longwood for children and
adults. For the last five (5) years he has seen kids grow up, the joy and
smiles on their faces, as they see Santa Claus. He expressed his gratitude
to the City Commission for allowing him to be a part of it. He added we
do not know what type of home life these kids have and to see just one
smiling kid brings him to tears. He commented in this world there is so
much hate that will tear you down, but two days a year he gets to see the
smiling kids. He noted his appreciation for his nomination for the Martin
Luther King Jr. Good Citizenship Award. He suggested getting a tracker
for next year so everyone can see where Santa Claus is.
8. MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
District#3. Deputy Mayor McMillan thanked Mr. Ham for his remarks
during Public Participation and said his good citizenship award
nomination is well deserved demonstrating the theme of community.
Deputy Mayor McMillan referred to the last Commission meeting and
clarified his position on the Longwood Babe Ruth Baseball contract. He
stated he voted no both times not because he does not support
Longwood Babe Ruth Baseball but because he prefers to have time to
think about changes being proposed by the Commission and felt like he
did not have the opportunity to do that. He said he does like Longwood
Babe Ruth as a community partner.
Deputy Mayor McMillan commented on the proposed development by
the Public Works building for storage as discussed at an earlier meeting.
He requested that proposal be added to the agenda of a future
Commission meeting. He explained the property owner took the time to
address the Commission, and he read Mr. Kintner's email about a
potential code change to aggregate preexisting retail for flag lots. He also
addressed a major development by Orlando Health South Seminole
Hospital, and that an item is on the agenda to approve bonds, which are
part of that process. He looks forward to the development proposal for
the 15-acre site and noted Reiter Park is an amenity for the entire City
not just adjacent properties. Residents should be able to access the park
meaning having places to park. The arrangement the City currently has
with Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital to use their parking lot is
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great however, the City needs to formalize something with the upcoming
development whether a garage or otherwise to allow the park to function
as it has. He also mentioned the Warren Smart Street project and
whether that would include burying utility lines in that area.
Deputy Mayor McMillan addressed the preservation of the City's rural
character. He referred to properties not in the City but near his
neighborhood north of Longwood Hills Road and stated the City has
received public record requests about prospective developments even
though there have been no applications. He requested having on a
future agenda an idea to have the Commission pass a resolution to
express the City's vision of development in that area and have the
Community Development Director discuss and present options. He
added he would like to see an equestrian enclave that preserves existing
residences commenting Crossroads Corral, a non-profit,just moved into
that area.
Deputy Mayor McMillan reported he is representing the Longwood
Historic Society at the Seminole County Chamber, Longwood Council's
monthly Lunch & Learn meetings held at the Longwood Community
Building. Attorney John Morgan was the speaker at the meeting held
that day. He donated personal funds to the Longwood Historic Society,
now a member of the Chamber, and sponsored a table so he could speak
about the City's historic district at every meeting, talking about the
Bradlee-Mclntrye House, Inside-Out House, and Historic Civic Center. He
wanted small business owners to be aware of the opportunity to hold a
meeting in the Longwood Historic District. He planned to attend the
Pinecastle Pioneer Days and talk about Longwood's historic district at the
History Tent. He plans to network with other historic societies in terms
of communication and sponsorships.
Deputy Mayor McMillan attended the Celebrate the Season and tree
lighting event and had a great time. He reported on the true, good, and
beautiful. For the "true", he was happy to say there is a Santa Claus, as
well as, generosity throughout the City and demonstrated by Mr. Ham,
the events at the park, and city employees. For the "good", he saw a lot
of heart and team spirit at the Annual Employee Holiday Luncheon &
Awards Ceremony. He commented the Christmas Tree Contest was
fantastic and he loved the Public Works Department tree which had a
working water pump, and the IT Department had a tree with a cell phone
tower with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer playing on it. For the
"beautiful", he saw the Lyman High School Jazz Band in the park and
heard a beautiful trumpet solo along with other students playing at the
Holiday Jazz Concert.
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District#4. Mayor Morgan noticed people using walkers and/or
wheelchairs at the various events at Reiter Park and mentioned there are
roll-out walkways that can be put across the grass field at the park. He
said these walkways are lightweight, affordable, easy to put in place and
provide an option to go on the field instead of the concrete. He asked
Mr. Gioielli to look into a roll-out walkway for Reiter Park.
Mayor Morgan commented about the official tree lighting at Celebrate
the Season event that takes place two weeks into December and by then
a majority of the City has already seen the tree lit. He asked Mr. Gioielli
to discuss two items of interest with individual Commissioners
throughout the week. The first, scheduling the lighting of the tree as a
stand-alone ceremony. He believed the event should be held the first
week in December. The second, reverse the Christmas Parade date so
Longwood is not competing with other cities. He felt attendance has
decreased each year due to other parades.
Mr. Gioielli asked Mayor Morgan about moving the Celebrate the Season
to the first week in December and doing the tree lighting at the same
time.
Mayor Morgan responded he would like to know the thoughts of the
other Commissioners along with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
members.
Discussion ensued about checking with the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board on an earlier date for Celebrate the Season, options regarding
scheduling the Christmas Parade and Celebrate the Season on the same
day, reversing the dates for Celebrate the Season and the Christmas
Parade, competition from other cities on the proposed date, and change
the parade route to show businesses on both sides of Ronald Reagan
Boulevard.
Mayor Morgan asked Mr. Gioielli to speak with individual Commissioners,
the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and staff in regarding his
original request.
Mayor Morgan thanked newly elected state Representative Rachel
Plakon for visiting Longwood City Hall and meeting staff. He planned to
meet with newly elected state Representative Doug Bankson the next
day. He said it was important to have good relationships with these
representatives who can help the City of Longwood. He also thanked Mr.
Gioielli and staff members for being available to meet with the
representatives.
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Mayor Morgan mentioned the upcoming Prayer Breakfast to be held in
Longwood and he thanked Deputy Mayor McMillan and staff for their
work on the event. He congratulated Maggie Ridore, Liane Cartagena,
and the Employee Committee members for an outstanding job on the
Annual Employee Holiday Luncheon &Awards Ceremony.
Mayor Morgan reported he set up an interview for Head Football Coach
Jermel Jones of Lyman High School on the Roger Williams Show. He
commented Coach Jones is a good coach on the field and off the field
teaching life lessons to the young men who play on the team.
Mayor Morgan noted a resident stated online they did not see Santa
Claus at the end of the Longwood Christmas Parade. He responded Santa
and Mrs. Claus were both in the parade in a fire truck. He decided a
week later to put on his Santa costume and visit the resident's
grandchildren. He brought the three children gifts and made their day.
He said he was able to turn a negative statement online into something
good by using kindness. He thanked President Tracy Putnam of the
Longwood Historic Society and members of the society for their time at
the 7-Foot Santa event the past weekend at the Bradlee-McIntyre House.
They asked for a $5 donation. Mayor Morgan likes that the event is free
to attract young families to the City's historic district.
Mayor Morgan participated in a "Shop with a Sheik" event for the Boys &
Girls Club of America. The underprivileged members of the Club go
shopping with the Sanford Police and the resident Sheik in the Sanford
area. He thanked Super Target in Sanford for their help each year with
the event.
District#5. Commissioner Sackett will provide an update on MetroPlan
Orlando at their January meeting. He reported CALNO will hold its
February meeting in Longwood and he alerted Mr. Gioielli since the City
will host that meeting.
Commissioner Sackett commented he did his annual bicycle donation and
has donated over 2,000 bicycles. Commissioner Sackett stated the events
at Reiter Park have gone far beyond his expectations with many fantastic
shows for people to enjoy. He attended the Lyman High School Jazz Band
show, Celebrate the Season, the Longwood Christmas Parade, and
Breakfast with Santa. He noted Santa Claus was inside the fire truck at
the parade. He visited the Chanukah Celebration at Reiter Park earlier
that evening and wished everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah,
and Happy New Year.
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District#1. Commissioner Shoemaker noted she appreciates everything
Mr. Ham does and understands when it comes to seeing the children
because she was once Mrs. Claus and an Elf for the holidays. She is glad
Santa Visits Longwood has been brought back after a lapse for the
community to enjoy. She liked the tracker idea for Santa and suggested
the truck go slower so everyone can see it.
Commissioner Shoemaker attended the Annual Employee Holiday
Luncheon &Awards Ceremony and commented on the phenomenal
Christmas Tree scene submitted by the Public Works Department. She
was unable to attend the concert by the Lyman High School Jazz Band
because she participated in the Ladies Clay Shooting. She attended the
ribbon cutting for Siam 0-Cha, a new Thai restaurant in Longwood. She
commented that the Celebrate the Season event was phenomenal and
thanked everyone who participated.
District#2. Commissioner Boni commented on Deputy Mayor McMillan's
development ideas and said he liked them. He attended the Seminole
County Chamber Longwood Council's Lunch & Learn meeting earlier that
day and mentioned Deputy Mayor McMillan's presentation on behalf of
the Longwood Historic Society was awesome. He officially announced
the 2nd Annual Longwood Historic Society Charity Poker Tournament will
be held on March 4, 2023.
Commissioner Boni agreed with Mayor Morgan regarding the tree
lighting, and he did not care if the event is combined with the parade. He
requested a longer parade route to cover more businesses on Ronald
Reagan Boulevard. He thanked Mr. Ham for not only what he does but
for the passion that he expressed earlier for his participation in Santa
Visits Longwood. Commissioner Boni said his children have grown up
seeing Santa come through Longwood and Mr. Ham has made a
difference with each child.
Commissioner Boni attended the Annual Employee Holiday Luncheon &
Awards Ceremony and thanked the staff who helped put together the
event. He attended Celebrate the Season and it was a phenomenal
event. He commented Reiter Park is becoming a destination for Seminole
County residents, not just Longwood. He wished the Commission, staff,
and residents a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year.
Commissioner Shoemaker also wished everyone a Merry Christmas,
Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year.
9. ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA. None.
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10. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approve Minutes of December 5, 2022, Regular Meeting.
B. Approve the Monthly Expenditures for December 2022.
C. Approve the Monthly Financial Report for November 2022.
Commissioner Sackett moved to approve Items 10A
through 10C as presented. Seconded by Commissioner
Shoemaker and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Read by title only and adopt Resolution No. 22-1623, regarding
bonds sought by Orlando Health for a new free-standing
emergency department.
Mr. Langley read Resolution No. 22-1623 by title only.
Mayor Morgan opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor
or opposition to Resolution No. 22-1623.
Commissioner Sackett moved to close the public hearing.
Seconded by Commissioner Shoemaker and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
Cortez Whatley, Government Affairs Manager with Orlando
Health thanked the City for working with them on the bond
process.
Commissioner Boni moved to adopt Resolution No. 22-
1623 as presented Item 11A. Seconded by Deputy Mayor
McMillan and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
12. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. City Commission to consider extending an allowance for vehicles
over 12,000 pounds to travel over a portion of Wildmere Avenue
in association with a Temporary Use Permit(TUP 01-23) at 150
Wildmere Avenue.
Mr. Kintner presented the Item and answered questions.
Commissioner Boni moved to approve the Temporary Use
Permit (TUP 01-23) at 150 Wildmere Avenue as presented.
Seconded by Deputy Mayor McMillan and carried by a
unanimous roll call vote.
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13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Gioielli stated that the Commission expressed an interest in options
for the City to assist with the debris cleanup from Hurricane Nicole which
is not covered through FEMA. He received pricing that staff thought was
high and City staff volunteered to work overtime to clear out the larger
debris piles left in the right-of-way, covering storm drains or left on the
roadside. Mr. Gioielli said an information campaign has been created
through social media and the website, and staff has been in contact with
Waste Pro employees traveling around the City. A message has been
provided through utility billing either on an automated calling service or
by email. The majority of the residents seem to understand the debris is
not covered by FEMA, and they have been taking care of their hurricane
waste.
Mr. Gioielli noted at the last meeting Commissioner Sackett asked about
the possible annexation of businesses along Ronald Reagan Boulevard
specifically on the west side of the road. He reported in 2018 the City
entered into a joint planning agreement with the City of Altamonte
•
Springs related to the same area. The agreement was the City of
Altamonte Springs would provide utilities, and if a business or property
owner came in to set up utilities, they would be encouraged or sent to
the City of Longwood to start an annexation application. He explained
this process is not mandatory and there has not been any change in
services to his knowledge that has compelled the City of Altamonte
Springs to direct those businesses to our area. At the time the
agreement was set up, the City of Longwood notified those business
owners or property owners in that area and made them aware of the
agreement, and encouraged them to come in for voluntary annexation.
There was only one interested party and they wanted stormwater
upgrades that were too expensive to install. He said at the request of
Commissioner Sackett, they will reengage these property owners again to
see if they can encourage annexation into Longwood.
Mr. Gioielli said at the last meeting Deputy Mayor McMillan asked about
increasing the City's sense of community by communicating and sharing
information with families moving into multi-family dwellings. He said
staff has created a new Resident Guide, a one-page guide being provided
to all customers who come in to sign up for utilities. The staff has been
working on a tri-fold flyer that is still in creation and he recently approved
mapping which will be included. The staff has provided flyers both digital
and printed versions as well as flyers provided in community areas inside
all multi-family dwellings. Flyers had been delivered, posted, and
distributed as of that day.
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Mr. Gioielli reported the Light up Longwood Contest closed that day at
noon, and staff is counting the votes, ordering the plaques, and will be in
contact with the Commission to ask them to go with staff to deliver the
recognition. In regards to Arbor Dog Park, he stated the perimeter fence
is scheduled to be in place by mid-January. He said the staff is
disappointed the date for the fence is not sooner but there have been
supply issues with the contractor. He wished everyone a Merry
Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year.
14. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT. No report.
15. CITY CLERK'S REPORT
Ms. Longo reminded the Commission that the City offices will be closed
Friday, December 23, Monday, December 26, Friday, December 30, and
Monday,January 2 for the Christmas and New Year's Holidays. She
stated the regular January 2 meeting was canceled and the next regular
meeting will be held on January 16, 2023. She said the Clerk's office has
begun the work for the 43rd Annual JOY"Juvenile of the Year" Awards.
The award presentation will be held at the February 6, 2023, Commission
Meeting, and the eleven (11) schools serving Longwood have been sent
their invitation and nomination form. The Seminole County School Board
Members, Superintendent, and Deputy Superintendent have been
notified. She wished everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and
Happy New Year full of health, wealth, and happiness.
16. ADJOURN. Mayor Morgan adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m.
Minutes approved by City Commission: 01-16-2023
Matt Morgan, M
ATT ST• //
ichelle Longo, MC, CRM
City Clerk
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