CC09-18-2023MinLONGWOOD CITY COMMISSION
Longwood City Commission Chambers
175 West Warren Avenue
Longwood, Florida
MINUTES
September 18, 2023
6:00 P.M.
Present: Mayor Tony Boni
Deputy Mayor Matthew McMillan
Commissioner Abby Shoemaker
Commissioner Matt Morgan
Commissioner Brian D. Sackett
Dan Langley, City Attorney
Clint Gioielli, City Manager
Michelle Longo, City Clerk
David Dowda, Police Chief
Michael Peters, Fire Chief
Judith Rosado, Financial Services Director
Chris Kintner, Community Development Director
Shad Smith, Public Works Director
1. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Boni called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
2. OPENING INVOCATION. There was no volunteer invocation speaker
present at the meeting, therefore a moment of silent meditation was
observed.
3. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Mayor Boni led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS. Ms. Longo read the following
announcement.
A. The Senior Matinee will be held on Wednesday, September 20,
2023, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Longwood
Community Building, 200 West Warren Avenue. This month's
feature is About My Father.
B. The Ultimate Car Show will be held on Saturday, September 30,
2023, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Reiter Park.
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S. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
A. Nomination of the Beautification Award.
Commissioner Morgan nominated Get Fueled Meals for the
Beautification Award. Nomination carried by a unanimous voice
vote.
Commissioner Sackett mentioned the sign and would like to have
it updated.
Commissioner Morgan moved to have options for an
updated Beautification sign brought to the Commission.
Seconded by Commissioner Sackett and carried by a four -
to -one (4-1) roll call vote with Deputy Mayor McMillan
voting nay.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS (PART 1)
A. Read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 23-2243, which fixes
the tentative rate of ad valorem taxation for the fiscal year
commencing October 1, 2023, and ending September 30, 2024.
The final tax rate being proposed for fiscal year 2023/2024 is
5.5000 per $1,000 of non-exempt assessed valuation. Said rate
is 10.76% higher than the rolled -back rate of 4.9655 per $1,000
of non-exempt assessed valuation as computed by Florida
Statute 200.065.
Mayor Boni opened the public hearing by announcing the City of
Longwood's City Commission convenes this public hearing on the
City of Longwood's fiscal year 2023/2024 final millage rates and
final budget as required by Florida Statutes, Chapters 129 and
200. He said Item 11A recommends the City Commission read by
title only and adopt Ordinance No. 23-2243, which fixes the final
millage rate of ad valorem taxation for the fiscal year commencing
October 1, 2023, and ending September 30, 2024. The final tax
rate being proposed is 5.5000 per $1,000 of non-exempt assessed
valuation. This rate is 10.76% higher than the rolled -back rate of
4.9655 per $1,000 of non-exempt assessed valuation as computed
by Florida Statute 200.065. Chapter 200 requires that a final
public hearing on the budget be preceded by a two -to -five-day
notice of that hearing. Chapter 129 requires an advertisement
with a summary of the final budget.
Mr. Langley announced having proof of publication and read
Ordinance No. 23-2243 by title only.
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Mayor Boni opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or
opposition to Ordinance No. 23-2243.
Commissioner Morgan moved to close the public hearing.
Seconded by Commissioner Sackett and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
Commissioner Morgan moved to adopt Ordinance No. 23-
2243 as presented Item 11A. Seconded by Commissioner
Shoemaker and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Mayor Boni stated the City of Longwood has determined that a
final millage rate of 5.5000 mills is necessary to fund the final
budget. The final millage rate represents an increase of 10.76%
from the rolled -back rate of 4.9655 mills.
B. Read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 23-2244, which
adopts tentative revenues, expenditures, and fund balances for
the City's fiscal year budget commencing October 1, 2023, and
ending September 30, 2024.
Mayor Boni stated Item 11B recommends that the City
Commission read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 23-2244,
which adopts final revenues, expenditures, and fund balances for
the City's fiscal year budget commencing on October 1, 2023, and
ending September 30, 2024. Chapter 200 requires that a final
public hearing on the budget be preceded by a two -to -five-day
notice of that hearing. Chapter 129 requires that they advertise a
summary of the final budget.
Mr. Langley announced having proof of publication and read
Ordinance No. 23-2244 by title only.
Mayor Boni said the City of Longwood's fiscal year 2023/2024
budget proposed revenues, expenditures, and fund balances for
the City's fiscal year budget commencing on October 1, 2023, and
ending September 30, 2024, are as follows:
GENERAL FUND
$22,336,740
PUBLIC UTILITIES
$17,934,405
PUBLIC FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT
$5,356,864
CAPITAL PROJECTS
$10,768,876
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
$979,429
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OTHER FUNDS $5,861,685
FUND BALANCE - RESERVES $15,221,560
TOTAL RESOURCES $78,459,559
Mayor Boni opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or
opposition to Ordinance No. 23-2244.
Commissioner Morgan moved to close the public hearing.
Seconded by Commissioner Sackett and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
Commissioner Morgan moved to adopt Ordinance No. 23-
2244 as presented Item 11B. Seconded by Commissioner
Sackett and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
6. BOARD APPOINTMENTS
A. District #2 (At Large) Nomination to the Parks & Recreation
Advisory Board.
Mayor Boni deferred the nomination until the next meeting.
7. PUBLIC INPUT
A. Public Participation. None.
8. MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
District #4. Commissioner Morgan attended the ribbon cutting for
Milestone Gems on August 7 and Elise Esthetics Institute on August 12.
He participated in an event on August 13 at Cascade Heights, helping to
build the world's largest banana split. He took part in an interview on
Howard 101's new programming A Hard Look With Jon Leiberman. He
promoted the City of Longwood and upcoming events at Reiter Park.
Commissioner Morgan attended Opening Day Ceremonies for Longwood
Babe Ruth Baseball & Softball and commended President Patrick
McFadden and his Board of Directors for their hard work growing the
league. He spoke at Milwee Middle School about politics and local
elected officials and addressed five (5) different civics classes. After the
talk, several students expressed interest in running for political office in
their local areas.
District #5. Commissioner Sackett attended ribbon cuttings for Milestone
Gems and Elise Esthetics Institute. He was pleased to see progress on
construction at Rangeline Road and the commitment to finish it by the
end of this month. That evening, he wore a teal -colored shirt for the
19th anniversary of his wife being cancer -free from ovarian cancer.
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September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and his wife and their
team have raised about $4 million for ovarian research.
Commissioner Sackett attended Opening Day Ceremonies for Longwood
Babe Ruth Baseball & Softball and thanked President Patrick McFadden
and his team for a wonderful event. There are 350 ball players for the fall
season. He commended the staff for the superior condition of the ball
fields and the job well done at Candyland Sports Complex and the
cemetery. He noted that the Citizens on Patrol (COPS) did a good job
getting vehicles parked, with about 600 going in and out of the parking
lot at Candyland Sports Complex.
Commissioner Sackett said he was glad to see the former SunTrust Bank
on State Road 434 being disassembled and prepared for a new business,
Chipotle Mexican Grill. He thanked Mr. Gioielli for taking care of the
underground internet problem affecting residential sprinkling systems.
Commissioner Sackett met with Lyman High School boosters, and they
were developing ideas and will get the City involved. He reported that
the football team continues to be undefeated.
District #1. Commissioner Shoemaker attended ribbon cuttings for
Milestone Gems and Elise Esthetics Institute. She attended the Car Show
and enjoyed the spaghetti dinner. She pitched the ball at Opening Day
Ceremonies for Longwood Babe Ruth Baseball & Softball and agreed the
fields looked wonderful. She will attend the upcoming Brightline Grand
Opening Event on Friday.
District #2. Mayor Boni has visited Milwee Middle School with
Commissioner Morgan, and getting the students involved in student
government is a win -win situation. He participated in the Leadership
Seminole Mayors Panel for Government Day.
Mayor Boni successfully held two (2) Longwood Rotary Club
informational meetings. They will have their first charter meeting on
Monday, October 2, at the Longwood Historic Civic Center. He attended
ribbon cuttings for Milestone Gems and Elise Esthetics Institute. He
attended Opening Day Ceremonies for Longwood Babe Ruth Baseball &
Softball and thanked President Patrick McFadden for a great job. He
commended Chris Capizzi and his entire Leisure Services team for an
unbelievable job with the fields, lights, and batting cages. He missed the
Longwood Historic Society's Annual Potluck but heard the talk by Tom
Milwee on the history of Longwood was phenomenal.
Mayor Boni addressed the traffic light issue at Dog Track Road and
Ronald Reagan Boulevard. He said the school crossing guard stops traffic
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while on duty, but afterward, students and teachers find themselves in
the middle of the crosswalk later in the day while cars are making their
turns. He asked staff to look into this issue.
Mr. Gioielli responded that he sent Mayor Boni an update before the
meeting. Dog Track Road and Ronald Reagan Boulevard are county -
maintained roadways, and staff notified Seminole County of their
concerns. County officials responded that they are preparing to resurface
Ronald Reagan Boulevard in the next couple of months. They have
agreed to add more striping and signage and replace existing striping.
City staff trimmed bushes along the sidewalk, and Police Chief Dowda
established a traffic area patrol for after school -hours.
District #3. Deputy Mayor McMillan was unable to attend the Longwood
Historic Society's meeting but heard the speech would be put online. He
attended the ribbon cutting for Elise Esthetics Institute. He explained
earlier that he voted no for an update to the beautification sign because
he does not like being asked aesthetic questions about signs as a
commissioner.
Deputy Mayor McMillan attended a ribbon cutting for Milestone Gems
and the Downtown Car Show. He attended an informational meeting for
the Longwood Rotary Club hosted by Mayor Boni. By chance, he
encountered a pedestrian at the intersection of Rangeline Road and E.E.
Williamson Road. He expressed concern with the intersection and being
aware of the trail.
Deputy Mayor McMillan attended a Seminole County Chamber
Longwood Council Lunch and Learn and heard an update from the Vice
President of Brightline and plans to connect Orlando with Miami and
later Tampa. He attended the Florida League of Cities Legislative Policy
Committee meeting. Topics discussed included sovereign immunity,
mobility plan, Live Local Act, storms, and acts related to hurricane relief.
He reported on a bill that could -affect the City, which allows the
destruction of historic structures if a storm hits and buildings are deemed
unsafe. He said the good news is that there is an exception if a structure
is on the National Register of Historic Places. Another bill possibly
impacting the City is in reference to the Live Local Act. It specifies that a
county or City shall not adopt more restrictive or burdensome
procedures to its comprehensive plan or propose any adoption of
amendment before October 1, 2024. More information will follow at the
next meeting of the Legislative Policy Committee scheduled on October
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Deputy Mayor McMillan reported on the true, good, and beautiful. For
the "true," he commented that the county has had 1.02 inches less rain
than normal, which makes Seminole County the thirty-seventh (37) driest
in the last 129 years. These facts are important because water and
irrigation cost affects people's budgets. For the "good," he saw
sportsmanship and teamwork at the Opening Day Ceremonies for
Longwood Babe Ruth Baseball & Softball. The teams were lined up with
their banners, marched around the bases, and assembled into two rows.
For the "beautiful," he viewed right after sunset a waxing crescent moon
in his neighborhood.
Commissioner Morgan stated it has been sixty (60) days since the City
Attorney has worked out an amendment to add to the Live Local Act in
the State of Florida. He sent the amendment to the office of State
Representative Rachel Plakon but has not heard anything yet on the
subject.
Commissioner Shoemaker asked Deputy Mayor McMillan to bring up
auto insurance rates at his next Legislative Policy Committee meeting.
9. ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA. None.
10. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approve the Minutes of the August 21, 2023, Regular Meeting
and the August 29, 2023, Emergency Meeting.
B. Approve the Monthly Expenditures for September 2023.
C. Approve the Monthly Financial Report for August 2023.
D. Approve a Public Emergency Medical Transportation Letter of
Agreement with the Agency for Health Care Administration and
inter -government transfer not to exceed $55,363.22.
Commissioner Morgan moved to approve Items 10A
through 10D as presented. Seconded by Deputy Mayor
McMillan and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS (PART II)
C. Read by title only, set October 2, 2023, as the second public
hearing date, and approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 23-
2240, a Longwood Development Code Amendment related to
the implementation of the Live Local Act.
Mr. Langley read Ordinance No. 23-2240 by title only.
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Mr. Kintner presented the Item and answered questions.
Mayor Boni opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or
opposition to Ordinance No. 23-2240.
Commissioner Sackett moved to close the public hearing.
Seconded by Deputy Mayor McMillan and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
Commissioner Sackett moved to approve Ordinance No.
23-2240 and set October 2, 2023 as the second public
hearing date. Seconded by Deputy Mayor McMillan and
carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
D. Read by title only, set October 2, 2023 as the second public
hearing date, and approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 23-
2241, a Longwood Development Code Amendment addressing
uses restricted by the passage of Ordinance No. 23-2236.
Mr. Langley read Ordinance No. 23-2241 by title only.
Mr. Kintner presented the Item.
Mayor Boni opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or
opposition to Ordinance No. 23-2241.
Deputy Mayor McMillan moved to close the public
hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Sackett and carried
by a unanimous voice vote.
Commissioner Sackett moved to approve Ordinance No.
23-2241 and set October 2, 2023 as the second public
hearing date. Seconded by Deputy Mayor McMillan and
carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
E. Read by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 23-2245, approving
the extension of the Non -Exclusive Franchises for the Collection
of Commercial Solid Waste and/or Recovered Materials for an
additional twelve (12) months.
Mr. Langley read Ordinance No. 23-2245 by title only.
Mayor Boni opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or
opposition to Ordinance No. 23-2245.
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Commissioner Morgan moved to close the public hearing.
Seconded by Commissioner Sackett and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
Deputy Mayor McMillan moved to approve Ordinance No.
23-2245 as presented Item 11E. Seconded by
Commissioner Sackett and carried by a unanimous roll call
vote.
F. Read by title only and adopt Resolution No. 23-1643, adopting a
Five -Year Capital Improvement Program for the Fiscal Years
2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028 pursuant to the requirements
of Section 6.07 of the City Charter.
Mr. Langley read Resolution No. 23-1643 by title only.
Mr. Gioielli presented the Item.
Mayor Boni opened the public hearing. No one spoke in favor or
opposition to Resolution No. 23-1643.
Commissioner Morgan moved to close the public hearing.
Seconded by Deputy Mayor McMillan and carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
Commissioner Morgan moved to approve Resolution No.
23-1643 as presented Item 11F. Seconded by
Commissioner Sackett and carried by a unanimous roll call
vote.
12. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. City Commission approval of a United States Department of
Agriculture and the Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) Grant and Agreement Award for the Raven Avenue
Outfall Rehabilitation Project and authorize the City Manager to
execute any associated documents.
Mr. Smith presented the Item. -
Commissioner Morgan moved to approve the agreement
as presented Item 12A. Seconded by Commissioner _
Sackett and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
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Mr. Gioielli announced from September 18 to September 24 is Rail Safety
Week. The City has posted educational messages through digital media
notifying residents and others traveling through the City to be safe
around railroad crossings. For Rail Safety Week, police officers will be on
site every morning and afternoon to educate and conduct enforcement.
He congratulated the Police Department and Information Technology
Department for passing the FDLE (Florida Department of Law
Enforcement) CAS (Criminal Justice Information Services) Audit. The
audit ensures that police departments protect all the critical and sensitive
information it collects, including over 600 standards.
Mr. Gioielli reported that new signs for Candyland Sports Complex have
been ordered for Ronald Reagan Boulevard and U.S. Highway 17-92 to
provide directions to the sports complex. The signs will be larger, state -
standard brown signs and more visible. He stated they are preparing to
repaint the portable buildings located by Fire Station 17 with a
contemporary blue and gray color. He reported the U.S. Highway 17-92
landscaping project is being completed by a landscaping contractor. Staff
has worked hard to get the contractor back on track and is seeing some
improvement. He said that until the contractor has completely corrected
the issues, they are paying a daily fine of $750, which is over $30,000 at
this time.
14. CITY ATTORNEYS REPORT. No report.
15. CITY CLERK'S REPORT. No report.
16. ADJOURN. Mayor Boni adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m.
Minutes approved by City Commission: 10-16-2 3
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Tony o , Mayor
ATTE T:
Michelle Longo M
City Clerk
1
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