PR10-09-2023Min PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
LONGWOOD CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS
175 WEST WARREN AVENUE
LONGWOOD, FLORIDA
MINUTES
October 9, 2023
6:30 P.M.
Present: Larissa Morgan, Chair
Judi Coad,Vice-Chair
David Putz, Member
Amanda Sackett, Member
Lori Rice, Member
Rhubson (Rub) Osmin, Member
Chris Capizzi, Leisure Services Director
Ryan Rinaldo, Recreation Manager
Donna Alt-Bowes, Recording Secretary
1. CALL TO ORDER. Chair Morgan called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. PUBLIC INPUT. None.
3. ACTIONS ITEMS
A. Approve Minutes from September 5, 2023 Meeting
Member Sackett moved to approve the September 5, 2023, minutes as
presented. Seconded by Vice-Chair Coad and motion carried by a unanimous
•
voice vote.
4. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
Vice-Chair Coad congratulated Member Rice on National Night Out and said it was a great
event. She reported on the Christmas Concert and the Tree Lighting event and said it
should be a great event and she hopes to have good weather. A food vendor has not yet
been discussed. Regarding Santa's Breakfast, they have their Santa and Mrs. Claus, and
everything is done and the event should go well. She has seventy-five (75) Culver's gift
cards for the children as a giveaway for the event. She went over what has been confirmed
for Celebrate the Season and what still needs to be done. She also requested Board
Members to help at the event.
Discussion ensued with regard to volunteers,the sale of tickets,what it takes to put on
Celebrate the Season, and sponsorship for all events.
Member Osmin had no report.
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Member Putz asked about the Armed Forces and First Responder Banner Program and
asked if the change was made to the flyer.
Mr. Capizzi responded that the change had been made and the new flyer was on the
website.
Member Putz asked about having a representative from the Parks and Recreation Board in
the Christmas Parade and would be willing to volunteer his Corvette.
Discussion ensued about having two Members in the parade and the vehicle that is going to
be in the parade. It was decided that Members Osmin and Member Sackett would ride in
the Corvette for the parade.
Member Sackett reported the first Halloween Dance for families and teens has been
scheduled for Wednesday, October 25, 2023, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Tickets are
available online and there will be a costume contest. The cost of the tickets will be $8.00
and children age of sixteen (16) and under will need to be accompanied by an adult.
Discussion ensued regarding to the Halloween Dance along with the capacity allowed and
requirements.
Chair Morgan reported that National Night Out was a great event and she attended the
Battle of Food Trucks. She will be meeting with staff on Wednesday the 25th to start
planning the 2nd Annual Walk for Autism event and wanted to secure the date of Saturday,
April 27, 2024.
Member Rice thanked staff for promoting the events on social media, the Members of the
Board, Mayor, and Commissioners who attended National Night Out as a volunteer to serve
the community. She asked the Board to reference the 131 Fund in the Agenda Packet and
said the numbers looked good.
5. STAFF REPORT
Mr. Capizzi reviewed the upcoming events for the remainder of the year. He mentioned the
Community Services Beautification Project and that there will be Sabal Palms delivered on
Monday the 16th, and on Tuesday the 17th, the landscape foliage will be installed by staff,
Dix-Hite employees, and members of the Florida Wildlife Foundation. The portables where
his office is located are being painted. He advised that members from a volunteer group
from Northland Church came out to assist in the spreading of the pine straw at Reiter Park
the past weekend. He reported they were approved to purchase a Kubota Tractor to assist
in future projects. Quotes have been secured for painting the Community Building and
being able to paint the vinyl siding will save money compared to replacing the siding
altogether.
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Mr. Capizzi reported that the Community Building revenue has been great, around $143,000
for fiscal year 2022/2023. He noted they currently have more sponsorship at this time than
last year and anticipates that to hold true for Celebrate the Season. He reported the bench
swing will be in before Celebrate the Season. He thanked the Board for the assistance with
the purchase of the new aluminum tables that were on display at National Night Out. The
Shadow Hill project is nearly complete, and there have been a few repairs at Candyland
Sports Complex due to a storm a few weeks ago. There was damage to the backstop on one
of the fields and a few pole lights. He submitted the paperwork for two (2) FRDAP Grants
for$50,000 each, one for Sandalwood Park and the other for Candyland Sports Complex.
Once the Notice of Commencement is received they can start on those two (2) projects.
The City Commission approved putting up a second Christmas Tree, and it will go on Ronald
Reagan Boulevard just south of the intersection of West Church Avenue and Ronald Reagan
Boulevard. He noted the old tree would go along Ronald Reagan Boulevard, and the new
tree would be at Reiter Park. The CGI banners are starting to go up. He noted they were
getting put up in the wrong, and staff called to advise them of the situation. The banners
were manufactured incorrectly, the grommets were installed incorrectly, and the situation
has been remedied.
Discussion ensued regarding the banner contract, the installation of the decorations and
lights for the holiday season, the cost of the new Christmas Tree, and whether or not a
decision has been made with regard to having a carnival.
Mr. Capizzi responded they are looking to combine the carnival with the Pirate Seafood
Festival or have the carnival on its own weekend and change the name of the festival.
Mr. Rinaldo reviewed the synopsis for National Night Out. He also advised that all of the
vendors from National Night Out are sent an email to alert them to other events taking
place and the opportunity to sponsor or participate in one of them.
Discussion ensued regarding National Night Out and making sure there was enough money
to continue to put on the event if hot dogs, buns, and water are not donated in the future.
Member Rice asked about the bingo game.
Mr. Capizzi responded that the bingo game is something that the Community and Media
Relations Manager person is working with the local businesses on and explained to the best
of his knowledge how the game works.
Discussion ensued on how to play the bingo game and how to get the card.
Member Rice asked if a Board Member was working with staff on the Barkfest event.
Mr. Capizzi responded no Board Member is working with staff for Barkfest, and the event
will be held on December 16.
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Vice-Chair Coad asked about the damage at Candyland Sports Complex and if it was turned
in to the insurance company.
Mr. Capizzi responded that the staff was able to make all repairs.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Vice-Chair Coad moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Member Osmin
and motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Chair Morgan adjourned the meeting at 7:44 p.m.
Minutes approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board: 11-07-2023
per4,424_6_,NO/
Larissa Morgan, air
ATTEST:
Donna Alt-Bowes, Recording Secretary
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