PR03-05-2024Min PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
LONGWOOD CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS
175 WEST WARREN AVENUE
LONGWOOD, FLORIDA
MINUTES
March 5, 2024
6:30 P.M.
Present: Larissa Morgan, Chair
Judi Coad, Vice-Chair
David Putz, Member
Lori Rice, Member
William "Bill" Overbeek, Member
Amanda Sackett, Member
Erin Keefe, Member (arrived 6:36 p.m.)
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 February 6, 2024 Meeting
Vice-Chair Coad moved to approve the February 6, 2024, minutes. Seconded by Member
Sackett and motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
4. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
Member Rice had no report.
Member Sackett attended the Chili Cook-Off and the Pirate Festival and had a great time.
Member Overbeek apologized for missing the Chili Cook-Off and asked staff what the oval
field at Candyland Sports Complex was.
Mr. Capizzi replied that it was a practice field for baseball, softball, and futsal.
Member Keefe had no report.
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Vice-Chair Coad thanked the Board Members who were able to work the Chili Cook-Off.
She reported that it was a nice crowd, a good evening, and the weather was perfect. She
has contacted Dan Langley regarding the sponsorship for the Chili Cook-Off. She asked the
staff to provide him with the sponsorship package and advised that we would receive his
sponsorship money. She attended the Pirate Day and spoke with Mr. Capizzi and Mr.
Rinaldo about getting one of the vendors at the Celebrate the Season event instead of the
petting zoo. She advised that the Commission thought the attendance was so-so, but other
events were going on the same day, which are unknown at the planning stages. She
thanked Mr. Capizzi and Mr. Rinaldo for their work at the Pirate Day Festival and for helping
at the Chili Cook-Off.
Member Putz asked about the Longwood Luau and the sound system at the park.
Mr. Capizzi replied that staff rent the sound equipment for that event.
Discussion ensued regarding the music for this event, albums he found in his collection of a
Hawaiian singer, and the speakers at the park.
Chair Morgan reported that she attended the Pirate Festival, and the kid zone was
excellent. She felt that many families were happy. She advised Member Putz that she
wanted to work with him on the Armed Forces/1st Responder Banner Program.
Discussion ensued about the application online, adding the link for the DD-214, meeting
with David Rubin about the program, getting it on social media, and options for individuals
who want to keep their banner up for an extended period of time.
Chair Morgan reviewed the vendors for the Autism Awareness and Inclusion Walk and
asked staff to send the email again.
Discussion ensued about getting vendors for the Autism Awareness and Inclusion Walk and
shirts for the event.
5. STAFF REPORT
Mr. Capizzi reported that the Senior Matinee would be on March 20, 2024, and will be
Sound of Freedom. He reviewed the upcoming events for March. He said Longwood Babe
Ruth had 348 sign-ups this past spring, that there were small improvements made at the
field, and that they purchased batteries for the new lift. Staff was landscaping at Reiter
Park this month while not many events were taking place, and Mr. Capizzi explained what
was being done. He advised the Board that they have been approved for two (2) additional
FRDAP grants. He would not receive the paperwork for another couple of weeks to start
the process of receiving the monies and determine what repairs/improvements the funds
would go towards.
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Member Sackett asked if the banners were only for Americans or if Canadians could
purchase a banner.
Mr. Capizzi responded that it would be okay for Canadians to purchase.
Vice-Chair Coad asked about the status of the Great American Camp Out.
Mr. Rinaldo replied that the application went live yesterday. He emailed the past
participants, and ten (10) new people asked about it, and they received the application.
Discussion ensued about the vendors, movie, and cost for the Great American Camp Out.
Mr Rinaldo reviewed the synopsis for the Chili Cook-Off and the Pirate Festival.
Discussion ensued about the kid zone at the Pirate Festival.
Member Rice asked if there was a business team that did not make the event and if they
were listed on the synopsis.
Mr. Rinaldo explained why they were not listed on the synopsis.
Discussion ensued about the bar payment, the sponsors, where the event money goes, and
the tie-breaker rule for the Chili Cook-Off.
Mr. Capizzi advised that the current budget shows impact fees at $12,164.00. Since the
beginning of the new fiscal year, they have gained an additional $3,216.00, for a total of
$15,380.00 in impact fees. He noted the funds towards fountains for the ponds at Reiter
Park. He has a meeting with a gentleman who owns a fountain company this week to
obtain pricing for the fountains at Reiter Park.
Discussion ensued about the fountains at Reiter Park.
Member Rice said the breakdown for each department regarding the impact fees was given
at the Commission meeting last night but she does not have those numbers.
Mr. Capizzi explained what the impact fees can be used for.
Member Rice asked about the 131 Fund report and how the money was spent for the
Miscellaneous Events and the New Events.
Mr. Capizzi responded that those monies were used towards other events such as Celebrate
the Season and Truck or Treat.
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Discussion ensued regarding the monies in the 131 Fund and how they could and were used
for other events.
Member Rice asked for an update on the preparations for Summer Camp.
Mr. Capizzi advised that they signed the paperwork for using the Historic Civic Center last
week. He explained to the new Board Members that they use the Historic Civic Center for
Summer Camp, which is convenient for the park and the Community Building. He advised
that Mr. Knowles, who has been their Camp Director for several years, would be the Camp
Director again. Staff was currently looking for Camp Counselors.
Discussion ensued about field trips for Summer Camp.
Mr. Capizzi advised that Summer Camp's cost may increase slightly per child.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Vice-Chair Coad moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Member Rice and
motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Chair Morgan adjourned the meeting at 7:29 p.m.
Minutes approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board: 04-02-2024
Larissa Morgan, Chair
ATTEST:
lZ
Donna Alt-Bowes, Recording Secretary
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