CC02-17-2025Min LONGWOOD CITY COMMISSION
Longwood City Commission Chambers
175 West Warren Avenue
Longwood, Florida
MINUTES
February 17, 2025
6:00 PM
Present: Mayor Matthew McMillan
Commissioner Tony Boni
Commissioner Matt Morgan
Deputy Mayor Brian D. Sackett
Dan Langley, City Attorney
Clint Gioielli, City Manager
Michelle Longo, City Clerk
David Dowda, Police Chief
Chris Kintner, Community Development Director
Chris Capizzi, Leisure Services Director
Ryan Rinaldo, Recreation Manager
Absent: Commissioner Abby Shoemaker (excused)
1. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor McMillan called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
2. OPENING INVOCATION. Pastor Eric Scholten, with First Baptist Church of Longwood gave the
invocation.
3. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Mayor McMillan led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS. Ms. Longo read the following announcements.
A. The Senior Matinee will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30
p.m. at the Longwood Community Building, 200 West Warren Avenue. This month's feature is
Wicked.
B. The Longwood Movie in the Park will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, beginning at 7:00
p.m. at Reiter Park, 311 West Warren Avenue. This is a free event and the movie will be Trolls
World Tour.
C. The Longwood Strawberry Fest will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. until
5:00 p.m. at Reiter Park. There will be strawberries available for purchase from pints to flats,
live music, food vendors, an inflatable kid zone for $5 per child, free carnival games, contests,
and the Longwood Farmer's Market.
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5. PROCLAMATIONS/ RECOGNITIONS
A. Recognition of the 2024 sponsors for the Annual Celebrate the Season and Breakfast with Santa
events.
Mr. Capizzi and Mr. Rinaldo, recognized the business sponsors of the 2024 Annual Celebrate the
Season and Breakfast with Santa events and presented them with a certificate. Photographs were
then taken.
B. Recognition of the 2024 Longwood Christmas Parade winners.
Mr. Capizzi and Mr. Rinaldo, recognized the winners of the Longwood Christmas Parade and
presented them with an award. Photographs were then taken.
C. District#5 Nomination of the Business Person of the Month Award for March 2025.
Nomination was deferred to the next meeting.
6. BOARD APPOINTMENTS
A. District#1 Nomination to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.
Nomination deferred to the next meeting.
B. District#5 Nomination to the Land Planning Agency.
Nomination was deferred to the next meeting.
7. PUBLIC INPUT
A. Public Participation.
Joy Stricker, Longwood 32779. She spoke in favor of ending the fluoridation of city water.
Rachel Bitner, Longwood 32779. She spoke in favor of ending the fluoridation of city water.
Kelly Shilson, 224 Slade Drive, Longwood 32750. She spoke in favor of ending the fluoridation of
city water.
Justin Harvey, 103 S. Osceola Avenue, Orlando. He spoke in favor of ending the fluoridation of city
water.
Nicole King, Sorrento. She spoke in favor of ending the fluoridation of city water.
Leslie Kirschenbaum, 110 Cedar Point Lane, Longwood 32779. She spoke in favor of ending the
fluoridation of city water.
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Jessica Tillmann, 124 Rock Lake Road, Longwood 32750. She spoke in favor of ending the
fluoridation of city water.
David Levitt, 100 Primose, Longwood 32779. He spoke in favor of ending the fluoridation of city
water.
Commissioner Morgan moved to have Item 12C under Regular Business up on the agenda
and handled now. Seconded by Commissioner Boni and carried by a unanimous voice vote
with Commissioner Shoemaker absent.
12. REGULAR BUSINESS
C. City Commission consideration of the continuation of the Fluoridation of City of Longwood
Community Water.
Discussion ensued on the information in the packet about the fluoridation of city water provided
by staff, the utility's role in providing water, and an individual's choice on whether they want
additional fluoride. It was noted that Sunshine Utility, the city of Casselberry, and the city of
Winter Springs do not fluoridate their water.
Commissioner Morgan moved to stop the community water fluoridation. Seconded by
Commissioner Boni and carried by a unanimous roll call vote with Commissioner
Shoemaker absent.
8. MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
A. District#5. Deputy Mayor Sackett noted he had been out of town and asked for updates on the
medians on State Road 434 and the OutFront Media billboards. He asked that the city manager
address these items under his report.
District#1. No report.
District#2. Commissioner Boni thanked Chief Dowda and Chief Feist, along with the police and
fire departments, for keeping the city safe and healthy.
District#3. Mayor McMillan apologized for missing the last meeting and the JOY Awards. He
attended the Mayors and Managers meeting last month held at the Ultimate Global Innovation
Lab, a new initiative Altamonte Springs is bringing in high-tech Al and technology that can help
local governments. He stated there would be a request at some point to get involved with them
and sign an agreement to share information. On Friday, January 24, with the City Clerk, they
hosted a Girl Scout Troop in the Commission Chambers, had a presentation, and answered
questions about local government. The meeting ended in a friendship circle, which he
participated in with the girls. On January 31, he attended a Leadership Seminole event at
Northland Church, the Annual Leadership Summit. He had the Leadership Seminole Arts and
Culture Day at the beginning of February, and they went to different locations around Seminole
County. They had a tour at the Casselberry Art House and did the Sanford Walking Tour. His
Leadership Seminole Class 34 held their casino night at The Sanford Galleon to raise money for
their class project. Their project is to help the Christian Help Food Pantry across from Dog Track
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Road on Seminola Boulevard. He stopped by City Hall for the Valentine Workshop in the
Commission Chambers and made a Valentine's card. He attended the Chili Cook-Off and the Car
show. He participated in handing out the trophies to the second-place winner, Holy Smokes from
St. Stephen's Orthodox Church, and first-place to the Rotary Club of Seminole County South. He
congratulated the winners and noted that the people's choice was awarded to Brisket Bros., three
guys who liked cooking and had never entered a contest. He attended the Strickland Brothers Ten
Minute Oil Change ribbon cutting a little later after a meeting and a Seminole Chamber ribbon
cutting for the Tool Kingdom on Church Avenue and U.S. Highway 17-92 next to Burger King. He
attended the Ukrainian Festival at Reiter Park and spoke at the opening ceremony. He
commented that they had the best sound setup for anything he had heard at the park. For the
"true," it was a historical fact that on February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Colombia broke up, and
the entire crew was lost. He listed the names of those who lost their lives. For the "good," was
remembering a childhood friend's father whose memorial he attended. His name was Earl Welsh,
and he was his scoutmaster when he was a Boy Scout. Upon reflection, he recognized that some
of what he learned about leadership in his time in the scouts was under Mr. Welsh, who was an
example of a very good, fair, and even-tempered man. For the "beautiful," he walked past the
Longwood Community Building while at the Car Show and saw the roses in bloom.
District#4. Commissioner Morgan had gone to Hawaii to visit his wife's family. Earlier today at
noon, he was a guest speaker at the Longwood edition of the Seminole County Chamber of
Commerce and then again at 2:30 p.m. at the Red Suitcase Ministry nonprofit organization at
Heathrow Country Club. He thanked his fellow commissioners for their due diligence, talking to
residents, and reviewing everything related to the fluoridation issue.
9. COMMISSION AND STAFF ADDITIONS OR CHANGES
A. ADDITIONAL ITEMS RAISED DURING MAYOR'S AND COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS
Deputy Mayor Sackett asked if the salaries for the police officers were discussed at the Mayors
and Managers Group Meeting. He also noted that he heard that the city of Casselberry would be
addressing their salary also.
Mr. Gioielli responded that the Mayors and Managers Group Meeting would be tomorrow.
Deputy Mayor Sackett also mentioned that Sunshine Utility sent another notice to raise their
rates. He would like to have another discussion with them.
Discussion ensued about Sunshine Utility and the city's options. It was noted that the last time
the new president came before the Commission, he tried to be diplomatic but was unwilling to
discuss selling. It was discussed that the underground utility infrastructure is in poor condition
and could be expensive to fix if the city were to take it over. The City Manager will review options
and see if there is a mechanism for communicating their displeasure as a board representative of
the people and creating a forum that would allow everybody to communicate with them.
B. ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA. None.
10. CONSENT AGENDA
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A. Approve the Minutes of the February 3, 2025, Regular Meeting.
B. Approve the Monthly Expenditures for January 2025.
C. Approve the Monthly Financial Report for December 2024.
D. Approve a donation of$2,500 to the Scouting America Central Florida Council from the State
Law Enforcement Confiscation Fund in accordance with Florida Statute 932.
E. Approve an increase in the amount of$60,000 to purchase order#25-00220 for Fortiline
Waterworks to purchase water and sewer materials and supplies essential for the maintenance
and repair of the City's water and sewer distribution systems.
F. Approve a purchase order in the amount of$62,500 to Air Tech of Central Florida for the
purchase of a new air conditioning system for the Longwood Community Building.
Deputy Mayor Sackett moved to approve Items 10A and 10F as presented. Seconded by
Commissioner Morgan and carried by a unanimous roll call vote with Commissioner
Shoemaker absent.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. City Commission to hold a public hearing to consider a Major Conditional Use Permit (CUP 01-
25) to allow the reestablishment of an Assisted Living Facility (ALF) at 480 East Church Avenue.
Mr. Langley stated this was a quasi-judicial matter, and anyone wishing to speak on behalf or in
opposition to this Conditional Use Permit (CUP 01-25) was requested to stand and be sworn in.
He then swore in those wishing to speak. He explained that the Commission will decide based on
the criteria in the Code and apply the facts and evidence presented to determine if the applicant
meets the criteria of the Code.
Mr. Kintner presented the Item. He stated that the applicant, Vasan Holding LLC, wants to
continue the most recent operation as an Assisted Living Facility at 480 East Church Avenue. The
ALF operation ceased in 2022. The current property owner closed on the property in December of
2024. The property is zoned Medium Density Residential (MDR-15), and an ALF is not an
allowable use in that zoning district. Per the City's Land Development Code (LDC), once a
previously legally non-conforming use ceases to operate continuously for a period of 365 days, the
legally non-conforming status no longer exists for the property. The LDC allows a property owner
to re-establish the legally non-conforming use by applying for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP),
which the applicant has opted to do. Per the LDC, CUPS need to appear before the City
Commission for a public hearing. He said the property has been on the market for some time, and
staff has fielded several inquiries for similar proposals. Staff also contacted several local
homebuilders, including those who had completed townhome projects in the area, to gauge their
interest in bidding on the property. Prospective applicants had indicated concerns about the sale
price, the cost of demolishing the existing structure, and the cost of bringing the structure up to
code as barriers to their purchase of the property. The current property owner is aware of these
requirements and has stated that they are willing and able to make the required improvements
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for this building to be utilized as an assisted living facility. A full fire sprinkler system will have to
be installed throughout the entire building, upgrades to the fire alarm system will be required, any
alterations to the building, interior or exterior, structural or non-structural, and any extensions to
the existing systems (electrical, mechanical or plumbing), including any minor wall removal or
changes at any location (including the nurse's station) will require signed and sealed plans and
approved permits before commencing. City Engineering staff has also indicated that based on the
understanding of the project, there are no modifications to the property that will impact the
existing drainage or motor vehicle access and circulation. Staff has required an updated landscape
plan, and the Conditional Use Permit also includes a requirement for re-surfacing and re-striping
before opening. He said that LDC 10.3.2. outlines the criteria for issuance for the CUP's. Overall,
the staff is comfortable with the application meeting the intent of this section. LDC 10.3.2.K "Non-
Conforming Uses" includes review criteria to be considered for the issuance of CUPs.
• The resulting condition is in the best interest of the City.
• The applicant has provided a justification for why the non-conforming use should be
expanded or re-established, and detailed efforts taken to ensure that any negative impacts
of the non-conforming use have been mitigated to the maximum extent practicable.
• The request is not so common as to be applicable to numerous sites, thus establishing a
precedent that could be reasonably expected to undermine the codes that made the use
non-conforming in the first place.
• The expansion or re-establishment of the use could not reasonably be considered
detrimental to economic development goals of the city.
Mayor McMillan opened the public hearing.
Philip Flavin, 431 E. Church Avenue, Longwood, 32750. He spoke in opposition, and his concerns
include the age of the building, the repairs needed to bring it up to code, the large vehicles (semi-
trucks) making deliveries to the property, and, at times, driving onto others' property. He would
desire to have homes in that area.
Sharon Fussell, 553 E. Warren Avenue, Longwood, 32750. She spoke in opposition, and her
concerns included that she did not want apartments put in and was relieved that would not
happen, how their property values would be affected, and what would be in the best interest of
the citizens.
No one else spoke in favor or opposition to the Conditional Use Permit.
Commissioner Boni moved to close the public hearing. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Sackett
and carried by a unanimous voice vote with Commissioner Shoemaker absent.
Discussion ensued on the item. It was noted that there would be additional repairs needed to be
brought up to code. The approval is specific to this applicant and cannot be transferred to
someone else. Delivery trucks were also discussed, and whether to add a condition about the
truck size allowable should be added. The applicant stated they would not need to utilize large
delivery trucks, and if there was a need for a big truck to deliver, they could try to deliver at night
after hours when there is limited traffic.
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Commissioner Morgan moved to approve the Conditional Use Permit as presented Item
11A. Seconded by Commissioner Boni and carried by a three-to-one (3-1) roll call vote
with Deputy Mayor Sackett voting nay and Commissioner Shoemaker absent.
12. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Read by title only and adopt Resolution No. 25-1687, amending the Fiscal Year 2024/2025
budget to authorize funding for additional critical repairs and upgrades to the City's Lift
Stations.
Mr. Langley read Resolution No. 25-1687 by title only.
Mr. Smith presented the Item.
Deputy Mayor Sackett moved to approve Resolution No. 25-1687 as presented Item 12A.
Seconded by Commissioner Boni and carried by a unanimous roll call vote with
Commissioner Shoemaker absent.
B. Approve a purchase order in the amount of$64,844.41 to cover cost related to critical repairs
and upgrades needed for the Columbus Harbour Lift Station #28.
Mr. Smith presented the Item.
Commissioner Boni moved to approve Item 12B as presented. Seconded by Deputy Mayor
Sackett and carried by a unanimous roll call vote with Commissioner Shoemaker absent.
C. City Commission consideration of the continuation of the Fluoridation of City of Longwood
Community Water.
Item addressed after Public Participation.
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Gioielli reported on the OutFront billboards, and the last time staff contacted them, they said that
the property owners at one location of the signs were not cooperating and were at a standstill. He
noted they were committed to taking the sign down, but the property owner did not want to do so. He
said there was some issue with losing value to their property or some income due to renting out the
property sign or the advertising there, so it is currently on hold. He said the Commission could bring the
item back to discuss further if they were interested in rescinding the offer, and staff could research it
further to do that if needed. He said that regarding the medians, the staff was set with engineering
plans and included some additional work at Interstate 4 (1-4) around the retention pond. He said the
police department was coordinating a Citizen Academy. He reported that due to a law that took effect
last year, the Blue-Collar Union has been decertified and is no longer a union because of a lack of
participation in its membership. There were several things that they had negotiated that affected them
operationally, like safety, and things that allowed them to have benefits specifically. He said the
decision was made that they would not reduce or change anything at this time that would impact their
operations or their paychecks. He assumed the Commission would be supportive because they had
approved the contract when it was still active. He said that Orlando Health Emergency Room would
have its ribbon cutting that Thursday at 10:00 a.m. He reported they were moving forward with getting
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the parking lot resurfaced at Longwood City Hall. Mr. Gioielli read a letter into the record regarding him
submitting his intention to retire from the City, and his last day is April 19, 2025. He said he was
prepared to work with Human Resources to coordinate the recruitment efforts for the position should
that be the desire of the Commission. He wants to task Human Resources and work with them to
present what they think would be a way to collect viable candidates, considering what is stated in the
City Charter. He said he would meet with each Commissioner to get their input. He indicated he would
stay until a new candidate was found. The Commission was okay with his suggestion to move forward.
14. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT. No report.
15. CITY CLERK'S REPORT
Ms. Longo reported that the preparations for the Annual Board Appreciation Dinner have begun, and
the date selected was Tuesday, June 10. She asked the Commission to let her know if anyone had any
conflicts regarding that date. If there were none, she would finalize the date that week, begin looking
for a caterer, and send out the Save the Date invitations. She advised that she had received a request
from the G8 to Donate, the group that hosts the 5K run for Organ donation at Lyman High School, and
they would like to attend a Commission meeting to present a Shadow Box to the City as a thank you. If
there were no objections, she would place the presentation on the March 3rd agenda and confirm the
date with the group.
16. ADJOURN. Mayor McMillan adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
Minutes approved by City Commission: 03-03-2025.
0/17014
Matthew McMillan, Mayor
ATTES .
ichelle L o C, CRM
City Clerk
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