CC05-13-2025Min LONGWOOD CITY COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
Longwood City Commission Chambers
175 West Warren Avenue
Longwood, Florida
MINUTES
May 13, 2025
3:00 PM
Present: Mayor Brian D. Sackett
Deputy Mayor Abby Shoemaker
Commissioner Tony Boni
Commissioner Matthew McMillan
Commissioner Matt Morgan
Dan Langley, City Attorney
Michelle Longo, City Clerk
David Dowda, Police Chief
Magdala Ridore, Human Resources Director
Molly Ralston, Human Resources Program Manager
Kenneth Parker, Senior Advisor with ICCMA-FCCMA
George Forbes, Senior Advisor with ICCMA-FCCMA
1. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Sackett called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
2. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
A. Review the list of the top candidates that were submitted by the Senior Advisors with the
Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA) and the International City County
Management Association (ICCMA), and select the applicants the Commission would like to
interview for the City Manager position.
Mr. Parker reviewed their process and went over the applicants saying there were eighty-two (82)
total applicants. He stated that each Senior Advisor reviewed the resumes and used the criteria
that was included in the job announcement, city charter, and job description as the basis for
preparing their individual list. The Senior Advisors held a public meeting on May 5, 2025, to
review their individual lists. He said each Senior Advisor divided the candidates into three (3)
categories. The first category was candidates who most closely met the criteria established by the
City Commission. The second category was candidates that met some of the requirements. The
remaining candidates were not recommended based on the criteria. He stated that they review
the resumes only, they do not do any background checks, and do not verify any of the data that
was submitted to the city. They both discussed their individual list and went over how they came
up with their top candidates. They mentioned that the internal candidate was not placed on
either list and that the City Commission was in a better position to evaluate and make that
determination.
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Mayor Sackett moved to appoint William Watts as City Manager. Seconded by
Commissioner Morgan.
Mr. Langley discussed what the City Charter requires. He said pursuant to 4.0.4 of the City CharterII
the Commission is to appoint a city manager based on qualifications, and fix the compensation.
However, before you do that, the candidates are to be screened by a committee which the
Commission appointed and there is a committee that has done the screening. He said that has
been done and the recommendation was presented both in writing and verbal. He said the
Committee also made it clear, the internal candidate was left up to the Commission to place in the
category that they wish. He said at this point, he believes that the minimum requirements of
what the Charter requires has been satisfied. He said the motion that is being made is
appropriate and proper. He said that the motion is not the final step and they do need to
negotiate a contract and bring that back for approval at a regular meeting.
The motion was clarified to appoint William Watts as City Manager and direct the City
Attorney and Human Resources to work with Mr. Watts on a proposed City Manager
agreement to present to the City Commission at the May 19 commission meeting.
Commissioner McMillan objected to the motion and stated he would be voting against it and was
committed to the process. He felt this is the most important job of the Commission and they have
a duty to consider those that have applied and there are some qualified candidates. He felt they
were cutting the process short by simply hiring Mr. Watts. He said he would consider Mr. Watts
to be one of the finalists and would want him on the list. He does think it is the Commission's
responsibility to consider other candidates, and to go through this process.
Deputy Mayor Shoemaker noted that she concurs with the statements made by Commissioner
McMillan.
Commissioner Morgan stated that Mr. Watts is already working on agreements, a residential trash
pickup, mobility fees, a building official agreement, budget preparations, and handling all the
complaints of our residents. He has been impressed with Mr. Watts and feels he is qualified for
the position. He mentioned he handled COVID as an emergency manager, and was the Fire
Department Chief in Maitland at the time in a City that was deferred for ARPA Funds. He said Mr.
Watts was able to help turn that city around on past management, and still able to get the City all
the things they needed at that time. He said that Mr. Gioielli stepped down in March, and from
that moment he has been training Mr. Watts.
Commissioner Boni asked what is the next step in the process.
Mr. Parker addressed the next steps in the process including ranking the candidates, interviews,
meeting department heads, visiting the city, a community-wide reception with the public, and
expenses associated to the process. Mr. Forbes also stated that if there is an internal candidate
there is nothing wrong with appointing that person.
Motion carried by a three-to-two (3-2) roll call vote with Deputy Mayor Shoemaker and
Commissioner McMillan voting nay.
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Mr. Langley noted the next step is to work on a contract and a placeholder would be added to the
agenda for the May 19th Commission meeting.
B. Discuss profile of successful candidate and review consensus rating form.
C. Determine a schedule for the interviews of the applicants to be conducted for the City Manager
position, format for the interviewing process and establish a tentative schedule of events for
the interviewers to participate in and attend.
3. ADJOURN. Mayor Sackett adjourned the meeting at 3:26 p.m.
Minutes approved by City Commission: 06-02-2025.
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