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PR06-03-2025Min LONGWOOD PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Longwood City Commission Chambers 175 West Warren Avenue Longwood, Florida MINUTES June 3, 2025 6:30 PM Present: Larissa Morgan, Chair Amanda Sackett, Vice-Chair Jennifer Barr, Member Judi Coad, Member Abdallah "Albert" Ghazzawieh, Member Ardel Cheffer, Member (6:31 p.m.) Jason Jose, 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. Chair Morgan reminded all Board Members of Robert's Rules of Order and advised them to please ask the Chair for recognition to speak when the have a question or a comment. 2. PUBLIC INPUT A. Public Participation. None. 3. ACTION ITEMS A. Approve Minutes from the May 6, 2025, Meeting. Vice-Chair Sackett moved to approve the May 6, 2025 minutes as presented. Seconded by Member Jose and carried by a unanimous voice vote with Member Cheffer absent. B. Discuss FY 25/26 Budget. Mr. Capizzi went over the current budget lines, 5200, 4400 and the 131 event lines for Fiscal Year 25/26. Discussion ensued regarding the budget lines, the feasibility of buying light towers versus renting them, what the impact fee monies will be spent on, and the tree damage at the Dog Park. 6/3/2025/ 1 Page 2 of 8 4. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Member Barr reported on an organization that came to Longwood on May 18 and parked in front of the Fire Department. They are called Carry the Load and are a non-profit organization. She passed out photos of the organization and explained what they are all about. She asked if there was any way we could announce to the public when they are going to be here next year so that we can promote more awareness for them. Member Coad suggested having Ms. Cartagena post it in the city's weekly newsletter. Member Ghazzawieh asked Mr. Capizzi about the concrete at the Dog Park and talked about getting another shed or shelter for the storage of the light towers. Discussion ensued about the shed or storage for the light towers. Member Coad reported that she was glad to be back and advised the Board of the reason for her absence. She thanked Mr. Rinaldo for providing her with the inventory for Celebrate the Season and expressed that she was sorry to have missed the Longwood Luau and the Autism event. Member Ghazzawieh did not have a report. Vice-Chair Sackett reported that she enjoyed the Longwood Luau and was looking forward to all of the upcoming events. She said she would like to set up a meeting to get the Halloween Dance pumped up this year so they do not have to cancel it again. Discussion ensued about the Halloween Dance. Chair Morgan thanked staff for both of the May events and was sorry she missed the Mother/Son Dance. Member Jose said he was sorry for missing last month's meeting but he was on a work function in San Diego. He asked about the Health Fair. Mr. Rinaldo explained the Health Fair to the Board Members. Member Jose mentioned the organization that Member Barr discussed and said that David Ruben does have Heroes Strong here and that maybe they could contact the organization to participate. Discussion ensued with regard to the organization Carry the Load, and where they are located. Member Jose asked about volunteer notification for events and confirmed that Mr. Capizzi would send that information out to the Board. Mr. Capizzi advised that he sends out the information a couple of weeks prior to the event. 6/3/2025/2 Page 3 of 8 Member Cheffer reported that she attended a district Rotary meeting this morning and they are taking a stance on human trafficking and said there was a huge push in Orange County but there was nothing in Seminole County. She said she volunteered to help with some events that are happening and they would like to bring an event to Seminole County. She advised that Florida is number three (3) in human trafficking nationwide. Discussion ensued about bringing an event to Seminole County about human trafficking and what other local cities are doing. Member Cheffer said that Casselberry has a glossy beautiful flyer of all of their parks which they distribute. She asked if staff had anything like that and if it could be passed out at events. Mr. Rinaldo said Ms. Cartagena created a new resident welcome guide which includes all of the parks. He said he does not know how it is distributed but that we do have something like that. Discussion ensued with regard to this packet. Member Cheffer said she wants to make sure she had everything in order for the Dogtoberfest event. Discussion ensued regarding the Dogtoberfest event. 5. STAFF REPORT A. Staff Report for May 6, 2025. Mr. Capizzi reported that the Senior Matinee would be on June 18, 2025 and the movie will be Noah. The Flag Retirement Ceremony is June 14, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Reiter Park and there will be a concert afterwards featuring the Vocalitas. He said David Rubin will not be doing it this year and that the event will be organized by Erik Swenk. Staff is gearing up for Rock, Freedom, and Fireworks on June 28, 2025. He went over the logistics of the event. He said the SmashBeer Festival went well despite the weather. Monday was the first day of Longwood's Summer Camp and Mr. Rinaldo will go over that shortly. He said the Leisure Services Department has been working with the Sheriff's Department on the surveillance cameras at Reiter Park. He went over the installation and how they would work and who will have access to the cameras. He said there are a lot of projects going on at Candyland Sports Complex and explained what will be taking place there over the summer and in the coming weeks. He advised that Northland Church has a volunteer day this Saturday and they will be coming out to spread the pine straw at Reiter Park. Mr. Rinaldo went over the first week of Summer Camp. Chair Morgan reminded everyone of the Board Appreciation Dinner on June 10, 2025 and encouraged everyone to please confirm attendance with Michelle Longo. Member Coad asked if the surveillance cameras were always on or just during events. Mr. Capizzi responded that they will always be on. 6/3/2025/3 Page 4 of 8 Member Coad asked about the Health Fair as she did not see it on the Special Events List. Mr. Capizzi responded that it is scheduled April 2026. Member Coad reminded the Board Members that their financial papers are due on July 1, 2025. Vice-Chair Sackett asked if there was any work on smaller plates of food at the Food Truck Battle. Mr. Capizzi responded that they have started a dialog with Kat and they will remind her again prior to the next one in July. 6. ADJOURN Member Coad moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Vice-Chair Sackett and motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. Chair Morgan adjourned the meeting at 7:26 p.m. Minutes approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board: 07-01-2025 71/1 Larissa Morgan, Chair ATTEST: Donna Alt-Bowes, Recording Secretary 6/3/2025/4 Page 5 of 8