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Approval of Meeting Minutes

Heritage Palms
Community Development District

The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Heritage Palms Community Development District was held on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 8 a.m. by teleconference with the requirements for a quorum being physically present waived under the Governor’s Executive Order 20-69.

Attending via teleconference due to Executive Order 20-69 waiving the quorum requirement were:
Stan Switzer – Chair
Paul Schafer – Vice Chair
Al O’Brien – Assistant Secretary
Mike Whitten – Assistant Secretary
Fed DeCotis – Assistant Secretary

Also attending via teleconference were:
Cal Teague – District Manager
Chris Pepin – Field Manager
Christopher Dudak – Assistant to the District Manager

The following is a summary of the discussion and actions taken at the Heritage Palms Community Development District (CDD) Meeting Board of Supervisors meeting. It was conducted using Go to Meetings as a result of Executive Order 20-69 which waived the quorum requirements during the COVID-19 virus and allowed for meetings to be conducted in this manner.

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS Call to Order and Roll Call

The meeting was called to order and the District Manager called the roll. All Board members were present.

SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda

The Agenda was presented and approved.

On MOTION by Supervisor DeCotis, seconded by Supervisor Schafer, with all in favor, the Agenda was approved as presented.

THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments on Agenda Items

There being none, the next Order of Business followed.

FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS COVID-19 Impacts Discussion

A. Emergency Meeting Procedure Resolution 2020-03

The meeting was called to order under the provisions of Executive Order 20-69, due to the COVID-19 emergency, that allowed the meeting to be conducted by teleconference, and it identified the procedure by which the meeting will be conducted.

On MOTION by Supervisor Whitten, seconded by Supervisor O’Brien, with all in favor, the Board approved the Resolution 2020-03 Emergency Procedural Rules.

FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of Meeting Minutes from March 23, 2020

The Minutes were approved as presented.

On MOTION by Supervisor Schafer, seconded by Supervisor O’Brien, with all in favor, the Board approved the Minutes from the March 23, 2020 meeting.

SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney

There being none, the next Order of Business followed.

SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer

There being none, the next Order of Business followed.

EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business

A. North Boundary Fence Project

The Field Manager reported that the project is about 70% installed. Sunstate Fence, the contractor, is waiting for the City to complete their final inspection. Once inspected, Sunstate will finish the remaining 30%. The project area involves where the fence crosses over the property lines and ties into the southeast corner wall in the Watermark Community. A gate was installed to provide access to the Lake 30 North Bank for maintenance. Once the City does the final inspection, the Field Manager will install a combo lock on the gate.

B. Lake L-6 Fence Repair Update

The cable installed by the Field Manager is holding the gates together thus preventing public access. This was installed a month ago.

C. Stormwater Management System Cleaning Update

The Field Manager reported that the MRI project manager has been out of the office and he is waiting to hear from her for a status update. He observed the MRI crew in the community when he was onsite during the week of April 13.

D. Erosion Repair for Lakes 4 & 8 Update

The repairs started on April 21st.

E. Pavers at Cart Crossings Update

The new pavers are brighter than the old ones, and the Clubhouse was contacted several times about it but did not return emails for feedback. They will retain some of the old pavers for future repairs.

i. Mill Down Asphalt at Cart Crossing on Curry Palm Updated Proposal

The Field Manager received a revised proposal from D&G to mill seven locations for $6,693.75. D&G also recommended five additional locations could be milled, but the Board agreed with the Field Manager that these locations were not high priority locations. The additional work would cost $4,350. The Board voted to get the asphalt leveled out at Curry Palm for $1,152 to use as a test location.

On MOTION by Supervisor Whitten, seconded by Supervisor Schafer, with all in favor, the Board voted to have the asphalt leveled out at Curry Palm cart crossing for $1,152.

F. Spike Rush Cutting Update

Lake & Wetlands finished the spike rush cutting project on April 24. The Field Manager will monitor the new growth that has been observed on Lakes 3 & 4. Treating new growth is part of the agreement.

G. Sidewalk Repairs at 8008 Tiger Palm & 7879 Go Canes Update

Tree roots have caused damage to the sidewalks and they are scheduled to be repaired this week.

NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business

A. Trimming of Preserve Branches Behind Heritage Palms Estate Drive & Sierra Palm Court Discussion

The Field Manager noticed during the fence vegetation maintenance that numerous tall branches are hanging over from the preserve that are encroaching over residential yards. The trees block the sun, drop branches that are hazardous to mowing and range from 10-25 feet high. The Board discussed trimming the trees and disposing of them in the preserve area for natural decomposition.

On MOTION by Supervisor DeCotis, seconded by Supervisor O’Brien, with all in favor, the Board voted to trim the tall branches and put the debris from the trim into the preserve.

TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager

A. Field Report for April 2020

The following items were discussed:

  • On Heritage Palms Boulevard, there was a section of micro surfacing tearing apart near the stop sign, causing asphalt cracks. The Board agreed to delay repairs until next year.
  • A tree fell from a neighboring community on the perimeter fence. The property is managed by Florimond Manor and has not responded to inquiries from the Field Manager. The Field Manager is authorized by the Board to repair it if he cannot reach them.

B. Follow-Up Items

i. Filter Sock Review

The Field Manager reported that the suggested filter socks work best with high volumes of moving water, canals more likely than lakes. He also researched the socks and discovered that they have to be replaced every six months. Upon further discussion, the Board agreed to research it further and address it at another time.

ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager

A. FEMA Update

The District Manager reported that all the requests were approved but one, and they are waiting on the check, which is just under $11,000. That includes a 5% administrative fee which has already been billed, and is not coming out of the funds they would have received.

B. FY 2021 Draft Budget

i. Capital Improvement Plan Discussion

The Board reviewed the draft budgets reflecting no increase and one with a $100 increase. They requested a five-year projection (2021-2026) for both a $50 and a $100 increase including a 3% annual increase in expenses.

ii. Road Condition Analysis Report

The Board reviewed the Engineer’s report and a handout reflecting a price per square yard that will be used for determining road replacement costs.

C. Resolution 2020-02 County Elections

This resolution requests that Lee County conducts Heritage Palms’ elections this November on their ballot.

On MOTION by Supervisor Schafer, seconded by Supervisor O’Brien with all in favor, the Board authorized Lee County to conduct the Heritage Palm Board elections.

D. Financial Statements for March 2020

The Board approved the March 2020 Financial Statements as presented.

On MOTION by Supervisor Whitten, seconded by Supervisor Schafer with all in favor, the Board approved the March 2020 Financial Statements.

TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS HOA Report

There being none, the next Order of Business followed.

THIRTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Reports, Requests & Comments

Supervisor Whitten requested a “facts blast” be emailed to all residents regarding the upcoming elections.

FOURTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments

There being none, the next Order of Business followed.

FIFTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Adjournment

There being no further Order of Business, and

On MOTION by Supervisor DeCotis, seconded by Supervisor Whitten, with all in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 10:09 a.m.

Next Meeting: May 18, 2020 at 8 a.m.

Secretary/Assistant Secretary
Chair/Vice Chair