Draft Meeting Minutes for August 22, 2022
Heritage Palms
Community Development District
The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Heritage Palms Community Development District was held on Monday, August 22, 2022 at 8 a.m. at the Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club at 10420 Washingtonia Palm Way, Fort Myers, Florida and via web conference.
Present (or by web conference) and constituting a quorum were:
Mike Whitten – Chair
Stan Switzer – Vice Chair
Al O’Brien – Assistant Secretary
Bob Breisch – Assistant Secretary
Also attending (or by web conference) were:
Cal Teague – District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Chris Pepin – Field Manager, Field Management Services
James Wesoloski – HPCA Liaison
George Smothers – Resident
The following is a summary of the discussion and actions taken at the Heritage Palms Community Development District (CDD) Meeting Board of Supervisors meeting.
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, except Supervisor Lubozynski. Also in attendance were Cal Teague, the District Manager, James Wesoloski, HPCA Liaison, and George Smothers, Resident. Chris Pepin, the Field Manager, attended via web conference.
Supervisor O’Brien arrived at 8:22 a.m.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor Breisch, with all in favor, the Agenda was approved, as submitted.
THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments on Agenda Items
George Smothers commented on the fence at the Sabal #9 tee box.
FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of Meeting Minutes
A. Draft Meeting Minutes for July 25, 2022
Line 6 Add “and Supervisor Breisch was available for video conference, but the audio was unintelligible”
Line 63 Change Supervisor Breisch to Supervisor Lubozynski
On MOTION by Supervisor Breisch, seconded by Vice Chair Switzer, with all in favor, the Board accepted the Draft Meeting Minutes for July 25, 2022, as amended.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS FY2023 Budget Public Hearing
District Manager Teague reviewed the Budget and stated that there was no assessment increase included, and it was sufficient to meet all financial obligations and goals identified by the Board. In addition, the District has enough reserves to carry them two to three months into the next fiscal year.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor Breisch, with all in favor, the Board opened the Public Hearings for the Budget and the Assessment Levy at 8:07 a.m.
George Smothers commented on the availability of funds for road maintenance.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor Breisch, with all in favor, the Board closed the Public Hearings at 8:12 a.m.
A. Resolution 2022-04 Adoption of FY 2023 Budget
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Chair Whitten, with all in favor, the Board adopted Resolution 2022-04 for the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget, as presented.
B. Resolution 2022-05 Approval of FY 2023 Assessment Levy
On MOTION by Supervisor Breisch, seconded by Vice Chair Switzer, with all in favor, the Board adopted Resolution 2022-05, authorizing the County to levy the assessments, as presented.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney
There was no report from Attorney Urbancic. The Board discussed sending a letter from the attorney to the homeowner whose contractor did not install an adequate silt barrier for the installation of their pool, which had caused silt to go into the lake. Staff will analyze the situation, with the understanding that the attorney can be used, if needed.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
There was no report from Engineer Marshall. The Board discussed the need for road repairs, and they would like Sam to begin identifying priority projects and develop a strategic plan for addressing the road maintenance. They would like this to be presented in January, so the Board can begin discussions.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business
A. 8038 Tiger Palm Fence Update
Field Manager Pepin stated that they were actually inspecting all the perimeter fencing in the community, as well as, the fencing along the preserves. They continue to look for fence contractors that are E-Verified.
Supervisor Breisch asked about the fencing at Sabal #14 near the pool and activity center where kids continue to come through. Chris stated that they could install a tension wire at the bottom, as well as, rebar. The Board asked Chris to install the rebar right away.
On MOTION by Supervisor Breisch, with no second, it was requested that tension wire be installed at Sabal #14. Motion failed. The Board decided to have Chris get proposals for adding tension wire or barbed wire to the bottom of the fencing at Sabal #14 while he is getting bids for all of the fencing repairs in the community.
B. Additional Muck Sampling Estimates Update
Chris stated that Solitude wants to do another test, because the previous one could have been corrupted, and he is still waiting for the report. The Board would like to have the results as soon as possible, especially if the District makes a change in lake maintenance contractors.
District Manager Teague reported that they have asked for bids from 10 different contractors to take over lake maintenance. Vice Chair Switzer, Chris, and District Manager Teague are to meet with Bill Kurth from Solitude before the next meeting to discuss the District’s dissatisfaction with their service delivery.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Asphalt Roads Re-Pavement Update
All the repairs had been completed.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
A. Current Field Report
Field Manager Pepin reviewed his report and the following was discussed:
The Board wondered why a letter had not been sent to the homeowner whose silt barrier failed, causing silt to go into the lake. They agreed that the letter should be sent, telling them that if it is not cleaned up within 2 months, the field manager will do it and they will be charged.
Chris stated that the proposal for repairing the bulkhead had been sent to Travis, and Chris is waiting for a start date from them. Chair Whitten had a question about the bulkhead at Sabal #5 on Lake 17, and Chris stated that it could be done now, or they could wait a year or two when Travis is back again. The Board requested that it be done now.
Chris reported that there are problems at several lakes, including shoreline and submerged weeds, and they are currently being treated.
There are problems with algae, specifically on Lakes 3 and L-9.
There are aeration compressor issues on Lakes 13, 19, and 20, which are being worked on. Chris stated that Solitude may be a little slow to complete the projects, but he is happy with the technicians’ work. In response to Vice Chair Switzer’s question, Chris stated that he doesn’t make it a priority to have repairs completed on problems with air stations, because it entails a more complicated process. He also stated that aerators are down on Lakes 4 & 7 and on Lake 25 because some PVC pipes were damaged during the construction at the golf course, and they will be replaced. Vice Chair Switzer also asked about the response on needed repairs to aerators, and Chris stated that he is not concerned about the length of time it takes for them to be repaired, as opposed to Solitude’s slow response on lake maintenance issues. In addition, Vice Chair Switzer asked if the aerators in the community need to be evaluated, so that more updated aerators can be installed. Chris stated that aerators are updated when repairs are needed, but the Board discussed getting an analysis on all the aerators in the community.
The asphalt damage suspected to be from the pool contractor on Wine Palm will not be billed to the homeowner, because the Board felt that it was not right to single them out.
The Board asked Chris to get a proposal for the repair of the roadway inlets in the community.
After discussion, it was felt that a letter should be sent to Eagle Reserve concerning the open fence gate on the north side of Lake 30.
Lake 15 is currently unsightly, and the Board authorized the planting of littorals.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor Breisch, with all in favor, the Board authorized the planting of littorals on L-15, not to exceed $2,065.
B. Follow-up Items
i. Wine Palm Roadway Damage from Pool Contractor Update
This project had been completed.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. Financial Statements for July 2022
District Manager Teague reviewed the Financials, and there was discussion on the charges for engineering. District Manager Teague stated that Engineer Marshall had mistakenly charged the District for expenses from Colonial Country Club, so he has given Heritage Palms a credit, which currently results in no payment for engineering.
Vice Chair Switzer would like a breakdown of the expenditures for lake maintenance, and District Manager Teague will see that it is sent to the Board.
Vice Chair Switzer also asked about capital expenditure projects and the capital outlay that has not been used. District Manager Teague stated that it had not been needed but is available.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor Breisch, with all in favor, the Financial Statements for July 2022 were accepted for Audit, as presented.
B. Resolution 2022-06 FY 2023 Meeting Dates
On MOTION by Supervisor Breisch, seconded by Supervisor O’Brien, with all in favor, the Board approved Resolution 2022-06, for the Fiscal Year 2023 meeting dates, which are the 4th Monday of every month.
TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS H.O.A. Report
Jim Wesoloski reported that the City had approved the placement of a dumpster at the lodge tiki bar. They will be having a workshop to act on it.
Chair Whiten asked why benches are being installed that no one is using.
Vice Chair Switzer asked why they are placing stop signs on curves, because drivers usually slow down when entering a curve. Mr. Wesoloski stated that there had been complaints about drivers speeding through the curves. There was discussion about placing cameras and fining the drivers who are speeding.
THIRTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Reports, Requests, and Comments
There were no Supervisor Reports, Requests, or Comments.
FOURTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
George Smothers had commented earlier in the meeting.
FIFTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Adjournment
On MOTION by Supervisor O’Brien, seconded by Vice Chair Switzer, with all in favor, the Board agreed to adjourn at 10:43 a.m.
The Next Regular Meeting: September 26, 2022 at 8:00 a.m.