Heritage Palms
Community Development District

The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Heritage Palms Community Development District was held on Monday, June 22, 2020 at 8 a.m. by web conference with the requirements for a quorum being physically present waived under the Governor’s Executive Order 20-69.

Attending via web conference 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 web conference were:
Cal Teague – District Manager
Sam Marshall – Engineer
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.

The meeting was called to order and the District Manager called the roll. All Board members were present. Also attending were Sam Marshall, Engineer, Chris Pepin, Field Manager, Christopher Dudak, Assistant to the District Manager, and Cal Teague, District Manager.

The Agenda was approved as presented.

There being none, the next Order of Business followed.

The Meeting Minutes from May 18, 2020 were approved as presented.

The District Manager reported that the Attorney updated him on the Covid-19 meeting restrictions. If the Governor does not extend the Executive Order beyond June 30, the next meeting will be at the Clubhouse.

The Engineer gave an update on the NPDES permit and expects to have it completed and submitted soon. There is a new format and it has required extra time to complete the forms. He also commented on the following:

He performed a visual inspection of the roadways and noted several sidewalk issues where crosswalks might not be handicap accessible. He suggested that the Board might want to consider sidewalk extensions and ADA mats in some areas. He also commented that he felt the roadways were in good condition and should last at least 3-5 years before replacement is needed.

He did an inspection on Heritage Palms Boulevard and said it was not in good condition, so he recommends replacement within a year. The Board approved having the Engineer prepare plans for milling and replacing asphalt for the surface from Six Mile Cypress to Washingtonia. He suggested proceeding with budgeting and permitting for the entryway as it is anticipated that the work will commence within a year.

A permit will take about a month and is good for six months, renewable for six more months.

The Field Manager reported that the project is 100% completed, and a lock has been placed on the gate. The HOA and their security personnel have the combination.

The project is 50% completed. The crew finished the south end of the community and are moving north. Their proposal included dumping all debris sucked up with the vector truck onsite, which could take a lot of space near the pump house. The Board agreed that MRI should dump the debris offsite for $250 per load which will be charged to the CDD. They also requested more pictures of the site.

Both lakes are 100% pumped and sod is expected to arrive by June 23.

D&G competed asphalt repairs at more locations and informed the Field Manager that the asphalt in these areas is over 5″ deep, resulting in the job taking longer and requiring more asphalt than anticipated. They requested an increase for the project of $3,636. Their original quote was $11,043.75. The Board previously approved a not to exceed amount of $9,000. The Board authorized the additional funding.

There being none, the next Order of Business followed.

The following actions were approved or requested by the Board:

• The District Manager said that the bio block is not an algae treatment, but rather to treat the muck on the bottom of the lake. The Field Manager said the muck produces algae. He does not see much change using the bio blocks. The Board agrees to continue to study the lakes, and if the bio block program is not effective, they will cancel it.
• A note needs to be sent to the HOA Manager Gary Piotrowski that they need to keep the water under the golf cart ramps flowing without obstruction. It was asked if they want to replace the rusted plates.

• Contact Greg Kriesch and ask him to repair the washout behind the bulkhead on Lake 25.

• Contact the HOA to keep vegetation out of the roadway (Gator Palm Drive) and address the irrigation valve box covers within the sidewalks.
• The presence of a plecostomus or armored catfish was reported as being seen in abundance.
• Several fence repairs identified in the report are scheduled to be repaired.
• A chain was cut at Lake 6 to gain access for fishing, so the Field Manager will purchase a thicker chain.
• When asked about scheduling maintenance jobs, the Field Manager explained that sometimes he waits until there are several jobs to do in a day, because it is more cost effective.

i. Bio Char Sock Proposal

The Field Manager said that a three-foot section of bio char sock will cost $150, and about 3-5 socks at each each pipe inlet is needed to be effective. He said the way it works is that the charcoal in the sock filters the water as it passes through, before it goes into the lake. The charcoal has to be swapped out every six months. The Board decided to let the issue go for now.

ii. Lakes Testing Analysis Proposals

The Board reviewed a proposal to conduct a bathymetric study of Lakes 15, 33 & L-12. A Motion failed to get full Board support, but it was explained again and passed.

The District Manager updated the Board on the FEMA funds. He stated all of the District’s reimbursement requests have been obligated and he expects to receive checks before the next meeting.

The letter on increasing assessments was reviewed with no changes suggested. The new O&M assessment would be $375, up from $300, to address reserves needed for roadway resurfacing in the future. Chris Dudak was commended for writing such a well stated letter.

The Financials for May were accepted as presented.

There being none, the next Order of Business followed.

Supervisor Whitten commented on the lake studies and expressed interest in better budgeting for this type of maintenance. Supervisor Schafer is not seeking reelection and nobody is running for that vacancy. The District Manager explained that after the November election, they will have to appoint someone to fill the seat. The Chair asked the District Manager to put the vacancy information in an email to the community.

Bob Readar requested by email that the CDD construct walking paths in the preserves. He had to leave the meeting but the Board agreed to put this on the next agenda for staff to research costs and if this can be done in the preserve area. According to the charter, the District Manager said that recreational facilities are allowed, but they will research this further.

There being no further Order of Business, and

Next Meeting: June 22, 2020 at 8 a.m.