Meeting Minutes for January 24, 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, January 24, 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
Dennis Lubozynski – Assistant Secretary
Also attending (or by web conference) were:
Cal Teague – District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Dave Lionett – HOA
Mike O’Donnell – Resident
George Smothers – Resident
Christopher Dudak – Client Services Manager, PDM
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 Breisch. Also in attendance were Cal Teague, the District Manager, Dave Lionett and Mike O’Donnell from the HOA, and George Smothers, Resident. Christopher Dudak of PDM participated via web conference.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor O’Brien, with all in favor, the Agenda was approved, as presented.
THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments on Agenda Items
There were no Audience comments on the Agenda.
FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of Meeting Minutes
A. Draft Meeting Minutes for December 20, 2021
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor O’Brien, with all in favor, the Board accepted the Draft Meeting Minutes for December 20, 2021.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney
District Manager Teague reported that the Attorney had received the payment for the sidewalk repair where the bubbler had been relocated under the sidewalk to discharge into the street gutter.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
District Manager Teague reported that the Engineer had completed and submitted the audit questions for the NPDES stormwater report.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business
A. Bio Blocker Discussion
i. Muck Sampling from Lakes 10, 14, 15, & 33 Proposal
Solitude provided an estimate of $1,800 to conduct a bathymetric study of these lakes to establish a data baseline for comparing silt and other organic material in the bottom of the lakes. Comparable data was only available for Lakes 15 and 33, which had been done in 2017. The Board wanted to see if there was improvement on these two lakes, and also on lakes where no bio-block had been applied.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor O’Brien, with all in favor, the Board approved a bathymetric study for muck analysis for Lakes 15 and 33, and for two other lakes that had not had bio-block applied, to be selected by Field Manager Pepin.
B. 7275 Sugar Palm Ct Storm Drain Safety Covering
The Board agreed to drop this issue for now. Chair Whitten will talk to the resident about the Board’s decision.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Meeting Schedule Change Discussion
There is a conflict with the schedule of the HOA annual meeting and the Board meeting in March.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor O’Brien, with all in favor, the Board agreed to change the meeting date of the March 28, 2022 meeting to March 21, 2022 at 8:00 a.m.
B. 2022 Storm Water Management System Inspection Proposal
MRI had submitted a proposal for an inspection of the stormwater system this year. The Board decided that the inspection could wait until 2024.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor O’Brien, with all in favor, the Board approved an inspection of the stormwater system by MRI, no later than 2024.
The Board discussed looking at the results of the inspection from December 2019 to locate problem areas. The renovation projects on Sable and Royal were of concern. There were problems in the Sable renovation because there were not enough silt barriers. The Board would like to be proactive before the Royal project begins, and work with the Field Manager to ensure that all the necessary silt barriers are placed. District Manager Teague stated that they could look at the plans for the project to determine where they need to be placed.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
A. Current Field Report
District Manager Teague summarized Field Manager Pepin’s report and the following direction was given:
As Field Manager Pepin conducts his inspections, the Board would like him to make sure that the storm sewer lids are on tight. Also, as he looks at the maintenance being done on the aerator system, the Board wondered if the aerator system should be replaced with newer, more efficient units.
As discussed earlier, the Board would like him to work with Engineer Marshall to get a set of plans for the golf course project to ensure that silt barriers will be placed to protect the stormwater system.
They would like him to look at the end of Sierra Palm, because the cul-de-sac had loose gravel, and it appeared to be uneven.
B. Follow-up Item Updates
i. Micro-surfacing Repairs
The contract had been signed and returned to D&G.
ii. North Berm Cutting
This is scheduled to be completed near the end of February.
iii. Concrete Slab Repairs New Proposal
They are waiting on an estimate from Will Whidden of Construction Specialists Group to compare against the Conidaris bid submitted last month.
iv. Lake 15 Aerator Repair Update
This system had been repaired.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. Financial Statements for December 2021
District Manager Teague reviewed the financials and stated that everything is in good shape.
On MOTION by Supervisor Lubozynski, seconded by Vice Chair Switzer, with all in favor, the Financial Statements for December 2021 were accepted, as presented.
District Manager Teague stated that the staff had found Valley National Bank, which has a better interest rate of .25%.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor O’Brien, with all in favor, the Board agreed to change the CDD’s bank to Valley National Bank, subject to the approval of the Chair.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS H.O.A. Report
There was no report from the H.O.A.
Chair Whitten commented on the low water pressure in the community, and the City had notified the HOA of their plan for new wells that will improve the water pressure in Heritage Palms.
TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Reports, Requests, and Comments
Supervisor Lubozynski stated that the lodge repairs look good.
Chair Whitten wondered if the CDD had received a better response from Solitude lately. District Manager Teague reported that, after contacting Bill Kurth, the response was improving.
THIRTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
George Smothers was pleased to report that someone had been mowing the creek bank, and others were trimming the west bank of the canal. He also cautioned that he had experienced bank fraud, and the Board members need to be careful with their finances.
FOURTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Adjournment
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor Lubozynski, with all in favor, the Board agreed to adjourn at 9:39 a.m.
The Next Regular Meeting: February 28, 2022 at 8 a.m.