Skip to main content

Meeting Minutes for October 25, 2021

Heritage Palms
Community Development District

The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Heritage Palms Community Development District was held on Monday, October 25, 2021 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
Bob Breisch – Assistant Secretary

Also attending (or by web conference) were:
Cal Teague – District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Sam Marshall – Engineer
Mike O’Donnell – HOA Master Board
Bob Redar – HOA Master Board
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 were present, with Dennis Lubozynski attending via web conference. Also in attendance were Cal Teague, the District Manager, Sam Marshall, the Engineer, and Mike O’Donnell and Bob Redar, from the HOA Master Board. Christopher Dudak of PDM participated via web conference.

On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor O’Brien, with all in favor, the Board agreed to accept Supervisor Lubozynski’s attendance via web conference.

SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda

Addition of 9Bvii Pressure Washing Update.

On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor O’Brien, with all in favor, the Agenda was approved as amended.

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 September 27, 2021

On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor O’Brien, with all in favor, the Meeting Minutes for September 27, 2021 were approved as submitted.

FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney

A. L-6: Transfer to HOA Update

The HOA is responsible for submitting a plan for the direction of the project. The Board and the HOA representatives discussed the need to transfer the ownership before filling in the lake. Chair Whitten mentioned that the CDD might want to build a walking path in the area of Butterfly. The long range strategic planning will be discussed at the next meeting.

B. 11158 Wine Palm Drainage Discharge Over Sidewalk Letter Update

A second letter was sent to the resident by Attorney Urbancic requesting reimbursement to the CDD. The Board will send a paid invoice to the resident. Chair Whitten stated that according to the bylaws, the CDD has the legal authority to pursue legal action against the resident for affecting drainage and the appearance of CDD property. The Board decided to drop the issue if the resident does not reimburse the CDD.

On MOTION by Supervisor Breisch, seconded by Supervisor Lubozynski, the Board agreed to drop the issue of reimbursement for the work done by the resident on the 11158 Wine Palm Drainage system.

Motion withdrawn. The Board stated that there will be no action taken at this time. If the resident has not reimbursed the CDD by the next meeting, the issue will be dropped.

SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer

A. NPDES Annual Report Update

Engineer Marshall reported that the Report will be completed in the next few days and sent to District Manager Teague for signature. Engineer Marshall expects to be audited next year. Concerning HB 53, Engineer Marshall is confident that they will be able to meet the deadline.

SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business

A. Penzance Gate Turnaround Surface Damage Discussion

Field Manager Pepin stated that he spoke to D&G and they suggested that the entire 14×14 area be cut out and that hot plant asphalt be applied. The cost to do so would be an extra $392. The total cost would then be $2,062.

On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor Lubozynski, with all in favor, the Board approved the cost of additional asphalt repairs at $352 at the Penzance Gate Turnaround, with the total cost of $2,062.

B. Lake-7 Bulkhead Repair Discussion

Field Manager Pepin reported that a proposal of $8,480 had been submitted by Artistic Structures to reconstruct 10 LF of bulkhead and to replace all of the bulkhead caps. Artistic Structures offered a reduction of $1,200 to complete this, if they can combine this project with other work they are doing for the Golf Course in November. This would make the total cost $7,280. The Board approved this proposal.

On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor Breisch, with all in favor, the Board agreed to accept the proposal from Artistic Structures to reconstruct the bulkhead and replace all of the bulkhead caps on Lake-7, with the total cost of $7,280.

EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business

A. ARK Real Estate Adjacent Land Development on Bromley and Carousel

ARK Real Estate approached the CDD about adding amenities adjacent to Heritage Palms property, and asked if the CDD would be interested. The Board concluded that this is a strategic planning issue and should be forwarded to the Master HOA. The Board will provide ARK Real Estate the email addresses of Ken Lehman and Bob Redar of the Master HOA, so ARK can speak to them.

NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager

A. Field Report for October

District Manager Teague summarized the report and answered questions from the Board:

  • Chair Whitten asked about the vegetation on the bulkheads and washouts on Lake 26. District Manager Teague stated that the washouts on the golf course side of the lakes are the CDD’s responsibility, but the golf course has addressed the issues.

B. Follow-up Item Updates

i. Various Fences Repairs

Field Manager Pepin reported that the areas are still too wet to repair the fences. He anticipated that the areas will be drying out in November, and the repairs could be completed by December.

ii. New Fence for Casa Del Lago

  • Field Manager Pepin reported that the area is still too wet to begin installation of the new fence. He expects it to be ready in January or February.
  • Chair Whitten wanted to discuss the issue again. It was suggested by the Casa Del Lago HOA that shrubs could be placed there, instead of a fence. The Board will ask the Casa Del Lago HOA to let the CDD have access to the area, if shrubs are installed.
  • The Casa Del Lago HOA reported that there have been intrusions from Heritage Palms also.
  • The Board decided to install shrubs rather than a fence.
  • Chair Whitten will work with Field Manager Pepin, Gonzalo from Lake and Wetland Management, and Casa Del Lago’s HOA to have Coco Palms or other shrubs deemed appropriate for installation. The shrubs would be placed on the homeowner’s property, because there is no common area there.

On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Chair Whitten, the Board agreed to install Coco Palms or other shrubs deemed appropriate on the property separating Casa Del Lago from Heritage Palms.

iii. Lodge Valley Gutter Replacement

This project is tentatively scheduled to begin on October 25th.

iv. 11158 Wine Palm Drainage Extension

  • This project has been completed and the bubbler is now slanted toward the valley gutter.
  • The sidewalk has been observed dry several times.
  • Chair Whitten commented that when he observed the completed extension, he was very happy with it.

v. Lake Banks Trash Cleanup

This is scheduled to be completed in November.

vi. Dead Branches Cleanup

This is scheduled to be completed in November.

vii. Pressure Washing Update

Field Manager Pepin spoke with Premier Pressure Washing and they will begin the annual cleaning of the sidewalks, gutters, and curbs around November 1st. The Board mentioned that they were unhappy with Premier’s work last year. If the Board notices that there is a problem, the Board will refer this to Field Manager Pepin. He will remind Premier that they should improve the quality of their work.

TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager

A. Financial Statements for September 2021

Supervisor Lubozynski stated that the cash balances should be verified each year by an outside auditor. District Manager Teague stated that this is done in the yearly audit by a third-party auditor independent of PDM. The Board would like to see the auditor in person. The Board agreed that the auditor could give their presentation in person or on Zoom. This will take place in April or May of 2022. The District Manager also stated that he will forward the bank statements to Supervisor Lubozynski for his review.

After the Financials were summarized, they were accepted by the Board.

On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor O’Brien, with all in favor, the Board agreed to accept the Financial Statements for September 2021.

ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS H.O.A. Report

Mike O’Connell of the H.O.A. Master Board reported that Gary Piotrowski has left Heritage Palms, and a new General Manager has been hired.

TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Reports, Requests, and Comments

There were no Supervisor Reports, Requests, or Comments.

THIRTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments

George Smothers thanked the Board for moving quickly on the Lodge gutter repair.

FOURTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Adjournment

On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor O’Brien, with all in favor, the Board agreed to adjourn at 9:35 a.m.

The Next Regular Meeting: November 22, 2021 at 8 a.m.

Secretary/Assistant Secretary
Chair/Vice Chair