Amended Meeting Minutes for September 26, 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, September 26, 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
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
Sam Marshall – Engineer, Banks Engineering
Greg Kriesch – Heritage Palms Maintenance Superintendent
Residents
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. Also in attendance were Cal Teague, the District Manager, Sam Marshall, the Engineer, Greg Kriesch, Heritage Palms Maintenance Superintendent, and Several Residents. Chris Pepin, the Field Manager, attended via web conference.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
On MOTION by Supervisor Breisch, seconded by Vice Chair Switzer, with all in favor, the Agenda was approved, as submitted.
THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments on Agenda Items
There were no Audience Comments on Agenda items.
FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of Meeting Minutes
A. Draft Meeting Minutes for August 22, 2022
Line 51 The reference should be L-15, not Lake 15
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor Breisch, with all in favor, the Board accepted the Draft Meeting Minutes for August 22, 2022, as amended.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney
There was no report from Attorney Urbancic.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
With Hurricane Ian approaching, there was discussion concerning flooding issues, and the Board asked Engineer Marshall to investigate the elevation permit for overflow of the WCS at Lake 14 and propose a long term solution for flooding berm maintenance and for preventing washouts.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor Lubozynski, with all in favor, the Board authorized the engineer to check the elevation for overflow of the WCS and propose a long term solution for flooding berm maintenance and for preventing washouts.
Greg Kriesch stated that there is a home in Heritage Palms Estates that is flooding after a large rain. The Board asked Engineer Marshall to investigate this and recommend a solution to prevent flooding.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor O’Brien, with all in favor, the Board authorized the engineer to investigate flooding issues in Heritage Palms Estates.
Greg Kriesch also mentioned the progress on the golf course renovation. He stated that when they strip an area and expose the silt, they put up protective barriers. He also stated that there have been washouts, and they have been addressing these.
Chair Whitten stated that the CDD should wait on cleaning the sidewalks and gutters until the renovation is complete. There was discussion on a concern that was expressed on the silt build-up on the 13 Tee box.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business
A. Community Fence Upgrades
Field Manager Pepin had included in the packet a list of approximately 53 locations with some type of fence damage. They are currently looking for contractors who are E-Verified and who will submit a bid, and he suggested Sunstate Fence. The Board asked Chris to address the small items that can be done now.
B. Additional Muck Sampling Estimates Follow-up
Chris stated that Ean from Solitude told him that the results will be available at the end of the month.
C. Meeting with Solitude
The meeting had been delayed due to scheduling and Chris has been compiling data on the issues that the CDD has with Solitude and how long each item has been outstanding.
D. Silt Removal at 11333 Wine Palm Update
Chris noted that silt was still present during his last inspection. He stated that the water is very high and removal would be difficult now. Staff will be sending the homeowner a follow-up letter.
It was noted that there was a break of the silt barrier on White Palm, and a letter will be sent to the homeowner.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Encroachment Concern from Casa del Lago
A homeowner in Casa del Lago reported that several trees from the preserve are encroaching into his property and are leaning into one of his trees, and he would like these removed. The Board agreed to do this.
On MOTION by Supervisor Breisch, seconded by Vice Chair Switzer, with all in favor, the Board approved the removal of trees and vegetation from the preserve that are encroaching into the property of a homeowner in Casa del Lago, not to exceed $356.
B. RFP to ROV HP Estates Storm Drain Lines – Sewer Viewer Estimate
Chris reported that there have been several complaints from the Estates about flooding roadways, and they had Sewer Viewer televise (ROV) several storm drain lines. Sewer Viewer’s inspection revealed that there is a 50% to 70% silt build up in Structures 3A, 3, 4, 39 & 40, and they are waiting on Sewer Viewer’s cleaning estimate. Sewer Viewer also provided a daily quote of $2,800 to televise the storm drain lines.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor Lubozynski, with all in favor, the Board approved cleaning the portions of the stormwater system in Heritage Palms Estates that have been videoed, not to exceed $5,000, with Chair Whitten authorized to sign the agreement.
C. RFP to ROV or Visually Inspect Entire Storm Water Management System
Chris reported that they had received 2 quotes to have the entire stormwater system visually inspected. MRI’s bid was $6,500 and Sewer Viewer bid $7,400. Chris stated that Sewer Viewer had been providing more accurate findings than MRI. The Board discussed separating the project into multi-years. The complete project would total between $84,000 and $105,000.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor Breisch, with all in favor, the Board approved Sewer Viewer to do a visual inspection of the entire stormwater management system, with a diver, not to exceed $7,400.
D. Lake, Aerator & Fountain Maintenance Proposals
The Board had received a summary sheet from Chris on the companies that have submitted proposals . He stated that he had checked their references, and he had received solid recommendations for the companies he was proposing, which were FloridAquatic, for lake maintenance, and Crystal Clear Fountains for fountains and aerators. He also commented that FloridAquatic has harvesters, which will be advantageous if harvesting is ever needed. He stated that the CDD is currently using Aquatic Weed Control for the preserves, and they are happy with their work.
On MOTION by Supervisor Breisch, seconded by Supervisor Lubozynski, with all in favor, the Board accepted the bids from FloridAquatic for lake maintenance, and Crystal Clear Fountains for fountain and aerator maintenance.
E. Roadway Inlets – Repair Proposal
Chris had made a list of issues with structures at the inlets, and he is waiting on Conidaris to give a quote for repairing them. Chris will present the proposal at the next meeting.
F. 2022 Concrete Pressure Washing Discussion
Premier Pressure Cleaning had done the cleaning for the last three years, but he is looking for other companies, because the Board was unhappy with Premier’s work. This was tabled until next month.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
A. September Field Report
Supervisor Lubozynski wondered why the semi-annual lake aeration, in February and August, was mentioned on the report. Chris stated that this was just for their information. He also asked about the 11 issues with aerators and compressors mentioned in the report. Chris stated that he waits to see if the system comes back on line before he clears them.
Chris stated that the lakes are in fair to poor condition. He is seeing a lot of weeds, and some littorals are not doing well, because of the treatment that has been done, and the poor condition on Lake 10 was discussed. He noted there is less algae present.
Chris stated that he is keeping an eye on washouts, and the issue on Lake 6 was mentioned.
Engineer Marshall and Chair Whitten will be inspecting the microsurfacing on the roadways, and the issues on Wine Palm Road were discussed.
Chris stated that he has installed a gate on the perimeter fence on the north side of Lake 30.
He has been cleaning debris, muck, and pine straw from the structures of the stormwater management system.
B. Solitude Service Report
This was included in the packet.
C. Follow-up Items
i. Bulkhead Cap Replacement Update
Chris stated that Travis will be completing the project in October.
ii. Lake L-15 Littoral Planting Update
This is scheduled to be completed at the end of the month, but it will be delayed because of the hurricane.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. Financial Statements for August 2022
District Manager Teague reviewed the Financials, and he stated that they will be under budget, with $563,755 in reserves and $401,000 in cash. He also stated that there are enough funds to carry them a few months into the coming year until the Fiscal Year 2023 assessments begin to be sent by the County.
Supervisor Lubozynski requested a capital budget detailing how the District funds will be used, and District Manager Teague will draw up a schedule.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Switzer, seconded by Supervisor Lubozynski, with all in favor, the Financial Statements for August 2022 were accepted for Audit, as presented.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS H.O.A. Report
There was no H.O.A report.
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 wondered about the Sabal area and why some lakes are bad and others are clear.
FOURTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Adjournment
On MOTION by Supervisor Breisch, seconded by Vice Chair Switzer, with all in favor, the Board agreed to adjourn at 10:44 a.m.
The Next Regular Meeting: October 24, 2022 at 8:00 a.m.