Colonial Country Club
Community Development District

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Colonial Country Club Community Development District was scheduled for February 23, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in the Media Room of the Colonial Country Club at 9181 Independence Way in Fort Myers, Florida, and also via web conference.

Supervisors present and constituting a quorum:

Sally Hefti – Chair
Giovanna Scuderi – Vice Chair
Joe Zajac – Assistant Secretary
Howard Klein – Assistant Secretary
Tim Worthington – Assistant Secretary

Also present were:

Mandie Rainwater – District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Kyle Roehm – Fountain Kings

Attending remotely were:

Christopher Dudak – Client Services Manager, PDM

The following is a summary of the actions taken at the Colonial Country Club Community Development District (CDD) Board of Supervisors meeting.

The Colonial Country Club Community Development District Meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m., and District Manager Rainwater called the roll. Present and constituting a quorum were Chair Hefti, Vice Chair Scuderi, Supervisors Zajac, Worthington, and Klein. Also in attendance were District Manger Mandie Rainwater and Kyle Roehm from Fountain Kings. Client Services Manager Christopher Dudak attended remotely.

The agenda was approved as presented.

There were no audience comments on agenda items.

A. Draft Meeting Minutes for January 26, 2026.

Supervisor Klein reviewed a few items, but no changes were requested.

There was no old business.

A. Discussion on Aerator and Fountain Service

Field Manager Pepin asked the Board to consider changing service providers due to concerns about poor responsiveness from the Premier Lakes. He reported that over the past couple of months the vendor had been slow to provide repair proposals for the downed fountains, and it was not until he contacted the owners directly to complain about the level of service that the repair proposals were finally sent.

Field Manager Pepin also reported that Patrick Tohill encountered a technician with Premier Lakes who was driving near the golf course greens following the recent frost event. Mr. Tohill advised the technician not to drive so close to the greens and indicated that the interaction was not well received. Mr. Tohill expressed to Field Manager Pepin that there have been multiple issues with Premier Lakes technicians driving their vehicles where they weren’t supposed to, at times killing grass in the process.

Included in the Board’s meeting materials was a comparison matrix outlining the annual service contracts and various proposals from both Premier Lakes and Fountain Kings. Supervisor Klein also provided a handout summarizing the history of fountain maintenance for the Board’s review.

The Board noted that there are eight fountains located throughout the community:

• Four are owned by CDD: two on Lake 50 (E and W); one on Lake 22; one on Lake 28. The CDD also maintains the one on Lake 21 which was purchased by HOA.
• Four are owned by the Master or neighborhood HOA: one on Lake 21; one on Lake 1 by the Clubhouse; one on Lake 17 by the roundabout, and one on Lake 20 by the entrance off Treeline Avenue.

It was also noted that the CDD fountains located on Lake 28 and Lake 50 West require repair or replacement, and the fountain on Lake 22 currently has a nonfunctional light. District Manager Rainwater advised the Board that the District is required to provide Premier Lakes with a 30-day written notice if the Board chooses to terminate the contract without cause.

i. New Proposals from Premier for Open Issues

The meeting packet included several proposals from Premier Lakes for the repair and replacement of multiple fountains. These proposals had been significantly delayed in being provided to the District. In light of the Board’s decision to terminate Premier Lakes’ annual service contract, the Board did not consider the proposals.

ii. New Bid for Fountain Kings Service Contract

The meeting packet also included a proposal from Fountain Kings for annual fountain and aerator maintenance services. The Board was informed that the cost of the annual maintenance contract would be reduced if any fountains were removed from service.

Mr. Roehm noted that the “ten systems” refer to ten electrical control cabinets, several of which power more than one aerator. Any aerator supplied by those cabinets would be included in the maintenance coverage.

When asked about the condition of the existing fountain controls, Mr. Roehm explained that the control cabinets manufactured by Vertex Features are generally durable and have held up well over time. However, he noted that many of the fountain control systems are aging, lack GFCI protection, and may require repair or replacement.

iii. New Proposals for Fountain Kings Open Issues

The meeting packet included two proposals for the purchase and installation of replacement fountains for Lake 28 and Lake 50 West, as well as a request for authorization to pull and diagnose the two nonfunctional fountains.

After discussion, the Board determined that it did not wish to proceed with repairing or replacing the two malfunctioning fountains owned by the CDD. Instead, the Board expressed interest in offering ownership of the fountains, along with responsibility for hardware maintenance and electrical costs, to the Master Association or the applicable neighborhood associations. This proposal would apply only to the two nonfunctional fountains currently owned by the CDD.

Mr. Roehm also noted that Lake 50 currently has only two aeration units, and if the fountain were removed, it would be advisable to install an additional aerator. He added that Lake 28 would function adequately without a fountain. The Board concluded that there was no need to authorize Fountain Kings to pull the fountains on Lake 28 or Lake 50 West for diagnostic purposes at this time.

A. FY 2027 Budget Schedule

District Manager Rainwater reviewed the timeline for preparation of the next fiscal year’s budget. Board members were asked to submit any projects they would like the District to consider. The Board was also advised to evaluate whether an increase in assessments may be necessary. May 18 was proposed as the meeting date to adopt the Proposed Budget, and August 24 as the date for the Budget Public Hearing.

The Board discussed and decided that an increase in assessments is not necessary at this time. Approximately $540,000 of the fund balance has already been allocated to boardwalk replacement, the General Fund reserves exceed this amount, and the estimated cost of replacing the boardwalk with composite materials is approximately $650,000.

B. Financial Report for January 2026

District Manager Rainwater reported that the budget is in good condition and that there were no excessive expenditures in January. Assessment collections are currently at approximately 89%. District Manager Rainwater noted uncertainty regarding which property owners have not yet made their payments and also reminded the Board that February is the zero-discount month for tax bill payers.

Regarding future annual audits, Supervisor Klein requested that a contractual stipulation be added requiring that audit drafts be reviewed by one of the Supervisors. It was noted that it is the current standing policy for Supervisor Klein to review audit drafts and related documents during the audit season.

C. HOA Email Blast on Pool Discharges Rule Update

Chair Hefti reported that she had spoken in person with Star Reevers regarding this matter, and she indicated that she would send a clearer update to residents. Chair Hefti subsequently resent the proposed update text for communication regarding the new rule and the homeowner’s responsibility to obtain a permit. As of the meeting date, the Board had not seen this communication.

However, Supervisor Worthington stated that he recently saw a “Safety” email update that mentioned the new rule regarding dewatering and permitting for pool renovations. No other Board members had seen this communication, so Chair Hefti will investigate further and provide an update to Client Services Manager Dudak.

D. Update on Management Changes

The website has been updated, and notifications are currently being sent to all relevant organizations and agencies with which the District conducts business.

A. Current Field Inspection Report

District Manager Rainwater reviewed the field manager’s report and the following items were noted:

• Spike Rush widths are not an issue on any lake. Cold weather has browned littorals above the water level. This is normal, and some plants should rejuvenate in the rainy season, but this will have to be evaluated in future, and more plantings are likely.
• On Lake 60, HOA landscapers have cut down spike rush behind homes. Field Manager Pepin is contacting the clubhouse to remind them to tell landscapers not to do this. Chair Hefti noted that Lake 60 landscaping is managed by her neighborhood HOA – she asked Field Manager Pepin to cc her on communications about this. Chair Hefti said she can speak to her local HOA president.
• Supervisor Zajac shared that some golfing friends told him that the lakes look the best they ever have.
• Very little in weeds and algae has been noticed this month with moderate algae in Gateway Canal was noted.
• There are many open aerator issues, and these were addressed earlier in the meeting. The Lake 6 buried valve box (buried by golf course renovations) is currently being looked for by Premier Lakes.
• Vice Chair Scuderi said that she saw Vertex trucks in the community this month, and she would like to know why. Staff will reach out to Field Manager Pepin on this.
• There are several open fountain issues, all addressed earlier in the meeting: Lake 22 light need repair; Lake 28 fountain needs repair; Lake 50W fountain needs repair. On Lake 50E, the fountain was repaired and functioning.
• A Chair-approved letter was sent to homeowners at 10012 and 10014 Oakhurst Way for putting vegetative debris in the preserve. Staff heard from 10014, and they said they did not place debris here. Gonzalo Ayres of Pristine Lakes and Wetlands said that if the vegetation hasn’t been removed by their next site visit, he is going to have his crew properly dispose of the vegetation so that it does not slow down the SFWMD re-inspection.
• Preserve Catch Basins: The catch basin along the edge of Preserve W1 has dirt from the golf course renovation project entering into it and also building up on top of it. Field Manager Pepin passed this along to Patrick and he was going to have his team remove the dirt from the grate, However, during the Field Manager’s inspection, he removed the silt from the grate himself.
• It was noted that unauthorized camouflage paint had been applied to the Water Control Structure on Lake 60. Supervisor Zajac said he believed a resident may have done it. The Board decided to leave it as is, noting that any such changes should be submitted to the Board as a request.

B. Follow-up Items

i. Second Notice of Preserve Non-compliance

District Manager Rainwater reported that Pristine Lakes has made several additional site visits to the preserves over the past 4 weeks, and Field Manager Pepin was informed last week that the preserves should be ready for inspection again within the next week.

ii. Storm Water Drainage System ROV Inspection Update

The inspection is almost complete, and FLGIS is currently working on the reports and GIS updates. The ROV inspection is tentatively scheduled for completion by February 20.

iii. FLGIS ROV report on additional found pipes

The inspection is still in progress. The reports and GIS updates are expected to be completed around March 6.

iv. Installation of Preserve Signs

The deposit invoice has been submitted for payment. Once the payment is received, Turrell Hall will place the sign order with the production company. Staff confirmed with them that the signage comes with a 10-year warranty against fading, and there is no option for an additional protective coating.

C. Project Tracking Logs

There were no outstanding items to discuss in the logs.

District Manager Rainwater reported that there was no report from the attorney but reminded the Board that their ethics training requirement is due for calendar year 2026.

There was no report from the engineer, but District Manager Rainwater and Client Services Manager Dudak met with Daniel Schroeder of AIM Engineering last week to ensure he is up to date on the district’s ongoing needs. Staff discussed updating the GIS maps to reflect changes to the lakes due to the golf course renovations. Felipe Lemus will be asked to perform this work under his GIS contract, with services billed at $100 per hour for updates.

SFWMD has issued notice that it has closed out the construction phase of the permitted golf course renovations and transitioned the project into the operational phase. At the meeting two sessions ago, Staff reported a partial closure of the permit; this notice completes the remaining closure.

Chair Hefti stated that she will forward the Master’s notice regarding the pools to Client Services Manager Dudak once it is located.

Chair Hefti thanked Supervisor Klein on his audit work and fountain research.

There were no audience and no comments. District Manager Rainwater noted that Darlene Nowak-Baker attended online briefly.

Next Regular Meeting: March 23, 2026, at 1 p.m.