Draft Meeting Minutes for April 28, 2025
Colonial Country Club
Community Development District
The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Colonial Country Club Community Development District was held on April 28, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Activity Room of Colonial Country Club Community Center at 9171 Independence Way in Fort Myers, Florida, and also via web conference.
Present and constituting a quorum were:
Sally Hefti – Chair
Giovanna Scuderi – Vice Chair
Joe Zajac – Assistant Secretary
Howard Klein – Assistant Secretary
Attending remotely was:
Tim Worthington – Assistant Secretary
Also present were:
Cal Teague – District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Mandie Rainwater – Assistant District Manager, PDM
Jamie Wilson – Engineer, AIM Engineering and Surveying
Jerron Hull – CEO, AIM Engineering and Surveying
Josh Evans – Engineer, JR Evans
Ryan Lorenz – Engineer, JR Evans
Attending remotely was:
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.
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS Call to Order and Roll Call
The Colonial Country Club Community Development District Meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m., and District Manager Cal Teague called the roll. Four Board members were present, and Supervisor Worthington attended remotely, joining the meeting at 2:20 p.m. due to technical difficulties. Also in attendance were Jamie Wilson and Jerron Hull of AIM Engineering and Surveying, and Josh Evans and Ryan Lorenz of JR Evans. Christopher Dudak, the Client Services Manager, attended remotely, joining at 2:20 p.m. due to technical difficulties.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
An Amended Agenda was presented.
On MOTION by Supervisor Zajac, seconded by Supervisor Klein, with all in favor, the Board approved the Amended Agenda, as presented.
THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments on Agenda Items
There were no Audience comments on Agenda items.
FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineering Services RFQ Update
A. Engineering Services Presentation / Interviews
i. 2:15 AIM – Jamie Wilson
Jamie Wilson, an engineer with AIM Engineering and Surveying, and the firm’s CEO, Jerron Hull, were in attendance and gave a presentation. Ms. Wilson stated that the firm is privately owned, was established 45 years ago, is family owned, and has 170 employees. It is located ten minutes from Colonial in Downtown Fort Myers. AIM is a full-service engineering firm with a long history with special districts and the public sector. They have experience with NPDES, Public Facilities Reporting, and other entities. They also have a construction/management sister company. She stated that their primary goal is to provide a smooth transition from Colonial’s old firm to the new. She also stated that she would be the POC, and Daniel Schroeder would be the District’s engineer.
The Video Recording cut out during the Q&A.
In response to the Board’s questions, it was stated that AIM’s previous work includes slope stabilization and erosion repair on a canal, utilizing concrete, in another special district. Ms. Wilson stated that her most recent work was establishing a CDD for Hudson Creek, and she is currently involved with a few additional districts. Jerron Hull described their firm size as medium statewide and large in SWFL, with 8 employees working locally in Fort Myers. They do not charge for 5 minute conversations. It was stated that they take pride in hiring locally educated engineers. Engineer Wilson is seeking to stay long term with Colonial and hopes to replicate the relationship the Board had with Sam Marshall.
The Board was impressed that the CEO was present along with Ms. Wilson, noting this indicated Colonial’s importance as a potential client.
Supervisor Worthington was approved to participate remotely.
On MOTION by Chair Hefti, seconded by Supervisor Klein, with all in favor, the Board approved Supervisor Worthington’s attendance remotely.
ii. 2:45 J.R. Evans – Josh Evans
.Josh Evans and Ryan Lorenz of the engineering firm JR Evans, and who would be the primaries for Colonial, gave a presentation. Josh Evans stated that JR Evans was founded in 2010, has 40 engineers, and he has worked with 10-12 CDDs. He founded his company on 25 foundational principles, which were listed on the handout that he distributed. His company has only lost one employee, who has now returned, indicating how they value employees and how stable they are. They noted that, even though much of the competition is consolidated, JR Evans would like to avoid this and remain independent. They also rate themselves as less expensive than other firms. They aim to enlist the least expensive person to perform tasks, such as asking an intern to take pictures, in order to keep prices as low as possible. They stated that the engineers are experienced with and can attend the NPDES co-permittee meetings. If selected, staff and the Board would have the direct cell phone numbers for Mr. Evans and Mr. Lorenz. Ryan Lorenz also gave a summary of the types of issues he is responsible for addressing.
Most of their work is flood plain and coastal engineering, although he notes this is not applicable to the CDD. He suggested that Colonial have yearly lake bank evaluation, but District Manager Teague noted this is already accomplished monthly with field services. They suggested scoping and cleaning drainpipes of sediment for 10% of all pipes annually. They outsource the ROV but are considering purchasing one. The Board asked how a current GIS will merge with their operations, and it was noted that pipe inspections, for example, would be uploaded to the GIS as a way of tracking progress and needs.
The interview ended at 2:53
B. Rating of Qualifications
A blank qualifications rating sheet was provided, and the Board tallied their ratings. The tally indicated that AIM Engineering had the highest total score, with four Supervisors favoring AIM and one favoring JR Evans. The Board liked the size of AIM and the direct contact with staff and the Board. It also noted that JR Evans was mainly focused on field services, which the District already has.
C. Consideration of Entering Negotiations for Services
After discussion, the Board selected AIM Engineering and Surveying.
On MOTION by Supervisor Zajac, seconded by Chair Hefti, with all in favor, the Board approved AIM Engineering and Surveying for the District Engineer, with the District Manager and the Attorney authorized to negotiate a contract.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of Meeting Minutes
A. Draft Regular Meeting Minutes for March 24, 2025
On MOTION by Supervisor Klein, seconded by Supervisor Worthington, with all in favor, the Board approved the March 24, 2025 Draft Regular Meeting Minutes, as presented.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business
A. Stormwater System Cleaning
i. New Cleaning Proposal for Pipes between 3-4, 5-6, 151-150, and 185-184
Field Manager Pepin reported that Extreme Divers provided a proposal for $12,340 to clean the storm drain lines indicated in the FLGIS inspection report. MRI previously quoted $24,086. The Board approved the Extreme Divers proposal.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Scuderi, seconded by Supervisor Klein, with all in favor, the Board approved Extreme Divers to clean the pipe from manholes 3-4, 5-6, 151-150, and 185-184, not to exceed $12,340.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Options to Install Screens over Storm Drains
Field Manager Pepin provided four options, which were included in the Agenda packet. He noted that, once they are installed, maintenance of these devices will be a requirement and an expense. For example, with the net basket option, someone will need to remove the material. He added that it will cause much slower drainage and would likely need to be removed before tropical storms. The Board had no interest in proceeding.
B. Butterfly Garden Improvements Proposal
In the handouts was a proposal to remove and replace all the plants at both butterfly gardens for $2,250. The Board approved it, with a mulch option rather than pine straw.
On MOTION by Supervisor Zajac, seconded by Chair Hefti, with all in favor, the Board approved removing and replacing all the plants at both butterfly gardens, using pine straw rather than mulch, not to exceed $2,250.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. Update to Meeting Location for Current Fiscal Year
In the packet was proof of advertising for the meeting location change for the rest of Fiscal Year 2025. This was needed because the Club stated the Media Room was no longer available, and the construction at the Community Center is delayed. All meetings through August will be in the Activity Room, with September’s meeting still in question.
B. Financial Report for March 2025
District Manager Teague noted that the District is 92% collected and is in great financial condition. The District banking account is receiving 4% interest. Supervisor Klein noted that R&M Stormwater System is over budget for the year at $41,812. The Board accepted the Financial Report as presented.
On MOTION by Supervisor Klein, seconded by Supervisor Zajac, with all in favor, the Board accepted the March 2025 Financial Report, as presented.
C. Preliminary Draft of FY 2026 Proposed Budget
District Manager Teague stated that In the packet was a preliminary draft of the Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget. It was supplied early to Supervisor Klein, and he stated that he believes it is a reasonable Budget. The Proposed Budget will be presented for resolution approval at the next meeting.
C. FY 2026 Budget Discussion
A preliminary Budget will be distributed next month indicating updated actuals and projections for the rest of Fiscal Year 2025, as well as proposed Fiscal Year 2026 items. The Board has no plan for an increase in assessments for the next Budget year.
D. Notice to ARC: Refinishing Residential Pools
In the packet was a communication with the ARC Chair along with the original instructions sheet on pool discharges. Chair Hefti had approved them, and Client Services Manager Dudak spoke with the ARC Chair about them. The ARC Chair mentioned this request in their meeting, and, as a result, he reported that ARC does not have the authority to manage residential pools, and that we should relay the request to the Master. The Board asked staff to send it to the Master.
E. Benchmark Water Quality Analysis and Simplified Results
Client Services Manager Dudak simplified the Trophic Index results, which indicate that everything is in the “good” range. Of note, there was a mistake in part of Benchmark’s testing, but they had still billed us for all of it. Client Services Manager Dudak called them and asked them remove the error test from the invoice for this quarter, which they did.
F. District Voter Count: 1,552
District Manager Teague stated that the District’s registered voter counts are required to be read annually into the meeting minutes per Florida Statutes.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
A. Current Field Inspection Report
Field Manager Pepin reviewed the report, and it was discussed.
B. Follow-up Items
i. Boardwalk Repairs Schedule
Field Manager Pepin reported that the staining is 100% complete. The crew will be returning on Monday the 28th to tighten the leaning handrails and to replace any rotted deckboards. Once these repairs are finished, the new wood will be stained, and the project will be complete.
ii. Lake 11 Shoreline Restoration Update
Field Manager Pepin reported that Patrick Tohill has been in contact with Pristine Lakes, and as of last week he feels that there is too much equipment and construction on the golf course, making it very difficult for Pristine to haul in the materials they need for the Lake 11 project. Mr. Tohill and Mr. Ayres communicate on a weekly basis to determine when this restoration project can begin.
iii. Lake 22 Sod Repairs Update
Field Manager Pepin noted that the remaining sod will be installed right before the rainy season. Right now, it is too dry, and the sod would require a lot of manual watering.
C. Project Tracking Logs
Supervisor Klein had a question on the manner in which the data is presented in the report, and he and Field Manager Pepin discussed it. It was decided that Supervisor Klein will discuss this further with PDM staff after the meeting.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney
There was no report from Attorney Urbancic.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
There was no Engineer report.
TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Requests/Comments
Chair Hefti stated that she attended the Master’s “coffee and conversation” meeting, and 25-30 people were present. She distributed a CDD information document, and those attending had many questions.
THIRTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
There were no Audience comments.