Meeting Minutes for April 27, 2026
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 April 27, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in the Community Center 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)
Fifteen Residents
Attending remotely were:
Christopher Dudak – Client Services Manager, PDM
Kyle Roehm – Fountain Kings
Two unidentified Callers
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 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 Manager Mandie Rainwater and fifteen residents. Client Services Manager Christopher Dudak, Kyle Roehm from Fountain Kings and two unidentified callers attended remotely.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
The Agenda was approved as amended, adding Agenda Items 5Bii, 6A, 6B, and 7G. The Chair amended the agenda to move to Item 6A immediately following the approval of the meeting minutes. After 6A, the agenda resumed as ordered.
On MOTION by Chair Hefti, seconded by Supervisor Klein, with all in favor, the Board approved the Agenda as amended.
THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments on Agenda Items
- Bruce Drawbridge read a statement against the removal of four fountains from the CDD, and against the amending of meeting minutes.
- Bruce Bonzic read a statement stating the CDD has a recreational obligation to maintain fountains.
- Doug Smith questioned the timing and rationale for removing the fountains, referenced the removal of aesthetics information from the CDD website, asked about potential assessment reductions, and inquired whether other amenities could also be removed.
- Rob Keller noted the fountains have existed since the community’s inception and help mitigate highway noise from I-75.
- Gary Anderson requested reconsideration of divesting the fountains and suggested increasing O&M assessments to fund their maintenance.
FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of Meeting Minutes
A. Draft Meeting Minutes for March 23, 2026.
Supervisor Klein noted that the Board did not vote on the item referenced on line 44 and clarified that the individual mentioned on line 48 is not Dr. Anderson.
On MOTION by Supervisor Klein, seconded by Supervisor Worthington, with all in favor, the Board approved the Meeting Minutes for March 23, 2026, as amended to reflect Supervisor Klein’s comments on lines 44 and 48.
B. Request to Edit Meeting Minutes from February 2026
Pat Tohill read the meeting minutes from February 23, 2026, and he felt the text was not fully reflective of his comments to Field Manager Pepin. Client Services Manager Dudak proposed an alternative text, which was included in the packet, and which Mr. Tohill approved.
On MOTION by Chair Hefti, seconded by Vice Chair Scuderi, with all in favor, the Board approved the change to the meeting minutes from February 23, 2026.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business
A. FLGIS ROV Report
District Manager Rainwater reported that 15,800 linear feet of pipe were inspected, with 3,023 linear feet identified as 25–30% or more obstructed and recommended for cleaning. The report also identifies pipe end conditions requiring cleaning or dredging, as well as catch basins needing targeted attention.
The Board requested clarification regarding ownership of pipes along the entrance road, noting these may fall outside the District’s responsibility. The Board also requested quotes for cleaning the red-coded pipes and additional proposal options based on varying blockage levels.
i. Report on Additional Found Pipes
During the Phase 1 and Phase 2 ROV inspections, Felipe Lemus identified additional drainpipes and structures not shown on existing plans and are highlighted in blue on the maps. The Board questioned whether pipes shown on the golf course were privately installed and therefore not the responsibility of the CDD, and expressed concern about potential debris from recent golf course renovations.
ii. Proposal to Inspect New Pipes
FLGIS has provided a proposal of $12,400 to inspect an additional 6,200 linear feet of newly identified pipes, and to add them to the GIS. The Board discussed deferring this work to 2027 as Phase 4, since Phase 3 is already scheduled for October 2026. This item was tabled to the next meeting.
B. Additional Aerators Discussion
i. Dissolved O2 Test Results on Lakes 1, 21, and 22
All three lakes tested within a healthy range and currently have operating fountains but no aerators. Kyle Roehm requested copies of the reports, noting they did not specify whether samples were taken at multiple depths. He stated that Fountain Kings will conduct depth sampling and compare results with a lake that has aeration.
ii. Proposals for Aerators on Lake 1, 21, and 22
Three proposals were presented to install aerators in the lakes. Field Manager Pepin noted each location may require new electrical service. He is in the process of obtaining formal quotes which the board requested for the budget.
It was noted that funding is not available in the current fiscal year budget and would need to be included in FY 2027. This item was tabled pending receipt of power installation proposals.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Proposals for Aerating Fountains on 50W and 28
Chair Hefti reported that she researched aerating fountains and that Fountain Kings provided two proposals, which were included in the handouts. The proposals cover the purchase, installation, and removal/disposal of existing nonfunctional fountains. The cost is $8,500 for a 2 HP unit at Lake 50W and $9,200 for a 2 HP unit at Lake 28. Warranties include five years on floating components, three years on lights, and one year on other parts.
Kyle Roehm explained they use an underwater fan to improve water circulation but do not replace diffusers or reach the lake bottom; therefore, diffusers are still recommended.
After discussion, the Board agreed to replace the two nonfunctional fountains with aerating fountains and to replace the remaining fountains with similar units as they fail. The Board confirmed that $17,700 for the two replacements can be funded within the current fiscal year budget.
On MOTION by Supervisor Zajac, seconded by Supervisor Worthington, with all in favor, the Board approved the replacement of the the two nonfunctional fountains with aerating fountains at a cost of $17,700 and to replace the remaining fountains with similar units as they fail .
B. Proposals for Vegetation Management from Field Report
In the agenda packet was a proposal from Pristine Lakes and Wetlands to remove miscellaneous vegetation identified in the most recent field report and to reduce Willow and Buttonbush by 5% within the large preserve. This preserve work was recommended by Mr. Brosius of SFWMD as part of bringing the ERP back into compliance this month. The proposed cost is $2,650 and includes the following areas: 9044 Shadow Glen; 9098 Shadow Glen; 9583 Hemingway Preserve Island; Boardwalk areas; and Lake 29 North End.
On MOTION by Supervisor Worthington, seconded by Chair Hefti, with all in favor, the Board approved the proposal from Pristine Lakes and Wetlands to remove miscellaneous vegetation, and to reduce the Willow and Buttonbush by 5% in the large preserve at a cost of $2,650.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. First Draft of Proposed FY 2027 Budget
The draft budget included in the handouts reflects no assessment increase, with 2026 actuals updated through March. Additional aerators and installation of power, as proposed by Field Manager Pepin, are included in Capital Outlay at an estimated cost of up to $130,000. To balance the budget, $40,000 may be allocated from the unassigned fund balance. Supervisor Klein requested the Excel version of the budget and will coordinate with staff on further review. The Proposed Budget is scheduled for adoption at the May 18 meeting.
B. Update on Offer of Nonfunctional Fountains to Master
This matter was addressed and resolved under Item 6A.
C. Supervisor of Elections Voter Count: 1,575 as of April 15, 2026
In accordance with Florida Statutes, the registered voter count was read into the record. As of April 15, 2026, the District has 1,575 registered voters.
D. Election Qualifying Information 2026
Information regarding qualifying procedures for Supervisors Hefti, Klein, and Zajac was included in the packet. Staff will provide a summary and relevant links via email in early May. Candidate pre-qualifying begins May 26, 2026. The qualifying period runs from noon on June 8 through noon on June 12, 2026.
E. Potential District Liability Insurance Update
District Manager Rainwater gave an update on HB145, regarding claims against the government, which passed both houses and is awaiting the governor’s signature. Sovereign immunity will increase to $350,000 per person and to $500,000 per occurrence, and this may affect insurance rates when renewal process begins.
F. Financial Report for February 2026
The February financial report was included in the meeting packet.
On MOTION by Supervisor Worthington, seconded by Supervisor Klein, with all in favor, the Board accepted the February 2026 Financial Report, as presented.
G. Financial Report for March 2026
The March financial report was distributed via email and provided in hard copy at the meeting. Due to difficulty accessing the emailed report, review was deferred to the next meeting.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
A. Current Field Inspection Report
District Manager Rainwater reviewed the field manager’s report and the following items were discussed:
- Trash is minimal with hot spots included on lake 1 & 27.
- Fountain Kings began servicing the District on April 1. Open aerator issues remain outstanding, and the non-functioning fountain light at Lake 22 will be investigated.
- Lake 22 – the Sky View Way condominium drainpipes are causing erosion. The pipes should be buried and extended closer to the lake with a bubbler attached to the end so that the water has a chance to slow down before entering the lake. The Board directed staff to send a letter to the association.
- Regarding Lake 22 sod replacement, Field Manager Pepin recommended installing littoral plantings in lieu of sod, noting that these would be provided at no additional cost as previously owed sod. The Board approved this recommendation, and planting is anticipated next month.
- Approximately 50% of plantings in both butterfly gardens have died. Supervisor Zajac inquired about continuing the gardens due to maintenance challenges; however, the majority of the Board expressed a desire to retain them.
B. Follow-up Items
i. Fountain and Aerator Vendor Change Update
Fountain Kings has conducted their first maintenance event.
ii. Yard Waste in Preserve Several Locations Updates
All parties that have dumped vegetation into the preserves have been notified and the vegetation waste has been removed.
iii. Preserve Non-compliance Update
A letter from SFWMD was received stating that the preserves are back into compliance, however they did recommend thinning out some of the willow and buttonbush by 5% each year. The proposal to do this was approved above in Item 6B.
C. Project Tracking Logs
There were no outstanding items to discuss in the logs.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney
There was no report from the attorney.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
There was no report from the engineer.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Requests/Comments
There was no supervisor requests or comments.
TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
- Brian Johnson stated that in Copper Leaf the bird population declined after fish died, and he asked if the CDD monitors fish populations. The Board noted Tilapia and Bass have been stocked in the past. District Manager Rainwater stated electrofishing surveys are used by some CDDs but are costly and not warranted absent signs such as fish dying or gasping.
- Bruce Drawbridge asked about reserve management. It was noted reserves are allocated for the Boardwalk and general operations. The Boardwalk is nearing the end of its useful life and is expected to require replacement inside 10 years and approximately $540,000 has been set aside for replacement.
- Bruce Drawbridge also stated the CDD recently edited its website to remove fountain descriptions. Staff responded no such edits have been made in recent years.