Meeting Minutes for August 25, 2025
Colonial Country Club
Community Development District
A regular meeting and two Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Public Hearings of the Board of Supervisors of the Colonial Country Club Community Development District was held on August 25, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Ballroom 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
Supervisor attending remotely (at 2:41 p.m.):
Tim Worthington – Assistant Secretary
Also present were:
Mandie Rainwater – Assistant District Manager, PDM
Jef Fornaro – Volunteer Colonial Country Club Facilities Committee
Attending remotely were:
Christopher Dudak – Client Services Manager, PDM
Cal Teague – District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Bonnie Van Popylyn – Resident
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 2:01 p.m., and Assistant District Manager Rainwater called the roll. Four Board members were present and constituted a quorum. Also in attendance was Jef Fornaro. Attending remotely were District Manger Teague (joining at 2:04 p.m.), Client Services Manager Christopher Dudak, and resident Bonnie Van Popylyn.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
On MOTION by Supervisor Zajac, seconded by Supervisor Klein, with all in favor, the Board approved the Agenda as presented.
THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments on Agenda Items
Jeff Fornaro stated that he is a resident volunteer with the Colonial County Cub Facilities Committee to study perimeter and safety issues. He wants to know where perimeter of community and CDD come together.
District Manager Teague joined online at 2:04 p.m.
FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget Public Hearing
A. Presentation of Proposed Budget
The Proposed Budget that was approved at the May 19, 2025 Board of Supervisors meeting was presented as required by Florida Statutes.
B. Public Comment
On MOTION by Chair Hefti, with a second by Supervisor Klein, with all in favor, the Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Appropriation was opened at 2:06 p.m.
Supervisor Klein suggested that there are some projected items that are not up to date, but District Manager Teague explained that the projected items are not part of what is being approved in the budget hearing. Supervisor Klein asked if there can be an excess over revenue on the debt service budget, and District Manager Teague affirmed this.
There were no public comments.
On MOTION by Supervisor Klein, with a second by Vice Chair Scuderi, with all in favor, the Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Appropriation was closed at 2:11 p.m.
C. Resolution 2025-04: Adopt FY 2025/2026 Budget Appropriation
Approved as presented with no changes from the proposed budget.
On MOTION by by Supervisor Zajac, with a second by Supervisor Klein, with all in favor, the Board approved Resolution 2025-04 which adopts the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Appropriation.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Fiscal Year 2025/2026 O&M Assessment Public Hearing
A. Presentation of Proposed Assessment Rates
The assessment table from the budget was presented, and the assessments levels are unchanged from the prior year.
B. Public Comment
On MOTION by Chair Hefti, with a second by Supervisor Klein, with all in favor, the Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026 Assessment Levy was opened at 2:11 p.m.
Assistant District Manager Rainwater noted that the Exhibits A & B of Resolution 2025-05 will be attached when finalized after the meeting.
Jeff Fornaro and Bonnie Van Popylyn asked questions about the bond. It was explained that the bond financed building specific facilities within the community, and was refinanced in 2013, after which the Board reduced the assessment level to property owners. The amortization schedule slates the bond to be retired in 2033.
On MOTION by Supervisor Zajac, with a second by Vice Chair Scuderi, with all in favor, the Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026 Assessment Levy was closed at 2:17 p.m.
C. Resolution 2025-05: Approve FY 2025/2026 Assessments Levy
This was approved without changes to the assessment levels.
On MOTION by Supervisor Klein, with a second by Chair Hefti, with all in favor, the Board approved Resolution 2025-05 which adopts the Fiscal Year 2026 Assessment Levy.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of Meeting Minutes
A. Draft Regular Meeting Minutes for July 28, 2025
The Meeting Minutes were approved as presented.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Scuderi, seconded by Supervisor Zajac, with all in favor, the Board approved the Draft Regular Meeting Minutes for for July 28, 2025, as presented.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business
A. Master Board Rules on Managing Pool Discharges Update
Chair Hefti reports that Colonial Country Club General Manager Rob Podley said that the Colonial Country Club Master HOA will discuss adding the rules at its September meeting. The Board requested Staff to ensure that the version the Master will consider is the same version that Chair Hefti and Client Services Manager Dudak worked with them to revise.
B. Cart Paths Damage Review and Concrete Repair
The Board discussed an invoice for $5,145.04 that was received from Pat Tohill, Director of Agronomy at the Colonial Country club, requesting reimbursement for damages to a cart path which he claims was caused by District contractor Pristine Lakes and Wetlands. Field Manager Pepin had discussed this with Gonzalo Ayers, owner of Pristine Lakes and Wetlands, and though he did not believe there was clear evidence that his company had caused the damage, noting that the Colonial Country Club also had heavy equipment driving over the path, he had offered to fix the area and to only charge the district $2,500 to repair this. However, before the Board could discuss this, Mr. Tohill had this repair done and sent the invoice for $5,145.05 to the district’s management company. The District Manager suggested that, if the Board paid this invoice in full, then Mr. Ayres would give the district $2,500 against future service. After some discussion, the Board requested Field Manager Pepin make an offer that the district would pay to the Club $2,645.04, which is the difference between what Mr. Ayres had offered to charge for the repair, and the amount that Mr. Tohill has charged for the repair. They further suggested that if Mr. Tohill declines to provide the discount, then the Board would discuss this again at the next Board meeting.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Ratification of Proposals Signed outside of Meetings
i. Premier Lakes – Aerator Repairs Lakes 25, 26, 27 – $2,570
This was ratified by the Board. The Board requests FloridAquatic to provide more detailed descriptions of service in its proposals, like Premier Lakes does.
On MOTION by Supervisor Klein, seconded by Vice Chair Scuderi, with all in favor, the Board ratified the paid invoice from Premier Lakes for aerator repairs on Lakes 25, 26, 27 for $2,570.
ii. Premier Lakes – Lake 21 Fountain Lights – $2,767
This was ratified by the Board. As this was an HOA neighborhood purchase that the CDD agreed to maintain, the Board discussed not replacing the fountain should it need to be replaced in the future.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Scuderi, seconded by Supervisor Klein, with all in favor, the Board ratified the paid invoice from Premier Lakes for replacing the Lake 21 Fountain Lights for $2,767.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. Financial Report for July 2025
Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, Supervisor Klein asked if the allowable 15% variance in the budget is per line item or per the entire budget? District Manager Teague stated that the allowable 15% variance is for the budget as a whole.
The Board also discussed its ongoing savings fund for the Boardwalk replacement.
On MOTION by Supervisor Klein, seconded by Chair Hefti, with all in favor, the Board accepted the July 2025 Financial Report, as presented.
Supervisor Worthington joined the meeting online at 2:41 PM.
On MOTION by Chair Hefti, seconded by Vice Chair Scuderi, with all in favor, the Board allowed Supervisor Worthington to participate in the meeting remotely.
B. Update on Golf Course Reimbursement for Aerator Damages
A payment of $5,328 to reimburse the district for aerator line damages caused by golf course renovations was received and deposited.
C. Current Vendors List
Staff provided the Board with an updated vendors contact list.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
A. Current Field Inspection Report
The Field Report was presented, and the following were discussed:
- Page 72: there are additional aerator damages caused by golf course renovations on Lakes 8 and 15.
- The Board notes that golf course renovations are slated to be done by end of week.
- Many washouts caused during golf course renovations have been repaired by Pat Tohill.
- Lake 50 fountain is still being repaired.
- The next quarterly preserve maintenance event is happening in August.
- Page 75 – the Board authorized cutting down the cabbage palm tree that has died along the preserve walking path behind 9936 Horse Creek Road.
- Butterfly Gardens: The Board had requested mulch, but the Field Report notes that Pine Straw was laid instead. The Board requests that, if the district is billed for mulch, then the vendor should replace the Pine Straw, as mulch was asked for and is more expensive. If they were billed for Pine Straw, then drop the issue.
B. Follow-up Items
i. Stormwater System Cleaning Pipes between 3-4, 5-6, 151-150, and 185-184
Field Manager Pepin advised that Extreme Divers is still very behind schedule, and he doesn’t have an ETA.
ii. Aerator Repairs on Lakes 25, 26, 27
Field Manager Pepin advised that repairs are delayed as the compressors are currently on backorder.
iii. Lake 21 Fountain Light Replacements
Field Manager Pepin advised that all repairs have been completed, and the fountain is back online.
C. Project Tracking Logs
The Board discussed if there was a need to ratify additional cost noted on the Boardwalk repairs, but it decided this was not needed.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney
Assistant District Manager Rainwater reminded the Board that their annual four hours of ethics training are due before the end of the calendar year.
TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
Engineer Jamie Rivera will be attending the NPDES meeting with Lee County on August 21st as the district’s representative. She will have a report on this at the next meeting.
THIRTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Requests/Comments
- Supervisor Zajac will arrange for the carts for the ride around meeting in late September. He provided the District Manager a printout of an email from resident Tod Horrigan to the Master Board asking about the water level of lakes. Supervisor Zajac asked Staff to reply to it on behalf of the district.
FOURTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
Jeff Fornaro complimented the meeting structure, the Board, and Assistant District Manager Mandie Rainwater on running the meeting. Staff was asked to send community GIS credentials to Mr. Fornaro for his perimeter security project.