Meeting Minutes for February 24, 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 February 24, 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
Tim Worthington – Assistant Secretary
Joe Zajac – Assistant Secretary
Howard Klein – Assistant Secretary
Also present were:
Cal Teague – District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Mandie Rainwater – Assistant District Manager, PDM
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. All Board members were present. Also in attendance was Mandie Rainwater, Assistant District Manager. Christopher Dudak, the Client Services Manager, attended remotely.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
An amended Agenda was presented to add:
- 5A Proposals for Fence Line Clearing and Fence Repairs
- 6B Discussion on Proper Way to Dewater a Residential Pool within the Permit
- 6C Resignation of Atwell Engineering
- 6D Discussion on RFQ for Engineering Services
On MOTION by Supervisor Zajac, seconded by Chair Hefti, with all in favor, the Board approved the Agenda, as amended.
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 Regular Meeting Minutes for January 27, 2025
On MOTION by Supervisor Worthington, seconded by Vice Chair Scuderi, with all in favor, the Board approved the January 27, 2025 Draft Regular Meeting Minutes, as presented.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business
A. Proposals for Fence Line Clearing and Fence Repairs
These proposals were presented as handouts and both were approved. They were for vegetation cleanup at the cost of $850 and $4,500 for various fence repairs. District Manager Teague noted that Field Manager Pepin recommends completing this work before the rainy season begins.
On MOTION by Supervisor Worthington, seconded by Vice Chair Scuderi, with all in favor, the Board approved vegetation cleanup, not to exceed $850, and fence repairs, not to exceed $4,500.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Stormwater System Cleaning Results and Recommendations
i. MRI Proposal for Vactor Truck Cleaning
After the stormwater structures were cleaned, MRI submitted a second proposal for the use of a Vactor truck, because they indicated that seven lines are heavily clogged and need further cleaning. No pictures were provided, so it cannot be determined if this is the case. Field Manager Pepin obtained a proposal from FLGIS to ROV the lines with a submersible camera in order to confirm the needs reported by MRI. The MRI proposal for the Vactor truck was $24,086.
The Board asked why additional cleaning is needed that was not completed in the work previously approved. District Manager Teague explained that the first two proposals were to inspect and clean stormwater structures, including catch basins and manholes, and this new proposal is for pipe cleaning the severe blockages that MRI discovered in seven sections of the pipes. This proposal was tabled until next month.
ii. FLGIS Proposal for ROV Verification of Blockages
The Board approved the proposal to ROV the seven lines for $2,200. Based on the report that MRI discovered blockages, they will reconsider the cleaning proposal at the next meeting.
On MOTION by Supervisor Worthington, seconded by Supervisor Klein, with all in favor, the Board approved the ROV of seven lines, not to exceed $2,200.
B. Discussion on Proper Way to Dewater a Residential Pool within the Permit
A letter that District Manager Teague delivered to the homeowner, explaining why they cannot drain pools into the stormwater drain, was included in the handouts, along with information on the treatment that their contractor added to the pool water, and a summary of the City of Fort Myers rules on pool water discharges. Chair Hefti believed a community-wide information e-blast on this might be warranted. Staff will research the City’s recommended procedure to properly drain saltwater pools. They will then provide this information to Colonial Country Club and ask them to send an e-blast to residents. Also, staff will ask the ARC to institute a requirement that residents apply to the ARC when refinishing pools, just as they would when constructing pools, so that discharges can be monitored.
C. Resignation of Atwell Engineering
Engineer Sam Marshall’s resignation was in the handouts. He will serve the District through the end of April at the latest. He offered to help find a new engineering firm.
D. Discussion on RFQ for Engineering Services
Engineer Marshall noted that Atwell is no longer servicing CDDs, so other firms must be contacted. In the handouts was a proposed advertisement requesting qualifications, as is required by statutes. The Board approved advertising the notice as presented. Staff will work with Chair Hefti and endeavor to present responsive engineer(s) at the next meeting to answer questions.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. Financial Report for January 2025
District Manager Teague noted that the last reported interest rate was 4.08%. Assessment collections of $70,000 were just received, and overall the District is about 90% collected. The only Budget overage he noted was for the stormwater system. He expects they will be $48,000 over Budget according to the trend report. The financials were accepted by the Board.
On MOTION by Supervisor Klein, seconded by Supervisor Worthington, with all in favor, the Board accepted the January 2025 Financial Report, as presented.
B. FEMA Final Appeal Update
District Manager Teague had submitted a second and final appeal on the remaining open project, which is the stormwater system, and that letter was in the packet. Staff expects a response in 2-6 months and expects it to remain a denial. Staff has also sent letters requesting investigation to Florida Senator Rick Scott and Representative Byron Donalds.
C. FY 2026 Budget Schedule
The adoption of the proposed Budget was suggested for May 19, 2025, which is the last scheduled meeting before the June 15th deadline, and the Budget Public Hearing is proposed for August 25, 2025. The Board noted that no major projects are pending. The stormwater system will require more funds, as was previously requested. District Manager Teague stated that the first draft will be sent to the Board in April, and his goal is to fund the Budget without the need for raising assessments.
The Board discussed the ride-around meeting in June, and whether construction will prevent them from inspecting assets. Supervisor Zajac will provide a report at the next meeting.
D. FY 2024 Audit Report
District Manager Teague stated that it was a clean audit. There was $138,344 net in the fund balance, which is excess revenue over expenses. It indicated $645,369 in the fund balance. It also indicates no issues of noncompliance, that all the requirements for the fiscal year were met, and there were no findings last year or this year. The Board is very happy with the excess revenue over expenses, which will assist in funding the next annual Budget and will hopefully offset the likelihood of a need to increase assessments. The Board authorized the signature of the annual financial audit. Staff will load it to the District’s website.
On MOTION by Supervisor Klein, seconded by Supervisor Zajac, with all in favor, the Board authorized the District Manager to sign the annual financial audit.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
A. Current Field Inspection Report
District Manager Teague reviewed the field management report and the following items were discussed:
- Supervisor Worthington asked what killed spike rush on Lake 31. District Manager Teague and the Board noted that it is a natural process, and it will grow back.
- Vice Chair Scuderi believed that sod was installed on the wrong side of Lake 22. She is concerned about the irrigation there. District Manager Teague will follow up with Field Manager Pepin.
- Chair Hefti asked which signs were installed, and District Manager Teague noted that all that remains are the environmental signs, which should be installed by end of month.
- Supervisor Zajac asked who put up the field camera in the preserve, noting that the CDD should have been approached for approval. It was noted that shell casings were found, and a police report was filed. This could be the reason for its installation.
- Upon request from the Board, Field Manager Pepin will be asked to improve the butterfly garden.
B. Follow-up Items
i. Littoral Replanting update
Field Manager Pepin reported that the project will be completed when it is a little closer to the rainy season.
ii. Boardwalk Repairs Schedule
Field Manager Pepin reported that Artistic Structures anticipates starting this project near the first week of March.
iii. Lake 11 Shoreline Restoration Update
Field Manager Pepin noted that this is scheduled to be completed during the middle of April, shortly after the golf course has been closed for their improvement project.
iv. Preserve Map Signs Replacement Update
Field Manager Pepin reported that all map signs have been installed, and the environmental signs are yet to be installed.
C. Project Tracking Logs
The Board had reviewed the logs, and there were no questions.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney
There was no report from Attorney Urbancic.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
Engineer Marshall’s resignation was discussed above.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Requests/Comments
There were no Supervisor requests or comments.
TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
There were no Audience comments.