Meeting Minutes for June 24, 2024
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 June 24, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the Activity Room of the Community Center at 9171 Independence Way in Fort Myers, Florida, and also via web conference.
Present and constituting a quorum were:
Sally Hefti – Vice Chair
Howard Klein – Assistant Secretary
Giovanna Scuderi – Assistant Secretary
Joe Zajac – Assistant Secretary
Attending remotely was:
Tim Worthington – Chair
Also present were:
Christopher Dudak, Client Services Manager – Premier District Management (PDM)
Mandie Rainwater – Assistant District 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 Client Services Manager Dudak called the roll. Four Board members were present, and Chair Worthington attended remotely. Also attending were Christopher Dudak, the Client Services Manager, and Mandie Rainwater, Assistant District Manager.
Supervisor Zajac commented that he believes that the Board did not approve the participation of Chair Worthington at the May meeting, because it was not mentioned in the May 20, 2024 meeting minutes.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Hefti, seconded by Supervisor Scuderi, with all in favor, the Board approved Chair Worthington’s attendance remotely.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
An Amended Agenda was presented which combines 6A and 6B as a single item.
On MOTION by Supervisor Zajac, seconded by Supervisor Klein, with all in favor, the Board accepted 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 Meeting Minutes for May 20, 2024
Note Supervisor Zajac’s comment above.
On MOTION by Supervisor Klein, seconded by Vice Chair Hefti, with all in favor, the Board approved the Draft Regular Meeting Minutes for May 20, 2024, as presented.
B. Draft Ride Around Meeting Minutes for June 5, 2024
On MOTION by Supervisor Zajac, seconded by Supervisor Scuderi, with all in favor, the Board approved the Draft Ride Around Meeting Minutes for June 5, 2024, as presented.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business
A. Fencing Repair between Lakes 11 and 60 Proposals
Client Services Manager Dudak reported that Field Manager Pepin was informed that Eagle Fence is scheduled to inspect the jobsite on June 24th. With all of the rain received two weeks ago, he is not sure if they can access the repair site, because that area fills up with water.
B. Lake 11 Berm Restoration Plan
Client Services Manager Dudak stated that Field Manager Pepin noted that he is still waiting for this proposal, because Gonzalo Ayres of Pristine Lakes and Wetlands was ill and is behind schedule.
C. Golf Course Enhancement Project Updates
Client Services Manager Dudak reported that District Manager Teague signed off on the permit application provided by Pat Tohill after the Ride Around meeting.
Vice Chair Hefti stated that she had read that the golf course may be using Round-Up to kill the grass in February as part of this project, and she was concerned that this could affect the quality of the lakes or otherwise be a health risk. Supervisor Zajac suggested staff send a letter to Pat Tohill and forward a copy to Dan Casciano, Master Board President, asking this question.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Littoral Planting Proposal
Client Services Manager Dudak stated that Field Manager Pepin noted that he is still waiting for this proposal, because Gonzalo Ayres of Pristine Lakes and Wetlands was ill and is behind schedule. The Board noted that, now that the rainy season has begun, and the lake levels are higher, this planting should be postponed.
The Board noted that the aerators on Lakes 7, 8 and 10 on Prosperity are not functioning. They believe that this started after the week of heavy rains two weeks ago. Field Manager Pepin will be asked to report this to Premier Lakes.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. FEMA Appeals
Client Services Manager Dudak reported that there is no new information on the appeals. FEMA’s guidelines state that it has 90 days from the date of the FDEM recommendation to respond to the appeal, which would be July 9, 2024. He stated that, hopefully, there will be a response from them before the next meeting. However, the letter received from them, and which was also in the May Agenda packet, noted that they reported “no estimated time frame for a reply.”
B. Financial Report for May 2024
The Board reviewed the Financials, and they were discussed.
Supervisor Klein noted that there are many Fiscal Year 2024 Budget overages, specifically that Aerators & Fountains is $5,000 over, R&M Fountain is $10,000 over, R&M Miscellaneous is $4,000 over, as well as others. Supervisor Zajac noted over budget items in the project tracking sheet as well. Supervisor Klein would like it ensured that these overages are accounted for in the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. Additionally, he had a question about the $10,000 debt principal prepayment charge on page 21 of the packet. The Financials were accepted, noting the comments and question above.
On MOTION by Supervisor Klein, seconded by Chair Worthington, with all in favor, the Board accepted the Financials for May 2024, noting the comments and question above.
C. Goals, Objectives, and Measures Annual Reporting Draft Template
A draft template of the newly required goals and measures document that is due to be adopted and posted by October 1st was included in the handouts. Client Services Manager Dudak presented examples which could be included in the document. He also explained the history of this requirement and the due dates for adoption, publishing, and reporting by the Board. The goals document must be published by October 1, 2024, and the first report is due December 1, 2025.
The Board questioned its purpose and who had reviewing authority. Client Services Manager Dudak believes it could become part of the Florida Special District Accountability program purview, but this was speculation. Assistant District Manager Rainwater noted that there is no clear guidance in the law, so PDM is preparing several options, which include a simple report that tracks the statutory requirements of the District, which District Manager Teague believes might be accomplished within the bounds of the current management contract. If it should require a more comprehensive report, there might be an additional proposed cost. Staff is also sourcing a proposal asking for an outside firm to prepare a more extensive report. This will remain on the Agenda as these options are developed and will continue to be presented to the Board at future meetings.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
A. Current Field Inspection Report
Client Services Manager Dudak reviewed the field report and the following was discussed:
Vice Chair Hefti asked about the item on page 7 in the Field Manager’s Report, referring to the homeowners along the preserve island on Horse Creek Road who have installed exotic plants that could potentially grow to encroach on the preserve. Noting that the HOA is responsible for this property, staff was asked to send a letter to the HOA President of the neighborhood warning them about exotic plants and reminding them that removal will become their responsibility, if exotics are planted or encroachment occurs in the future.
B. Follow-up Items
i. Vines and Dead Trees on Horse Creek and Country Club Blvd
Field Manager Pepin reported that the vines have been removed. Gonzalo Ayres of Pristine Lakes and Wetlands is also removing two trees which were killed by the vines.
ii. Lake 28 Sinkhole/ Washout between 11035 and 11037 Iron Horse Way
Field Manager Pepin reported that the washout will be repaired sometime this week. The Board noted that, during the ride around, it was mentioned that a catch basin should be installed at this location.
iii. Lake 1 and 22 Sod to Cover Geo Tube
This is scheduled to be completed this week. Field Manager Pepin stated that the sod on Lake 22 will be completed by the middle of the week. The water levels in Lake 1 are currently too high, and the sod would die if installed now. Gonzalo Ayres recommended waiting until the fall and bringing in some additional dirt to build up some of the areas along the shoreline before putting down the sod. He will send over a revised proposal for Lake 1.
iv. Palm Tree Pruning within the Preserve Islands
This project is complete.
v. Washout Repair on Majestic
This is scheduled to be completed this week.
vi. Remove Dead Pines on Walking Path
This project is complete.
vii. Lake 11 Tree Removal on Outfall Structure
This project will be completed in the middle of the week.
viii. Knock Down Chara on Lake 22
The Chara has been treated and is dying.
C. Project Tracking Logs
This was discussed earlier in the meeting.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney
There was no report from Attorney Urbancic.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
Vice Chair Hefti asked about the results of the NPDES & FDEP audit visit, and Client Services Manager Dudak stated that it was completed on June 4th and went well. It was reported that the community looked great. Supervisor Zajac asked if there will be a report generated that can be provided to the Board. Staff will ask Engineer Marshall and report back.
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.