Continuation Meeting Minutes for August 28, 2024
Laguna Lakes
Community Development District
A continuation meeting of The Board of Supervisors of the Laguna Lakes Community Development District was held at the Laguna Lakes Clubhouse, 15250 Lakes of Laguna Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida and also via web conference on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
Present and constituting a quorum were:
Jonathan Busa – Chair
Mark Wessler – Vice Chair
Michelle Martel – Assistant Secretary
Mike Cutler – Assistant Secretary
Bruce Given – Assistant Secretary
Also present were:
Cal Teague – District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Melissa Gindling – Assistant District Manager, PDM
Mandie Rainwater – Assistant District Manager, PDM
Rudy Bailey – Resident
Dave Williams – Resident
John Laughery – Resident
Attending remotely:
David Schmitt – Engineer, Bowman Engineering and Consulting
The following is a summary of the discussion and actions taken at the Laguna Lakes Community Development District (CDD) Board of Supervisors regular meeting.
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS Call to Order and Roll Call
All Board members were present. The District Manager, Cal Teague, called the meeting to order. Also in attendance were Melissa Gindling, Assistant District Manager, Mandie Rainwater, Assistant District Manager, and Residents Rudy Bailey, Dave Williams, and John Laughery. Attending remotely was David Schmitt, the Engineer.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
An Amended Agenda was forwarded to the Board with two additions:
Add 9C: Lake 5 Fountain Repair Proposal
Add 9D: Hurricane Cleanup Authorization Forms
On MOTION by Supervisor Given, seconded by Supervisor Martel, with all in favor, the Agenda was approved, as amended.
THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments on Agenda Items
There were no Audience comments on Agenda items.
FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Public Hearing
A. Presentation of Final Budget
District Manager Teague discussed the Proposed Budget and noted that there is no increase in assessments. He does not believe the District will need to borrow any funds.
B. Public Comment
On MOTION by Vice Chair Wessler, seconded by Supervisor Martel, with all in favor, the Budget Public Hearing was opened at 4:31 p.m.
There were no Public comments.
On MOTION by Supervisor Martel, seconded by Vice Chair Wessler, with all in favor, the Budget Public Hearing was closed at 4:32 p.m.
C. Resolution 2024‐05: Adopt FY 2024‐2025 Budget Appropriation
On MOTION by Supervisor Cutler, seconded by Supervisor Martel, with all in favor, the Board approved Resolution 2024‐05, adopting the Fiscal Year 2024‐2025 Budget.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Fiscal Year 2025 O&M Assessment Public Hearing
A. Presentation of Assessment Rates
District Manager Teague reported that there was no change in the assessment rates from Fiscal Year 2024 to Fiscal Year 2025.
B. Public Comment
On MOTION by Supervisor Cutler, seconded by Chair Busa, with all in favor, the Assessment Public Hearing was opened at 4:33 p.m.
There were no Public comments.
On MOTION by Supervisor Martel, seconded by Supervisor Given, with all in favor, the Board closed the Assessment Public Hearing at 4:34 p.m.
C. Resolution 2024‐06: Approve FY 2024‐2025 Assessments Levy
On MOTION by Supervisor Cutler, seconded by Vice Chair Wessler, with all in favor, the Board approved Resolution 2024‐06, approving the Fiscal Year 2024‐2025 assessments levy.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Consent Agenda
A. Items to be Pulled for Discussion
No Items were pulled.
B. Motion to Approve Consent Items
On MOTION by Supervisor Given, seconded by Vice Chair Wessler, with all in favor, the Board approved all of the Consent Items.
C. Consideration of Items Pulled for Discussion
D. Consent Items
i. Draft Regular Meeting Minutes for July 17, 2024
ii. Financial Statements for July 2024
iii. August Field Report
iv. Irrigation Work Orders Log
v. FEMA Reimbursement Update
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
A. Water Use Permit Adjustments
Engineer Schmitt reported that he had communicated with the appropriate staff at SFWMD regarding this request, and he submitted the formal request today to change the irrigation facilities on the permit. He expects the request to be accepted within 30 days.
He also reported that he has been working with Field Manager Pepin on the berm measurement exhibit. They have discovered information on the condominium area and some offsets from the buildings as to where the landscape easement starts. He hopes to acquire some ARC surveys to aid in the research of the residential area.
Supervisor Cutler and several audience members had questions regarding what could be planted within the utility easement, and how often the area was maintained.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business
A. Irrigation
i. Irrigation Monitoring and Schedule Update
Assistant District Manager Gindling reported that staff has received a few comments that the community is looking dry. Insight Irrigation reported that, due to the large amount of recent rain, and then the rain stopping, the new growth can die, which makes the turf look dry, and it may also need some fertilizer.
In addition, Controllers 8 and 9 in Monterey are now organized, and the schedules are viewable on a map that Insight created. Assistant District Manager Gindling stated that some of the ongoing controller issues have slowed down this process.
ii. Irrigation Controllers Update
Assistant District Manager Gindling reported that Insight Irrigation is having some ongoing controller connection issues. They cannot communicate with Controller 1 at all. Controller 3 was reestablished after the new SIM card, but connection was lost again. Controller 5 is now connected, but the screen is blank, so they believe it may need a new faceplate. They continue to troubleshoot with No Limit and Tucor. If they cannot solve the issue, they suggested that Aaron come for a site visit. This would be a billable visit though, so they are trying to work with No Limit first. However, No Limit does not seem to be very responsive to this issue. It appears controllers are working in the field and running schedules, but they are unable to connect to them while offsite. The Board wondered if some of the controllers were damaged by lightning. Audience members commented that they had not seen the irrigation run in Pebble Beach and Monterey for several weeks in certain areas.
The Board considered replacing Controller 1 and installing a new faceplate for Controller 5. After discussion, they decided to ask Aaron from Insight Irrigation to come for a site visit and inspect all the controllers. The main concern is to develop a budget for any repairs or replacements that are needed and bring all of the controllers back up and running by the end of rainy season. Staff will ask Aaron to look at all controllers and give feedback on each one regarding the repairs needed, and the expected useful life of each. Staff will ask Aaron to provide an hourly rate for this work and schedule the site visit.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Wessler, seconded by Supervisor Martel, with all in favor, the Board approved replacing the communication board on Controller 1 and replacing the face plate on Controller 5. After discussion, the Board revised the motion to state that Aaron will come for a site visit to determine what repairs are needed for all of the controllers, specifically controllers 1, 2, 3 and 5.
iii. Flush Treatment
Insight Irrigation reported that this has been scheduled for the weekend of September 20th.
iv. Recent Irrigation Water Use
Supervisor Cutler had asked whether the new irrigation monitoring and rain shutoff has resulted in lower water use for the community. Staff put together a summary of the recent water bills, which is in the packet, and they seem to show a lower cost for the last 2 months. Staff also reached out to Lee County to find out if they continue to offer the free reuse water program, but it was discovered that the program was discontinued several years ago.
Chair Busa asked staff to ensure that all HOA CAMs, Presidents and Landscape Chairs are included in the irrigation distribution lists. Staff will contact the CAMs to request this contact information.
The Board also wondered if the landscapers are completing wet checks.
B. Overview of Berm Requirements for Residents
This was discussed earlier during the Engineer’s report.
C. Perimeter Palm Tree Pruning Estimates
JVM Landscaping provided a quote of $15,444 and Pristine Lakes originally quoted $12,500. The Board approved the Pristine Lakes quote and asked for the pruning to be scheduled for early November. They also asked Field Manager Pepin to obtain an estimate for the application of pine straw after the palm trees are pruned.
On MOTION by Supervisor Martel, seconded by Vice Chair Wessler, with all in favor, the Board approved Pristine Lakes to prune the perimeter palm trees, not to exceed $12,500.
The Board mentioned that the fountain in Lake 3 is down, and Field Manager Pepin will investigate.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Native Groundcover to Plant Around Drains
This was an idea presented by Vice Chair Wessler at the previous meeting. Field Manager Pepin stated that he does not recommend installing plants around the drains, because they are in the drainage swale, and this is contrary to the CDD’s policy not to plant anything within the swales. The Board clarified that the vegetation would not be installed in the swale, but above it and on the berm. It was suggested that oyster plants could be used. Staff will pass along this clarification to Field Manager Pepin.
B. Gambusia Fish Stocking Proposal
District Manager Teague stated that stocking the lakes with gambusia will help reduce the midge fly population, because they eat the larva. Aquatic Weed Control provided an estimate of $7,723 for 33,040 fish. Due to the cost, the Board tabled this proposal until the next fiscal year.
C. Lake 5 Fountain Repair Proposal
Fountain Kings confirmed that the Lake 5 fountain has a bad motor and pump, and both items need to be replaced. They provided an estimate for $5,216.10. The Board approved this proposal.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Wessler, seconded by Supervisor Given, with all in favor, the Board approved replacing the motor and pump on the Lake 5 fountain, not to exceed $5,216.10
D. Hurricane Cleanup Authorization Forms
District Manager Teague presented two forms, which would allow the CDD to be on a priority list for hurricane cleanup. The Board approved both. Vice Chair Wessler commented on FEMA guidelines and wondered if designating a staging area would be beneficial.
On MOTION by Supervisor Martel, seconded by Supervisor Cutler, with all in favor, the Board approved two forms authorizing services from Pristine Lakes and Community Field Services for hurricane cleanup.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
Field Manager Pepin’s report was in the packet, and the following was discussed:
A. Project Updates
i. Sod on Belleza Way
Field Manager Pepin reported that the sod continues to naturally fill in. He also planted St. Augustine grass seed in the areas that were still bare on August 13th. Mr. Laughery commented that the area is looking better.
ii. Sylvester Palms Behind the Monuments
District Manager Teague stated that the new fronds were looking greener this month. Supervisor Martel asked staff to ensure these palms were included in the pruning contract approved earlier in the meeting.
iii. Midge Fly Treatment
District Manager Teague reported that the first midge fly treatment was conducted on July 30th. There will be 2 more treatments conducted in the upcoming months. The Board commented that the midge flies were particularly bad this month.
iv. Width of Littorals in Lakes
District Manager Teague reported that Lake 2 was recently sprayed and the outer spike rush was turning brown, as noted in Field Manager Pepin’s site inspection. AWC still needs to treat the spike rush on Lakes 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. District Goals, Objectives, and Measures Annual Reporting Document; Resolution 2024-07
District Manager Teague stated staff has developed a basic template, which was included in the Agenda Packet. The Board approved Resolution 2024-07 and staff will post the report on the District’s website.
On MOTION by Chair Busa, seconded by Supervisor Given, with all in favor, the Board approved Resolution 2024-07, approving the goals, objectives, and measures document.
B. Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Meeting Schedule; Resolution 2024-08 to Adopt It
Staff confirmed that the proposed meeting dates are reserved in the Clubhouse. The Board approved Resolution 2024-08 and set the meeting schedule for the third Wednesday of every month at 4:30 pm:
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
On MOTION by Supervisor Martel, seconded by Supervisor Cutler, with all in favor, the Board approved Resolution 2024-08, approving the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 meeting dates.
TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney
There was no report from Attorney Cohen.
THIRTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Requests/Comments
Supervisor Cuter inquired about the required ethics training for Supervisors, and staff will forward the links for the training to the Board after the meeting.
FOURTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
There were no Audience comments.