Meeting Minutes for August 20, 2025
Laguna Lakes
Community Development District
The regular meeting and budget public hearing 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 August 20, 2025.
Present and constituting a quorum were:
Mike Cutler – Chair
Bruce Given – Assistant Secretary
David Williams – Assistant Secretary
Attending remotely:
Jonathan Busa – Assistant Secretary
Also present were:
Melissa Gindling – Assistant District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Mandie Rainwater – Assistant District Manager, PDM
John Baker – Engineer, Bowman
Five residents
Attending remotely:
Cal Teague – District Manager, PDM
Three residents
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
The meeting was called to order, and Assistant District Manager Gindling called the roll. Supervisors Cutler, Given and Williams were present, and Supervisor Busa joined remotely. Also attending were Assistant District Managers Melissa Gindling and Mandie Rainwater, John Baker, the Engineer, and five residents. District Manager Cal Teague and three residents joined remotely.
On MOTION by Supervisor Given, seconded by Supervisor Williams, with all in favor, Supervisor Busa was allowed to participate in the meeting remotely.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
On MOTION by Supervisor Given, seconded by Supervisor Williams, with all in favor, the Agenda was approved as presented.
THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments on Agenda Items
There were no audience comments.
FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget Public Hearing
A. Presentation of Proposed Budget
Assistant District Manager Gindling gave an overview of the proposed budget.
Chair Cutler explained several reasons why the increase of assessments was necessary, including lack of FEMA reimbursement, the purchase of a new irrigation pump draining the reserves, and the rising cost of equipment/tariffs. There is concern the low reserves are not enough to cover an emergency.
Supervisor Williams commented that the last time the assessments were increased was in 2018.
On MOTION by Supervisor Williams, seconded by Supervisor Given, with all in favor, the public budget hearing was opened at 4:37 pm.
B. Public Comment
Marilyn Cervantes commented about the pump, and it was clarified that Chair Cutler was discussing the irrigation pump, not the pool pump.
Ardis Uberti commented about the assessment amount of $955.86, and asked why the amount on her tax bill was much higher. Staff and the Board clarified that $955.86 was the amount of O&M assessment, and there was a second half of the assessment for the bond/debt. Both amounts are combined on the tax bill.
On MOTION by Supervisor Given, seconded by Supervisor Williams, with all in favor, the public budget hearing was closed at 4:41 pm.
C. Resolution 2025-05: Adopt FY 2025/2026 Budget Appropriation
Resolution 2025-05 was approved as presented.
On MOTION by Supervisor Williams, seconded by Supervisor Given, with all in favor, the Board approved Resolution 2025-05, adopting the fiscal year 2025/2026 budget.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Fiscal Year 2025/2026 O&M Assessment Public Hearing
A. Presentation of Proposed Assessment Rates
The proposed assessments are an increase of $210 over last year.
On MOTION by Supervisor Williams, seconded by Supervisor Given, with all in favor, the public assessment hearing was opened at 4:43 pm.
B. Public Comment
One email comment was included in the packet from Mary Ann Cowart, requesting the increase go towards improving the irrigation system.
Chair Cutler commented that there was room in the budget to fund the replacement of one irrigation clock, and the Board is considering replacement of clock 5 next year.
Another resident commented that she noticed issues with this irrigation clock as well.
On MOTION by Supervisor Williams, seconded by Supervisor Given, with all in favor, the public assessment hearing was closed at 4:45 pm.
C. Resolution 2025-06: Approve FY 2025/2026 Assessments Levy
Resolution 2025-06 was approved as presented.
On MOTION by Supervisor Given, seconded by Supervisor Williams, with all in favor, the Board approved Resolution 2025-06, adopting the fiscal year 2025/2026 assessment 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 Chair Cutler, seconded by Supervisor Williams, 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 16, 2025
ii. Financial Statements for July 2025
iii. August Field Report
iv. Irrigation Work Orders Log
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
A. Drainage Concerns at 8880 Paseo De Valencia
Engineer Schmitt’s report was discussed. No deficiencies were noted in the pipe inspection. Mr. Schmitt provided 3 recommendations: 1. Provide minor regrading of existing swales. 2. Clean (or replace) existing riprap of accumulated debris that may be hindering flow to the catch basin. 3. Maintain swales on a regular basis free of vegetation debris. The owner of 8880 Paseo De Valencia could also potentially replace the landscape timber wall with a higher wall.
The Board asked staff to get a quote to complete Mr. Schmitt’s suggestions and also send a letter to the resident with the suggestion to replace the landscape wall on their property.
B. BMAP Program Update
Engineer John Baker explained how the BMAP program governs water quality within the district. The new permit/update will require nitrogen reductions within Laguna Lakes. Mr. Baker presented an estimate for his firm to begin researching requirements for this process. Ideally the Board would like a list of any items they already do to qualify for these reduction, to minimize cost. District Manager Teague suggested that field management reports should qualify for some points. As part of the proposal research, Mr. Baker would present a memo with a checklist of potential projects that would qualify. The Board tabled this proposal to next meeting so that all Supervisors could review.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Irrigation
A. Irrigation
i. Irrigation Monitoring and Schedule Update
Several reports were in the agenda packet. A draft of the e-blast for residents was included in the additional materials. The Board made no changes to the e-blast, and staff will request that the HOA send it to residents.
Chair Cutler discussed how the lake level switch was not working properly, and wondered if staff could paint a stripe on one of the posts coming out of the re-use lake to depict the lake level. It was discussed that this was a County-owned float switch, so there was some hesitancy to paint it. Staff will reach out to the County to see if permission could be obtained to do this. Staff will also reach out to Hoover to get a price on the repair of the lake level switch, instead of waiting for Hoover’s next semi-annual maintenance visit.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Proposal to Remove Arecas
Field Manager Pepin provided two proposals to have this task completed. Greenscapes quoted $2,600 and Ramirez quoted $3,250 plus $1,125 for sod. The Board approved the Greenscapes proposal. It was discussed that the arecas were to be removed from the southern berm, and the replacements will be planted along with the replanting project scheduled for next fiscal year.
On MOTION by Supervisor Given, seconded by Supervisor Williams, with all in favor, the Board approved the proposal from Greenscapes to remove the arecas for $2,600.
B. Proposal to Inspect Stormwater Drain Lines
The quote to ROV the entire storm drain system came in at $17,600. The Board was interested in having this completed, but delayed this proposal until November, after hurricane season.
C. Proposal for Ongoing Trash Cleanup in the Lakes
Community Field Services provided a quote for $100 per month to pick up any trash they come across from the lakes while they are onsite conducting their monthly inspection. The Board approved this proposal. Staff will find out if there is no trash to collect, will the District be charged for that month.
On MOTION by Chair Cutler, seconded by Supervisor Williams, with all in favor, the Board approved the quote from Community Field Services to pick up any trash found in the lakes during the monthly inspections for $100 per month.
D. Property Insurance Options for FY 2026
Staff is completing the renewal options for fiscal year 2026 insurance. If the Board would like to add the fountains and new lake level switch to the insurance policy, it will be an additional $1,148 for the fountains, and $38 for the lake level switch. This would be coverage in the event of a lightning strike or hurricane, not ongoing maintenance. After discussion, the Board decided to add the fountains and switch to the policy for fiscal year 2026.
On MOTION by Chair Cutler, seconded by Supervisor Given, with all in favor, the Board approved the addition of the fountains and lake level switch to the property insurance policy for fiscal year 2026.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
A. Project Updates
Staff provided several project updates:
i. Width of Littorals in Lakes
One area in Lake 5 still needs to be sprayed.
ii. Semi-Annual Palm Frond Cleanup
This task was completed last month.
iii. Midge Fly Treatment Update
Three months of treatment have been completed.
iv. Repair of Lake 6 Washout and Lake 7 Ruts
Both areas have been repaired.
v. Washout Repair at 9220/9230 Belleza Way
This area has been regraded, and new sod has been put down.
Chair Cutler commented about the cost of the cane toad collection, and asked staff to provide some alternative program options. He also mentioned the mowing around lakes 2 and 4, and confirmed Field Manager Pepin has informed the HOA of this issue.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. Cash Flow Update / Line of Credit Status
Cash flow appears to be acceptable through the end of the year, and the Board did not feel it was necessary to open the line of credit unless something happens between meetings.
On MOTION by Supervisor Williams, seconded by Supervisor Given, with all in favor, the Board authorized the Chair to open a line of credit, not to exceed $100,000, in the event of a catastrophe.
B. Resolution 2025-07: Fiscal Year 2026 Meeting Schedule
The proposed meeting schedule is included in the packet. These dates have been sent to Ana at the clubhouse and she has already reserved them. The Board approved the schedule.
On MOTION by Supervisor Given, seconded by Supervisor Williams, with all in favor, the Board approved Resolution 2025-07 setting the fiscal year 2026 meeting schedule.
TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney
Assistant District Manager Rainwater reminded the Board that ethics training will need to be completed before the end of the year.
THIRTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Requests/Comments
There were no Supervisor comments.
FOURTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
Ardis Uberti asked about the last time the drains were cleaned, and clarified what the palm frond cleanup project entailed. She also commented that perhaps the Board could consider increasing their deductible to reduce the cost of the insurance policy.