Meeting Minutes for July 16, 2025
Laguna Lakes
Community Development District
The regular 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 July 16, 2025.
Present and constituting a quorum were:
Mike Cutler – Chair
Michelle Martel – Vice Chair
Bruce Given – Assistant Secretary
David Williams – Assistant Secretary
Jonathan Busa – Assistant Secretary
Also present were:
Melissa Gindling – Assistant District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Mandie Rainwater – Assistant District Manager, PDM
Attending remotely:
David Schmitt – Engineer, Bowman Engineering and Consulting
John Baker – Engineer, Bowman Engineering and Consulting
Aaron Smith – Owner, Insight Irrigation
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. All five Board members were present. Also attending were Assistant District Managers Melissa Gindling and Mandie Rainwater, David Schmitt, the Engineer, John Baker, Engineer, and Aaron Smith, Owner of Insight Irrigation.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
On MOTION by Vice Chair Martel, seconded by Supervisor Busa, 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 Consent Agenda
A. Items to be Pulled for Discussion
No items were pulled.
B. Motion to Approve Consent Items
On MOTION by Supervisor Busa, seconded by Supervisor Given, 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 June 18, 2025
ii. Financial Statements for June 2025
iii. July Field Report
iv. Irrigation Work Orders Log
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
A. Drainage Concerns at 8880 Paseo De Valencia
Staff is waiting for the report from the drain inspection at this address. The contractor had an issue with his equipment and had to send it out for repair. The inspection should be completed within the next week or so. Engineer Schmitt will review the tape and report back to the Board.
Engineer Schmitt also announced that he is retiring in October. He introduced John Baker as his replacement. Engineer Baker has experience with the BMAP program and has worked with Fiddler’s Creek, River Hall and several other communities. Laguna Lakes CDD’s contract is with the Bowman Engineering firm, so the contract would remain the same through this transition. Engineer Baker will be preparing a budget for the upcoming BMAP requirements.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business
A. Irrigation
i. Irrigation Monitoring and Schedule Update
Several reports were in the packet. There were no questions.
ii. Rainy Season Irrigation Program Suggestions
Aaron Smith from Insight Irrigation joined online to discuss his suggestions regarding a more active irrigation programing approach. He acknowledged the community has an expectation of a consistent irrigation schedule, and that the Board had asked for the rain shutoff at .5“ rainfall to last only 24 hours. However, in comparison to other nearby communities, Aaron believes Laguna is being overwatered. He said there are many ways for Insight to determine the appropriate schedule, such as monitoring weather conditions, taking into account how much rain was received, and monitoring sod conditions. Too much water can result in fungus, and limiting irrigation appropriately during rainy season can help the sod grow stronger roots.
The Board commented that they were in agreement with trying this more active approach, and made a motion to allow Insight a more active role.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Martel, seconded by Supervisor Busa, with all in favor, the Board approved Insight Irrigation to change to a more active role in managing the irrigation schedule.
The Board asked Insight and management to put together some communications for residents explaining why this change will be made, and the benefits for the landscaping as well as cost savings. These communications will be sent via an e-blast.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Berm Planting Discussion for Next Fiscal Year
Field Manager Pepin has suggested that the Board narrow down the area they would like to plant next, so he and the vendor can walk the berm and finalize a quote. To finish the interior and southern berms he recommends a budget of $10,000 – $15,000, and for the exterior berms he recommends a budget of $25,000. The proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 currently has $25,000 in the plant replacement line item. The Board discussed several options, and decided to ask Field Manager Pepin to provide a quote to only remove the dead arecas along the southern berm for this fiscal year. They would like to plan the completion of the interior berm (including the southern berm area) in fiscal year 2026, and the exterior in fiscal year 2027.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
A. Project Updates
Staff provided several project updates:
i. Width of Littorals in Lakes
Lake 4 was treated last month and the spike rush is breaking down right now. The only area left to treat is a section of spike rush in Lake 5 near the fountain.
ii. Dead Palm Tree at 8900 Paseo De Valencia
The tree has been removed and replaced.
iii. Maple Tree Replacement at 9150 Red Canyon Drive
The tree has been planted.
iv. Semi-Annual Palm Frond Cleanup
The Board reviewed two proposals to have the areca palm fronds cleaned up. The Board approved the semi-annual cleanup of the palm fronds, and chose the Ramirez proposal for $3,600.
On MOTION by Supervisor Williams, seconded by Chair Cutler, with all in favor, the Board approved the semi-annual palm frond cleanup by Ramirez, not to exceed $3,600.
v. Berm Plantings
All the plants along the eastern berm, interior and exterior have been planted are currently looking good. Vice Chair Martel reported that she has received several positive comments from residents.
vi. Midge Fly Treatment Update
The second treatment should be completed very soon.
vii. Repair of Lake 6 Washout and Lake 7 Ruts
Field Manager Pepin is going to take care of this within the next couple of weeks since Pristine has not.
viii. Washout Repair at 9220/9230 Belleza Way
Field Manager Pepin is going to take care of this within the next couple of weeks since Pristine has not.
The Board discussed the list of HOA concerns in the Field Report, and Assistant District Manager Gindling reported that Chris will begin to copy the HOA chairs on these communications. The Board asked him to also copy each landscaper on these communications.
The Board discussed the trash that Field Manager Pepin reported within the lakes. They would like the Field Manager to reach out to the Chair anytime he notices trash in the lakes, so that the cleanup can be approved as soon as possible.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Discussion
This item was a placeholder if the Board had any questions or comments on the budget. The public budget hearing is scheduled for the August meeting.
B. Cash Flow Update / Line of Credit Status
Credit line information is in the packet. The Board and staff discussed the handout showing the update on actual and projected spending for the rest of the year. Assistant District Manager Rainwater let the Board know that District Manager Teague suggested waiting another month or two and reviewing more actual numbers before opening the line of credit. The Board agreed with this approach, and also commented that the line could be used as a form of insurance for future hurricanes over the next 3 years.
TENTH 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. Staff will send out the training links.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Requests/Comments
Supervisor Williams commented that the work order log is looking much better with more closed work orders.
Vice Chair Martel asked about the status of the drain inspection/cleaning that the Board pushed back. Staff will review and obtain an updated quote. She also asked about the rain gauge in the community.
Vice Chair Martel will not be in attendance at the August meeting.
TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
There were no audience comments.