Meeting Minutes for November 20, 2024
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 Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
Present and constituting a quorum were:
Mark Wessler – Vice Chair
Michelle Martel – Assistant Secretary
Bruce Given – Assistant Secretary
Attending remotely:
Jonathan Busa – Chair
Mike Cutler – Assistant Secretary
Also present were:
Melissa Gindling – Assistant District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Mandie Rainwater – Assistant District Manager, PDM
Dave Williams – Resident
Frank Amati – Resident
Vickie Rose – Resident
Jason Sherman – Resident
Attending remotely:
Cal Teague – District Manager, PDM
David Schmitt – Engineer, Bowman Engineering and Consulting
Aaron Smith – 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 at 4:30 p.m. and Assistant District Manager Melissa Gindling called the roll. Three Board members were present, and Chair Busa and Supervisor Cutler attended remotely. Also in attendance were Mandie Rainwater, Assistant District Manager, and Residents Dave Williams, Frank Amati, Vickie Rose, and Jason Sherman. Attending remotely were Cal Teague, the District Manager, David Schmitt, the Engineer, and Aaron Smith from Insight irrigation.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Wessler, seconded by Supervisor Martel, with all in favor, the Board approved Chair Busa and Supervisor Cutler attending remotely.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Oaths of Office for Seat 3: Mike Cutler
Supervisor Cutler was administered the Oath of Office before the meeting.
THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Consideration of Appointment to Vacant Seat 5
Since no one ran for Seat 5 in the election, it is currently vacant, and Vice Chair Wessler will remain on the Board until someone is appointed. Two letters of interest had been received from the community. The Board decided to delay appointing someone for another month, so that the vacancy can be properly advertised in the community. Staff will place the vacancy on the District’s website and request the HOA to send an e-blast.
On MOTION by Chair Busa, seconded by Supervisor Given, with all in favor, the Board approved extending Mark Wessler’s tenure as a Board member for 30 days.
FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Resolution 2025-01: Board Reorganization
This was tabled until the next meeting when a new Supervisor will be appointed.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
Add 10C: Repair Quotes for Fountains #2 and #6.
On MOTION by Supervisor Martel, seconded by Supervisor Given, with all in favor, the Agenda was approved, as amended.
THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments on Agenda Items
Jason Sherman inquired about the schedule of the palm tree pruning, and it was reported that it is scheduled to begin this week.
Vickie Rose commented about the island along Bass Road, and wondered if there is an irrigation issue in this area. Staff will research and follow up.
Dave Williams commented about the resident request for lanai screen replacement, and reported that the resident had received a quote for the installation of storm shutters, and the company offered to fix the damaged screen free of charge as part of the installation. Therefore, there was no further action needed.
SEVENTH 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 Martel, 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 October 16, 2024
ii. Financial Statements for October 2024
iii. November Field Report
Assistant District Manager Gindling reported that the locks for the fountain cabinet doors are starting to rust and need replacement. The Board agreed that Field Manager Pepin can replace them.
iv. Irrigation Work Orders Log
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
A. Water Use Permit Adjustments
Engineer Schmitt reported that he and his staff are working with the SFWMD.
B. Everglades West Coast BMAP: Required Nitrogen Reductions for Laguna Lakes CDD
Engineer Schmitt reported that he has reviewed the initial BMAP information and would like to meet with staff to discuss the project going forward.
C. Overview of Berm Requirements for Residents Follow-up
Engineer Schmitt has found minimal information on the berm measurements from pool surveys and plats. He recommends having his survey team conduct spot surveys along the wall and fence to identify these measurements, and he stated that he will provide a quote for this service at the next meeting.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business
A. Irrigation
i. Wet Check Update
Assistant District Manager Gindling reported that communication with the HOAs has improved somewhat over the last few weeks, and she has begun receiving wet check reports. Ramirez and JVM have reported several wet check updates to staff, and the CAMs have been communicating with her.
Staff and Chair Busa drafted a document with an overview of HOA and CDD responsibilities, which was sent to the HOA. The Board would like this document placed on the District’s website.
ii. Irrigation Monitoring and Schedule Update
At the last meeting, the Board requested that staff demand wet check reports, as well as, zone identification from the parcel landscapers. After some research into the CDD and the HOA agreements, staff does not believe that the HOA landscapers have an obligation to identify zones for the CDD. Staff has requested this of the landscapers several times, but no response has been received. No Limit has already completed this in Monterey, so the Board would like them to complete this for the remaining neighborhoods.
The Board wanted to make it clear that No Limit’s priority should be fixing the non-operational zones, and they should use their extra service days to complete this. However, they can also complete the zone identification once the work orders are more controlled.
Aaron from Insight Irrigation reported that controller 1 is still not fully functional, and controller 5 was damaged from lightning, but No Limit has repaired it. He also reported that No Limit has obtained a new controller, but they have not sent over a formal quote as of yet. Aaron and staff will continue to remind No Limit that they would like to see the estimate as soon as possible.
iii. Controller Replacement Quote
Staff has requested a quote from No Limit multiple times. Nothing has been received as of yet.
With Aaron’s suggested cost estimates, the Board decided to approve the replacement of controller 1, pending No Limit’s formal quote. Aaron reported that this was a direct replacement, so it should be a fairly quick installation. Then, when irrigation staff research the clock locations further, they can combine this new controller with a current controller, so that the 2 old controllers can be used for spare parts.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Wessler, seconded by Supervisor Martel, with all in favor, the Board approved the replacement of controller 1, including material and installation, not to exceed $12,000.
iv. Camera for Pump Station Gate
The cost is under $100 to place a trail camera at the pump station. This is not a cell camera so the memory card would be pulled for review after each site inspection. The Board approved the installation of this trail camera.
Field Manager Pepin reported that he had also tightened the latch arm on the fence gate so that it can no longer be pushed open. This is a temporary fix, and a new latch will be installed when the damaged fencing is replaced.
On MOTION by Supervisor Martel, seconded by Supervisor Given, with all in favor, the Board approved the installation of a trail camera, not to exceed $100.
B. Resident Request for Areca Removal and Screen Replacement at 8880 Paseo De Valencia
An update was provided earlier in the meeting from Mr. Williams, and this item will now be removed from the Agenda.
C. Request for Clubhouse Parking Lot Drain Cleaning Update
At the October meeting, the Board decided to table the drain inspection until next year, and then complete a cleaning of the entire system. However, last week staff received a reply from Kandice at the HOA stating they would like to split the cost of this estimate and proceed with the work. After discussion, the Board decided to keep the original plan of drain cleaning in the spring, and let the HOA know that they would be open to splitting the cost for this area at that time.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Fence Repair Quotes
Carter Fence provided two fence repair quotes for the following issues:
Replace the damaged fence at the irrigation pump station. This includes the removal of the old fence, installing new fencing, reinstalling the sound material, and repairing the gate arm for $3,438.59.
Repair the leaning fence behind the Monterey monument. This includes straightening 40 line posts in that general area. The majority of posts are leaning north towards Gladiolus Road. The cost is $3,305.47.
The Board approved both quotes. They also requested the removal of the sound barrier material, or that it be rolled up, before future hurricanes. Staff will also ask if Carter Fence offers a preferred vendor or retainer program.
On MOTION by Supervisor Martel, seconded by Vice Chair Wessler, with all in favor, the Board approved the replacement of the damaged fence at the irrigation pump station, not to exceed $3,438.59, and the repair of the leaning fence behind the Monterey monument, not to exceed $3,305.47.
B. Follow-up on Proposals Delayed to Fiscal Year 2025: Lake Level Switch Proposal and Berm Plantings
The Board had delayed some proposals to Fiscal Year 2025, including the installation of a lake level switch to monitor the water level at the cost of $3,995.20, and proposals for berm planting. Field Manager Pepin recommends delaying the berm planting proposals until the rainy season. Another delayed proposal was for gambusia fish stocking, and Chris believes this proposal is no longer necessary.
The Board approved the lake level switch proposal, but asked staff to hold the project until District Manager Teague determines that the District has enough funds to cover the cost. The berm planting proposals will be revisited in the spring.
On MOTION by Supervisor Martel, seconded by Vice Chair Wessler, with all in favor, the Board approved installing a lake level switch, pending assurance from the District Manager that funds are available, not to exceed $3,995.20.
C. Repair Quotes for Fountains #2 and #6
Included in the additional materials was the quarterly maintenance report, along with 2 proposals. The first is for replacement of the damaged panel in Lake 2. The second is the removal of the non-functioning fountain from Lake 6 to further diagnose the problem. The Board approved both proposals.
On MOTION by Supervisor Martel, seconded by Vice Chair Wessler, with all in favor, the Board approved replacing the damaged panel for Lake 2, and removing the non-functioning fountain from Lake 6 for diagnosis.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
Assistant District Manager Gindling reported several project updates from Field Manager Pepin:
A. Project Updates
i. Width of Littorals in Lakes
During his last field inspection, Field Manager Pepin noted that some of the spike rush was treated, but it was too early to tell if it was natural die off or chemical die off. The Board asked him to provide an update by the next meeting, estimating how much longer this width reduction is expected to take, since it was requested several months ago.
ii. Dead Cabbage Palm on Gladiolus
He reported that there are now 2 dead palms in this area. They will be flush cut and removed while the other palms are being pruned.
iii. Palm Tree Pruning and Pine Straw Application
He stated that palm tree pruning will begin this week, and once completed, the pine straw will be installed shortly thereafter.
iv. Power Washing Monuments and Walls
He reported that this project was completed on November 1st.
v. Cypress Tree Uplifting
Field Manager Pepin reported that this task will be completed while they are pruning the palm trees.
vi. Hurricane Cleanup
He reported that the majority of the cleanup has been completed. The remaining vegetation items will be completed this month.
The Board asked about the debris left in the M & N tract and wondered if it is HOA or CDD responsibility. Staff will investigate and report back.
TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. Resolution 2025-02: Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Amendment
District Manager Teague submitted this resolution to adjust the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget for the amount taken from the fund balance for the pump station installation.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Wessler, seconded by Supervisor Given, with all in favor, the Board approved Resolution 2025-02 adjusting the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget for the amount taken from the fund balance for the pump station installation.
B. Anti Human Trafficking Affidavit Required on All Government Contracts
Assistant District Manager Gindling presented an overview of this new requirement for government contracts.
C. Reminder: 4 Hours of Ethics Training Due December 31, 2024
This is a final reminder that this training is due by the end of the year. In January 2025, another 4 hours of ethics training will be required, and it is an annual requirement. Links can be sent to the Board again, if requested.
D. FEMA Reimbursement Update
Assistant District Manager Gindling stated that a letter from FEMA was received, denying the appeal for Project #71142, which includes fencing repair, entrance monument repair and sod. She stated that Laguna Lakes has 3 other projects currently in the appeal stage.
THIRTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney
There was no report from Attorney Cohen.
FOURTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Requests/Comments
Supervisor Martel asked Chris Pepin to monitor the Lake 4 littorals, because she observed dead vegetation in the lake.
Vice Chair Wessler requested 48 hours notice if his presence is needed at the next meeting for quorum. District Manager Teague reminded everyone that Vice Chair Wessler remained in his seat until a replacement can be appointed.
Chair Busa and Supervisor Cutler requested the date of the December meeting.
FIFTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
Jason Sherman commented that the cypress trees along the boulevard looked rough at certain times of the year, and suggested that the Board consider other native tree options when, or if, these will be replaced. He also asked about the entrance gate condition, and it was noted that this was LLCA responsibility, not CDD. The Board also clarified that the CDD had completed the monument repairs near the gatehouse.
Vickie Rose asked if irrigation is still running 3 times per week, and it was clarified that it is. She also asked which clock controlled the island near Bass Road. Staff will investigate and follow up with Vickie.
Vice Chair Wessler commented that some of the sod is expected to turn brown around this time of year due to dormancy.