Meeting Minutes for October 15, 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 October 15, 2025.
Present and constituting a quorum were:
Mike Cutler – Chair
Michelle Martel – Vice Chair
Jonathan Busa – Assistant Secretary
Bruce Given – Assistant Secretary
David Williams – Assistant Secretary
Also present were:
Cal Teague – District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Mandie Rainwater – Assistant District Manager, PDM
John Baker – Engineer, Bowman
Also attending remotely:
Melissa Gindling – Assistant District Manager, PDM
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 Rainwater called the roll. Supervisors Cutler, Martel, Busa, Given and Williams were present, and Assistant District Manager Melissa Gindling joined remotely. Also attending were District Manager, Cal Teague, Assistant District Manager, Mandie Rainwater, and John Baker, the Engineer.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
The Agenda was approved with the removal of item 4Dii: Financial reports for September.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Martel, seconded by Supervisor Given, with all in favor, the Board approved the agenda as amended.
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
District Manager Teague mentioned that the September financial report is not available yet but will be sent out as soon as it is received. District Manager Teague also discussed that the financials are in a strong position due to transfer of funds and noted that the line of credit has not been opened.
B. Motion to Approve Consent Items
All consent items were approved.
On MOTION by Supervisor Given, seconded by Supervisor Busa, with all in favor, the Board approved the Consent Items as presented.
C. Consideration of Items Pulled for Discussion
D. Consent Items
i. Draft Regular Meeting Minutes for September 17, 2025
ii. October Field Report
iii Irrigation Work Orders Log
iv. Fiscal Year 2025 Goals and Objectives Report Card
v. Series 2017A-2 Arbitrage Report
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
A. Drainage Concerns at 8880 Paseo De Valencia Follow-up
Supervisor Williams distributed a photo of the new landscaping wall constructed by the homeowner at 8880 Paseo De Valencia.
Engineer Baker presented a quote from Conover & Sons for regrading the ground to prevent ponding, the installation of a mesh dome-shaped grate to control debris build-up and rip rap removal and replacement. Engineer Baker will ask the vendor to revise the proposal in the name of the CDD.
On MOTION by Supervisor Busa, seconded by Supervisor Williams, with all in favor, the Board approved the estimate from Conover & Sons for $7,510.
B. BMAP Program Update
An email was received indicating that the BMAP is being challenged, and the deadline may be delayed due to ongoing litigation. Despite this, they continue to recommend proceeding with submissions to the portal so Laguna Lakes will be prepared once the deadlines are finalized. Engineer Baker has requested access to the BMAP portal to begin submitting projects.
C. Easement for Drain Pipe Quote and Update
Engineer Baker presented a proposal for the survey and easement work to be completed while FL GIS is on site, at a cost of $3,000. The Board approved the proposal and requested that Bowman issue it as a work authorization. It was noted that an additional attorney fee will be incurred to finalize and record the easement document. Engineer Baker will also determine whether a smaller camera is available to inspect the pipe near 8880 Paseo De Valencia.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Martel, seconded by Supervisor Williams, with all in favor, the Board approved the survey proposal for $3,000.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Irrigation
A. Irrigation
i. Irrigation Monitoring and Schedule Update
Several irrigation reports were included in the packet. Insight Irrigation recommended adjusting the irrigation schedule from three days per week to two days per week during the cooler months, with a potential further reduction to one day per week in the winter.
The Board approved reducing irrigation to two days per week and directed staff to send an e-blast to residents explaining the change and its reasoning. The Chair was given authority to increase irrigation back to three days per week if necessary. The proposed reduction to one day per week was not approved at this time, as the Board wishes to first assess how the landscaping responds to the two-day schedule.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Martel, seconded by Supervisor Busa, with all in favor, the Board approved the seasonal reduction of the irrigation schedule to two days per week.
ii. County Float Switch Painting Update.
Lee County had no objections to the District’s request to paint the pole used to measure the lake level. Field Manager Pepin noted that painting the lower portion of the pole will be difficult while it remains underwater and may only be possible when the pond level is significantly reduced for a few days. Field Manager Pepin also suggested strapping an aluminum measuring rod to the pole as an alternative solution.
Hoover is scheduled for its next maintenance visit in November, during which time they will attempt to repair the lake level switch.
The Board approved a not-to-exceed amount of $2,000 for painting or marking the pole, with the final approach to be determined by the Chair, Field Manager Pepin, and staff.
On MOTION by Supervisor Busa, seconded by Supervisor Given, with all in favor, the Board approved the cost of painting or marking of the pole to not exceed $2,000.
B. Cane Toad Program Update
Community Field Service provided several proposals for ongoing cane toad management:
- $7,800 per year to continue with the existing 20 traps
- $5,200 per year to reduce the number of traps to 10
- $450 per visit for as-needed polliwog/tadpole removal (4-hour visit)
When Field Manager Pepin first began the trapping program, tadpole traps were tested in the lakes but proved ineffective due to minnows consuming the bait and the dense littoral shelf making maintenance difficult.
The Board approved the 10-trap option at $5,200 per year and will review the service every three months. The tadpole removal proposal was also approved, with the Chair authorized to approve visits as needed. It was agreed that the combined cost of the two programs—10 traps plus tadpole removal—will not exceed $7,800 annually.
Field Manager Pepin will include additional details about this service in his monthly field reports.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Martel, seconded by Supervisor Busa, with all in favor, the Board approved the 10-trap cane toad service option at $5,200 per year and the tadpole removal proposal with combined costs not exceed $7,800 annually.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Cabbage Palm Trimming Quotes
Three quotes were received:
- Greenscapes for $12,084
- Pristine Lakes for $13,725
- Bushwood Tree Company for $24,250.
The Board approved the Greenscapes proposal for the cost of $12,084. Staff will send out an eblast notifying the residents when the palms will be trimmed along with a description of the type of trimming they are performing.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Martel, seconded by Supervisor Busa, with all in favor, the Board approved the palm trimming proposal from Greenscapes for $12,084.
B. Proposal for Miscellaneous Vegetation Tasks
Greenscapes provided an estimate of $1,020 to remove the three trees on the berm. One is a shady lady behind 15610 Laguna Hills Drive, which the homeowner asked to be replaced. The Board approved this proposal.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Martel, seconded by Supervisor Busa, with all in favor, the Board approved the miscellaneous vegetation proposal from Greenscapes for $1,020.
C. Ratification of Proposals Signed Outside of Meetings:
i. Fast Signs No Fishing Signs – $334.58
ii. Fountain Kings LED Light Repairs – $1,211.83
iii. LLS Tax Solutions Arbitrage Services – $500.00
The three proposals were signed outside of the meeting by Chair Cutler.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Martel, seconded by Supervisor Busa, with all in favor, the Board ratified the expenditures authorized by the Chair.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
A. Project Updates:
i. Width of Littorals in Lakes
The remaining area of the lake has been sprayed out with the last section requiring a boat to reach the rest of the spike rush.
ii. Areca Removal
This project was completed on October 7th.
iii. No Fishing Signs replacement
The signs have been ordered and will be installed during the next field inspection.
iv. Stormwater Inspection
The inspection is scheduled to begin November 1st.
The Board asked staff to send a letter to the resident near a section of lake where littorals had been removed, reminding them of the benefits and requirements of littorals.
The Board also asked staff to continue to follow up with the LLCA and sub-associations regarding the weed control issues and trash pictured in Field Manager Pepin’s report.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. Cash Flow Update / Line of Credit Status
This was discussed earlier in the meeting and the District is in good shape without the loan.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney
There were no comments from the Attorney.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Requests/Comments
Vice Chair Martel reported that a drip line had been cut in front of her house and Assistant District Manager Gindling reported it for repair.
TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
There were no audience comments.