Laguna Lakes
Community Development District

The regular meeting of The Board of Supervisors of the Laguna Lakes Community Development District was held via web conference, as permitted by executive order due to Hurricane Ian, on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.

Present via web conference and constituting a quorum were:

Jonathan Busa – Chair
Ellen Young – Vice Chair
Mark Wessler – Assistant Secretary
Paul Rumbold, Jr. – Assistant Secretary

Also present via web conference were:

Cal Teague – District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Tad Kring – Irrigation Specialists
Chris Pepin – Field Manager, Community Field Services
Felipe Lemus – Florida GIS Solutions
Melissa Gindling – Administrative Coordinator, PDM
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.

The meeting was called to order and four Board members were present, with all attending via web conference. Also in attendance via web conference were Cal Teague, the District Manager, Tad Kring from Irrigation Specialists, Chris Pepin, the Field Manager, Felipe Lemus from Florida GIS Solutions, and Melissa Gindling from PDM.

There were no Audience Comments on Agenda items.

A. Damages

i. Irrigation

a. Estimate to Replace Controller #2 at Pebble Beach

This was previously approved by District Manager Teague, and the controller was sent in for repair. Tad Kring reported that they would receive it in a few weeks. Tucor had found no equipment down, and there appeared to be no lightning damage. They discovered that the issue was software.

The Board was concerned that this area will not receive irrigation for an extended period of time, and Tad stated that it could be watered manually, which the Board agreed to do.

b. Work Orders Log Update

The Board had received the log, and they agreed to table the review until Supervisor Cutler can be present.

c. Chlorine Injection Update

Tad had completed an injection before Hurricane Ian and had flushed out the system soon after the hurricane, and he has observed very little snail activity. The Board agreed to have the next injection done after the first of the year.

d. As Builts

This was discussed during the GIS presentation later in the meeting.

e. Replace Ball Valves & Pipes at 9389 Los Alisos

A resident had requested the replacement of ball valves and pipes, and the Board approved the project.

ii. Lakes

Field Manager Pepin reported that 5 fairly large oak/olive trees on the shorelines of Lakes 1 & 2 had fallen and have been removed. Two smaller trees on Lake 8 have also been removed. Chris reported debris and vegetation in the lakes and they will begin a clean up early in November.

The Board will also consider a visual inspection of the stormwater system in the coming months.

iii. Fountain Repair Estimates for Lakes 2 and 4

Solitude had submitted a proposal for new pumps and motors.

iv. Pine Straw Estimate for October/November Application

Terra Nova had submitted a proposal. When they were asked why the price had gone up, they stated that there has been an increase in the cost of pine straw and fuel.

v. Plant Voids Along Interior Berm Update

The plants were installed a couple weeks before Hurricane Ian, and they are doing well.

B. Clean Up

District Manager Teague stated that they have filed to FEMA an initial application as a small project for less than $1 million. He also recommended a visual inspection of the stormwater system in the coming months, with it being televised and cleaned where needed.

The hurricane clean up will be a multi-phased process, and Chris reported that the following has been completed to date:

The Ficus at the entrance has been cut down and removed.

The damaged perimeter vegetation has been cut down and removed.

The fallen or leaning oak and black olive trees on the eastern berm have been cut down and staged in the power line easement, and the material will be picked up soon.

The fallen trees along the lake banks have been cut down and removed.

In the second phase of the project, the contractor will return and remove the Ficus stumps and grind down the perimeter and shoreline stumps.

There were damaged fencing panels, and they will be getting repair estimates.

After discussion, the Board agreed that the LLCA should repair the monument at the entrance. Rudy Bailey stated that they plan to do so, and they will be restoring the areas where there has been plant removal.

C. Planning

i. FL GIS Solutions Agreement

Felipe Lemus presented illustrated maps from other communities as examples for developing a GIS map for Laguna Lakes. He explained the components of the map and the different information that could be made available. The Board discussed the advantages of the map and agreed to approve the proposal that had been submitted. They would like the project, which will be completed in three phases, to be started as soon as possible, with the goal of completion in Fiscal Year 2023.

ii. Map/List of Electrical Boxes

This will be included with the GIS mapping.

iii. Map/List of Irrigation Locations

This will be included with the GIS mapping.

iv. Lake Maintenance Bid Update

Proposals were included in the Agenda packet, and the Board decided to consider Aquatic Weed Control and FloridAquatic for lake maintenance, and Crystal Clear and Lake Doctors for fountain and aerator maintenance. Chris recommended Aquatic Weed Control and Lake Doctors specifically. Chair Busa asked Chris which company gives the quickest response, and Chris stated that he has not had experience with them, so he cannot tell the Board which one to recommend in this regard. He also stated that they are local firms, so he thought they would be more likely to have a quick response. District Manager Teague stated that if the Board is not happy with any company that they select, they can always change to a different firm. The Board asked for presentations from each company at the next meeting, and this will be added to the Agenda.

v. Stormwater Planning

District Manager Teague stated that they will be obtaining proposals for the inspection and cleaning of the system. Chair Busa walked through the makeup of the stormwater system in Laguna Lakes with assistance from a Google Earth illustration, and he stated that the Board should consider this layout when preparing the community for hurricane season. District Manager Teague recommended that the CDD take over all the stormwater system maintenance responsibilities, and have an MOU drawn up with the LLCA for the system within the streets. The Board felt that Laguna Lakes fared very well after the hurricane, as opposed to surrounding communities, and they were very pleased with how the local agencies handled stormwater management during the storm.

Supervisor Rumbold suggested that there be a telephone or text message system to inform the community when a lift station is down. He was also appreciative for District Manager Teague’s and Field Manager Pepin’s quick response to inspect the community after the hurricane.

A plaque expressing appreciation for Vice Chair Young’s service will be presented to her in the near future. Everyone thanked her for her many years of service and wished her well.

Rudy Bailey thanked staff for all of their diligence in responding after the hurricane. He also wondered if the CDD could more carefully monitor pool construction and maintenance of the stormwater when the system fills up, and also investigate any improvements there could be on the eastern berm.

Bruce Givens expressed his appreciation for the Board’s work on the Ficus hedges at the entrance.

Both residents expressed their thanks to Vice Chair Young for her service.

The Next Regular Meeting is December 14, 2022 at 4:30 p.m.