Draft Meeting Minutes for February 8, 2021
Renaissance Community Development District
The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Renaissance Community Development District was held on Monday, February 8, 2021 at 9 a.m. at the Club at Renaissance on 12801 Renaissance Way in Fort Myers, Florida and via web conference.
Present (or attending via web conference) and constituting a quorum were:
Richard Platt – Chair
Doug Dickey – Vice Chair
Glen Hammer – Assistant Secretary
Jim Mercer – Assistant Secretary
Also present (or attending via web conference) were:
Cal Teague – District Manager
Attorney – Tom Hart
Mark McCleary – Engineer
Christopher Dudak – Assistant to the District Manager
Nancy Dudak – Premier District Management
The following is a summary of the actions taken at the Renaissance Community Development District (CDD) Board of Supervisors meeting.
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS Call to Order and Roll Call
The Renaissance Community Development District meeting was called to order and District Manager Cal Teague called the roll. All current Board members were present, except Supervisor Hindman who has submitted a letter of resignation from the Board. Also in attendance were Attorney Tom Hart (via web conference), Engineer Mark McCleary, Christopher Dudak and Nancy Dudak from PDM, (both via web conference).
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Jim Mercer Oath of Office
Supervisor Mercer, who was appointed at the last meeting, was sworn in for seat #1.
THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
The Agenda was discussed with the addition of items 7C: Natural Area Clean-Up Proposal, 7D: Fstop & Florida Wildlife Sharing the Landscape Project and 7E: Water Use Permit.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Dickey, seconded by Chair Platt, with all in favor, the Board voted to approve the Agenda as amended with the addition of items 7C, 7D and 7E.
FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments on Agenda Items
Mr. Harrelson requested to keep his Rip Rap, for which he spent $40,000, then left the meeting.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of Meeting Minutes
A. Draft Meeting Minutes from October 12, 2020
The Board reviewed the previous Minutes and suggested changes, including that the Oath of Office for Mr. Hindman was to be mentioned after his appointment. Also, changes were made on lines #20, #32 and #36.
On MOTION by Chair Platt, seconded by Supervisor Hammer, with all in favor, the Board approved the Minutes from October 12, 2020, adding the Oath of Office for Mr. Hindman upon his appointment, and changes on lines #20, #32 and #36.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business
A. Lake Maintenance Update
The District Manager stated that, according to the Field Report, the lakes are looking good, except for the spatterdock. He stated that they have come a long way in the last year. On Lake 6, the report mentioned submerged weeds, and the air station is down. The District Manager said he will have it checked. It was also stated from the report that on Lake 8, there are no bubbles on the surface. That will also be checked. The circuit breaker had to be reset previously. The Field Manager will follow up with Lake & Wetland. The Board mentioned that there has been no active maintenance program in the past. Vice Chair Dickey suggested the need for a maintenance and replacement plan. It was requested that the Field Manager include in his field report any Lake & Wetland maintenance that has been conducted. They also read from the field report that Lake 12 had a noisy compressor, so it was turned off until Lake & Wetland can inspect it. Supervisor Mercer suggested they keep an inventory of the various size compressors they have.
B. Lake 7 Erosion Repair Considerations
i. Revised Proposal for 6″ Pipe
The District Manager shared the revised proposal from Lake & Wetland Management for 6″ pipes for the same price as the 4″. The drain boxes that will be placed between each home are part of the $600 per home proposal. The Board requested a new proposal since this one has been changed several times. They want the work to be done by March or April due to rainy season. They discussed a new proposal subject to acceptance by the Chair with the Engineer’s review, for a not to exceed amount of $80,000.
On MOTION by Supervisor Hammer, seconded by Supervisor Mercer, with all in favor, the Board voted to approve the project, excluding Mr. Harrelson’s property, to authorize a new proposal for the Lake 7 Erosion repair subject to review by the Engineer and acceptance by the Chair for a not to exceed amount of $80,000.
ii. Rip Rap Removal/Dredgesox Replacement
Two homeowners requested the removal of rip rap from their property. The District Manager spoke with Lake & Wetland who said they could remove them and put them on the shoreline of the Harrelson property at no additional charge. The Engineer reviewed the proposal with the Board and explained the Lee County 20% rule for lakes, and the South Florida Water Management requirements. PDM obtained proposals to address the rip rap area behind one of the properties impacted by this project. Lake & Wetland quoted $11,000 to remove and haul away the rip rap from behind 12451 Vitoria Way, which includes the use of an excavator and sod replacement where needed. It would cost an additional $8,000 to install dredgesox in the area where rip rap would be removed.
The Engineer said that rip rap appears to have been installed by Mr. Harrelson without a permit. He also reviewed the current permitting requirements and said if the Board wanted to allow Mr. Harrelson to keep the rip rap, he might talk with the two regulatory agencies, South Florida Water Management and Lee County, to avoid complications in the future. The Board agreed not to take action to have Mr. Harrelson’s rip rap removed under the following conditions:
- The Engineer must verify that the downspouts on Mr. Harrelson’s property are piped to the lakes.
- He must sign or submit a letter to the District’s attorney that he has the neighbor’s permission and that he accepts responsibility for erosion on their property and his.
- Also, he must record this liability and disclose this to any potential buyers.
The Attorney commented that if Mr. Harrelson is in violation of the District’s permit, then something needs to be done. He also said if it is not in violation of the District’s permit, it probably is in violation of Lee County individual laws, which would make it Mr. Harrelson’s problem, and not that of the District. He further stated that if the downspouts are the homeowner’s responsibility and if they are eroding the lakeshore that the District is responsible for, then the homeowner needs to take care of that. He explained that they have a plan in place where they were going to put in drains, and if the downspouts are connected to the drains, then the homeowner responsibility is going to go away because that system is going to take care of the erosion caused by downspouts. If the District will do that for the homeowners for $600, he feels they need to pay for that connection. Finally, he suggested that if Mr. Harrelson’s downspout is properly connected to the District’s system, that needs to be verified, because if it erodes the shoreline, then the District will have to fix it.
On MOTION by Chair Platt, seconded by Vice Chair Dickey, with all in favor, the Board voted to send a letter from the Attorney to Mr. Harrelson saying that he must have permission from his neighbors to assume responsibility for any erosion behind their property because of continuing to keep the rip rap behind his property. Also, the letter will state that he has to take steps to ensure that he will disclose this to any potential buyers. The Attorney will also include that Mr. Harrelson must indemnify the District.
C. Stormwater System Cleaning Update
The District Manager said that the report indicates that MRI has gone through most of the pipe, besides the ones that need to be cleaned with a VAC truck. That will conclude Phase 1 of the project.
D. SWFMD Preserve Non-Compliance Update
The South Florida Water Management District conducted a site inspection on January 25th and indicated that progress has been made towards achieving compliance. They will return on April 5th for a final inspection. The District Manager said that since the Board approved extra treatments, once they get the area in compliance, they can probably move to semi-annual treatments. He further explained that there are 300 acres of Preserve that had a variety of invasive vegetation.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Budget Amendment Resolution 2021-02
The Board discussed the budget amendment.
On MOTION by Supervisor Hammer, seconded by Supervisor Mercer, with all in favor, the Board approved the Budget Amendment Resolution 2021-02 to put $81,000 into capital improvements, which will increase the use of the unassigned fund balance to $150,000.
B. Preserve Signage Locations and Proposals
Having verified that signs need to be placed in the Preserve areas about 150 feet apart from each other, according to the South Florida Water Management District. The Field Manager stated that they would need 68 signs for these areas. The Field Manager obtained two sign proposals, one for green heavy plastic markers for $1,904 and the other for a traditional aluminum sign for $2,861. Installation would be $924. The Engineer explained that there is a permit requirement that signs must be placed on every residential corner along the Preserve border. It was decided not to act until notified to do so.
C. Natural Area Clean-Up Proposal
The Board discussed the natural areas, which are upland wetlands, and they belong to the CDD but are not part of the Preserves. Exotic vegetation must be removed from these areas, but the natural areas should not be altered from their original state. The cost to remove the exotics is $1,500 per day, and it is estimated to take three-four days. Chair Platt asked the Attorney to send a letter about this to the Club, along with a map to identify the natural areas. They also discussed the importance of tackling the Brazilian Pepper immediately to avoid the growth getting worse.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Dickey, seconded by Chair Platt, the Board approved a proposal from Lake & Wetland Management to remove exotic vegetation from the natural areas for $1,500 per day, for three-four days. The Attorney agreed to send a letter to the Club about the issue explaining requirements for natural areas and preserves.
D. Fstop & Florida Wildlife Sharing the Landscape Project
Florida Wildlife contacted the District Manager about participating in the Sharing the Landscape Project. The Board discussed it and decided not to participate.
E. Water Use Permit
The District Manager explained that the water use permit has never been transferred from Worthington’s name to the CDD. Although the Club has the permit in their name, the community still has rights to water access. The Board suggested that the District Manager and Attorney meet with the Club and get more information about this issue. The Club, as the permit holder, is responsible for any over-usage above the allotment. It was also expressed that the Board wants to ensure the permitted allocation will not be reduced if usage is below permitted amounts. Additionally, there was a concern regarding repairs on irrigation and recharge well pumps. The Board requested an inventory of the wells. The Attorney agreed to research the language on the water permit. He also offered to discuss the permit with the Golf Course owner.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. Financial Statements for December & January
The District Manager reviewed the financials for the last two months.
On MOTION by Chair Platt, seconded by Supervisor Mercer, with all in favor, the Board accepted the financials for December and January.
B. E-Verify Program Requirements
The District Manager discussed the federal statute that has been adopted by the State, that the Board must approve and allow the Chair to electronically sign a statement that all vendors who contract with the CDD must register with E-Verify for all new hires after January 1, 2021. The vendors that do business with government units have to verify all employees have provided an I-9.
On MOTION by Supervisor Mercer, seconded by Vice Chair Dickey, with all in favor, the Board authorized the Chair to electronically sign the E-Verify Memorandum of Understanding that says that anyone doing business with the CDD must certify that an I-9 has been reported and certified using the E-Verify system.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
A. Field Report
The Board reviewed the Field Report and had the following concerns/questions:
- The Board asked if the drip lines for irrigation had been removed.
- The landscaping in front is dying, and Juniper said there is too much shade. The Board asked that they find suitable plants for that area.
- It was asked if the Golf Course was going to address washouts, and about their use of mulch along the lake banks.
B. Follow-Up Items
There being none, the next Order of Business followed.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney
The Attorney said they need to speak with the Golf Course owner about getting a letter modification for the hardened surfaces on the lake shore, to be careful about maintenance in the Preserve areas, and at a later date about water usage. He said he will prepare the letter to Mr. Harrelson. It was suggested he address the mulch issue going down to the water line.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
There being none, the next Order of Business followed.
TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Requests/Comments
The Board discussed the letter of resignation from Mr. Hindman. The District Manager said he could place on ad on their website. The Board suggested also posting it on the HOA board.
On MOTION by Chair Platt, seconded by Supervisor Mercer, with all in favor, the Board voted to accept the resignation letter from Mr. Hindman.
The Chair said he would see the HOA Manager regarding a sidewalk concern identified in the field report.
THIRTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
There being none, the next Order of Business followed.
FOURTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Adjournment
There being no further Orders of Business and,
On MOTION by Supervisor Mercer, seconded by Vice Chair Dickey, with all in favor, the Meeting was adjourned at 11:17 a.m.
Next Meeting: April 12, 2021 at 9 a.m.