Meeting Minutes for April 14, 2025
Renaissance Community Development District
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Renaissance Community Development District was held on Monday, April 14, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. 9350 Marketplace Road, Suite 205, Fort Myers, FL, and via web conference.
Present and constituting a quorum were:
Doug Dickey – Chair
Linda Stuart – Vice Chair
James Bond – Assistant Secretary
George Pattee – Assistant Secretary
Chris Bezaire – Assistant Secretary
Also present were:
Cal Teague – District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Melissa Gindling – Assistant District Manager, PDM
Tom Hart – Attorney, Knott-Ebelini-Hart
Asher Knipe – Attorney, Knott-Ebelini-Hart
Mark McCleary – Engineer, Community Engineering Services
Karen Crawford – Court Reporter
Attending remotely were:
Chris Pepin – Field Manager, Community Field Services
Valerie Chartier-Hogancamp, Attorney, Holtzman Vogel
Valerie Nolan – RCA Board
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 Board members were present. Also attending were Melissa Gindling, Assistant District Manager, Tom Hart, the Attorney, Asher Knipe, Attorney, Mark McCleary, the Engineer, and Court Reporter Karen Crawford. Attending remotely were Chris Pepin, the Field Manager, Valerie Chartier-Hogancamp, Attorney, and Valerie Nolan of the RCA Board.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
An Amended Agenda was presented adding:
9C: Vegetation Clean Up Along I-75 Wall and Storm Water Headwall Proposal
9D: Repair Options for Lake 10 South Fountain
On MOTION by Supervisor Pattee, seconded by Vice Chair Stuart, 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 on Agenda items.
FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Board Counsel Discussion of Concert Renaissance Lawsuit
At the request of Attorney Hart, the Board entered a closed session at 9:01 am. The meeting video/audio was turned off, and Assistant District Manager Gindling and Engineer McCleary left the meeting room.
On MOTION by Chair Dickey, seconded by Vice Chair Stuart, with all in favor, the Board entered the Closed Session at 9:01 a.m.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Closed Session for Discussion with District Attorneys on Pending Litigation: Concert Renaissance LLC vs. Renaissance Community Development District Civil Action No 23-CA-011452
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Board Motions for Action from Closed Session
The Board left the Closed Session at 10:19 a.m.
On MOTION by Chair Dickey, seconded by Vice Chair Stuart, with all in favor, the Board closed the Closed Session at 10:19 a.m.
The Board ended the Closed Session at 10:19 a.m. and had a short recess. Attorney Knipe and the Court Reporter left the meeting. Assistant District Manager Gindling and Engineer McCleary rejoined the meeting, and the video/audio was turned on.
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 Supervior Bezaire, seconded by Vice Chair Stuart, with all in favor, the Board approved all items on the Consent Agenda, as presented.
C. Consideration of Items Pulled for Discussion
D. Consent Items
i. Draft Regular Meeting Minutes from February 11, 2025
ii. Draft Special Meeting Minutes from March 10, 2025
iii. Financial Reports for February 2025
iv. Financial Reports for March 2025
v. Project Tracking Log
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business
A. Lake 6 Shoreline Stabilization Project Update
i. Fence in CDD Easement
Engineer McCleary presented an exhibit which indicated that the fence and pool deck are encroaching on the drainage easement. In addition, the fence still encroaches the LME by a few inches. He stated that the current position should not interfere with the lake bank maintenance project, however, the Board agreed to ask Attorney Hart to draft an easement use agreement for this encroachment.
Engineer McCleary explained that the County does not require a survey for this type of project, which can lead to situations such as this. He staked the elevations for repair, and believes the contractor can complete the project using these measurements.
On MOTION by Supervisor Bond, seconded by Vice Chair Stuart, with all in favor, the Board approved the Attorney to draft an easement agreement for encroachment of the fence into the drainage easement and encroachment into the LME.
ii. Catch Basin Installation
The basins have been installed.
iii. Status of Seabreeze Contract
Seabreeze has reported that they cannot complete the project until the fall or winter. Since the Board would prefer that the project is completed before the rainy season, Field Manager Pepin obtained a proposal from Pristine Lakes to complete the project. The Board authorized Management and the Attorney to send a termination letter to Seabreeze for the lake project.
On MOTION by Chair Dickey, seconded by Supervisor Bezaire, with all in favor, the Board approved the Attorney to draft a letter to Seabreeze, canceling the contract to remediate the lake bank, contingent on the the Manager and the Attorney’s review of the cancellation letter.
iv. Proposal from Pristine Lakes
Pristine Lakes provided a proposal for $22,075 to complete the work on Lake 6. The Board approved this proposal, contingent on the termination of the Seabreeze contract. Pristine Lakes will not be asked to begin work until Management and the Attorney are satisfied with the successful termination of the contract.
On MOTION by Chair Dickey, seconded by Supervisor Bond, with all in favor, the Board approved Pristine Lakes to complete the Lake 6 shoreline stabilization project, contingent on the termination of the second Seabreeze contract, with the review of the Manager and the Attorney, not to exceed $22,075.
B. Lake 6 Shoreline Stabilization Project Update
Pristine Lakes provided a preliminary proposal to restore the shorelines along Lakes 10, 18 & O-3. They provided two options for each lake, one with the crushed shell which is on Lake 6. Another option is to complete basic restoration with compacted fill dirt and coconut mat.
The Board had a few questions and concerns about the project, including:
- Can the work be scheduled for February?
- Termination options should be included in the contract.
- How to handle the work on the area near the golf course without disrupting golfers.
- They would first like to evaluate Pristine Lakes’s completion of the work on Lake 6.
- Is there an option to complete each lake individually, rather than committing to the completion of all 3 lakes at the same time.
Because of these questions and concerns, it was decided that this proposal will be discussed further at the next meeting.
There was also discussion on the Lake 7 geotube. Field Manager Pepin noted that the UV coating should last 20-25 years, and planting littorals will also help stabilize the geotube. This will be observed on the Ride Around this afternoon.
Supervisor Pattee left the meeting at 10:56 am.
C. Rest Area Expansion Follow-up
There was no update provided.
D. Daniels Parkway Multifamily Zoning Notice
Vice Chair Stuart stated that she has a meeting scheduled with the zoning department. There was discussion on the vegetation that has been cleared along the fence line near this property, and the Board wondered how much property the CDD owned along the fence line. Engineer McCleary offered to survey the area to ascertain the exact location of the easements. This was placed on hold for the time being.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Wild Hog Program Research
Included in the packet were notes regarding different options for hog control. The Board agreed that, although they sympathize with the damage the hogs are causing, controlling wildlife entering the preserves from nearby County-owned preserves is not CDD responsibility. The Board had no issues with residents and/or the HOA hiring their own trappers and/or hunters to work in the CDD preserves, as long as local laws are followed. The Board asked staff to provide this information to the RCA Board in the form of a letter.
B. CDD Information for Homeowners
Supervisor Bezaire suggested sending a communication to residents which will provide an overview of the CDD and also provide resident responsibilities regarding CDD property. The Board agreed, and staff will finalize this communication and ask Valerie at the RCA to distribute this to the residents.
C. Vegetation Clean Up Along I-75 Wall and Storm Water Headwall Proposal
Field Manager Pepin provided a proposal for the cleanup of several vegetation items at the cost of $4,800. The Board approved this proposal.
On MOTION by Supervisor Bezaire, seconded by Vice Chair Stuart, with all in favor, the Board approved vegetation cleanup, not to exceed $4,800.
D. Repair Options for Lake 10 South Fountain
This fountain is down due to a bad motor that needs to be replaced. Pristine Lakes sent a proposal to replace the motor and another proposal to replace the entire fountain system as the fountain unit is old and has a lot of calcium build up. Field Manager Pepin also recommended upgrading the control panel. He reported that a new system would have a 2-year warranty. The Board approved the replacement of the entire system.
On MOTION by Supervisor Bezaire, seconded by Chair Dickey, with 3 in favor, and Supervisor Bond opposed, the Board approved the replacement of the entire system of the Lake 10 South fountain, not to exceed $15,400.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
A. Field Manager’s Report
Field Manager Pepin reviewed his report:
There are minimal weeds and algae in the lakes.
Some of the littorals that were cut back are growing, and planting is scheduled closer to the rainy season.
The aerators have no new issues, but some valve adjustments are needed.
The Lake 8 fountain had a bad capacitor, and this has been replaced.
The fallen cabbage palms will be removed today.
Concerning lake bank erosion, drainpipes that were hanging over the headwall have been relocated.
Morning glory is growing in one of the preserves, and this will be removed.
Field Manager Pepin wondered if the Board would like to trim the palms on Palomino, and he was authorized to obtain a quote for any palms needing trimming.
There is one section of the wall that has a panel falling out due to oak tree roots. The company that evaluated the wall stated the oak tree will need to be removed before the panel can be repaired. Field Manager Pepin will obtain a proposal.
A mainline break behind the berm at the front entrance was reported to Dale Daniels.
Some of the fakahatchee grasses are looking stressed, so he is monitoring them.
Supervisor Bond mentioned that he saw a worker walking through the spike rush on Lake 7, and spraying the entire shoreline. This will be evaluated at the Ride Around later today.
B. Follow-Up Items
i. Aerator Repairs
The buried airline is broken somewhere between the compressor and Lake 19. A proposal to replace the tubing in the wooded area was provided at the cost of $2,510. The Board approved this proposal.
On MOTION by Chair Dickey, seconded by Vice Chair Stuart, with all in favor, the Board approved the replacement of tubing between the compressor and Lake 19, not to exceed $2,510.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney
There was no report from Attorney Hart.
TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
A. Settling of Golf Course Cart Path/Bridge Area
At the last meeting the Board asked Engineer McCleary to investigate this area to determine if it is a safety hazard. He investigated and reported several maintenance items on the bridge which need attention.
Engineer McCleary would also like to pre-survey the next 3 lakes towards the end of the year before work is scheduled. He will examine the plat for the berm area near the zoning project.
The Board discussed the water use reports that Engineer McCleary was previously completing, and decided to ask him to inform SFWMD that the CDD is no longer completing these reports. Attorneys Hart and Knipe will inform Concert of the same.
THIRTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. Draft of Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget
District Manager Teague reported that, using Attorney Hart’s estimate of $250,000 for legal services, the Fiscal Year 2026 expenditures are $33,726 over revenue in the Draft Budget. This amount was taken from the fund balance to balance the Budget. The Board considered increasing assessments, as well as methods for starting a reserve fund for the I-75 wall. After discussion, the Board decided not to change any items in the the Draft Budget, and asked each Supervisor to review the Draft Budget and send any questions or comments to District Manager Teague and Assistant District Manager Gindling by May 1st. The Proposed Budget will be approved at the June meeting, or no later than June 15th. Vice Chair Stuart will research and provide projections for setting up potential reserve fund accounts and assessment rate options for future Budget planning purposes.
B. Review of Legal Expenses
An updated total of the legal expenses was included in the packet.
FOURTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Requests/Comments
Supervisor Bond commented on the homeless camp and the Ride Around workshop.
Supervisor Bezaire stated that he will not be available for the June 9th meeting, but there is still a quorum, so the Board did not reschedule the meeting.
FIFTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
There were no Audience comments.