Meeting Minutes for February 11, 2025
Renaissance Community Development District
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Renaissance Community Development District was held on Tuesday, February 11, 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
James Bond – Assistant Secretary
George Pattee – Assistant Secretary
Chris Bezaire – Assistant Secretary
Arriving later:
Linda Stuart – Vice Chair
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
Karen Crawford- Court Reporter
Attending remotely were:
Chris Pepin – Field Manager, Community Field Services
Julia Jennison – Attorney, Lewis, Longman, and Walker, P.A.
Kent Safriet – Attorney, Holtzman, Vogel
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. Four Board members were present, and Vice Chair Stuart arrived later. Also attending were Tom Hart, the Attorney, Asher Knipe, Attorney, Court Reporter Karen Crawford, and Melissa Gindling, Assistant District Manager. Attending remotely were Chris Pepin, the Field Manager, Julia Jennison, Attorney, and Kent Safriet, Attorney.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
On MOTION by Chair Dickey, seconded by Supervisor Bezaire, with all in favor, the Board approved the Agenda, as presented.
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
Attorney Hart requested a Closed Session to discuss the lawsuit.
The meeting video and audio were turned off, and Assistant District Manager Gindling left the meeting room.
On MOTION by Chair Dickey, seconded by Supervisor Pattee, with all in favor, the Board entered the Closed Session at 8:34 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
Vice Chair Stuart arrived during the Closed Session.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Board Motions for Action from Closed Session
The Board left the Closed Session at 9:59 a.m. Attorney Knipe and the Court Reporter left the meeting. The meeting video and audio were turned back on. No action was taken from the Closed Session.
On MOTION by Chair Dickey, seconded by Vice Chair Stuart, with all in favor, the Board closed the Closed Session at 9:59 a.m.
Assistant District Manager Gindling rejoined the meeting.
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 December 9, 2024
ii. Financial Reports for November 2024
iii. Financial Reports for December 2024
iv. Financial Reports for January 2025
v. Project Tracking Log
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business
A. Golf Course Easement Request/Water Use Permit
The Board decided to delay discussion on this topic until the next water use permit renewal date. This item will be removed from the Agenda until 2026.
B. Lake 6 Shoreline Stabilization Project Update
i. Resident Removal of Fence from CDD Easement
District Manager Teague reported that the County had not issued the permit for moving the fence until today.
ii. Catch Basin Installation
District Manager Teague reported that the contractor was waiting for a survey to locate underground utility lines. Once this has been completed, he estimates that they will be onsite within a week to complete the catch basins. All residents “opted-in” for the catch basin and drainage pipe installation.
iii. Status of Seabreeze Contract
District Manager Teague reported that Pristine Lakes will next be installing the catch basins and drainage pipes. Engineer McCleary will inspect the lake area and provide recommendations to Seabreeze, so they can complete the project. Staff has not received a change order from Seabreeze as of yet.
C. Rest Area Expansion Follow-up
District Manager Teague reported that the District received another mailer from FDOT regarding this project, and it is included in the packet. There were no other updates.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Aerator Repair Proposals
District Manager Teague reported that Pristine Lakes provided a proposal to repair aerators for Lakes 6, 12, 13, 3 & 19. Some of these are original aerators. The Board approved this proposal.
On MOTION by Chair Dickey, seconded by Vice Chair Stuart, with all in favor, the Board approved the repair of aerators, not to exceed $14,025.
B. Proposal to Visually Inspect the Storm Water System
District Manager Teague stated that it has been just over 2 years since the last visual inspection of the entire stormwater management system. If the Board has any interest, MRI has submitted a proposal for $6,500. Inspections are usually completed every 3-5 years, and, after discussion, the Board decided to delay the inspections until the 3-5 year mark. Field Manager Pepin will inspect some trees and vegetation that may be growing in some of the catch basins.
C. Unauthorized Littoral Removal at 9300 Terabella Place
District Manager Teague reported that the homeowner who removed the vegetation was very cooperative and sent the CDD a check to cover the replacement of littorals. The proposal from Pristine Lakes has been signed and returned, so the contractor can schedule the planting. The contractor will be replanting along the shoreline when it is closer to the rainy season.
D. Insurance Follow-up
Staff contacted the District’s insurance company regarding Supervisor Bond’s question at the last meeting concerning the addition of the District as an additional insured. Per the insurance policy, the only parties that are permitted to receive the cancellation notification under the policy contract are lenders, loss payees or mortgagees. The first named insured, the District, will be notified of cancellations. Other evidence of coverage was included in the packet. PDM will inform the Board if there are any changes to the insurance policy.
E. Lake Bank Restoration Plan Follow-up
The previously reviewed lake maintenance plan is in the packet. Chris Pepin has provided an updated erosion map. Lakes 10, 18, and 0-3 are scheduled for remediation in Fiscal Year 2025. The Board would like to begin scheduling these repairs and asked staff to acquire quotes. This project will also be included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget.
F. Scheduling of a Community Ride Around Workshop
Supervisor Bezaire suggested that they schedule a ride-around workshop, so that the Board can review community assets. A ride-around was tentatively scheduled for April 14th at 3:00 p.m. Staff will finalize scheduling.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Stuart, seconded by Chair Dickey, with all in favor, the Board approved tentatively scheduling the regular meeting on April 14, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. and a ride-around workshop at 3:00 p.m.
G. Daniels Parkway Multifamily Zoning Notice
The District received a zoning notice for a vacant lot near the entrance of Renaissance. Supervisor Bond obtained some additional information about this project, which is in the packet. Staff has also requested some additional zoning information from the County.
Supervisor Bond discussed his additional research into this project and noted that this will result in increased car traffic near Renaissance. The Board believes the Renaissance HOA should coordinate with Paseo and Reflection Isles for attendance at any zoning hearings.
H. Proposal to Remove Well Pumps and Control Systems
A proposal from McCullers was included in the packet. The Board had no interest in this proposal.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
A. Field Manager’s Report
Field Manager Pepin reviewed his report:
The lakes are looking good this month, overall. Some littorals are browning due to the weather, but they should grow back.
The Lake 5 air station is down, and it has been reported to the contractor.
The Lake 9 fakahatchee grass will be planted when there is more rain in the forecast.
Some dead branches along the perimeter fence and I-75 have been cleaned up.
A section is not receiving irrigation, and Field Manager Pepin will address this by moving some rotor sprinklers this month.
The aeration installation on Lake 0-6 is complete.
The Lake 6 cart path issue has been reported to Dale at the golf course.
He noticed a few damaged wall panels this month. Chair Dickey reminded Chris that there are some extra panels on site, and Chris will investigate.
The Board approved Chris Pepin’s team to clean up the trash at the homeless camp.
Field Manager Pepin requested that the Board send any vegetation concerns in the stormwater system to him for follow up.
The Board also discussed the hog issue in the community. Staff will research some program costs and contact Valerie to discuss possibilities for addressing this. They will report their findings to the Board.
Supervisor Bond discussed the armadillo damage to his property, and the Board decided to address this at a later time.
B. Follow-Up Items
i. Aerator Installation on Lakes 0-1 and 11
This project is now complete, and the system is online.
ii. Fountain Installation on Lake 17
This project is now complete, and the system is online. A lock has been placed on the control panel cabinet.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney
A. Senate Bill 7040: Changes to Stormwater Inspection and Reporting Requirements
Staff was recently informed about recent legislation that will affect stormwater inspection and reporting requirements. Attorney Hart reported that these apply to new applications, and there should be no changes for Renaissance.
B. Easement Use Agreement for 9506 Via Lago Way
Attorney Hart drafted an easement use agreement for Supervisor Bond’s property, and Supervisor Bond had some questions about how the ownership portion was written. Attorney Hart presented a revised version at the meeting that will be signed by Chair Dickey and Supervisor Bond.
TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
There was no report from Engineer McCleary.
THIRTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Schedule
District Manager Teague presented a Budget schedule, and he asked Supervisors to send any requests for next year’s Budget to staff. He stated that a draft Budget will be presented at the April meeting. The final Budget and assessment rates will be adopted at the August meeting, after the Public Budget Hearing.
B. Review of Legal Expenses
District Manager Teague presented the current expenses, along with a billing rate update from Lewis, Longman, and Walker. Attorney Hart noted that the LLW project has been tabled at this time, except for any charges that may have accrued from the lawsuit. Attorney Hart will ask Attorney Knipe for a legal fee estimate for the next fiscal year, so the Board can appropriately budget for this expense.
There was discussion on the potential need to increase assessments.
C. FEMA Reimbursement Update
Two more appeal denial letters were in the packet. District Manager Teague reported that all appeals are being denied, and staff does not plan to pursue FEMA funds any further. This item will be removed from the Agenda.
FOURTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Requests/Comments
Supervisor Bond discussed the Golf Course’s request for a bridge easement, and he noted that the bridge has settled, which may be a safety issue. Engineer McCleary will be asked to inspect the area.
FIFTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
There were no Audience comments.