Meeting Minutes for October 14, 2024
Renaissance Community Development District
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Renaissance Community Development District was held on Monday, October 14, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at the Integrity Building, 3820 Colonial Blvd., Unit 200, Fort Myers, FL 33966 and via web conference.
Present and constituting a quorum were:
Linda Stuart – Assistant Secretary
Russ Stuart – Assistant Secretary
Chris Bezaire – Assistant Secretary
George Pattee – Assistant Secretary
Also present were:
Cal Teague – District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Tom Hart – Attorney, Knott-Ebelini-Hart
Karen Crawford – Court Reporter
Melissa Gindling – Assistant District Manager (PDM)
Mandie Rainwater – Assistant District Manager (PDM)
Attending remotely were:
Jessica – CE-Site Engineering
Alex – Resident
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS Call to Order and Roll Call
The Renaissance Community Development District Regular Meeting was called to order, and District Manager Cal Teague called the roll. Four Board members were present. Also attending were Tom Hart, the Attorney, Karen Crawford, Court Reporter, and Assistant District Managers Melissa Gindling and Mandie Rainwater. Attending remotely were Jessica from CE-Site Engineering and Alex, a Resident.
On MOTION by Supervisor Bezaire, seconded by Supervisor Russ Stuart, with all in favor, the Board approved Supervisor Linda Stuart as acting Chair of the meeting.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
Add 9D: Rest Area Expansion
The Board decided to move the closed session items to the end of the meeting, in the event that Attorney Knipe joins the meeting.
Move Item 4: Board Counsel Discussion of Concert Renaissance Lawsuit to Item 13
Move Item 5: Closed Session for Discussion with District Attorneys on Pending Litigation:
Concert Renaissance LLC vs. Renaissance Community Development District
Civil Action No 23-CA-011452 to Item 14
Move Item 6: Board Motions for Action from Closed Session to Item 15
On MOTION by Supervisor Pattee, seconded by Supervisor Bezaire, 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 Consent Agenda
A. Items to Be Pulled for Discussion
No items were pulled.
B. Motion to Approve Consent Items
On MOTION by Supervisor Linda Stuart seconded by Supervisor Pattee, 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 August 12, 2024
ii. Draft Special Continuation Meeting Minutes from August 22, 2024
iii. Financial Reports for August 2024
iv. Financial Reports for September 2024
District Manager Teague stated that the September Financials are not available and will be forwarded to the Board later this week.
v. Project Tracking Log
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business
A. Golf Course Easement Request/Water Use Permit
Attorney Hart requested that this topic be discussed during the shade meeting, since it was related to the lawsuit.
B. Lake 6 Shoreline Stabilization Project Update
District Manager Teague reiterated that Seabreeze Erosion previously reported that they would be submitting a change order for this location, and they were waiting for additional information from Engineer McCleary before submitting the cost. District Manager Teague also noted that there is a large drop off in the pond and the water levels are very high again, so it might be some time before this area can be accessed.
District Manager Teague stated that the homeowner with the fence reported that the work has been measured and confirmed by his contractor, but we do not have a scheduled date as of yet. The homeowner was informed that the Board requests that corrections are completed by the end of October, so that the lake restoration project can continue. Staff will continue to follow up with both the homeowner and Engineer McCleary regarding this work.
C. Fountain Installation on Lake 17 Follow-up
District Manager Teague reported that Field Manager Pepin received the finalized proposals for the installation of the fountain, and those have been sent to Mr. Halverson. Staff has contacted the residents around the lake, and 3 of the 9 have confirmed approval as of this date. Staff has not received the check from the homeowner(s) as of yet, so, the installation is delayed until it is received.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Hurricane Cleanup Preauthorization Forms
District Manager Teague presented pre-authorization forms, which provide a better price and priority in the event of future hurricanes. The Board approved both.
On MOTION by Supervisor Linda Stuart, seconded by Supervisor Pattee, with all in favor, the Board approved pre-authorization forms quoting a price and granting priority for cleanup in the event of future hurricanes.
B. Mall Loop Berm Pine Straw, Plant Replacement, and Dead Vegetation Removal Proposal
The Board reviewed a proposal from Pristine Lakes to install fresh pine straw, replace the dead sod and replace the dead fakahatchee grasses, at a total cost of $1,700. Pristine Lakes also submitted a daily fee of $1,700 to remove all of the dead vegetation along the perimeter berm. The Board approved this proposal, and asked for the work to be scheduled on or after November 15th, and completed before Thanksgiving.
On MOTION by Supervisor Bezaire, seconded by Supervisor Linda Stuart, with all in favor, the Board approved Pristine Lakes to install fresh pine straw, replace dead sod and replace dead fakahatchee grasses, not to exceed $1,700, and a daily fee of $1,700 for removing dead vegetation along the perimeter berm.
Supervisor Pattee mentioned that there have been a lot of Juniper trucks parked along the Mall Loop area, blocking traffic. However, it was determined this is an HOA issue, not a CDD issue.
C. Discussion of Upcoming Vacancy in Seat 5
Supervisor Russ Stuart’s seat is up for election in November, and since he does not plan to remain on the Board, the seat will become vacant. The Board asked staff to place a notice on the District’s website and request letters of interest for filling the vacancy.
D. Rest Area Expansion
FDOT recently sent a mailer concerning the possibility of the expansion of a rest area near Renaissance. Supervisor Pattee and Attorney Hart had concerns about the increased traffic this will bring to the area. Supervisor Linda Stuart will research the upcoming informational meetings regarding this project, and the topic will remain on future Agendas.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
A. Field Manager’s Report
District Manager Teague reviewed Field Manager Pepin’s report, and the following was discussed:
Field Manager Pepin reported that some of the Lakes 3 and 19 air stations are operating, but the system needs to be inspected again by Pristine Lakes.
He stated that the exotics will be addressed during the next cleanup event.
He reported that the hurricane clean-up was completed on the 10th, and the fountains have been turned on.
The Board discussed their concerns of grass clippings that continue to be blown into the ponds. Staff will remind Dale from the Golf Course about the issue. There is also an area around Hole 6 where clippings are being dumped.
Supervisor Linda Stuart noted that there is a stagnant pond where no homes are built, that is looking sudsy. She wondered if there was an aerator in this lake. Staff will investigate.
Supervisor Bezaire mentioned that there is an ongoing wild hog problem due to some holes in the County perimeter fencing. Some residents have hired trappers, but, so far, they have been unsuccessful in trapping the hog(s).
B. Follow-Up Items
i. Littoral Planting Project
Field Manager Pepin stated that the project has been delayed until after the rainy season.
ii. Washout Repairs on Lakes 11 and 19
Field Manager Pepin reported that repairs have been completed. Lake 19 will require some additional dirt, because some washed out after Hurricane Helene.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney
There was no report from Attorney Hart.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
There was no report from Engineer McCleary.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. FEMA Reimbursement Update
District Manager Teague reported that there is no new update from FEMA. He stated that staff received an appeal denial for another community.
B. Fiscal Year 2024 Audit Engagement Letter
A copy was included in the packet for the Board’s information. District Manager Teague stated that management will be forwarding the remaining documents to the auditor within the next few weeks, and he estimated that the audit report will be available in March of next year.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Requests/Comments
There were no Supervisor requests or comments.
TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
Alex asked if the CDD was responsible for turn signal lights. The Board clarified that the CDD does not control any traffic lights.
THIRTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Board Counsel Discussion of Concert Renaissance Lawsuit
Attorney Hart requested a closed session.
On MOTION by Supervisor Linda Stuart, seconded by Supervisor Russ Stuart, with all in favor, the Board entered the closed session at 9:59 a.m.
Assistant District Managers Gindling and Rainwater left the meeting, and the video/audio was turned off.
FOURTEENTH 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
On MOTION by Supervisor Linda Stuart, seconded by Supervisor Pattee, with all in favor, the Board ended the closed session at 10:59 a.m.
Assistant District Managers Gindling and Rainwater rejoined the meeting, and the video/audio was turned on.
FIFTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Board Motions for Action from Closed Session
The Board accepted insurance coverage, and asked staff to schedule a shade meeting between November 5th and 14th.