Special Meeting Minutes for April 8, 2024
Renaissance Community Development District
The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Renaissance Community Development District was held on Monday, April 8, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at the Premier District Management Office, 3820 Colonial Blvd., Suite 101 in Fort Myers, Florida and via web conference.
Present and constituting a quorum were:
Doug Dickey – Chair
Sam Martin – Vice Chair
Linda Stuart – Assistant Secretary
George Pattee – Assistant Secretary
Chris Bezaire – Assistant Secretary
Also present were:
Cal Teague – District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Tom Hart – Attorney, Knott Ebelini Hart
Asher Knipe – Attorney, Knott Ebelini Hart
Karen – Court Reporter
Melissa Gindling – Assistant District Manager, PDM
Allison Humbert – Resident
Attending remotely were:
Chris Pepin – Field Manager, Community Field Services
Christopher Dudak – Client Services Manager, PDM
Karem Hernandez – Resident
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 regular meeting was called to order, and District Manager Cal Teague called the roll. All Board members were present. Also attending were Tom Hart, the Attorney, Asher Knipe, Attorney, Karen, Court Reporter, Melissa Gindling, the Assistant District Manager, and Resident Allison Humbert. Chris Pepin, the Field Manager, Christopher Dudak, the Client Services Manager, and Resident Karem Hernandez participated remotely.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
On MOTION by Chair Dickey, seconded by Supervisor 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
Attorney Hart stated that he had some information from the recent mediation, and asked if the Board would like to enter an executive session for discussion. The Board entered the Closed Session.
Assistant District Manager Gindling and Resident Allison Humbert left the meeting, and the meeting video was turned off.
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
On MOTION by Supervisor Pattee, seconded by Supervisor Stuart, with all in favor, the Closed Session was opened at 9:03 a.m.
On MOTION by Supervisor Stuart, seconded by Supervisor Pattee, with all in favor, the Closed Session was closed at 9:45 a.m.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Board Motions for Action from Closed Session
Assistant District Manager Gindling, Engineer Mark McCleary, and Resident Allison Humbert joined the meeting, and the meeting video was turned on.
The public meeting resumed at approximately 10:15 am.
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 Chair Dickey, seconded by Supervisor 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 12, 2023
ii. Financial Reports for February 2024
iii. Financial Reports for March 2024
District Manager Teague noted that the March financials were not available and will be emailed to the Board when completed.
iv. Project Tracking Log
v. Fiscal Year 2023 Audit Report
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business
A. Golf Course Easement Request/Water Use Permit
At the last meeting, the Board desired to ensure that the CDD is an “interested party” on the permit, and Attorney Hart confirmed that this was completed by Attorney Jennison. The Board also asked staff to confirm the deadline for the water use permit renewal.
Whether the CDD and the Golf Course should both be on the permit was discussed.
B. I-75 Wall Improvements
i. Painting Update
Supervisor Pattee reported that the painting contractor did a great job, and the work was completed last Thursday.
ii. Acoustic Engineer Scope of Work
Various types of noise reduction options were discussed.
Engineer McCleary provided a draft scope of work for the advertisement soliciting companies for the project that had been discussed at the last meeting. The Board considered advertising, but with the recent repairs, the hope is that the current wall will last another 10 years. After discussion, the Board decided to wait to advertise, and will continue the project 3 years from now. This item will be removed from the Agenda until then.
C. Lake 6 Shoreline Stabilization Update
District Manager Teague reported that Sea Breeze Erosion is behind schedule and will hopefully begin the Renaissance repair within the next few weeks. The higher lake levels are causing this delay. The County sent more comments on the LDO, and Engineer McCleary has scheduled another meeting with them next Wednesday.
D. Trespassing in Offsite Preserve Follow-up
LCSO’s recommendations were in the packet, which were sent to both the CDD and Reflection Isles. No trespassing signs have been ordered and will be installed by the end of the month. The expected total cost will be around $1,000 which is under the previously approved budget.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Draft Lake Restoration Plan
District Manager Teague stated that this draft covers the restoration over the course of 6 years, based on the severity of each shoreline, as noted in Field Manager Pepin’s report. Residential and golf course shorelines are separated. He noted that this is for Budget planning purposes, and the monies in the Construction Fund can be used first. He also stated that Budget amounts and the order in which they are used can be adjusted by the Board with each Budget cycle. The Board asked how the repairs in the golf course area will be conducted, and District Manager Teague noted that, due to scheduling restrictions, repairs are usually completed while the course is open.
Staff will also send a copy of this plan to Valerie from the HOA.
B. Littoral Planting Proposal
District Manager Teague stated that Pristine Lakes provided a proposal to plant 19,100 pickerelweed, canna, and arrowhead on multiple shorelines throughout the community for the price of $18,500. Littorals will not be installed in the areas of erosion, but only in bare areas along the shorelines. The Board approved this proposal.
On MOTION by Supervisor Bezaire, seconded by Supervisor Stuart, with all in favor, the Board approved the installation of littorals in the bare areas of the shorelines of multiple lakes, not to exceed $18,500.
Engineer McCleary stated that he will examine the original littoral and tree requirements for the lakes to ensure that the District is in compliance. District Manager Teague stated that the installation of additional littorals will likely be required when each area of erosion is repaired.
C. Resident Request to Add Bird Houses in the Preserve Near Triana Terrace for Purple Martins
The HOA presented a request from a homeowner asking the CDD to install bird houses in the preserve to attract martins. It was noted that the homeowner would like the birds to eat insects in the area, and also the homeowner would be willing to pay for the installation.
After discussion, the Board decided that they had no interest in participating financially or maintaining the bird houses, and denied the request to have the bird houses in the preserve.
On MOTION by Chair Dickey, seconded by Supervisor Stuart, with all in favor, the Board denied the request for the installation of bird houses.
D. Request to Adjust Fountain Schedule for Lake 8
Staff received this request through emails from Residents Allison Humbert, Karem and Manual Hernandez, and Mr. and Mrs. Tibbetts, and they asked that staff adjust the fountain schedule to weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Allison Humbert was present at the meeting and Karem Hernandez attended remotely, and they stated that Lake 8 is a small lake, and the noise of the fountain and the bright light were bothersome. However, the two other residents, Kirsten Ferrera and Mr. and Mrs. Fornear, who paid to install the fountain, would like to see it run 7 days per week and later into the evening, as is the case in the other fountains in the community.
The Board confirmed that the fountain has already been installed and will not be removed. It was noted that there is an issue with the fountain timer, and it is currently running 24 hours a day. After discussion, the Board decided to change the run time for the fountain on Lake 8 only, to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 7 days a week, while all other fountains in the community will continue to run from 7 a.m. to midnight.
On MOTION by Chair Dickey, seconded by Supervisor Bezaire, with all in favor, the Board approved the Lake 8 fountain only to run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 7 days a week, with all remaining fountains in the community running from 7 a.m. to midnight.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager
A. Field Manager’s Report
Field Manager Pepin reviewed his report and the following was discussed:
Chair Dickey asked Field Manager Pepin if the compressors for the aerators which will be replaced are still under warranty. Field Manager Pepin stated that they are outside of the warranty. Chair Dickey stated that he is concerned that there are continuing issues with aerators, and he wondered if this can be alleviated. Field Manager Pepin stated that this is common, because there are a number of aerators, and they have mechanical hardware, so issues will arise due to weather and prolonged use.
Field Manager Pepin detailed several aerator issues, which they are addressing, and he stated that several are easily fixed, while others have taken some time to resolve.
He stated that the contractor is addressing the weeds that are present on the shorelines of the lakes.
He stated that the contractor is repairing the lights on the fountain in Lake 2.
He stated that the Lake 10 fountain is now running.
Field Manager Pepin stated that the fountain timer on Lake 8 will be adjusted, as had been requested.
He stated that there are some washouts forming behind the new home on 9551 Via Lago Way, and the Board asked staff to send a letter to the homeowner suggesting the installation of bubblers on the end of his drainpipe to help prevent washouts.
He stated that the overgrown vegetation outside of the preserve will be trimmed, and they are placing the “no trespassing” signs that had been requested.
He stated that it has been difficult to obtain a vendor who will repair the hole in the perimeter fence, because it is so small. He will address it with a temporary fix until it can be repaired.
Chair Dickey asked Field Manager Pepin to speak to the Superintendent and ask him to remind the workers to refrain from blowing grass into the lakes.
B. Follow-Up Items
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney
Attorney Hart reminded the Board that they need to complete 4 hours of ethics training this year, and District Manager Teague suggested some courses that are available, and stated that, if the Board has any questions, they can ask staff.
Attorney Hart also noted that the elections qualifying period for Supervisors is in the near future, and staff will remind those who are up for election about the deadlines.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer
Engineer McCleary reported that he has recently collected water samples from the well.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager
A. FEMA Reimbursement Update
District Manager Teague stated that staff has received 3 FEMA denial memos. FEMA has changed their interpretation of the rules, and all CDD’s are receiving denials. He noted that staff has spoken with a lawyer who specializes in FEMA claims, and they stated that there is not a lot of hope for reimbursement for CDDs. Attorney Hart stated that this is his understanding also. District Manager Teague stated that staff can file an appeal, if the Board desires, and the Board directed staff to do so.
B. Draft of Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget
District Manager Teague presented the draft of the Proposed Budget, and noted that there is no increase in assessments. He stated that staff has entered a few changes, which were discussed. At the June meeting, the Board will adopt a Proposed Budget, and a Public Hearing will be scheduled. If the Board members request any changes to the Budget, he asked that they please contact staff.
C. Construction Fund Summary
District Manager Teague reviewed an updated overview of the spending from the Construction Fund which was included in the packet.
FOURTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Consideration of Resignation of Supervisor Sam Martin
Vice Chair Sam Martin submitted his resignation, effective at the end of this meeting. The Board accepted the resignation, and thanked Sam for his service.
On MOTION by Supervisor Stuart, seconded by Supervisor Pattee, with all in favor, the Board accepted the resignation of Supervisor Sam Martin, effective at the end of this meeting.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Requests/Comments
There were no Supervisor requests or comments.
TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
There were no Audience comments.