Habitat
Community Development District

The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Habitat Community Development District was held in the Bella Terra Clubhouse at 20070 Bella Terra Boulevard in Estero, Florida and also via web conference on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at 4 p.m.

Present (or attending via web conference) and constituting a quorum were:

Joe Napolitano – Chair
Larry Roth – Vice Chair
Linda Lea Gibson – Assistant Secretary
Mark Novitski – Assistant Secretary
Jenny Licht – Assistant Secretary

Also present (or attending via web conference):

Cal Teague – PDM District Manager
Chris Pepin, Field Manager, Field Management Services
Charlie Krebs – Engineer, Hole Montes, Inc.
Greg Urbancic – Attorney, Coleman Yovanovich Koester, PA
Residents

The following is a summary of the actions taken at the Habitat Community Development District Board of Supervisors Meeting.

The meeting was called to order and all Board members were present. Also in attendance were Cal Teague, the District Manager, Chris Pepin, the Field Manager, Charlie Krebs, the Engineer, and some Residents. Participating via web conference was Greg Urbanic, the Attorney.

Add 7Eiv Third Exit Lane
Add 7Di Supervisor Novitski requested the addition of Property Transfer

Jack Simper commented about weeds around the ponds. Field Manager Pepin stated that this will be covered in the Field Report.

A. Draft Meeting Minutes for July 19, 2022

Line 21 Change “abd” to “and”

District Manager Teague stated that it is a solid budget, and he pointed out that there is a proposed $100 per home increase, which would generate $189,900, which will be earmarked predominately for road reserves.

Chair Napolitano opened the Public Hearing at 4:07 p.m.

Joe Daiuto wondered if there in an increase to the reserves because they are deficient. Chair Napolitano stated that they had a study done, and it showed that there are not enough funds for road repairs and resurfacing.

Barry Bratton asked for more detail on the road repair and resurfacing budget and what will be needed for the road resurfacing. He is in favor of the plan to do resurfacing and not to do just an overlay. He also commented that there are some in the community that are concerned about the fumes from the blacktop replacement on the roads and the environmental effects this creates.

Reese wondered how much there is currently in reserves for the roadway surface replacement. District Manager Teague stated that it is currently $612,400 and with the proposed increase of $150,000, there would be $762,400 available in September.

Chair Napolitano closed the Pubic Hearing at 4:12 p.m.

Supervisor Gibson asked what the inflation factor was for this expenditure, and District Manager Teague stated that it was 8% or 9%. Responding to her question, District Manager Teague stated that there was an increase also for cul-de-sacs, and the bond’s current interest rate is between 3% and 4%. After looking at the spreadsheet she noticed that the bonds can be called in in 2025 and that more cash will be needed. Attorney Urbancic stated that this is an optional call date, and homeowners have the option to prepay the bond at any time. District Manager Teague stated that she could go the the website for assistance in calculating what she owes.

A. Resolution 2022-03 Approval of FY 2023 Budget

B. Resolution 2022-04 Approval of FY 2023 Assessment Levy

A. Irrigation Contractor

i. Monthly Irrigation Report

District Manager Teague reported that Tad Kring had sent the monthly report and it was briefly discussed:

It was noted that the number of snails had decreased, although there continues to be a need for treatment in some areas. Field Manager Pepin stated that Tad is moving toward a maintenance position, because the snail intrusion seems to be under control.

B. District Manager

i. Resolution 2022-05 FY 2023 Meeting Dates

C. Field Manager

i. Project Updates

Field Manager Pepin reported on the following issues:

a. FPL Street Light Head Replacement Update

He is waiting for a report from FPL, and he observed on his inspection that they were about 50 to 60% complete. He noted that some streets had not been started. Supervisor Novitski is happy with the direction of light from the street lights, because they are not shining into his home as much as before.

b. 2022 Community Concrete Repair Project Update

Chris reported that the project is 100% complete, and they are completing their final inspections. They will submit invoices for the final payment as soon as the inspections are complete. It was noted that the repair resolved most of the concrete needs in front of driveways, but there are some areas of the concrete repair that are sloppy. He also commented that Estate will soon resod around the clock tower.

ii. Current Field Report

a. Service History Report

Field Manager Pepin reviewed his field report and the following items were discussed:

Chris reported that the lakes were in good condition, but there were a lot of shoreline weeds. The littorals planted at Lakes 5 & 10 are coming along nicely.

He is repairing erosion where needed, and will fix some broken light fixtures. A tree fell into the storm drainage system and he will see that this is removed, and he reported that the preserve needs some trimming. There is silt to be removed and other clean-up areas where the homeowner has built a pool. Chris has noticed a lot of iguanas, which are invasive.

b. Projects and Work Order Tracking Logs

This was in the packet, and there were no questions.

D. Attorney

i. Property Transfer

Attorney Urbancic stated that he had sent the deed to District Manager Teague for the 3 lift stations that the HOA will transfer to us. They will need to be contacted so they will agree to and complete the transfer.

E. Engineer

i. Emergency Exit Update

The County still has not finished installing utilities. The contractor has been asked to report any stormwater run off from the construction that is going into the lake. The contractor will be installing light poles, and Supervisor Novitski would like this completed as soon as possible.

ii. Corkscrew Road Discharge into Lake 1 Follow Up

Engineer Krebs will ensure that the contractor cleans this up when the project is complete.

iii. Traffic Lights on Community Entrance Road Update

There was discussion on the placement of the traffic lights, and Field Manager Pepin will consider the options and report back to the Board.

iv. Third Exit Lane

Engineer Krebs stated that it had been suggested that he look at adding an additional left turn lane to the exit from Bella Terra Boulevard onto Corkscrew, but Engineer Krebs pointed out that creating a right turn lane at the exit is not feasible, because the utilities are there. Supervisor Novitski stated that if the Master is selling the front property for development, he believes that they should work with the CDD to help alleviate traffic problems, and a letter should be sent to them stating as much. District Manager Teague will draft a letter and Chair Napolitano will sign it. There was discussion about the different options to resolve the traffic issue. Supervisor Licht would like the Board to look at the area. District Manager Teague pointed out that an amendment to the assessment methodology will be needed if there are any new assessments for this development.

A. Interior Gatehouse Maintenance Concerns Update

District Manager Teague stated that he is waiting on Cindy to provide a list of the completed tasks. Supervisor Licht had not seen any improvements, and the Board would like this project completed. It was stated that Cindy has Field Manager Pepin’s pictures and Supervisor Licht’s list of things that need repair. Chair Napolitano will contact Cindy.

B. Guardhouse Speed Hump Project Update

Engineer Krebs checked with Fire Marshall Philip Green, and he told him that the fire department recommends something similar to the illustration he submitted to the Board, which is in the packet. They would also consider an FDOT speed table, which considers the tables like a raised pedestrian crossing. Mr. Green mentioned that, from their experience, the speed control devices don’t always provide the required end result. They have seen traffic slowing down for the cushion, and then racing to make up for lost time. Vice Chair Roth had received an estimate for $1,800 per 2″ cushion. Charlie believes that it is more favorable to have a 3″ cushion spread out over the road, and they have previously installed these in other locations. The Board decided to have Chris get another estimate, and Charlie will check with the Village and get a comparison, and see if the fire department approves of the proposal.

A. Financials for July 2022

District Manager Teague reviewed the Financials.

Supervisor Novitski stated that the reserves can be moved around in the future, if needed.

Supervisor Licht wondered if the water coming out of the fountains at the clock tower could be higher. Chris will see if this can be done. She also asked who replaces the dead plants around the light poles and street signs, and Chris stated that they have replaced them in the past. Supervisor Novitski stated that Estate needs to be reminded to do this because District Manager Teague stated that upkeep of vegetation along the roadways is in their contract. District Manager Teague will send a copy of the contract to the Board. She also wondered who destroyed the bollard and plants by the clock tower, and no one saw who did. The Board suggested that they consider placing cameras there.

Vice Chair Roth stated that he had received a copy of an email from District Manager Teague concerning asphalt rejuvenation. He spoke with someone from Total Asphalt, who told him that the materials used in the past took 24 hours to dry, but the new materials only take from a half hour to an hour. He stated that it penetrates the asphalt to about 3/8″ deep, rejuvenates the bonding and adhesives, and is warrantied for 5 years. He was told that if it is done regularly there is no reason to remill and replace the asphalt, and the cost is significantly lower than remilling and resurfacing. Charlie stated that it could be done on a regular basis, but the roads would still need to be resurfaced every 20 years. Vice Chair Roth will find locations that have used this treatment so that the Board can look at it.

Supervisor Novitski passed out to the audience a list of the accomplishments of the Board for the last 8 years, since there seem to be concerns from the residents about the budget, and he will see that it is placed on the website.

Chair Napolitano stated that he may not be at the meeting next month.

Susan Prock would like Supervisor Novitski’s list to be put in the newsletter, and he will try to see that it is done.

Billie Barnes commented that she supports 2 left turn lanes, and she appreciates the work the Board is doing to resolve the issue. Supervisor Novitski stated that there aren’t many options available to exit onto Corkscrew Road going west, and anyone entering the community has to come in on Bella Terra Boulevard. The Board will be working with staff to address the issue.

Reese commented that the important thing is communication with the HOA and the community. He also asked how the CDD property can be delineated from HOA property, and Supervisor Novitski stated that it is found in the Lee County Property Appraiser’s website and is on the GIS survey.

The Meeting was adjourned by Chair Napolitano at 5:57 p.m.

The Next Regular Meeting is September 20, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.