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, June 17, 2025 at 4 p.m.

Present and constituting a quorum were:

Larry Roth – Chair
Norman Reno – Vice Chair
James Meek – Assistant Secretary
Linda Lea Gibson – Assistant Secretary
Jenny Licht – Assistant Secretary

Also present:

Cal Teague – District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Mandie Rainwater – Assistant District Manager, PDM
Chris Pepin – Field Manager, Community Field Services
David Schmitt – Engineer, Bowman Engineering
Four Residents

Attending remotely:

Greg Urbancic – Attorney, Coleman, Yovanovich & Koester, P.A.
Three Residents

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

Chair Roth called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m., and the roll was called. All Board members were present. Also in attendance were Cal Teague, the District Manager, Mandie Rainwater, Assistant District Manager, Chris Pepin, the Field Manager, David Schmitt, the Engineer, and Four Residents. Attending remotely were Greg Urbancic, the Attorney, and Three Residents.

An Amended Agenda was presented.

Add 7E Proposal for Cabinet Door for Pump Station 4
Add 7F Proposal for Guardhouse Desk

A resident commented that drivers entering the community have not always stayed within the designated lanes and the arm of the gate has been damaged. He suggested adding speed bumps to slow traffic, which would help alleviate the issue. Because this was not an Agenda item, Chair Roth stated that this should be discussed during the Audience comments item later in the meeting.

A. Items to Be Pulled for Discussion

No item was pulled.

B. Motion to Approve Consent Items

C. Consideration of Items Pulled for Discussion

D. Consent Items

i. Draft Regular Meeting Minutes for May 20, 2025

ii. Financial Report for May 2025

iii. Project Tracking Logs

A. Irrigation Contractor

District Manager Teague stated that Insight Irrigation provided a quote for snail treatment in the irrigation lines. The cost is $12,000 and the process will take 3-4 days to complete. The Board also discussed annual treatment for snails, and they agreed to do so.

B. District Manager

i. Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget Discussion

District Manager Teague stated that the Budget was adopted at the last meeting and the Public Hearing was set for Aug 21st.

ii. Guardhouse Water Invoices

The Condos CAM reached out to Priscilla and Field Manager Pepin about the water bills for the guardhouse. It seems the condos have been paying for the water for awhile, which averages approximately $60 per month. Per the Facilities and Maintenance agreement, the water for the guardhouse is a CDD responsibility. The Board asked how long the Condos have been paying for the water, and staff did not have that information. It was stated that Assistant District Manager Gindling has completed the transfer of the account to the CDD.

iii. 13244 Lazzaro Construction

A letter was sent to the resident asking them to remediate the issues with their construction. On June 12th they sent photos of the reconstructed silt barrier, which were included in the Additional Materials. After the construction is complete, the area will be inspected to ensure it is returned to its original condition.

Supervisor Meek indicated that the street in front of this residence should also be inspected, because there may be repairs needed as well.

There was discussion later in the meeting about ARC and the CDD’s involvement in pool construction. Staff will compose a checklist that the resident must follow and send it to Priscilla.

C. Field Manager

i. Current Field Report

Field Manager Pepin reviewed his report, and the following was discussed:

There are concerns that someone has sprayed a chemical on plants at the end of Serre Drive that may need replacement.

Someone adjusted the Lake 7 timers incorrectly. Field Manager Pepin corrected them and will add a lock to that control box.

He reported that the lake water conditions are acceptable.

The Lake 5 air station is down and should be repaired soon. The Lake 17 aerator keeps tripping the breakers, which is a GFIC issue.

A resident reported that the drainage is slow at Cardeto. Chris stated that FLGIS is inspecting it, and we are waiting on them to finish.

Young people have been trespassing at Lake 23 to fish, and the resident asked for CDD support. Chris had No Trespassing signs available, and they were installed.

The pressure washing company was onsite to clean the gutters from the road project’s overspray, and it was determined that the amount of chemical needed increased, so they stopped and began to search for a hot water pressure washer or a better chemical.  Supervisor Gibson asked if the pressure washer had tried any acid, and Chris stated that he does not believe they have.

The solar light reported at Ardore needed a new battery, and it was installed. Chair Roth asked if they should keep one on hand. It was suggested that the vendor install a new one when needed rather than having one on hand.

The VFD driver was installed on the clock tower, and it is now operational. There was a lot of sediment in the pipes, and it is being cleaned up. Chris noted that the water is more clear. Vice Chair Reno stated that he believes the sewer pipe near the clock tower appears to be failing again. Chris will inspect the area.

Estate was asked to inspect the crosswalks and clean off any debris.

ii. Project Updates

a. Storm Water Management System Inspection Update

The cleaning is at the cost of $10,700. $8,000 is for the cleaning and $2,700 is to haul away and dump the material at an approved dump site. MRI originally quoted $12,800 and $550 per load to dump off site.

b. Fish Stocking Proposals

Included in the packet were proposals from Pristine Lakes and Premier Lakes to restock the lakes with gambusia (mosquito fish), and the best stocking time is now into early summer. Premier Lakes’s quote was the lowest to install 2,000 fish at $230 per acre. Supervisor Meek believes the Board should not stock these fish, as the places the mosquitos breed in the community have no fish or there is no ability for installation of the fish. Supervisor Licht would like to have the water tested to see if mosquito larvae are present in the lakes to even warrant the fish. This initiative was tabled.

c. Lake Bank Restoration Planning

The lake banks have been showing signs of erosion for awhile. The Board has been repairing the lakes as needed, but no large-scale plan has been developed.

Included in the packet was a planning guide for the Board to utilize to start planning for restoration. Chris Pepin recommended repairing Lakes 1 and 10 as soon as possible and creating a plan for the remainder. Per the planning guide and current estimates, the project may cost over $1.3 million. District Manager Teague stated that there is currently $174,840 in reserves for Lakes. The Board agreed to add $50,000 to the R&M Lakes fund for the 2026 fiscal year.

Engineer Schmitt stated that a Limited Development Order (LDO) will be needed for this project, and he will begin the process of obtaining it. Field Manager Pepin and staff will develop a timeline.

D. Attorney

i. Mary Ann Lauria Update

There was no update.

iii. Kenneth Jay Riha Update

There was no update.

Attorney Urbancic reminded that all Form 1s are due electronically by July 1^st. Also, reporting ethics training is due by the end of the calendar year.

E. Engineer

i. Road Project Update

The attorney for the roadway vendor contacted Attorney Alex Figares. Assistant District Manager Rainwater provided all documents the attorney requested, and Attorney Figares wrote a response to their initial letter. Staff was asked to create a list of additional costs for the project. If the issue reaches the court, it will probably be moved to mediation, which the Attorneys recommend. Based on previous discussions, staff informed the Attorneys that the Board does not think they should pay anything above the original contract price and approved change order. Upon calculation staff recommended a negotiated settlement of $50,000 and the vendor sign a waiver.

Attorney Urbancic explained the mediation process and stated that one representative from the Board will be needed along with PDM staff. It was explained that mediation may cost upwards of $10,000, and will take approximately 30 days to get scheduled. A lengthy court procedure could cost much more. Chair Roth was selected to represent the Board.

It was stated that solar marker and striping will be installed June 18th and 19th.

A. Clock Tower Refurbishment Discussion

Included in the packet are the original quotes for the clock tower, including Vice Chair Reno’s cleaning information. Staff was asked about acquiring design services if the Board wishes to make design changes and Azure Pools can offer design services. Their charge is dependent on the process needed. Staff has also reached out to the HOA and asked about any upcoming color palette changes or architecture changes in the future for the community.

Supervisor Reno is happy with the water clarity and believes that perhaps a full refurbishment isn’t needed at this time. He is recommending re-sealing the bowls, clean the tiles, and refinish the pools. The tower may not need to be painted right away since the CDD would like to wait for the HOA to paint other community buildings to keep them all in sync. The Board will continue to monitor the tower.

B. Lakes to be Transferred from HOA to CDD Follow-up

These have been recorded with the County.

i. Revised proposal to add Lakes 20 & 21 to maintenance schedule

There is a proposal included to add the two new lakes to the current lake maintenance plan, at $200 per month, or $2,400 a year.

ii. Map of New Lakes

Lake 20 has been named Mirabella Lago and Lake 21 has been named Triesta Lacus. Thank you, Supervisor Licht, for the names.

iii. GIS Update Proposal

There is a proposal from FLGIS to update the GIS map with the new lakes, the located valves, update platted easements and other updates for $2,500. Felipe also mentioned that there is a new version 2025 GIS platform that has better tools, security and data storage. The new platform will make it easier to use on a mobile device as well, also at $2,500, for a total of $5,000.
Supervisor Meek made a motion to update the information and upgrade the system. It was seconded by Supervisor Licht with all in favor.

C. Utility Easements Update

The HOA has agreed to sign this agreement and there are plans for it to be signed on June 25. These easements would also be recorded in the GIS update. Mr. Schmitt will provide sealed descriptions for when the agreement is signed and recorded.

D. Cul De Sac Planting Proposal

Estate has presented a proposal for planting additional plants around 3 of the cul de sacs for $836.93.
Supervisor Licht has reviewed the cul de sacs for past plantings and believes that they are in good shape. She would like for Estate to correct the Ixora’s around the posts. Estate has been asked about this in the past, staff will follow up. Supervisor Licht made a motion to approve the Estate proposal at $836.93. Supervisor Meek seconded and all were in favor.

E. Proposal for Cabinet Door for Pump Station 4

Kelleher Renovations has provided a quote to repair the pump station 4 broken cabinet door. Repairs include refabricating the fiberglass door and installing new lift struts. The proposal is for $2,975.00. The Board questioned the cost. ADM Rainwater explained the door is fiberglass and that was a reason we had difficulty in finding someone who can repair the door. This proposal is for repair and replacement of some parts to make it function as new. Supervisor Roth made a motion to repair the pump station door. Supervisor Gibson seconded the motion and all were in favor.

F. Proposal for Guardhouse Desk

Kelleher Renovations has provided two proposals for updating the desk in the guardhouse. The first option is to refurbish the existing desk and add some doors and drawers. They can perform wire management but it is recommend the IT people do that. The first option is $2,510.00. The second option is to replace the desk with new cabinets and counter for a new look. This will also require IT since the old desk would need to be removed. This option is $1,950.00. Both options will require coordination with guard staff to keep the gates operational during the rebuild. Discussion was had about the desk. Supervisor Licht believes that the environment in the guardhouse should show the employees there that the community cares about their work conditions as well as what the community sees as a first impression. Supervisor Reno believes that nothing should be done as no one has voiced a formal complaint. ADM Rainwater will reach out to the vendor to see if better pictures of the desk can be obtained for the Board to review.

Norman Arflack and Richard Smith spoke about wanting the CDD to install something to slow down tailgaters at the residential entry gate. In conversations between Staff and HOA President the HOA is working within the ISN system and with their gate company on a digital solution to this issue and asked Staff not to consider this request yet. Requests for speed tables or humps or something of the sort were voiced. Supervisor Meek cautions against that due to Fire Trucks and other emergency response vehicles. Mr. Schmitt will do some investigations on the matter.

Supervisor Licht said that she would like to be recognized as the liaison to the Master Landscaping Committee.

Supervisor Roth indicated that the President’s Council should be starting back up and that should help with the communication channels in the community.

There were no Audience comments.

The Next Regular Meeting is on July 15, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.