Draft Meeting Minutes for April 15, 2025
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, April 15, 2025 at 4 p.m.
Present and constituting a quorum were:
Larry Roth – Chair
Norman Reno – Vice Chair
Linda Lea Gibson – Assistant Secretary
Jenny Licht – Assistant Secretary
James Meek – 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, Hole Montes
Will Kollman – Estate Landscaping
Russ Nunan- Estate Landscaping
Eleven Residents
Attending remotely:
Greg Urbancic – Attorney, Coleman, Yovanovich & Koester, P.A.
Melissa Gindling – Assistant District Manager, PDM?
The following is a summary of the actions taken at the Habitat Community Development District Board of Supervisors Meeting.
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS Call to Order and Roll Call
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, Will Kollman and Russ Nunan from Estate Landscaping, and Eleven Residents. Attending remotely were Greg Urbancic, the Attorney, Melissa Gindling, Assistant District Manager?
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Pledge of Allegiance
THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
An Amended Agenda was presented.
Add 7Di Amended and Restated Facilities Operation and Maintenance Agreement
Add 7G Guardhouse Inspection Report
Add 7H Hardwood Pruning Proposal for 21101 BTB.
On MOTION by Supervisor Licht, seconded by Supervisor Meek, with all in favor, the Board approved the Agenda, as amended.
FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments on Agenda Items
Reas Graber commented on irrigation concerns stemming from the road project.
Diane Meek commented on Zillow’s evaluation of property values, and how it affects the homeowners.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Consent Agenda
A. Items to Be Pulled for Discussion
No item was pulled.
B. Motion to Approve Consent Items
On MOTION by Supervisor Meek, seconded by Supervisor Licht, with all in favor, the Board approved all Consent Items, as presented.
C. Consideration of Items Pulled for Discussion
D. Consent Items
i. Draft Meeting Minutes for March 18, 2025
ii. Financial Report for March 2025
iii. Project Tracking Logs
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Staff Reports
A. Irrigation Contractor
District Manager Teague stated that staff is still waiting on a quote for irrigation controllers. They expect to receive it in the next few weeks.
B. District Manager
i. Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Discussion
District Manager Teague stated that the District will have an overage of $129,000 without assessments. He reviewed where funds will be needed and possible projects they may undertake.
Supervisor Meek stated that the bond should be paid off in about 10 years, which could lower assessments. However, District Manager Teague stated that refinancing the bond can prevent the costs associated with a new bond offering. There is also an option to take out a loan. He stated that loan terms are typically five years or less, while bonds are six years or longer. He also stated that the Board may not need to raise assessments.
At the next meeting the Board will decide if they accept the proposed Budget and the assessment in the levy. Chair Roth asked that the Board members have any changes, modifications, or ideas forwarded to staff by May 2nd, so a draft can be distributed for review ahead of the next meeting.
ii. FEMA Reimbursement Update
Diistrict Manager Teague stated that the only recent update is that FEMA has received the District’s most recent appeal, and staff should receive another update in a few months. This item will be removed from the Agenda until there is an update.
iii. Drainage Concern at 21019 Torre Del Lago St. Update
This project has been completed.
iv. Prescribed Burn Investigation
District Manager Teague reported that Chair Roth met with Keyland Amig from GroundLevel and in concert with Field Manager Pepin’s opinion, the preserves are beautiful and in no need of a prescribed burn. Mr. Amig stated there is more danger from a fire outside of the District than from one starting within. Supervisor Meek mentioned the invasives that are on HOA controlled property that abuts CDD property spreading.
C. Field Manager
i. Current Field Report
Field Manager Pepin reviewed his report, and the following was discussed:
Concerning the oak trees at the emergency gate, Chris stated that a plan has been developed to correct their poor installation.
Field Manager Pepin asked the vendor to sweep the streets again due to the amount of leaves, which was completed.
Chris stated that the striping had been completed, but that some of the blue RPMs were still missing.
He asked the Board about utilizing a different color RPM, such as purple, to identify isolation valves. The Board agreed.
On MOTION by Supervisor Meek, seconded by Supervisor Gibson, with all in favor, the Board approved installing reflective pavement markers of a different color to highlight isolation valves, not to exceed $2,000.
Chris asked the Board if they would like him to turn on the recharge wells for the lakes, as the lakes are getting low. He was given the Board’s authorization to turn them on and decide how long the pumps will run.
On MOTION by Supervisor Meek, seconded by Supervisor Licht, with all in favor, the Board approved the Field Manager to turn on the recharge wells.
ii. Project Updates
a. Storm Water Management System Inspection Update
The inspection of the stormwater system has been completed.
b. Additional Storm Water Pipe Cleaning Proposal
Field Manager Pepin expressed some concerns about the accuracy of the quote received from MRI and recommended televising the lines to confirm the accuracy.
On MOTION by Supervisor Gibson, seconded by Supervisor Licht, withh all in favor, the Board approved FGIS to televise the stormwater system, not to exceed $2,100.
D. Attorney
i. Mary Ann Lauria Update
There is no update.
iii. Kenneth Jay Riha Update
There is no update.
Attorney Urbancic stated that he continues to monitor the State legislation under consideration that will affect the District. He will notify the Board when there are updates.
E. Engineer
i. Emergency Exit Update
Engineer Schmitt stated that they have received a permit for the emergency gate.
As was discussed above, there are issues with the oak trees that were planted, and a plan has been developed to correct their poor installation. Field Manager Pepin and Supervisor Licht will work with Estate to have them moved.
ii. Road Project Update
Engineer Schmitt stated that the vendor believes they are finished with the project and would like to schedule a final walkthrough with him. Engineer Schmitt stated that he is not ready to inspect their work as of yet. The vendor is seeking payment for their change order, and they have secured an attorney. There was extensive discussion on this issue. Attorney Urbancic recommended that the Board discuss this issue with his colleague. Staff will schedule a meeting.
On MOTION by Chair Roth, seconded by Supervisor Gibson, with all in favor, the Board authorized staff to consult an attorney, and put the road project’s vendor on notice that they are in default.
a. Estate Irrigation Invoice
Will Kollmann and Russ Nunan from Estate were present to discuss the disputed invoices for manual irrigation during the road project. Mr. Kollmann acknowledged that their former manager improperly irrigated, which has caused the expenses to accumulate. The vegetation received the water, but he expressed regret for the manner in which it was completed. Chair Roth expressed his displeasure that the vendor submitted a charge without permission. In an effort to correct the error, Mr. Kollmann offered to cut the invoices in half and split the difference with the Board.
On MOTION by Supervisor Licht, seconded by Supervisor Meek, with 4 in favor, and Chair Roth opposed, the Board approved the District to pay 50% of the charges on the invoices for manual irrigation.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Discussion/Action Items
A. Water Quality of Clock Tower Pools
…Supervisor Reno said he will need to check the water quality again along with the water bills. He requested to table this item until next month.
B. Lakes to be Transferred from HOA to CDD Follow-up
The Facilities and Maintenance agreement has been completed and approved by the Board. Staff will find the original document and present an update next month.
C. Water Quality of Clock Tower Pools
Vice Chair Reno has been monitoring the water quality of the pools. He had Pinch a Penny test the water quality, and a new technician was assigned for maintenance. Field Manager Pepin indicated that the pools are very clear. This was tabled. Staff was asked to move this topic further up in the Agenda in April.
D. Clock Tower Tile Replacement Proposal
VIP Pools has provided two proposals. Azure Pools and Gomez Painting provided estimates for various clock tower repairs. This was tabled. Staff was asked to move this topic further up in the Agenda in April.
E. Proposals To Replace UV Lights in Clock Tower Pools
VIP Pools provided a proposal to replace the UV Lights in the pools at the clock tower. Supervisor Licht believed it was premature to act on this proposal, because one company could posssibly repair all of the clock tower issues.This was tabled.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS H.O.A. Report
Jim Chasse commented on the difficulties concerning the transfer of the guardhouse and the complexities involved, and there was discussion. He also commented on the community’s need for irrigation.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Requests
Supervisor Licht commented that there are proposals for the cul-de-sacs. She was encouraged that the cul-de-sacs have been brought up to standard and look good. She also commented about the guardhouse and setting up a new inspection. She will send her report to staff for inclusion in next month’s Agenda.
Chair Roth reminded the Board that he has resigned from the Building and Tangibles Board and asked again if any Supervisors will assume the position. This was tabled.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
Bob Vaa asked who pays if the CDD is fined or sued. He believes the residents pay for everything, so it does not matter who is responsible.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Adjournment
On MOTION by Chair Roth, seconded by Supervisor Licht, the meeting was adjourned at 6:02 p.m.
The Next Regular Meeting is on April 15, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.