Draft Meeting Minutes for January 19, 2021
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, January 19, 2021 at 4 p.m.
Present (or attending via web conference) and constituting a quorum were:
Mark Novitski – Chair
Larry Roth – Vice Chair
Jenny Licht – Assistant Secretary
Joe Napolitano – Assistant Secretary
Also present (or attending via web conference) were:
Cal Teague – District Manager
Greg Urbancic – Attorney
Charlie Krebs – District Engineer
Chris Pepin – Field Manager
Christopher Dudak – PDM Assistant to the District Manager
Nancy Dudak – Premier District Management
Residents
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 |
The meeting was called to order by the Chair, and Cal Teague, District Manager, called roll. All Board members were present, except Supervisor Gibson. Also present were the Attorney Greg Urbancic, Engineer Charlie Krebs, via Internet, and Field Manager Chris Pepin. Assistants to the District Manager, Christopher Dudak and Nancy Dudak, attended via Internet due to the Covid-19 virus.
| SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS | Pledge of Allegiance |
| THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS | Approval of the Agenda |
The Agenda was discussed with the addition of 6Ciii, E-Verify Memorandum of Understanding.
On MOTION by Supervisor Napolitano, seconded by Vice Chair Roth, with all in favor, Item 6Ciii, E-Verify Memorandum of Understanding, was added to the Agenda.
| FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS | Audience Comments on Agenda Items |
There being none, the next Order of Business followed.
| FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS | Approval of the Meeting Minutes |
A. Draft Meeting Minutes for December 15, 2020
The Board reviewed the Meeting Minutes from December 15, 2020 and Supervisor Gibson, in her absence, sent a note offering a correction on Line 44 that where “holiday decorations are displayed,” it should continue as “should be secured due to safety issues.”
Also, Supervisor Licht suggested a correction on Line 99.
On MOTION by Supervisor Licht, seconded by Vice Chair Roth, with all in favor, the Meeting Minutes from December 15, 2020 were changed to reflect a correction on Line 44 where “holiday decorations are displayed,” it should say “displays must be pinned down due to safety issues.”
On Line 99, “fishing signs” should be changed to “dumping signs.”
| SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS | Staff Reports |
A. Irrigation Contractor
The District Manager stated that there are no new updates from Mr. Kring. When asked by the Chair if there are enough funds should there be an issue, the District Manager stated that there are sufficient funds available.
i. Valve Replacement Update
No updates were provided on this item.
ii. Watering Zone Review
The Field Manager indicated that they are in touch with Estate, and that watering times have been adjusted to 2 a.m. He said that they are in the process of swapping out some of the standard rotors to MP rotators. He expects that this will reduce water usage up to 30% and will also reduce the amount of water spraying onto the roadway. Several Board members indicated they observed less water on the roads.
B. Chair
i. Emergency Access Road
a. Electrical Plan
The Engineer said that as they get closer to construction, he will start running specs by the Board on different gate options. The Board wants to make certain that the gate, road and landscaping are being coordinated with the Corkscrew widening project. Supervisor Licht will coordinate these tasks with the Engineer. The Board discussed if there will be enough light in that area.
b. Construction Proposals
The Chair said he wants a side-by-side comparison of the proposals. The Engineer will work with Supervisor Licht on this. The Board estimated that it will cost about $100,000 to complete the project.
ii. Village and County LDO status
The Engineer said that the application has been submitted and approval is expected in March.
iii. Gatehouse Control and Entry Options
The Board reviewed renderings of the gate. Supervisor Licht was asked to anticipate the gate swing when designing landscaping. The Board shared their views on the aesthetics of the gate. The Board was in agreement that the emergency exit gate should not include pillars, just bushes. The Chair asked that the Board review the gatehouse option spreadsheet for the next meeting.
C. District Manager
i. New Laptops/Tablets for Supervisors Update
The District Manager addressed the new laptops for the Board. He said that individual training will be established by Christopher Dudak for anyone who wants it. The old laptops were discussed as surplus or donations.
On MOTION by Supervisor Licht, seconded by Vice Chair Roth, with all in favor, the Board voted to dispose of the old laptops as surplus equipment with no value. They agreed that if anyone wanted their laptop, they could purchase it for $50 with a check written to Habitat CDD.
ii. Board Email Correspondence
The District Manager asked if everyone on the Board was comfortable using the CDD email. Personal email was discussed as a liability if requested as public records. The Board agreed to use the CDD email accounts.
iii. E-Verify Memorandum of Understanding
This item became law on January 1st that all vendors must include verification that they are participating in the E-Verify program and not hiring anyone who has not filed an i9. The Chair needs to sign a Memorandum of Understanding electronically.
On MOTION by Supervisor Napolitano, seconded by Vice Chair Roth, with all in favor, the Board authorized the Chair to sign a Memorandum of Understanding electronically that they are registering to participate in the E-Verify program and not hiring anyone who has not filed an i9.
Supervisor Roth asked the District Manager about purchasing Microsoft Office 365 software for the new tablets.
On MOTION by Supervisor Napolitano, seconded by Vice Chair Roth, with all in favor, the Board approved a not to exceed amount of $400 to buy Microsoft 365 for their five tablets.
D. Field Manager
i. Field Report for January
The Field Manager reviewed the January Field Report. He presented a proposal from Estate to remove exotics for $2,952.46.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Roth, seconded by Supervisor Napolitano, with all in favor, the Board voted to remove exotics as proposed and includes Brazilian Pepper trees for $2,952.46.
ii. Project Updates
a. Stormwater System Inspection Report
The Field Manager reported that the report from MRI seemed to match the 2018 report in certain locations. He said he wondered why the CDD is paying for items a second time. He is still analyzing the data. He will review and inquire about items that are structures and pipes which were previously cleaned. He will also check a pipe that was identified as being filled with concrete. He said he will review the video.
b. FPL Street Light Head Replacement
The Field Manager stated that there is a meeting scheduled with FPL tomorrow regarding which style LED bulbs can be used and approved by the Village of Estero. The Village of Estero will not allow the 4k (natural white) light fixtures throughout the community that currently exist, but they will allow the 3k (warm white) light fixtures. Supervisor Napolitano will represent the Board, along with staff.
c. Speed Humps Installation Update
i. Updated Speed Hump Proposal
The Field Manager said he received a revised speed hump proposal from D&G for $3,000 for both locations, with no sign posts, and the Board reviewed pictures of it, but more research was determined to be needed. The Fire Department approved them. This is an attempt to slow traffic in two areas.
ii. Two Speed Hump Sign Proposals
MailboxesSWFL came in at $2,400 and Lykins came in at $3,500 for the two-speed hump signs, but it was tabled until a plan is approved.
d. Exotic Fish Identifier
The Chair suggested distributing a chart identifying exotic fish that if caught should not be released but destroyed through the HOA.
E. Attorney
i. Unlicensed Vehicles on Bella Terra Roads
The Chair reported that there are children riding unlicensed scooters on Bella Terra roads. They do not have lights, license plates or reflectors. It may not be a Master issue, but he is concerned about liability. Supervisor Napolitano said there was just an email about unlicensed golf carts. The Attorney said there is a negligence standard to consider. He said they should take reasonable steps, such as sending a community notice, or bringing in the police for education. The Chair asked the Attorney and District Manager to draft a letter for the community concerning any vehicle that would require a license on the roadway.
F. Engineer
i. Swale Behind 21027 Torre Del Lago Update
The Engineer said that the Field Manager has bid this out. The Field Manager reported that the area is still too wet to work in and he hopes they can break ground by the end of February.
| SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS | Discussion/Action Items |
A. Clock Tower Tile Retiling/Cleaning Discussion
Supervisor Licht inspected the Clock Tower tile and said they have “aged out.” The Chair said that this is the second set of tile that had been used on the Clock Tower. The Board discussed using a commercial water softening system which might be less corrosive. The Chair asked that the District Manager budget for retiling in the future and that they consult with a water purification company.
B. Guardhouse Condition Concerns
A letter was sent concerning the Guardhouse conditions, and a follow-up letter was sent later. Supervisor Licht, who took pictures of the Guardhouse, said that she and staff will continue to address these concerns. The Chair asked them for an analysis report to obtain costs for updating the Guardhouse.
C. New Street Lights in Villas I
The District Manager said he needed a location to obtain a price for new street lights in Villas I. Florida Power & Light will provide a quote.
D. Master HOA Phase II Landscaping Upgrades
The Chair said that landscaping upgrades should be delayed until the summer when the rain will reduce the need for watering.
E. Village of Estero Multi-Use Path Along Corkscrew Road
Supervisor Licht reported that the plans look good for the multi-use path. She attended a meeting with the HOA, Village and County for updates on it.
F. Passarella GIS Phase 4 Proposal
Felipe Lemus of Passarella gave a report on adding additional layers including a median numbering to identify locations on the GIS. He also explained the ownership layer from the Property Appraiser’s website.Â
On MOTION by Vice Chair Roth, seconded by Supervisor Napolitano, with all in favor, the Board voted to have Passarella include median numbering in Phase 4 of the GIS system for a not to exceed amount of $4,000.
| EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS | Financial Reports |
A. Financials for December 2020
The December 2020 Financials were discussed.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Roth, seconded by Supervisor Licht, with all in favor, the Board accepted the Financials for December 2020.
| NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS | Communications |
A. Estero Council of Community Leaders
i. New Greater Estero Community Report
a. https://esterotoday.com/research-and-reports/
ii. Online Meetings and Agendas
a. https://esterotoday.com/reports/
| TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS | Supervisors Requests |
- Supervisor Licht talked about plants that are aging out and asked whose responsibility it was for plant replacements in the Cul-de-Sacs. The District Manager offered to send her the agreement to clarify that.
- Supervisor Licht also mentioned the constant breaker tripping of the holiday lights due to water, and said she reset some GFI’s that did not light at night. She expressed dismay that nobody took responsibility for them. The District Manager suggested that the electrical Engineer look at the situation.
- Supervisor Napolitano said that the HOA stated in a letter that they control the speed limits on the road and that they do not want the CDD to manage that.
- Vice Chair Roth asked for comments from the Board that he could take to the President’s Council meeting.
| ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS | Audience Comments |
- Ed Capezzuto discussed the speeding problem in the community and asked if an analysis was performed. He also spoke about unlicensed vehicles and the cul-de-sacs with aging plants.
- Diane Meek addressed speed bumps and asked if a camera could be installed to verify that a speeding issue exists.
- Rob Warner commented on plant replacements for Villa III after 10 years. The Board requested that this topic be on the next Agenda.
| TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS | Adjournment |
There being no further Orders of Business and,