Habitat
Community Development District

The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Habitat Community Development District was held via web conference on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 4 p.m.

Attending via web conference authorized by Executive Order 20-69 waiving the quorum requirement were:

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

Also present by web conference were:
Cal Teague – District Manager
Charlie Krebs – District Engineer
Chris Pepin – Field Manager
Tad Kring – Irrigation Specialists
Christopher Dudak – Assistant to the District Manager

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 the District Manager called roll. All Board members were present. Also present were District Manager Cal Teague, District Engineer Charlie Krebs, Field Manager Chris Pepin, and Assistant to the District Manager Chrisopher Dudak.

SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS

Approval of the Agenda

The Agenda was approved as presented.

THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS

Audience Comments on Agenda Items

There being none, the next Order of Business followed.

FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS

Approval of Meeting Minutes

A. Regular Meeting Minutes from April 21, 2020

The two changes that were made regarded the spelling of “Meeks” on line 13 and on line 109 to include a request from Supervisor Gibson inquiring about billings from “Water Works.”

FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS

Staff Reports

A. Irrigation Contractor

• Tad Kring, Irrigation Specialists, discussed the valves and view flow filters on each house that, due to age, are breaking routinely. He presented a proposal to repair or replace the valves and valve boxes in order to be proactive about the problem. Water distribution is the responsibility of the CDD.
• Tad also discussed the discharge pipe on Ardore that is a flush out pipe and recommended leaving it to avoid erosion on the bank.
• He and Supervisor Napolitano, along with the Engineer and Field Manager, will identify utility concerns, including irrigation, so services are not disrupted.

i. Pumping State Signage

Tad is having them installed as time permits, but all have been purchased.

ii. Valve Repair Proposal

The Board accepted a blanket proposal for valve repair/replacement for $533 per location with a budget of not to exceed $25,000. They established initial authorization for that amount until another authorization is needed. Tad and the Field Manager will develop a summary report for each meeting to reflect the number of repairs/replacements that have been made. This is anticipated to be a 10-year project. Water tables are very low now and letting shells through the irrigation system. Replacing valves will be a more efficient and less expensive way to move forward.

B. Lake Management

The lakes are shallow but otherwise look good at this time.

C. District Manager

i. FEMA Update

The District Manager reported that all funds have been obligated ($45,497), except the 5% administrative costs which are anticipated soon. He expects payments to be made before the next meeting.

ii. FY 2021 Tentative Budget Approval Resolution 2020-04

The resolution was adopted to set the budget public hearing for August 18, 2020. After the Resolution is adopted and sent to the County, there cannot be any increase in assessments, which was the goal of the Board.

iii. GIS Phase III Update

It is expected to be completed by the June meeting.

iv. District Registered Voter Count

The District Manager announced there are 2,906 voters in the District as of April 15.

D. Field Manager

i. Field Report for May

The following comments/actions were reviewed:

• No algae was spotted in lakes.
• There was a sinkhole that was patched up by Conidaris.
• The Field Technicians went through all the solar markers this past month and removed all of the non-functioning markers. They put down all of the markers they had on hand. New markers will cost $2,500 for shipping/handling.
• Dog waste bags are being thrown into the stormwater basin. A letter will be sent to the Villas HOA chair.
• The temporary “no trespassing” signs that were discussed last month have been installed around the water control structure where children had been seen damaging the new structure.
• There is no need to order more preserve markers.
• The Field Manager will do a one-time cutting of the willows on the lake bank. He suggested that willows are a nuisance, but not considered invasive.
• The Board discussed the old “do not pass” signs and options for creating storage.
• A letter will be sent to the homeowner at 13274 Boccala Lane regarding the cement pavers/steps and gravel on detention pond D-2 which is on CDD property to have them removed.
• The burned out lights at the clock tower inside the pools have been replaced.
• The pool expenses were discussed by the Board. These costs can be renegotiated at the end of the contract.

ii. Concern/Complaint Log

iii. Project Updates

a. FPL Light Pole Numbering

The Field Manager spoke with Florida Power & Light on May 15 and they are still closed due to the virus. However, they said they may open in about three weeks. He will continue to try to get the material to complete this task by July.

b. CDD Assets Painting

There are no updates at this time.

c. ADA Sidewalk Ramps

Eleven faded mats for the handicapped ramps were replaced with the Colonial Red mats and there has been positive feedback about the color. When the time comes to replace the remaining yellow mats, additional mats around some of the round-a-bout islands should be installed as there are locations that do not have them.

d. Signpost Shrub Planting

They have started the plantings. They will wait to see more consistent rain before the rest of the plants are installed.

e. Do Not Pass Sign/Signposts Removal

Six sign posts have been removed and saved for parts. Sod will be placed over the existing dirt areas once there is more rain.

f. 13817 Farnese Drive Catch Basin Repair

Conidaris completed this repair.

g. HOA Lift Station Storage Concerns

Locations are being discussed.

E. Attorney

There being none, the next Order of Business followed.

F. Engineer

i. SFWMD Water Structure Permit Application Certifications

The Engineer reported that the storm sewer scoping is not done by the County; they will only go to the property line.

ii. Emergency Ingress/Egress & Considerations Related to Widening Corkscrew Road

A slideshow will be developed for next meeting with information that will eventually be used to promote the approval of the emergency exit. The following tasks will be addressed at that time.

a. Storm Sewers Scoping/Cleaning

b. Potential for Three Exit Lanes

c. Traffic Light Arrows

d. Working with HOA to Get Transfer or Easement for Emergency Ingress/Egress

SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS

Discussion/Action Items

A. Road and Gate Access to Barletta Lane Entry for Condos (HOA)

The Board asked staff to write a letter to the Community Association Board that says after reviewing the options suggested, the Board feels that this does not solve the real problem of safety and that they do not believe lift arms are sufficient to promote safety and restrict access. The Board feels the Master Board should approve an iron barrier gate for the CDD Board to consider. There is some agreement amongst the Board that the CDD would make any curbing improvements if the HOA installs the gates.

i. Conidaris Revised Proposal

This proposal was tabled.

ii. Supervisor Licht Gate Concept Drawings

The gate drawings were tabled.

B. CDD/HOA Masterplan Coordination and Communication Efforts

The Chair sent an email to the HOA Board stating that the only HOA issues the CDD Board would consider are those that were approved by the whole Board, which they feel would clarify and improve capital requests.

C. Sidewalk Stencil Signage

The Board reviewed a handout that identified different stencil options and costs. They took no action at this time.

D. Holiday Decorations in Cul-de-Sacs/Insurance

Holiday decorations were discussed. Vice Chair Roth will meet with the District Manager and Field Manager to create a consistent program that everyone can follow. Exclusions include blow-up decorations and exposed electrical wires across roadways. The power for lights in the cul-de-sacs need to be metered so the requesting association can pay for the power. They need to request permission to install meters. Guidelines will be created. The Board wants a copy of proof of insurance for contractors who install decorations, naming the CDD as an additional insured.

E. Landscape Contract Ratification

The landscape contract with Community Field Services was ratified by the Board for $400/month. It is primarily for maintaining the area around the irrigation pump stations.

F. Lift Station/Irrigation Pump Station Driveway Appearance Discussion & Proposal

The Board approved a proposal from D&G Pavement Solutions to apply Paveshield asphalt emulsion to the pump station driveway for $550.

G. Community-Wide Tree Trimming Near Utilities

The Board discussed trimming the trees that are obstructing street lights. They asked the Field Manager to identify the 20-25 worst trees on CDD property and get quotes for trimming. They want to discuss with FPL if they will trim the trees and, if possible, shorten the height of the light poles. Most of the poles are leased through FPL.

SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS

Financial Reports

A. Financials for April 2020

Water usage is up at the Clock Tower. The Field Manager will check for leaks. The District Manager will compare bills from the same time last year.

EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS

Communications

A. Estero Council of Community Leaders: NEW Greater Estero Community Report

The report can be seen at: https://esterotoday.com/research-and-reports/

NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS

Supervisors Requests and/or Comments

• Supervisor Roth requested an estimate for micro-surfacing the roads. Also, he requested an estimate to widen the road at the gatehouse, which can be tied to raising the roof or squaring off the arches.
• Supervisor Napolitano inquired about the Master Association’s truck stop approach to traffic congestion. He said that if the Master Association really wants the truck stop out front, they need to come to the CDD with a formal request. The Board said they will only consider physical changes that are requested by the entire Board.
• The Engineer has the gatehouse plans and the District Manager will send them to all the Board members.
  

TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS

Audience Comments

There being none, the next Order of Business followed.

ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS

Adjournment

There being no further Orders of Business and,

Next Meeting: June 16, 2020 at 4 p.m.