Meeting Minutes for May 19, 2026
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, May 19, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.
Present and constituting a quorum were:
Larry Roth – Chair
James Meek – Vice Chair
Matthew Elliott – Assistant Secretary
Jenny Licht – Assistant Secretary
Linda Lea Gibson – Assistant Secretary
Also present:
Mandie Rainwater – District Manager, Premier District Management (PDM)
Chris Pepin – Field Manager, Community Field Services
John Baker – Engineer, Bowman Engineering
Susan Sprock – Resident
Diane Meek – Resident
Bob Vaa – Resident
1 Resident
Attending remotely:
Megan Wolff – Assistant District Manager, (PDM)
Greg Urbancic – Attorney, Coleman, Yovanovich & Koester, P.A.
Bob Lieberman – Resident
Norm Arflack – Resident
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 at 3:30 pm by Chair Roth and District Manager Mandie Rainwater called the roll. In attendance were Supervisors Roth, Meek, Licht, Gibson and Elliott. Also in attendance were District Manager Mandie Rainwater, Field Manager Chris Pepin, Engineer John Baker, Susan Sprock, Diane Meek, Bob Vaa and 1 resident. Online were Assistant District Manager Megan Wolff, Attorney Greg Urbancic, Bob Lieberman and Norm Arflack.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Pledge of Allegiance
THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
The agenda was presented amended adding Section 6Aiv, 6Av, 6Cia, and 7C.
On MOTION by Supervisor Gibson, seconded by Supervisor Licht, with all in favor, the Board approved the Agenda, as amended.
FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments on Agenda Items
Ms. Diane Meek, on behalf of the Single Family HOA, inquired about the use of peroxide for irrigation valve cleaning due to recurring snail issues.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Consent Agenda
A. Items to be Pulled for Discussion
No items were pulled.
B. Motion to Approve Consent items
All consent items were approved.
On MOTION by Supervisor Elliott, seconded by Supervisor Licht, with all in favor, the Board approved all consent items.
C. Consideration of Items Pulled for Discussion
D. Consent Items
i. Draft Regular Meeting Minutes for April 27, 2026
ii. Financial Report for March 2026
iii. Financial Report for April 2026
Item was not received and was removed from the consent agenda for discussion at a later time.
iv. Project Tracking Logs
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Staff Reports
A. Irrigation Contractor
i. Breakage Discussion – Follow Up
District Manager Rainwater reported that follow-up is pending receipt of the contract from District Counsel regarding Kapur Landscaping. Additionally, staff will provide Hoover with updated information confirming that all valves have been located to determine if potential cost savings can be realized.
ii. Valves – Update
Field Manager Pepin stated that the irrigation system is expected to be fully functional by the end of the week. He noted that a hidden valve at the west end of Lake 3, believed to be located behind nearby homes at the pump station, has not yet been located. The use of a metal detector was suggested, as well as tracing the irrigation lines to identify its location.
iii. Ratification of Valve Replacement
Vice Chair Meek expressed appreciation to Field Manager Pepin and No Limit for their prompt attention to the project.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Meek, seconded by Supervisor Gibson, with all in favor, the Board ratified the No Limit proposal at a cost of $9,665.00.
iv. Annual Treatment / Flushing of Snails
Field Manager Pepin reported that Insight Irrigation confirmed the community is scheduled for annual treatment and flushing between mid-June and mid-July, depending on the onset of the rainy season.
v. Hoover Insights on Pump Stations
District Manager Rainwater reported that Hoover has completed an evaluation of all pump stations, and the report will be provided to Kapur to determine whether it may reduce on-site time required.
Chair Roth noted that full system replacement may ultimately be necessary and suggested beginning with a full replacement of one pump station while reducing lake bank scope. The Board discussed the potential for replacing pump stations throughout the community and incorporating associated costs into future budgeting.
Field Manager Pepin will contact Nathan at Hoover to request a proposal for Pump Station 6 and if he can be available for the next meeting.
vi. Proposal – Napier Enterprises
District Manager Rainwater presented a proposal for the 25HP Pump Replacement at pump station 4 from Napier Enterprises.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Meek, seconded by Supervisor Gibson, with all in favor, the Board approved the proposal from Napier Enterprises for 25HP Pump Replacement at a cost of $7,562.76.
B. District Manager
i. Draft Proposed Budget FY 2027
District Manager Rainwater discussed the draft Fiscal Year 2027 budget, noting that the Board had previously discussed a $125 per unit increase, resulting in a proposed assessment level of $860.69 per unit. She also advised that an additional $250,000 could be allocated for lake erosion, which would address approximately two to three lakes depending on size.
District Manager Rainwater reminded the Board that the budget will be formally adopted at the public hearing in August. She further advised that while assessments may be reduced prior to adoption, they cannot be increased beyond the proposed amount.
On MOTION by Supervisor Gibson, seconded by Vice Chair Meek, with all in favor, the Board adopted the draft proposed budget as presented.
ii. Resolution 2026-05 to Adopt Proposed Budget and Set Hearing
This resolution adopts proposed budget and sets the Budget Public Hearing to August 18, 2026
On MOTION by Vice Chair Meek, seconded by Supervisor Elliott, with all in favor, the Board approved Resolution 2026-05 to Adopt Proposed Budget and Set Hearing date for August 18, 2026.
C. Field Manager
i. Current Field Report
Field Manager Pepin reported that neighborhood landscapers are responsible for maintaining vegetation to prevent encroachment into preserve areas and noted that certain locations, including the willows behind Triola Drive, have become significantly overgrown.
Supervisor Licht stated that the issue was raised at a recent Master Landscape meeting, where the contractor acknowledged the concerns, but no corrective action has been taken. The Board discussed potential enforcement options, including sending a certified letter to the HOA, contacting landscape committees within the sub-associations, and reaching out to the sub-associations’ CAM.
Chair Roth requested that District Manager Rainwater contact the Presidents of each sub-association directly via email.
Field Manager Pepin also reported that several street signs are deteriorating and will be added to the maintenance queue for replacement.
ii. Project Updates
a. Proposal to find Clock Tower Bowl Leak Above Door:
District Manager Rainwater reviewed a proposal received from Kelleher Renovations in the amount of $750 to perform a specialized leak investigation to identify the source of the issue, noting that this cost covers the initial inspection only and that any additional work would be at an added expense.
On MOTION by Vice Chair Meek, seconded by Supervisor Licht, with all in favor, the Board approved the proposal from Kelleher Renovations in the amount of $750.
iii. Discussion of Tile Clean up on the Clock Tower
Supervisor Licht reported that several potential remedies for cleaning calcification behind the fountains were discussed at a meeting she attended and provided to District Manager Rainwater for further research and solicitation of proposals for cleaning or covering. She requested that this item remain on the agenda.
D. Attorney
Mr. Urbancic reported that two bills; increasing sovereign immunity caps and another revising CDD supervisor recall provisions, remain pending the Governor’s signature.
Mr. Urbancic also reminded the Board that ethics training for calendar year 2026 is required and that Form 1 (Statement of Financial Interests) is due by July 1 and must be printed for those seeking reelection. Staff will send a reminder email with the necessary information.
E. Engineer
i. Lake Bank Restoration Permitting – Update
Mr. Baker informed the Board that he is working on finding a cross section of coconut matting for the LDO and will resubmit once the information is available.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Discussion/Action Items
A. Solar Markers – Pedestrian Signs
District Manager Rainwater reported that Field Manager Pepin completed an inventory of missing roadway markers, identifying 32 amber markers and 20 red and white markers requiring replacement.
Field Manager Pepin presented a proposal for replacements, including 40 amber solar markers at a cost of $2,390, 25 flashing red and white markers at a cost of $1,593.75, approximately $200 for epoxy, and estimated labor costs of $2,000 for a two-person crew over two days. Delivery of materials is expected to take approximately three to four weeks.
Field Manager Pepin advised that reflective markers would be significantly more cost-effective than solar markers and noted that solar markers may not be necessary if flashing signs are installed. The Board expressed support for utilizing reflective markers.
On MOTION by Supervisor Elliott, seconded by Supervisor Gibson, with all in favor, the Board approved Field Manager Pepin to obtain reflective road pavement markers and epoxy not to exceed $4,000.
B. Repair turf
The Board considered a proposal from Estate for the repair and replacement of sod at four locations within the community.
On MOTION by Supervisor Elliott, seconded by Vice Chair Meek, with all in favor, the Board approved the proposal from Estate to repair turf and cut down tree in the amount of $3,701.41.
C. Tree Trimming Request at 20661 Torre Del Lago ST
District Manager Rainwater reported that a homeowner expressed concern regarding tree branches encroaching over their pool cage. The Board discussed that trimming is the responsibility of the homeowner, as the branches are located on their property. Staff will notify the homeowner and advise that a licensed arborist should be retained.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS H.O.A. Report
HOA President Lieberman provided the HOA report, noting that the cell tower has been installed and fenced. Irrigation connection remains pending with Estate, and coordination with Field Manager Pepin has not occurred yet to complete the connection, with power already established by FPL.
He also reported that camera system upgrades are underway, including updated coverage throughout the community and a new camera at the guard house. The transponder replacement project has been completed, with approximately 300 remaining residents required to purchase a new device. B&T reported that the parking lot project is nearing completion.
Additionally, concerns were raised regarding unauthorized solicitors selling window cleaning services entering the community, prompting involvement of the Sheriff’s Office. No changes to community colors or branding are anticipated.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisors Request
Supervisor Licht reported that the HOA recently completed trimming of the community’s hardwood trees and that Royal Palm fronds have been tied to prevent falling.
She also informed the Board of the passing of former CDD Chairman Joe Napaletano’s wife.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
Resident Bob Vaa expressed support for Hoover’s involvement, noting their familiarity as the original contractor, and recommended exploring the option of rewinding pumps to retain existing units as spares. Field Manager Pepin will investigate local vendors capable of performing this work.
Susan Sprock addressed the Board regarding roadway safety, advocating for flashing signs. She also expressed concerns about the safety of children using e-bikes and suggested enhancements such as additional lighting at the clock tower, including seasonal color lighting.