Port of the Islands
Community Improvement District

The meeting of the Port of the Islands Community Improvement District was held on Friday, April 17, 2020 at 9 a.m. by web conference.

Present (on the web) and constituting a quorum were:
Tony Davis – Chair
Russell Kish – Vice Chair
Norine Dillon – Assistant Secretary
Teri O’Connell – Assistant Secretary
Kathryn Kehlmeier – Assistant Secretary

Also present (on the web) were:
Cal Teague – District Manager
Daniel Cox – District Attorney
Ron Benson – District Engineer
Robert Soto – Soto’s Lawn Service
Mitch Gilbert – Florida Utility Solutions
Chris Dudak – Assistant to the District Manager

The following is a summary of the discussion and actions taken at the Port of the Islands Community Improvement District (CID) Board of Supervisors meeting. It was conducted using Go to Meetings as a result of Executive Order 20-69 which waived the quorum requirements during the COVID-19 virus and allowed for meetings to be conducted in this manner.

Members participated in the meeting via the internet or telephone and the meeting was called to order by the Chair with the District Manager calling roll. All Board members were present. Also present by telephone were Attorney Daniel Cox, Engineer Ron Benson, Robert Soto from Soto’s Lawn Service, Mitch Gilbert from Florida Utility Solutions and Chris Dudak, Assistant to the District Manager.

The Agenda was approved as presented.

Mr. Trota and Mr. Del Debbio were in attendance but had no comments.

A. Memorandum to the Board

A memorandum from the Attorney covered all the concerns related to COVID-19 impacts to CDD functioning. There were no questions or comments.

B. Resolution 2020-02 Emergency Procedural Rules

The Resolution waived all procedural rules regarding the physical presence of a majority of the Board to constitute a quorum and it established emergency procedural conduct for meetings, including providing for severability and an effective date.

C. Waiving or Delaying Late Fees and Utility Payments

The Board discussed waiving or delaying late fees for two months, or one billing cycle during the COVID-19 emergency.

A. Draft Meeting Minutes from March 20, 2020

The Board discussed changing line 55 concerning the North Hotel, being responsible for demolition by altering the phrase to add in “making it a liability and a financial burden to the community.”

A. Report for March

Mitch Gilbert from Florida Utility Solutions gave a report and discussed how smoothly everything has been going. Ron Benson, the District Engineer, recommended a plan to re-purpose and modernize the Membrane Bioreactor equipment in order to get the plant back in operation. It was agreed that it will be delayed until the next agenda where the Engineer will have a report for the Board.

A. April Notes

So far, water restrictions have not been announced, despite dry conditions. Crepe Myrtles should be maintained. The tilted irrigation heads on 41 have been straightened out and the electric light wires were buried on Newport Drive. Robert Soto advised that his team will be more proactive about trash pickup. Spring landscape applications have been completed.

B. Landscape Contract Amendment

Several errors were noted in the contract and will be redrafted and presented at the next meeting.

A. FEMA Update

Ninety percent of the funds have been received, with only the administrative funds remaining to be paid.

B. FY 2021 Draft Budget Discussion

The Board reviewed the FY 2021 budget with no increase in assessments. Changes must be finalized by June 15th. It was agreed that another copy of the budget will be sent out with the capital improvements identified. The Board expressed interest in lowering assessments, and it was agreed to make that a goal for 2022.

C. Resolution 2020-01 to Continue Use of County Elections

The Board discussed Resolution 2020-01 to allow the county to conduct their 2020 elections.

D. Financial Report for March 2020

The Financial Report for March 2020 was accepted with the understanding that the financials will be sent under separate cover from the packet to allow more time to review them. Supervisor O’Connell offered to help review financials before they are finalized.

A. Field Report for April

The report was reviewed with the following comments:
– On Cays Drive, letters addressed exotics that had to be removed. Many people have complied with the letters.
– A letter needs to be sent to the homeowner on 208 Cays Drive about their illegal parking on the sidewalk.
– On page 61, the dead palm tree needs to be removed if it is on CID property.
– The gutter next to 157 Cays Drive looks to have been damaged by the builder driving equipment over it. The Field Manager needs to identify and contact the builder or homeowner and have them repair it.
– The monuments on Newport Drive will be painted on both sides.

B. Other Follow-Up Items

i. Lake Maintenance and Littoral Planting Update

It is still too dry to plant right now, but littorals will be planted closer to rainy season.

ii. 120 Wilderness Cay Tincher Concrete Repairs Update

The builder was onsite but hasn’t done the work yet.

A. SFWMD 5-Year Report Renewal Update

The Engineer gave an update explaining why population projections were important to maintain the current natural water allocation. His projections will allow the highest possible allocation of water for the future so that it’s never an issue.

B. Dock Water Service Request Update

There is no current update on the dock water service.

A. Parcel 13 Water Frontage

There is no response from the County after the last Board meeting.

There being none, the next Order of Business followed.

A. North Hotel Discussion

The Board communicated to the County that it was not interested in obtaining that property for a dollar, but that the CID still hs a strong interest in obtaining the waterfront edge. There has been no response from the County during its shutdown due to the COVID-19 emergency.

B. Stella Maris Potholes Discussion

A resident of Stella Maris North pointed out several different potholes. The Board discussed the agreement between the HOA and the District. The District’s maintenance of the asphalt was contingent on them addressing the drainage concerns and the pictures show they had not. The Board is not willing to accept the repairs until drainage concerns are addressed. The Board offered to share the costs of the drainage repairs but only if the HOA agrees to this cost-sharing option. Another proposal addressed potholes on Union Drive but it is uncertain if the repairs are on CID property. The proposal was tabled until the location of the repairs is identified.

Secretary Kehlmeier reported that the South Florida Water Management District has acknowledged that all requirements have been met for the marina expansion project permit. Once the permit has been recorded, the marina may start construction. Vice Chair Kish would like to meet with Mitch at Florida Utility Solutions to tour the water plant to better understand the upgrades needed to the aging plant equipment.

There being none, the next Order of Business followed.

There being no further Orders of Business and,

Next Meeting: May 15, 2020