Meeting Minutes for January 15, 2021
Port of the Islands
Community Improvement District
The meeting of the Port of the Islands Community Improvement District was held on Friday, January 15, 2021 at 9 a.m. at the Orchid Cove Community Center on 25005 Peacock Lane, Naples, Florida 34114 and also via web conference.
Present (or by web conference) and constituting a quorum were:
Russell Kish – Chair
Teri O’Connell – Vice Chair
Ray Jensen – Assistant Secretary
Michele Holloway – Assistant Secretary
Also present (or by web conference) were:
Cal Teague – District Manager
Daniel Cox – Attorney
Ron Benson – Engineer
David Schmitt – Engineer
Robert Soto – Soto Lawn
Mitch Gilbert – Florida Utility Solutions
Christopher Dudak – Assistant to the District Manager
Nancy Dudak – Premier District Management
Residents
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.
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS Call to Order and Roll Call
The Port of the Islands Community Improvement District meeting was called to order and District Manager Cal Teague called roll. All Board members were present. Also in attendance was Daniel Cox, Attorney, Robert Soto from Soto Lawn, Ron Benson and David Schmitt from Hole Montes (Engineers), and Mitch Gilbert from Florida Utility Solutions. Participating via web conference were Nancy Dudak and Christopher Dudak from Premier District Management.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the Agenda
The Board reviewed the Agenda. A proposal from Zeman on Parcel 13 was added as item #5.
On MOTION by Chair Kish, seconded by Supervisor Jensen, with all in favor, the Agenda was amended with an addition of item #5 Proposal from Zeman on Parcel 13.
THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments on Agenda Items
Residents Gene Lee, Diane Hasbrook and Darlene Darlene Scolla voiced their support to appoint Rheta Bradke as a Board member.
FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of Meeting Minutes
A. Draft Meeting Minutes from December 18, 2020
The regular meeting Minutes from December 18, 2020 were reviewed and a sentence on Line 44 was removed.
On MOTION by Supervisor Holloway, seconded by Vice Chair O’Connell, with all in favor, the regular meeting Minutes from December 18, 2020 were approved with the removal of Line 44.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Proposal from Zeman on Parcel 13
The Board discussed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to develop Parcel 13 from Zeman Homes. After a presentation from them, the LOI will be resubmitted, which includes restricting the use of the Resort to high end motorized vehicles. There will be no park models allowed and the LOI will be redrafted and submitted for reconsideration. Supervisor Jensen asked that the letter state that it will be a “motorized high end RV resort.” He reiterated that the letter states that it will not be a campground. Specifically, it will be a 55+ community with room for 300 units. The Board discussed continuing this meeting on February 10th at 6 p.m. in a “workshop” format to discuss the LOI and inviting the public to attend to provide their input. The deadline to execute the agreement for the LOI was extended until February 26th.
On MOTION by Supervisor Jensen, seconded by Supervisor Holloway, with all in favor, the Board agreed to continue this meeting on February 10, 2021 at 6 p.m. to further discuss the proposal from Zeman Homes and receive public comments regarding the development of Parcel 13.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Utility Operations
A. Report for December
Mr. Gilbert reported that all is operating as expected.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Landscape Maintenance
A. January Notes
Mr. Soto reported that he has addressed issues identified by the Field Manager. He said that the mulch has been delivered and will be installed on January 19th.
EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS District Manager Report
A. Financial Report for December 2020
The District Manager reported that the last water plant construction debt will be paid off in May.
On MOTION by Vice Chair O’Connell, seconded by Supervisor Jensen, with all in favor, the Financials for December 2020 were accepted.
B. E-Verify Memorandum of Understanding
The District Manager explained the new law that requires that all vendors must have i9’s for all of their contract employees, and must be registered on E-Verify.
On MOTION by Supervisor Holloway, seconded by Vice Chair O’Connell, with all in favor, the Board authorized the Chair to sign the E-Verify Memorandum of Understanding electronically on behalf of the District.
NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Field Manager Report
A. Field Report for January
The District Manager shared the highlights from the Field Manager’s Report.
- The water system is good, but a little low to plant canna. It will be done closer to rainy season.
- Hydrilla, a submerged weed, was a concern and the Field Manager is monitoring it.
- Trash has been reported in the retention ponds and will be picked up.
- The “no parking” signs on the medians are wearing out and will be replaced as needed.
- Some of the curbs will be power washed when time permits.
B. Other Follow-Up Items
There being none, the next Order of Business followed.
TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Engineer Report
A. Sunset Cay Construction Sidewalk Damage Update
Mr. Schmitt reported that there are two houses under construction on Sunset Cay. The drainage swale looks good at one of the locations, but not at the other site. He will monitor it to ensure it is installed correctly.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Attorney Report
A. Prepmac Default Action
The Attorney reported that there has not been any movement on Prepmac.
B. Vehicle Towing Considerations
The Attorney will prepare a memo to send out to the Board concerning vehicle towing.
TWELFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Old Business
A. North Hotel/Parcel 13
The District Manager reported that there is a concern about water ponding in the preserve area. It was reported to be an old abandoned irrigation line and Mr. Gilbert of Florida Utility Solutions is addressing it. He said quite a bit of the hotel has been torn down already.
i. New Proposal for Parcel 13
Scott Prephan, a real estate developer and owner of the Port of the Islands Marina, addressed the Board about his desire to submit a formal offer for the development of the 50 acres.
ii. Dormitory Cleanup
The unsightly condition has been turned over to Code Enforcement. The realtor reported that the developer is no longer interested in the property and it is listed for sale. The property owner was reminded that it must be maintained.
B. Invasive Vegetation Update
Letters have been sent out and there are several non-responding owners who were turned over to Code Enforcement.
C. Water Meter Changeout Program Update
The contract has been executed. Fifty meters have been ordered.
D. Electrical Panel & Concrete Pedestal Repair Update
The District Manager reported that he is still waiting for Lee County Electric Co-op, as they need a permit and the County has been slow to respond to this due to how busy they are.
THIRTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS New Business
A. Main Entrance Sign Repairs Proposal
The Board had inquired about an embellishment on the main entrance sign a few months ago, and there is a proposal to repair it from Lykins Signtec for $1,177.
On MOTION by Supervisor Jensen, seconded by Supervisor Holloway, with all in favor, the Board approved the proposal from Lykins Signtec for $1,177 to repair the embellishment on the main entrance sign.
B. CIP Discussion
The Board reviewed the updated Capital Improvement Program from the Engineer. They discussed the updated capital needs program previously submitted and requested it be converted to an annual CIP program that will be included in the annual budget. They discussed a not to exceed amount of $25,000 to have the Engineer update the CIP.
Supervisor Jensen also asked if the Board could obtain quotes to regrade the road to the Gun Club gate for the next meeting.
On MOTION by Supervisor Jensen, seconded by Vice Chair O’Connell, with all in favor, the Board voted to authorize the Engineers to update the CIP for a not to exceed amount of $25,000.
C. Bridge Lighting Discussion
The Engineer talked about adding lighting to the bridge. He said that the Florida Department of Transportation would need to approve it because they control the bridge and highway. He said he will research the issue.
D. Speed Reduction Signage
The Engineer said that this is also a function of FDOT and he will look into it for the next meeting.
E. Board Vacancy Discussion
Three people expressed interest in serving on the Board – Katheryn Kehlmeier, Dr. Samuel Leishear and Rheta Bradke. Each person addressed the Board and answered their questions. After much discussion, Ms. Kehlmeier withdrew her name from consideration. A Motion by Supervisor Holloway to appoint Ms. Bradke failed to get support from the Board.
On MOTION by Chair Kish, seconded by Vice Chair O’Connell, with all in favor, the Board appointed Dr. Leishear to the Board to fill the remaining two years of the unexpired term of Supervisor Davis. The Oath of Office will be administered at the February 10th continued meeting.
FOURTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor Requests and/or Comments
- Vice Chair O’Connell requested that the Board begin discussion on the reduction of the assessment rates as soon as possible before the budget development begins. The District Manager stated that this will begin as the annual CIP needs are established. He said that once the dialog begins, funds can be established for community improvements.
- Supervisor Jensen commented to the residents that if development comes in, it will change their lives forever concerning privacy, but if it does not come in, they will be looking for money down the road.
FIFTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Audience Comments
- Audrey Sanders thanked the Board and expressed support for Zeman Homes.
- Kathy Oswald also voiced support for Zeman. Her concern about the RV park is that the management could lower their standards for the community over time. She also asked about what they owe for the bond. She questioned the necessity for lighting for the bridge. She also said that the Board should be evenly representative of the community.
- John Delbio said that he has confidence that the Board will represent both sides of the street. He also said that anybody who wants to be represented should attend meetings.
- Dan Devoroz asked if a sound barrier can be established at the Gun Club to reduce the noise.
- Kevin Pete said that the bridge used to have a “no fishing” sign that was blown away during the hurricane, and he was told that the only way to enforce no fishing was to have a sign posted.
- Mort Packet asked if there could be a second access road for the Gun Club. He commented that there are cars from US41 that are speeding to the club.
- Audrey Sanders said there should be a bike lane on Union Road with an RV park coming.
SIXTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Adjournment
There being no further Orders of Business and,