Port of the Islands
Community Improvement District

The meeting of the Port of the Islands Community Improvement District was held on Friday, March 19, 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
Sam Leishear – Assistant Secretary

Also present (or by web conference) were:
Cal Teague – District Manager
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.

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, except Supervisor Holloway, who attended by phone. Also in attendance were David Schmitt from Hole Montes (Engineer); Robert Soto from Soto Lawn, and Mitch Gilbert from Florida Utility Solutions.  Participating via web conference were Nancy Dudak and Christopher Dudak from Premier District Management.

The Board reviewed the Agenda.

There being none, the next Order of Business followed.

A. Draft Continuation Meeting Minutes from February 10, 2021

The Board reviewed the Continuation Meeting Minutes from February 10, 2021.

B. Draft Meeting Minutes from February 19, 2021

The Board reviewed the Meeting Minutes from February 19, 2021.

The Board discussed the selection of a new Attorney. The Chair stated that he spoke with Greg Urbancic, but he is not available at the time they meet. Supervisor Jensen stated that the demographic in the community has changed to include more working people, but it was stated that the response on the Next Door app about changing the time did not get much response either way. Vice Chair O’Connell said that the Meeting Agenda is online for residents who want to respond to an issue, and that she does not feel a significant number of people would attend if it moved to evenings. Supervisor Leishear stated that he feels the Board should do their due diligence in seeking a new Attorney. The Board requested that three attorneys with CDD experience attend the next meeting for Board consideration. The Board also discussed changing the meeting dates going forward from the third Friday of each month to the second Friday, and to change the meeting time to 9:30 a.m. from the current 9 a.m.

The District Manager asked the Board about their concerns about using the current Attorney until a new one is selected. They agreed that Mr. Cox should not be involved in any of the Parcel 13 negotiations at this time, but they will use him for small legal issues, if necessary.

A. Landscaper Notes

Mr. Soto reviewed the monthly report. He said he did his drive-around with Supervisor Holloway and showed her the Canary Palm that was infected with Ganoderma, which is airborne. He will submit a proposal for its removal and the Board agreed that he can meet with her to select an ornamental tree as a replacement. He was asked about the overhanging tree branches on private property along the streets. He said he will identify the problematic trees, and staff will send letters to the homeowners to trim them for traffic safety. He answered questions about plants in the swales.

A. Utility Report

Mr. Gilbert reported that the plant is running well. He said he is conducting routine maintenance business.

B. Water Meter Changeout Program Update

The Board was updated on water meter-reading trends. Mr. Gilbert reported that he expects at least half of the new meters in mid-April and the remainder in mid-May. He expects to complete the project by the second week of June. He said he will place door hangers on doors two days before each homeowner’s meter is changed out. The Board also asked for notices on the next utility bill indicating that they may notice changes on their following bill.

A. New Home Construction/Drainage Issues

The Engineer reported that there is a lot of new construction that he is monitoring. He met with one of the builders about the swale. He contacted the homeowner on Newport Cay concerning issues of their remodeling of the driveway.

B. CIP Development Update

The Engineer said the Capital Improvement Plan is in process and he expects to see a draft at the April meeting for development of the Budget. Supervisor Jensen asked that the report be accelerated for inclusion in the Budget.

C. Bridge Lighting/Speed Reduction on 41

The Engineer said that he did not get a response yet from the Department of Transportation.

A. Financial Report for February 2021

The Board reviewed the financials for February 2021.

B. FY 2022 Preliminary Budget

The District Manager presented the initial draft of the FY 2022 Budget and it was discussed with the Board. He said there were excess revenues of $782,602 in the Water/Sewer fund due to the debt being retired on May 1, 2021. The Board said that any surprise expenses were covered in the last Budget. The Board will review it for the next meeting. The District Manager requested that if any Board members have questions or suggestions for the Budget, contact him directly before the next meeting. Also, there was discussion on the reduction of the assessment levy and Vice Chair O’Connell and the District Manager will meet and make a recommendation.

A. Field Report for March

The District Manager reviewed the Field Report with the Board:

• Supervisor Holloway had raised the issue of using wood stakes for the “no parking” signs when they are replaced, but the Board agreed to use metal or a stronger material.
• There was a question about the fire hydrant being covered at the old hotel.
• The District Manager mentioned a broken sidewalk on Sunset Cay that needs to be repaired by the developer.
• A fire hydrant on Venus Cay needs to be painted.

B. Other Follow-Up Items

i. Electrical Panels Repair Update

a. Union Road Update

The underground conduit has been run and the electrician is returning March 24 to tie in the new electrical line for the sign monument.

b. Newport Drive Update

Excel Electric has applied for the permit for the irrigation timer and the lift station and they have ordered all the equipment which should arrive early next week. Lee County Electric Coop will then need to schedule a date to turn off the power so that the repairs can be completed.

ii. Main Entrance Sign Repair Update

Lykins reported that they need to make new brackets to weld the sunburst back onto the monument for $300 which the District Manager had approved. There were no objections voiced regarding this decision.

A. Prepmac Default Action

The District Manager reported that the Attorney said that he had not received any communication from Prepmac’s attorney or Mr. Prephan. Chair Kish stated he received a call and request to meet with Mr. Prephan later that day and he would update the District Manager on the meeting. This Agenda item will be taken off the Agenda until Mr. Prephan presents a written agreement/proposal for Board consideration.

Supervisor Holloway physically arrived at the meeting at 10:55 a.m.

A. Parcel 13 Purchase Agreement Update

The District Manager reported that he received another written proposal for Parcel 13 yesterday, but he told them that the Board already had accepted one. Zeman said they would submit the initial draft of the purchase agreement next week.

B. Towing Discussion

The District Manager said that towing vehicles will be left to the HOA’s to work out specifics with the CID for approval.

A. Union Road Regrading Proposals

The Field Manager requested proposals from five contractors and two of them responded. They were Collier/Southern Paving at $22,933.49 and Bonness Inc. at $42,049.65. The Board preferred the proposal from Collier/Southern Paving.

B. County Takeover of Utilities Discussion

Supervisor Jensen said the County said they have no interest in taking over the utilities, so this issue is being dropped at this time.

C. Meeting Day/Time Change Discussion

The meeting dates were changed to the second Friday of each month at 9:30 a.m. earlier in the meeting.

• Vice Chair O’Connell was approached about having a vaccine event in the community. Upon researching it, she said it could be done, but she felt it was late to initiate an event with many seasonal residents leaving soon. As a governmental unit, the Board agreed that they could organize something like this in the future should a need arise.
• Chair Kish mentioned that people are talking to him about installing gates in the future as the community grows. The Board discussed gate options.
• The District Manager mentioned that they are spraying for mosquitos now, but for next fiscal year, he increased the amount in the Budget to compensate for the increase in gas prices for the spray provider.
• Supervisor Jensen said that several members of the community have made derogatory comments about Board members on social media, and he asked that people tone it down due to the voluntary nature of what the Board does to serve the community.
• Supervisor Holloway discussed getting an appraisal done for Parcel 13.

Comments were made about the costs versus profits for the new development. There were concerns about the cost for roads, the entrance to Orchid Cove, meeting times, assessment fee reduction, landscaping, speed bumps for bicyclist safety, ERC’s, gates, road development costs and fire assessments. There was also a comment that since the Board serves the greater good of the community, they should meet when it is best for them. Also, it was said that it is better to maintain fees for good stewardship of funds than to reduce them and diminish services to the community.

There being no further Orders of Business, and

Next Regular Meeting: Friday, April 9, 2021 at 9:30 AM