MINUTES OF MEETING
NORTH SPRINGS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
The
regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the North Springs Improvement
District was held
Present and
constituting a quorum were:
Matt Lauritzen President
Salvatore J. Mendolia Secretary
Bob
Miner Supervisor
Also
present were:
Rich Hans District Staff
Dennis
Lyles Attorney
Donna
Holiday Recording
Secretary
John McKune Gee
& Jenson
Roger Moore District
Staff
Bill Joyce District
Staff
Dan Daly District
Staff
Joe Guttuso
Rob Hill WCI
Property Management
Cindy
Dennis
Mike
Hollander
Linda Kowal
Valerie
Verger
Mr. Lauritzen
called the meeting to order, and Mr. Hans called the roll.
SECOND
ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval of the
Minutes of the February 5, 2004 Meeting
Mr. Lauritzen
stated that each Board member had received a copy of the minutes of the
There not being any,
On
MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the minutes of the
THIRD
ORDER OF BUSINESS Public
Hearings
Mr.
Lauritzen opened the public hearings.
A. Imposition of a Plat Review Fee and Amendment to Existing Permit Review Fee
Mr.
Hans stated at our last meeting we discussed implementing fees for permit
reviews and plat reviews and collecting additional costs above $350. We also discussed collecting late fees for
late water bill payments.
Resolution
2004-3 by title is, “A resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the North Springs
Improvement District adopting certain rates, fees and charges for plat and
permit review”. This resolution is in
order and recommended for adoption.
On
MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Resolution 2004-3 adopting certain
rates, fees and charges for plat and permit review was adopted.
B. Amendments to Schedule of Water and Sewer Utility Rates, Fees and Charges
Mr.
Hans stated Resolution 2004-4 by title is, “A resolution of the Board of
Supervisors of the North Springs Improvement District adopting certain rates,
fees and charges for its water and wastewater utility system and authorizing
the preparation of amended Schedule “B” to be attached to Resolution 89-2,
reflecting such changes and providing for an effective date”.
Resolution
89-2 setting rates was adopted in 1989, and a schedule
was attached. We are updating this
schedule to include the fees that we discussed at our last meeting, which are
listed in Resolution 2004-4.
On
MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Resolution 2004-4 adopting
certain rates, fees and charges for its water and wastewater utility system was
adopted.
On
MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the public hearings were
closed.
Mr. McKune
stated bids were originally taken for the entire project. The low bidder is Triple R Paving. After the bids were received, WCI said they
only want to build Phase I at this time.
Phase I of the contract amount is the original contract of $2,287,000 as
shown in the change order. This change
order represents adding the rest of the previously bid contract. All the work is still being done on a unit
price basis as bid. The last page of the
change order shows that the total cost of this change order is largely borne by
WCI.
Mr. Lyles asked would it be fair to
characterize this as a second step versus a change order? The bid package for this project included all
this work originally and at the time of this contract, WCI and the Board
authorized a limited portion of the work to proceed. Essentially, it is now Phase II of the work
that is all within the bid specifications.
We are not going outside the bid amount or specifications that were
originally in place. While it is
referred to as a change order on the agenda, it is a notice to proceed with the
second phase of the work. You are not
going beyond what was authorized at the beginning.
Mr. McKune
stated that is correct.
On
MOTION by Mr. Miner seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with
all in favor Change Order No. 1 for Heron Bay North drainageways
with Triple R Paving for a net increase of $4,265,275.84 was approved.
Messrs. Hill and Hollander and
Misses Dennis, Kowal and Verger joined the meeting at
this time.
Mr. McKune
distributed Final Change Order No. 9 with Florida Sewer and Water, Inc. for
paving, drainage, water and wastewater for the Heron Bay East Pod 5/Heron Run
Drive Phase II for a net decrease of $173,022.91 and stated WCI’s
portion is a decrease of $179,188.57, and the District’s portion is an addition
of $6,165.66.
Mr. Lyles stated we had additional
infrastructure installed and the quantities are set forth in the change order
backup.
On
MOTION by Mr. Miner seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with
all in favor Change Order No. 9 & Final for Heron Bay East Pod 5/Heron Run
Drive Phase II for a net decrease of $173,022.91 was approved.
Mr. McKune
distributed Change Order No. 2 for the Osprey Trail project.
Mr. Lyles stated except for a few
hundred thousand dollars, which is the District’s portion of the change order,
WCI will pay to have this infrastructure installed and when the project is
complete, they will convey it to the District pursuant to an acquisition
agreement. Staff is asking for approval
of the change order for the total amount of $455,091.75.
On
MOTION by Mr. Miner seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with
all in favor Change Order No. 2 for the Osprey Trail project in the amount of
$455,091.75 was approved.
A. Work Authorization 119 Creekside
Water and Sewer Engineering Services During
Construction and Funding Agreement for Same
B. Work Authorization 120 Meadow Brook Water
and Sewer Engineering Services During Construction and
Funding Agreement for Same
C. Work Authorization 121 The
Glen Water and Sewer Engineering Services During Construction and Funding
Agreement for Same
Mr. McKune
stated Items A, B and C are the same.
Each involves a funding agreement and each involves the same amount of
consultation ($4,000 per month for an estimate of six months). These are the standard services during
construction, and I recommend approval.
On
MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Work Authorizations 119, 120
and 121 and the funding agreements for same were approved.
·
Consideration
of Award of Construction Contract
Mr. McKune
distributed the bid tabulation for The Glen and stated this represents the
award of a construction contract. This is a standard WCI development
project. We received six bids on March
2, and Florida Sewer and Water submitted the lowest, responsive bid with a base
bid of $545,113.70. The engineer’s
estimate was $595,218.50. We reviewed
the bids, and we recommend awarding the project to Florida Sewer and Water.
On
MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Florida Sewer and Water was
awarded the construction contract for The Glen in the amount of $545,113.70.
A. Creekside at
B. Heron Bay Northeast The
Glen Drainage Outfall and Surface Water Management System – WCI
C. Heron Bay Northeast Meadow Brook Drainage
Outfall and Surface Water Management System - WCI
D.
On
MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the permits listed above were
approved subject to the conditions listed in the engineer’s review letter.
E.
Mr. McKune
stated Item E represents a surface water management permit for the construction
of fountains. We reviewed this request
and find it acceptable.
Mr. Mendolia
asked who is putting the fountain in?
Mr. McKune
responded the Association. However, it
gives us a benefit as to water quality.
Mr. Miner asked would a fountain in
the middle of a lake cause a problem if it became dislodged?
Mr. McKune
responded I have not seen these particular fountains, but I have dealt with
fountains of this type. They are small
and would sink or drift onto the canal bank if they became dislodged. They will not make it through the culverts,
which are under water, because these fountains float.
On
MOTION by Mr. Miner seconded by Mr. Mendolia with all
in favor the permit for the installation of a fountain at
Mr. McKune
stated some time ago, we awarded a construction contract for the interbasin back-pumping system that will allow us to pump
water from the west side of the District into the east side of the District
where our water supply wells are located.
That pumping station is located on the east side of
Mr. Lyles stated they have a
standard form of easement that they require people to use when dealing with
FP&L. This is enclosed in the agenda
package, and will have a second document with a different legal description. Therefore, the Board can authorize execution
by the proper District officials of both easements in favor of FP&L for the
location of utility installations as derived by the engineer.
Mr. McKune
stated we checked and confirmed that the District owns this property.
On
MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the grant of two easements in
favor of FP&L within Pinehurst Woods was approved and the proper District
officials were authorized to execute same.
Mr. Lyles stated the legislative
staff in
B. Engineer
Mr. Moore stated regarding the
easement where our pump is, this is one of the projects that was deemed
beneficial to
·
Consideration
of Fish Bid Tabulation
Ms. Holiday stated bids were taken
this morning at
Mr. Lauritzen
asked are we happy with their services?
Ms. Holiday responded yes.
On
MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the contract for the purchase
of 4,000 Triploid Grass Carp was awarded to Florida Fish Farms, Inc. in the
amount of $12,200.00.
C. Superintendent
– Complaint Received from Mike Hollander Re:
Heron Bay Commons
Mr. Hans stated enclosed in the
agenda package is a letter we received from Mike Hollander who had some
concerns regarding the Heron Bay Commons Clubhouse.
Mr. Hollander stated Heron Bay
Commons is a not-for-profit building.
WCI tells me they do not have a contract with a tennis
pro. With regard to how they give
lessons, it is my understanding that the individual resident hires the
pro. I am asking for the same courtesy
for my tennis pro; not the one they are representing.
Mr. Lauritzen
stated I read your letters and responses and reviewed some of the by-laws. Who has the authority to hire the tennis pro?
Ms. Verger responded the
residents. There is no contract in
existence between the facility and the assistant pros. However, a contract exists strictly for
maintenance.
Mr. Lauritzen
asked do we have a tennis director?
Ms. Verger responded yes. His name is Skip Jackson.
Mr. Lauritzen
stated in my review of the by-laws, it sounds like the tennis director is the
final authority to solve these problems.
Perhaps you may want to consider applying for the tennis director job.
Ms. Verger stated the tennis
director came about due to the residents’ demand for more structure. The facility is not set up for tennis
operations. They provided us with a
swimming pool and tennis courts. The
residents showed an interest in forming leagues and instruction clinics and
lessons, and Mr. Jackson helps to organize those programs. As the need developed, he brought in two
additional pros under him to offer services to the residents at the discretion
of the residents. The entire negotiation
is between Mr. Jackson and the residents but in that capacity, he has been
asked to rank the players and administer the tryouts.
Mr. Lauritzen
stated it sounds like he is a good director.
I am trying to see it your way, Mr. Hollander, but there is not much I
can defend. It clearly states that the
tennis director who has the final authority will answer questions concerning
the interpretation or applicability of rules and regulations. This is clear to me that the tennis director
is the boss and makes the decisions, and we need to respect those rules.
Mr. Hollander stated I have no
problem with the tennis people, pros and leagues. I want my pro to give me lessons if I have the
ability to hire my own pro, which they tell me I can. I want him to have the same luxury as the
other guys.
Mr. Lauritzen
stated you want your pro to teach and have his own
locker. Is this the is
Mr. Hollander responded I am trying
to. This is why it got to this
point. The women and the rest of the
committee has concocted that I want to get rid of the pros. I am not at that
point. I want my pro to have the same
ability as these other pros. They say
they are hired by the residents, but I never got a chance to vote, nor have I
seen anything indicating an election. He
is able to use the facilities that I pay taxes for to sell his goods such as
books and tennis balls. It seems that
they are doing a good business because they do not pay any rent or fees to use
the court. Other facilities in
Mr. Lauritzen
stated I thank you for your comments. We
have a great deal of confidence in our managers, and I trust their ability to
manage and make decisions. I do not see
how we can accommodate you without rewriting the book, nor are we qualified to
do that. I ask that you search your soul
for a spirit of cooperation and become a team player. With all due respect, there aren’t any other
complaints.
Mr. Hollander stated 120 women are
taking lessons from this group and only two men. I run the men’s team. There is a void in
Mr. Lauritzen
stated perhaps you need more men.
Mr. Hollander asked what if 25 men
want to bring in 25 different pros? Are they allowed to?
Mr. Lauritzen
responded this is why we have a tennis director, and
the final authority of the rules and regulations go to the tennis director.
Mr. Holland stated you are saying
Mr. Jackson and his group are not hired by
Ms. Verger stated when the first
league were attempting to form and were looking for someone to help them form
the teams and get everything organized, they brought
in Mr. Jackson as their pro to coach them.
People have been very happy with Mr. Jackson and his pros, and our teams
are doing very well. This is why we have
not looked for anyone else to take over.
He has been very responsive to the residents and supportive to any is
With regard to compensation, there
is compensation but not in the form of money to the club since we are a
not-for-profit facility. Mr. Jackson
puts together the insert for the newsletter on his time at his own cost each
month, which provides all the programs that are available to the residents. He views the ladies playing tennis during
league plays on his own time. The pros
only make money while they are teaching.
Everything they do over and above that is at no charge to anyone,
including the club.
Mr. Mendolia
asked when is the time for Mr. Jackson to be voted in where Mr. Hollander can
get someone else?
Ms. Verger responded at any time if
the majority of the community is unhappy.
We have done so in the past on two occasions.
Mr. Hollander stated there is
nothing wrong with it. I am simply
trying to interpret what the rules are.
In other words, I can bring in my own pro, but you are saying that he
cannot have the same privileges.
Mr. Mendolia
asked why not?
Mr. Hollander responded I do not
know.
Mr. Mendolia
stated perhaps Ms. Verger can answer this.
If Mr. Hollander brings in a pro, can he have the same things Mr.
Jackson has?
Ms. Verger responded that is for the
Board to decide.
Mr. Lauritzen
stated according to the U.S.T.A. Ethic Rules, it is unethical.
Mr. Hollander stated it is not my
intention to get rid of Mr. Jackson, but there is a void of men. We want to hire our own pro.
Mr. Miner asked why not hire one? What is the
contention?
Mr. Hollander responded our pro
would like the same privileges as their pro such a closet for his tennis balls,
a locker, etc. I think it would be fair
to the residents for them to see different rates. They currently see posted rates of
$55/our. Our pro is going to charge
$40/hour. He should be able to post his
name and number in the signboard, which is locked. Their pro has a key; ours doesn’t.
Mr. Lauritzen
stated with all due respect, I think it was more than fair that they did not
put you on probation for some of the letters you wrote. I am going to recommend to the Board that
whatever Ms. Verger wants to do, I will be behind it 100%.
Mr. Lyles stated there is an
agreement between the District and the Heron Bay Community Association that
gives the Community Association the right and duty to manage the facility and
the right and duty to adopt rules and regulations by which the facility is going
to be run. It is contractually up to the
Community Association to deal with these operational is
Mr. Hollander stated you are saying
that I can hire my own pro. Is that
correct?
Mr. Miner responded according to
this letter dated November 6, you can.
Ms. Verger stated Mr. Hollander is
looking for us to offer the same privileges to every single pro. Clearly we cannot do that. The pro of choice is selected by the majority
of the residents so we have allowed him, on behalf of the residents and to
benefit the residents, to let them know that these programs are available to
them should they choose to take advantage of them. Mr. Jackson was brought in to provide a
service to the residents of
Mr. Miner asked how do you respond
to Mr. Hollander’s statement that he is going to hire a pro?
Ms. Verger responded he is welcome
to bring his own pro. The men’s team is
welcome to bring in their own pro. Mr.
Hollander’s concern is that he will not have the privilege of pre-booking
courts as we allow the existing tennis staff to do. In order to manage our leagues, we have to
pre-book court use and block times. Mr.
Hollander would like his pro to be able to do the same thing.
Mr. Miner asked why can’t Mr.
Hollander book a court, for example, at
Ms. Verger responded we will
probably let the captain of each individual league do the booking so that the
pros are removed from that procedure.
Mr. Hollander stated the rules are
to book the court 24 hours in advance except the residents who are taking a
lesson from their pro can book two weeks in advance.
Ms. Verger stated that is not
true. The pros are the ones who do the
booking; not the residents.
Ms. Dennis stated many of the
bookings deal with team clinics, and they usually take place at
Ms. Kowal
stated the residents have worked hard to build a program that is available for
all residents and to get a tennis committee together that represents all
playing people. I would like to see the
residents support the committee. We have
grown to seven ladies’ league in less than two years and to over 100 junior
programs. The program is successful, and
the majority of the residents are very happy.
At this point, we have 350 signatures evidencing the happiness of the
residents with the program as it exists.
We need to use the same system.
Mr. Hill stated these pros are not
allowed to bring anybody in from outside the community. The pros make their living off the residents.
Mr. Lauritzen
stated these pros are at the request of the residents. They are not exploiting the residents; they
are there as an added benefit to add value.
Ms. Verger stated we put together a
court usage system, a court reservation system and rules to the best of our
ability.
Mr. Lauritzen
asked how would you rate Mr. Jackson on a scale from one to ten for what his
responsibilities are and his job?
Ms. Kowal
responded we are happy with him. We have
been able to resolve is
Ms. Verger stated there is nothing
preventing Mr. Hollander from asking Mr. Jackson to find a pro who charges
$40/hour.
Mr. Hollander stated I do not have a
problem with Mr. Jackson. We had him,
but it did not work out. We have 30 men
who want to do it. I simply want the
same rights as a resident as the other residents have. They book courts five days in advance for
residents, but I can’t. We do not need
to book courts at
Mr. Mendolia
stated we have no problem with that.
Mr. Hollander stated thank you for
your time.
NINTH
ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisors
Requests and Audience Comments
There not being any, the next item
followed.
On
MOTION by Mr. Miner seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with
all in favor the invoices were approved.
There being nothing further,
On
MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the meeting was adjourned at