MINUTES
OF MEETINGS
NORTH
SPRINGS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the
North Springs Improvement District was held on Thursday, May 5, 2005 at 4:07
p.m. in the District Office, 10300 N. W. 11 Manor, Coral Springs, Florida.
Present and constituting a quorum
were:
Matt
Lauritzen President
Salvatore
J. Mendolia Secretary
Also present were:
George Keller Manager
Hal Anderson Attorney
Jane
Early CH2M-Hill
John McKune CH2M-Hill
Dan Daly Staff
Roger Moore Severn Trent Services
Jean
M. Rugg Severn
Trent Services
Roy Kroker Severn Trent Services
Tara-Lynn Patton WCI
Mike Hollander Resident
Kay Grace Resident
The pledge of allegiance was
recited.
Mr. Lauritzen called the meeting to
order and Mr. Keller called the roll.
SECOND ORDER OF
BUSINESS Organizational
Matter
A. Acceptance of Resignation from Mr. Bob
Miner
Mr.
Lauritzen stated I feel disheartened about Mr. Miner resigning. He is a good man—nice, faithful Christian,
active in his community, a good family man—we are going to miss him on this
Board.
B.
Appointment of
Supervisor to Fill the Unexpired Term of Office (6/2008)
C. Oath of Office of Newly Appointed
Supervisor
Mr. Lauritzen stated we have no one at this point to
consider for the position.
Mr. Keller stated if we anticipate having a candidate for
next month, we can make the appointment at that time and swear them into
office. With the constituency of only
three members and going through the budget process, it is critical we appoint
someone to that vacancy if we have any candidates.
On MOTION by
Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Mr. Miner’s
resignation was accepted.
THIRD ORDER OF
BUSINESS Approval of
the Minutes of the April 7, 2005 Meeting
Mr. Lauritzen stated that each Board
member had received a copy of the minutes of the April 7, 2005 meeting and
requested any additions, corrections or deletions.
There not being any,
On MOTION by
Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the minutes of the
April 7, 2005 meeting were approved as submitted.
FOURTH ORDER OF
BUSINESS Distribution
of Proposal Budget for Fiscal Year 2006
Mr. Keller stated in front of you is
the initial rough draft of the general fund budget. Please review it over the next month, and we
will have some time at next months’ meeting to review the budget. We request you set the public hearing for the
adoption of the general fund budget at the July 7, 2005 meeting at 4:00 p.m. at
this location.
At next month’s meeting we will
bring you a draft of the water and sewer budget and set the public hearing for
the August meeting.
On MOTION by
Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the public hearing on
the general fund budget for July 7, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. at the District Offices
was approved.
FIFTH ORDER OF
BUSINESS Consideration
on Change Orders
A. No.
1 with Triple R Paving, Inc., for Heron Bay North Two Drainageways for a Net
Increase of $265,562.93
Ms.
Early stated the District and WCI has a joint contract for earthwork for Heron
Bay North. This particular change order
is to fill two parcels for WCI. This is
entirely a WCI cost for Sable Point and Banyan Isles.
Mr.
Mendolia asked why the increase?
Ms.
Early responded when we do earthwork it is typically lake excavation and fill
the parcels. Once we get into the design
and do final lot grading, WCI contracts with the current earthwork
contractor.
Mr.
Mendolia asked don’t they have a contract already?
Ms.
Early responded this is a tri-party agreement; WCI and the District have a
contract with Triple R Paving. WCI pays
a portion and the District pays a portion.
This portion is a WCI cost.
On MOTION by
Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 1
with Triple R Paving, for Heron Bay North Two Drainageways for a Net Increase
of $265,562.93 was approved.
B.
No. 4 with
Florida Sewer and Water, Inc., for Heron Bay Northeast “the Glen” for a Net
Increase of $19,976
Ms.
Early stated this is a WCI/NSID contract.
NSID pays for the water and sewer portion. This is a modification to the entrance to
rework some curb. This also is a WCI cost.
On MOTION by
Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 4
with Florida Sewer and Water, Inc., for Heron Bay Northeast “the Glen” for a
net increase of $19,976 was approved.
C. No.
3 with Florida Sewer and Water, Inc. for Heron Bay Northeast “Greenbrier” for a
Net Increase of $20,298
Ms.
Early stated when we originally bid and designed these, we 1.5” of
asphalt. In working with the City of
Parkland and WCI, everyone agreed to 1.75” so the first lift of asphalt is 1”
rather than .75”. This is for the additional
asphalt which is a WCI cost as well.
Mr.
Lauritzen asked is that due to a mucking problem?
Ms.
Early responded sometimes you are a little thin on the first lift, and we are
having some problems. This is one
solution we came up with.
On MOTION by
Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 3 with
Florida Sewer and Water, Inc. for Heron Bay Northeast “Greenbrier” for a net
increase of $20,298 was approved.
D. No.
7 with Triple R Paving, Inc., Heron Bay North Drainageways for a Net Increase
of $90,000
Ms.
Early stated this change order is for the Osprey Trail Berm and the excavation
and embankment for the Glen. This is
also a WCI cost.
Mr.
Mendolia asked are we involved in any way?
Ms.
Early responded it is a tri-party agreement.
We pay for the lakes and the embankment WCI pays for.
On MOTION by
Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 7
with Triple R Paving, Inc., Heron Bay North Drainageways for a net increase of
$90,000 was approved.
E. No.
9 with Florida Sewer and Water, Inc. for Heron Bay Plat 1, Phase 1, Access
Roadway Plan and Lift Station TPC #9 (Cypress Point) for a Net Increase of
$55,155
Ms.
Early stated I would like to table this until after discussion item seven. Mr. Moore is going to discuss the NSID/Pine
Tree interconnect. This change order
goes with that project.
SIXTH ORDER OF
BUSINESS Consideration
of Parkland Village Plat
Mr. Keller stated I had a discussion
with Ms. Hitchcock prior to the meeting, and although we are close to moving
forward with this, there are a couple of loose ends. Ms. Hitchcock would like to make sure things
are fully completed before the Board moves forward with this. At her request, she would like this continued
to the June meeting.
On MOTION by
Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor consideration of
Parkland Village Plat was tabled until next month.
SEVENTH ORDER
OF BUSINESS Discussion
Items
A. Discussion
and Presentation for Approval of NSID-Pine Tree/SFWMD Interconnect Project
FIFTH ORDER OF
BUSINESS Consideration
of Change Orders (Continued)
E. No.
9 with Florida Sewer and Water, Inc. for Heron Bay Plat 1, Phase 1, Access
Roadway Plan and Lift Station TPC #9 (Cypress Point) for a Net Increase of
$55,155
Mr. Moore stated we previously
talked about having an interconnect between Pine Tree Water Control District
and NSID to be able to take excess water than disposing of it to the ocean to
recharge some of our eastern well fields.
At this point in time, SFWMD has approved up to $40,000 of a 50/50 split
of any installation of a culvert. We
have an estimate for a culvert installation by a change order with Florida
Sewer and Water for approximately $55,000.
If the change order is approved, we hope to have the interconnect
installed by October 1, and have approximately ½ of the $55,000 paid for by
SFWMD.
Mr. Lauritzen stated good work. I know we have been working towards this for
a long time. This is the best use of our
assets.
Mr. Moore stated we also have the
telemetry units working at the back pumps and at a couple of the lift stations. After this is up and running, I’d like to
take you over and give you a demonstration.
SFWMD is also paying up to $38,000 towards this.
On MOTION by
Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 9
with Florida Sewer and Water, Inc. for Heron Bay North Plat 1, Phase 1, Access
Roadway Plan and Lift Station TPC #9 for a net increase of $55,155 was
approved.
SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Discussion Items (Continued)
B. NSID
Pump Station #4 – Auto Sampler Maintenance
Mr. Moore stated a year or two ago we
entered into a contract with Broward County to do monitoring bi-weekly with
their certified lab. They do this at
approximately $113 a visit, and it will be raised to $117. They need to amend the agreement. It is a 3% increase per year. It is a straight forward agreement. I had a copy sent to the attorney for minor
adjustments. We already signed the major
agreement a year ago. This is an
addendum for a slight increase.
On MOTION by
Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the Auto Sampler
Maintenance Agreement for NSID Pump Station #4 was approved, subject to
District Counsel’s review and approval.
EIGHTH ORDER OF
BUSINESS Staff Reports
A. Attorney
There
not being any, the next item followed.
B. Engineer
There not being any, the next item
followed.
C. Superintendent
Mr. Keller stated on the Heron Bay
Common’s property, we have requested an independent financial audit be done,
and the firm Berger Toombs is conducting that audit. They have been working there for the last
couple weeks and anticipate it to be a few more weeks before we get their
results.
Severn Trent Services has contracted
with Rachlin and Cohen to perform an operational audit. It will look more at the operational and
contractural aspects, and give recommendation as to how to approach things and
make improvements. That was started this
past week.
As you directed last month, the
Board wanted to wait until these audits were finalized and presented before
taking any further action.
NINTH ORDER OF
BUSINESS Supervisor’s
Requests and Audience Comments
Ms. Grace stated I came to discuss
the problems we are having at the Commons.
I spoke to Ms. Walker complaining about the various problems with the
tennis courts and its maintenance. Ms.
Verger led me to believe they are not paid to maintain the courts. Later at a tennis committee meeting, I
learned they were paid to maintain the courts.
At lots of clubs when they have pros, the pros maintain the courts for
nothing in order to give their lessons and make a profit. I found they are being paid to maintain the
courts and I found out how much they were being paid. I also found out by going there every day that
they were not being maintained; and if they did maintain them the night before
they locked the courts so you couldn’t use a portion of the courts. A lot of times the lines were not cleared.
In January we have a new maintenance
man who is doing a wonderful job. We are
very happy with him. This was under Mr.
Skip Jackson and we are still dealing with him because he gets the contracts
for the pros, and the pros pay him, who does nothing but has his name on the
sign. What is the benefit to having Mr.
Jackson there? A year ago I gave to Ms.
Walker the percentages to clubs in the area and they range for 25% back of
every lesson given to 20% and it is negotiated each year, and they also
maintain the courts. Here we are
maintaining the courts, paying to have them maintained, they are not being
maintained. During the hurricanes they
were gone for five days. They also
failed to remove the screens during the hurricanes. If you remove the screens, you have less of a
chance to flow the fences down. If you
leave them up, a huge percentage is blown down.
In our case, they cut the screens, they blew in the wind and now they
need to be replaced. All the clubs in
our areas rolled the screens down, except us.
I talked to Ms. Verger twice about this, and by the third time I gave
up. I am sure it cost $10,000 to replace
them.
My main reason for coming is the way
Ms. Verger conducts business. I have
gotten two citations. The have a rule
about hoppers being on the courts. I had
one outside of the court, eight courts were empty, and I received a citation
and took it to WCI. WCI took my citation
and it was slipped under the rug. The
second citation I sent to Mr. Luis Hernandez.
I am questioning the selective enforcement. Two members of the tennis committee told me
in December that since their pros were not giving lessons on Saturday and we
have teaching courts of one and two that I would be able to bring my own pro in
and have my lessons. I did for several
times and then I received a citation that said I could not bring guests on the
weekends. On the teaching courts you are
supposed to be able to bring in your pro if they don’t have one. One citation was because I was moved off the
court due to the pro taking my court at the last minute for a lesson. I don’t understand why I continue to be
selectively given citations. Is it
because I objected to the way the courts were maintained? Probably so.
If you look at the minutes, it references how badly the courts are
maintained.
I also wanted to note that you have
no idea how much money is going through there.
The pros can make anywhere from $60 to $90 an hour or more. This week they invited two pros to come in
with their hoppers, even though I am not allowed to have a guest pro with a
hopper on the courts during certain hours.
They charged $34 per person, 8 to 9 people on a court, all four courts
that is $280 to $315 per court for $1,120 to $1,260 for all four courts a day,
$5,600 to $6,300 for the week. She has
no idea how much money they took in. She
looks to the pros to say, “Here is your 10%.”
Someone needs to step in and say let’s get our percentage back, and do
their jobs.
Mr. Keller stated you have addressed
all these issues to Ms. Verger before.
How did she respond?
Ms. Grace responded she screamed and
told me to get out of her office.
Mr. Keller stated I have visited the
property twice, and it did look good.
Ms. Grace stated since January, the
new maintenance person is doing a beautiful job. We are still doing business with Mr. Skip
Jackson, whose name is there as the Director of Tennis. There is a head pro and assistant pro, and a
percentage is given back to Mr. Jackson.
Most of the pros do not know until after six months that he has no
contract with the Commons.
Mr. Lauritzen asked what is your
suggestion?
Ms. Grace responded a new manager,
hire a manager at a lesser salary and various other individuals to man the
desk. It does not take that much to run
the facility. You have to make sure the
courts are clean, the pool is at the right temperature, the chemical levels are
correct. No food is allowed on the patio
area. I was drinking Gatoraide, and she
said we are not allowed to drink sugared products on the patio area even though
there is a soda machine. Ms. Verger
explained there is a maintenance service that comes at 3:15 p.m, and they are
doing a wonderful job. It sounds like we
need to have the cleaning service at night since the bulk of the residents come
in the evening, and she said, “There is no way we are changing our cleaning
service.” The ideal situation is to have
a cleaning service at night, allow a minimum amount of food and drink. The tennis pros have their luncheons, but the
average person is not allowed. It is a
beautiful facility and make sure the trash is disposed of at night.
Mr. Lauritzen asked are you willing
to consult with either management?
Ms. Grace responded absolutely.
Mr. Keller asked have you reduced
your issues in written form and submitted them to Ms. Verger?
Ms. Grace responded I have not
because she said there were five complaints about me having a guest pro in on a
Saturday, and I asked for the five complaints.
She told me she was not able to get anyone to put it in writing, and I
told her she couldn’t give me a citation until someone complained in writing. That is when the screaming match happened.
Mr. Keller stated putting them in
writing will give clarity as to what the issues are, and that can be given to
the manager to respond in detail. I have
had information shared with me by Mr. Hernandez, but without having the details
in writing and written response back it leaves some confusion as to
policy. If you will do that, and copy
me, I will follow up with her to provide a response. These are some of the issues that will be
addressed on the operational side of the audit to be addressed and the cash
flow management.
Ms. Grace stated in my citation she
wanted me to make sure that I put all four names down, and I challenged her to
go through books to find all four names on the court. You always see two names booked for the
courts and not four. I also asked that
she show me how she kept track of all the lessons. She leaves that up to the pros. She has no idea if there are six on the
court, nine on the court; or if they are getting $30 an hour/ $60 an hour/ or
$90 an hour. That will pay for some of
our maintenance.
Mr. Keller stated be as specific as
you can in your written request and she can respond to them as well, and we can
pin down some of these issues.
Mr. Hollander stated these issues
that Ms. Grace is bringing up I brought up over a year ago. They are running a profitable business in
non-profit building. It is getting
worst. These tennis pros are
guests. Who hired them? Do they have a contract and with whom? I want to see the contract. I want to know how they can book a court
without being a resident, and them bump a resident off a court.
Ms. Grace stated these are the only
people who are allowed to book a court early, and book a long slot of time
off. They would book a court from 8 a.m.
to 3 p.m., and then cancel mid-morning so it couldn’t be used. Their pro charges $60 an hour, my pro charges
$40. I would have supported WCI pros,
but they are never there for a long period time. When they find out they are giving Mr.
Jackson a fee, they move on. Mr. Jackson
is paying a profit and I want my $12 to go to my club, not Mr. Jackson, who is
hardly at the facility. Who gets a
tennis pro office and doesn’t pay rent?
There are so many issues.
Mr. Keller stated please put all
those in your letter.
Ms. Grace asked will I be able to
get an appointment with her?
Mr. Keller responded she doesn’t
work for the District; she works for WCI Property Management. You need to deal directly with her on that
and she should make herself available.
Mr. Mendolia stated there should be
a meeting with Ms. Grace, Ms. Verger and anyone else involved to get the issues
out.
Mr. Keller stated I recommend they
identify the issues, meet directly with Ms. Verger. Let her give a formal response. If you can resolve things together, fine. If not, allow us to take a look at it. If you like, one of us can sit in as a third
party if that is helpful to see if we can resolve things.
Mr. Hollandar stated I have brought
this up before. There cannot be two sets
of rules [WCI rules and Resident rules].
Who is giving the tennis pros, who are guests, the authority to book a
tennis court? I pay and they don’t.
Mr. Lauritzen stated you have been coming
to these Board meetings for months.
These are public meetings. In the
spirit of public safety and full disclosure I have a couple of questions for
you, if you don’t mind?
Mr. Hollandar responded for me?
Mr. Lauritzen asked have you been
arrested or know any Coral Springs police?
Have you ever had any run-ins with them?
Mr. Hollandar asked is that relevant
to what we ….
Mr. Lauritzen asked it is a public
meeting and it is for full disclosure.
Mr. Hollandar stated I am not an
elected official.
Mr. Lauritzen stated in the spirit
of full disclosure I want to know if you are a violent man.
Mr. Hollandar responded no.
Mr. Lauritzen asked have you been
arrested for any assault?
Mr. Hollandar responded no.
Mr. Lauritzen stated I just wanted
it on the record.
Mr. Hollandar asked have you?
Mr. Lauritzen responded no.
Mr. Hollandar asked have you filed
your financial disclosure?
Mr. Lauritzen responded yes.
Mr. Hollandar asked can I have a
copy of it?
Mr. Lauritzen responded through the
public course of action.
Mr. Hollandar stated I gave this
Board in October a request for documents in writing.
Mr. Lauritzen stated we are doing
the best we can.
Mr. Hollandar stated it has been
seven months.
Mr. Lauritzen stated this is a
public meeting, and it is better to understand some of your history as well.
Mr. Hollandar stated my history is
irrelevant. If you want to personally
attack me publically, go right ahead; but it is irrelevant to the issues.
Mr. Lauritzen asked have you ever
had a run in with the Coral Springs Police Department?
Mr. Hollandar responded no.
Mr. Lauritzen stated that is all I
wanted to know. That sets my heart to
rest and thank you.
Mr. Hollandar stated it is on record
that Mr. Miner made a public comment about me, and I sent a letter to the
District Manager asking for an apology which I still have not received. That is slander.
Mr. Lauritzen stated as I said,
public safety is important. This is a
public meeting. If there is any concern
here that you have an assault charge or have been arrested or you had any
run-ins with the police, it is just fair disclosure and I am heartfelt to see
that has not happened.
Mr. Hollandar stated the Coral
Spring Police have nothing to do with me.
Mr. Lauritzen asked any law
enforcement agencies?
Mr. Hollandar responded there
possibly could have been one, but not with Coral Springs. Getting back to my document request, where
are they? I have a letter from WCI and I
am interested in getting documents from 2002.
I wrote WCI a letter. They
checked their records and gave me an answer.
Obviously there is a register.
Why can’t I get the register from 2002?
Mr. Lauritzen stated a little
patience might be in order.
Mr. Hollandar stated it has been
seven months. You have 10 days by law.
Mr. Keller stated Mr. Hollandar and
I have had discussions on this matter when he came into the office. It is my understanding that months ago after
that request you had an opportunity to come in and examine many of the
records.
Mr. Hollandar stated that is not
true.
Mr. Keller asked you didn’t come
into the office and examine the records?
Mr. Hollandar responded not after we
met, no.
Mr. Keller stated not after we met,
but prior to that and after your request.
Mr. Hollandar stated prior to our
meeting I reviewed an incomplete set of records.
Mr. Keller stated the understanding
was that since you came in after your request and looked at the documents, that
you were able to see what you wanted that was available and there were some
items you requested that were not available.
Mr. Hollandar stated there are three
years of records.
Mr. Keller stated available to you.
Mr. Hollandar stated not
available. In the letter from WCI they
tell me they checked their register from 2002.
I want to see the register.
Mr. Keller stated I am not clear as
to what you did see, or what remains that you couldn’t find.
Mr. Hollandar stated all I saw were
records from 2004 and half of 2003. I
requested all the records since 1999 when the building was opened.
Mr. Keller stated you want 1999
through 2002.
Mr. Hollandar responded 1999 through
2004. I want a complete look at everything. I did get some very good information from
what I did see. Getting back to the
tennis issue, not the police department issue.
Mr. Lauritzen stated I just wanted
to put it to rest. I am a big advocate
of public safety.
Mr. Hollandar stated I am sure you
are.
Mr. Lauritzen asked do you know Mr.
Steve Walerstein?
Mr. Hollandar responded yes I do.
Mr. Lauritzen asked did you have any
problems with him?
Mr. Hollandar responded yes.
Mr. Lauritzen asked why don’t we
talk about that?
Mr. Hollandar asked what has that
got to do with—
Mr. Lauritzen responded it is a
public meeting and people have the right to know if you are violent man.
Mr. Hollandar stated I don’t think I
am a violent man.
Mr. Lauritzen stated it is just for
the record.
Mr. Hollandar stated for the record,
that is the third time you asked me.
Mr. Lauritzen stated that is good
for me.
Mr. Hollandar stated as long as you
are good with that. Sometime you hear a
story, but you have to hear both sides to get the truth of the story. That is okay.
My point is there are two sets of rules in that building and there
should only be one. How does a
non-resident book tennis court time six to seven days in advance and as a
resident I cannot book it 24 hours in advance?
That is the same question I asked you a year ago.
Mr. Lauritzen responded sounds like
a Ms. Verger issue.
Mr. Hollandar stated I can’t get an
answer from Ms. Verger and because I pay my tax money to this Board you have
fiduciary responsibility.
Mr. Lauritzen asked are you a
homeowner?
Mr. Hollandar responded I pay taxes
for that facility.
Mr. Keller stated that issue can be
included in the written document by Ms. Grace.
Ms. Grace stated I certainly
will.
Mr. Keller stated there should be
only one set of adopted policies, and they should be followed.
Mr. Hollandar asked because the
building needs to be run in accordance with the sunshine laws, why are they
having all these secret meetings. They
have to notify the public of a meeting.
What is going on?
Mr. Keller asked who is having these
meetings?
Mr. Hollandar responded the tennis
committee every two weeks and they set rules and regulations. They need to be posted.
Mr. Keller stated the policies that
are in place, and whoever is doing what should be addressed in those
policies. If not the policies need to be
amended to make sure that is the case.
There are a lot issues going back and forth; and we are trying to get
some of those issues understood and resolved.
If there are things being unearthed, we will deal with them as we move
forward.
Mr. Hollandar asked what kind of
time frame are we looking at?
Mr. Keller responded I anticipate
the audits to be wrapped up in the next three weeks. I volunteer to sit with Ms. Grace and Ms.
Verger, and take someone to go with us and do what we have to.
Ms. Grace asked may I have some
other people from the tennis community sit in on it?
Mr. Keller responded if that is
agreeable with Ms. Verger. She does not
directly work for the District.
Mr. Lauritzen stated you are going
way beyond the call of duty, as gracious as management can get.
Mr. Hollandar asked when do you
think I can see the register for 2002 for the clubhouse?
Mr. Keller responded I will go back
and look at your original request, focusing on the documents from 1999 to
2002. If they are not here, I will ask
for their location and set up an opportunity for you to review the
records. If there are any records
missing, that is another issue we will put on the list to find out about.
TENTH ORDER OF
BUSINESS Financial
Statements, Approval of Requisitions and Invoices
After review,
On MOTION by
Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the requisitions and
invoices were approved.
ELEVENTH
ORDER OF BUSINESS Adjournment
There being nothing further,
On MOTION by
Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the meeting was
adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
Salvatore J. Mendolia Matt
Lauritzen
Secretary President