MINUTES
OF MEETING
NORTH
SPRINGS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
The
regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the North Springs Improvement
District was held on
Present and constituting a quorum
were:
Matt Lauritzen President
Salvatore J. Mendolia Secretary
Steve Mendelson Supervisor
Also present were:
George Keller Manager
Dennis
Lyles Attorney
John McKune Engineer
Dan Daly Staff
Doug Hyche Staff
Jean M. Rugg
Jane Early CH2M Hill
Tara-Lynn Patton WCI
Michael Udine
Marsha Moore Resident
Kay Grace Resident
Bill Grace Resident
Michael Hollander Resident
Valerie Verger Resident
The Pledge of Allegiance was
recited.
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS Roll Call
Mr.
Lauritzen called the meeting to order and called the roll.
SECOND
ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval
of the Minutes of the June 9, 2005 Meeting
Mr.
Lauritzen stated each Board member received a copy of the minutes of the
There not being any,
On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Mendelson with all
in favor the minutes of the
THIRD
ORDER OF BUSINESS Public
Hearing to Co
Mr.
Keller stated some questions were raised about the legal notice requirements
for today’s public hearing. It is our
recommendation we re-notice and hold the public hearing for the adoption of
both the general fund as well as the water and sewer budget at the same
meeting.
FOURTH
ORDER OF BUSINESS Distribution
of Proposed Budget for the Water and Sewer
Mr.
Keller stated here is a copy of the proposed water and sewer budget. This is your first chance to look at it. We can take it up at next month’s meeting. I will be happy to meet individually with the
Board members if you have any questions.
FIFTH
ORDER OF BUSINESS Co
A.
Ms. Early stated this is the
Mr.
Lauritzen asked why would they bid without a bid bond?
Ms.
Early responded they bid on a private bid with WCI at the same time. They provided a bid bond for that job, but
they did not have bonding capacity for both projects. They thought if they did not get the job with
WCI they would be able to provide a bid bond.
We
have not done work with Mancon, Inc., but I did some research and I heard good
things about them. They have not worked
on any District jobs in the past ten years since I have been here.
Mr.
Mendolia asked did you say Mancon, Inc. was the second lowest bidder?
Ms.
Early responded yes. Conquest
Engineering was $2,198.000, Mancon Inc. was $2,204,000 and Florida Sewer and
Water was $2,672,000. We recommend the
award to Mancon, Inc.
Mr.
Mendolia asked have they worked for us?
Ms.
Early responded I have not worked with them in a long time. I did some reference checking. They did some work on
On MOTION by Mr. Mendeloson seconded by Mr. Mendolia with
all in favor the Heron Bay Commercial Residential Development Parcel Contract
was awarded to Mancon, Inc.
B. Portable Generator
Mr. Moore stated we have some portable generators we use at
our lift stations in case of any power outages.
We used it extensively during the last hurricane season. We have one in NSID and one in CSID. We hope to have three at each site;
therefore, we are putting one in each budget for each year. We took bids for two generators and the
lowest bidder was National Generators. I
recommend you purchase one more generator for the price of $2,693.
Mr.
Mendolia asked what is the approximate delivery date?
Mr.
Moore responded it will be approximately 10 weeks.
Mr.
Mendolia stated the freight will probably cost a great deal because they are
heavy.
Mr.
Moore stated they are approximately three quarters of the size of a pick up
truck.
Mr.
Mendolia asked is it included in the price?
Mr.
Moore responded that is correct.
On MOTION by Mr. Mendelson seconded by Mr. Mendolia with all
in favor the Portable Generator contract was awarded to National Generators.
C. Ditch Mower
Mr. Moore stated we only had one bid to replace the worn out
ditch mower we have for cutting swales and some areas we own. The bid is for $7,693. I recommend we go to the supplier of the
brand that goes with our tractor.
Mr.
Mendolia asked why did we only receive one bid?
Mr.
Moore responded it is hard to find someone to do something this small.
On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Mendelson with all
in favor the purchase of the new ditch mower from All Coast Tractor in the
amount of $7,693 was approved.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Co
Ms. Early stated items A, B and C are Heron Bay North Plat
three. They are on a 50’, 65’ and 75’
pod for water distribution and wastewater collection. There is an engineering funding agreement for
WCI to fund the project.
D. WA #146
Ms.
Early stated associated with items A through C are the
drainageways. We have a design for work
authorization for them.
Ms. Early stated this is the lift station to provide the
three pods.
F. WA
Ms. Early stated this is the
G.
WA #149 Heron Bay North Plat #3
Spine Road W/S and LS TPC #14 and Funding Agreement #412 for Engineering
Services
Ms. Early stated this is
H.
Funding Agreement #413 for
Ms.
Early stated there should be a work authorization for engineering services and
construction for the
Ms.
Rugg stated it was not brought to the Board last month.
Ms.
Early stated it is an engineering service for the parcel we just awarded.
On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Mendelson with all
in favor work authorizations #141, #143, #144, #145, #146, #147, #148, #149 and
Funding Agreements #407, #408, #409, #410, #411, #412, #413, #414 were
approved.
SEVENTH
ORDER OF BUSINESS Co
A.
Ms.
Early stated these are surface water management permits. We have one for Pod 16 in Parkland Golf and
Country Club. We also have one from the
Turnpike Authority for the Sawgrass Expressway widening from
On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Mendelson with all
in favor the permit request for the Parkland Golf and Country Club POD 16
drainage outfall into canal S2-4 was approved.
B. Sawgrass Expressway Widening from
Ms.
Early stated this is the same type of permit.
Mr.
Lauritzen stated a sound proof wall is going to be built.
Mr.
Udine stated the Sawgrass Expressway is paid for by toll money.
Mr.
Lauritzen asked how long is it going to take?
Mr.
Udine responded it is a big project.
They widen from the i
On MOTION by Mr. Mendelson seconded by Mr. Mendolia with all
in favor the permit request for widening of the Sawgrass Expressway from
EIGHTH
ORDER OF BUSINESS Staff
Reports
A. Attorney
Mr. Lyles stated I am proud to distribute the codification,
which is the new Florida Statute conforming our various bills and amendments
into one document cited as Chapter 2005-341 Laws of Florida. It was signed by the Governor on
B. Engineer
The engineer’s report was discussed
under the manager’s report.
C. Manager
i. Large User Agreement/Rate Information
Mr.
Moore stated we have no sewage plant in NSID.
Our sewage goes to the county through a large user agreement they had
from approximately 1986. There has been
no utility fee increase to our customers over the past five years. We experience a 5% to 6% increase every year. I made a tabulation
and since the inception we had a 50% charge from the county. This is the first year they did not raise
it. You may need to look at passing it
on in your fee structure.
ii. Mitigation Consultants Invoice and
Payment
Mr.
Moore stated NSID has about 23 to 30 acres of mitigation. You will be discussing the cost of the
mitigation at next month’s budget meeting.
Mr.
Lauritzen asked can you define mitigation?
Mr.
Moore responded when a developer or a District develops raw land, there are
sometimes sensitive lands needing to be accounted for or replaced. This is called mitigation. If you have wetlands and you destroy a half
of an acre, the county may allow you to put three quarters of an acre somewhere
else to accommodate the wetlands. In
some cases they may not let you destroy it at all.
Over
the past 10 to 15 years we dedicated by our plats approximately 18 acres and
ultimately 23-25 acres of mitigation.
They will be coming to the Board for us to own and maintain
forever. You need to have specialists to
watch out for your interest. A firm
named Miller Legg was hired about three years ago by NSID. They are currently managed by CH2M Hill to do
certain tasks on our behalf. They had a
lump sum contract and they had additional services. Because the mitigation contractor was not
doing a good job at the time, they were requested to come out on numerous
occasions in addition to the contract and they were paid for those times. One time they came out and the management in
the past decided not to pay the bill. I
do not feel it is fair for this bill to be pending. I told the consultant I would come to the
Board. There is a letter from our
consultant recommending we pay this bill.
I think they deserve to be paid for their services.
Mr.
Lauritzen asked were these services done?
Mr.
Moore responded yes.
Ms.
Early stated when the mitigation was newly planted and we hired a new firm to
take care of it, they were having a great deal of problems. They were destroying some of it. We had many new homeowners calling Mr.
Schooley who typically sprayed the lakes; however, we had this special company
doing it in
Mr.
Lauritzen asked was this an oversight?
Ms.
Early responded I do not believe anyone realized the magnitude of the problem.
Mr.
Moore stated they were authorized to do the work by our consultants. It may have been a personality problem three
years ago.
Mr.
Lauritzen asked how much money are you talking about?
Mr.
Moore responded $8,664.02.
Mr.
Keller asked was the fee reduced?
Mr.
Moore responded I asked them if they would deduct $5,000 one time and they
verbally agreed. They are presently
doing work for the mitigation. They will
look out for our interest in the future because they are a good firm. I want to keep the relationship between them
and the District open.
Ms.
Early stated WCI is currently paying them because we have to replace some
mitigation areas. WCI is paying for the
replacement because of the lack of maintenance and the confusion as to who was
spraying.
Mr.
Lauritzen stated if we are liable to make a payment I do not want a
discount.
Mr.
Lyles stated based on staff recommendation the work was done.
On MOTION by Mr. Mendelson seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with
all in favor payment in the amount of $8,664.02 to Miller Legg for services
rendered was approved.
iii.
Mr. Moore stated approximately a year and a half ago we bid
a three year maintenance contract for the Parkland Isles maintenance berm. Mr. Baldis and the HOA are not happy with the
service they have been getting with the contractor. Mr. Lyles looked at the contract and it seems
our only option is to rebid the contract.
We can award the contract to a new contractor and go through the terms
as well as the conditions of the contract to give proper notice of termination
to the existing contractor.
Mr.
Lauritzen asked have you seen sufficient evidence to validate these complaints?
Mr.
Moore responded not personally. Mr.
Baldis is our landscape person. I had
both a landscape contractor and Mr. Baldis tell me it is unsatisfactory. I am relying on my staff.
Mr.
Lyles stated if you want to implement Mr. Moore’s recommendation, the motion is
to authorize staff to give notice of termination to the current landscape
contractor as well as further authorization to rebid the contract.
On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Mendelson with all
in favor staff was authorized to give the current landscape contractor notice
of termination and to rebid the landscape contract.
Mr.
Moore stated I am leaving the District next month. I have been with Gary Moyer for 16 years and
served six years with NSID. This is my
last meeting. I am giving out a general
map and an area map. Also the steps and
procedures we do at the water plant when we have a hurricane. I want to give this to you as a token of my
appreciation. I thank you for letting me
serve you.
Mr.
Keller stated we need to discuss a security issue. CSID chose to eliminate armed security at
this location no later than
Mr.
Lauritzen stated I am an advocate for high tech securities.
Mr.
Moore stated we presently have a few cameras on the site. We are going to adhere
a Sunpass type of situation at the gate with monitored cameras. The device will be issued to all employees
and Board members. We have one gate at
NSID and in a future phase some of the berming will be removed. We are planning on eliminating some of the
guard services at CSID within 30 days after we get the operation of our
security system, which includes cameras, the gate, the license plates as well
as three different buzz-in operations.
Mr.
Keller stated we can bring some options for your co
In
regard to the Heron Bay Commons property we have not received the financial
audit. I was told it will be done very
soon. It should be available before the
next meeting. A report for the
operational audit is being prepared and it will be submitted to the Vice
President of Severn Trent Services. Once
it is available, the determination on how the information will be used or
available will be decided.
Staff
met with Mr. Hollander this past month to review public records. Mr. Hollander found some of the information
he was looking for. There are other
records he is still looking for. We will
make additional attempts to provide the public records being requested.
NINTH
ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor’s
Request and Audience Comments
Mr.
Udine stated I want to thank Mr. Keller for taking care of the issues I raised
last month about the lifeguard situation at the
Mr.
Keller stated WCI responded immediately and handled the situation.
Mr.
Udine stated thank you to the people at WCI.
As I look at the map and see how the District has grown into
Mr.
Mendolia stated I want to thank NSID for helping the Colony section of
Mr.
Lauritzen stated I want to thank Mr. Moore.
He has been a great service to the District. I propose management look into something to
place Mr. Moore’s name on to remind us of how he served the District.
Ms.
Grace stated I am the Chair to the Falls HOA in
Mr.
Keller responded we are waiting for the financial audit report and the
operational audit report to make determinations as well as recommendations to
the Board on how to proceed.
Ms.
Grace asked who is paying for the audit?
Mr.
Keller responded the District is paying for the financial audit and the
operational audit is being paid for by Severn Trent Services.
Mr.
Grace asked do we have a time as to when we will have the information?
Mr.
Keller responded we anticipated having the financial audit completed by
now. It should be ready prior to the
next meeting. The operational audit
should be done shortly as well.
Ms.
Grace asked will you then have a total of how much money did not come in for
the various rentals?
Mr.
Keller responded we are not going to characterize it. We will get all of the information at that
time.
Ms.
Grace asked will the Board make a decision about what happens to the commons?
Mr.
Keller stated we will provide the information to the Board with our
recommendations and they will have some policies to make.
Mr.
Lauritzen stated we are aware of your concerns, but we cannot do anything until
these reports are finalized.
Mr.
Hollander stated in December I gave Mr. Lyles a letter for documents. I still do not have them. I was very specific as to the documents I
wanted. It has been seven months and I
do not have them.
Mr.
Lyles stated the letter you handed to me at a meeting was immediately handed to
the District Manager to respond. You and
I had several conversations. District
Staff has tried their best to obtain every document meeting the description in
your request and provide it to you. The
documents they produced after searching their files are not complete.
Mr.
Keller stated we will search all of our files, our archives and anywhere else
we can think of. We will identify the
records which were found and delivered, those which have not been found and
those with any questions as to whether they exist.
Mr.
Hollander asked what is the required time period by law?
Mr.
Lyles responded there is no specific time period. They have expended a co
Mr.
Hollander asked how are they auditing if they do not
know what should be there?
Mr.
Lyles responded the operational audit you are referring to is something
undertaken by Severn Trent Services. If
the direction is insufficient, then the auditor will tell them what they need
to have in the way of direction or guidelines for the audit.
Mr.
Hollander asked has this Board asked WCI for the documents?
Mr.
Keller responded we had correspondence requesting the documents.
Mr.
Hollander asked may I have a copy of the letters?
Mr.
Keller responded yes.
Mr.
Hollander stated WCI offered approximately $60,000 that was paid into
somewhere. Was the money deposited by NSID?
Mr.
Keller asked what was the money for?
Mr.
Hollander responded reimbursement for room rental.
Mr.
Keller stated our recommendation months ago was not to
act upon it until the entirety of the issue was addressed.
Mr.
Hollander asked do you not have the money?
Mr.
Keller responded no. That was our
recommendation at the time.
Mr.
Hollander asked how much longer am I going to wait before they determine there
are no records?
What am I going to get back from you?
Mr.
Lyles responded the District Manager’s office is the custodian of the
records. You are going to get a response
either with a record or with a statement that no such document exists or it is
not in our possession. You can expect to
have it within a month.
TENTH
ORDER OF BUSINESS Approval
of Invoices, Requisitions and Financial Statements
There
being no questions or comments,
On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Mendelson with all
in favor the invoices, requisitions and financial statements were approved.
Mr. Moore stated I want to introduce Mr. Doug Hyche. He has been helping me for the past year and
he is in charge of the North Springs Water Plant.
Mr.
Keller stated in reference to our discussion at the beginning of the meeting
about the notice and legal process in terms of the budget, we recommend reading
into the record a resolution approving the proposed budget and stating public
hearings will be held at the
On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Mendelson with all
in favor Resolution 2005-6 approving the proposed budgets and setting a public
hearing for
ELEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Adjournment
There
being no further business,
On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Mendelson with all
in favor the meeting was adjourned at
Salvatore J. Mendolia Matt Lauritzen
Secretary Chairman