MINUTES OF MEETING

NORTH SPRINGS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

 

            A meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the North Springs Improvement District was held on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 4:50 p.m. at the District Offices, 10300 NW 11th Manor, Coral Springs, Florida.

 

            Present and constituting a quorum were:

           

            Steve Mendelson                                            President

            David Gray                                                     Secretary

            Vincent Morretti                                             Assistant Secretary

 

            Also present were:

 

            Kenneth Cassel                                               District Manager

            Dennis Lyles                                                   District Counsel

            Jane Early                                                        District Engineer

            Brenda Schurz                                                Severn Trent Services

            Stephen Bloom                                               Severn Trent Services

            Rod Colon                                                      Chief Operator

            Nick Schooley                                                 Drainage Supervisor

            Joe Sabino                                                       Heron Bay Clubhouse Manager

            Hannah Stephens                                            Heron Bay Resident

            Gina Stephens, PA                                          Heron Bay Resident

                                                                                                           

            The following is a summary of the minutes and actions taken at the March 4, 2009 North Springs Improvement District Board of Supervisors meeting.

                                                                                                                       

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS                             Roll Call

            Mr. Cassel called the meeting to order and called the roll.

 

SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS                        Approval of the Minutes of the February 4, 2009 Meeting

            Mr. Cassel stated each Board member received a copy of the minutes of the February 4, 2009 meeting and requested any corrections, additions or deletions.

            There not being any,

 

On MOTION by Mr. Gray seconded by Mr. Mendelson with all in favor the minutes of the February 4, 2009 meeting were approved.

 

 

THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS                            Audience Comments

            Ms. Stephens addressed the Board and the following was discussed:

·         She suggested having a dog park located within Heron Bay behind the basketball court near the clubhouse. 

·         She suggested holding a fundraiser to finance the park. 

·         Mr. Sabino noted the majority of residents will have to be in favor of a dog park. 

·         Mr. Mendelson requested more research be done before it is brought back to the Board. 

·         Staff will contact the insurance companies to see how coverage will be affected.

 

FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                        Acceptance of Financial Audit for Fiscal Year 2007

            Mr. Cassel and Mr. Bloom reviewed the audit and pointed out the following:

·         The auditor noted no matters involving the internal control over the financial reporting and its operation that they consider to be material weaknesses.

·         They found no instances of noncompliance and other matters that are required to be reported under Government Auditing Standards. 

·         No issues were found from prior years.

·         In their opinion all materials in respect to the basic financial statements are good.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendelson seconded by Mr. Gray with all in favor the financial audit for fiscal year 2007 was accepted.

 

FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                             Consideration of Resolutions

            A.        Resolution 2009-3, Removing Pam Rower as Signatory and Designating Stephen Bloom and Kenneth Cassel as Signatories

            There being no questions or comments,

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendelson seconded by Mr. Gray with all in favor Resolution 2009-3, removing Ms. Rower as signatory and designating Mr. Bloom and Mr. Cassel as Signatories, was adopted. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

              B.        Resolution 2009-4, Designating Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendelson seconded by Mr. Gray with all in favor Resolution 2009-4, designating Mr. Bloom as Treasurer, Mr. Koncar as Assistant Treasurer and Mr. Cassel as Assistant Treasurer as well as Assistant Secretary, was adopted.

 

SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                             Consideration of Revised Field Management Services Agreement with Severn Trent Services, Inc.

            The Board and staff briefly reviewed the revised Field Management Services Agreement with Severn Trent Services, Inc.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendelson seconded by Mr. Gray with all in favor the revised Field Management Services Agreement with Severn Trent Services, Inc. was approved.

 

SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                      Consideration of Bids

            A.        Award of Uniform Bid to Unifirst Corporation

            Mr. Cassel noted the bid was noticed in conjunction with CSID, PTWCD and SWCD.  The proposed uniform service will save the District over $3,800 per year.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Gray seconded by Mr. Mendelson with all in favor the bid for uniform services was awarded to Unifirst Corporation.

 

            B.        Award of Bid to Fish Tec, Inc. for PGCC Culvert Cleaning

            Ms. Early reviewed the bids for the PGCC culvert cleaning project.

On MOTION by Mr. Mendelson seconded by Mr. Gray with all in favor the PGCC culvert cleaning project was awarded to Fish Tec, Inc. in the amount of $61,930.

 

            C.        Award of Bid for Sod Work on County Line Road

            D.        Award of Bid for Pavement on Nob Hill Road

            Mr. Cassel and Ms. Early discussed the following:

·         Several documents were received at the last minute, which were initially supposed to be handled by WCI Communities and then reimbursed through the bonds

·         All of this work is so the roads can be turned over to the city and the county.

·         Coastal Equipment, Inc. was initially going to do the work for WCI Communities.  It is not getting done because they were not being paid by WCI Communities.  Ms. Early is trying to get the roads turned over so the District is not liable. 

·         The Board directed staff to obtain additional bids for the sod and sprinkler work.  These items were tabled until the April meeting.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendelson seconded by Mr. Gray with all in favor the pavement of Nob Hill Road was awarded to Asphalt.

 

            Mr. Cassel also reported the following:

·         There was an incident a week and a half ago at the NSID plant.  An individual wandered in and took pictures around the plant.  The police were called and a report was filed with the FBI.

·         The gates are open at the plant during work hours because they are not automated.  Mr. Colon obtained three proposals for an automated gate system.

Ø  The Gate and Construction Company submitted a proposal for $19,800.

Ø  Gatemasters submitted a proposal for $14,895.

Ø  Broten Garage Door and Gate submitted a proposal for $17,600.

·         Mr. Colon is doing more research on the proposals and will present the Board with a recommendation at the April meeting. 

 

EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                         Staff Reports

            A.        Manager

                        i.          Discussion of Upcoming Projects

            Mr. Cassel discussed the following:

·         Work Authorization #180 with CH2M Hill was to take a look at the chemical feed system at the plant, the booster station and the high service pumps.  It has been completed and a report was turned in. 

·         Mr. Colon, Ms. Early and Mr. Cassel are looking at the best way to change from utilizing Chlorine Gas, which is a high hazard, to using Hypochlorite, which is a lower hazard. 

·         The fluoride tank area is in need of serious improvements in order to comply with safety standards.

·         Ammonia gas is currently being used in tanks where cylinders need to be sent back.  A liquid form of ammonia is going to be used, which will cut on the cost of having to ship tanks back and forth. 

·         Work authorizations and plans associated with these projects will be brought back to the Board in the April and May meetings.

 

                        ii.         Water Production Reports

            There being no questions or comments, the next item followed.

 

                        iii.        Utility Billing Work Orders

            Mr. Cassel briefly reviewed the utility billing work orders.

 

            Mr. Cassel also reported the following with regard to the ground water modeling:

·         Staff had a meeting today with SFWMD regarding ground water modeling for the water use allocation permit process. 

·         Mr. Cassel made a brief slide presentation and noted staff explained the connection between NSID, CSID and the City of Coral Springs, how they are configured as well as the expected population growth from 2015 and beyond.

·         Staff used SFWMD’s model and calibrated it to increase the probability of them accepting it.  Mr. Cassel reviewed the model for the Board. 

·         Some changes will need to be made to the model, but they were very receptive to it.

           

            B.        Attorney

            Mr. Lyles reported the following with regard to WCI Communities’ bankruptcy proceedings:

·         There has been productive efforts in the District’s position that homes sold in the future cannot be sold through the bankruptcy court as free and clear of any liens for the bond programs.

·         There is a tentative agreement from the attorneys representing WCI Communities. 

·         A proposed order has been submitted to WCI Communities’ attorneys as well as the court, which will amend the previous order entered by the courts stating their home sales would be free of any liens, so the District’s liens are preserved. 

·         This will be a slow process due to the number of claims, but Mr. Lyles will tentatively update the Board in the April and/or May meetings.

            C.        Engineer

                        i.          Project Status Report

            This item is for informational purposes only, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part of the public record.

 

NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                            Approval of Financials and Check Registers

            Mr. Cassel reported the following:

·         Last year at this time the District had collected 46% of its assessments.  This year 49.54% has been collected. 

·         Water and sewer is running on budget.

·         Field expenses are slightly under budget in water and sewer.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendelson seconded by Mr. Gray with all in favor the financials and check registers were approved.

 

TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                           Adjournment

            Mr. Cassel requested the April meeting be moved to April 8, 2009.  There was Board consensus to move the April meeting to April 8, 2009.

            There being no further business,

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendelson seconded by Mr. Gray with all in favor the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        

 David Gray                                                                   Steve Mendelson                                          

 Secretary                                                                        President