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