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, September 30, 2004 at 4:05 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

            Bob Miner                                               Assistant Secretary

 

            Also present were:

 

            Roger Moore                                           Acting Manager

            Dennis Lyles                                          Attorney

            Donna Holiday                                      Recording Secretary

            Jane Early                                              CH2M-Hill

            Tara Lynn Patton                                 WCI

 

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS             Roll Call

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

 

SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS         Approval of the Minutes of the August 5, 2004 Meeting

            Mr. Moore stated that each Board member had received a copy of the minutes of the August 5, 2004 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 August 5, 2004 meeting were approved as submitted.

 

THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS            Public Hearings

          A.      Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2005

            Mr. Moore opened the public hearing and asked are there any questions from the audience?

            Hearing none,

            Mr. Moore distributed a revised budget dated September 30, 2004 and stated the draft budget in the agenda package contains a few scrivener errors.  However, the final numbers in the revised budget do not change.

            Mr. Moore reviewed the budget and stated there may be some additional funds, which might increase the surplus available revenues at a later date.

            Mr. Mendolia asked are these numbers subject to change?

            Mr. Moore responded no.  The changes relate to specific exhibits, which were mislettered.

            Since the inception of our large user agreement with Broward County, our fee to send sewage to the county has increased 195%, yet we have never had a rate increase to our customers.  This is not reflected in the budget other than the fees that we had to pay to the county.  However, as we pay more to the county, we will have to address this.

            Mr. Lauritzen asked where do we absorb that?

            Mr. Moore responded for every 100 gallons of water that we make, we return 65 gallons to the county.  We bill for 70% - 90% of our water bill, which makes up the difference, but this will not last forever.

            Mr. Mendolia asked when do you think the increase will come into effect?

            Mr. Moore responded Mr. Hans and I are looking at this now, and we have to work it into the budget.  We have been contracted with the county since 1986, and there has been a 5% increase every year, but this is solely on the sewer side.  We want to do what is in the best interest of our customers.  As to the timing, we do not know.  It could be years.  We need to look at this some more.

            Mr. Lauritzen asked have the bonds on Exhibits C and D been recalled?  Do you know what the interest rates are?

            Mr. Moore responded no.

            Mr. Lauritzen stated it seems that with the low rates we should be calling these bonds in or something.  I do not recall what the triggers were in the bonds.

            Mr. Moore stated I think they are automatic.  The callable dates are specific with each bond.  Some Districts refinanced bonds last year when the rates were very low.

            Mr. Lyles stated I believe Mr. Hans looked into it to find out if it was enough to justify the expense.

            Mr. Lauritzen stated I just want to make sure that this is not being overlooked.

            Mr. Lyles stated I am sure Mr. Hans discussed this with Prager, Sealy and Company.  They look at this on a regular basis to see if it would be financially feasible.  We will check with him to see what the status is.

            Mr. Lauritzen asked has the District thought about doing a feasibility study to look at HSAs?  I have done some reading on this, and they are quite impressive.  Perhaps we should ask Jan Zilmer, our human resources representative, to look into this.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the public hearing was closed.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Resolution 2004-10 adopting the water and sewer enterprise fund budget for fiscal year 2005 was adopted.

 

          B.      Amendments to the Permit Criteria Manual, Establish a Fee for Permit Renewals and Provide for a Cash Trash Bond

            This item was tabled.

 

FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS        Work Authorization 131 – Heron Bay North – Banyan Isles Spine Road Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection and Developer Funding Agreement

 

On MOTION by Mr. Miner seconded by Mr. Mendolia with all in favor Work Authorization No. 131 and the funding agreement for same was approved.

 

FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS            Consideration of Permits

          A.      Surface Water Management Permit for Heron Bay North Plat 1 – Phase 2

          B.      Right-of-Way & Surface Water Management Permit for University Drive – Phase 2

          C.      Right-of-Way & Surface Water Management Permit for County Line Road – Phase 1

          D.      Right-of-Way & Surface Water Management Permit for Nob Hill Road Extension

 

On MOTION by Mr. Miner seconded by Mr. Mendolia with all in favor the permits for Heron Bay North Plat 1, Phase 2; University Drive, Phase 2; County Line Road, Phase 1; and Nob Hill Road Extension were approved subject to the conditions listed in the engineer’s letters.

 

SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS            Consideration of Change Orders

          A.      Change Order No. 2 with Triple R Paving for Heron Bay North Drainageways for a Net Increase of $67,953.95

            Ms. Early stated change order no. 2 is a WCI cost.  We typically have seeding and mulch in the contract for the lake banks, and WCI wants to change it to hydro seed to try to get it established quicker with the NPDES criteria.  In addition, they will have lot grading for Greenbrier, which is also a WCI cost.  Therefore, there is no cost to the District, but it is a tri-party agreement, which requires the Board’s approval.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Miner seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 2 with Triple R Paving for Heron Bay North drainageways for a net increase of $67,953.95 was approved.

 

          B.      Change Order No. 3 with Triple R Paving for Heron Bay North Drainageways for a Net Increase of $91,400.00

            Ms. Early stated we are going to construct the remaining portion of Nob Hill Road.  We de-mucked and filled half of that road years ago in order to reach the ground storage tanks, but the District paid for that.  This half is being paid for by WCI.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 3 with Triple R Paving for Heron Bay North drainageways for a net increase of $91,400.00 was approved.

 

§         Change Order No. 9 with Florida Sewer and Water for Osprey Trail and Heron Bay Recreation Amenity Offsite Roadway Improvements for a Net Increase of $17,330.25

            Ms. Early stated change order no. 9 is a WCI cost.  Creekside was change ordered in as a WCI cost, and it is a tri-party agreement.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 9 with Florida Sewer and Water for Osprey Trail and Heron Bay recreation amenity offsite roadway improvements for a net increase of $17,330.25 was approved.

 

C.      Change Order No. 10 with Florida Sewer and Water for Osprey Trail and Heron Bay Recreation Amenity Offsite Roadway Improvements for a Net Increase of $4,716.48

D.      Change Order No. 11 with Florida Sewer and Water for Osprey Trail and Heron Bay Recreation Amenity Offsite Roadway Improvements for a Net Increase of $5,112.96

            Ms. Early stated change orders 10 and 11 are the same jobs.  They are both for asphalt overruns, and they are both WCI costs.  The reason I have these small change orders is WCI has to keep their accounting up to date with the amount of total projects.  Therefore, as soon as we get a change order, we process it right away versus waiting for it to build up.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 10 with Florida Sewer and Water for Osprey Trail and Heron Bay Recreation amenity offsite roadway improvements for a net increase of $4,716.48 was approved.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 11 with Florida Sewer and Water for Osprey Trail and Heron Bay Recreation amenity offsite roadway improvements for a net increase of $5,112.96 was approved.

 

SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS      Conveyance of Trails end and University Drive Right-of-Ways to the City of Parkland

            Mr. Lyles stated we have been working with the city attorney’s office to make sure the conveyance for Trails End at University Drive is ready.

            Ms. Patton stated the two roads that are now constructed and ready to be conveyed are Trails End Road (from University Drive to Nob Hill Road) and University Drive (from Holmberg Road to County Line Road).  We will be giving the right-of-way fully up to County Line Road to the City of Parkland, and they will need to take action through their city commission for acceptance.

            Mr. Lauritzen asked what is the timeframe for completion of the roads?

            Ms. Patton responded they are complete.  Trails End Road opened when the Broward County schools opened.  University Drive is open to a certain point near the commercial parcel, but we still have to construct a portion of University Drive

            Mr. Mendolia asked are you going beyond County Line Road?

            Ms. Patton responded that will be up to Palm Beach County and other parties.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the conveyance of Trails End and University Drive right-of-ways to the City of Parkland was approved and staff was authorized to execute the necessary warranty deeds.

 

EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS         Staff Reports

          A.      Attorney

            There being no report, the next item followed.

 

          B.      Engineer

            There being no report, the next item followed.

 

            C.      Manager

            Mr. Moore stated the Board previously authorized the installation of a small irrigation system along University Drive in the amount of $500.  However, the cost came in at $240.

            In addition, this District suffered very little hurricane damage.  We lost a few trees, and only one lift station lost power.  Our sister District, C.S.I.D., lost a few stations, and the City of Coral Springs lost power to 11 stations.  Overall, we all fared well.

            Mr. Mendolia asked do we have generators?

            Mr. Moore responded C.S.I.D. and N.S.I.D. both budgeted for a second generator, which we hope to inter-use.  We also have three 3” manual pumps.  We had one generator in C.S.I.D. that handled five lift stations.

            The water plant expansion project has been finished.  We have been in contact with the bonding company, and we think we are ready to make final negotiation.  We owe them $391,000 and would like to discuss this with Mr. Lyles in the next 30 days and bring back a proposal at the next meeting.

            Mr. Lyles stated this is the project in which the parent company of Felix Equities entered into bankruptcy, and we ended up having the surety take over the job.  With our permission, they rehired the Felix local entity to bring the job to completion, but it took longer than what was originally provided for in the contract; therefore, there is a liquidated damages issue for the delay in providing the project to us.  We also incurred additional engineering expenses to work on the project.  We are now at the point where we have the final amount to be paid, and we want to square everything up with the surety that took the job over.  We also need to work with them to find out the compromise that will be presented to the Board for approval.  We will be asked to reduce the number of days, but we will insist that they pay the additional engineering costs that we incurred because of the delays in completing the project.  We hope to come back with a recommendation for a workout of the final financial details of this Felix Equities contract.

            Mr. Lauritzen asked are we negotiating for our favor?

            Mr. Lyles responded we are going to negotiate to ensure that we get that extra engineering cost covered, and we will probably agree to give up some of the days under the liquidated damages provision because we ultimately received a completed project.

            Mr. Lauritzen asked have all the subcontractors been paid?

            Mr. Lyles responded yes.  Releases will be in place.

            Mr. Mendolia asked will more money be added to pay them?

            Mr. Lyles responded the surety took the job over.  Without the surety taking the job over, we would have been looking at a financial loss, but we worked that out approximately 18 months ago, and we did get the surety in place.  They took it over under the terms and conditions that were acceptable to the Board and staff.  We will probably bring this back to the Board next month with a recommendation that this is a final workout.  We are not going to be dipping into our budget to pay anything additional.  The question is how much we are going to be reimbursed from them.

 

NINTH ORDER OF BUSINESS            Supervisor’s Requests and Audience Comments

            There not being any, the next item followed.

 

TENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS           Approval of Requisitions and Invoices

            After review,

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia 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 4:45 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                      

Salvatore J. Mendolia                                            Matt Lauritzen

Secretary                                                                  President


October Agenda Item – (Bob Miner will not be at the November meeting)

Amendments to the Permit Criteria Manual, Establish a Fee for Permit Renewals and Provide for a Cash Trash Bond (tabled)

 

 

Rich

Check on bonds to see if it is financially feasible to call in the bonds at this time

 

 

Jan

Look into HAS instead of Insurance then get back to Matt Lauritzen