MINUTES OF MEETING

NORTH SPRINGS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

 

            The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the North Springs Improvement District was held Thursday, November 6, 2003 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                                                  Supervisor

 

            Also Present Were:

 

            Rich Hans                                                   District Manager

            Dennis Lyles                                               Attorney

            Donna Holiday                                           Recording Secretary

            John McKune                                             Gee & Jenson

            Roger Moore                                             District Staff

            Bill Joyce                                                    District Staff

            Patti Hitchcock                                           WCI

            Warren Craven                                           WCI

 

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS                         Roll Call

            Mr. Lauritzen called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. and Mr. Hans called the Roll

 

SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS                    Approval of the Minutes of the September 4, and October 2, 2003 Meetings

            Mr. Hans stated that each Board member had received a copy of the minutes of the September 4, and October 2, 2003 meetings 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 September 4, and October 2, 2003 meetings were approved as submitted.

 

THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS                       Consideration of Request of WCI to Expand the Boundaries of the Heron Bay Commons Special Assessment Area

            Ms. Hitchcock pointed out on the map, the location of the original Heron Bay Commons Special Assessment area and the area of the proposed expansion. 

            Ms. Hitchcock stated as you are aware the first rec amenity is a 10,000 square foot facility with a pool, small exercise room and tennis courts.  In the new location we are under construction with a second rec amenity.  There will be a 20,000 square foot clubhouse with large meeting room and catering kitchen as well as a much expanded exercise facility, a resort style pool, outdoor game courts and a large open space green area with a picnic pavilion.  That will more than supply the additional recreation facilities for the additional 500 homes. 

            Mr. Hans stated Ms. Archer prepared the assessment methodology that is included in your agenda package.  The map shows the two areas currently owned by WCI which will add 490 new units and that is a little bit short of the 2,500 total units projected and there will be a true-up payment required of WCI to keep the assessments at the adopted rate of $350 per unit.  With the Beatty property adding another 600 to 900 units, the total will be 3,000 instead of 2,500, there will be a reduction in the annual assessment from $350 to approximately $260 per year, which is outlined in the report.  We will have to have a public hearing to reallocate the assessment to those new lots and to change the boundaries of the assessment area.

            Mr. Lyles stated to start the process you will need to approve Resolution 2004-1 which authorizes the District Financial Advisor to prepare a new methodology and it also authorizes us to advertise and conduct a public hearing, which is scheduled for your January meeting.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Resolution 2004-1 expanding the boundaries of the Heron Bay Commons Special Assessment area; directing the District’s financial advisor to apportion the original cost of improvements for the Heron Bay Project to each lot or parcel of land within the current assessable area and within expansion areas 1A, 1B and future acquisition areas; setting January 8, 2004 as the public hearing date was approved.

 

FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                    Consideration of Construction Related Items

            A.     Work Authorizations

                     1.      W.A. 116 Engineering Services During Construction of Parkland Country Club Pod 3 Water and Wastewater

                     Mr. McKune pointed out the location of the project on the map and stated a funding agreement with WCI is listed later on in the agenda for this work authorization.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Work Authorization No. 116 for engineering services during construction of Parkland Country Club Pod 3 Water and Wastewater was approved.

 

                     2.      W.A. 117 Preparation of Construction Drawings for County Line Road Extension

            Mr. McKune pointed out the location of the project on the map and stated this work authorization will need a funding agreement with WCI that is not listed on the agenda.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor W.A. 117 preparation of construction drawings for County Line Road Extension and the funding agreement with WCI were approved.

 

            B.     Change Orders

                    1.      Change Order No. 5 (Rev.) for Heron Cove & The Greens Contract with Florida Sewer and Water, Inc. For a Net Decrease of $58,146.35

                     Mr. McKune outlined the contents of each change order.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 5 (Rev.) for Heron Cove & The Greens Contract with Florida Sewer and Water, Inc. For a Net Decrease of $58,146.35 was approved.

 

                    2.      Change Order No. 6 for Heron Run Drive Phase II Contract with Florida Sewer & Water, Inc. for a Net Increase of $70,077.00

 

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 6 for Heron Run Drive Phase II Contract with Florida Sewer & Water, Inc. for a Net Increase of $70,077.00 was approved.

 

                    3.      Change Order No. 7 for Heron Run Drive Phase II Contract with Florida Sewer & Water, Inc. for a Net Increase of $7,276.50

 

 

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 7 for Heron Run Drive Phase II Contract with Florida Sewer & Water, Inc. for a Net Increase of $7,276.50 was approved.

 

                    4.      Change Order No. 7 & Final for the 80 Ft. Heron Bay Central Contract with Florida Sewer and Water, Inc. for a Net Decrease of $173,831.10

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 7 & Final for the 80 Ft. Heron Bay Central Contract with Florida Sewer and Water, Inc. for a Net Decrease of $173,831.10 was approved.

 

                    5.      Change Order No. 8 for Trails End Road Contract with Astaldi Construction Corp. for a Net Increase of $66,982.46

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 8 for Trails End Road Contract with Astaldi Construction Corp. for a Net Increase of $66,982.46 was approved.

 

                    6.      Change Order No. 4 for University Drive Contract with Astaldi Construction Corp. for a Net Increase of $91,593.40

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 4 for University Drive Contract with Astaldi Construction Corp. for a Net Increase of $91,593.40 was approved.

 

                    7.      Change Order No. 5 for University Drive Contract with Astaldi Construction Corp. for a Net Increase of $34,848.66

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 5 for University Drive Contract with Astaldi Construction Corp. for a Net Increase of $34,848.66 was approved.

 

                    8.      Change Order No. 9 for Trails End Road contract with Astaldi Construction Corp. for a Net Increase of $24,695.00

 

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Change Order No. 9 for Trails End Road contract with Astaldi Construction Corp. For a Net Increase of $24,695.00 was approved.

 

            C.     Funding Agreements for Work Authorizations

            1.      Agreement 370 for Work Authorization 116 Engineering Services During Construction of Parkland Country Club Pod 3

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Funding Agreement 370 with WCI for Work Authorization 116 Engineering Services During Construction of Parkland Country Club Pod 3 was approved.

 

            2.      Agreement 371 Work Authorization 108 Engineering Services During Construction of Parkland Country Club Pod 6

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor Funding Agreement 371 with WCI for Work Authorization 108 Engineering Services During Construction of Parkland Country Club Pod 6 was approved.

 

FIFTH ORDER OF BUISNESS                         Consideration of Award of Contract for the Purchase of Chemicals and Herbicides

            Mr. Hans stated enclosed in your agenda package is the bid tabulation for the chemicals and herbicides that we bid, indicating the low bidder in each category.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the contracts were awarded as follows:

Rodeo                          Helena Chemical So.

Reward                        Agro Distribution d/b/a/ Pro Source One (first)

Reward                        Helena Chemical (call second)

Cutrine Plus                  Future Horizons, Inc.

Induce                          Agro Distribution d/b/a/ Pro Source One

Polymer                        Agro Distribution d/b/a/ Pro Source One

Hydrothol 191              Helena Chemical Co.

Aquathol K                  Agro Distribution d/b/a/ Pro Source One

2, 4-DL.V. 4 Ester       Helena Chemical Co.

Sonar SRP                   Agro Distribution d/b/a/ Pro Source One

 

SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                        Staff Reports

            A.     Attorney

            Mr. Lyles stated we have to go before the Broward County Legislative Delegation to submit a proposed bill to codify all of the amendments along with the original act that was adopted by the Florida Legislature to create this District and to enumerate its powers and duties.  We have submitted a codification bill every year to the Legislative Delegation and it has yet to be passed.  The deadline for prefiling the bill with 30 copies and providing additional documentation was last week.  On behalf of the District, I did file the bill and all the requirements we have to fulfill in order to file a local act and it is now in the hands of the Legislative Delegation.  We are going to have to find a member of the Delegation to sponsor our bill and I am contacting Senator Skip Campbell who indicated a willingness to sponsor the bill last year and I assume he will this year.  We are going to have the actual hearings in December.  We expect Representative Ritter to show a great deal of interest in this bill and may want to have the bill amended to provide for a different manner of electing Board members to increase the membership of the Board from three to five and things you have discussed in previous years.  A similar District to this one in the southern part of Broward County called, South Broward Drainage District, is submitting a proposed amendment to its act that will change the way the Board members are elected to that District, increase the number of members, have them elected by popular vote of the voters in five separate districts.  Each board member will run from a district in which he or she resides.  They are proposing that change to their act voluntarily.  I have been provided with a copy of the bill and I imagine we may hear why are we not doing the same thing.  We will have to think about how we want to respond to that if that comes up.  We have done our paperwork, filed the proposed bill, it is in the legislative hopper and I will keep you posted as to how it is proceeding.  Ultimately, if everything works as it should, in the spring the Florida Legislature will approve an amendment which will not change the way we are constituted but will combine all the amendments into one, easy to refer to, document. 

            This is the last year of eligibility to do that.  We notified the State each year that we filed our bill as we are required to do but the Legislative Delegation didn’t take action on it.  We have fulfilled our legal requirements by preparing and submitting the proposed legislation.  If it doesn’t get passed there is nothing we can do about that but we will try again this year. 

 

            B.     Engineer

            Mr. McKune stated I have a standard water management permit for WCI for Parkland Golf and Country Club, Pod 13 and West Spine Road.  This represents a 24-acre site in Pod 13.  The drainage eventually goes into the District’s C-2 Canal.  We have reviewed and approved this permit application subject to certain conditions as listed in our letter.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the permit for Parkland Golf & Country Club Pod 13 and West Spine Road was approved subject to the conditions listed in the engineer’s review letter.

 

         Mr. Moore updated the Board on the issue between S.F.W.M.D. and North Springs of the North Springs District issuing surface water management permits for areas less than 40 acres. 

         Mr. Moore stated at your December meeting S.F.W.M.D. will make a presentation to you regarding backpumping into the Everglades.

         Mr. Craven stated I also attended the meeting with S.F.W.M.D. and we told them that we would come in for a master conceptual permit for the rest of the property that we own or purchased that is within the District.  That will give us the lake configuration and canals in the north end and that coupled with doing the new basin analysis I believe will satisfy them.  I left the meeting with the feeling that they would leave some permitting with the District.  I think they want to get the first shot at it. 

 

            C.     Superintendent

            Mr. Hans stated included in your agenda package is correspondence regarding Parkland Isles sidewalks.  The sidewalks along Nob Hill Road and Pine Island Road that bound Parkland Isles, wind in and out of our landscaping.  Part of the sidewalk is in the county right of way and part of it is on our property as it goes around our landscaping.  The county doesn’t want to maintain sidewalks that are on our property and they requested that we send them a letter saying that we would take the maintenance responsibility for those sidewalks on District property.  They will maintain the portions in the right of way.  In order for WCI to get their bonds released, the District needs to accept the maintenance responsibility for those sidewalks. 

            Mr. Lyles stated it also includes any liability exposure that might go along with it.  It was a good idea for aesthetic reasons for the sidewalks to go in and out of the landscape buffer area rather than in a straight line close to the roadway and within the county right of way.  The county thought about having us maintain their sidewalks and we weren’t going to voluntarily take on that exposure so the work-out on this is where the dividing line occurs the government body that has the sidewalk within its property, will maintain and be responsible for any liability that accrues from that sidewalk.  We have negotiated with the county and think this is the proper way to resolve this problem.  We recommend that you approve that resolution to the issue.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the split between Broward County and the District on the maintenance responsibility and liability of the sidewalks along Nob Hill Road and Pine Island Road that bound Parkland Isles was approved.

 

            D.     Complaints 

                     There not being any, the next item followed.

 

SEVENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                  Supervisors Requests and Audience Comments

            There not being any, the next item followed.

 

EIGHTH ORDER OF BUSINESS                     Approval of Invoices

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the invoices were approved.

 

On MOTION by Mr. Mendolia seconded by Mr. Lauritzen with all in favor the meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                      

Salvatore J. Mendolia                                                   Matt Lauritzen

Secretary                                                                      President