07/11/2019 Minutes 16
MINUTES OF MEETING
WENTWORTH ESTATES
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Wentworth Estates Community
Development District was held on Thursday,July 11, 2019 at 8:30 a.m.,at the TPC Tour Club,9800
Treviso Bay Boulevard, Naples, Florida 34113.
Present and constituting a quorum:
Joe Newcomb Chairman
James Oliver(phone) Vice Chairman
Paul Zotter Assistant Secretary
Robert Cody(phone) Assistant Secretary
Andrew Gasworth Assistant Secretary
Also present were:
James P.Ward District Manager
Greg Urbancic District Attorney
Curt Keyser Calvin Giordano&Associates
Bruce Bernard Calvin Giordano&Associates
Audience:
Arthur Greeter(ph)
Steve Barger(ph)
Martha Rice(ph)
All resident's names were not included with the minutes. If a resident did not identify themselves
or the audio file did not pick up the name,the name was not recorded in these minutes.
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS Call to Order/Roll Call
District Manager James P.Ward called the meeting to order at approximately 8:30 a.m. and all Members
of the Board were present at roll call.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Consideration of Minutes
May 9,2019—Regular Meeting
Mr. Ward stated the second order of business was consideration of the May 9, 2019 Regular Meeting
Minutes. He asked if there were any additions, corrections or deletions; hearing none, he called for a
motion.
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Wentworth Estates Community Development District July 11, 2019
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On MOTION made by Mr. Joe Newcomb, seconded by Mr. Andrew
Gasworth, and with all in favor, the May 9, 2019 Regular Meeting
Minutes were approved. — J
THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Public Hearings
a. FISCAL YEAR 2020 BUDGET
Mr. Ward stated the General Operating Budget was exactly the same as last year from an
administrative perspective. He reported during the past year the Community transitioned its
home owner's association from Lennar to resident control. He noted the District had an
agreement in place with the Master HOA for many years to maintain the assets owned by the
District; cost of maintenance was paid through the HOA dues and fees. He explained during the
transition process the HOA completed a full engineering report, as required, with respect to
determining the status of all District assets. He noted during the engineering review it was
discovered the assets owned by the District, primarily the water management system and lakes,
were in poor condition. He stated the HOA contacted himself and the Board and requested the
CDD take back responsibility of operation and maintenance of the water management system,as
well as lake bank restoration and other restoration issues. He indicated the CDD agreed and
included in the Budget was a program to restore the lake banks back to original condition. He
noted there was substantial damage from Hurricane Irma and damage due to age which the CDD
was working to repair. He explained these new responsibilities were the cause for the change in
rates from$176 dollars to$536 dollars. He noted the CDD was better suited to handle these more
difficult infrastructure restoration programs and maintenance programs on a regular basis. He
reported the debt service budget had not changed.
i. Public Comment and Testimony
Mr.Ward called for a motion to open the Public Hearing.
On MOTION made by Mr.Joe Newcomb,seconded by Mr. Paul Zotter, 1'
and with all in favor,the Public Hearing was opened.
Mr. Ward indicated the Public Hearing was now open and noted he had not
received any written or verbal communications with respect to consideration of the
Budget. He asked if any present had any questions regarding the Fiscal Year 2020
Budget.
Mr. Arthur Greeter asked if this was a one time assessment. Mr. Ward responded
in the negative;the assessment would be ongoing in perpetuity until 2027 at which
point the assessment might go down $200 dollars; however, this would depend
upon the restoration program needs in 2027. He explained lake banks in the State
of Florida required continual restoration,especially as the lake banks age. He stated
the assessment amount might change minimally over the years, but he did not
believe it would change significantly.
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Ms.Martha Rice asked if lakes in the State of Florida were known to be problematic
why this was not taken into consideration in the financial picture years ago in an
effort to lessen the burden. Mr. Ward explained the CDD and the HOA recently
became aware of the restoration need upon the transition from Lennar to resident
control. He noted a significant portion of the damage was caused by Hurricane
Irma; however, the lakes were getting older and as such were requiring
maintenance. Ms. Rice asked about Lennar liability. Mr. Ward responded Lennar
had no liability. He explained regardless last year Lennar was the homeowners;
therefore, whether the funds came through the CDD or the HOA it would be paid
by the same pool of residents.
Ms. 9:45 asked what other items were covered by the increase.
Mr. Ward explained the increase included the entirety of the storm water system,
lake restoration, lake maintenance, aquatic spraying, and preserve area
maintenance. Ms. 10:25 asked if this included the repair of the
berm in her back yard. Mr.Ward responded in the affirmative.
Mr.Steve Barger asked if this Budget included preserve maintenance or if additional
funds would be required in the future for preserve maintenance. Mr. Ward
responded there were 291 acres of preserve in the Community; currently the
preserves were on a monitor only status until 2020,following which the Community
and Board would decide what type of maintenance the preserves required. Mr.
Barger asked if this meant the preserves would no longer be inspected after 2020.
Mr. Ward responded in the affirmative; however, he suspected the Community
would wish to continue with a maintenance program of some sort. Mr. Barger
asked what preserve maintenance entailed. Mr. Bruce Bernard explained preserve
maintenance was primarily an ongoing effort to keep exotic plants out of the
preserve area.
Mr. Ward asked if there were any additional public comments; hearing none, he
called for a motion to close the Public Hearing.
On MOTION made by Mr.Joe Newcomb,seconded by Mr. Paul Zotter,
land with all in favor,the Public Hearing was closed.
ii. Board Comment
Mr.Ward asked if there were any Board comments or questions. There were none.
iii. Consideration of Resolution 2019-3 adopting the annual appropriation and Budget for Fiscal
Year 2020.
On MOTION made by Mr. Joe Newcomb, seconded by Mr. Andrew
I Gasworth, and with all in favor, Resolution 2019-3 was adopted as
above and the Chair was authorized to sign.
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b. FISCAL YEAR 2020 IMPOSING SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS; ADOPTING AN ASSESSMENT ROLL,
APPROVING THE GENERAL FUND SPECIAL ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY.
Mr. Ward explained the second Public Hearing was an offshoot of the Budget which put the
assessments in place necessary to carry out the Budget. He reported the assessment rate for the
General Fund was$536.87 dollars per unit per year.
I. Public Comment and Testimony
Mr.Ward called for a motion to open the Public Hearing.
On MOTION made by Mr. Paul Zotter,seconded by Mr.Joe Newcomb,
and with all in favor,the Public Hearing was opened.
Mr. Ward indicated the Public Hearing was now open and noted he had not
received any written or verbal communications with respect to the assessment
rate. He asked if any present had any questions regarding the assessment rate.
Mr. Arthur Greeter asked if the new assessment rate was an increase of $536
dollars (totaling$712 dollars) or an increase to$536 dollars. Mr. Ward responded
this was an increase to$536 dollars;the new rate was$536.87 dollars per unit per
year total. Mr. Greeter asked about the cap rate. Mr. Ward explained the cap rate
($600.78 dollars) was the maximum the assessment could rise to annually without
formal mail notice being sent to all residents. He stated mail notice to all residents
was expensive at approximately$3,000 dollars per notice;therefore,a cap rate was
put into place in an effort to save$3,000 dollars per year for the notice and to give
the CDD leeway to change rates minimally as needed on an annual basis.
Mr. Bill 17:02 asked how the assessment would be billed. Mr. Ward
explained the assessment would be included on the annual tax bill. Mr.
asked if the assessment would be included in the HOA fees. Mr.
Ward responded in the negative. He noted he was completely unfamiliar with HOA
fees and any questions regarding HOA fees should be directed to the HOA.
Mr. Ward asked if there were any additional public comments; hearing none, he
called for a motion to close the Public Hearing.
On MOTION made by Mr. Joe Newcomb, seconded by Mr. Andrew
Gasworth,and with all in favor,the Public Hearing was closed.
II. Board Comment
Mr.Ward asked if there were any Board comments or questions. There were none.
Ill. Consideration of Resolution 2019-4 imposing special assessments,adopting an assessment
roll and approving the general fund special assessment methodology
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Wentworth Estates Community Development District July 11, 2019
Mr.Ward explained Resolution 2019-4 set the assessment rate of$536.37 per unit for Fiscal
Year 2020 and authorized methodology. He noted the commercial unit paid at a rate of 19
times the assessment rate.
On MOTION made by Mr.Joe Newcomb,seconded by Mr. Paul Zotter,
;and with all in favor, Resolution 2019-4 was adopted as above and the
Chair was authorized to sign.
IV. Consideration of Resolution 2019-5
Mr.Ward explained Resolution 2019-5 set the cap rate at$600.74 dollars which allowed an
increase up to this amount without having to send a mailed notice to residents regarding
the change in assessment rate.
On MOTION made by Mr. Joe Newcomb, seconded by Mr. Andrew
Gasworth, and with all in favor, Resolution 2019-5 was adopted as
above and the Chair was authorized to sign.
FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Staff Reports
a) Attorney
No Report.
b) Engineer
District Engineer Curt Keyser reported he was assisting with organizing the new maintenance
responsibilities. Mr. Bruce Bernard noted a survey crew would begin next week in Bella Firenze
surveying elevations following which berm restoration could begin. He stated he believed with
the 10 foot easement and the narrow mini-backhoe there would be no real difficulties with access
for equipment. He noted once the restoration was complete the area would be resodded. He
indicated he believed some areas would require re-grading.
c) Manager
Mr. Ward explained the CDD was a governmental agency,governed by five individuals elected to
serve who lived within the Community. He stated he served as the District Manager/Chief
Executive Officer and his responsibilities included day to day operations of the District. He stated
there was a District Attorney, Greg Urbancic (present today by phone), who was responsible for
all legal affairs associated with the District. He stated there was a District Engineer, Calvin
Giordano and Associates, represented by Curt Keyser and Bruce Bernard (present today), whose
responsibility was to assist the District in operations, maintenance and engineering work related
to CDD provided services. He explained the Board hired the District Manager, District Attorney
and District Engineer. He noted the CDD would hire contractors and subcontractors as necessary
going forward to complete the necessary projects, who would report directly to the District
Engineer.
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Wentworth Estates Community Development District July 11, 2019
A Board Member 22:50 asked if the ponds between the peninsula,the new development,the new
builder and the golf course were owned by the CDD. Mr. Ward responded he was unsure; this
was currently being investigated.
Mr. Ward explained the Budget went into effect October 1, 2019; the CDD did not receive
incoming funds until December. He stated the HOA would continue to perform standard
maintenance work until the end of October and the CDD would take over maintenance work in
November. He stated anything restorative in nature(Bella Firenze berm restoration for example)
would not begin until early November.
FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Supervisor's Requests and Audience Comments
Mr.Ward asked if there were any Supervisor's Requests or Audience Comments.
Mr.Steve Barger asked how the CDD Board was elected and who elected the Board. Mr.Ward responded
the residents elected the CDD Board as residents of the community at general elections every four years.
He stated the next election would be held in November 2020.
A Board Member 26:40 explained the CDD had a maintenance agreement with the HOA; the CDD was
now taking responsibility for work the HOA would have been required to complete through the
maintenance agreement. He noted the CDD,the HOA,the Golf Board, all were made up of residents and
as such there was no"we"or"they." He stated if the CDD was not completing this necessary maintenance
and restoration,then the HOA would be doing exactly the same.
Discussion ensued regarding who owned the lakes,the CDD having an easement over all lakes, the CDD
now being responsible for maintenance of all lakes, homeowners paying into the District, golf courses
legally not being subject to assessment, the lakes throughout the District being interconnected, and
reasons the assessment cost was evenly distributed between all residents.
Ms. 31:04 asked if the CDD would be managing road drainage and stormwater
drainage. Mr. Ward responded in the affirmative; he noted there were some legal issues which needed
to be sorted out,but the CDD was in the process of taking over road stormwater drainage maintenance.
Discussion ensued regarding road flooding and regular maintenance of drainage pipes to prevent flooding.
Mr. 32:12 asked if the CDD would arrange for his property (or all properties)to be
inspected to determine if his trees might be likely to fall over during a hurricane. Mr. Ward responded
the CDD could possibly look into this, but he was unsure. He asked Mr. to contact him
regarding this in the next few weeks. Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of such an inspection
program,a possibility of a program such as this being developed if the residents wished to pay for it,and
trees needing to be taken down occasionally due to risk of fall.
SIXTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Adjournment
Mr.Ward adjourned the meeting at 9:04 a.m.
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Wentworth Estates Community Development District July 11,2019
On MOTION made by Mr.Joe Newcomb,seconded by Mr. Paul Zotter,
land with all in favor,the meeting was adjourned.
Wentworth Estates Community Development District
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jJam P.Ward,Secretary J h Newcomb,Chairman
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