CCWWA Minutes 4/13/2026 (Draft)April 13, 2026
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MINUTES OF THE COLLIER COUNTY
Water and Wastewater Authority (CCWWA)
April 13th, 2026 – 3:00 p.m.
LET IT BE REMEMBERED that the Collier County Water and Wastewater Authority
met on this date, April 13th,2026, at 3:00 p.m. in Conference Rooms 609/610, Growth
Management Community Development Department, 2800 North Horseshoe Drive,
Naples, Florida, with the following members present:
Patricia Sherry, Chairman
Bryant Collins, Vice-Chair
Don Munksgaard
Eloy Ricardo, Chief
[Vacant]
ALSO PRESENT:
Legal Counsel: Heidi Ashton-Cicko, Managing Assistant County Attorney
Executive Director: Evelyn Trimino, Director – Operations & Regulatory Management,
Staff Liaison: Heather Yilmaz, Management Analyst, GMCD
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NOTICE:
Any person who decides to appeal a decision of this Authority will need a record of the
proceedings pertaining thereto, and therefore may need to ensure that a verbatim record
of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon
which the appeal is to be based.
1. CALL TO ORDER (Determination of Quorum and Roll Call)
Chairman Patricia Sherry called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Roll call was
taken by Staff Liaison Heather Yilmaz. A quorum was established with four (4)
members present and one (1) seat vacant.
Motion by Chief Eloy Ricardo, seconded by Don Munksgaard, to approve the Call
to Order. Motion carried unanimously (4-0).
a. Annual Election of Officers
The annual election of officers was conducted in accordance with the
Authority's governing procedures. Patricia Sherry was nominated and re-
elected as Chairman of the Authority. Bryant Collins was nominated and
re-elected as Vice Chairman of the Authority. There being no other
nominations for either office, the elections were confirmed by vote of the
Authority.
Motion by Chief Eloy Ricardo, seconded by Don Munksgaard, to re-elect
Patricia Sherry as Chairman and Bryant Collins as Vice Chairman of the
Collier County Water and Wastewater Authority. Motion carried
unanimously (4-0).
b. Authority Vacancy Appointment Recommendation
The Authority reviewed the applications received for the vacant seat on the
Authority. The following applicants were considered:
1. Alan Zumstein
2. Lee Alan Davidson
3. John A. Lundin
4. Richard K. Schmidt
5. Roger P. Kastel
The Authority discussed the qualifications, background, and experience of
each applicant. After thorough deliberation, the Authority formulated a
recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for appointment to
the vacant seat.
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Motion by Bryant Collins, seconded by Chief Eloy Ricardo, to forward the
Authority's recommendation for appointment to the vacant seat to the Board
of County Commissioners. Motion carried unanimously (4-0).
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – MEETING OF APRIL 06, 2026
The agenda as presented for the continued meeting from April 6, 2026 was
reviewed by the Authority members. No changes or amendments to the agenda
were requested.
Motion by Bryant Collins, seconded by Chief Eloy Ricardo, to approve the agenda.
Motion carried unanimously (4-0).
3. MOTION FOR ELECTRONIC APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MEETING OF
APRIL 06, 2026
Due to the April 6, 2026 meeting being continued for lack of a quorum, no official
business was conducted at that meeting. Accordingly, the minutes from the April
6, 2026 meeting would be approved electronically by the Authority members
outside of the regular meeting process, in accordance with applicable procedures.
4. ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION BY AUTHORITY
a. Final Order 2026-01 – Ave Maria Utility Company, 2026 Price Index
The Authority considered Final Order 2026-01 regarding the Ave Maria Utility
Company's 2026 Price Index adjustment. Executive Director Evelyn Trimino
presented the staff report, which detailed the utility's application for a price index
adjustment and the methodology used to calculate the proposed rate change. The
price index adjustment was reviewed in accordance with the applicable provisions
of Collier County Ordinance governing rate adjustments for regulated utilities
within the County's jurisdictional boundaries. Staff analysis confirmed that the
application met all procedural and substantive requirements for the requested
adjustment. Staff recommended approval of Final Order 2026-01 as presented.
Discussion was held among Authority members regarding the impact of the
adjustment on ratepayers and the utility's compliance with regulatory standards.
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Motion by Chief Eloy Ricardo, seconded by Bryant Collins, to approve Final Order
2026-01 for the Ave Maria Utility Company 2026 Price Index adjustment. Motion
carried unanimously (4-0).
b. Final Order 2026-02 – Rod & Gun Development, LLC, Application for
Declaration of Exemption
The Authority considered Final Order 2026-02 regarding Rod & Gun
Development, LLC's Application for Declaration of Exemption. Executive Director
Evelyn Trimino presented the staff report, providing an overview of the application
and the factual basis for the exemption request. This item generated extended
discussion among Authority members and staff. The Authority reviewed the
application for declaration of exemption in detail, discussing the applicable criteria
established under the governing ordinance and the specifics of the development,
including the scope, nature, and location of the proposed utility services. Legal
Counsel Heidi Ashton-Cicko provided guidance on the legal framework for
exemption declarations, including the statutory and regulatory standards that must
be satisfied for the Authority to grant such a declaration. Authority members asked
detailed questions regarding the development's infrastructure plans, the population
to be served, and the relationship of the proposed system to existing utility services
in the area. After thorough deliberation and consideration of all evidence and
testimony presented, the Authority voted on the matter.
Motion by Chief Eloy Ricardo, seconded by Patricia Sherry, to approve Final
Order 2026-02 for Rod & Gun Development, LLC's Application for Declaration of
Exemption. Motion carried unanimously (4-0).
5. STAFF DISCUSSION
Executive Director Evelyn Trimino provided updates to the Authority on current
operational matters and regulatory activities within the Operations and Regulatory
Management Division of the Growth Management Community Development
Department. Updates included information on pending utility applications, ongoing
compliance monitoring, and other matters within the Division's purview. Staff
Liaison Heather Yilmaz provided administrative updates, including information
regarding upcoming meeting dates, member term expirations, and administrative
housekeeping items. The Authority members had the opportunity to ask questions
and discuss matters with staff.
6. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Chairman Patricia Sherry opened the floor to public comment. Any registered
public speakers were given the opportunity to address the Authority on matters
within its jurisdiction. In accordance with the Authority's procedures, speakers
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were limited to three (3) minutes per person unless additional time was granted by
the Chairman.
7. AUTHORITY MEMBERS DISCUSSION
Authority members discussed matters of interest and concern related to the
Authority's mission and responsibilities. Each member had the opportunity to
raise topics for discussion with fellow members, staff, and Legal Counsel. Topics
discussed included general observations on utility regulation, upcoming agenda
items, and matters for future consideration by the Authority
8. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business for the good of the Authority, the meeting was adjourned
by Chairman Patricia Sherry at 3:47 p.m.
Patricia Sherry, Chairman
Collier County Water & Wastewater Authority
These minutes were approved by the Authority on __________, as presented ___, or as
amended ___.