Bloomingdale Special Taxing District
Regular Monthly Meeting
BLOOMINGDALE SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT
3509 Bell Shoals Road, Valrico, FL 33596
Date: Monday, November 14, 2016
Call to Order
President West convened the regular monthly meeting of the Bloomingdale Special Taxing District at 6:33 p.m., November 14, 2016. There were enough Trustees present to establish a quorum.
Trustees in AttendanceTrustees Absent
Mark VargoChris Papp
Tom Leech
Dave WestAlso in Attendance
Rusty JonesMiriam Leech—Office Manager
Mark HorstMichael Hayes—Accountant
Mr. Rick Pitrowski—Merit, Inc.
Danielle Knight—Merit, Inc.
Chris Witherington—Buccaneer
Brian Niehaus—Buccaneer
Public
Suzy Watts—Resident, Bloomingdale Homeowners Association (BHA)
Sean Donahue—Resident, BHA, River Crossing HOA President
Jay Kittle—Resident
George May—Resident, BHA President
Terry Hoos—Resident, Bloomingdale Ridge HOA President
Public Comments
Suzy Watts
Mrs. Watts is a resident at 3615 Cold Creek Drive in Windsor Woods. Mrs. Watts was at the meeting to discuss the sidewalks in Bloomingdale. She asked on behalf of the BHA if the District property manager could gather information on the problem areas of the sidewalks that are unsafe, and give that information to the BHA so that it can be reported to Hillsborough County.
Sean Donahue
Mr. Donahue is a resident at 2014 River Crossing Drive in River Crossing. Mr. Donahue was at the meeting to discuss the sidewalks in Bloomingdale. He asked on behalf of the BHA if the District property manager could gather information on the problem areas of the sidewalks that are unsafe, and give that information to the BHA so that it can be reported to Hillsborough County. The BHA does not have the manpower to gather the information, but will get it to the correct authorities within the County.
Jay Kittle
Mr. Kittle is a resident at 3630 Cold Creek Drive in Windsor Woods. Mr. Kittle was at the meeting to discuss the sidewalks in Bloomingdale. Mr. Kittle suggested raising safety and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as a way to get the County’s attention to fix the sidewalks.
Mr. Kittle was also at the meeting to put his name into consideration for the Trustee opening.
George May
Mr. May is a resident at 3708 Treeline Drive in Windsor Woods. Mr. May was at the meeting to discuss the sidewalks in Bloomingdale. He asked on behalf of the BHA if the District property manager could gather information on the problem areas of the sidewalks that are unsafe, and give that information to the BHA so that it can be reported to Hillsborough County. Mr. May indicated that he knows who to call to pass along the information on the sidewalks; he asked that the BSTD have the property manager identify the 10 worst areas, and he will hand deliver the information to County Commissioner Stacy White. He further stated that he would like both the BSTD and the BHA to get credit for working on the sidewalk issue.
President West indicated that the BSTD is aware of the issues with the sidewalks, and that Mr. Rick Pitrowski has been in touch with the County. President West indicated that the BSTD plans to invite Commissioner Stacy White to a Board meeting, and that could be an opportunity for HOA Presidents and other residents to make their concerns about the sidewalks heard.
Mr. Pitrowski indicated that the County continues to take reports on the sidewalks but there has been no action. He suggested that the BHA, the HOA’s, and the BSTD make their voices heard with Commissioner White. He stated that this is a political issue. He further suggested that phone calls would be most effective.
The BSTD will ask Merit, Inc., to gather information on the sidewalks, and the BHA will work to convey the information.
Terry Hoos
Mr. Hoos is a resident at 4005 Aspen Leaf Way in The Greens. Mr. Hoos was at the meeting to put his name into consideration for the Trustee opening.
1(25:00)
President’s Comments
None.
Approval of October 10, 2016, Regular Meeting Minutes
Trustee Jones moved to approve the minutes of the October 10, 2016, meeting. Trustee Vargo seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. The motion passed.
President West noted that there were no minutes from the October 24 Committee Meeting because the microphones were not on. President West asked that Trustee Vargo take notes at future meetings as a backup in case Mrs. Leech is unable to attend or there are issues with the recording.
Appointment of New Trustee
Mr. Hoos indicated that he would withdraw his name from consideration since Mr. Kittle was interested. Mr. Hoos did not want the position to continue to be vacant.
Mr. Kittle distributed his resume to the Board (attached to these minutes). Highlights include:
U.S. Air Force, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)
Travel Agency Owner
Booz Allen Hamilton, Consultant
FL State Certified residential real estate appraiser
President West opened the floor to Mr. Kittle to introduce himself, and to the Trustees to ask questions.
Trustee Vargo moved to appoint Jay Kittle to Seat 5 of the Bloomingdale Special Taxing District for a term of 4 years. Trustee Jones seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. The motion passed.
1(37:50)
Buccaneer Report
Brian Niehaus reported the following:
Turf Issues—There have been a lot of major irrigation line breaks. Tree roots are a huge issue for irrigation pipes. The last 8 of 10 breaks have required chainsaws to remove roots. Valves are being moved because of tree roots.
Buccaneer has ramped up to two irrigation technicians. There have been more issues in the last 6 weeks than in the first 6 months of the year.
The system is aging. The electrical control boxes are corroded. Buccaneer has directed all boots on the ground to report a problem to Brian. An assistant account manager has been hired to be on property.
Fertilizer issue has been resolved.
It would be cost-prohibitive to revamp the whole aging irrigation system.
Trustee Leech indicated he would like a prioritization of issues so they can be budgeted for. Board needs to be proactive rather than reactive with maintenance, so that there is a plan to address the aging system.
Buccaneer and Mr. Pitrowski will develop a plan for electrical components for the December 12 meeting.
President West asked Mr. Pitrowski to provide a total cost for revamping the entire irrigation system so that information can be put in a BSTD column in the Bloomingdale Gazette.
Trustee Horst inquired about the irrigation and turf on Culbreath south of Erindale. Buccaneer is working the pump issue.
Springvale and Natures Way turf will be replaced. Canoga Park irrigation is being addressed.
President West requested that Mr. Pitrowski fill out the BSTD checklist each month and bring to Board meeting.
2(7:00)
Rid-O-Rust—Mr. Pitrowski explained that the BSTD makes two payments to Buccaneer for Rid-O-Rust: one for the labor and one for the product. Each month the cost for Rid-O-Rust is $1,333.40 for the product. This is the only property where Buccaneer maintains Rid-O-Rust.
Mr. Pitrowski and Mr. Witherington have been in discussions to address the Rid-O-Rust issues. They conducted an inspection of the pumps, and corrected issues with the injection system.
Mr. Pitrowski brought in two specialized contractors to give estimates on Rid-O-Rust maintenance. Buccaneer would credit back to the BSTD the amount they have been being paid for Rid-O-Rust maintenance.
The level of iron in the water is very high. The consultant that Buccaneer brought in gave them guidance on how much Rid-O-Rust to use. Rust is reduced.
Buccaneer is working with Mr. Pitrowski to adjust the contract to remove Rid-O-Rust maintenance.
Mulch—Mulching has begun.
Tree trimming—Tree trimming has begun. One bucket truck is down, so palm tree trimming is behind.
Buccaneer should do their best not to have palm tree fronds fall on private property. If resident calls, then address on case by case basis.
Fig Trimming—Fig trimming is complete.
2(18:57)
Financial Report for October 2016
Michael Hayes of Ferraro & Hayes presented the financial report to the board. At the end of October there was $91,243.15 in Regions Bank. This amount is enough to cover expenditures until the new fiscal year money is received from the County. Total revenues totaled $3,863.45. Total expenditures to date are $59,517.81. Mr. Hayes reported that the FY16 audit is being wrapped up.
Line # / Year-to-Date / Notes3043.00 Electric / $5,326.32 / Current budget $1,916
($3,409.58)
This was for 2 months billing. Electric bills continue to be running high.
Approval of October Financial Report
Trustee Vargo moved to accept the financial report for the month of October. This was seconded by Trustee Jones and the vote was unanimous. The motion passed.
2(22:00)
Property Manager’s Report for October
A copy of this report is attached to these minutes.
Mr. Pitrowski reported the following:
Trash Cans—Waiting for delivery of trash cans and then they will be installed.
Fence—Erindale wooden fence will be pressure washed by the County, but they will not paint it. The Trustees agreed that this would make a good Community Service project for a high schooler.
Proposals—Next month Mr. Pitrowski will bring proposals for pressure washing mold and mildew and repainting signs
Buccaneer Issues—Mr. Pitrowski indicated that Buccaneer did a great job with fig trimming, and that all-in-all they are doing a good job with the landscape maintenance.
- Weeding—It is an ongoing issue that is being addressed.
- Rid-O-Rust—Rid-O-Rust is not what Buccaneer does—and they do not do it well. Mr. Pitrowski distributed proposals for specialized Rid-O-Rust contractors (this information is attached to these minutes).
Rick proposed suspending the Rid-O-Rust portion of the Buccaneer contract, and bringing on Florida Rust LLC for $500 first time pressure washing, and then $775 per month for maintenance. This is based on twice per week irrigation.
President West requested that the BSTD maintain ownership of the Rid-O-Rust barrels. Mr. Pitrowski will negotiate with Mr. Witherington the suspension of Rid-O-Rust maintenance and reduction in monthly maintenance fees, as well as recoupment of cost for pressure washing to remove rust stains while Rid-O-Rust pumps were not functioning correctly, and put together a new vendor package.
Trustee Horst moved to suspend the Rid-O-Rust portion of the Buccaneer contract and to contract Florida Rust LLC pending submittal of vendor package to take over Rid-O-Rust maintenance. This was seconded by Trustee Vargo and the vote was unanimous. The motion passed.
Annuals—Mr. Pitrowski suggested removing all flowers on the east side of Bell Shoals at Glenhaven and Greenhollow, removing flowers at Glenhaven and Natures Way, removing flowers at the Culbreath waterfall, and adding 200 flowers at Erindale and Lithia Pinecrest Road. This would save approximately 872 flowers and $6,000 per year.
Mr. Pitrowski also spoke with Ben Kniesly, Project Manager for the Bell Shoals widening, who said that the County has engaged a Landscape Designer for plans for the affected Bloomingdale entrances, and will present that plan to the District and ask for input.
President West requested that Mr. Pitrowski negotiate a reduction in the Buccaneer maintenance contract in light of the fact that there are no longer annuals at the entrance at Bloomingdale and Culbreath.
Trustee Leech will develop a survey for residents to get input on how they would like the BSTD to prioritize maintenance issues moving forward given that the tax assessment increase did not pass.
The Trustees will hold on making a decision about annuals until they receive feedback from the community. The December meeting will focus on determining priorities for landscaping.
Crepe Myrtles—There are 30 locations, approximately 90 crepe myrtles, where the crepe myrtles are planted under existing trees. Mr. Pitrowski will get an estimate for trimming if requested to do so. The Trustees requested Mr. Pitrowski to obtain an estimate for trimming the crepe myrtle.
Flag Pole Maintenance—Mr. Pitrowski suggested that the handy man can take care of flag pole maintenance.
3(4:28)
Correspondence
None.
Committee Reports
Budget Report—Trustee Horst—Nothing to report.
Tax Roll and Assessment—Trustee Jones—Nothing to report.President West asked that at upcoming committee meetings Trustee Jones hold symposiums to train Trustees on the tax rolls.
Landscaping and Capital Improvements—President West—Nothing to report.
Contracts and Renewables—Trustee Papp—Absent.
Christmas Decorations—Trustee Jones—Nothing to report.
Community Relations—Vice President Leech—Nothing to report.
Old Business
Wall Repair/Maintenance Policy—Walls located within the private property of a Bloomingdale homeowner shall be maintained by the property owner with the following exceptions: the Bloomingdale Special Taxing District shall maintain the outside and top of the wall facing the community to include the planting and trimming of fig vine that grows on the outside and top of the wall, cleaning up the outside wall surfaces as needed, the patching and painting of wall surface as needed, and the repair of any damage done by vehicle accident. The BSTD shall also maintain the structural integrity of the walls.
Trustee Vargo moved to accept the Wall Repair/Maintenance Policy. This was seconded by Trustee Jones and the vote was unanimous. The motion passed.
Tree Trimming Policy—Trees that are located on the County owned right-of-way shall be the responsibility of the Bloomingdale Special Taxing District to trim and maintain in sound horticultural fashion. This shall include the lifting of the trees over roadways and sidewalks, safety trimming, and dead wooding as needed. Tree branches that extend over walls and above private property shall be the responsibility of the private property owner unless the tree is unhealthy, damaged, or presents and imminent threat of bodily injury or property damage.Healthy trees whose branches simply extend over private property, including dwellings, are not considered to present an imminent threat.
Trustee Vargo moved to accept the Tree Trimming Policy. This was seconded by Trustee Jones and the vote was unanimous. The motion passed.
New Business
None.
Reminders
- Monday, November 28 - Committee meeting (if required)
- Monday, November 28 -Check signing
- Monday, December 12 - 6:30 p.m. Regular meeting
Adjournment
Trustee Leech moved to adjourn the meeting. This was seconded by Trustee Jones and the vote was unanimous. President West closed the meeting at 8:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark VargoDavid P. West
Correspondence and Recording SecretaryPresident
Minutes Distributed Electronically to Board Members.