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River Ridge CDD adopts loan amendment, approves $173,367.78 ditch‑cleaning contract and commits to Pinehurst drainage plan
Summary
After public comments from Pinehurst residents about repeated flooding, the River Ridge CDD directed its engineer to prepare a written remediation plan, adopted Resolution 2024‑05 to revise Series 2024 loan use and approved a $173,367.78 MRI Construction estimate for dry retention flow‑way ditch cleaning.
The River Ridge Community Development District on June 25 heard forceful public comments from Pinehurst residents about repeated flooding and took two formal steps to address drainage: the board adopted Resolution 2024‑05 to amend the use of proceeds from its Improvement Revenue Note, Series 2024, and approved an MRI Construction, Inc. estimate for dry retention flow‑way ditch cleaning for $173,367.78.
Resident Mike Dugan read a prepared statement saying Pinehurst residents were “galvanized in one voice” and demanded that Pinehurst flooding be made a top priority, warning that “short of a quick absolute commitment from River Ridge that Pinehurst flooding is now a #1 or co‑#1 priority, regardless of cost, we will be forced to explore legal options.” Resident Ed Nowak told the board the redesigned system appears to have shifted problems from the Masters to Pinehurst and called the system “flawed and unacceptable,” describing standing water that created safety concerns after recent storms.
District Engineer Charlie Krebs said he inspected the neighborhood after staff provided storm footage and that MRI removed leaves and flushed debris from pipes and grates; he told the board some Pinehurst drains may have blockages exceeding 25 percent and recommended cleaning the inlets. Krebs said the observed water levels and flow‑way configuration likely contributed to the prolonged standing water. Chair Bob Schultz asked Krebs to prepare a written plan and an estimated timeline for resolving the Pinehurst issues and to provide it to the Board, district staff and the Pinehurst NVR.
During the meeting the board debated funding and scope for drainage work. District staff and counsel introduced Resolution 2024‑05 to amend the loan agreement for the Series 2024 note so proceeds can be used for the revised project scope. The board adopted the resolution by unanimous motion (mover: Kurt Blumenthal; seconder: Terry Mountford). The board also approved, by unanimous motion, MRI Construction, Inc.'s estimate to clean the dry retention flow‑way ditch adjacent to River Course Holes #6–#8 in the amount of $173,367.78; District staff stated loan proceeds will cover the drainage projects and that a 10 percent contingency was included in planning.
The board did not take final action on a separate McCullers Construction estimate for a new well (revised quote $277,550); discussion covered South Florida Water Management District water restrictions and long‑term irrigation reductions, and the item will be reconsidered at a future meeting.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 2024‑05 (adopted; motion Blumenthal/Mountford; unanimous); MRI Construction, Inc. estimate for ditch cleaning ($173,367.78) (approved; motion Blumenthal/Twombly; unanimous). The board also unanimously authorized Supervisor Schultz to participate remotely (motion Mountford/Gilman) and approved the May 28, 2024 minutes as amended (motion Blumenthal/Twombly).
Next steps: Krebs will deliver a written remediation plan and estimated timeline to the Board, district staff and the Pinehurst NVR. The district’s Lake & Dry Retention Audit Report will appear on the July agenda; the next regular meeting is scheduled for July 23, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
