Board reviews NPDES report, lake equipment relocation and approves drainage easement

Johnson Engineering told the River Ridge CDD board that the Lee County NPDES Permit FLS000035-004 Cycle 4 Year 7 Annual Report was reviewed and approved by Lee County and will be submitted to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection before the Nov. 1, 2024 filing deadline. Staff were instructed to proceed into Year 8 while awaiting a new permit.

Premier Lakes reported that lake conditions held up reasonably well during the recent storms; one nano-bubbler machine will need repair. Board members and staff discussed proposals to relocate a nano-bubbler that sits very near a homeowner’s lanai and related electrical work, including a Bentley Electric proposal for a 240V aerator and the possibility of a remote or "zombie" electrical box to move equipment away from homes. Operations Manager Shane Willis said he will revisit the electrical proposals with the contractor and confer with the lake consultant after the meeting.

District Counsel presented a draft template Grant of Easement for drainage from the Pelican Sound Golf & River Club (PSGRC) to the River Ridge CDD and suggested the template can be reused; the board approved a process for adding specific Grants of Easement to agendas with corresponding sketches and legal descriptions. Mr. Krebs noted two additional easements (Seaside II and Golf Course area) are in progress and will be forwarded to counsel when ready. Resident Mike Rainstin said no work on Phase I and Phase II drainage improvements had commenced; staff noted the area needs to dry before work can begin.

The board approved the proposed Grant of Easement for drainage (motion by Blumenthal, seconded by Schultz; adopted). No additional funding for construction was approved at the meeting; timing and further details will be provided as conditions allow.