Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
River Ridge CDD elects officers, approves traffic-calming plan and contractor change
Summary
At its Nov. 19 meeting the River Ridge Community Development District seated three supervisors, adopted Resolution 2025‑02 naming board officers, approved traffic‑calming equipment purchases totaling $105,000, voted 3–2 to install a $3,098 “zombie box” for a lake aerator and terminated its lawn contractor in favor of GulfScapes at $58,500.
The River Ridge Community Development District Board of Supervisors met Nov. 19, 2024, in Estero, Fla., where newly elected supervisors Kurt Blumenthal, Terry Mountford and Robert Twombly were administered the oath of office and the board elected its officers under Resolution 2025‑02.
Cleo Adams, serving as notary and district staff, administered oaths to the three supervisors. On a motion by Terry Mountford and second by Kurt Blumenthal, the board adopted Resolution 2025‑02 to elect Bob Schultz as chair, Mountford as vice chair and to designate the remaining supervisors as assistant secretaries.
Why it matters: The actions taken set leadership for the coming year and the board approved several budget and operations items that will affect daily maintenance and public-safety efforts in the community.
The board considered a Premier Lakes proposal to relocate an aeration system in Lake E1‑C and a revised Bentley Electric estimate that would add roughly 125 feet of electrical work. After discussion about budget implications and an alternative to defer relocation, the board approved installing a zombie box at the existing aerator location for $3,098. The motion passed 3–2, with Schultz, Twombly and Merrill voting in favor and Mountford and Blumenthal dissenting.
The board unanimously approved AV‑Tech LLC estimates to wire and install three permanent and one mobile 15‑inch solar‑powered digital speed radar signs with cameras and messaging, and to pay $1,500 per year per cloud traffic device, for a combined total of $105,000. Staff noted one existing unit had recorded about 800 varied speeding violations over a three‑week period and that additional poles (approximately $1,200 each) would be purchased from Paramount Asphalt as needed.
Financial and contract actions: The board accepted unaudited financial statements as of Oct. 31, 2024, noting the Series 2022A note will be closed and funds applied to prepay bond debt. Members approved an Irrigation Concepts change order to repair damaged wiring and raise seven to eight irrigation heads in a not‑to‑exceed amount of $15,000. The board also approved terminating Laz’s Lawn Service for poor performance and engaging GulfScapes Landscape Maintenance Services at $58,500; the increased cost was discussed as being offset by withheld payments and unassigned funds.
Staff reports and ongoing items: District counsel Tony Pires said his opinion on ownership of Corkscrew Road west of U.S. 41 remains unchanged following document retrieval. The Village of Estero has engaged Johnson Engineering to inspect streets and walkways; PSGRC President Neil Collins said town‑hall concerns focus on the U.S. 41 intersection and the east side of Corkscrew Road, and Mr. Wilhems confirmed the study will include the west side as well. District engineer Charlie Krebs presented a revised scope for the Seaside & Master Drainage Project, with anticipated work to begin within two to three weeks.
Procedure and records: The board approved amendments to the Oct. 22, 2024 meeting minutes (correcting multiple names and references) and added the required four‑hour ethics training and Form 1 filing deadlines to the Key Activity Dates list. A staff follow‑up was requested when a board member asked why an Oct. 1 insurance payment did not appear in the check register; district staff said they would investigate and report back.
Adjournment: The meeting was recorded as adjourned. The minutes contain two adjournment time entries (the document lists both 3:07 p.m. and 2:51 p.m.). The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 10, 2024, at 1 p.m., unless canceled.
Votes at a glance: On motion by Terry Mountford and second by Kurt Blumenthal, Resolution 2025‑02 (electing officers) was adopted unanimously. On motion by Bob Schultz and second by Robert Twombly, installing a zombie box for the Lake E1‑C aerator (amount $3,098) passed 3–2 (Schultz, Twombly, Merrill yes; Mountford, Blumenthal no). On motion by Bob Schultz and second by Kurt Blumenthal, AV‑Tech contract estimates (total $105,000) were approved unanimously. On motion by Kurt Blumenthal and second by Bob Schultz, the Irrigation Concepts change order (NTE $15,000) was approved unanimously. On motion by Kurt Blumenthal and second by Bob Schultz, the board authorized terminating Laz’s Lawn Service and engaging GulfScapes at $58,500, effective immediately.
The article is based entirely on the district meeting minutes and staff presentations recorded in the Nov. 19, 2024 minutes; no outside reporting was used.
