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Heritage Pines supervisors request legal review after dispute over candidate coffee event
Summary
After Vice Chair Arthur Rhodes raised concerns that an HPCA-run “Coffee With Candidates” could function as a campaign event and run afoul of the Florida Sunshine Law, the Heritage Pines CDD board directed the district manager and counsel to review the matter and report back.
At its Sept. 17 meeting the Heritage Pines Community Development District Board voted to have the District Manager review a planned Oct. 9 "Coffee With Candidates" and requested District Counsel provide a legal opinion after Vice Chair Arthur Rhodes raised Sunshine Law and authority concerns.
Rhodes questioned what authority the separate Heritage Pines Community Association (HPCA) had to schedule an event that appeared to promote outside candidates. Rhodes summarized candidates' stated motives: "Necessary changes from current direction, priorities and results," said Mr. Steele; "Work together to enhance the community," said Stephen Putman; and Mr. Kleeman told the board he observed "discord between the CDD and Heritage Pines." Rhodes also pointed out attendance records for the candidates in FY 2024 and asked whether staff had been instructed to proceed despite potential legal exposure.
HPCA General Manager Herb Hurley told the board the candidates asked for the event to be scheduled so they could become known to residents and said board members were advised they could not attend because of the Sunshine Law. Hurley declined to discuss the matter further at the meeting and recommended attorneys address the issue. District Manager Chuck Adams said he will ask District Counsel to prepare a memorandum and reminded board members not to reply to the related email.
The board approved a motion by Arthur Rhodes, seconded by Carol Vaughan, directing the District Manager to review the implication of outside candidates and alleged hostile relationships and directing District Counsel to provide a legal opinion. No timetable for the counsel memo was specified; the board did not take further action at the meeting.
