Heritage Pines board orders legal review after HPCA schedules candidate 'coffee'

The Heritage Pines Community Development District Board voted unanimously Sept. 17 to ask the District Manager and District Counsel to review an HPCA-organized “Coffee With Candidates” event scheduled for Oct. 9, 2024, amid concerns about compliance with the Florida Sunshine Law.

Vice Chair Arthur Rhodes told the board that on Aug. 6 Ms. Kim Norton circulated a letter asking staff to schedule the Oct. 9 coffee and that biographies and resumes from three candidates had been attached. Rhodes said those materials and the HPCA’s role in scheduling the event raised “serious problems in the relationship between the HPCA and the CDD” and asked who instructed Norton to set up the event. Herb Hurley, HPCA general manager, said the candidates requested the gathering and later noted that board members had been advised they could not attend because of Sunshine Law restrictions.

Rhodes told the board he had relayed the candidates’ stated reasons for running, which he summarized as: for Mr. Steele, “Necessary changes from current direction, priorities and results;” for Mr. Putman, “Work together to enhance the community;” and for Mr. Kleeman, “My observation is there is discord between the CDD and Heritage Pines.” Rhodes also cited CDD meeting records showing limited attendance by those candidates at FY2024 CDD meetings.

On a motion by Rhodes, seconded by Carol Vaughan, the board directed the District Manager to review the implications of outside candidates and alleged hostile relationships referenced in candidate statements and directed District Counsel to prepare a legal opinion. The motion passed with all in favor. District Manager Chuck Adams said he would request a memorandum from counsel and reminded board members not to reply to the email thread about the event.

The board did not take further action at the meeting; counsel’s formal opinion and any recommended next steps will be reported later.