The June 2 CDD meeting began with audience comments. A Harbor Links resident expressed frustration with the modification process required to install a brick paver driveway. He said the process was far too complex. Field Manager David Sylvanowicz, who had been in conversations with the resident, pointed out that there had been a disconnect in expectations that the approval would take days/weeks, when in reality it can be a matter of months due to Sunshine Laws and the fact that the CDD Board meets in an official capacity once a month. WOW reached out to get clarification on the modification process and learned that the approval involved a paver driveway that extends across the sidewalk into the driveway apron in a gated community, which requires approval not only from the WCA Modifications Committee but also a series of signatures, permits and approvals on the County level since the work crosses CDD property. District Counsel Erin McCormick assured the resident she had the final paperwork in hand.
Sturbridge resident Heather High inquired about storm drain cleaning, stating that the drain at the corner of Montague and Bayboro Bridge Drive was full of sediment and organic matter. Sylvanowicz informed Heather that those drains are under County jurisdiction and residents can go online to submit a ticket to have the drain cleaned. A Baybridge resident noted that her neighbors had put in a ticket for Bridgeton Drive following heavy rains that left standing water, and the County had the drains cleaned within a few weeks.
CDD Chair Matt Lewis chimed in to note that Sylvanowicz and his team had been working with District Engineer Robert Dvorak to clean out the areas that fall within their responsibility.
Heather High then inquired about the fence approved to deter e-bikes from cutting behind the homes between ponds 45 and 125. Sylvanowicz said they had been waiting for school to be out for summer and installation would happen soon.
Chris High noted that there was a potential for rainwater to collect between the recently constructed berm and the homes that back up to the pond and asked if there was a plan to treat for mosquitoes. Lewis emphasized that there were no plans to grade that area. Residents had declined the addition of an easement and grading the area would push standing water toward the homes. He said that he and Dvorak could talk about potential solutions for mosquito control.
Lewis said he also wanted to clarify that when the initial plans for a solution were being drawn up, the Board referred to the plans as short-term and long-term, but that the short-term plan (the berm) was sufficient to hold back the 100-year flood plain. The long-term solution in the works is an additional layer of protection.
Sturbridge resident Jim Riley pointed out that part of the new berm impedes upon the swale (the low-lying area between the pond and homes) and they are now getting a cast of water that has reached as far as his fence. Lewis said he would have Dvorak take a look.
Sturbridge resident Graham Smith asked about the timeline for sidewalk repairs. Dvorak said he had just received the dates, which he would cover in his engineer’s report, and suggested having a point person in the neighborhood to keep neighbors informed. Heather High offered to share updates on the community’s Facebook page.
Moving on to the Engineer’s Report, Dvorak said the CDD would be working with ACPLM on sidewalk repairs in three communities on the following schedule: Radcliffe (June 12-16), Sturbridge (June 17-19) and The Shires (June 23-July 9). They would be using CMK Contractors for the sidewalk work along Westchase Drive and Montague, and that work would begin July 21 with an assurance that work would be completed by the start of the new school year, weather permitting.
McCormick added that she had worked with Public Works to ensure there was no overlap in the sidewalk work the County had on its schedule.
Regarding Pond 125, Dvorak said his study was complete and the solution includes modifying 3 to 4 drain systems on CDD property with a few simple and relatively fixes that would lower the 100-year floodplain by 3 to 4 inches. A Sturbridge resident asked about the discussions regarding a pump on Pond 125. Lewis said they were not going to be adding a permanent pump; rather, Sylvanowicz would rent a pump as needed when a hurricane is potentially headed our way. Heather High asked if the information from Dvorak’s study would be available and he replied that when he attends the pre-application meeting for the modifications to the drain system, they will take detailed minutes that will be published online.
Sturbridge resident Pam Wilcox asked what Dvorak meant when he said “relatively inexpensive.” Dvorak replied that he did not have a precise number but off the top of his head, it would be under $100,000.
In her report, McCormick requested a motion to renew the off-duty officer agreement with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for an additional year and to enter into an off-duty officer indemnification agreement. A motion was made and all supervisors in attendance voted in favor. Supervisor Chris Barrett was absent.
McCormick said she had been in discussions with Truist Bank and Attorney Misty Taylor with Bryant, Miller, Olive regarding the financing for the Westchase Community Trail Project. She added that the CDD will need a trust agreement and a third-party trustee to control and disperse the bond funds. McCormick went on to state that the Board had not yet established any preliminary assessments and that the bond would appear as a separate line item on the budget. Supervisor Greg Chesney made a motion to use the standard O&M (operating and maintenance) assessment methodology to assess a high-water mark for the trail system based on the estimate of $11,776,000. Lewis seconded the motion. Resident Pam Wilcox then asked what the regular assessment methodology is. Chesney explained that the CDD uses trip rate calculations based on information from the Florida Department of Transportation. In a nutshell, trip rates analyze the average number of trips generated by a particular land use. Because commercial properties within the CDD are included in O&M assessments, using trip rates makes it possible to capture the benefits of owning a business in Westchase.
Resident Heather High asked where the idea for the trail project came from. Lewis said that Dvorak originally brought the idea to the Board, and Supervisor Reggie Gillis resurrected the idea last year as part of his long-range planning survey on capital improvements. Gillis chimed in that the response to the survey showed support for a trail system. Lewis added that many new communities feature a trail system and the Board wants Westchase to continue to be viewed as a top community. Chesney interjected that Westchase homeowners improve their homes to protect their investment; this would be viewed as a community-wide improvement with a potential for a six-time return on property values.
The Board voted unanimously to set the trail project high-water mark at $11,776,000 and use the standard O&M assessment methodology.
District Manager Mark Vega then turned to the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2025/2026. He stated that based on the proposed budget, O&M assessments would increase by 1.39% (roughly $7.50 per household for the year) for residents and 13.97% for commercial properties. The Board voted to adopt the draft budget (which sets the high-water mark), to add a line item for a 20-year bond for $11,776,000 and to set the public hearing date for August 5, 2025, at 4 p.m. Residents will receive a letter in July outlining the proposed budget and notice of the public hearing.
In his Field Manager Report, Sylvanowicz shared estimates for concrete repairs needed at the intersection of Gretna Green and Linebaugh (north side). He added that since the depression in the road was caused by multiple irrigation repairs by a previous vendor, the CDD is responsible for the cost of fixing the road. Lewis made a motion to have repairs completed for an amount not to exceed $22,500. It passed unanimously. Sylvanowicz then brought up the issue of the aging pour and play surface at Baybridge Park. He noted that the last playground renovation was 10 years ago and wanted guidance on the possibility of repouring the entire playground surface for $155,000. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed to table to item.
The Board approved a motion to purchase 12 new trash cans to be used throughout the community for $17,300. Gillis, who attended the meeting by phone, had to drop off the call before this vote.