The Jan. 6 Westchase CDD Meeting kicked off with audience comments.
Shires VM Barry Anderson asked for clarification on discussions from the December meeting regarding the potential to carve out new playing field space in Westchase. He asked for a copy of a map previously presented by District Engineer Robert Dvorak, which was referenced at the December meeting. CDD Chair Matt Lewis said that Dvorak was absent due to illness, and he would work on finding the original drawing.
Tom Karpowich asked about the status of the cameras on the bridge leading to the Village Green, adding that there had been a lot of e-bike traffic. Field Manager David Sylvanowicz said he was still waiting for proposals from Spectrum. Lewis clarified that the cameras are not there to surveil activity of residents; they are there to protect CDD property. District Counsel Erin McCormick added that the CDD doesn’t have the authority to enforce e-bike activity. Karpowich responded that the cameras could help with evidence in the case there is an accident.
Jeff Siddle of The Greens asked the board about their position on signs that were added to greenspaces in West Park Village and the Village Green stating, “no cleats; no organized sports.” Sylvanowicz explained that the signs were installed in response to ongoing discussions with the two Greens Voting Members. He added that the VMs were getting a lot of complaints from residents that live near the fields.
Siddle countered that all residents did not get a say. He said that for the last 8 months, two flag football teams of 2nd-4th grade girls from The Greens have been using the Village Green space to practice. He added that the girls aren’t destroying the field and expressed frustration that all Greens residents are paying to maintain the field, but only a few voices had a say.
Lewis noted that, at the December meeting, they decided not to re-mount the sign in WPV that had been knocked down to see how things progressed. Sylvanowicz reiterated that he is taking his cues from the Voting Members and trying to find balance between the CDD Board, the VMs and residents.
Supervisor Reggie Gillis said the issue is there isn’t enough field space and there isn’t a plan to fix that. He added that the board needs to look at long-term plans for field maintenance.
Siddle asked what recourse residents have. Supervisor Chris Barrett asked if he had spoken to his Voting Member about polling residents. Siddle said that has been happening on the Greens’ FB page. A mom in the audience said it is a beautiful community thing when these teams come together to practice, and the signs have been a bummer. Siddle noted that the item was on the agenda for the Jan. 8 WCA Board meeting.
Lewis said they should table the matter until the WCA Board discussed if they wanted to take a stance on the matter.
Turning to Pond 125, Sylvanowicz said that Dvorak had asked him to explore electrical options for pumping water away from the berm. He found that there is currently power available on the SE corner of pond and it would be $23,000 to trench and direct wire to that area. Lewis clarified that, after the last meeting, he talked to Dvorak and he has looked again at creating an easement and drainage pipes between homes that are two property lines up from the original homes in the plan. He said Dvorak is working to fine tune the cost estimate for that plan and would have more information for the Jan. 20 workshop. Sturbridge resident Chris High said he had an additional idea to drain the water directly into the wetlands, which wouldn’t require an easement. Lewis said he would ask Dvorak to investigate that option.
Sylvanowicz asked about the status of Pond 120 (owner encroachment). Lewis said he met with McCormick, WCA President Michiel Oostenbrink and WCA legal counsel. McCormick said she had drafted a joint letter from the WCA and CDD that would include the report from Dvorak and she would plan a meeting with the homeowners before the Feb. CDD meeting.
Sylvanowicz reported two more instances of vandalism over winter break, with kids on e-bikes lighting trash cans on fire in Glencliff. Office Manager Sherida Cook reported the incident but was told it needed to be reported to the non-emergency line. She would take care of that.
Sylvanowicz reminded the board that the CDD is no longer taking bounce house reservations at the parks to comply with the district’s liability policy. He said some people were setting them up anyway and teens were using outlets to charge their e-bikes. He wanted the board’s thoughts on turning the outlets off permanently. Lewis asked to table the matter for discussion at an upcoming workshop.
Outgoing District Manager, Mark Vega, informed the board that District Engineering firm BDI had requested a 3% increase on rates for 2026. He added that they had not had an increase since coming on board in 2023. The board unanimously approved the increase.
The board approved a series of resolutions that would transfer operations from Inframark to KAI. McCormick noted that the management fee is $125,000 per year, paid monthly. They are contracted to attend 13 meetings at 2.5 hours each, and they bill an hourly rate of $275 beyond 2.5 hours. The board unanimously approved the management services agreement with KAI which would take effect Jan. 23.
In supervisor requests, Gillis said he had spoken with Greg Christovich, the consultant hired to do an initial assessment of golf course assets. Gillis said Christovich would be calling in for Jan. 20 workshop.