CDD develops memorial program

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Supervisors on Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 4 are developing a program that will allow residents to remember loved ones with memorials on district property.

District supervisors signed off Sept. 13 on plans to develop a memorial program, which will offer three options to residents — adopting or purchasing trees with markers or purchasing a memorial bench and plaque.

Town Hall Executive Director Eva Rey said development of the new policy, for which details are still being finalized, came about after friends of Ina Gross, a Lakewood Ranch woman who was murdered in her home in January, asked this summer to place a memorial for her in the Lakewood Ranch Dog Park. Rey suggested CDD 4 develop a policy to better address future requests.

“It’s a way to add amenities and infrastructure that residents want without impacting the district’s budget,” Rey said of the program.

The policy, as presented last week, would allow residents to pay $150 to adopt a tree and place a 10-by-8-by-4-inch granite marker, with four rows of writing, at the base of a tree within Greenbrook Adventure Park or along Greenbrook Boulevard, or to allow a resident to pay $500 to purchase a tree and a granite marker and place them at one of several pre-determined locations in the same area.

Last, residents could pay $1,800 for a bench and bronze plaque to be placed at predetermined locations in Adventure Park or along Greenbrook Boulevard.

Supervisors ruled out using memorial bricks, like those at the entrance to Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, as an option.

Rey said details of the policy are still under review and supervisors likely will adopt the memorial program within a few months.

Additionally, Lakewood Ranch Community Development Districts 1, 2 and 5 will be presented with a similar policy for consideration, and Rey expects them to develop similar programs in the future, as well, Rey said.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

IN OTHER BUSINESS:
CDD 1
• Supervisors approved the renewal of a lake maintenance contract with Aquatic Systems for $59,976 annually, an increase of about $1,700. The one-year contract will start Oct. 1, and the contract amount is within the budget.

• Supervisors discussed the condition of landscaping around the Verizon building at Lakewood Ranch and River Club boulevards and directed staff to investigate Verizon’s permissions and requirements for the property.

• Supervisors tabled the discussion of hiring a landscape architect to help develop a long-term plan to aid the board in identifying beautification opportunities. Other district boards may participate in the program, but requested more information. The item has been postponed to the October meeting.

CDDs 2 & 5
• Supervisors approved renewal of lake-maintenance contracts with Aquatic Systems. In District 2, annual costs are $91,680, which is up $2,660. In District 5, annual costs are $101,628, up $1,992 from the previous year.

• CDD 2 supervisors approved use of district streets for the Harvest Hustle 5K race, which will be held Nov. 17.

• CDD 2 supervisors continued their meeting to 9 a.m. Sept. 25, to review financing proposals for the proposed maintenance facility.

• Staff announced repaving of The Masters Avenue between Lorraine Road and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard would be postponed until after Jan. 1, instead of between Thanksgiving and Christmas, as planned.

“We don’t want to impact any visiting friends and family,” Town Hall Executive Director Eva Rey said. “There’s a lot of activity at that time.”

• The Country Club/Edgewater Village Association will hold its next Safety Committee meeting at 3 p.m. Sept. 20, at Town Hall.

CDD4
• Supervisors approved the renewal of a one-year, lake-maintenance contract with Aquatic Systems for $98,256. The amount is $2,856 more than the previous year.

• The Greenbrook Village Association’s next Safety Committee meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 8, at Town Hall.

Inter-District Authority
• Supervisors approved the use of Town Hall for a Nov. 17 event by the Creative Arts Club.

EMPLOYEE CHANGES
Lakewood Ranch Town Hall has hired Heather Rozenboom to work at the front desk. She starts Sept. 24.

Cristi Valentine, who currently works at the front desk, has been promoted to property manager for the Summerfield/ Riverwalk Village Association and is completing her training.