Signage standards delay enforcement

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Although supervisors in Lakewood Ranch Community Development Districts 2 and 5 are anxious to step up traffic enforcement in the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club, a measure to contract for additional services with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office again has been delayed.

Supervisors learned this month the districts must upgrade signage within the districts to comply with new federal regulations, as delineated in the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The improvements are necessary so the Sheriff’s Office can legally enforce posted speed limits and other traffic rules within the community.

“We’re in the process of upgrading those signs,” Town Hall Executive Director Eva Rey said. “Those are the federally mandated sign standards.”

Supervisors in CDDs 2 and 5 in October approved an agreement with the Sheriff’s Office to utilize an off-duty deputy for traffic-enforcement services at a rate of $37 hourly to address resident concerns about speeding in the community.

Signage improvements will cost the districts, combined, about $4,000.

Town Hall officials said they hope to have all sign modifications complete by the beginning of March, at which time the Sheriff’s Office could start work under the contract.

Rey said CDDs 2 and 5 have agreements in place that make them responsible for maintaining their own roads, right of way and signage, although the districts’ roads are not private. CDDs 1 and 4, which include the Summerfield, Riverwalk and Greenbrook communities, respectively, are not being required to improve signage, as changes would be a responsibility of Manatee County, Rey said.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

In Other Business
CDD 1
• Supervisors raised concerns that youths are still constructing jumps and utilizing a preserve area behind the Glens and Pines neighborhoods, although district staff had leveled the area. Youths also have built fires.

“We’ve got to begin to identify who they are and talk to the people responsible for them,” Supervisor June Stroup said.

• Engineer Mike Kennedy said he would begin lobbying Manatee County for the repaving of sections of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.

CDD 2
• Supervisors voted unanimously to negotiate with a homeowner regarding repairs the district made to the resident’s property on the lake bank of Lake Uihlein. The board accepted the homeowner’s recommendation to pay $400 of $800 in damages originally requested by the district.

• Supervisors voted to maintain their palm tree replacement and maintenance program through the end of the fiscal year.

• Engineer Mike Kennedy said he has been following up with Manatee County regarding the repaving of portions of University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch. The county’s most recent paving schedule indicated a patchwork-type plan, rather than a complete repaving as originally discussed. Kennedy said he would follow up on the issue.

CDD 4
• Operations Director Ryan Heise reported sidewalk and other improvements to infrastructure have been made Greenbrook Adventure Park.

CDD 5
• Attorney Andy Cohen reported a mediation regarding storm sewer litigation has been set for March 20. The district will hold a shade meeting, one which is exempt from Florida’s open meetings laws, on March 6 to discuss litigation strategy.

COMBINED
• Attorneys for Districts 1, 4 and 5 reported the districts had received transcripts from a hearing before a special magistrate Jan. 24, which was held to settle a bid protest filed by the districts’ former landscape contractor, Garden Leaders. Parties have until the end of this week to respond.

• Lakewood Ranch Town Hall will host its next new resident orientation presentation from 4-6 p.m. Feb. 29, at Town Hall.

Inter-District Authority
• Attorney Scott Rudacille reported Schroeder-Manatee Ranch had finalized its design for access to its sports campus, and the district now can move forward with a conceptual design for its maintenance facility off 59th Avenue East.
• Town Hall Executive Director Eva Rey reported the IDA has applied for a 50/50 grant to install an audio frequency induction loop system for Town Hall. A resident has offered to pay the district’s portion of the grant. If approved, Town Hall salons will be equipped with an assisted listening device for the hearing impaired.