CDD 4 tackles security issue

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Residents in Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 4 will continue to see roving security patrols at present and into the next fiscal year.

During an agenda review meeting Feb. 16, CDD 4 supervisors agreed they would continue to use Allegiance Security as they search for another security provider, and they would not temporarily suspend patrolling services as suggested by one supervisor based on comments from a safety committee meeting last week.

“I think (Allegiance’s) presence does have some effect on the community,” Supervisor Joe Sidiski said.
Supervisors have directed Town Hall Operations Director Ryan Heise to begin developing a request for proposal for a new security contractor. Rather than specifying whether security officers will be armed or unarmed, the proposal will ask for the contractor’s proposed services and hourly rates, leaving supervisors with more flexibility in their selection and also giving them more time to solicit feedback from residents.

Supervisors agreed not to pursue a potential contract with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office for the use of off-duty officers — as previously suggested based on feedback from safety committee meetings — because of possible liability issues, insurance questions and limitations on what those officers would be able to do.

Several supervisors said they were not convinced the current security services offer much more than peace of mind for residents, but the services are ones residents are not willing to do without at this time. However, the concept of eliminating security services altogether could come up for discussion at a later date, they said.

The sheriff’s office’s crime statistics for 2010 show for all of Greenbrook and sections of Summerfield there were a total of 101 incidents of crime. Of those, 54 were thefts, 18 were assaults, 10 were fraud and 18 fell into other categories.

Board members plan to meet again before their regularly scheduled March CDD meeting so they can get a new security contractor in place more quickly. They also are planning to allot additional monies in the 2012 fiscal year budget in anticipation of increased costs for security services with a new contractor.

CDD 1 supervisors also are working toward hiring a new security contractor by the end of March.

Heise said 13 contractors attended a pre-proposal meeting, and he will have proposals for the board to review at their March meeting.

Fernandez leaves Lakewood
Supervisors on Lakewood Ranch’s Community Development Districts bid farewell to the community’s first executive director, Bob Fernandez, on his last day Feb. 17 during the districts’ regularly scheduled board meetings.

“The work you and your staff has done over the last three-and-one-half years has been amazing,” Inter-District Authority Chairman Tom Green said. “We’ve come a long way, and you’ve been a major driver, along with your staff. We’ll miss you greatly.”

Fernandez resigned Jan. 18 and has accepted a position closer to home.

Fernandez was hired by the IDA in 2007 to lead the existing Lakewood Ranch community out of transition from a developer- to resident-controlled community.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

IN OTHER BUSINESS
IDA
• During the board’s agenda and review workshop, Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club resident Bobbie Bohmer asked board members to consider allowing the placement of American flags on medians in honor of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Board members were agreeable to the idea but said they would need to see more information — funding, distribution and pickup, and other issues — before taking any votes on the idea.

• Board members modified a prior approval for a contract with King Engineering to begin due diligence work on property for a future maintenance facility. Costs for the work is not to exceed $16,000.

CDD 1
• Operations Director Ryan Heise said a review of the district’s hardscape, including monument signs, PVC fencing and street signs, among other items, is under way. The operations department plans to develop a strategy for maintaining hardscape better in the future, while minimizing future costs for doing so.

• Supervisor June Stroup noted the board plans to take a more proactive approach in maintaining the community and for budgeting for whatever future improvements may be needed.

“The reality is we are 15 years old,” she said. “We need to begin to get our hands around a cohesive long-term plan (for this).”

• Supervisors next month are expected to discuss securing a line of credit for about $300,000.

• Summerfield/Riverwalk Village Association President Vicky Horswood reported SRVA is forming ad hoc committees to discuss Florida-friendly landscaping and new color palettes for the community.

CDD 2
• Engineer Mike Kennedy said he would get prices from contractors regarding repairs needed along Lake Uihlein.

• Heise said landscape contractor Garden Leaders has begun palm pruning and refreshing mulch throughout the district.

CDD 5
• Kennedy said he would investigate the condition of a storm inlet in Port Marnock that appears to be settling.

• Heise reported palm pruning and mulch refreshing in the district will begin over the next month.

CDD 4
• Kennedy said he would be meeting with a contractor about minor erosion at a lake behind Greenbrook Adventure Park.

• Supervisors agreed to begin budgeting funds toward any future repairs needed for the CDD-owned road leading into Greenbrook Adventure Park from Greenbrook Boulevard.