CDD 1 hires new security contractor

LAKEWOOD RANCH — A new security contractor will provide unarmed roving patrols in the Summerfield and Riverwalk communities of Lakewood Ranch starting in mid-April.

Supervisors on Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 1 voted 4-1 March 17 to contract with Diamond Mason Evans Inc. for services at just under $30,000 annually.

Other top vendors considered for the job included Excelsior Defense ($32,427), U.S. Security Associates ($36,639) and Bales Security ($40,674).

“Diamond Mason’s references were excellent,” Supervisor Gary Berns said. “I can see no reason to go above the minimum bid.”

Supervisor June Stroup agreed.

“I agree with (Supervisor) Alan (Roth) we need to have the right bidder, but I also agree with Mr. Berns,” she said. “Based on the information we’ve been given, (we should move forward).”

Roth, who cast the lone dissenting vote, said he wanted more time to consider the proposals as well as time to speak with the individuals who evaluated the companies under consideration.

“We picked the low bidder last time, and it (didn’t work out too well for us),” Roth said, referring to the district’s current provider, Allegiance Security Group.

District 1 hired Allegiance about a year ago and has since been dissatisfied with the contractor’s service, particularly regarding its responsiveness to resident calls. The company currently is providing roving patrols in CDD 4, as well, and supervisors there have expressed similar dissatisfaction.

Lakewood Ranch Director of Operations Ryan Heise said operations staff will work with Diamond Mason Evans to make sure the company is fully aware of the district’s scope of services and of errors made by past providers.

Heise said his No. 1 priority would be to have the contractor establish a solid working relationship with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the community.

Supervisors for CDD 4 are continuing discussions on how to best meet the needs of their constituents through the use of security patrols. Board members were set to discuss a proposed scope of work for a new security contract Tuesday night, after the East County Observer went to press.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

IN OTHER BUSINESS
CDD 1
• Supervisors directed staff to look into an existing contract between CDD 1 and Verizon regarding the upkeep of landscaping around a Verizon building at Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and the entrance to River Club.

• Supervisors approved securing a $200,000 line of credit for the district.

CDD 2
• Supervisors approved attorney Andy Cohen’s recommendation to resolve a dispute with Mainscapes, the district’s former landscaping contractor, by having each party pay its own attorney’s fees and calling monies owed “a wash.” The district believes Mainscapes owes it about $5,000, and Mainscapes believes it is still owed money for work.

• Supervisors authorized staff to proceed with the repair of three storm drain inlets. Sleuth Plumbing will be retained to de-water the inlets and determine necessary repairs ($10,100), while Ardaman & Associates will review and monitor repairs ($4,000).

CDD 4
• Supervisors approved a change order to the district’s landscape maintenance contract to include several new parcels in Greenbrook East. Cost of increase is about $3,000 annually.

• Engineer Mike Kennedy said he will have information next month regarding a necessary lake bank repair near Greenbrook Adventure Park, and he does not expect repairs will have a financial impact on the district.

• Supervisors approved securing a $200,000 line of credit.

CDD 5
• Supervisors approved securing a $200,000 line of credit.

Inter-District Authority
• Supervisors authorized staff to complete repairs to the HVAC system in Town Hall. Monies needed for the project — about $10,000 — will come from this year’s budget.

• Due diligence is being conducted on a proposed maintenance facility site. Town Hall staff recently identified another potential site off Lorraine Road and board members directed staff to see if the owner would be willing to negotiate in price.

• Supervisors agreed enter into negotiations with Baker/LPA Group to conduct Phase 4 of the district’s irrigation study.