MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING AND ASSESSMENT HEARING OF
BERMONT DRAINAGE DISTRICT OCTOBER 10, 1997
The Board of Supervisors and landowners of the Bermont Drainage District met at the Charlotte County Courthouse, Room 402, Punta Gorda, Florida, on October I 0, 1997. The following members of the Board of Supervisors were present: Eloy H. Greim and Robert S. Larsen.
In addition to Mr. Greim and Mr. Larsen, the following landowners were present: Dan Bulas, Mary Larsen, William and Ragnhild Krawszak, Jerome M. Newlin on behalf of Orangeco, Inc., Doreen Larsen, and Virgil and Lois White (landowners from the Paradise Park Subdivision). There was a total of 180 acres of land and one Paradise Park unit present at the meeting.
Proxies statements were then reviewed. The following persons held proxies: Robert S. Larsen
(1008. 5 acres), Eloy H. Greim (180 acres), Virgil White (312 acres). The amount of these proxies totaled 1,500.5 acres. As to the Paradise Park Subdivision units the following persons held proxies: Virgil White (102 units), Robert S. Larsen ( 1 unit). There being proxies for 103 units of the Paradise Park Subdivision, it was agreed by the landowners that the 100 acres of land of the Paradise Park Subdivision was represented at the meeting.
Thus, there were present and by proxy a total of I, 780. 5 acres of land ownership represented at the meeting. A number of 1,451 acres of ownership being necessary for a quorum, the Board determined that there was a quorum of landowners necessary to conduct the meeting. Motion was made, seconded, and passed to validate the proxies.
The Board of Supervisors then elected John S. Dzurak as chairman and secretary of the meeting.
Motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the minutes of the October 10, 1997 annual meeting.
Mr.Larsen then gave the Treasurer’s Report. No expenditures for work were made in the District in the past year. The District just paid its attorney fees and costs, annual District fee, interlocal agreement fee to the East Charlotte Drainage District, and bank service charges. The Board agreed to have ihe speciai assessment funds directly deposited from the tax coiiector’s office into the Board’s savings account. Upon motion made, seconded, and passed, the Treasurer’s report was approved.
The “Statement of Financial Condition” dated August 31, 1997 is hereby attached to these minutes.
It was announced that long time Board member and President, Robert D. Larsen, had passed away earlier in the year. Mr. Larsen’s three-year term on the Board of Supervisors is up for election at this time. After discussion among the landowners, nomination was made from the floor to elect Doreen Larsen as Supervisor. There being no further nominations, the landowners then unanimously elected Doreen Larsen as Supervisor.
The Board of Supervisors then unanimously elected the following officers: Doreen Larsen, President, and John S. Dzurak, Secretary.
The Board then discussed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The District’s income will be $ 2,900.00 of assessments and $ 600. 00 of bank interest. The costs to clean out the road swells would be$ 3,227.43. It was agreed that the District should repair the washed out culvert located on the main road near Paradise Park.
It was further discussed that the ditch behind Paradise Park needs cleaning. Ms. White suggested tlhat the BDD contact the Paradise Park Board of Directors so that Paradise Park can coordinate tlhe ditch cleaning in their subdivision at the same time the BDD cleans its ditch.
It was further discussed that a new owner near the north end of the District needs to install a 24- inch culvert on his property (which abuts the orange grove property). It was agreed that the BDD should ask this landowner to pay for an 18-inch culvert and the BDD would pay the difference in price for a 24-inch culvert. Water is backing up in the ditch at this time. The culvert would be installed when the ditch is cleaned.
Another ditch needs cleaning near the Richburg property.
Mr. Larsen suggested that the BDD discuss with the ECDD the possibility of installing another culvert along the common dike. Mr. Newlin suggested that the District should also look at water flowing in a southerly direction across Telegraph Road toward the Telegraph Cypress/Babcock property. Apparently, Babcock has closed several culverts which may have shut off the flow water in a southerly direction. The problem is the development of other properties outside of of the District, which is causing additional water to flow onto the BDD and ECDD properties. Mr. Newlin said that the property owners to the west of the ECDD are complaining of the passing of additional water onto their property. Therefore, an additional culvert in the dike would not be proper solution. The BDD should either flow its additional water in a southern direction or builda a reservoir (perhaps on the Orangco property). It was agreed that the BDD should get together with the ECDD in contacting the Babcock Ranch concerning the southerly flow of water.
Motion was made, seconded, and passed to adopt the annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year. A copy of the budget is attached to these minutes.
Upon motion made, seconded, and passed the Board adopted its annual Non-Ad Valorem Assessment at the same rate as previous years: $ 1.00 per acre of land, and$ .34 per platted parcel consisting of less than one acre in area.
Mr.Dzurak stated that the Florida legislature amended Chapter 298, Florida Statutes. Drainage districts will be required to file a “plan” by October 1, 2000. The plan requirements are not much, but it will have to be done. Obviously, the plan would say that the BDD’s function is to move water in a westerly direction towards the ECDD, pursuant to the interlocal agreement entered between the two districts. Perhaps the plan would also provide for water flowing in a southerly direction?
It was further discussed that water overflowing from the ditches over the shell road is washing out spots on road “A” and road “C.” Motion was made, seconded, and passed to spend up
$ 2,000.00 in order to purchase sheii from Richburg in order to repair the washed out roads.
The meeting then adjourned at 10:35 a.m.
For more information regarding this document, email Bermont Drainage District at bermontdd@gmail.com.