TARAWOOD Special Dependent Taxing District NO. 32
MEETING MINUTES
March 12th, 2024 – 3103 Tarabrook Dr, Tampa, FL 33618
Trustee Terri called the regular meeting of the TSDTD to order at 7:30 P.M. Trustees attending included: Bob Terri, James Carey, James Osborne, Daniel Cinquegrano, and Ronnie Bennick. A quorum was obtained. There were no property other owners in attendance.
SECRETARY’S REPORT:
Trustee Osborne read the meeting minutes from February 13th, 2024. A motion was made by Trustee Terri to accept the minutes. Trustee Bennick seconded.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Our account balance as of 1/31/2023 was $34,151.94, with an ending balance of $33,929.74 as of 2/29/2024.
The following bills have been accrued since the last meeting and are presented for payment:
- TECO Bill $95.00 (including $63.40 past due)
- $697 Street Sweeping (Sutton) for sweeping on 2/20/24
- $309 to Trustee Osborne for reimbursement of Everything Outdoors design fee for entrance landscaping project, the entire project, Phase I,II,III were designed at once
Trustee Golson made a motion to approve the above payments, seconded by Trustee Terri. The board unanimously approves.
OLD BUSINESS:
With the receipt of Ron Fowler’s request for proposal (RFP) document, the board discussed next steps for the entranceway revitalization project. Trustee Bennick has been in contact with a landscaping company regarding the project, as well as Trustee Osborne. Trustee Osborne makes motion for the RFP to be given to both companies, as well as for Trustee Terri to provide it to our current lawn maintenance company, Big League. By the March 24’ meeting, the goal is to have 3 different bids regarding the RFP, which includes the removal of all dead vegetation and trees (including sabal palms), and to mulch the entrances. Seconded by Trustee Bennick.
The board is in agreement that the RFP shall be called Phase I of the entranceway revitalization project, with Phase II to include electrical/irrigation work in preparation for Phase III which is the installation of hearty, region appropriate plantings.
Both Trustee Bennick and Mr. Fowler noted an electrician will be needed to look at the breaker box to determine if there is an issue with lights at entrances as they have not been on recently. Trustee Bennick personally went out to inspect the breaker box and it is not in good shape. This is tabled for now as part of Phase II.
Trustee Terri made a comment regarding potential solar backlit signs, as opposed to traditional electric powered lights. This is to be discussed as an option in the future during Phase II when electric is restored.
NEW BUSINESS:
Since the last regularly scheduled meeting, Trustees have met with and provided the request for proposal (RFP) for the entrance revamp/landscaping project to 3 different landscaping companies. The RFP covered the removal of old/dead vegetation as well as mulching, but some contractors also bid on the irrigation/electrical/new plantings work as well.
The trustees provided the following updates to the board, along with the company bids for discussion and vote:
- Trustee Osborne and Trustee Bennick met with Everything Outdoors (EO). The company required a design fee of $309 to provide bids, paid out of pocket by Trustee Osborne. EO provided two separate bids, the first being the removal and prep portion of the project, phase I ($6,540), and a separate bid which covered the lanscaping/replacement phase, including electrical work, irrigation replacement, and new plantings ($48,787). The bid did not include directional boring, but instead running low voltage electric and irrigation lines thru existing ditch/water run tunnel.
- Trustee Bennick met with Northstar Landscaping. Like EO, the company provided and all encompassing bid for the removal phase, landscaping, and replacement, including electrical work and irrigation replacement and new plantings ($76,902). The difference with Northstar bid was that they provided a directional boring option to run the new electrical/irrigation conduit. This was the board’s preferred method of resolving this issue.
- Trustee Bennick met with Big League Lawn Care, Tarawood’s existing lawn maintenance company. Big League provided a bid for the removal phase, including irrigation repair work (other 2 companies would fully replace irrigation heads and piping). Bid of $13,560 with Sabal Palm removal and $10,380 with Sabal Palm trimming only.
The board discussed the above and compared the quotes and line items side by side at length.
It was resolved that the board’s preference was to go the directional boring route for the irrigation/electrical conduit repair at the Ehrlich/Scarlett entrance, and the only company to bid on that was Northstar. Board preference was also to keep existing Sabal Palms and Robellini Palms. Board has opted for a “a la carte” approach to Northstar’s bid, with the following items up for approval:
- Tree removal and stump grind, with overhanging trees trimmed ($9,500)
- Missile boring at intersection of Scarlett and Ehrlich ($5,500)
- Irrigation adjustments, new runs where needed, drip stations ($6,300)
- Total: $21,300
Trustee Cinequegrano makes motion to call Northstar Landscaping regarding the above line items, with cost expected to be decreased given resolved to keep existing palm trees and to trim only. Trustee Bennick to call this week to confirm above bids and start the project. Trustee Cinquegrano makes motion to pre-approve a payment not to exceed $21,300 to Northstar for the above work, seconded by Trustee Terri. After follow-up with Northstar, should the project change and further discussion be needed, the project start shall be delayed until next regularly scheduled meeting.
Trustee Golson to call TECO and attempt to get Former Trustee’s name off our account and switch it to a different trustee, or close account if we have to, with purpose of gaining access to online payment portal. Since the board has been stuck in a late payment cycle with paper billings. Likewise, Trustee Terri to go back to the Post office and ask what it takes to remove and replace Ron Fowler’s name as well. Both items may require a close and reopening of accounts/P.O. Boxes, but it is board preference to not close the existing.
_______________________________
A motion was made by Trustee Osborne to approve all new business items. Trustee Terri seconded. The board unanimously approves.
A motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Osborne and seconded by Trustee Terri. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
James Osborne
Secretary