Greater Pine Island Civic Association Meeting Minutes — Aug. 2, 2022, Greater Pine Island Elks Club
Board Members present: President Helen Fox, Vice President Nadine Slimak, Members Cindy Bear, Deborah Swisher-Hicks. (Excused: Treasurer Mike Sweeney, Members Scott Wilkinson, Shari Perkins, Connie D’Alessio.)
46 Members and nonmembers signed in. The meeting was also livestreamed on Facebook.
>President Helen Fox opened the meeting shortly after 6:30 p.m.
>Helen went over the July meeting minutes. Nadine made a motion to approve the minutes; it was seconded by Cindy. The motion was approved by the membership.
>In Mike’s absence, Helen reviewed the Treasurer’s report:
- Money Market balance: $16,762.27
- Checking balance: $5,394.99
- CD investment: $76,366.65
- July income: $735 (membership dues/raffle/50-50)
- July expenses: $75.01 (postage and copies)
>Nadine made a motion to approve; member Jeff Waller seconded it. The motion was approved by the membership.
>Helen then gave a short power-point presentation and update on the issues that the Board is working on, especially focused on pending development orders, traffic congestion mitigation and water quality. She also mentioned that we are reaching out to new Island property owners and residents to introduce them to the GPICA and invite them to join us in working on these issues. Her update included information that Lee DOT is installing traffic cams in Matlacha; the County is looking into creating a longer right-hand turn lane at Veterans Memorial Parkway and Burnt Store Road to ease congestion heading off-island. (See slides from her presentation here.)
>Cindy then presented an update on water quality and fecal coliform testing being conducted around the Island by members of the Calusa Waterkeeper, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of the Caloosahatchee River & Estuary, Lake Okeechobee, Nicodemus Slough, Charlotte Harbor, Estero Bay, the near-shore waters of Lee County, and their watersheds, through education and promotion of responsible use and enjoyment by all people. Cindy’s presentation provided information on coliform levels at Flamingo Bay. (See the slides from her presentation here.)
>That was followed by a presentation by Deb, focused on land use on the Island. Her update included information (See the slides from her presentation here):
- That King Ranch properties (207 acres) were sold for $4.4 million to Mani Farms LLC
- About a public hearing she attended about property at 10250 Stringfellow Road. The owner is requesting zoning amendments to allow for outdoor seating, a music stage and games
- That owners of the former Chamber of Commerce building on Pine Island Road (east of Matlacha) are requesting a change from agricultural uses to commercial planned development for vehicle sales and rentals and an expansion of the building.
- That site changes/uses being requested by Calusa Cay developers
>Helen then provided an update on what was happening with the Cape Coral’s annexation of property at Burnt Store Road and Veteran’s Memorial Parkway and how the GPICA is approaching the idea of incorporation. The board is working thoughtfully to gain insight and perspective from Islanders, while investigating the steps that need to be taken for incorporation. She also asked for community input in the form of answer to the following questions:
- What are your thoughts about incorporation?
- What are your questions about incorporation?
- What are your ideas about how to ensure the future of our islands?
- What questions do you have on any topic that we might be able to help answer?
>Members at the meeting were encouraged to write their answers down and provide them at the meeting or to email them to Info@GPICA.org.
For the full discussion of these and other topics, visit the GPICA Facebook page and watch the meeting recording at https://www.facebook.com/PineIslandCivicAssociation/videos/1029179261004604
At around 8 p.m. a motion was made to adjourn and seconded and the meeting ended.
—Minutes respectfully submitted by GPICA Vice President Nadine Slimak
Minutes approved on Sept. 6, 2022