Please note: Minutes are draft until they are approved by membership
Greater Pine Island Civic Association
Membership Meeting Minutes
January 7, 2025 | First Baptist Church of Pine Island
Board Members Present: Deborah Swisher-Hicks, President; Nadine Slimak, Vice President, and Christine Blum.
Treasurer’s Report
Deborah presented the GPICA Treasurer’s report for December on Steve Eldredge’s behalf.
For Month Ending December 31, 2024
BEGINNING CHECKING BALANCE-BANK (Truist) $ 1,714.18
BEGINNING CHECKING BALANCE-BANK (First Horizon) $ 1,000.00
BEGINNING BALANCE-CASH $ 103.00
INCOME
12/23/24 Deposit $ 50.00
12/17/24 Deposit (Seedling donations) $ 265.00
12/09/24 Deposit (CD Mature) $82,316.14
12/05/24 Deposit $ 25.00
TOTAL INCOME $82,656.14
EXPENSES
12/23/24 Check-USPS-(Stamps) $ 14.60
12/20/24 Check-Krater & Ass.-(Financial Review) $ 150.00
12/11/24 Check-First Baptist Church of Pine Island $ 100.00
12/10/24 Check-First Horizon (CD Purchase) $80,000.00
12/10/24 Check-Nadine Slimak-Pine Seedlings $ 215.25
12/09/24 Debit-GoDaddy (Web Hosting) $ 38.16
TOTAL EXPENSES $80,518.01
ENDING CHECKING BALANCE-BANK (Truist) $ 3,852.31
ENDING CHECKING BALANCE-BANK (First Horizon) $ 1,000.00
ENDING BALANCE-CASH $ 103.00
ENDING CHECKING AND CASH BALANCE-TOTAL $ 4,955.31
CHECKING (Truist) $ 3,852.31
CHECKING (First Horizon) $ 1,000.00
CASH ON HAND $ 103.00
MONEY MARKET (Truist) $ 6,952.67
MONEY MARKET (First Horizon) $ 30,004.97
CERT. OF DEPOSIT (First Horizon-3.85%, Matures 06/08/25) $ 40,253.27
CERT. OF DEPOSIT (First Horizon-3.50%, Matures 12/10/25) $ 20,000.00
Members had no questions/comments about the financial reports.
President Swisher-Hicks then reminded all members of our upcoming Adopt-A-Road cleanup schedule. They are as follows beginning at 9 a.m. at the Bokeelia post office:
- Jan. 8
- Feb. 5
- Mar. 5
- Apr. 2
She also noted our successful Re-Pining Pine Island program. We gave away 1,000 longleaf pines. Many thanks to the Garden Club and Calusa Land Trust members who helped the GPICA pot all pines. Fruitscapes donated all pots and the Feed Store gave us a discount on the dirt/vermiculite needed for potting.
President Swisher-Hicks then introduced Rob Gratkowski for a 
Public Information Session, required by Lee County for rezoning requests and the issuance of Development Orders.
Mr. Gratkowski has a .91 acre property, which is a corner lot at 8288 Stringfellow Road and Gulf Shore Road, St. James City. He is requesting to rezone the property from commercial (CG) to agricultural (AG2). The rezoning will allow him to create a small tree farm with 30-40 mango/fruit trees, similar to the usage of the property next door.
There were no questions and no objections.
President Swisher-Hicks asked for membership input on holding another tree giveaway next year. We would most likely use a different tree type in consultation with the State Division of Forestry. There was no opposition.
President Swisher-Hicks announced that next month the Membership will elect its Board of Directors. We have 4 positions available to be filled.
Christine Blum updated the Membership on resiliency activities going on around the County.
- Watch the meeting recording here.
Next meeting of the GPICA is February 4 and will be held at The First Baptist Church of Pine Island (5363 Avenue D, Bokeelia).
— Minutes respectfully submitted by Steve Eldredge, Secretary