GPICA General Membership Meeting
Please note: Meeting minutes are DRAFT until approved by membership.
Meeting Information
• Date & Time: Call to order at 6:34 p.m. May 6, 2025
• Location: First Baptist Church of Pine Island
• Board Member Attendees: Christine Blum, Deborah Swisher-Hicks, Steve Eldredge and Kathy Chumley
Meeting Notes
1. Treasurer’s Report
• Steve presented the April 30th income statement: total income was $307, total expenses $1,003, with $828 paid for D&O insurance. Current cash availability is $11,803, with four certificates of deposit and the next CD of over $40,000 maturing on June 8. Annual state and IRS filings are complete. Zeffy membership deposit process was explained.
2. GPICA and Community News
• Implementation of AI for Meeting Minutes: Steve announced that meetings are now recorded and AI is used to generate meeting outlines, reducing manual effort from 1.5 hours to about 20 minutes. This started in April. Approval for March, April, and May minutes will be sought at the June meeting.
• Upcoming Cleanup and Planting Events
The monthly GPICA cleanup on Stringfellow Road is scheduled for May 7, 2025, starting at 8 a.m.
Seedlings from Calusa Land Trust and GPICA will be planted on June 21, 2025, at four locations:
- Wigert-Barron Preserve in Bokeelia
- Taylor Willow Lake Preserve in Bokeelia
- Chapin Preserve in Bokeelia
- Smith-Dewane Vista by St. Jude Trail in Saint James City.
- Please text Ellen Ballard at 239-980-0701 to volunteer so CLT can organize helpers.
• Trash Pickup and Parking News
- County pickup of weekly trash is now starting 30 minutes earlier.
- Premium parking is in effect at boat ramps and beaches.
- The burn ban remains in place with no burning allowed.
• Free Breast Screening
The Beacon of Hope is hosting a free price tile screening on May 14, 2025. Interested individuals must call ahead to schedule and answer qualifying questions.
3. SPEAKER-CAROL SCOTT, PRESIDENT, MATLACHA CIVIC ASSOCIATION
• Matlacha Island Cleanup and Waterway Program
The state mangrove and waterway program ended March 4, 2025, with successful cleanup of canals and bays. Some land debris remains and will be addressed with the County.
• Communication Substations and Exposed Wires
Old communication substations with exposed wires and missing lids are present along Pine Island Road, Island Avenue and Finger Streets. The County is working with providers to remove or repair them.
• Demolition of Condemned Structures
Matlacha Civic Assn. (MCA) submitted a list of 20 severely damaged buildings to the county about 1.5–2 years ago. Some owners have demolished structures, but about 15 buildings remain. The county is awaiting bids for demolition.
• Neighborhood Safety and Crime Prevention
Increase in theft and trespassing in abandoned buildings. Residents are advised to secure belongings, communicate with neighbors, and report suspicious activity.
• Beautification Program and UF Fiber Team Collaboration
MCA is working with the UF -Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience (FIBER) team and the Collaboratory on beautification, focusing on drought-resistant indigenous plants and creative solutions for limited planting space due to new asphalt.
• Parking Challenges and Solutions
Parking remains limited in Matlacha. Shop owners are cooperating to share parking. The UF FIBER team presented on parking to MCA and further collaboration with Greg Stewart and local businesses is under way.
• County Communication and Advocacy
Carol is in contact with William Diaz (Lee County Code Enforcement) and Kevin Ruane’s office to improve communication and expedite demolition and other County actions. She requested regular updates for the community.
• Community Suggestions for Beautification
A suggestion was made to remove or creatively repurpose barrels in Matlacha for beautification and parking, possibly through a community contest.
• Road and Parking Line Painting, Crosswalk Construction
Update on the completion of painted parking lines and safety markings, and the construction of a crosswalk at Burt’s Gift Shop near the old Bridgewater Inn. Orange barrels are present for traffic control due to bridge construction.
4. SPEAKER-GREG STUART-REPRESENTING BLUE DOG GRILL — Click here for presentation notes
• Parking Regulations and Impact on Blue Dog Restaurant
Discussion of county regulatory actions threatening to shut down the Blue Dog’s outdoor dining deck due to insufficient parking, which would eliminate around30% of seating capacity and significantly impact business viability.
• Economic Impact on Matlacha
Presentation of economic losses in Matlacha over the past 10 years, including property value, tax revenue, jobs, and commercial restaurant revenue.
• Proposed Policy and Regulatory Changes
Suggestions for modifying or eliminating certain zoning and development standards (e.g., 50-foot buffer, 10,000-square-foot standard, Certificate of Appropriateness process, compact/shared parking, deviation standards) to facilitate economic recovery and redevelopment in Matlacha.
• Resolution of Support for Blue Dog and Recovery Efforts
Call for the Greater Pine Island Association and public to support a resolution backing Blue Dog and broader recovery efforts, with a strong public showing needed at a hearing in three, four or five months.
• Broader Business Impact and Project Risks
Other businesses, such as the Old Fish House, are also at risk due to high construction costs (seawall, docks, building height) and regulatory barriers, with commercial construction now costing three times more than $400 per square foot.
• Clarification on 30% Reduction
Explanation that the 30% reduction refers to the loss of seating capacity if the Blue Dog’s outdoor deck is closed, which would also mean 30% less staff, stone crab, blue crab purchases, employment and overall business volume.
• Distinction Between General Policy Suggestions and Immediate Issue
Clarification that the seven policy suggestions by Greg Stuart are broader ideas for Matlacha and not directly tied to the immediate issue of seating capacity facing Blue Dog currently.
• Parking Issues and County Regulations for Blue Dog and Matlacha
Discussion centered on the longstanding parking problems for Blue Dog and other businesses in Matlacha, the county’s refusal to recognize off-site parking agreements, and the impact of new county rules. The group compared Lee County’s approach to other Florida historic districts and discussed the impact on local businesses and residents.
• Surveys on Non-Vehicular Patronage
Six surveys were conducted (two in 2022, two in 2024, and two more last month) to determine the percentage of patrons arriving by non-vehicular means, averaging 22.9%. This data was presented to the county to argue for sufficient parking.
• Variance and Rezoning Application for Blue Dog
Clarification that Blue Dog is applying for rezoning to Commercial Planned Development (CPD) rather than a variance, as variances and special exceptions were denied. The rezoning is costly and is being pursued to comply with County requirements.
• Impact of County Rules on All Businesses
Discussion about whether a successful outcome for Blue Dog would apply to the whole district or just to Blue Dog, and the need for a broader solution so other businesses do not have to fight similar battles individually.
• Special Districts as a Solution
Mike Hannon reiterated Carol Scott’s update as the MCA is exploring the creation of a special district under Florida law to raise funds for infrastructure projects, such as parking lots or park improvements, modeled after Captiva Island’s district for soil erosion. A committee of three was formed to study this option.
• Property and Infrastructure Developments
Update on block one and block three developments, including seawall construction and the potential for expanding parking areas under new code requirements. Noted that some lots are underwater and have been purchased by investors.
• Legislative Changes and Local Representation
Mention of a recent Florida legislative bill for single-district voting, which could affect local representation and is suggested as a topic for full discussion in the fall.
• Alternative Solutions to Parking Problem
Exploration of alternatives to rezoning, excluding a request for a special exception and the idea of building parking lots on the east and west sides of Matlacha. Economic feasibility, ownership, liability, and location challenges were discussed.
• Comparison with Other Localities’ Parking Solutions
Discussion of how other areas, such as Key West for example, manage parking through planned development, deviations, and mandatory valet services. Noted differences in site plans and parking management.
5. Next Meeting and Speaker Arrangements
Announcement of the next meeting scheduled for June 3, 2025, with speakers Noelle Branning (Tax Collector) and Matt Caldwell (Property Appraiser) of Lee County. Members are encouraged to submit questions for the speakers in advance.
• Next meeting of the GPICA is June 3 and will be held at The First Baptist Church of Pine Island (5363 Avenue D, Bokeelia).
• There will be no GPICA meeting in July.
— Respectfully submitted by Steve Eldredge, Secretary