Greater Pine Island Civic Association (GPICA) General Membership Minutes
Date: September 9, 2025, 6:30
Location: First Baptist Church of Pine Island
Board Attendees: Christine Blum, Nadine Slimak, Deborah Swisher-Hicks, Kathy Chumley, Steve Eldredge
1. Approval of Previous Minutes
- Motion: Made to approve General Membership meeting minutes from August 2025.
• The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
2. Treasurer’s Report
Presented by: Steve Eldredge
• Insurance:
– D&O liability and general liability policies are active.
– $532 renewal for D&O liability is due Sept 23.
- August Income/Expenses:
– $159 income and $100.12 expenses; net gain of ~$59.
– Overall cash balance slightly increased to ~$13,700.
• Financial Position:
– Accounts held at Truist and First Horizon banks.
– Approx. $13,700 cash available. Per Board instruction the Treasurer maintains ~$10,000 in liquid reserves for contingencies.
-5 certificates of deposit currently held. Next one matures on 9/25/25
– Goal to ladder CD maturities monthly to free up cash and lower the high liquid balance.
• Annual Financial Review:
– 2024 financial review was completed by independent accountant Bob Peters.
– Financials found sound although findings noted a $1,000 fraudulent charge in July that was promptly reimbursed by First Horizon
– Plan to stay on schedule for annual reviews going forward.
3. Guest Presentation — Wastewater & Septic Systems
Presented by: Pam Keyes(Director, Lee County Public Utilities )
• Aging septic systems contribute to nutrient pollution.
• Pine Island has ~5,000 septic systems and ~800 connections to the central wastewater plant.
• Treatment plant capacity: 400,000 gpd; about 200 more connections possible without upgrades.
• The County is conducting a pilot septic-to-sewer conversion pilot project in Billy’s Creek: 90 connections, ~$6M funded; design under way.
• Pine Island is Tier 3 (low priority); no current funding.
• Neighborhoods could self-initiate septic-to-sewer conversions by creating an MSTBU assessment if more than 50 percent of the district would support it. (MSTBU basically allows residents to tax themselves for specific improvements)
• New homes >1200 sq ft must install advanced septic (since 2022); no mandate to connect/replace.
• County will reevaluate plant capacity if new developments proceed.
• Ms. Keyes will report back with actual cost figures after pilot project bids (~12 months) as well as follow-up on odor complaints at Phillips Park package plant (coordinate with FDEP).
4. Community Updates
- Conservation 2020 Lands
– County Commission to vote on nine parcels next week (Item 42).
– Three parcels on Pine Island (58 acres near Dixie + 10 acres near Smokehouse Bay).
– GPICA Board to send support letter; public encouraged to submit comments.
b. Upper Captiva Carriage Project Zoning Efforts
– August 28 meeting postponed; now scheduled for October 24.
c. Matlacha Civic Association Updates
– Holiday Tree Lighting at Island Ave & Pine Island Rd; volunteers invited Sept 29.
– Dangerous buildings demolition bids closed July 29; currently under review by the County.
– Ice House, pink Seahorse, and several shanties to be removed.
– Coordinating mangrove debris cleanup with county/state across from old Hooked restaurant.
d. Cleanup & Hazardous Waste Events
– Road cleanup along Stringfellow resumes October 1.
– Hazardous waste collection scheduled November 15.
5. Public Engagement Reminder
Residents urged to attend County Commission and Hearing Examiner meetings on zoning/development issues.
Must speak at Hearing Examiner level to be eligible to speak before the County Commission.
6. Next Meeting
- Date: October 7, 2025
• Guest Speakers: Matlacha-Pine Island Fire Control District
— Respectfully submitted by Steve Eldredge, secretary