MINUTES OF ALVA, INC. BOARD MEETING, SEPTEMBER 13, 2001

Those present:  Sarah Gillim, Lynn Fensterer, Lynda Kendrick, Maria Pagan, Martin Call, Steve Brookman, David Lee, Steve Sexton, Rob Andrys, Jim English, and Jean Colvin.  President, Sarah Gillim, called the meeting to order. 

 MINUTES:  Lynda Kendrick made the motion that the Minutes of the August 9 Board meeting and the August 23 General Meeting be approved; Martin Call seconded; passed.

TREASURER’S REPORT: We have a balance of $1455.41 including the seed money that will be returned upon the sale of the T-shirts.  Jean Colvin made the motion that we donate $5.00 every two months to the Alva Garden Club for the use of the Museum for our meetings; Rob Andrys seconded; passed.  Rob also stated that this payment should be reviewed and increased later when we have more funds available.

MEMBERSHIP:  It is very important that we keep an accurate list of those who attend our meetings; therefore, it is being recommended that we have at least four people at the door to supervise the sign-in procedure to determine who are members and who are visitors.  Susan will print out the data base of members.  Lynda Kendrick, Maria Pagan, Martin Call, and Rob Andrys volunteered to be at the door for meetings.  Jean Colvin can also help after Flo Ginter returns. A discussion was held regarding who would be eligible to vote. It was pointed out that the Florida statute that governs the organization of not-for-profit groups states that any time the spending of money is to be voted on, only the Board members can vote.  On any other issue, voting will be open to all legal residents of Alva. Unless our By-laws are changed, we are governed by this statute. 

NON-FOR-PROFIT STATUS:  We have received official certification from the state of Florida as a not-for-profit organization.  We have to file the Articles of Incorporation , the By-Laws, and our Mission Statement.  In order to do this, a special meeting has to be opened.

RATIFICATION OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS:

The special meeting was called to order. The Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Mission Statement were revised by Lynn Fensterer and Susan Brookman and were posted on our web site for review. We first had to ratify the officers and Board of Directors of ALVA, Inc. These were approved by a show of hands. Sarah Gillim made the motion that we ratify the Articles of Incorporation; Steve Brookman seconded; passed.  A discussion was held regarding who is delineated as a voting member and how we are going to have members vote. The By-Laws can be changed by a 2/3 vote of the membership. We can always add or take away items in the By-Laws. Sarah Gillim made the motion to ratify the By-Laws as written; Jean Colvin seconded; passed.  The Mission Statement was approved.  Sarah Gillim declared that ALVA, Inc. is now an official not-for-profit organization recognized by the state of Florida.  Sarah made the motion to adjourn this special meeting and return to our regular Board of Directors meeting; Rob Andrys seconded; passed. 

ELECTION OF NEW VICE-PRESIDENT: Gus Perfetto sent a letter of resignation from the position of Vice-President due to not being able to attend meetings due to prior commitments.  The Board expressed its thanks for the work he has done for ALVA.  Sarah made the motion that Rob Andrys be appointed as Vice-President; Lynda Kendrick seconded; passed.   

COMMITTEES: 

Alva Wayside Park: The idea that John Albion had of having Habitat for Humanity give us the park and that it not go through Lee County government was thoughtfully and thoroughly discussed.  Although members agreed that we could maintain the park, we should not consider being liable for it. Albion is saying that the state is telling the county that they cannot take it back because of the projected widening of SR 80.  Our Traffic Committee is requesting a meeting with Florida DOT and Albion.  Steve Sexton agreed to take an active role in the Wayside Park issue, and he will arrange for the meeting. We have to show proof that a road is needed through the park and that enough traffic from the north side of the river, particularly the school buses, warrants a traffic light at Broadway and SR 80. One is also needed at Joel Boulevard and SR 80. Martin Call will check on what is required to establish a new traffic light. It is believed that a public hearing has to be requested.  David Lee suggested that it is possible to set up a holding corporation just for the Wayside Park; this will be investigated. At the meeting with Albion, it must be stressed that we cannot assume the liability for the park, but we are more than willing to maintain it.  It was mentioned that Lee County has assumed liability for the Greenbriar Park, so the liability for the Alva Wayside Park could be transferred to Lee County.  David Lee suggested that we find out how much liability insurance would be on the park before seeing the commissioner. The Traffic Committee will meet at the Alva Diner on Tuesday, September 18, at 7 p.m.

Meeting with Commissioners re Funding: This was cancelled due to the events of this week.  (The meeting has been rescheduled for September 25 at 5 p.m. in the commissioners’ chambers.)

False Information re purpose of ALVA: A number of people in Alva have been contacted by an outside group who is telling them that our organization wishes to change all the densities of Alva to one unit per 10 acres.  This is totally untrue.  They sent a letter signed by a number of Alva landowners to the commissioners with this statement and also requested that they be permitted to establish their own planning group.  The commissioners have acknowledged this letter, so it is incumbent upon us to correct this misinformation.  Sarah will draft a letter to be sent to these people and to the commissioners that we are not recommending any changes in the densities in the Lee Plan. After the letter is approved, it will be sent to the proper people, and it will be posted on the web site.

Agriculture:  At the general meeting on September 27, our speakers will be Wayne Daltry, who will speak on rural and agricultural initiatives, and Linda Reilly, from Preservation 2020.  Rob mentioned that private homes are being built on some of the oxbows in the river, and suggested that we recommend to Linda Reilly that Preservation 2020 investigate the possibility of their purchasing oxbows for preservation.

Fundraising:  Everyone applauded Lynda Kendrick and Maria Pagan for their inexhaustible efforts to raise funds for ALVA, Inc.  The September 15 date for the picnic has been changed to October 13 due to weather predictions and our national tragedy.  Lynda handed out the T-shirts that had been ordered. We have enough to sell at the picnic. Raffle tickets are $20 per strip of 10.  Commissioner Albion will be present to award the grand prizes. Lynda has asked for TV coverage. All the commissioners will be invited.

The date for the dance is now November 17 from 5 until 11 p.m.  We will have the Bayshore Cloggers, a line dance instructor, a band, a round dance caller, etc. The Alva Fire Department will cook the steak dinner for the dance. It is proposed that the cost be $20 per person to cover the dinner and the dance. We will split half with the Fire Department.  It has been suggested that the person who raises the most money for fundraising be appointed the Honorary Mayor of Alva.  Each year, the name will be added to a plaque. Maria stated that she needs men to move everything into the Community Center area and to just be available during Saturday, October 13. A sign-up sheet will be provided at the next general meeting for those who wish to volunteer.

Public Relations: Lynn Fensterer contacted all the TV and radio stations about the Alva picnic and also about what Alva is doing.  The Lehigh Citizen newspaper interviewed her and took her picture, which should be in their next issue. They have indicated that they could perhaps introduce an Alva page so everyone can keep up with what we are doing.  Further along they could even do a special Alva edition.

Insurance:  Lynn Fensterer suggested that we investigate liability insurance for the Board of Directors.  She will do this and at the same time check on liability insurance for the Park.

Future Meetings: The October general meeting will be on the 25^th.  It was pointed out that the regular November meeting would fall on Thanksgiving Day.  It was approved by the Board that the November meeting be on the 29^th.  We will have a Board meeting on December 13, but no general meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,  Jean W. Colvin, Acting Secretary