Minutes of the Board of Directors

Meeting, March 14, 2002 , Alva Museum

PLEASE NOTE: THE ALVA COMMUNITY MEETING WILL BE MARCH 28, 7 P.M. AT THE ALVA MIDDLE SCHOOL .    PLEASE BE PRESENT AND URGE YOUR NEIGHBORS TO ATTEND.  WE WILL CONVENE FOCUS GROUPS AND TAKE COMMENTS ON COMMUNITY PLAN DRAFTS.  YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED AND ESSENTIAL!

Present: Martin Call, Steve Brookman, Ronald K. Newson, Maria Pagan, Lynda Kendrick, Lynn Fensterer, Rob Andrys, Sarah Gillim, John Payne

Meeting opened 7:15 p.m. by president, Sarah Gillim, who welcomed everyone. 

Minutes of the February board meeting were approved.

Announced that the East Lee County community will host its first community planning meeting on Saturday, March 16 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Riverdale High School.  All are invited and Sarah Gillim urged all who can to attend.

Drawings of possible future Alva central development have not yet been completed but should be ready for the March 28 community meeting.

Considerable discussion centered around apparently uninformed resistance to the work of Alva, Inc. by individuals and groups in certain sectors of the area.  After considering limiting the proposed borders of the Alva community and noting that some of the County Commissioners may oppose the Alva Plan if boundaries are not set by March 28, a consensus developed around not setting firm boundaries at this time and letting the work stand on its own merit.  Emphasis was placed on meeting with opposing groups to help them understand the scope of the Alva plan and also to continue to work to increase participation and membership in Alva, Inc.  Our professional planner, Carol Cunningham, counseled to delay engaging a facilitator/negotiator to help interpret and resolve any differences until more details of the plan are completed.

It was agreed that the proposed Draft of an Alva plan is excellent, but that we have a short time to inform the community and get their involvement and feedback.  This is our greatest challenge and the help of all interested persons is needed.  Sarah Gillim will work on a petition to be signed by all who support the plan to accompany it when it is presented to the County Commissioners.  Various Alva organizations will be contacted with the hope that brief presentations can be made to each group at one of their scheduled meetings.  This includes the Garden Club, various churches, the Fire Department, Little League, the Oak Park Community, etc. 

Treasurer, Lynn Fensterer, cautioned that funds are limited and that unnecessary expenses should be curtailed.  It was noted that the remaining $17,000.00 from Lee County has been approved, but is contingent on our completing the assigned steps toward completing of the plan.

Rob Andrys presented a check from his neighbors, William and Gillian Wigdale, for $1,000.00 in support of A Living Vision of Alva which was gratefully received.  This is a significant encouragement for our work.  Secretary, John Payne, will write a letter of appreciation to the Wigdales on behalf of the administrative board.

By consensus it was decided that an internet “newsletter” and other publicity efforts will be directed at “telling our story,” including the significant accomplishments Alva Inc. has achieved to date.  Many are not aware of all that has occurred.  Included will be the developments toward enhancing SR 80 through the Alva community, the changes in Packinghouse Road, the charity work and fund raising efforts, the coming aboard of the Charleston Park community, etc.  John Payne will forward a draft to be evaluated and added to by board members. 

Comments on the proposed DRAFT of the Alva Community Plan:

A.  A major misconception is that the plan is for immediate implementation, rather than a long-range vision for the community.  A paragraph at the beginning of the plan should state that this is a long term vision, not a legalistic document, and that no changes are contemplated for existing structures.  Each page of the plan should be labeled, DRAFT, FOR PUBLIC INPUT.

B.  Page 2, 3.  Delete “riverwalk” wherever it occurs in the document and substitute phrases such as “pedestrian access” to the river, or simply “river.”

C.  More details concerning the nature of  “cluster development” should be added to help people understand the concept.  Rob Andrys was urged to make a presentation at the next community meeting to help everyone understand the benefits of this approach to community planning.  It was noted that no changes in density are needed but that developers who voluntarily accept this recommendation will have both economic advantages as well as providing more land for conservation and preservation.

D.  P. 4.  Check the actual date of the dredging.

E.  Continue to emphasize the rural village concept.  Especially appreciated is the definition of rural village on page 8.  Strengthen “design standards” under “projections” on page 8 and 10. 

It was concluded that this is a very well done plan, that appreciation is expressed to Carol Cunningham, and that the above changes offered are minimal.  Every effort possible will be made to share this plan with the widest possible audience prior to the March 28 meeting.  Sarah Gillim will communicate the recommended changes to Carol Cunningham and the revised document will be placed on the Alva website.

Announcements:

 Alva Inc. Bazaar, April 20 beginning at 8 a.m. at the Alva Community Center.  Good quality items are needed, especially crystal, depression glass, etc.  Thanks to Lynda Kendrick and Maria Pagan for their work on the project.  This is a fund raising program for Alva, Inc.

Charleston Park Day: Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Everyone is invited to their annual community event. 

Submitted by John Payne, secretary.