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MINUTES OF ALVA INC. TOWN MEETING
APRIL 24, 2003
Rob
Andrys opened the meeting at the Community Center at 7:15 p.m.
About 25 people attended. Everyone
introduced himself, and was asked to sign in.
Minutes
of last
meeting were approved as posted on the web site.
Tom Colvin made motion to approve; Terry Carbonell seconded; passed.
Treasurer,
Lynn Fensterer, reported a balance of $7399.19.
This includes a payment of $1154 for liability insurance for the
officers and directors of ALVA INC. Dues
are due for this year.
Membership dues were discussed as to
whether we should require them at all. The
charter states that anyone who is a resident of Alva or has a business in Alva
can be a member and anyone outside of Alva can be a non-voting member. Any
change would require a change in the By-laws.
Those who are actively involved in the group tend to contribute, and we
have many fund-raising events, so we really do not need the membership dues.
On the other hand, by not paying may dilute the influence of the core
members. Lynn made motion not to
charge dues; Terry seconded. After discussion, it was decided to table any further action
until the next meeting. A change in the by-laws requires approval of 2/3 of
the members.
Schedule
of meetings:
May 8: Board meeting at Alva Museum
May 22: Town Hall meeting at Community Center
Sometime
in May, probably around the 19th, a Local Planning Agency meeting
will be held to recommend or deny Alva Community Plan to the Lee County
Commissioners at Lee County Commission Chambers. Look for date of LPA meeting on website and board at Wayside
Park.
There
are over 300 signed petitions in support of the Alva plan and over 150 letters
at the County regarding comments to the plan or disapproval.
We have to encourage as many Alva citizens as we can to attend this
meeting to show support for the Plan. All
who can write letters are asked to do so NOW.
Alva is the target for development.
If we do not win support for the Plan at the May meeting, then the
Commissioners may not pass it. The
Board will receive comments from the Planning Office by next Wednesday, and we
have 17 days to respond. It was
pointed out that we should take as many family members who can attend, which
includes children and babies.
Announcements: The Caloosahatchee River Citizens Association, Mike Buff,
President, (Riverwatch) was instrumental in having the Army Corps of Engineers
give $10,000 grant to begin a study on how to fix the Caloosahatchee
River’soxbows. With over $5
million from the Corps and Lee County’s match of $1.2 million, the future
now looks much brighter for the River. This shows how a small organization
with a grand vision can make a big difference for everyone in SW Florida.
Everyone
agreed that the new sign placed in the Wayside Park was very effective.
Terry
Carbonell asked for support from the community and ALVA Inc. to support their
and her neighbors to vacate High Street from the Boat Ramp to Julia Street.
She stated that the transfer from public ownership to private ownership
would allow those who live there to be able to care for the land in front of
their houses down to the river. She stated that High Street has never been
used in over 40 years and had become overgrown and a place to dump trash.
Rob requested that Terry bring this up again at the next meeting for
further discussion.
Committees:
Parks
and Trails: Laura noted that the Lee County Trails and Blueways committee
has a two year goal to finalize their plans.
However, she will contact the Lee County DOT sidewalk committee to seek
Alva’s request for a connecting sidewalk from the Community Park to the
School.
Fund-Raising: The Spring Fling was well attended. Maria Pagan thanked everyone who worked so hard to make it a
success, especially Lynn, Lynda, Terry, Rosie and Maria.
Planning: We need a new chairman.
Membership should be encouraged. Also
we need more people on the Board of Directors.
Community
Affairs: It was suggested that we should start a Food Bank wherein we
can help those in the community who need food.
Rosie said she would be willing to be in charge.
Everyone should bring a can or grocery item at every meeting.
It is hoped that Lynda can work with Kash and Karry to obtain items for
the Bank.
Historic: Needs a new chairman.
New
Business:
Elections
are next
month. We need nominations for
officers and the Board.
Nominated:
President: Rob Andrys;
Vice President: open; Secretary: John Payne; Treasurer: Lynn
Fensterer. Board of Directors:
All those who previously served; Terry Carbonell; Mary Reed.
Nominations were closed after no further names were suggested.
Nominations can be provided to the nominating committee or from the
floor at the next meeting.
Design
the Alva Wayside Park:
Dave Barra, Landscape Architect from Lee County Parks and Recreation, stated
that the County has repurchased the Park, so they are now responsible for the
park. They would like for
everyone to think about how they would like the park to look and figure out
what is necessary to be done. As
long as it is in the jurisdiction of Parks and Recreation, Alva is not liable
for the property. They would
welcome our maintaining and beautifying the park.
The Alva Garden Club has expressed interest in obtaining plants and
flowers for the park. After much
discussion, the main points brought out:
keep it simple and easy to maintain; plant more trees; plant native
plants and flowers; fill in the pond; village green concept; possibility of
having Christmas tree; perhaps some artwork showing heritage; post a permanent
sign listing historic significance of Alva, and the village atmosphere to be
preserved; perhaps some picnic tables; access to water and electricity; a
small fence around park; low lighting for evening; several parking spaces;
proper trash receptacles to be maintained.
Everyone
sketched ideas on tracing paper over the maps of the Park that were provided.
Mr. Barra will collect the strongest ideas from these tracings and
produce a sketch that reflects these ideas balanced by the Parks and
Recreation Department guidelines.
Meeting
was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Recorded
by Jean W. Colvin
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