Welcome and Administrative Business
I. Call to Order / Roll Call:
Present: Jim Remis-President
Karen Woodson-VP Operations-Chair Nominations Committee
Christy Hennessey-Secretary-Printed Supplies
Tina Tyler-VP Donor Development and Advisory Committee Chair
Katie Moses-Park Manager and State Relations
Tim Horvatich-Building Committee
Louise Kowitch-Education Chair-Historian
Mark Generales-Building Committee
Jason Dolle-Chair Development Subcommittee
Frank Cassise-Volunteers
Kathryn Klar-Treasurer-Chair Governance Committee
John Wesley Nash-Volunteers-Technology-Education
Absent: None

Additional Attendees:
Assistant Park Manager: Miranda Murphy was introduced

II. Approval of the January 9, 2024 board meeting minutes

• Motion to Approve: Karen
• Seconded: Mark
• Motion Approved
  Report of the Park Manager
  
  III. Park Managers Report-Katie Moses
  
• Update on park operations: we have received a dead osprey from
  C.R.O.W. which will be sent to taxidermy, and displayed in the WDC. Four
  Lee Co. environmental teachers want to teach summer camp. Trish and
  Ursula have been working on this. There will be scholarships for kids
  impacted by Hurricane Ian and disadvantaged youth. The camp costs will
  be paid for by the fee to attend the camps. The FMB Coast Guard
  disposed of perfectly good lifejackets to purchase new, because if the
  money wasn’t spent, they would lose it. Karen and Mark Woodson
  collected the discarded 100 lifejackets and boated them over to Lovers
  Key for the park to use. Dennis Goodman is donating the photos for the
  window glass images which will keep the birds from flying into the glass.
  The images will be contiguous around the community room and vary on
  other windows.
  
• Introduction of Assistant Park Manager: Miranda Murphy
  
• Folks Inspector General update: The Inspector General completed the sixmonth
  review of the Friends of Lovers Key CSO Audit. Three items will remain
  open to be reviewed in another six months:
  
• Finding 1: Adherence to the CSO’s Financial Policy- The CSO’s
  Financial Policy was not always followed, as required by the
  Agreement.
  
  o Two checks were signed without two signatures during this sixmonth
  period. Remain open for secondary evaluation to ensure
  all checks that require two signatures have them during next six
  months.
  
• Finding 5: Grant Proposal Approval – The CSO did not obtain approval
  prior to applying for a grant, as required.
  
  o No Grants were applied for, if a grant is applied for then
  appropriate approval will be verified.
  o Tallahassee Departments need to update verbiage and polices
  to align with Operations Manual and CSO Handbook- No action
  required by FOLKS
  
• Finding 8: Outdated/Conflicting Policies – The Division’s CSO
  Handbook and the Agreement have not been updated to reflect current
  practices and control- requirements.
  
  o Tallahassee Departments need to update verbiage in CSO
  Handbooks, Agreements and Operations Manual- No action
  required by FOLKS
  
• Update on Washer and Dryer Purchase for park rags, wildlife towels, etc.
  and resident volunteer use (lost in the storm) – Previously authorized:
  The building for the washer and dryer has had its power restored and the
  washer and dryer is ready to be ordered and can be put into use.
  
• Park’s Unit Management Plan Update Overview and next steps: The
  park’s Unit Management Plan has started its review process (current plan
  is dated 2005) and Park Service planners visited the park to get oriented
  and provide feedback on necessary changes and future facilities. Office of
  Park Planning will work on updating the existing plan, chances for
  comments will be provided as well as a public comments session to be
  held locally in the area. Unit Management Plans are now updated
  districtwide at the same time, and the format has been updated to
  incorporate regional chapters to eliminate redundancy in updating plans.
  
• Landscaping Project/native Garden Update: there has been great
  feedback on the landscaping and people are walking the garden trails and
  sitting at the benches enjoying it.
  
• Other: None
  
  Approval of Projects for the Park
  
  IV. Katie Moses and Jim Remis
• WDC Community Room Shades/Window Tinting Vote to approve and
  $30,000 budget amendment
  o Motion to approve: Kathryn
  o Motion seconded: Karen
  o Discussion: Nice job Ursula! Needed to amend the $25,000
  approved with an additional $5,000.
  o Motion approved
  
• Osprey taxidermy for exhibit hall-Vote to authorize purchase not to exceed
  $1,000
  o Motion to approve: Mark
  o Motion seconded: Louise
  o Discussion: Hoping to get an alligator
  o Motion approved
  
• Summer Camps Update-Vote to authorize expenditure of budgeted
  $30,000
  o Motion to approve: Mark
  o Motion seconded: Karen
  o Discussion: Fund-a-need at the Gala
  o Motion approved
  
• Beach Basket Litter Program-Vote to authorize purchase not to exceed
  $10,000
  o Motion to approve: Karen
  o Motion seconded: Mark
  o Discussion: $2,600 a station each year, baskets scanned,
  trash weighed. We will have three stations as a part of this
  pilot program.
  o Motion approved
  
• Buffalo Turbine Blower-Vote to authorize purchase not to exceed $10,000
  o Motion to approve: Mark
  o Motion seconded: Kathryn
  o Discussion: Ketchums want to use their $100,000
  o Motion approved
  
• Duramen Landscaping: $1,115 to finish the mulching and add a drip
  irrigation to the pots. Duramen quoted $750 a month to manicure and
  manage the landscaping.
  o Motion to approve $1,115,00 to complete the mulching and
  add the drip line to pots and a $10,000 line item for annual
  landscape maintenance: Christy
  o Motion seconded: Frank
  o Discussion: Still look for other bids
  o Motion approved
  
• Definitive Concrete Cutting: $550
  Reports of Board Officers
  V. President’s Report- Jim Remis
  
• Planning for our future-Today’s planning session and longer term planning
  for resource uses.
  
• Park Tours for Donors: Tina and Jim took the Ketchums on a tour of the
  park. Suggest doing that for our donors so they can physically see it.
  
• Buoy’s Trailhead Water Fountain Project: Katie and crew are tasked with
  locating where to run the water line
  
• Bodenhoffer Manatee Donor sign: Bolt and hole do not line up.Tim
  working on this and Jim asked Katie to be involved.
  
• FOLKS Tax Return and Legislative Report: May 15 planning to the state.
  Due to high fundraising dollars, we will be audited.
  
• Other: We need to expect and plan for two or three FOLKS employees.
  
  VI. VP of Operations Report-Karen Woodson
  
• Gala debrief Including next year’s thoughts: 2025 Beauty and the Beach
  theme is “Havana Nights”. Square tent will bring everyone closer to the
  emcee. Calypso café lighting. 1950’s cars. Goal of 180 people and all
  $500 VIP as those sell the best. Everyone red carpet champagne.
  
  Smaller stage will take up less unnecessary room. Have the auctioneer
  and emcee Matt Devitt confirmed. Sponsorships are coming in. Have all
  bars on ground level with one inside the tent. QR code to donate at each
  table. Suggested wording, “Thank you for donating” showing what we
  have done this year. Build onto the after party with Game of Chance and
  simple Salsa lessons. Great band. Ends at 12:00 midnight. Have Uber
  signage because they did not know where to go. Have donor cards and
  membership cards to sell. Had $68,000 in sponsorships. $110,000 was
  our budget and came in under-budget at $102,000 spent. Under 200
  people, alleviates some permitting. We will mail out invitations next year.
  
• Rushing beforehand to get Shopify up and running plus Salsa transfer in
  time and everything associated with that, we will be way ahead of the
  game for next year’s gala. In addition, being able to cancel Salsa after the
  Gala and switching our bank accounts from Fifth Third to Sanibel-Captiva
  is going to help tremendously.
  
• Other: We need to keep the kitchen cleaned up and have standards for
  the community room upkeep when used.
  
  VII. VP of Donor Development and Chair of the Advisory Committee- Tina Tyler
  Advisory Council: The first call is next Wednesday with introductions, strategic
  planning, update them on the park and how they might help. Show them their
  time is worthwhile and having an effect.
  
  Other: None
  
  VIII. Secretary Report-Christy Hennessey
  
• WDC Landscape Project Updates: Project has been completed with our
  landscaper. We are very pleased with Duramen Landscaping’s work and
  reliability. Katie will be locating Gumbo Limbo trees in the park to relocate
  to the WDC garden landscape areas.
  
• Other: Mark and Tim were to be working together on an information sheet
  of the history, building design and construction of the WDC, for the
  docents to refer to. Tina found her folder from the initial planning for the
  WDC.
  
  We have notecards with our logo to write personal notes to donors.
  Manatee folded notecards will be ordered to sell in the Nook and also for
  use by Katie and board members.
  
  The FOLKS section on the Florida State Park’s website needs to be
  updated. Particularly the sentence that a portion of the FOLKS
  membership fees also go to the capital campaign for building the WDC.
  
  IX. Treasurer’s Report-Kathryn Klar
  
• Review of January Financial Statements: As of March 1st we have
  $500,000 cash. Gala grossed around $290,000.
  
• Other: Pre-ordered 200 Manatee stamps and will also use the new
  Manatee stamps for next year’s gala invitations.
  
  Christy and John Hennessey are donating $100,000 with $90,000
  sponsoring the WDC Kayaker display and additional $10,000 to help see
  the dog watering station to completion. Gross amount from the Gala
  $290,000.
  
  X. Other Reports
  
• Internet Options-John Wesley Nash: going to work on trying to set up a
  mail merge. Working on WIFI options for the park and collaborating with
  Jason. Starlink can do a down link to an antennae. John and Katie have
  researched locations. For the WDC it would be a system that would
  service a small business. For now, John is working on a system for the
  WDC and a possibility for the entire park, will be considered at a later
  date.
  
• Native and Pollinator Garden Update and Docent Training Enhancement –
  Louise: We need to engage new people in the WDC and focus more on
  community sustainability.
  
• Other: Our very own Park Manager Katie Moses was awarded “Ranger of
  the Year”. Jim asked Katie to look into Tectonics to install permanent blue
  lights for the manatee. Katie asked when we will have monthly
  membership updates and Karen will look into it.
  
  Other
  
  XI. New Business: John Nash expressed concern about a possibility of selling critters
  down at the beach and is concerned for families who can barely afford the entry fee,
  to have young children asking parents to purchase one. The board agreed.
  XII. State Training – Park Staff: Katie Moses conducted our annual state training.
  XIII. Planning for the Future – Goals and Objectives open discussion – Tina and Katie
  
  XIV. Adjournment and board reception
  Meeting adjourned: 4:00
  
  Next Meetings
• Executive Committee
  o April 2, 12:00
  o Usually, first Tuesday at 12:00
• Board 2024
  o May 14-2:00 WDC
  o August 13-Format TBD
  o October 8-Format TBD
  o December 10-2:00-WDC

Welcome and Administrative Business

1. Call to Order / Roll Call

Present:  Jim Remis-President
Karen Woodson-VP Operations
Christy Hennessey-Secretary
Tina Tyler-Donor Development Advisor (by phone)
Katie Moses-Park Manager and State Relations
Tim Horvatich-Building Committee
Louise Kowitch-Education Chair
Mark Generales-Building Committee
Jason Dolle-Chair Development Subcommittee
Megan Allers-VP Donor Development & Events
Frank Cassise-Purchasing/Print/Supplies
Kathryn Klar-Treasurer Chair Governance Committee

Absent:  None

1. Approval of December 12, 2023 Board Minutes

Motion to Approve:  Kathryn
Seconded:  Karen
Discussion: None
Motion Approved

Report of the Park Manager

1. Park Managers Report – Katie Moses
   
2. Update on park operations: Electrical panels expected early January have not yet arrived.  When they come in, FPL will be ready to install.  Ranger station is open 9:30-4:30 right now.  Hoping towards the end of the month fully staffed and open 8:00 to sunset.  Nature wise, sea life, everything is doing great.  Floating boat dock has been installed with funding for the ramp in the works.  There will be bumpers.  Pedestrian bridge behind the WDC is open as of yesterday.  Gazebo is going to be rebuilt in the same footprint by the State and reimbursed by FEMA.  Debris removal is back and sifting down two feet. Cory is the new Ranger and an Assistant Park Manager position has been offered and accepted but cannot be announced yet.  Electricity:  Panels are the hold up.  Rewiring has been done and when the panels arrive, all that needs to be done is connecting.  Stress test soon on the sewer system.  All the lifts are done.
   
3. WDC Community Room Shades/Window Tinting Update – Current plan:  Kaleidescape will apply a window film to block the blinding sun. Added benefit of keeping birds from flying into the windows and territorial pecking.  Trish is working on getting the quotes and costs for installation.  Ursula arranged with Dennis Goodman to donate the photo images.
   
4. Washer & Dryer Purchase for park rags, wildlife towels, etc and resident volunteer use (lost in the storm)
   
5. Motion to approve purchase of Washer and Dryer not to exceed $2,500: Mark
6. Seconded: Tim
7. Discussion: None
8. Motion approved
   
9. Other: No tram to the beach.  Structurally damaged and only safe for UTVs and people.  Pedestrian bridge will be done by the end of the year.  Everyone signed their Volunteer agreements and there will be a group required education presentation after an upcoming Board Meeting.

Reports of Board Officers

1. President’s Report – Jim
   
2. Significant contributions since December meeting:  Have $475,000 in cash and $135,000 since December.  Another $100,000 from the Ketchum Foundation.  This is the second $100,000 they have given us.
   
3. WDC Grand Opening and Park Reopening: Reopening was to be the week after Hurricane Ian. This will be a State and Local dedication ceremony.  Katie will be working on getting a date set.  Big donors will be recognized.
   
4. The future is now and what that means for FOLKS and each board member:  The Executive Committee will be spending future meetings working on what want the future to be.  Focus on Exposure, environmental sustainability, education.  Need to think about goals and objectives for the next 2-3 years.   We still have 3 exhibits to fund and need to make big picture plans.
   
5. 2024 Budget Discussion and adoption:  Career Source pays Lori’s wages through February and we need to be prepared to pay after that, including benefits.  Budget $50 for her employ.  Possibly have her as a contract hire.  The 50% off park memberships ends soon.  Gala is likely going to be more profitable this year.  Nook plus our Sip and Shop are bringing in much more in sales.  We have $25,000 budgeted for education and also have $25,000 in expenses. The $120,000 for landscaping will be covered in 2024.  We have crossed the $300,000 threshold for being audited.  Our total budged expenses being $418,000.  We need to raise $200,000 this year. As an “employer” we need to be mindful of having that funded every year and it can come out of the general fund.  Kathryn mentioned regular donors who give $10,000 a year and nobody knows them.  We need to connect with them.  Some wish to donate more.
   
6. Motion to approve the budget:  Kathryn 
7. Seconded: Tim
8. Discussion: None
9. Motion approved
   
10. Are you up to date with hours and other requirements:  All recorded
    
11. Meeting schedule for EC and Board including annual meeting planned for January 31, 2024.  Dates as follows after the minutes.
    
12. Other: none

• VP of Operations Report – Karen
  
• Report of the Nominating Committee: Election of Officer to a one-year term beginning January 1, 2024.
  
• Motion to appoint Tina Tyler as Vice President Donor Development and Chair of the Advisory Committee for one year:  Kathryn        
• Seconded:  Tim
• Discussion:  None
• Motion Approved
  
• Gala Update: $57,500 in sponsors committed so far.  Alex King $25,000, London Bay $15,000, Waste Management $5,000, Cornerstone Builders $5,000, Moss Marina (Arches Bayside) $2,500.  Matt Devitt will be our Emcee.  Ed and Kim Ryan will be greeters on the red carpet to help direct people and broadcast their show on FB and YouTube, and have their own online $20 raffle for 2 VIP tickets to next year’s Gala…. A husband and wife team will be our auctioneers. Fourteen VIP tables.  Much smoother progress this year because of working off of last year’s plans.  The Whale will be providing us with generators for the Gala.  Targeted 220 tickets.
  
• Other: none

• VP of Development and Chair of the Advisory Council: Tina

Advisory Council:  Bylaws state we can appoint a committee but advised we vote.  Tina got everyone for the Council she wanted.

• Discussion of purpose:
• Board vote to create Advisory Council: Not at this time
• Members:  Carmen Mock: Long term donor who gives at least $10,000 a year.  Relocating from California to Naples and wants to get involved in their Woman’s Club.  She has 30 years of retail in operations.  Kyle DeCicco: Sanibel-Captiva Bank.  Mark Wilson: CEO London Bay who also has a connection who can help us a lot in marketing and media. 

John Dammerman:  Tourism and Hospitality, owns Margaritaville and about 40 other hotels and businesses. Chuck Bodenhofer: Involved in the community and a donor.  Gina Ketchum:  Philanthropist and large donor to the Park. Monica Schmucker:  attorney. Dawn Miller: Owns the Sandy Bottom and Whale.  Alex King: Realtor and King Foundation and Tina Tyler makes 10. 

• Other:  Meetings have been set, know the mission and working on the strategy.  Focus will be educational, what’s happening at the Park and with FOLKS, let them know what we have followed up on.  Announce the Advisory Council in the monthly newsletter.  Some have committed 2 years and some just one year but may extend it to 2.  There is good cross over of Council members.  Working on getting a connection to the FGCU Water School.
  
• Mission Statement:  Their job is to help with expertise, protect, preserve, support the park.     

• Secretary Report – Christy
• WDC Landscaping Project Update: On January 19th, “Lee County Beautiful “is coming to do plantings.  We had a delay in starting because of the hold up of our payment checks due to Duramen Landscaping not supplying their W9.  John Schiera supplied his immediately.  All contracts thus far, have been signed by Jim. The hold-up is just the Duramen W9.

Some donors question the money spending for this large landscape project, so Trish created a document to help explain how this is far more than beautifying the WDC.  We are providing a critical habitat for top pollinators, including birds, butterflies and bees.  Inspire others to create their own pollinator garden.  It will be a “living classroom” in which attendees can view many plants, birds, and other SWFL wildlife they’ve learned about in the onsite classes. Prime location for photography classes on nature.

• Membership Update:  The database has been moved into Shopify.  Karen Morreale is working with Chris to understand how to use Shopify once she has access, to do the email blasts from there.  It has been a slow transition.  Can’t cancel Salsa until everything is in Shopify.  Lori has been sending out the lifetime membership cards for 2024, since December.  She does not know how to access the former list of lifetime members with contact information. 

• Other: Lori is key to keeping Shopify updated in the long term.

• Treasurer’s Report
• Review of Draft December Financial Statements: financials will be changed.  Landscaping is covered.  Don’t have the in-kind donation information. 
• Other:  Changing Bank to Sanibel-Captiva.  Christy will have check signing ability and take Megan off.  Need to update the donor screen and keep it updated.  Get Lori trained in the donor reports.

1. Other Reports:
   
2. Manatee Installation update– Tim:  Working on concrete cap for the foundations.  Bronze plate has been ordered.
   
3. Event planning for 2024 – Katie and Jim:  No Vow renewal as there is no one to take it on this year.  Baskets instead of the full lunch went well.  Tried to use the Mound House but the Board declined.  The 5K is not happening this year with Beach Talk Radio.  Todd is starting all over at concessions, so not able to take this on.

Art classes will have a set fee system which is all included.  Summer camp has been reduced to 2 local teachers who are interested in it.  No Eco camp, more science based.  Folks gets a 10% donation.  They pay for their park entry.

Need a 2-5 year plan.

Lecture series is something that will be back, but once we have electricity and the window shielding is done.  Expecting a world class 2025 education and lecture series.  There are intentions to bring back the lecture series. 

Dawn Miller said she would like to see a “Diamonds and Denim” event. Perhaps Beach Talk radio could do a 5k in the Fall.  We need to do the Vow renewal in some form next February.

Other

• Open Board Members discussion about the future: We need to plan the next “big thing” we want to do for the park and rangers. 

• New Business: Katie said the Tourist development Council wants to put a camera 360 degrees of the back Bay, at their expense.  We would like to see about getting a “critter cam”. 

• Adjournment:
• Motion to adjourn: Tim
• Seconded: Kathryn
• Meeting adjourned at:  4:08

Next Meetings

• Executive Committee
• February 6, 12:00 WDC
• Board 2024
• March 12
• May 14
• August 13
• October 8
• December 10
• Annual Meeting
• January 31, 4:00 – WDC with Sip and Shop