FRIENDS OF LOVERS KEY, INC.
Board of Directors Meeting Agenda Minutes
December 12, 2023 – Board Meeting – 2:00 pm EST
Welcome and Discovery Center
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
Katie Moses-Park Manager and State Relations
Tim Horvatich-Building Committee
Louise Kowitch-Education Chair
Mark Generales-Building Committee
Absent: Sandy Foreman-Events Chair
Jason Dolle-Chair Development Subcommittee
Megan Allers-VP Donor Development & Events
Frank Cassise-Purchasing/Print/Supplies
Kathryn Klar-Treasurer Chair Governance Committee
2. Approval of October 10, 2023 Board Minutes
Motion to Approve: Karen
Seconded: Tina
Discussion: None
Motion Approved
Report of the Park Manager
3. Park Managers Report – Katie Moses
- Update on park operations: Seeing visitation up. Parking lots full most
days. New Ranger Station will be elevated. South beach restroom plans
90% complete. Wright will do construction. Gazebo will be same footprint
but elevated. Boat Ramp closed January 2nd, floating docks by end of the
month. Waiting on ATVs and used trucks. Tram being pulled by old F250
and Todd’s truck. Debris removal coming back to the beach now that
turtle season is over. Electricity delayed but hopeful for January. Katie’s
house has been drywalled. Assistant manager interview is Wednesday,
Dec. 21st. Three part-time rangers hired in January to make a staff of 14
or 15. Four resident volunteers with 24-hour work weeks have returned. - WDC Community Room Shades/Window Tinting Update – Current plan:
Kaleidescape will apply a window film to block the sun. Prevents birds
from flying into the windows. Hoping to be no more than $20,000. Tina
will ask for it to be partially donated. - FOLKS Board Member Headshots/ Board Photo – January meeting
- Washer & Dryer Purchase for park rags, wildlife towels, etc and resident
volunteer use (lost in the storm) – Vote on washer and dryer at January
Board Meeting. - Sea Turtle Adopt a Nest Update: Get started in January with levels of $20
to $2,500. Up to two signs per nest. - Other: Parking for the Park’s north entrance will be under the new bridge
Reports of Board Officers
4. President’s Report – Jim - Vote to amend by-laws: Requirement from the State, Katie’s position with
the Park does not permit her to be a Board Member. Advisory head is on
the Executive Board of FOLKS (Tina). - In addition:
Article 7 Section 12 of our bylaws: missing 3 unexcused meetings
annually, is grounds for removal of the Board. - Lori Franks – update: Included in budget to pay Lori for 10 months in
2024, as she is still being paid through February by the Grant program - Annual program plan due December 31, 2023: Gala, Beach & Brews,
Lecture Series, camps, Vow Renewal, etc. - Are you up to date with hours and other requirements: Trish will be
sending out reminders each month. - Other: none
5. VP of Operations Report – Karen - Report of the Nominating Committee:
o Motion to elect John Wesley Nash to the Board for a three-year
term beginning January 1, 2024: Jim
o Seconded: Christy
o Discussion: None
o Motion Approved
With all the upheaval with the hurricane, we are recommending further
extending expiring Board Members to one more year.
o Motion to extend Board Member terms that were due to expire
December 31, 2023, to expire on December 31, 2024:
Jim
o Seconded: Karen
o Discussion: None
o Motion Approved
Extending:
§ Remis
§ Woodson
§ Tyler
§ Cassise
§ Dolle
§ Generales
Election of Officers to a one-year term beginning January 1, 2024
§ President – Jim Remis
§ VP of Operations – Karen Woodson
§ VP Donor Development and Events – Megan Allers
§ Treasurer – Kathryn Klar
§ Secretary – Christy Hennessey - 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 $25 raffle for 2 VIP tickets to next year’s Gala…. A husband and
wife team will be our auctioneers. Twelve VIP tables with eleven table
already sold. Much smoother progress this year because of working off of
last year’s plans. - Other:
6. VP of Development and Events Report – (Megan Unable to attend) - Planning for 2024 events: We need to assemble an event team
- Other
7. Secretary Report - WDC Landscaping Project Update and approval of initial contacts for
project: We have chosen Duramen Landscaping to do the WDC
Landscaping Project with our Landscape Architect John Schiera of J.G.S.
Site Development facilitating of the project. Irrigation installation by No
Limit Irrigation & Lighting at a cost of $19,500. Duramen Landscaping
proposal of $24,152.75. Herbicides, removal of loose debris, relocating
shell, excavator use and labor $4,100. Plant purchase and installation
quote of $24,152.75. We have a $2,500 Grant which will be used for the
pollinator Garden. Hoping to get some reduced pricing or donations of
perennials. The smaller plants, we can have planted with volunteers and
staff. Lover’s Key was given a $1,000 donation by State Insurance. On
January 19th, Lee County Beautiful is coming to do plantings.
o Motion to approve the contract with Duramen Landscaping for the
amount of $44,190.75 to get the project started:
Jim
o Seconded: Karen
o Discussion: Louise was wondering about the breakdown of costs
o Motion approved - Other: The Landscaping Project isn’t just landscaping but rather a huge
habitat restoration, going to have interpretive signage throughout so will
be educational. A living classroom for programs. Model and inspiration
for native plantings and pollinator gardens. Nature journaling programs
and prime for wildlife photography classes. Volunteers doing much of the
planting, so an innate aspect of community building in this project from the
start.
8. Treasurer’s Report - Review of November Financial Statements: (Kathryn absent)
- Other: Jim: ¼ of the Fort Myers Beach population is back. Have over
$310,000.00 in our account. Ketchums just donated another $100,000.
9. Other Reports: - Advisory Council Update – Tina: Eight of the ten are confirmed. John
Dammerman, Monica Schmucker, Carmen Mock, Gina Ketchum, Dawn
Miller, Mark Wilson (London Bay), Chuck Bodenhofer, Alex King. - Manatee Installation in process and approval of purchase of recognition
plaque –
Tim:
o Motion to approve the Manatee Plaque, not to exceed $2,000
o Seconded: Karen
o Discussion: None
o Motion approved - Other: None
Other
10. Open Board Members discussion about the future: We need to plan the next “big
thing” we want to do for the park and rangers.
11. New Business: None
12. Adjournment:
o Motion to adjourn: Karen
o Seconded: Tim
o Meeting adjourned at 3:40pm
Next Meetings - Executive Committee
o January 4, 12:00 WDC (Thursday) - Board 2024
o January 9, 2:00 WDC – budget
o March 12
o May 14
o August 13
o October 8
o December 10 - Annual Meeting
o January 31, 4:00 – WDC