FRIENDS OF LOVERS KEY, INC.
Board of Directors Meeting Agenda-WEB Minutes
July 12, 2022 – Board Meeting – 2:00 P.M. (VIA ZOOM)
Welcome and Administrative Business
i. Call to Order / Roll call
Attendance: Jim Remis – President Chair
Karen Woodson- VP Operations, Chair Nominations Committee
Megan Allers – Vice President Donor Development & Events Committee
Kathryn Klar – Treasurer, Chair Governance Committee
Christy Hennessey-Secretary
Katie Moses – Park Manager and State Relations
Mark Generales- Building Committee
Tim Horvatich-Building Committee
Louise Kowitch- Chair Education Committee, Historian
Sandra Foreman-Events Chair
Frank Cassise-Purchasing/Print/Supplies
Jason Dolle-Chair Development Subcommittee
Tina Tyler-Donor Development Advisor
Absent: Izzy Prieto- Assistant Park Manager
ii. Approval of April 12, 2022, Board Minutes
Motion to approve the minutes: Kathryn
Motion seconded: Megan
Discussion: none
Motion approved
Reports of Board Officers
iii. President’s Report – Jim Remis
- Camps are going great
- Chuck Hatcher has been appointed head of park services
- DEP Inspector General Audit of FOLKs is coming up. Date not selected yet.
- Florida State Pak Foundation Stops Providing Insurance to Folks as of July 31st. We need to find an agent and get the coverage we need. IMPORTANT! Must complete education online and also enter your hours to be covered.
- Temporarily Closing of the Nook until a manager is hired. We have a candidate.
- Boat Ramp requires major non funded replacement of a million dollars and the State is not interested in paying for it. Katie has come up with the funds to pay for most of the construction work, but there is no one to pay for design and permitting which is a couple hundred thousand dollar
- Cleaning of the WDC has not been in the budget from the state, so we need to fund that.
- Time to engage CPA Firm for FOLKs
- Major Donor Recognition event October 7, 2022
- WDC Grand Opening October 11, 2022
- We will need to hire someone to take care of the day in and day out FOLKS operation.
iv. Vice President’s Operations Report – Karen Woodson
- We are looking at a new POS system and want to involve a Nook Manager with that. We have a job description and a possible candidate. Part-time 30-32 hours a week position and off-season probably 12-15 hours a week, no benefits, not an employee but a contract employee. Pay of $15-$20 an hour.
- During season, we make $4,000-$5,000 per month in the Nook
- As of August 1st, Colleen’s tasks she has been paid for have been completed. That is $400-$500 a month we will no longer be spending.
- Motion to authorize $12,000 to pay a Nook manager through the end of the year: Mark
Seconded: Kathryn. Discussion: None. Motion approved
- Motion to create a resolution authorizing the creation of an account to accept stock: Kathryn
Motion Seconded: Tim
Discussion: Mark asked why we never went to Schwab. No reason to pay a fee. Karen said if there is a fee, it is nominal. Tim asked if we have full access to all account reports. Louise asked if this is taxed and it is not.
Motion Approved
v. Vice President’s Donor Development/Events Report including education programs update– Megan Allers and Louise Kowitch
- “Beach and Brews,” date shifted by one day. It is now November 17th. Have $1,300 of sponsorships committed. Sun Coast is very willing to make this a very successful event. People liked the music we had last year and will be approached to do it again. They were only $700.00. The weather was difficult and we will have a better rain plan. More breweries. There was an issue with the Trams. Frank did a great job organizing the Trams. Have ideas for VIP giveaways. Suncoast all-in, has taken about 50% off of Megan’s committee’s plate.
The October 7th event is a Donor Thank You and being on a Friday evening, more of a happy hour type thing. For the October 11th, being the Open House Grand Opening, it will be more formal.
- Mark reported on the Boat Show. When the Big San Carlos Bridge is built, we will lose some of this Lee County ground for construction .
- Praise from the Board for all Louise has done with camps and education.
vi. Treasurer’s Report – Kathryn Klar
The $100,000 of $170,000 net income is going to be used for the Chuck exhibit. We have paid one-third of phase three. Keep cash flow in mind as many bills will come in later this year.
Report of the Park Manager
vii. Park Managers Report – Katie Moses
- Nook Store Manager discussion
- Hired a new Park Services Specialist, her name is Karen. She is starting sometime in August. Chuck Hatcher has been appointed the head of park services.
- Boat Ramp Improvements Fundraising discussion: There is a grant that will pay for the construction, repaving, repairs, everything, but not the designing and permitting that will cost around $255,000.
- Before Eric Draper left office, he said the interior and the exhibits are FOLKS responsibility. Exterior, the responsibility of the state (building and site).
- Exterior window washing will be done by the park staff. Considering taking up the stone and planting seed for easier maintenance.
On-going Activities
viii. Gala Update and approval of budget for 2023 Gala – Karen Woodson and all Board Members
- We are way far ahead of where we were last year with fundraising and planning. Have already hired Jeannie and have donations, signed commitments and more coming. “Beauty and the Beach” will be the theme every year. For 2023 it will be Havana Nights or Hot Havana Nights. We have moved it out of March because of so many conflicts for attendees and moved it to Friday, February 24, 2023. We want the auctioneer Jay, who is not available on Saturday the 25th. Being February, we will have sides on the tent and not spend the money on the clear top. Last year we spend $110,000 all-in, but netted $45,000 that went straight to FOLKS.
- We want to reduce the budget to $100,00 and we think we can do that through music, menus items but also add people. Last year we had two-hundred people and next year we want two-hundred-forty. Goal is a profit of $75,000. Ticket prices are going to be the same. The feedback from participants was “this is the event of the year”.
- Jim said next year’s budget will include both the revenue and the expense for the Gala 2023
- Motion to authorize Karen to make payments for the Gala, not to exceed $110,000: Tina
Seconded: Mark. Discussion: None. Motion Approved.
ix. Planning for the October 11, 2022, WDC grand opening – Sandra Forman, Mark Generales, Katie Moses
- Understsnd what the State wants for the Grand Opening, then build what we want around it.
x. Folks Insurance Transition – All – Two Documents provided with Agenda
As of August 1st, we must provide our own insurance. Need a General Liability and DNO policy. Event coverage. Liquor liability coverage.
xi. Approval of amendments to 2022 FOLKs budget DEP Inspector General Audit of FOLKs
- Louise’s camps got bigger so greater expense, but the income got bigger as well. Eco Camp Budget from $30,000 to $45,000 which will be funded by camp program revenues.
- New line item for Insurance of $5,000 (actual amount unknown) funded by general revenues
- Cleaning of the interior of the WDC up to $5,000 (actual amount unknown) funded by general revenues
MOTIONS:
Motion to increase education and camp budget from $30,000 to $45,000, both for expenses and revenue: Jim
Seconded: Megan. Discussion: None. Motion Approved.
Motion to increase the Insurance budget from $100 to $5,000 to cover the eventual shortfalls in coverage: Jim
Seconded: Tim. Discussion: None. Motion Approved.
Motion to approve the internal building cleaning of the WDC up to $5,000: Jim
Seconded: Tim. Discussion: Clarified it would be cleaning the interior only. Motion Approved.
Reports of Committee Chairs and Area Leaders as needed
xii. Building and Exhibit Update – Tim Horvatich
∙ Have sixteen plaques installed and others still need to have the display installed
∙ Status of phase 3 – manatee exhibit: one third has been paid for.
∙ Enhancement of sea turtle and gopher tortoise video displays. Split Rock is going to redo some of the SD cards.
∙ Status of dog watering station, still waiting on cost estimate after moving it closer to the water source.
xiii. Other Areas for discussion
Thank you Katie and Louise for the Video, “Lure of Lover’s Key” and your award!
Other
xiv. Revisit Leadership Challenges for 2023 and beyond – All
Need to spend some time with what is our mission. Good intentions to have a Board Retreat. Need to look towards the future and hiring of a General Manager for FOLKS
xv. New Business
None
xvi. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn: Megan
Seconded: Tim Meeting ended at 4:00