The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by President Rick Sims.
The agenda for the evening was an up date of all committee reports and a discussion of plans for the coming year.
Jim Klug requested the Florida Lions Eye Bank be added to the speaker list.
In the treasurer’s report Pat Spencer reported that the board had decided to leave the association’s CD’s at TIB Bank until they expire.
During the Golden Gate Task Force report, Kaydee Tuff noted that the Chickee Bar on CR 951 had another suspicious fire, bring the total number of fires at the structure to three. She said the fire department may be going before commissioners to request the permit not be renewed due to fire hazard. She reminded the association that the sheriff’s office also has concerns about the bar as it has generated a significant number of calls for fights, indecent exposure, noise, and unsightly blight. On a motion by Rick Sims and seconded by Bill Poteet, the membership voted to have Rick send a letter to commissioners on behalf of the association, asking that the chickee permit not be renewed and that the structure be removed.
In other Task Force news, Kaydee reported there would be a sweep on Jan. 21 of the residential and commercial areas of the four-mile square as well as a portion of the urban Estates.
In his Beautification MSTU Committee report, Rick displayed a map of landscaping plans for Hunter and Coronado Boulevards. He said the committee would be decided the extent of the landscaping at an upcoming meeting. Choices included the use of green and yellow pavers in narrow strips of median or the use of mulch with palms, which would cost more and require more maintenance. Plans had originally included just pavers as the least costly and most efficient plan ($951,000), but the committee chose to revisit the plans to consider a more lush design. Unfortunately, because the group revisited the plans at the 60 percent mark, it cost $152,000 to revisit the plans. Redesigning the medians wider curbing would bring the cost to $1.1 million and adding wider curbs as well as palms will cost $1.2 million. The decision was to be made the following Tuesday.
Rick noted that the county wanted the MSTU to pay $200,000 to replace the landscaping removed when the county tore out the landscaping to widen the intersection of the Parkway and Santa Barbara. The sign has been replaced, but it is sitting on top of a mound of dirt and he was concerned it would be unsightly and covered in weeds in a few months. Most members felt it was not the MSTU to replace landscaping lost to county projects and that it had been previous policy that the county is responsible to restore the landscaping in such situations. Rick said he was told the county has no money to do the work.
During the Frontier Days report, Jim reported the committee chose to go back to Tolve as its carnival vendor after the current vendor could not commit to the dates – Mar. 26-28. He said plans are on schedule including a Frontier’s Day Parade.
In the Community Center MSTU report, Jim said outdoor lights are expected to be installed near the band shell by April. Plans are also underway for shade trees along the perimeter of the band shell property.
In the FGUA utility report, Ms Thomas answered questions on a new $52 per month inactive user fee that will be charged per meter on vacant homes and rental units. The fee, based on the monthly base rate, is $34 per month in Lehigh Acres.
She noted that the FGUA Task Force meets the second Wednesday of every other month and the committee is seeking a replacement for Keith Denny, who no longer lives in Golden Gate City.
She said the lines on Green Blvd. have been completed and the project is awaiting DEP approval for service.
Customers will soon be able to pay their bills by debit or credit cards.
Members noted appreciation for the new pedestrian bridge at 21st Street near Golden Gate Intermediate Center.
On a motion by Jim Klug, seconded by Duane Billington, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.