CRCA “Riverwatch” Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
June 1, 2005
Attendees:
Keith Kibbey
John Capeced
LaBelle, 6:30 PM
Mary Rawld
Linda Mattos
Ron Zimmerly
Mary Ruth Prouty
M= member
d= director
Margaret England
Marti Daltry
g= guest
Call to Order:
Mary called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm at Flora and Ella’s restaurant, LaBelle.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes:
The minutes of May 4, 2005 were read and require some corrections, as motion by Zimmerly,
second by England should be amended. The revised minutes have to be finalized, distributed and
posted to the web page.
Officer Report: None
Secretary Report:
The May 4th newsletter was posted to both member and non-members, with a limited response from nonmembers. The newsletter will be posted on the website. Capece mentioned CRCA’s presence at The Black
Heritage Festival, which both mayor candidates attended. This was positive event from a political perspective,
although no memberships were generated from that event. A database with media contacts will be created,
Rawl suggested having a specific membership drive. The database will be corrected by adding other contacts
and will be made accessible to Marti. It was noted that more interactive displays are needed in our exhibits and
that the exhibits should continue. Capece recommended making a list of annual activities—where we
should/may set up displays. The ZZ-top River–oriented concert will be held in October 21 at Centennial Park, is
an example of the public value of Centennial Park. We have a free booth and free admission and will provide
with T-shirts.
Committee Report
Events: Keith will coordinate the River Ride event on November 20. Kibbey presented a draft brochure for The
River Ride, which is part of the “Get Up, Get Out, Get Active” campaign. River Ride had 100 participants last
year. After that success, we expect perhaps 200 riders this year. Kibbey suggested a possible detour from
Collinswood Blvd into LaBelle. Although there is no sidewalk, there is a paved shoulder. Hiring a police escort
would be safer for the riders. It will be a detour to ride via Cowboy Way, pass the elementary school and come
down on S.R. 29. The route will be changed but still consist of the same mileage, 40 and 62 miles. Rawl
suggested asking the Florida Highway Patrol, or to request if Hendry County and Lee County could help. More
planning and exposure is needed, therefore Mary suggested that WGCU media would announce River Ride at
the ZZ-top concert on October 21st to promote it. CRCA is responsible for all exhibit supplies, T-shirts and food,
which Kibbey will help provide. He informed CRCA that the needed sponsorship money would be between $300
and $400. Kibbey has contact details of local clubs. A booth will represent CRCA at the River Ride event. The
CRCA website has reference to the 2001 River Ride, this will be a foundation for further information regarding
the November 20th event, the website must be updated before brochures are posted. Caloosahatchee River
Regional Park will be the starting point of the event. It should be specified that River Ride is not a race. The
theme will be to tie in two events, the November 18 the Water Resources Conference and The River Ride. It will
be the ninth year for this event. We should create the e-mail address riverride@caloosahatchee.org for people
to register. T-shirts will be $7 registration will be $20 per person. Possible sponsors are: Lee County Sports
Development, the East Coast Buffer (ECB) and The Lee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) they have
an interest in improving the Caloosahatchee River.
Rawl suggested taking photographs of bicycles in front of the river, Sanibel bike club may contribute to the event
if we put their photograph on the website. All routes should be modified. Capece will begin the web page
process with advertising. Sebring is hosting an event in October. CRCA should in organize to advertise there
since Sebring is easily accessible. There is another riding event sponsored by the Mount Dora Chamber of
Commerce and organized by Palm Beach Bicycle Club around the State of Florida Touring Calendar Gainesville
clubs website. Mount Dora sponsors the event for $600-$700; around 70-100 people will attend. Prouty
suggested producing the brochures for the Pumpkin Fest. CRCA will participate, as a fundraising event CRCA
should produce a booth to promote it cause. Prouty will send a small CRCA logo to FGCU for the ‘Get Up, Get
Out, Get Active’ event, organizing has begun on the promotion of this event. CRCA could have an aerobics
class and a park run. Tennis courts can be used for different fitness activities. There should be three T-shirt
sizes; an inventive and catchy phrase must be produced.
Public Affairs: Daltry discussed the American Rivers 2006 Ten Most Endangered Rivers nominations program.
She is organizing an application to nominate the Calossahatchee. The deadline is not known. Daltry also
mentioned possible endorsement from groups such as: Florida Wildlife Federation, Save Our Seas, Watershed
Council, Florida Trail Association and Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. If these groups endorse the
nomination then Lee County may also support. We also seek endorsements from Sanibel, Cape Coral, Ft.
Myers, and Glades County. This would be positive PR for our efforts, although negative for the river. To begin
this process, we need a letter of support and a development proposal to gain political support from community
groups. A website should be developed to raise awareness and give a detailed account of the rivers history and
connection to Red Tide. Red Tide phase II Basin Board is June 8.
Daltry discussed the River Fest, handouts. Research into Calusa Nature Center was needed to provide an
analysis of the 2003 Caloosahatchee River Basin Festival. Results showed that there are divided areas of
interest. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Black History Museum attended. Expenses were kept to a
minimum; profit was spent on hiring a part-time coordinator for 13 weeks. A field trip in March could be added to
the festival calendar or perhaps April-May. This will be discussed at the next meeting. The director of the Calusa
Nature Center should be contacted. Riverside Community Center in Ft. Myers is also a possibility; a coordinator
may need to be hired.
The Calusa Adventure triathlon was unsuccessful and should not be repeated unless we have more time to
prepare. England spoke about the comments to Land Stewardship Division SFWMD regarding recreational use
of and “surplus“ SFWMD land on the river being set aside for public use. SFWMD may be selling surplus land on
the open market. We will meet with Christine Kulpa to learn more.
On August 15 there is the SFWMD land stewardship workshop: recreation use of C-43 reservoir. Fishing is
restricted to catch and release. A plan should be developed to use the land to maximum capability. This is a
critical issue! Linda/Margaret motioned for letter of comment. John mentioned that conservation easements were
established for Oxbow 32 shoreline as a condition of the next restoration project funding. The county, a
conservancy group, or a third party will maintain responsibility for the easement. Members reported that the zero
funding of the Caloosahatchee by the SFWMD and legislative was a deliberate effort to cut CRCA out and was
an attack on Lee County for planning to sue the District.
The Babcock issue is ongoing; CRCA should be involved and put pressure on the landowner. CRCA should
have a representative on the Babcock group.
Marti Daltry advised CRCA to look at the website: www.cleanwateraction.org. There is a possible initiative to
amend the Florida constitution to prevent public sale of public lands along waterfronts. They also have an
excellent newsletter.
Old Business: None.
New Business: Exhibits: June 21 is the resolution to Lee County BOCC from CRCA and Watershed
Council.
Next Meeting: The next Board meeting will be held at 6:30pm on July 6, 2005.
Adjournment: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:38pm.