GPIA Meeting Minutes | May 9, 2023

• Location: Fishers of Men Lutheran Church
• Board Members Present: Aaron Barreda, Co-Chair; Jay Sanderson, Co-Chair
• 20 attendees signed in
• Co-Chair Aaron Barreda opened the meeting at 5:32 p.m.

Treasury Report

Co-Chair Aaron Barreda reported on the treasury:

• YTD $82,752.70 in primary operating account at First Horizon
• April expenditures:
  • Legal and professional fees: $235
  • Office and general administrative expenditures: $1,858.04
  • Rent $1,200 (for two months)

Personnel/Board/Committee Updates

• Erin Lollar-Lambert (Erin@GPIAlliance.org) has joined the GPIA team as contract director. Her contact phone number is 239.471.8965
• Elizabeth Derico (Team@GPIAlliance.org) has joined the GPIA team as administrative assistant.
• Julia Gaylor of the Matlacha Hookers has agreed to become donations coordinator

Project Updates

Temporary Storage Containers

In collaboration with Pathfinder Mission and Project Hope, GPIA has built and delivered 22 temporary storage containers to full-time residents of Greater Pine Island to date. The intention is to provide a dry, safe place to store belongings for those rebuilding their homes and GPIA provided $15,000 to Pathfinder Mission for the initiative.

The team has received an additional 27 requests for containers, and the Matlacha Hookers have donated $12,500 to support the effort — building is ongoing. Project Hope and the American Legion are assisting the builds with donated labor and time.

The cost for materials to build the containers is $750 per container, and GPIA is still receiving requests.

Business can sponsor containers and brand them should they so choose. Individuals may make direct donations for the containers. All donation and container requests should be directed to Team@GPIAlliance.org.

Lions Club Rebuilding Supply Drives

The International Lions Club contacted GPIA to collaborate and continue the rebuilding supply drives on the island. We’re developing a needs survey to ascertain supply needs; dates for future giveaways will be announced. The partnership with the Lions will lead to many exciting new initiatives for the residents of Greater Pine Island.

Mold Remediation

In collaboration with Florida Biotech and Volunteer Florida, GPIA has been treated and remediated more than 50 homes for mold.

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

UMCOR Disaster Case Worker Simone Monaco provided an update on continuous recovery efforts on the island. UMCOR and GPIA collaborate to assist in providing support for island residents who are rebuilding.

Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane Update

Commissioner Ruane is chairman of the Lee County Hurricane Ian Recovery Task Force. He provided an overview of the $1.1 billion in funding that Resilient Lee is expected to receive:

• 70% for low or moderate-income housing
• 30% infrastructure

According to Mr. Ruane, funds are not appropriate for septic-to-sewer conversion as the average cost of sewer is $63,000 per household. He anticipated that the designated $1.1 billion could grow over time.

Mr. Ruane also stated that the rumored roundabout or traffic light at the four-way stop at the island’s center is part of a 25-year long-term transportation plan and that no changes will be made to the four-way intersection without community approval.

The Commissioner also stated that bridge repairs will likely be paid for by the state, which will free up monies for disaster preparedness.

—Respectfully submitted by Erin Lollar-Lambert