Rotonda West Association, Inc.
Aquatic Canal System Committee
Minutes
November 28, 2007

Present: Nick Gizzi (Chair), Earl Haas, Bob Winter, Linda Harrison, Norb Zoltowski, Bob Seneca

Absent: Olga Durham, Cleon Kern, Dick Stravino

Management: Norene Kugler, Assistant Manager

Other Members/Visitors Present: John Farrell, Joe Romano, George Burger, Jay Lyons, David Kelly, John Carroll, Claudette Romano, Don & Belinda Olsen, Tom & Donna Gleason, Dave Reynolds, Rob Shappell, Roger Zucchero, John Eisele, Jim Roberts

Chairman Gizzi called the meeting to order at 3:00 PM.  Roll call was taken. 

The minutes for the September 26th meeting have been approved and are on the web site.

The regular 3:00 PM meeting for October 24th was replaced with a special presentation organized by John Farrell of FloridAquatics, at 6:00 PM on October 24th.

The Committee sponsored a special presentation entitled “State of the Rotonda Canal Ecosystem”.

Approximately 60 of our members attended the presentation, which was moderated by John Farrell, owner of FloridAquatics. Mr. Farrell the owner of FloridAquatic is responsible for the maintenance of the Rotonda West canals.

Mr. Farrell introduced three groups who did presentations at the meeting:
The Charlotte County Extension Agency was represented by John Hunter, John Knezeviec, Rick Renick and Nick Delvett. They described and exhibited plants that would be beneficial to have in our canals.

Bill Morgan from Aquamaster described a program that could eliminate the muck buildup in the canals and also inhibit the growth of unwanted vegetation by introducing bacteria and aeration to our system.

John Farrell explained that although our canals look better than they have in the past, the use of chemicals alone to maintain them is not the best solution. The chemicals that kill the excess growth cause the material to fall to the bottom of the canal where they decompose and create muck containing nutrients, which caused the cycle to keep repeating itself. A pilot program is being considered by the Committee and if finances allow, may be implemented in 2008 or 2009.

Tom Jackson from Rosella Erosion Control described a novel method of vacuuming muck from the canals and placing it into permeable textile tubes along the shoreline.

At the conclusion of the meeting there was an informal question and answer period, with refreshments supplied by Mr. and Mrs. Farrell. Bob Winter gave the Marine and Aquatic Habitat Sub Committee report.

Motion by Bob Winter that after thorough review the Aquatic Canal System Committee accept FloridAquatic’s pilot program proposal for aeration and biological control of the canals as outlined in their quotation of August 23, 2007. Seconded by Norb Zoltowski and approved unanimously.

The White Marsh marina area was discussed as the model for 2008 or 2009 aeration system with an initial cost of $35,000.00.

David Kelly asked if the additional bacteria that will be added to the canals, will be harmful to the golf courses and the home owners’ lawns. John Farrell said he will provide the information to David Kelly before the Board of Directors meeting.

Roger Zucchero asked if the bacteria would be harmful to fish. Mr. Farrell stated that it would not harm the fish.

Nick Gizzi reported on the breach to the swale in the Preserve. He and Norb Zoltowski surveyed it with John Aspiolea, Charlotte Harbor State Park Manager today. The water level is 11 inches below normal.

The estimate from Murdock Seawall is $38,000 each for a dam at the two bridge outflows.

Linda Harrison gave the Aquatic Trash Prevention/Cleanup Committee report.  The Sub Captain of Oakland Hills resigned, so a replacement is needed. There are approximately 100 volunteers.

Bob Winter gave the Education & Publicity report. He stressed that the canal is one of the most important infrastructures in Rotonda West. The waterways are dual purpose – flood control and retention of the water.

There will not be an Aquatic Canal Systems Committee meeting in December.  The next meeting will be January 24, 2008 at 3:00 PM.

Meeting was adjourned at 4:40 PM.

Norene Kugler
Assistant Manager