May 2012 Meeting Minutes (preliminary)

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Fox Island FICRA

Following are the preliminary meeting minutes form the May 2 FICRA Board Meeting as well as the May 1 Special Board Meeting.

FICRA BOARD MEETING

May 2, 2012

Board Attendees:  Jim Braden, Jeff Goodwin, Patty Metzger, Mimi Miller, Tony Moore, Hal Goodell, Lynne Goodwin.

President Jim Braden opened the meeting at 7:30 pm with the pledge of allegiance.

Minutes from April 5 Board meeting were approved as written.

President’s Report:

  • The new Project Test Form was presented as a “work in progress” to evaluate prospective projects.
  • The clean up of the oil spill is nearly completed. The Board needs to decide if we should dig any deeper.
  • The concept of a Consent Calendar was presented to streamline the approval of straight -forward decisions. In the future items of the Consent Calendar will be published on the website with a short explanation.
  • Thanks to Janice Minnick and Carolyn Braden’s great organization of the April 21 Clean -up.
  • Accomplishments in April: Landscaping Nichols Community Center, extension of parking along 9th Avenue, removal of glass and preparation for painting of the garage, clearing of blackberries and expansion of the playfield, removal of ‘widow-makers’ in woods.
  • The inclusivity that was the hallmark of the 2011 FICRA Board has been the key to the great volunteer participation and resulting accomplishments.
  • Focus on youth activities continues to be the primary effort for FICRA.

Treasure’s Report

  • FICRA Beginning Balance     $5051.33
  • Deposits                                     2095.78
  • Expenses                                      4016.92
  • FICRA New Balance               $ 3130.19
  • Money Market Beginning Balance  $20,756.12
  • Interest                                                           2.56
  • Money Market Ending Balance       $20,758.68

FICRA Trust Beginning Balance       $11,576.85

  • Donations                                                1234.00
  • Dividend                                                         1.48
  • FICRA Trust New Balance                $12,812.33

 

  • Current Family Memberships: 233

 

The complete treasurer’s report is attached to these minutes (not online).

Committee Reports:

CrimeWatch:

  • Stan Weston reported that a canoe was stolen from a private dock.
  • Crime continues to be very low on Fox Island particularly compared to the rest of Pierce County.
  • Residents are encouraged to call 911 if they observe a crime, then to call CrimeWatch at 549-7744. Please leave your name and phone number.
  • There are no known dope houses on the island.

Building Committee

  • Carolyn Braden reported there were 43 volunteers at the clean up day on April 21.
  • FI Garden Tour will be May 19. Tickets are $15.
  • The garage is actually a historic building, so the building committee rejected Karen Craven’s proposal to paint a mural on the building’s siding with youth. Instead the committee suggested having the youth paint murals on canvas for the stage area that could be used as backdrops for different functions in the auditorium. Karen will put a proposal together for the canvas mural.
  • The garage appears to be salvageable, but the committee is investigating this. Currently we received $100/month for use of half of the storage space.

Social Activities

  • Karen Craven reported the committee meets the last Thursday of the month.
  • The planning for the Plant Sale is complete: volunteers from FICRA, FI Garden Club and the Sand and Soil Garden Club had been identified.  Many plants will be donated. Setup is Friday Friday  and Saturday morning and the plant sale will be Saturday May 5 from 12 to 2 pm.
  • A Ping Pong Tournament, targeted for youth, is set for May 11 at 7:00 pm.
  • The committee is looking into kickball on Sunday afternoons, an emergency preparedness plan, a track around the field and a dog event at the fair.

Nature Center

  • Phil Craven reported the committee meets for a work party the third Saturday of the month.  They have 100 volunteer hours to date in 2012.
  • Wild cherry and salmonberry are in bloom.
  • Our taxes on the Nature Center are very low thanks to John Ohlson getting the land classified as “open space” for tax purposes some years ago. Thanks, John!

Publicity

  • There was no publicity report.

Fundraising

  • Jeff Goodwin reported the committee is continuing to pull together new ideas.

Special Committees:

Bylaws

  • Jim Braden reported cleaning up bylaws issues is progressing slowly.

Audit:

  • Ray Kittelberger reported that the committee has defined its procedures and documentation. They will conduct the audit next week and have a report to the Board by the end of May.

New Business:

  • Tony Moore moved and Mimi Miller seconded that the Consent Calendar be approved.  Board unanimously approved.
  • Lynn Goodwin presented a new donation form, which will be available on the website. The new forms were given to each board member to get donations.
  • Lynn reported that Sue Spencer has contacted many local businesses for donations for the FICRA Fair raffle. Thank you, Sue!
  • The new Rental Agreement checklist and revised rental contract will be sent to the Board for review.
  • Hal Goodell briefly reported he had exchanged emails regarding a FI survey and had reviewed the survey that has been created online. They will meet soon to discuss. This is a work in progress.
  • The Board moved, seconded and approved to hire a professional band for the FICRA Fair for $500.
  • Applications for the FICRA $500 scholarship are due May 31. The winner will accept the scholarship at the FICRA Fair in August.

Meeting adjourned 9:07pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Patty Metzger

+_+_+_+_+_

FICRA SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES

MAY 1, 2012

 

Board Attendees:  Jim Braden, Patty Metzger, Mimi Miller, Tony Moore, Hal Goodell, Lynne Goodwin.

Other invitees/attendees:  Ray Kittelberger, Karen Craven, Philip Craven, Jean Peterson, Kalli Ostner, Stan Weston, Mike Gordon, Nan Feagin & Carolyn Braden

The Board brought this group together to consider the use of “consent calendar” for approving decisions in Regular Board meetings.  The consent calendar would be an accumulation of minor/non-controversial items the Board had considered between Regular Board meetings that would be approved en-mass at the meeting.  If, during the reading of the consent calendar in the meeting, any person on the Board is not comfortable with the approval of an item without further discussion, that item would be removed and added to the regular new business section of the agenda.  Public input will also be considered in pulling an item from the consent calendar.

The Board also talked about process in getting projects prioritized for completion this year.  This will be developed further in future meetings.

Respectfully submitted,

Patty Metzger/Jim Braden

 

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May 2012 Board Meeting Agenda

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Fox Island FICRA

FOX ISLAND COMMUNITY and RECREATION ASSOCIATION

AGENDA (draft 4/25)

5/3/12 Board Meeting

Nichols Community Center

 Fox Island, WA 98333

FICRA Board of Directors

Jim Braden, President

Jeff Goodwin, Vice President

Patty Metzger, Secretary

Mimi Miller, Treasurer

Tony Moore, Director

Hal Goodell, Director

Lynne Goodwin, Immediate Past President

 

7:00 Meet and Greet/7:30 Board Meeting

 

  • Call to order
  • Pledge of Allegiance
  • Recognitions
  • Consent Calendar (attached)
  • Approval of minutes
  • President’s Report
  • Treasurer’s Report (includes Finance Committee)
  • Committee Reports
  1.  Crimewatch, Stan Weston
  2. Building Committee, Carolyn Braden
  3. Social Activities, Karen Craven
  4. Nature Center, Philip Craven
  5. Publicity, Kalli Ostner
  6. Fund Raising, Jeff Goodwiin
  • Special Committees
  1.  Bylaws, Jim Braden
  2. Audit, Ray Kittelberger
  • Unfinished Business
  1.  Rental checklist
  • New Business
  1.  Review new donation letter and form
  2. Fox Island Survey
  • Meeting Adjournment

 

The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for June 7, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

  1.  Approve Nature Center Committee request to install more native plants per the Committee letter of April 19, 2012.
  2. Approve NCC rental on December 31, 2012 to go until 1 AM, January 1, 2013.
  3. Approve KGHP re-commissioning the broadcasting equipment in the attic.  FICRA supplies the power for this at a cost unknown at this time.  With this effort FICRA is supporting Gig Harbor High School’s broadcasting education program.  FICRA to review the agreement on this.
  4. Approve the release of interest in the Boy Scouts Troop 27 equipment trailer pending investigation of the best method of said release.  This will amount to a $500 donation to Troop 27 which is equivalent to FICRA’s vested value in the trailer.
  5. Authorize rental coordinator to negotiate reduced rates to rent NCC during slow periods.  Rental coordinator to advise a Board member of reduced rate proposal before proceeding.
  6. Approve Girl Scouts overnite use of NCC June 16/17 at no cost to them.  The Girls Scouts have helped with FICRA functions (e. g. Easter Egg Hunt).
  7. Book the same band as last year for the FICRA Fair in the amount of $500.
  8. Approve contracting with Evan Koepfler again this year for mowing NCC lawn.
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May 2012 Fox Island Garden Tip

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Fox Island FICRA

May Tip of the Month from Master Gardener and Fox Islander, Linda Dodds

Something happened to the month of March.  Instead of frolicking out like a lamb, it roared out like a lion.  And it seems like April doesn’t need to worry too much about raining to make May flowers bloom either as it’s really soggy out there.

The one sign that spring has really arrived are the blooming daffodils, camellias and grape and regular hyacinths.  Several tulips just started blooming the other day and many others are due to start opening within the next few weeks.   My apricot tree has a few blooms on it but I think it’s really time to give the tree a decent burial.  In the 20 years it has grown in my yard, it has only produced a good crop one time.  I have finally come to the conclusion that with such an abundance of plants that grow in the Northwest, it doesn’t make sense to keep struggling plants.

Sunset’s gardening book is a great resource to search for a replacement as it tells the temperature zone for plants that grow best in each area.  Another idea is if you spy a plant that is thriving in your neighborhood, chances are it will thrive in your yard too.  Just don’t venture too far away from your home on your search as there is even a big difference between Puyallup, Seattle and Gig Harbor and even Fox Island.  If you live on or near the water, you will be warmer than someone who lives inland as the water is a warming influence. Cold air travels downhill and will settle in pockets where the vegetation is more exposed.  These pockets can be real killers so if you have moved into a new home recently, it may be a good idea to live there one years before taking any risks with specialty plants.  Or an even better idea would be to hire a landscape designer to help you plan your gardens.

On days when the wind and rain aren’t pelting your windows, go outside and pull annual weeds.  Last year I was very diligent about pulling any flowering annuals and disposing of the blooms before they set seed.  I’m really surprised how few weeds have emerged so far this year.  But that doesn’t mean I can take a break as there are some WEED SEEDS that can still produce after 50 years!  That should scare some of you into going out with your rain slickers on and searching out weeds!

I am going to put in a plug for the Annual Fox Island Jeff Feagin Plant Sale to be held on May 5.  I am mentioning it now as there is a lot of interest in growing fresh vegetables in home gardens this year.  Therefore the two garden clubs and FICRA had decided to really focus on selling herb and vegetable plants at the sale this year.  All plants are started locally by island residents and will be priced comparably to store purchased ones.

Click here for more info on the Plant Sale on May 5th!

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The great Fox Island Plant Sale is May 5th!

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Fox Island FICRA

Come one and all to one of the most loved annual events here on Fox Island!  The 36th Jeff Feagin Memorial Plant Sale will be on May 5th from 12:00 to 2:00 at the Nichols Community Center.

We LOVE donations for this event, it’s what makes it happen year after year!  Set up will be on the Friday before and plants can be delivered from 5:00-7:00 PM or from 9:00-11:00 on Saturday. Plants include perennials and annual bedding plants, vegetable starts, especially a large variety of tomato seedlings;  foundation plantings, ground covers, herbs, large shrubs, berries and whatever the gardeners of Fox Island have to contribute from their overflowing gardens.  All priced at a fraction of what you would pay anywhere else. Please bring whatever your garden is overflowing with, preferably potted and identified. 

Plus, While you’re shopping at the Nichols Center, the kids can have some fun at the Fox Island Museum!  Children can use their creative skills to make Mom and Dad a colorful present using pen and paper, flowers, feathers and stickers! All the fun starts at the Museum at 1:00 (til 4pm). Check www.foxislandmuseum.org for more info.

Check out photo from last year’s event here: 2011 Plant Sale

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April 5, 2012 FICRA Board Meeting Minutes (preliminary)

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Fox Island FICRA

FICRA BOARD MEETING

APRIL 5, 2012

Board Attendees:  Jim Braden, Jeff Goodwin, Patty Metzger, Mimi Miller, Tony Moore, Hal Goodell, Lynne Goodwin.

President Jim Braden opened the meeting at 7:30 pm with the pledge of allegiance.

Jim then explained the intent of board meetings and how they would operate: the board members will vote and the public will be invited to make comments.

Minutes from March 1, 19 and 28 were read, corrected and passed.

President’s Report:

  • Many volunteers have returned as committee chairs/members
  • The board will be setting priorities for the year in line with our financial boundaries
  • Focus on youth involvement
  • Focus on communication
  • Focus on increased membership

Treasure’s Report

  • FICRA Beginning Balance     $5004.05
  • Deposits                                 13,553.51
  • Expenses                                  13,229.85
  • FICRA New Balance               $5051.33
  • Money Market Beginning Balance  $22,063.61
  • Insurance                                                5,439.15
  • Transfer to Checking                                       (6,700.00)
  • Interest                                                           3.36
  • Money Market Ending Balance       $20,756.12

FICRA Trust Beginning Balance       $11,430.38

  • Dividends and Donations                          146.41
  • FICRA Trust New Balance                $11,576.79

Current Family Memberships: 194

Complete report is attached to these minutes.

Committee Reports:

 CrimeWatch:

  • Ray Kittelberger reported that Fox Island has the lowest crime rate in Pierce County.
  • There has been some high speed racing on Island Blvd. between a Jeep and a Porche.
  • Residents are encouraged to call 911 if they observe a crime, then to call CrimeWatch.
  • A system needs to be developed to ensure that all crimes are reflected on FICRA.org and that CrimeWatch is aware of all crimes reported to the sherriff.

Building Committee

  • Carolyn Braden reported there will be a clean up day on April 21 beginning at 8:30, with soup at 11:30.
  • FI Garden Tour will be May 19. Tickets are $15.
  • All new plants in the front beds have been donated.

Social Activities

  • Karen Cravens reported the committee has developed a mission statement (See attached)
  • Easter Egg hunt is well organized with many volunteers.
  • A list of activities was handed out. (see attached)
  • The committee would like to have a permanent sign in front of NCC stating upcoming activities.

Nature Center

  • Phil Cravens reported the committee is still pulling blackberries and planting native plants.
  • Gary Becker has offered native rhodies for the NC. Nan Feagin said these should be planted before June.
  • Phil suggested removing memorial stones and putting volunteer recognitions on a board at the NC entrance.  The committee will put a proposal together: the Board will make a decision.

Publicity

  • Kalli Ostner reported that she will be looking for committee members.
  • The committee addresses all avenues of communication.
  • About 1700 FICRA Flashes were recently distributed, but some were thrown away at the post office.  In the future before the Flash is published Kalli will put a note on the bridge board telling residents to watch for the Flash.

Fundraising

  • Jeff Goodwin reported that he is looking for ideas to appeal to a broader group of islanders.
  • We may sponsor sporting events and may move to individual memberships.

Unfinished Business:

 Bylaws

  • Jim Braden reported that the membership passed the revised Bylaws on Feb. 2, but the title on the property is still being cleaned up.
  • We are planning to clearly separate funding for FICRA and FICRA Trust with the upcoming audit.

 Plant Sale

  • Hal Goodell reported that the plant sale will be May 5. The FI Sand and Soil Club, FI Garden Club and FICRA will work on the sale. Hal will contact John Olson to see if  the boy scouts can help.

$500 Scholarship

  • Because this is an ongoing scholarship from FICRA for local high school seniors, it was decided that the board did not need to vote on its continuation.
  • Tony Moore reported that the same application used last year would be sent to Bellermine, Charles Wright and Gig Harbor High Schools.
  • We need a committee to evaluate the applications.

Meeting adjourned 9:00pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Patty Metzger

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FICRA Building Trust Annual Meeting Minutes (Preliminary)

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Fox Island FICRA

FICRA Building Trust Annual Meeting (preliminary minutes, 4-5-2012)

April 5, 2012

Called to order by President Tony Moore at 9:05 PM

Officers present: President – Tony Moore, Vice President – Tres Walker, Treasurer – Mimi Miller and Secretary – Jim Braden.

Secretary Braden read the minutes of the last Board meeting (Special Meeting on November 13, 2012).  Approved as read (Miller, Walker).

Treasurer Miller presented the financial statement which was accepted pending audit (attached).

President Moore presented the fact that the Board had amended the Bylaws to increase the Board count to 5 directors.

Old Business:

  1.  President Moore reviewed the work done on the insulation and heating system repair.  The heating system appears to be much more responsive and efficient.  No further money will be spent on that effort until another evaluation is done (have spent $2,343 of the $5,000 approved).
  2. President Moore reviewed the oil leak situation.  Government entities are staying involved.  There was a small amount of oil in two locations that were not pursued.  We are near the insurance limit of $25,000.  We will probably decide to put the cleanup effort to rest based on engineer Bob Bowser’s comfort that the government officials are not threatening further action, just leaving open the option for future review.  We do plan to put a fence around the oil tank in addition to the protective structure installed already.
  3. President Moore stated the NCC spruce-up planned phases have been completed and $1,300 spent on that in March, 2012.
  4. Vice President Walker reviewed the road access effort where he is working with Mr. Jurvik and Mr. Stiffle.  This effort will take time to resolve as neither party is in a hurry to work with us.
  5. Vice President Walker indicated that the oil tank fence will cost at least $350.  It will be a lattice cedar type.  The plan is to wait for good enough weather to paint the tank before installing the fence – probably July.

New Business:

  1. Bylaws:  Secretary Braden stated that the Trust property title effort will have to be completed before the Bylaws are completed.  The title effort is proceeding and should be competed soon.  Draft 3 of the Trust Bylaws has been circulated among the Board.  The FICRA Audit committee will be concentrating on separation of finances between FICRA and the Trust as a part of the Bylaws Committee’s effort.
  2. President Moore reviewed the basement water problem.  The next step is for Braden, Moore and Bob Bowser to get together to engineer a solution to arrest the water migration to the basement.
  3. Jean Peterson, FICRA Building Committee member, indicated that the landscaping in the front of NCC is nearly complete (the plants were donated) and at least $385 will be needed to complete that with river rock over landscape fabric next to the building to prevent mud splash-up onto the building.  The Board approved a motion (Miller/Walker) to provide $420 for the completion of the front landscaping.

At this time the meeting addressed the annual election process.  The nominees by the Board were presented: Tony Moore – President, Tres Walker – Vice President, Mimi Miller – Treasurer, Jim Braden – Secretary and Ray Kittelberger – Director.

President Moore made three calls for nominations from the floor for each position.  No nominations were made from the floor.  The members present voted unanimously for the motion (Braden/Miller) to elect the nominees by acclamation.

Motion (Miller/Braden) was passed to adjourn. (9:40 PM)

Respectfully submitted, Jim Braden, Secretary

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FICRA Board Meeting Agenda: April 5, 2012

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Fox Island FICRA

FOX ISLAND COMMUNITY and RECREATION ASSOCIATION

AGENDA

FICRA  Board meeting, April 5, 2012, 7:30 PM, Nichols Community Center

Board of Directors:

Jim Braden, President

Jeff Goodwin, Vice President

Patty Metzger, Secretary

Mimi Miller, Treasurer

Tony Moore, Director

Hal Goodell, Director

Lynne Goodwin, Immediate Past President

MEET AND GREET: 7 PM -7:30 PM

  • CALL TO ORDER
  • PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
  • PROCESS MESSAGE
  • APPROVAL OF MINUTES (March 1, 19, 28)
  • PRESIDENT’S REPORT
  • TREASURER’S REPORT (includes Finance Committee)
  • COMMITTEE REPORTS
  1. Crimewatch
  2. Building Committee
  3. Social Activities
  4. Nature Center
  5. Publicity
  6. Fund Raising
  • SPECIAL COMMITTEES
  1.  Bylaws
  2. Audit
  • Unfinished Business
  • New Business
  1.  $500 scholarship
  • Meeting Adjournment

The next regular Board meeting will be Thursday, May 3, 2012.

Contact information:   www.ficra.org

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Fox Island Garden Tour coming May 19th!

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Fox Island FICRA

Fox Island Celebrates Spring!

Gardens of Fox Island Tour – May 19th from 10 – 5

On Saturday May 19, 2012 Fox Island opens its doors and invites you to celebrate spring! Kicking off the celebration is the 10th annual “Gardens of Fox Island” tour.” Five vibrant island gardens celebrating springtime: a waterside garden lush with the scents and colors of the tropics; a small Mediterranean-inspired garden reclaimed from neglect; a large, statuary-filled garden with sweeping views across Carr Inlet; an artist’s garden nestled in the woods featuring Japanese maples, ferns, grasses and a steam garden railway; and a garden high above the Sound, terraced with stone-walled beds of trees, flowers and bulbs. The tour is from 10-5 and starts at the historic Nichols Center. The center is listed on the National Historic Building Register and was in a previous life the schoolhouse for Fox Island. Today the Nichols Center serves as Fox Island’s community center where local events are held. There will be coffee and box lunches provided by folks from “The Chapel on Echo Bay.” They will be raising money for another wonderful old structure that is being saved and restored where year round concerts and other events are held. Topping off the Nichols Center events, there will be garden theme vendors. Take home a new plant, garden item, metal garden art, outdoor furniture or maybe a work of art by one of our local artisans. Visit the Fox Island Museum and have tea and cookies from 1 to 4. The Fox Island Museum is featuring an exhibit of “Indian History of Fox Island.”

Gardens of Fox Island tickets are $15, tour starts at the Nichols Center at 9th and Gway on Fox Island. A map showing the historic buildings and all the gardens with descriptions can be picked up starting at 10AM and tour ends at 5PM.

To purchase tickets in advance send $15 per ticket and make checks payable to “FICRA.” Mail to: Gardens of Fox Island, General Delivery, Fox Island, WA 98333

OR Via PayPal right here! Click “Add To Cart” button below and choose the number of tickets you would like. Please bring your receipt as proof of your ticket purchase!

Click ADD TO CART button to buy your tickets

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FICRA Building Trust Annual Meeting April 5th

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Fox Island FICRA

 FICRA BUILDING TRUST ANNUAL MEETING

April 5, 2012

NCC

 AGENDA

  • Minutes of last meeting
  • Financial Report

 

  • Amendment to By-Laws

 

  • Old Business
    • Basement Insulation
    • Oil Leak Status
    • Building Spruce-Up
    • Stiffel Right of Way
    • Other
  • New Business
    • Trust By-Laws
    • Basement Water Problem
    • Other

Nomination and Election of Building Trust Board

Adjourn

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The Fox Island Easter Egg Hunt is coming April 7th!

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Fox Island FICRA

The much-loved and always eagerly anticipated annual Fox Island Easter Egg Hunt is coming soon! Grab your baskets and be ready on Saturday morning, April 7th, at 10 am.  The Easter Bunny will be ready to let you know when it is time to race across the Nichols Center lawn and find the hidden eggs.

Come early and check out what is new at the Nichols Center, have a latte from Botra Bean espresso, learn about FICRA and FICRA membership (one lucky new member will win a raffle prize!), and see if you can win a monster jar of jellybeans.

Thanks to all the volunteers who have helped stuff eggs, we have lots and lots of treats to go around! Just be sure to be at the NCC right at 10 am, so your little bunnies will be ready to dash off the starting lines!

Last year has a great success and a ton of fun. Click here to see some pictures! Let’s hope we get that same gorgeous weather!

See you at the Nichols Community Center at

690 9th Avenue on Fox Island!

Please bring a non-perishable food item forFISH Foodbank

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