Submitted By Candy Wawro
FICRA Building Trust Board Meeting Minutes Thursday, 10 April 2025, 7:00PM Nichols Community Center, Fox Island, Washington
Attendees: Weston King (President) late, Arlyn Lawrence (Vice President), Hal Goodell (Treasurer), Candy Wawro (Secretary), Jacob Paukert (Director) excused, Craig McLaughlin (Director), Peggy Wright (Director), Jim Braden (Director Buildings and Grounds)
Call to order at 7:05 pm
Public Comments: None
Consent Agenda
- Approval of the March 13, 2025, Meeting Minutes
- Approval of the FICRA game purchases of $2,796.60 with donation for same amount
Arlyn made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Craig seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Standing Committee Reports
Treasurer’s Report (Hal):
Trust Checking
Beginning Balance $ 84,793.58
Checks and Payments 24,930.24 (PWP activity)
Deposits and Credits 2,476.90
Ending Balance $ 62,340.24
Trust Savings
Beginning Balance $ 732.24
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits .03 Interest
Ending Balance $ 732.27
Building Trust PayPal Ending 2/28
Beginning Balance $ 0.00
Total Income 3,663.95
Total Withdrawn 540.75
Ending Balance $ 3,123.20
Trust Capital Checking
Beginning Balance $ 382.30
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 0.00
Ending Balance $ 382.30
Trust Reserve Checking
Beginning Balance $ 153.20
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 0.00
Ending Balance $ 153.20
30 Month Flex Certificate
Beginning Balance $ 109,253.95
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 369.31
Ending Balance $ 109,623.26
Trust Money Market (General, Capital, Reserve, EP and NW)
Beginning Balance $ 237,276.93
Checks and Payments 3,343.70
Deposits and Credits 3,746.75
Ending Balance $ 237,679.98
Trust General Money Market
Beginning Balance $ 137,103.54
Checks and Payments 2,972.10 (xfer Braden/Silver ‘24 restrict to Cap MM)
Deposits and Credits 411.17 (Mar int plus remaining AC Project)
Ending Balance $ 134,542.61
Trust Capital Money Market
Beginning Balance $ 22,229.69
Checks and Payments 8.12 (xfer remaining from AC Proj to Gen MM)
Deposits and Credits 2,972.10 (xfer Braden/Silver ‘24 restrict to CaMM)
Ending Balance $ 25,193.67
Trust Reserve Money Market
Beginning Balance $ 40,802.47
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 0.00
Ending Balance $ 40,802.47
Trust Emergency Prep Restricted Money Market
Beginning Balance $ 22,508.91
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 0.00
Ending Balance $ 22,508.91
Trust Neighborhood Watch Restricted Money Market
Beginning Balance $ 14,632.32
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 0.00
Ending Balance $ 14,632.32
Trust Money Market Other
Beginning Balance $ 0.00
Checks and Payments 403.05
Deposits and Credits 403.05
Ending Balance $ 0.00
Sum of QB Sub Money Market $ 237,679.98
Finance Committee Report: None available currently.
Project Manager’s Report (Jim Braden):
Building & Grounds – Pursuit of Emergency Prep AM broadcasting and STARLINK have been added to the Capital Expenditures projects list. Project test forms have been sent to the Board for both. Board members are asked to look at the list and opine on the priorities there. The NCC building is showing some signs of peeling paint. We will access the general state of the building paint. Cameras and some of the associated equipment are here for the upgrading of our outdoor video security system (newer/better cameras, more cameras, and coverage of the NCC garage internally).
Nature Center (NC) – (Ed Burrough): No new activities afoot. They are getting ready for Spring visits.
Emergency Preparedness (EP) – The FIARC (radio club) conducted a communication drill on March 29th. These drills are very valuable for identifying weaknesses in our system and opportunities to improve. Family and neighborhood preparation are the primary focus for 2025. Saturday, April 12th, there will be a meeting at the UCC for the Emergency Preparedness Block Coordinators conducted by the neighborhoods’ branch of FIEP. Also, FIEP will host a booth at the April 12th Safety Fair at Gig Harbor High School.
We are looking into a new means of messaging for Fox Island residents to make them readily aware of and able to monitor conditions during a major disaster. We are working on getting an FCC license for an AM Traveler Information System (TIS) for broadcasting of island conditions/instructions.
FIARC continues to investigate better and more reliable ways for FI residents to get messages to out-of-area families in major emergencies. The Use of STARLINK is being investigated for that and as well as becoming the main access point to the internet for the NCC.
Other Projects – The Fox Island Bridge: The Pierce County Planning and Public Works (PPW) Bridge Engineers conducted a bridge update meeting at the UCC on Tuesday, April 8th. Approximately 250 islanders attended. The type, size, and location options were presented quite thoroughly. The options for the magnitude funding were made available. The main concern by attendees was, of course, “who pays the bill”. Jim worked with Robyn Denson and Keith Shaner (County PPW Lead) to prepare for that obvious “Elephant in the room” subject. There is some interesting history on the origin of the existing Fox Island Bridge that may become a factor in the funding responsibility.
Previous/Ongoing Business
- Audit Committee – Candy presented that 2021, 2022, and 2023 are completed with 2024 expected to be completed by next month. Findings were given to the Board in February for years 2021-2023. Wes will review and make ongoing recommendations.
- FICRA Signage Update – No update currently. Craig has contacted the owners of the property next to the post office and Pierce County permitting agency for the sign placement. Hal made a motion to add $500 for more signage. Arlyn seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
- Easter hunts (adult and children’s) – Candy remarked that both were successful. Some parents had difficulty with the appropriation of the raffle tickets (one half they keep, and the other half goes in a bucket for pulling). Perhaps only one half is stuffed in the eggs, and we just keep the other half for pulling raffle prizes next year.
- Scholarship Update – (Arlyn): Four students were selected for $500 each. We did have less applicants than the previous year. Arlyn estimated there were 15 applicants.
- Talent Show Update (Craig) – no update currently.
- Mothers’ Day Tea (Candy) – Ghostlight has a performance on May 11th (Mothers’ Day). Given that some mothers do not have family close by to help them celebrate, FICRA decided to add to the theater performance a “bridal shower” (aka Tea) to correlate with the play Steel Magnolias. Tea begins at 1:00pm with the play starting at 2:00pm. Attendees are charged an extra $15 to cover the cost of the food provided. The menu consists of small sandwiches, salads, croissants, beignets, spanakopita, an assortment of desserts, sweet tea and coffee. Many of our island groups are supporting a “table” with teacups and a centerpiece to be raffled off at the end of the performance. This includes the Chapel on Echo Bay, the FI History Museum, the Fox Island Garden Club, the Sand and Soil Club, as well as FICRA. The guest attendance is approximately 50 people.
- Ghostlight Theater (Candy) – Eleven performances scheduled (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) May 2nd through May 24th. Luckily, no conflicts were incurred throughout the performance schedule. Rex has been warned that the entire NCC must be vacated on May 24th as a wedding is scheduled for a full day on May 25th.
- Young Men’s Service League (Candy) – the group is ending the year with just a few more days scheduled. They will start again in the fall. They and their moms helped us stuff eggs for the Children’s Egg Hunt. As a FICRA “thank you”, $200 of pizza was purchased. The group was delighted. FICRA thought this a more appropriate appreciation than providing gift certificates to their annual group closure.
New Business:
- Addition of Candy Wawro to Sound Credit Union & Debit card authorization – In the past, Candy would purchase items for FICRA from her personal bank account, turn in a voucher with receipts, and be issued a refund. Candy has agreed to still provide a voucher and receipts for any purchase but would like to eliminate the personal banking withdrawals. Wes made a motion to give authorization via Sound Credit Union Debt card authorization. Peggy seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Motion carried. Hal mentioned that Sound Credit Union would like a formal letter stating FICRA intentions.
Other Business (Reconsiderations/Tabled Topics)
- Confirmation of Board Retreat date: May 19th 9:00-4:00pm
Motion for Adjournment: Wes made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Craig. The vote was unanimous. Motion carried. Adjournment 8:44pm