FICRA Building Trust Board Meeting Minutes Thursday, 11 November 2025, 7:00PM Nichols Community Center, Fox Island, Washington
Attendees: Weston King (President), Arlyn Lawrence (Vice President) excused, Hal Goodell (Treasurer), Candy Wawro (Secretary), Jacob Paukert (Director), Craig McLaughlin (Director), Scott Johnson (Director), Jim Braden (Director Buildings and Grounds), Joan Broughton, Laura Paukert
Call to order at 7:08 pm
Consent Agenda:
- Approval of October Board Minutes
- NCC replacement of chairs (16 @ $30 each) for cost of $550
Jacob made a motion to approve the consent agenda items. Craig seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Standing Reports:
Project Manager (Jim Braden):
- Building & and Grounds: Pursuit of Emergency Prep AM broadcasting and STARLINK have been added to the Capital Expenditures list. The AM equipment supplier is in the area and will visit us this month to help get the FCC paperwork submitted. Board members are asked to look at the Capital Expenditures list and opine the priorities there. The three trees that needed to come down for safety are complete. We did not give the public access to the downed trees but did cut & split some of the wood for the fire pit stash. The NCC building is showing some signs of peeling paint. No responses yet from painting companies to investigate the general state of the building paint. Will hold until Spring. 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 and the south parking lot). Scaffolding source identified and planning for installation this month.
- Nature Center (NC): Ed Burrough, Chair: No report yet from NC Committee chair. From Last month’s report – The full length of the trail is trimmed to facilitate comfortable passage by visitors. Applied skid-proof materials to raised areas. Widened the south entry area. Applied deer-spray to young plantings. Cleaned off plant growth from the donor bricks and such in the entry area.
- Emergency Preparedness (EP): Family and neighborhood emergency preparation are the primary focus for 2025. The Emergency Prep website, fiready.org/Prepare in a Year stresses practicing for shelter in place and caring for pets in an emergency for November. It is also time to complete winterization.
- Neighborhood Watch: Sheriff Deputy report is attached.
- FIARC is conducting ham radio and GMRS radio field practice sessions around Fox Island as they continue to explore better ways to conduct communication during a major event.
Other Projects
- Working with an Eagle Scout candidate to install an irrigation system immediately around the NCC for the plants and close-in grass there.
- Special recognition in executive session.
- Non-profit training and survey.
- PSD401 CTE
Treasurer’s Report (Hal Goodell):
Trust Checking
Beginning Balance $ 42,098.83
Checks and Payments 9,161.27 (Oktoberfest, GH Tree Serv., Prop tax)
Deposits and Credits 7,095.71
Ending Balance $ 40,033.27
Trust Savings
Beginning Balance $ 732.45
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits .03 Interest
Ending Balance $ 732.48
Building Trust PayPal Ending October 30, 2025
Beginning Balance $ 1,313.13
Checks and Payments 7.37
Deposits and Credits 141.01
Ending Balance 1,446.77
Trust Capital Checking
Beginning Balance 382.00
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 0.00
Ending Balance 382.00
Trust Reserve Checking
Beginning Balance 153.20
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 0.00
Ending Balance 153.20
36 Month Jumbo Certificate
Beginning Balance $100,899.39
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 245.95
Ending Balance $101,145.34
TRUST Money Market (General, Reserve, EP, & NW)
Beginning Balance $284,595.08
Checks and Payments 467.06
Deposits and Credits 950.48
Ending Balance $285,078.50
TRUST General Money Market
Beginning Balance $181,439.41
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 483.42 (Oct. Interest)
Ending Balance $181,922.83
TRUST Capital Money Market
Beginning Balance $ 25,211.97
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 0.00
Ending Balance $ 25,211.97
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 483.42 (Oct Int Xfrd to Gen MM)
Deposits and Credits 483.42 (Oct Int Dep to MM)
Ending Balance $ 0.00
Sum of QB Sub Money Market $ 285,078.50
Previous/Ongoing Business
- NCC Sprinkler Update (Jim): Jim is working with an Eagle Scout candidate to install a sprinkler system by the front and side of the building’s vegetation. The work is still in progress.
- Island Blvd. & NCC Signage (Craig): We’re still awaiting Pierce County’s sign off
- Nature Center Signage (Scott): This should be in by the end of the month.
- Community Display Case by Zogs (Jim): Work is completed, broken tile(s) replaced, tree trimmed, and roof cleaned. Project is complete for that work. Payments are to be made for one-third by each of the three organizations.
- Halloween Movie and Pumpkin Night Recap (Jacob): About 10 families showed up. Movie went without a hitch. No one brought any carved pumpkins, so prizes will be kept until next year. Candy will investigate a subscription service from Swank for 2026.
- Health and Wellness Fair – 01.24.25 – (Wes): Date change due to rental. Wes is awaiting vendor confirmations and will devise an advertising plan.
- Party With a Purpose (Candy): We are going with a Greek Santorini/Momma Mia theme. There are feelers out for an “Abba” type band. Ticket prices will remain $65pp. Décor is blue and white with large round tables. First community communication will be the December FICRA Flash. A save-the-date postcard will go out with ticket information in January. Date is set for 02.28.26 with the auctioneer.
- Teen Event Program (Wes): Both teens and young adults find it difficult to get into a group activity. Wes proposed a once-a-month activity such as a game night, line dancing class, etc. The schedule and budget need to be approved at our budget meeting for 2026.
- Christmas Tree Lighting (Candy): Wes will pick up Santa at 5:30 at the NCC and take him to the Firehouse for his annual ride. Tree Lighting begins at 6:00 with Santa, the FI Children’s Choir performs at 6:30-7:00. We Need to acquire treats, hot chocolate, and cups for the event. Ghostlight Theater is providing a free play from 2-4:00 of a Christmas Carol for those interested.
New Business
- Chamber of Commerce Advisement Donation – The agreed that there was little revenue accrued from being in the Gig Harbor Now Chamber booklet. The board agreed to not participate in 2026. The Board agreed to not participate in the Gig Harbor Film Fest for the same reason.
- Volunteer Appreciation Social (December) – Candy remarked that we did an appreciation social last year after the Party with a Purpose. Besides our volunteers for the PWP, we did invite others who donated their time to FICRA events. It was suggested we wait until then. We will need a budget for that (early March).
- 2026 Budget Planning Meeting – We need 2026 budget suggestions/submissions and to schedule a working session prior to the December FICRA Board meeting. Date TBD.
- Community Outreach/Membership Drive – Letters should be sent to those that have had their membership lapse. A discussion ensued on how to keep the public informed about upcoming events. Currently, we send out correspondence on Constant Contact (1000+ emails), we do utilize social media, we do utilize our webpage, and we do have a sign by the bridge. We should utilize the display case more. Perhaps a FaceBook ad would be advantageous.
Other Business
- Review of any new correspondence or proposals received since October meeting – We did receive a letter from the Gig Harbor Tides Scholarship Committee and have received a 2026 Returning Donor Form. Again, this needs a budget line to be discussed at our budget meeting.
- Scheduling reminder for Holiday Decorating at the NCC (early December) – Candy reminded the Board that decorating can be started on November 29th as there is a private rental on the 28th. It is a cumbersome task. Ghostlight Theater’s first performance is Friday, December 5th. The NCC should be fully decked out by then.
- Joan asked if the flag outside should be lit. By flag etiquette the flag, if left up and flying, should be lit at night. Jacob asked if we should consider a different flagpole (another budget discussion). We also have a flag on the baseball field. Item was tabled for more discussion.
Lastly, a presentation was made by Jim Braden to Joan Broughton for the tireless work and volunteerism she has created over numerous years. The following resolution was made:
The undersigned, being the Directors of the FICRA Building Trust, a Washington non-profit corporation, hereby unanimously consent in writing to the following resolution:
WHEREAS Joan Broughton joined the FICRA Building Trust (FICRA) as a member of the then created Bylaws Committee, and
WHEREAS, Joan Broughton has, since the 2012 Bylaws Committee’s creation of an Audit Committee, been a member of the Audit Committee for both the FICRA Building Trust and FICRA, and
WHEREAS, Joan Broughton has attended virtually every FICRA Building Trust and FICRA Board meeting since 2012, and
WHEREAS Joan Broughton has participated in many study sessions, budget sessions, fundraising development, and celebrations over this period,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Trust hereby records its expression of the highest appreciation for the work by Joan Broughton to help being the current organization to the successful condition it is today.
DATED AND EFFECTIVE this 13th day of November 2025.
The resolution and the above were signed by the Board members present and awarded to Joan for her past and present contribution to FICRA with much gratitude.
Wes asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Craig made the motion which was seconded by Jacob. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45pm. Next meeting is scheduled for December 11, 2025 at 7:00pm.