June 8, 2025
Respectively Submitted by Candy Wawro
FICRA Building Trust Board Meeting Minutes Thursday, 08 May 2025, 7:00PM Nichols Community Center, Fox Island, Washington
Attendees: Weston King (President), Arlyn Lawrence (Vice President), Hal Goodell (Treasurer), Candy Wawro (Secretary), Jacob Paukert (Director), Craig McLaughlin (Director), Peggy Wright (Director), Jim Braden (Director Buildings and Grounds), Joan Broughton, Rick Baze
Call to order at 7:05 pm
Public Comments: Rick Baze had several comments to present to the Board. Rick mentioned that the FICRA calendar is not correct as it does not indicate what hours the children’s baseball was running. Candy replied that the calendar is correct and that FICRA does not schedule the outdoor activities. Outdoor activities are on a first come, first serve basis except for facility rentals. Rick said he needs to know if there are planned activities for his mowing. Candy did mention that although games were planned for Tuesdays and Thursdays, some teams do practice at various times and days in between and not always on a weekly schedule. Candy said she will put the game days on the calendar. Rick then asked if the FICRA property is just for Fox Island (not Gig Harbor) residents. The Board did let Rick know that monitoring the grounds for only island residents is not feasible. He then asked if the rentals must leave by 10:00pm. Candy, as the rental coordinator, said each rental varies slightly. Some need additional time for cleanup, some start later and end later. Either Candy or Steve (Candy’s husband) checks out each rental when cleanup is complete. Rick also mentioned two dead trees need to be removed at the far end of the property. Jim Braden said he would look into that. Rick lastly asked for $50 for a necessary weed spray. A motion to approve the $50 for weed spray was made by Arlyn, seconded by Jacob. Vote was unanimous, motion carried.
Joan Broughton asked about whether the annual meeting was posted. No annual meeting had been slated on the calendar per the bylaws. Hence, Wes suggested that candidates be brought to the Board in June (from the nomination committee of Wes and Candy) with the annual meeting slated for July 10th at 7:00pm. Candy will give notice on the FICRA website and social media asking for nominations and when the vote will take place per our 501C3 rules. Jim read from the bylaws the procedures to follow. Joan mentioned that the Audit Committee is waiting on the 2021, 2022, 2023 Board response to the audit for those years. This should include procedures to not repeat errors found.
Consent Agenda
- Approval of May 08, 2025 Meeting Minutes
- Approval of 8 Tablecloths for long tables ($107.34)
Jacob 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 $ 62,340.24
Checks and Payments 45,371.69 (PWP Exp Cks & Xfer $35k PWP to Money Mkt)
Deposits and Credits 3,892.52
Ending Balance $ 20,861.07
Trust Savings
Beginning Balance $ 732.27
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits .03 Interest
Ending Balance $ 732.30
Building Trust PayPal Ending 4/30/2025
Beginning Balance $ 0.00
Total Income 150.00
Total Withdrawn 540.75
Ending Balance $ 3,266.13
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 $ 109,623.26
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 358.60 (Apr Interest)
Ending Balance $ 109,981.86
Trust Money Market (General, Capital, Reserve, EP and NW)
Beginning Balance $ 237,679.98
Checks and Payments 403.05
Deposits and Credits 35,839.78 (Xfer $35kPWP to Gen Trust MM & Apr Int)
Ending Balance $ 273,116.71
Trust General Money Market
Beginning Balance $ 134,542.61
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 35,436.73 (Xfer $35k PWP to Gen Trust MM & Apr Int)
Ending Balance $ 169,979.34
Trust Capital Money Market
Beginning Balance $ 25,193.67
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 0.00
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 436.73 (Apr Int Xfer to Gen MM)
Deposits and Credits 403.73 (Apr Int Dep to Gen MM)
Ending Balance $ 0.00
Sum of QB Sub Money Market $ 273,116.71
Hal did mentioned that the insurance broker recommended a $10,000 deductible instead of a $5,000 deductible for property insurance. Cost was $3,300. The Board agreed that if needed, the extra $5,000 insurance lower cost
Finance Committee Report: None available currently. Hal mentioned that the committee would have a recommendation on increasing rental rates at the May Board meeting.
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) – Family and neighborhood preparation are the primary focus for 2025. The FIEP response neighborhood branch conducted a meeting April 12th at the UCC for the Emergency Preparedness Block Coordinators. We are working at the very dynamic and constant effort to place persons in all of the Fox Island’s Block Coordinator positions.
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 during a major event.
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 Board of Commissioners are conducting their monthly meeting at Fox Island on Monday, June 2nd, at the Heart Church. Time TBD. We need to advertise that enthusiastically.
We have a lot of action on the Sports Field which is wonderful to see. Are we scheduling the Sports Field on our calendar so the grounds-keeping can be accomplished?
Thanks to those that provided input on the Welcome Packet. Jim should have that updated by the end of May.
Previous/Ongoing Business
- FICRA Signage Update – Craig mentioned the rental agreement for signage placement on the corner of Fox Drive and Island Blvd. has been obtained from the owners for the cost of $100 annually. Signage to be completed sometime in June and ready for installation.
- Nature Center Signage Update: Wes remarked that the cost of signage (by the road) to match the other NCC signage will cost an additional $500, but we will need to increase the budget by $50 to cover the additional tax. A motion was made by Craig to increase the line item in Capital Expenditures by $50 for the estimated tax. Candy seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
- Wes asked if the Board wants to see FICRA “Nature Center” or “Nature Trail” on the sign. There was an ongoing discussion about the pros and cons of utilizing “Nature Trail”. It was suggested that the FICRA Board meet with the Nature Center group and get their input. Jim will contact Ed Borough for an adequate date and time to meet.
New Business:
- Wes initiated a discussion of having all the FICRA organizations together at the FICRA Fair so residents can see what FICRA organizations are under the Board. (What is FICRA? What is FICRA’s purpose? What does FICRA do?) Hal mentioned that some vendors request the same spot each year at the Fair, but he would see if the grouping is possible.
- Bridge Funding Notice (Craig): Craig mentioned that there still is no funding plan for the repair and/or replacement of the Fox Island Bridge. He advocated that we host a meeting after the District 7 Pierce Council meeting to inform islanders of possible funding problems. He advocated that Fox Island not become a “special district” to bore the financial liability. Wes warned that if it went to a full county vote, Fox Island would lose. Craig is preparing an information PowerPoint presentation that he will tweak after the June 2nd county meeting. Again, he suggested that the Heart Church would be a better avenue for hosting.
- PenMet Community Wall donation/Community Recognition ($1,000): Wes prepared a statement to the FICRA Board asking that FICRA donate $1,000 to PenMet to put our FICRA logo on the new PenMet Recreation Center wall as a sponsor. Peggy voiced her concern about the large PenMet organization asking a small 501C3 organization for this kind of donation. It was anticipated that other Gig Harbor civics groups (Lions, Kiwanis, etc.) would contribute. Hal remarked that our funds should be used for Fox Islanders. Wes asked for a vote. The vote was seconded by Arlyn. The vote was 6 to 1 to not approve of the $1,000 donation.
- Discussion regarding increasing rental rates for non-FICRA members. Hal said the Finance Committee is responsible for assessing any increase and will get back to the Board in May.
Other Business (Reconsiderations/Tabled Topics): None
Motion for Adjournment: Craig made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Arlyn. The vote was unanimous. Motion carried. Adjournment 8:50pm