There was no Board Meeting for December 2025
FICRA Building Trust Board Meeting Minutes Thursday, 13 November, 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) excused, Jim Braden (Director Buildings and Grounds)
Call to order at 7:04 pm
Public Comments: Nick Langlow and Scott Booth attended from the Gig Harbor Fire Department to update FICRA on the stats for Fire service on the island and throughout Gig Harbor. They reported that Station 53 (Fox Island) had 264 calls in 2024 and 302 calls in 2025. Staffing of the station was full time beginning September 12, 2025. The median response time in 2024 was 13:52 minutes but it was 6:20 in 2025.
There were 7860 responses in 2025 (6,009 EMS, 110 Fire, 1,741 other or 76% EMS). Station 51 on Kimball Drive is under contract with Pease Construction to begin on January 12, 2026, with estimated completion around June 1, 2027. Architecture RFQ will go out in late January of 2026 for stations 58 and 59 (undetermined when construction would start. However, construction will not begin before re-opening of Station 51. A new training support building is set to be completed in January of 2026 with the training tower set to be completed in May of 2026.
Mr. Langlow and Mr. Booth remarked that they feel so welcomed on our island and public response has been well received.
Consent Agenda:
- Approval of November minutes
- Approval of 16 folding chairs from Amazon (cost of $119 for a 4-pack) with total approximately $476 (Costco option not available)
Jacob made a motion to approve the consent agenda items. Craig seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Standing Reports:
Treasurer’s Report (Hal): We have 325 members to date.
November’s Financial Report
Trust Checking
Beginning Balance $ 40,033.27
Checks and Payments 7,368.68
Deposits and Credits 3,945.00
Ending Balance $ 36,609.59
Trust Savings
Beginning Balance $ 732.48
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits .03 Interest
Ending Balance $ 732.51
Building Trust Paypal Period Ending 11/30/2025
Beginning Balance $ 1,446.77
Total Income 900.41
Total Withdrawal 30.74
Ending Balance $ 2,316.44
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 $101,145.34
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 238.59
Ending Balance $101,383.93
Trust Money Market (General, Capital, Reserve, EP & NW)
Beginning Balance $285,078.50
Checks and Payments 837.42
Deposits and Credits 1,306.04
Ending Balance $285,547.12
Trust General Money Market
Beginning Balance $181,922.83
Checks and Payments 354.00 FIGC Donation Xfer to Capital for Fountain
Deposits and Credits 468.62 Oct Interest
Ending Balance $182,037.45
Trust Capital Money Market
Beginning Balance $ 25,211.97
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 354.00 FIGC Capital Project Water Fountain
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 MM
Beginning Balance $ 22,508.91
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 0.00
Ending Balance $ 22,508.91
Trust Neighborhood Watch Restricted MM
Beginning Balance $ 14,632.32
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 0.00
Ending Balance $ 14,632.32
Trust MM Other
Beginning Balance $ 0.00
Checks and Payments 468.62 Nov Int Xfrd to General MM
Deposits and Credits 468.62 Nov Int Deposited to MM
Ending Balance $ 0.00
December’s Financial Report
Trust Checking
Beginning Balance $ 36,609.59
Checks and Payments 8,085.26
Deposits and Credits 11,384.76
Ending Balance $ 39,909.09
Trust Savings
Beginning Balance $ 732.48
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 0.03 Interest
Ending Balance $ 732.54
Building Trust Paypal Period Ending 11/30/2025
Beginning Balance $ 2,316.44
Total Income 2,220.96
Total Withdrawal 4,489.34
Ending Balance $ 48.06
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 $101,383.93
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 247.13 Dec Interest
Ending Balance $101,631.06
Trust Money Market (General, Capital, Reserve, EP & NW)
Beginning Balance $285,547.12
Checks and Payments 468.62
Deposits and Credits 1,953.71
Ending Balance $287,032.21
Trust General Money Market
Beginning Balance $182,037.45
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 485.09 Dec MM interest Xfer from bank MM
Ending Balance $182,522.54
Trust Capital Money Market
Beginning Balance $ 25,565.97
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 0.00
Ending Balance $ 25,565.97
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 MM
Beginning Balance $ 22,508.91
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 0.00
Ending Balance $ 22,508.91
Trust Neighborhood Watch Restricted MM
Beginning Balance $ 14,632.32
Checks and Payments 0.00
Deposits and Credits 0.00
Ending Balance $ 14,632.32
Trust MM Other
Beginning Balance $ 0.00
Checks and Payments 485.09 Dec Interest Xfer to General MM
Deposits and Credits 485.09 Dec Interest Deposited to MM
Ending Balance $ 0.00
Project Manager’s Report (Jim Braden)
Building & Grounds: The Emergency Prep AM broadcasting equipment supplier/advisor, Information Station Specialists (ISS), visited us on December 9th to scope our Emergency Prep program with AM radio capability. ISS is very supportive of our design and plans. We have the final letter of agreement from the Gig Harbor Fire Department ready for signature. The equipment supplier (ISS) is working on establishing frequencies and FCC application forms for submittal. They will also help us get the FCC paperwork submitted. GH Fire and Rescue will be our sponsor but with no administrative responsibilities. FCC application will be sent this month.
The trees that needed to be removed for safety are complete. We did have another quite healthy tree fall that appears to have had the root ball fail (soil too wet) with the big wind.
Cameras and some of the associated equipment are here for the upgrading of our outdoor video security system (newer/better cameras, more cameras, with coverage of the NCC garage internally and the south parking lot. Scaffolding source identified and planning for installation early 2026.
Nature Center (NC): Ed Burrough, Chair – Besides are usual trail maintenance, in December they planted four Alder trees that Tom Mann had raised for a year in pots to get a better survival rate. Before planting, they had to dig our Himalaya blackberry plants in each spot to give the Alders a chance to establish. The Alders will eventually provide shade that will discourage the blackberries in these open areas. They also planted five cedar trees along the south line. They observed that cedars they had planted several years ago are doing well. These plantings are long-range planning as it will be a number of years before they will even be noticeable. They are looking forward to when the FICRA Board installs new signs. Do we have an estimated date?
Emergency Preparedness (EP): Family and neighborhood emergency preparation have been the primary focus for 2025. The lessons from that work lead to organization changes in 2026. The Board was copied on the Emergency Preparedness year-end letter from Jim. The Emergency Prep website (fi-ready.org/Prepare in a Year) for January stresses getting family emergency contact and preparation for quick response revisited so we are ready.
Neighborhood Watch: Sheriff Deputy report is the same as November – basically a crime-free month.
FIARC (Fox Island Amateur Radio Club): They are conducting ham radio and GMRS radio field practice sessions around Fox Island as they continue to explore better ways to conduct communications during a major event. The next step is to install a repeater antenna at the NCC to strengthen the signal so neighborhoods can communicate both internally and with other neighborhoods.
Other Projects: Display case at Zogs renovation is complete. The tree has been trimmed, roof cleaned and roof repaired. Braden (Project Manager) responsibilities to be discussed. List Steve Wawro?
Previous/Ongoing Business
FICRA’s Big Fat Greek Fundraiser – Final Planning and Assignments (Candy): Final assignments to come in February. We will need items for the Silent Auction (new and unused). Candy will approach the Island organizations that frequently use the NCC. Sara Schroeter does an excellent job with organization. We will need baskets and will put an all call out to the island as time draws near. Last year, we did purchase additional baskets from Goodwill. We also had a professional “wrapper” doing this beautification process. Candy made a motion for a $300 incidental budget. Motion was seconded by
Craig. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried. Candy also mentioned that we need younger folks to hang the photo backdrops. The Volunteer Woman’s Co-op was contacted to help with table setup and decorating.
The Board discussed sponsorships. It was decided to advertise separately for those that cannot attend to raise Island sponsors. We did not include this in our ticketing to not cause confusion at our “raise the paddle” portion of the program for those attending.
Currently food is being purchased mainly from Petersons Cheese (wholesaler) with delivery to Harbor Greens if they are amendable to that as last year. Candy will reach out.
FICRA Debit/Credit Card Authorization: Candy asked for specific Board approval to be added to the FICRA account (debit purchases). Wes made a motion to add Candy to the FICRA account with the stipulation that expenses be reported to Hal per a voucher form. Jacob seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
PSD (Peninsula School District) Scholarship: Wes asked for a motion to approve $2,000 for scholarships to PSD. Craig seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried. Submission of the form to PSD is January 31st with payment due April 1, 2026. Candy also informed the Board that PSD asked to use the NCC to discuss the upcoming levy increase. Although on FICRA’s calendar, PSD has not provided any advertisement for such a meeting. They sent an email asking how many people we expect. Candy will reach out to the Superintendent’s office to possibly postpone the meeting.
New Business
Website and Communication Updates: The FICRA website needs to remove Peggy Wright as a Board member and replace Scott Johnson with picture and biography. Candy will reach out to Howard Stapleton to see how this is done. This Lil’ Pic did the Board pictures previously. Will check on their availability.
2026 Budget Planning: Hal will set a new date prior to next month’s Board meeting of the Finance Committee. Board members were given a proposed budget to investigate. Approval of the new budget will occur at February’s Board meeting.
End of Summer Concert: Craig has contracted with Ted Nuggent (John Denver tribute) for the Labor Day Concert and Car Show. Expenses are reimbursed by Craig as a donation.
Other Business/Announcements
December Tree Lighting Debrief (Candy): The tree out front is getting too large to decorate from the ground level with ladders. We will either need to rent a lift or have it professionally lit and decorated. This includes roof lighting as well. Also, it is quite a job to decorate inside. This should be a Board project and not be left to a single individual. Event was very well attended. The Children’s Choir was a beautiful addition with standing room only. Ghostlight Theater performed “A Christmas Carol” in the afternoon for those that were not interested in the Santa experience. Again, there was lots of appreciation from patrons. Santa was awesome as usual. Given the heavy rains, the cub scouts were not contacted to maintain the fire in the fire pit. That said, they were there anyway with not only a warm fire but smores as well. Again, it was very appreciated by our community. Entire evening concluded at about 8:30pm.
Front of the Building Flag: The Board conversation began with the needed lighting of the US flag at night per flag etiquette but evolved into replacing the flagpole as well as lighting. Jacob volunteered to acquire pricing for a new pole that would require removing the pillar out front. Lighting can be done pretty easily with a burial of the wiring.
Meeting Adjournment: Wes made a motion to approve the adjournment. Motion was seconded by Hal. Vote was unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 8:45pm.
Respectfully submitted by
Candy Wawro, Secretary