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FICRA Board Meeting Minutes 11-1-2012

FICRA BOARD MEETING MINUTES

November 1, 2012

 

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

 

President Jim Braden opened the meeting at 7:30 pm with the pledge of allegiance. Minutes from the October 4 board meeting were corrected to reflect painting all walls and ceiling in the auditorium, and then they were unanimously approved.

 

President’s Report: Jim Braden

 

  • Jim recognized Margaret Wickline, Mike Gordon and his daughter, Jenna, and Dave McHugh for their attendance at the meeting.
  • Volunteers need to write their volunteer hours down in the volunteer notebook, which is kept in the drawer in the front hall. This volunteer time is important to include with the information we send out for grants.
  • PenMet Parks has decided to quietly open the sand spit in accordance with a Pierce County directive immediately. The grass field will be used as a parking lot until it becomes too wet. Use of the spit will be for walk -in visitors throughout the winter. The Nov. 13 meeting between PM Parks and FICRA will be held later in the spring 2013 to discuss how to manage the nature reserve.
  • Jim met with four of the seven youth on the FICRA Youth Board on October 31.  At that meeting, Jim explained the charter of the Youth Board, which will focus on creating activities of interest to youth and recommending facilities that will attract youth.  Each member will complete a bio which will be posted with a photo of the youth members on the NCC information bulletin board and on the FICRA website. They will have their first Youth Board meeting Nov. 7 and plan to elect officers then.
  • Following up on Stan Weston’s suggestion for a kind of Welcome Wagon for new FI residents, Annie Schofield offered to put together a packet of information to welcome new residents. She will get information from Stan. The new postmaster will pass out the packet to all new residents.
  • The budget is very tight. Our current membership dues are good from January 2012 through July 2013, which means we will be missing the income stream this January for the 2013 dues. CrimeWatch donations are down.  Donations and fundraisers have funded all improvements that have been accomplished this year. Correcting deferred maintenance costs has been expensive this year.
  • In looking at the budget and our activities, we need to ask ourselves, “What is the basic function of FICRA?” We believe it is to provide activities that are fun and supportive of the island community.
  • The separation of FICRA and the Trust is in progress.
  • To consider what activities and projects to fund, the Board will continue to require that a Project Form be submitted.
  • Our focus for 2013 will be increasing membership, securing donations and obtaining grants.
  • Jim received most 2013 budgets from committee chairs.

 

There were no items on the Consent Calendar this month.

 

 

 

Treasure’s Report: Mimi Miller

 

  • Mimi will check the $1000 playground expense.and the overall profit made from the Recess Monkey concert and report back to the Board.

 

Note: Because an error was found in the Treasurer’s 8/31/12 FICRA Bank Balance Report, the corrected 8/31/12, 9/30/12 and 10/31/12 Bank Balance Reports are attached to these minutes.

 

  • Current Family Memberships: 351

 

 

Committee Reports:

 

CrimeWatch: Stan Weston

  • There was no vandalism nor burglaries this past month.
  • 911 has received calls only for medical or domestic issues this month.
  • The biggest current problem is speeding, especially in the early morning.
  • NOTE: I DO NOT SEE THIS FORM ON FICRA.ORG AS SUGGESTED BY STAN AT THE OCTOBER BOARD MEETING: The “Vacant House” form will be posted on the FICRA website and on the bulletin board at the store. (If a homeowner gets the form into CrimeWatch then the patrol will go by the vacant home during the resident’s absence.) (Italics from Oct. meeting minutes.)

 

Building Committee: Carolyn Braden

  • The committee is writing grants to refinish the floors in the north classroom, restrooms, and the auditorium and to replace the floors in the halls and south classroom.
  • There was some discussion about keeping the old windows and adding storm windows vs. putting in new double pane windows.
  • Improvements of NCC will be paid through the Trust.
  • The committee gets several bids for all contracted work.
  • The committee meets the Tuesday before the Board meeting.
  • Work in the auditorium is proceeding and includes painting all walls and the ceiling, replacing window shades, replacing the stage skirt and adding a stained picture -hanging rail.

 

Social Activities: Karen Craven

  • The Recess Monkey was successful, but had a low turnout.
  • The marijuana forum was good but only had about 20 attendees.
  • In November a women’s group will meet for lunch at 11:00 on Thursday. (DATE?)
  • November 30 is game night.
  • December 2 will be the tree lighting. We need more volunteers, including decorating on Dec. 1. Call Karen.
  • There will be a Lego event Dec. 16th for families.
  • January 26 will be the wine and cheese for members “and guests.”
  • Lynn Goodwin said the Flash Newsletter would come out after Thanksgiving—get any articles to info@FICRA.org by November 9.

 

Nature Center: Phil Craven

  • The BIG blackberry root is out.
  • There were 34 volunteer hours this month for a total of 324 hours this year.
  • The new Nature Center sign is up (and looks great!). The sign was donated and Tom Wiley completed the lettering gratis.

 

Publicity: Jim Braden for Kalli Ostner

  • Jim expressed appreciation to Kalli for keeping the website current and for creating the signs that get posted on the bridge.
  • Jim also thanks Max, and Tom Purvis for all their help.
  • Kalli will put together a budget for publicity.
  • Kalli needs a week advance notice to make signs for the bridge.

 

 

 

Fundraising: Jeff Goodwin

  • All 2011 members who had not paid the 2012 dues have been called. Jeff reported a very positive response and that over 50% of those who Jeff actually spoke with have renewed their membership.
  • The database is not finished.

 

Special Committees:

Bylaws: Jim Braden

  • The separation of FICRA and the trust is ongoing.

 

Unfinished Business:

  • The survey is complete. Jeff and Hal will put together a summary for the Board.
  • JJ Bland, our rental coordinator, is working to develop levels of renter contracts tied to risk management.

 

Meeting adjourned 9:01pm.  Next meeting December 6.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Patty Metzger

 ** Treasurer’s Report to be attached shortly