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FICRA Building Trust Board Meeting Minutes 8-14-2014

FICRA BUILDING TRUST  MEETING MINUTES  Aug 14, 2014

Board Attendees: Tony Moore, Jim Braden, Ray Kittelberger, Gina Olson and Hal Goodell. Meeting opened by Jim Braden at 8:05 pm.

Minutes from the July 10, 2014 meeting approved.

President’s report: Jim highlighted how well Hal and his team managed the FICRA Fair. At the debriefing meeting, Hal made a comment on how valuable it is to the head person on an event for the sub-team leaders to take charge of their areas of responsibility as was done by several of the FAIR committees. Jim noted that team leaders taking charge is what is needed now with the next round of activities. Jim indicated that the Board will have planning meetings ahead of the Board meetings to have issues better prepared for presentation. Water fountains continue to be a risk for water damage, and should be removed because there is some leaking into the basement. Jim proposes that these areas be considered for display cases.

Consent Calendar:  AA members asked to use the facility for their annual party on Sept 18th. This has been approved.   Lee Tartara,(grandfather of eagle scout Colin Rivera) has volunteered to build the Scout display case to be placed in the Nichols Center hall just outside mens room.

County Council Board of Supervisors Meeting to be held at the NCC on October 28th.

Treasurers Report: Hal Goodell Checking account: Beginning Balance: $19,418.10 Register Balance: $21,867.92 Money Market: Beginning Balance: $12,845.06  Register Balance: $12,846.15  Expenses during fair for fire marshal inspections, were new this year, not previously required. Sponsor thank you letters to be sent out: Red Hook donated beer. Pen Light donation.  Murray Disposal donates the dumpster use. We are ahead of budget on rental use for the year.

COMMITTEES:   Crime Watch: Stan Weston (meets with Sheriff every Fri night).  Crime for the month of July included the following:  speeding tickets issued, a noise complaint, a theft from unlocked vehicle, a purchased phone from eBay was reported stolen, a report of a “peeping tom” made, a TV stolen from FIAC, three separate burglaries on Bella Bella, which generated a neighborhood meeting. (It was held to give more details about Safe Streets and Crime Watch). Animal control picked up a pet on Kamus, two reports of parties/noise, one welfare check, an item stolen from unlocked shed and garage, one individual broke a restraining order.  The patrols will be focusing on Bella Bella.   Mike Gordon reports calls to Crime Watch Hotline and reports from Stan. Most reports are sensitive and he uses caution about what is reported on the Crime Watch message system to avoid unnecessary fear or consequences. There is a Face Book (FB) site that is not controlled by FICRA. Mike is careful to contact individuals who leave messages. No names, no specific details are intentionally not published. Suggestion made to call Crime Watch number rather than leave email report on web site. More process on this topic is needed.

Emergency Planning: Ray Kittelberger 1. Emergency Preparation Leadership Meeting including leadership in county, peninsula emergency planning, Red Cross, supportive agencies, and on-Island resources went well.  FICRA FAir Booths representing crime watch, Neighborhoods, citizen patrol, and emergency planning at the fair generated much interest and new volunteers added.  Jim mentioned value of an organization like the Trust being the nucleus of emergency organization. Other communities have lost their emergency orgs due to lack of support. Mike Gordon suggested that six-month emergency exercises would go a long ways toward keeping interest up on the island.

Rental Coordinator: Jen Bush She would like to see FICRA use Event Resources Gig Harbor’s comprehensive website directory of local venues that can be rented to further publicity and increase rental use. This is $250/year with 10 photos, free without. Adds to the existing website, and gives details of the venue, and services that can be used with the event. It also has a place for customer feedback or postings of rental experience.  The board will consider options and reply. Jen proposes that the rental rate be increased for non-FICRA members. The Audit committee had recommended to increase rental rate by $50-$100 more. She says $800 per event would be comparable to other local venues. Rental rates to be reviewed (including discount rates for members).

Building Committee: Carolyn Braden  Jim reported that a second delivery of wood chips were delivered today and there are more deliveries from Pen Light anticipated. Should be used to cover areas of blackberry encroachment near field.  A small group needed to gather to cut back blackberries.  Our Fall Clean up scheduled typically in Oct, however Carolyn suggests if chips are to cover blackberries, Maybe clean up to be pushed up to Sept. New projects will be suggested by the committee, for approval by board.

Nature Center: Ed Burroughs  Fair booth was visited and many fair goers noted to the booth that they had been to the Nat Center and others were newly informed.  The trails are all open, cleared. Anytime is a good time to visit!

Audit Committee: Ray Kittleberger The mileage allowance for patrol members, which was noted to be non-compliant with IRS requirements was addressed.  All volunteer Citizen 4 patrol members were contacted and have agreed that reimbursement fo the cost of fuel used is a reasonable approach.  Solution therefore is to make available a Shell credit card is to be issued, held by the store, to be used by authorized volunteer crime watch members to be compared to the mileage reported.  This will be a change to bring us into compliance. Dwayne at store is in full agreement. No 1099 will need to be issued. All Board members were in agreement.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS  NCC rental rates to be updated.  Grants for water diversion around NCC are being explored.  Water in basement (even in summer continues to be of high humidity) is concern for the future maintenance of the NCC.  Estimates for A french drain system around the foundation is being obtained.  Budget list and priorities for capital funds to be determined. Grant money is available for Emergency Planning generator and communications devices. Abby has a contact.  Emergency planning is not currently a budgeted item, but is a committee headed by Ray K.  Video cameras are being installed around the NCC building to monitor and record any activity which will hopefully prevent crime/vandals.  This info to be published on the website  New dimmers to be installed, which will not flicker when dimmed.

NEW BUSINESS FICRA Fair was a great success. Growing every year.  Toy box has been assembled. Not placed outside yet, but will be placed under a surveillance camera when installation occurs.  Jim met with an engineering firm who contacted Ficra Trust for resident input regarding Bridge Planning. They are doing preliminary planning and consideration for a bid. This engineering firm is getting information only, and actual project is likely 10 yrs out. It was expressed to them that the financing of bridge is a primary concern and islanders should be informed early of financing options so that we have a voice and will not be left out.  It is likely going to cost the islanders, and knowing this cost long in advance is important. A second firm is also going to make a bid. Discussion centered around the use of bridge, walkers, bicycles, boat launch, boat travel, 16 foot tide and environment issues with primary emphasis on impact of residences in the area. The current bridge when put in, changed the patterns of water flow and sediment there.   Phone book is out for new members to receive. Insurance runs $4000/yr for NCC, (higher than normal to cover claims made here 4-5 yrs ago).  There is a need for finance committee to discuss what level of insurance is needed.  Sept 13 is the All Island Garage Sale, time of event is 9 am to 4 pm.  To be published on FB, and in Gateway. Applications for garage sale are at the Store and the post office.

Motion to adjourn at 8:55 pm, unanimously approved.

Respectfully Submitted by Gina Olson, Secretary