Trust Board Meeting Minutes 02-10-2022

FICRA Building Trust Board Meeting Minutes 
Thursday, February 10, 2022, 8:00PM 
Nichols Community Center, Fox Island, Washington 

Board Attendees: Howard Stapleton, President; Arlyn Lawrence, Vice-President; Hal Goodell,

Treasurer; Craig McLaughlin, Director. Excused: Gina Olson, Secretary

Additional Attendees: Jim Braden, Committee Chair, Capital Projects and Maintenance Project Manager

The meeting was called to order at 8:14PM.

PUBLIC COMMENTS – There were no public comments.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Craig moved to approve the Minutes from the November, 2021 Trust Board Meeting, Arlyn seconded the motion which was approved unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Hal Goodell

Trust Checking account: Jan 1 Balance: $41,689.21, Jan 31 Balance: $41,561.91

Trust Capital Checking: Jan 1 Balance: $3,651.22, Jan 31 Balance: $3,578.13

Trust Reserve Checking: Jan 1 Balance: $319.98, Jan 31 Balance: 319.98

Trust Money Market: Jan 1 Balance: $307,232.45, Jan 31 Balance: $312,968.69

Trust Savings: Jan 1 Balance: $524.52, Jan 31 Balance 575.54

Trust PayPal: Jan 1 Balance: $453.10, Jan 31 Balance $28.95

Hal presented a draft 2022 budget that incorporates the following:

• Santa 5K Run moved from FICRA
• Additional Sheriff patrols for Citizens’ Patrol Program
• New rates paid from recurring rentals

Hal noted that insurance costs could increase by 6-8K based on preliminary estimates for insuring current Citizens’ Patrol activities.  There was some discussion about contracting for professional cleaning of the NCC on a regular schedule of once to twice per month.  Hal will schedule a date to walk through the proposed budget line by line.  A copy of the Draft 2022 Budget is being provided with the PDF version of these Minutes.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS & ACTIONS

Nominating Committee – The Nominating Committee is responsible for presenting a slate of nominees at the regular meeting (3/10/22) preceding the election meeting (4/14/22).  Only Trust members shall be considered for election to the Board. The Nominating Committee shall have at least three members, only one of which shall be a Board member.  Arlyn will accept the role of Chair of the Nominating Committee, Jim Braden volunteers to be on the Committee.  Jim agrees to conduct the election meeting on 4/14/2022 since Arlyn will be gone.  Candy Wawro will publish election information in the newsletter.  Information can also be provided on the bridge sign.

Finance Committee – Hal has been working with Craig on NCC Usage and Rates and they are close to finalizing information that will be presented to the Board.

Building & Grounds

• Howard asked when the last capital expenditures report was distributed.  Jim and Hal are currently working to update the report and will distribute it when completed.
• Arlyn noted that Wes King asked her about the proposed project to resurface (asphalt) the NCC parking areas.  The project is on hold right now; it will require additional analysis and planning; including a determination of property boundaries and rights of way, potential permitting issues, and a review of alternatives (oil and gravel) that might be superior to asphalt.
• The owners of the property adjacent to the NCC (Keener) purchased 3 Leyland Cypress trees at a cost of $800 based on agreement by a FICRA board member to reimburse them.  Jim suggests the Keener’s should be responsible for planting these.
• The three exterior lights on outside walls are not working; Jim is in communication with Penlight to identify LED lights that use less energy and re-use the solar sensors.

Nature Center – Work is going well.  Jim recommends increasing the 2022 budget for the Center to $500 to put in a bridge on the lower entranceway, which is currently marsh and an unstable log. Howard asked if we construct something does that increase our liability?  Jim commented that it is potentially a consideration. Hal noted the proposed 2022 budget identifies $250 for the Nature Center, so that would need to be updated.

Citizens’ Patrol – We are waiting on insurance numbers to determine the way forward for this program.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Fox Island Bridge – Howard noted that there are at least two community groups advocating positions on the bridge.  The current Trust Board involvement is to encourage all parties to communicate with Island residents and keep them involved.  Craig provided a brief overview of some of the efforts underway, including the question of whether the bridge should be County or State.  There is no other comparable bridge in the state that is a county bridge.  The state would have a stronger position for obtaining financing.  The current options on the table would have a significant financial impact on Fox Island homeowners.

NCC Usage and Rates Status – Craig stated that we have the tools put together to analyze our costs and income to set the rates.  We need to know what the market rates are for competing facilities; Craig has reached out to other entities for this information.  The primary question we need to address is what is the break-even rate we need to charge.

There was some discussion on building improvements that could increase the rental potential for the NCC, including air conditioning, a PA system and internet service. 

Howard provided an update on Comcast – we placed the service order with them on 9/27/2021, they completed a walk through of the building on 10/1/2022, and there is a route overview for the service completed on 5/27/2021 showing how service could be provisioned from existing infrastructure at the corner of 9^th and Gway.  Repeated requests for installation status have resulted in the standard response “The construction to deliver Comcast Business services is still underway”, with no other useful information or action.  After more than 5 months, nothing has been done and Comcast is nonresponsive.  Since they are a monopoly, there are no other viable options.

Aid conditioning would provide a significant improvement for summer usage.  Jim noted that we already have some funds identified for this, there are potential rebates/credits from PenLight for energy efficient split air conditioning systems, and Craig believes we could look to major donors for a matching funds drive.  Craig made a motion that we move ahead to install air conditioning by summer, Arlyn seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved.

NEW BUSINESS

Pending NCC Use Requests – Candy reported that French Toast would like to do some Summer Camps, Monday through Thursday, using all of the NCC rooms.  Madeline Hunter has run these camps before with PenMet Parks.  The Board needs to see a written proposal before responding.

PenMet Parks Volunteer Day Clean-Up at DeMolay Sandspit “Bella Bella Beach” – PenMet sent an Email to Craig requesting volunteers to help with a clean-up effort on 2/26/2022.  This request comes on the heels of their refusal to consider our request to partner with them on a Park Host program.  The feeling is that PenMet shows a lack of responsiveness or even a willingness to consider our concerns.  In general, Craig has noticed the lack of maintenance of their properties on Fox Island.  Craig suggests we ask for more information before responding.

Herring Processing Plant – A herring processing plant has been proposed for the small white concrete building near Zogs.  A revised proposal is currently being reviewed by Pierce County.  It would be worthwhile for Fox Island residents to voice their concerns to the Gig Harbor Peninsula Advisory Commission (PAC).

The Trust Board meeting was adjourned at 9:40PM.

Minutes submitted by Arlyn Lawrence and Howard Stapleton.