I wrote a small Bash script that will help build skeleton plugins (creates the folder structure and initializes some of the files). The URL is https://github.com/anzenehansen/Blesta-Goodies/blob/master/plugin_creator.sh (raw version: https://github.com/anzenehansen/Blesta-Goodies/raw/master/plugin_creator.sh).
Just place it in <install dir> (i.e.: if Blesta is installed at /var/www/billing then place it in that folder).
You're free to make changes to this script to fit your needs but pull requests are always welcome as I made this in about 15 minutes (including debugging).
This is a known issue with 3.1 on PHP versions 5.2 and older. A patch should be out next week for this, and Cody may be able to provide a hotfix to get you going in the meantime.
I'd buy some too if they was for sale.
Josh if you would like I'd donate to you for modules and I'm sure some others would, and if you did a one of fee I'm sure people would. Maybe you could ask Blesta if they would like to own the rights and might give you some funds for it. Also I'd advertise them on the Licensecart's new website in development, we've got a nice page for third parties (Free / Purchasable modules too on there)
IP management: We've grown past the point where a spreadsheet is a reasonable solution.
QuantumVault plugin: I think this is already assigned to a CORE.
Knowledgebase: I reverse my earlier statement about a wiki being a better choice. I'd be thrilled with a KB. I remember you started one a while back -- any progress?
As for development costs, I'd be willing to consider paying one-time for modules. Free is great, but free doesn't write code. What would you consider a fair price for some of the above?