Meeting Agendas and Minutes
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Commission Meeting Minutes
January 25th, 2010
COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
January 25, 2010
9:30 a.m.
PRESENT:
George Schoenfeldt, President Dave Hagiwara, Dir Trade & Dev.
Jim McEntire, Vice-President Jerry Demetriff, Public Works Mgr.
John Calhoun, Secretary Holly Hairell, Human Resources Mgr.
Jeff Robb, Executive Director (by phone) Doug Sandau, Airport/Marina Mgr.
William James, Director of Finance Dave Neupert, Port Attorney
CALL TO ORDER – OPEN SESSION
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
I. TIME SPECIFIC
A. 10:00 a.m. – Harbor Works Board Applicants
B. 10:30 a.m. – ARRA Bonds – Cynthia Weed
C. 11:00 a.m. – DNR Derelict Vessel Program
II. MINUTES OF JANUARY 11, 2010 COMMISSION MEETING
Commissioner Calhoun stated he reviewed the January 11, 2010 Commission Meeting Minutes, found them to be accurate and moved to accept them as written. Commissioner McEntire seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
III. EARLY PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION
There were no public comments. Bill James, Director of Finance and Administration noted for the minutes that Executive Director Jeff Robb is home sick with the flu and is participating by speaker phone.
IV. PROPERTY
A. Old Mechanical Shop Lease
Dave Hagiwara, Director of Trade and Development, commented that information from the RFP process for a month to month lease at the old mechanical shop was presented at the previous Commission meeting. He reiterated that although there was much interest, two proposals were received. After staff review, Straits Marine and Industrial, one of two companies doing topside repair, was picked for the lease. They are currently a Port lessee at the Industrial Park and the leases will be exchanged. The waterfront lease is $3,000.00 monthly versus $1,000.00 at the Industrial Park. The Port has given permission to Straits Marine to conduct repairs at their own expense. March 1 is the anticipated effective date of the 10,000 sq. foot building lease.
V. MARINAS
A. Port Angeles Salmon Club Halibut Derby Fee Waiver Request May 29 and 30, 2010
Doug Sandau, Airport/Marina Manager, remarked the 10th annual Halibut Derby sponsored by the Port Angeles Salmon Club will be held May 29-30, 2010. The Port typically waives the launch ramp fees for the derby and the Salmon Club has again requested the Port grant the waiver for approximately 150 launch ramp passes to those not already owners of the launch ramp permit. Staff recommendation is to waive the launch ramp fees. Mr. Sandau indicated the Port derives benefit from fuel sales and transient moorage and that the derby, which attracts approximately 800 participants, benefits both the Port and the community. He noted Salmon Club member Norm Metzler was in attendance and invited him to speak. Mr. Metzler commented that the Port has always been gracious in granting the fee waiver and it is very much appreciated. The Port receives recognition in the brochure.
Commissioner McEntire made the motion to waive launch ramp fees for the Port Angeles Salmon Club Halibut Derby May 29-30, 2010. Commissioner Calhoun seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. 2010 Work Plan
Mr. James noted that a rough draft was presented at the previous meeting and the final 2010 Work Plan was provided to the Commission for discussion, consideration and adoption. The 25-page Work Plan provides a blueprint to meet objectives and serves as a tool to measure progress throughout the year. (It may be found on the Port website and is on file in the Port Admin Office). Discussion followed.
Commissioner McEntire suggested adding the Canadian Navy to the mix on Project 1.4, Cruise Vessel Event Planning. He noted this year is the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy and he indicated the wording in the Plan did not have to be changed. Commissioner Schoenfeldt inquired about the piling on Terminal 5 and Public Works Manager Jerry Demetriff responded that except for the eastern quarter, T5 is in good condition. Commissioner Calhoun stated that development of a barge service is one issue the Port has been promoting for some time, he is pleased to see it in the Plan and hopes the new marketing position will be instrumental in finding customers because one of the long-term core roles of the Port is to investigate and make work for the benefit of the transportation community. Commissioner Calhoun stated that job creation and retention is a metric that people in the public understand and he hopes that will be included in the quarterly reports. He emphasized that because of the importance, he would be willing to dedicate the better part of a meeting to the quarterly reports.
Commissioner McEntire made the motion to adopt the 2010 Work Plan dated January 25, 2010 as the Commission’s Work Plan for fiscal 2010. With compliments to Executive Director Jeff Robb for leading this effort, Commissioner Calhoun seconded the motion. Mr. James noted that the Work Plan states it is fully consistent with the Strategic Plan and the Budget. He indicated clarification is needed on Project 7.6, regarding the phone system. There was a $40,000 capital expenditure that was considered in the budget but did not make the cut. That issue has been reexamined. Angeles Communications has a phone system available for lease which means the Port leases their system in which all equipment and maintenance is provided for a monthly fee. There is an approximate $10,000 set up fee with a yearly cost of $18,000 per year. The Port’s current phone system costs approximately $38,000 per year which means initial costs with the new system can be recouped in six months and there will be a tremendous savings each year. Discussion followed and the Commissioners
concurred with the thought process and effort of good administrative work. The motion passed unanimously.
VIII. ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (taken out of order)
Commissioner McEntire stated there is a US Department of Transportation Port Summit February 4 and 5 in San Diego he would like to attend and he is seeking agreement from the Commission. He said this is a two-day program dealing strictly with Ports and he does not remember a time where this has been the case and he feels it would benefit the Port. Secondly, Commissioner McEntire indicated in the past one staff person and one commissioner has gone to Washington, DC in the spring to lobby for various issues and he needs the Commission to indicate preferences to facilitate expenses. The City of Port Angeles will be attending March 14-17 and he would like to coordinate with cities in the Port district and the County to send a delegation to our legislators.
Commissioner Calhoun stated he would not object to the Executive Director approving travel if he can demonstrate specific purposes and benefits that would accrue to the Port in attending these two functions and contacts with public officials. Discussion followed on whether or not to make a motion to authorize attendance and the decision was made that a motion was not necessary. Commissioner McEntire referred to a January 15 memo from Eric Johnson, WPPA Director regarding HB 2563 regarding homeless or low income housing and HB 2651 to allow assisting nonprofit entities in operation of certain programs. WPPA recommended a position against both of those bills and he requested Executive Director Robb to prepare a letter in support of the WPPA stance from the Port of Port Angeles. Commissioner Schoenfeldt emphasized that he has not read the bill and the decision was made for the Executive Director to report his recommendation at the February 8 meeting. The Commissioners concurred.
I. TIME SPECIFIC
A. 10:00 a.m. - Harbor Works Board Applicants (actual time
10:06 a.m.)
Mr. James commented that the Port has identified three extremely well-qualified citizens who have generously committed to running for the demanding Harbor Works Board. He invited each of the candidates to make a short 5-minute presentation to the Commission on their qualifications and desire to be on the board. Questions from the Commission will follow and the candidates will present in alphabetical order as Kaj Ahlburg, Harry Bell and Grant Munro. After the presentations, Commissioner Schoenfeldt thanked them for their interest in the position and commented there are three very good candidates. Further discussion on qualifications will occur in the Executive Session.
B. 10:30 a.m. - ARRA Bonds – Cynthia Weed
Mr. James provided introductory comments on the Recovery Act Zone Bonding through the Department of Commerce which was previously reported at the December 14 Commission meeting. The County had been awarded $860,000.00 and they are not going to use the bonding authority. They notified the Port that it could be transferred and inquired if the Port was interested. Mr. James introduced Cynthia Weed to explain the types of bonds and commented that she was the nation’s premier bond counsel.
Ms. Weed provided a power point presentation and explained and compared the bond financing options (copies of the presentation are available in the Port Admin Office.) The options are: Tax-exempt bonds (governmental), Tax-exempt bonds (Private Activity Recovery Zone Facility Bonds – RZFB, Build America Bonds (direct payment known as BAB, Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds (direct payment known as RZEDB and Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds known as QECBs. Ms. Weed indicated the types should be studied and she believes the Port should not pass the opportunity to obtain money that has been allocated to other institutions but which they may not be interested in using. The priorities are in identifying capital plans and then finding where and if they may be possible.
Commissioner Calhoun reiterated that the Port’s mission in the broadest sense is to apply economic resources for job creation and economic development and we should be very aggressive in that endeavor. The Commissioners concurred this should be given serious thought and that we would be shirking our duty if the Port did not aggressively take advantage of the money allocation from the County as well as from other counties that may not be using their allocation and for which it may be transferred to the Port. Commissioner McEntire suggested that Executive Director Robb provide a proposal as to how to use this opportunity. The Commissioners thanked Ms. Weed for her very informative and helpful presentation.
C. 11:00 a.m. - DNR Derelict Vessel Program
Melissa Ferris from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provided information, including a power point presentation on the derelict vessel program. The program was begun in 2003 with the goal of reducing the number of derelict and abandoned vessels in the state. Beginning in 2006 it became a criminal misdemeanor to cause a vessel to become abandoned or derelict. Ms. Ferris reported the program has been successful and since 2003 there have been 262 vessel removals conducted by 43 different agencies. DNR can take the lead on vessel removal or coach other authorized agencies, of which the Port is one, on how to remove a vessel. The program has 4 main components: It is the only law in the state to provide consistent statewide authority to remove someone’s abandoned property. The program covers vessels up to 200 feet in length with no lower end size limit. The Derelict Vessel Act created the derelict vessel removal account which charges $3.00 on each individual’s recreational boat licensing fee for the purpose of the program. Ms. Ferris manages the program budget. The fourth component is to provide guidance and assistance to the public agencies as well as to private citizens that may have boats on their beach. Ms. Ferris indicated the priority for program funds are for vessels that are in danger of breaking up and posing a threat to human health and safety. She emphasized that there are state statutes regarding derelict vessels and that the Washington program is one of the best in the nation. Ms. Ferris concluded her presentation by explaining the different options that may be followed in removing vessels. Commissioner Schoenfeldt inquired if Ms. Ferris gets calls from Tribes and she responded that they do but Tribes are not listed as authorized public entities under the Derelict Vessel Act and so they don’t usually remove vessels from tribal reservations. She indicated they have removed tribally-owned vessels that are off the reservations but they do contact tribal government to make sure they are aware of the situation and then they may get involved.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS SESSION
There were no public comments.
IX. NEXT MEETING – FEBRUARY 8, 2010
Commissioner Calhoun indicated that he will not be at the February 8 meeting as he will be attending a bio-energy conference in the Tri-Cities.
X. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board of Commissioners will now move into executive session to consider one property item, one litigation items, and two items of personnel. These items are discussed in executive session in accordance with title 42.30.110 of the Revised Code of Washington. Commissioner Schoenfeldt estimated that the executive session will conclude within 30 minutes at which time action will be taken.
XI. RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING AND ADJOURN
Commissioner Schoenfeldt reconvened the regular meeting at 12:15 p.m. and reported that one property item, one litigation item and two items of personnel were discussed. He indicated that one personnel item concerned the Harbor Works Board position and he stated that all three of the candidates were well qualified. Discussion followed. Commissioner Calhoun said that he appreciated the three candidates stepping forward for public service particularly when the community is somewhat divided on the Harbor Works issue. He indicated it is his opinion that the best candidate is Kaj Ahlburg because he has a unique set of qualifications and he supports his nomination. Commissioner McEntire thanked all the applicants for their interest and particularly the three wonderful citizens appearing before the Commission today. He commented that he believes Kaj Ahlburg is best equipped to handle the job with the momentous decisions related to the future of the maritime related economy here. Commissioner Schoenfeldt stated he is comfortable with the selection and believes he is a good candidate.
Commissioner McEntire made the motion to recommend to the Port Angeles City Council the appointment of Kaj Ahlburg to the Harbor Works Board position vacated by Bart Irwin. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Calhoun and the motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Schoenfeldt adjourned the meeting at 12:20 p.m.
PORT OF PORT ANGELES
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
_________________________
George Schoenfeldt, President
____________________________
John M. Calhoun, Secretary
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