Minutes for the Port of Hoodsport

Executive Advisory Board MEETING

March 14, 2007

 Call to order:  8:05 a.m.                                                  Adjourned:  9:02 a.m.

Attendees:   Commissioner Frank Benavente

Commissioner Dick Patterson

Mike Purvis, EAB

Chuck Engel, PDA

Carol Ferguson, Administrative Assistant

New Business

Mike Purvis opened a conversation about the downtown parking situation due to the proposed widening of Hwy. 101. He wondered if we could get the library to cut back their bank and put in a retaining wall. Commissioner Benavente stated that the DOT would have to initiate any action on Hwy. 101, and that he has asked for more information on the project. Because parking impacts economic development, the Port could possibly partner with the DOT. Chuck Engel believes that the project is on hold until a decision is made on the sewer system, so they wouldn’t have to tear up the highway twice.

Chuck Engel also mentioned the 20’ by 80’ piece of property between the library and Margene’s office, which is up for sale for $4,500. That strip could really only be used by the library or by John, who owns the white house on Hwy. 119, because there is no other access to it.

Old Business

Foothills Park

Commissioner Benavente stated that the county Parks Department has $60,000 to do some improvements at Foothills Park. The Port and the Parks Department will be holding a joint public meeting on Thursday, April 26, at 6:00 p.m. at the Fire Hall to get input from the public on how the $60,000 should be spent. There is a possibility that the Port could get matching funds from a state or federal grant. Commissioner Benavente has been looking for grants for which we may be eligible. Mike Purvis suggested that Simpson is good about local projects and they may be open to funding. Commissioner Patterson added that, if we had a 501(c)3 organization in Hoodsport, they could get Wal Mart tax money. Chuck Engel said the Kiwanis club has been trying to get that designation for two years.

Wastewater Management System

Mike Purvis asked if the Port has a stand on this project. Commissioner Benavente responded that the Port endorsed a PUD position letter early on, but that we were never included in the planning. Mike said that there is an active, vocal group in Hoodsport that doesn’t want the project and that we should have another group on the pro side of the issue. He added that it doesn’t seem fair for everyone to vote on it when so few will be affected.

Commissioner Benavente suggested that the EAB make a recommendation at their next meeting that the Port publicly support the system. Commissioner Benavente stated that the Business Association should also be backing the project. Mike feels that we need a group to spearhead the Hoodsport portion of the project in the same way that the tribe has done with theirs.

Hoodsport Vision

Commissioner Benavente said that the vision is coming along and that the consultants should have a presentation ready for us in a couple of weeks. Chuck asked if the county has a 10- or 20-year plan for Hoodsport. Commissioner Benavente responded that the Port is working on that now. Once it’s completed, we need to put some plans together. There are grants available to do the studies. We also need to change our designation from a RAC to a UGA if we’re going to grow.

Urban Growth Plan

The city of Allyn has agreed to help us along in this process when we’re ready, and we can use them as a model. Everyone agreed that we should wait until after the sewers are in. Commissioner Patterson asked if there is a process in place to change the designation. Commissioner Benavente responded that there is now that Allyn has done it. Mike Purvis said that we need a dedicated core group of three or four people, tied to the Port, who are willing to see the process through to the end. He volunteered to be one of those people.

Commissioner Benavente asked whether the county or the PUD is the proponent for the Hoodsport portion of the sewer system, and Mike said that he would find out. He will also keep tabs on the project on a weekly basis.

Having no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:02 a.m.