MINUTES FOR THE

EXECUTIVE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

May 14, 2008

Call to order: 8:02 a.m.                                                         Adjourned     9:17 a.m.

Roll Call:                                Don LeMaster-EAB

                                                Barbara Levette-Public Involvement Manager

                                                Dick Patterson-Citizen

                                                Paul Mullins – LCMC

                                                Pat Kamber - EAB

Guests:                                   Commissioner Benavente

                                                Commissioner Hamlin

                                                Commissioner Wyatt

                                                Rich McEachin, Exec Director

                                                Chuck Bevens – Lake Cushman BOD

Approval of Minutes

Jack Hamlin made a motion to approve minutes from April 9, 2008 meeting.  Motion was 2^nd by Pat Kamber.  Motion was approved unanimously.

Old Business

A presentation by Barbara Levette, Public Involvement Manager, from Skillings/Connolly.  Part Two of her presentation discussed the involvement of the Individual Stake Holders for the EAB.  The open discussion identified other groups that were stakeholders in the Port. An analysis was accomplished by the members regarding who they felt important stakeholders:

            Hoodsport Citizens     Mason County           Visitors/Tourists

            Civil Organizations     Union/Lilliwap/Cushman        Property Owners

            Environmental Groups     Colony Surf Comm           Business Community

            MCFPD#17                      State/Federal Agencies     Tribe

            Puget Sound Partnership   Hood Canal Coordinating Council

            Public Entities                   4^th of July Activities

The first area broken down into How The Stake Holders Judged the Port, was the Visitors category: The members felt visitors judged the Port by:

            How clean it is

            Facilities – restroom/dock

            Exposure – Signage

            Resources/Businesses (retail availability)

            Parking – RV and Auto

            Visitor Center and Signage

            Accommodations and restaurants

            Shopping

            Licensing

            Recreation facilities

            Sporting Goods

            Gas for boats

            Pet care

            Mechanic/tow

            Medical

Members were asked “How are we doing in those areas:”

Most members felt that much has happened in the last few years to address the above items; it was stated:

            We have a Port Plan

            We have new docks

            We have a new Pump Out Station

            We hired an Exec Director

            We have a Port Office

            We are working on Foothill Park

We are working on trails

We have applied for a grant to do a public restroom

We have the EAB

We have a new grocery store going in and then a sporting goods store

There is a lot of Citizen Interest

A committee is working on the tall ship program

            We have a way now of making revenue at the dock

It was also discussed what more is needed. Members felt that:

            We need to change from a RAC to Urban Growth Area to support new businesses needs.

            We need to finalize and move forward on the sewer system. However, there was much discussion regarding the sewer project and mixed messages and costs.

            We need more positive media coverage to get the word out.

            Also, that the real estate businesses are now advertising in Seattle area.

The Second area talked about was the Business Community: The members felt the Port was judged by the business community by:

            How much taxes they pay

            What expenditures there were

            What are they getting

            Expectations

                        There was talk about how businesses expectations differ from what the Port can actually do, at times, because of laws that regulate them.

            How many customers they get

            Revenues

Members were asked How Are We Doing in the above areas:

            Many members felt feelings are changing because of things accomplished the last few years.

            Many EAB members are also business members

            Doing better in getting the word out – media

            Partnerships have improved

            There was talk that some people don’t even know they pay taxes for the Port.

            It was agreed more needs to be done.

The Board members felt that the above process was a good idea to tackle at each meeting and eventually covering all stakeholders’ judgments and document How We Are Doing.

New Business

Commissioner Benavente reported the dock repairs were completed and that we are still addressing the pilings with the insurance company.

Commissioner Benavente reported that the Pump Out has been installed but is not yet operational because of electrical hook ups.

Barbara Levette made the motion to adjourn, 2^nd by Pat Kamber. Passed