MINUTES FOR THE

EXECUTIVE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

February 11, 2009

 

Call to order: 8:13 a.m.                                                         Adjourned     9:21 a.m.

 

Roll Call:                               Don LeMaster - PDA

                                                Dick Patterson - EAB

                                                Chuck Bevens - Lake Cushman Maint. Board

                                                Chuck Engel - PDA

 

Guests:                                   Commissioner Benavente

                                                Rich McEachin, Exec Director

                                                Terry Veitz, Admin Asst.

 

Approval of Minutes

Dick Patterson made a motion to approve the minutes from January 14, 2009 meeting..  Motion was 2nd by Chuck Engel. Motion was approved unanimously.

 

Board Member Reports:

None

 

Old Business

Hoodsport special section in Journal: Those in attendance discussed advertising in the Journal as it pertains to the Hoodsport special section. Don said it has been difficult to move forward because the Journal won’t appoint a reporter until March. They do have a meeting scheduled with the Journal for March 4th in the mezzanine of the new grocery store. It is important to get as many people to attend as possible. Chuck Engel added that this would be a good opportunity to further discuss advertising.

 

Memorial sign and plaque in honor of Dennis Craig: Don reported that the sign is out to bid. The plaque is separate and will be 12" X 12" for approximately $240.00 above the cost of the sign. Commitments have been made to offset the costs. Don mentioned that State Parks was on board to contribute previously, but budget issues will not allow them to go forth. Chuck Engel is going to talk to someone from the State who was a previous contact person to see if there might be a way to gain back support for some funding.

Welcome to Hoodsport Signage: Dick Patterson asked what the disposition of a new sign saying Welcome to Hoodsport is. Executive Director McEachin reported that Carrie Berrie works for the State and only needs a site identified to move it forward. Commissioner Benavente stated that the site is north of Mike’s Beach Resort on the water side. The Executive Director will try to find the old location.

 

New Business:

Port taxing district: Don LeMaster stated that he felt the Port should consider expanding its taxing district. Commissioner Benavente stated that the County would have revenue data for those areas of interest. He further stated that the WPPA would be instrumental in moving this issue forward. He suggested that a letter from the EAB to the Port, recommending an expansion of the district would be appropriate. Don stated that ideally, the district should include areas all the way to Union. He added that it will be important to get information out to educate people, prior to any ballot. Commissioner Benavente stated that there might possibly be some grants available to do a feasibility study on the issue. He added that it is also important for people to realize that the funds would be under local control, not the County. He stated the importance of providing funding for marketing the issue and the need to get a consensus or approval of the Port Commission. Exec. Dir. McEachin stated that he will be speaking to the Lake Cushman Booster Club in March and could share some information with them. Don stated that they need to set up a date for Exec. Dir. McEachin to speak to the Lilliwaup representatives.

 

Lake Cushman police protection: Chuck Bevens mentioned that the cost for police protection has just increased. Commissioner Benavente stated that there might be some grants the Port can access to help them in their efforts, but the problem is due to that area being private property. Exec. Dir. McEachin stated that they might be better off hiring their own people, which would be less than the current cost. It might be possible that the Sheriff’s office would entertain making Lake Cushman a separate beat, considering what Lake Cushman is now paying.

 

Urban Growth Area: Dick Patterson asked what the disposition of becoming a UGA is and what is the process? Commissioner Benavente stated that a request needs to be made by the Port, but the Port needs to know there is support in the community. Don LeMaster stated that the EAB had a meeting previously and the decision was made to go forward. A consensus of the EAB and PDA has been done. Exec. Dir. McEachin asked that Don proof read what he included in the Port newsletter in this regard. Once this is completed, the Exec. Dir. will send the information to all members of the EAB. Once the EAB approves the information, they should make a recommendation to the Port. The PDA also needs to send a letter and information to other community partners and ask for letters of support, including the Skokomish Tribe. Once letters of support are in hand, the PDA should  present it to the County.

 

Adjourn: The next meeting of the EAB/PDA is March 11th. The meeting was adjourned at 9:21am.