Minutes for the

Executive Advisory Board MEETING

December 12, 2007

Call to order:  8:00 a.m.                                                         Adjourned: 9:07 a.m.

Roll Call:       

                        Don LeMaster, EAB Chair

                        John Wyatt, Kiwanis

                        Paul Mullins, Lake Cushman Maintenance Co

                        George Fisher, Hoodsport Resident

                        Cindy Adams, Administrative Assistant

Introduction of Guests: 

                        Commissioner Frank Benavente

            Commissioner Jack Hamlin

Approval of Minutes

Don LeMaster made a motion to approve the minutes from the Executive Advisory Board Meeting on November 14, 2007.  The motion was approved unanimously.

Agenda Changes

No changes at this time.

Open Items

Mr. John Wyatt inquired if the Holiday Beach Homeowners Association has been contacted regarding the EAB and if they would like to have a representative present at the meetings.

Action Items

None at this time.

Discussion Items

Vision Statement

Mr. LeMaster would like to develop a more current version of the EAB Vision Statement.   Unfortunately, we have not been able to find the original Vision Statement.  The Vision Statement would determine how the EAB will focus their energy and also how the group will interact with the Port of Hoodsport Commissioners.

Mr. Fisher stated that he may have information from the initial meetings of the EAB and that he will look through notes to see if he could find any past information on the Vision Statement.

Mr. LeMaster gave a brief history on EAB and the lack of participation by committee members in the past.  There have been meetings in the past with the Port of Hoodsport to discuss the projects identified in the community survey.  Mr. LeMaster would like to see the new members continue discussions on projects.

Emergency Situations – Recent Flooding Issues

Mr. LeMaster asked what role the Port plays in emergency situations such as the recent storm and flooding in the Hoodsport area.

Mr. Fisher noted that Mason County hasn’t been approved for federal funds for the flooding.  Can the Port assist in any way to help get things moving to get funds for the areas around Hoodsport?

Commissioner Benavente stated that the Port can contact the County representative for the area which is Tim Sheldon.  Emergency Management also plays a major role in the distribution of emergency notices.  However, it doesn’t appear that information is getting out to community as quickly as it should.

Mr. LeMaster would like to know what is going on with FEMA funds and State funds and Mr. Sheldon should be speaking with the community about these issues.

Mr. Fisher feels that we need to be supportive but at the same time we need to present our concerns regarding notification issues.  Who speaks for the community?  A public meeting may be necessary to discuss these issues.

Commissioner Benavente will try and schedule a public meeting and invite Representative Tim Sheldon to speak to the community about what has and has not been done to support the Hoodsport area.

Mr. Wyatt feels that the Emergency Management Plan for this area needs to be revised.

Port Commission Representative

Mr. LeMaster has decided that not having a Port Commissioner present at the EAB meeting is not going to work.  At the previous EAB meeting it was decided that a Port Commissioner may attend a meeting if needed.  Mr. LeMaster believes that the EAB needs the ability to interface immediately at the meeting with the Commission in order to discuss current issues.

Commissioner Benavente suggested that the EAB Board be sent a copy of the current Port business meeting minutes so they may get updates on projects between meetings.

Pumpout Project

Commissioner Benavente stated that the Port has not received final approval from Department of Ecology.

Commissioner Benavente again commented about the additional grant money available to help pay for the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of the pumpout facility.  Some research will be done to determine how much money would be needed for O&M for the next 10 years.  A letter will then be sent to the state indicated how much additional grant money would be needed.

Derelict Vessel

Commissioner Benavente stated that a certified letter has been sent to the owner of a large boat that has been tied to the Port’s dock system for over a month.  The letter states the following:

In accordance with RCW 79.100.010 the failure to remove your Vessel could result in the Port of Hoodsport, acting as an authorized public entity with the authority granted in the RCW, taking custody of the Vessel.

Once we take custody of the Vessel, we are authorized to use or dispose of it in any appropriate and environmental sound manner without further notice to the owner, and the owner may be liable for all cost, but not limited to, cost incurred exercising the authority granted in RCW 79.100.030, all administrative cost incurred by the authorized  public entity during the procedure set forth in RCW79.100.040, removal and disposal costs,  and cost associated with damages directly or indirectly caused by the Vessel.

Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:07 a.m.