minutes from the regular meeting
of the Port of Hoodsport Commission
March 28, 2007
Call to order: 5:03 p.m. Adjourned: 7:20 p.m.
Roll Call: Commissioner Frank Benavente
Commissioner Dick Patterson
Commissioner Tom Young
Introduction of Guests: Chuck Engel and Eric Ellis, PDA and Tall Ship
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Benavente made a motion to “Approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on March 14, 2007 as presented.” The motion was approved unanimously.
Approval of Vouchers
Commissioner Benavente made a motion to “Approve vouchers for Carol Ferguson for Administrative Services and mileage in the amount of $412.90; the EDC for annual membership dues in the amount of $110.00; and Commissioner Benavente for per diem for 29 meetings in the amount of $2,030.” The motion was approved unanimously. R&G Handyman Services submitted an invoice in the amount of $549.62, but there was a question about overlap on dates of service. Approval is withheld pending further investigation and clarification.
Commissioner Benavente made a motion to “Pre-approve reoccurring vouchers for the month of April 2007.” The motion was approved unanimously.
Agenda Changes –Add the Wittenberg contract and move the Tall Ship/Creative Children’s Guild discussion to Executive Session.
Open Items – PDA/Tall Ship
Mr. Engel gave the commissioners copies of a proposal asking the Port for permanent moorage for the Tall Ship, which includes an outline for paying the Port for use of the dock and to help with maintenance of the dock. By permanent moorage, they don’t mean tying up to the dock. They would only use the dock for access to the Tall Ship, which would be anchored out in the canal. He said that the PDA is asking four other areas the same question. Commissioner Patterson had told Mr. Engel that the moorage was a possibility and that it’s included in the vision report prepared by Art Anderson for the Port. Commissioners Young and Benavente stated that the vision report is only in draft form and that it has not yet been reviewed or approved. The final version could be very different.
Mr. Engel and Mr. Ellis stressed that they are at a critical point to make this project happen. In order to have the ability to raise funds to bring the ship up from California, they need a letter of intent from the Port stating that they could put the ship out beyond our dock and use the dock to access the ship – that the ship would have a home. Commissioner Young paraphrased what he thought the PDA was asking for, that the Port would facilitate and/or provide the infrastructure to permanently moor the ship. Mr. Engel and Mr. Ellis confirmed that this is what they’re asking for. Commissioner Young also asked about short-term vs. long-term infrastructure. Mr. Ellis stated that they see this as an ongoing partnership and that, as the Port grows, the program could grow as well. At this point they would use the existing dock for access.
Commissioner Benavente cautioned that, since the dock system was built with public funds for recreation use, we would have make sure that it could be used for commercial purposes as well. We would also have to check our DNR lease regarding commercial use.
Commissioner Young said that a decision would be made in Executive Session and that we should get an answer to them quickly.
PDA Reorganization
Mr. Engel reported that the PDA would be using a portion of Dennis Craig’s building as their official office site. They will hold their meetings there and will house all of their official records there. The Port is welcome to review their records at any time.
Action Items
Overnight Moorage Fee Implementation
The commissioners still feel that we should wait to proceed until we have some input from the tribe and until the DNR lease is signed. We haven’t yet received a response from the tribe, but the DNR lease arrived yesterday.
Commissioner Patterson stated that the posts for the sign are in. They have painted the Ingvold sign and it looks a lot better. He feels that we’ll get some negative comments about moving the Ingvold sign to the back railing and putting the “Pay Here” signs in it’s place up front.
Pumpout
We are waiting for a signed copy of the grant contract to be returned to us before submitting the voucher for the permits. Carol will complete a new voucher and arrange for us to pick up the check when it’s ready. Commissioner Benavente will then submit the permit application.
DNR Lease
Two copies of the lease arrived yesterday. The commissioners will review it before the next meeting, at which time they will vote on its approval. The copies must be signed and notarized, and returned to the DNR within 30 days. Commissioner Benavente will take the lead position on the lease.
Dock Repair
We haven’t received a response from Wil Clark, so Carol emailed Sheila for an update. She will continue to email until we receive a response.
Hoodsport Vision Discussion
Art Anderson emailed an updated draft report today, but no one has had time yet to review it. Carol will print a copy for Commissioner Patterson, since he doesn’t use email.
Hoodsport Trails Park
Commissioner Young drafted a letter to the National Parks Service, a utilization plan and a map of the property and its proposed use. Greg York, from Art Anderson, is completing an electronic map. Once that is received, Carol will prepare the letter, plan and map to the National Parks Service with a cc: to Steve Hahn. She will include a copy of the original letter and plan as well as the Quitclaim Deed.
Office Lease
Commissioner Patterson talked to Don LeMaster about the 2-year term of the lease. He said that we should just change it to a 1-year term and initial the change. He didn’t ask about a termination clause. A motion was made to “Approve the new lease for one year starting on April 1, 2007.” The motion was approved unanimously.
Wittenberg Contracts
Michael Wittenberg provided a contract for the 2007 calendar year, which has minor language changes and an increase in the fees. A motion was made to “Approve the 2007 contract with Michael Wittenberg.” The motion was approved unanimously.
We had a verbal contract for 2006, so Michael Wittenberg included a written contract based on services that they provided for us. A motion was made to “Approve the 2006 contract with Michael Wittenberg.” The motion was approved unanimously.
Foothills Park
Commissioner Benavente reported that the public meetings would be held on Thursday, April 26, at 6:00 pm. In the Hoodsport Fire Hall. Notices have not yet been published.
Individual Commissioners’ Reports
Commissioner Benavente attended the EDC Luncheon and Dick Taylor, the new Director of the Mason County Chamber, was the main speaker.
Commissioner Benavente reported that Shelton and North Mason County partnered on a $100,000 grant for tourism. They are planning on building a web site and creating some brochures. Commissioner Benavente’s concern is that there is no long-term county plan for tourism. At this point, it’s up to the L Tax Committee to make recommendations on what’s funded out of the L Taxes. The tourism MOU has gone by the wayside. It appears that the signing of the MOU was the milestone, not the end result. Commissioner Benavente will draft a letter on behalf of the Port stating that, as one of the original signers of the MOU, we haven’t received any updates on what has happened since and asking for a status report.
Commissioner Patterson reported that he contacted the person who sent the email about the Ingvold Park dedication. He told her about the Tall Ship project and said that we could have the dedication ceremony at the same time. Commissioner Benavente asked what constitutes an official dedication, but Commissioner Patterson didn’t know. He said that he would have to research the question. It was suggested that he contact Tim Sheldon, since he was a Port Commissioner at the time, and he may know if the park was actually dedicated. A second point of contact would be Doug Southerland.
Commissioner Young reported that most of his time continues to be spent in Olympia. He also stated that the RTPO‘s joint human services/transit plan has been approved at the state level. They will find out the rankings next week, but won’t know about the funding for a while.
Correspondence
We received information on a WGEP seminar, which was copied for the commissioners.
Agenda for the April 11, 2007 meeting:
Action Items:
Overnight Moorage Fee Implementation
Pumpout
DNR Lease
Hoodsport Vision Discussion – Hoodsport Trail Park, Foothills Park Public Meeting Agenda
Dock Repair
Park Dedication Follow-up
PDA Relationship/Letter to Eric Ellis
Individual Commissioner Reports
Correspondence
The regular meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 7:01 p.m.
Motion to adjourn the Executive Session and reconvene the regular meeting at 7:14 p.m.
A motion was made to “Draft a letter of intent to the PDA to facilitate and/or provide infrastructure to permanently moor the Tall Ship.” The motion was approved unanimously. Commissioner Young will draft the letter to the PDA and to the Creative Children’s Guild.
Motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:18 p.m.
Thomas Young, Chairman Frank Benavente, Commissioner Dick Patterson, Commissioner