minutes from the regular meeting
of the Port of Hoodsport Commission
may 9, 2007
Call to order: 9:31 a.m. Adjourned: 11:11 a.m.
Roll Call: Commissioner Frank Benavente
Commissioner Dick Patterson
Commissioner Tom Young
Introduction of Guests: None
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Benavente made a motion to “Approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on April 25, 2007 as presented.” The motion was approved unanimously.
Approval of Vouchers
Commissioner Benavente made a motion to “Approve vouchers for Michael Wittenberg for accounting services in the amount of $1,410; Art Anderson Associates for engineering services in the amount of $22,520; and for Commissioner Benavente for reimbursement of mileage, airfare, hall rental and office furniture in the amount of $701.02.” The motion was amended to hold approval of the voucher for Art Anderson Associates pending discussion later in the meeting. The motion was approved unanimously.
Agenda Changes –Add Park Development Partnership Program
Open Items – None
Action Items
Overnight Moorage Fee
The fee has been implemented and we’ve received payment from our first three customers. We have to decide who will collect the money, and Commissioner Patterson indicated that he did not want to do it. He suggested that Carol could do it. We have to buy a key box and have an extra key made for the pay box. A motion was made to “purchase a key box to be kept in the office.” The motion was approved unanimously and Carol will buy a key box. She will also check the pay box once a week.
Pumpout
We received the check from the county for the permit applications. Commissioner Benavente will take the check with the application for permits to the county tomorrow. They will require a copy of the design at some point. There will also be a fee for the actual permits. Once we have them, we’ll have to get bids and hire sub-contractors. Commissioner Young reminded us that we need three bids, which have to be kept on file.
The design consultant recommends a 1,500 gal. tank, which could also be used if we add a restroom. He will be on hand to answer questions and to help with the implementation process. Commissioner Benavente said that there is one area of concern with the existing septic tank in the area where the new tank will go. We may have to remove and decommission it or we may be able to simply put in a hole and fill it in. We should have the septic installer look at the issue. Since the design just arrived, Commissioner Benavente wants to take a little time to compare the drawings with the original proposal before the commissioners approve the design.
Hoodsport Master Plan Discussion
The final draft of the plan just came in this morning, and it does include the changes that were requested to address the Public Park and Wharf. There was a motion “to approve the final draft of the Art Anderson Associates Master Plan report that was received this morning with the requested changes.” Commissioner Patterson commented that he isn’t sure that we got our money’s worth with the final product. He’s disappointed that it didn’t include a marketing report, among other things. Commissioners Young and Benavente said that they fulfilled the scope of the proposal and that it’s a means to an end. The motion was approved unanimously. A motion was made “to approve the Art Anderson Associates voucher for payment.” The motion was approved unanimously.
With the completion of the Master Plan, we are now in a position to apply for grants. Since the report lists many obstacles to completing a Public Park and Wharf, we could take that on as a separate project once we get going with the rest of the plan. Carol will email Greg to let him know that the plan has been approved.
Dock Repair
Commissioner Patterson was able to reach Wil Clark and he will come out in the near future to work on the dock. We are required to put a notice in the paper regarding the dock closure. Carol will contact Wil Clark or his secretary to get a time frame so we can draft a notice.
Park Dedication
Commissioner Patterson talked to Tim Sheldon, and he will get a staff person to contact Commissioner Patterson to outline the process. There may be some expense involved, but we’ll find that out when we get the rest of the information.
Park Development Partnership Program
There is a $50,000 grant available to make improvements to a county park, which requires a partnership with a private entity. The application is due on Friday, May 11. We could use the funds to build restrooms at the waterfront park, since it is a county park. Commissioner Benavente suggested that the Kiwanis could be a partner, and he will speak to them tomorrow if we want to go for the grant.
The grant requires a 10% match, and Commissioner Young thought that we could commit up to $10,000, with our partner committing to a 10-year partnership. Their contribution would be in-kind, with them accepting responsibility for the upkeep and day-to-day maintenance of the restrooms. The county allows a $15 per hour value on in-kind labor, and it would likely take 10 hours per week for the maintenance and upkeep.
Commissioner Benavente added that we might be able to use the $5,000 from the bank if we include a kiosk with the facility. We would have to pay a $2,000 easement fee for the property on which the sani-cans are currently located. A motion was made “to move forward with a grant application for the Park Development Partnership Program.” The motion was approved unanimously. Commissioner Benavente will complete the application, which will require a signature from the Kiwanis. If they don’t want to participate, we could approach the South Hood Canal Business Association (SHCBA).
Discussion Items
Tourism/Marketing
Commissioner Benavente stated that the biggest economic development challenge for the Port is the battle between the RAC and GMA designations. He added that 95% of the L Tax money comes out of the Hood Canal area, and that it’s critical to promote tourism. Hoodsport has been the hub for Lake Cushman, Union, Lilliwaup and other outlying areas but, because services are not available here, people go to Shelton. As long as we are an RAC, we are not able to increase services; we can only sustain what we have. The new store will help, and they are looking at breaking ground in August or September.
The Port needs to put more focus on economic development through tourism. The dissolved oxygen, and other restriction issues, have caused a decline in tourism. We have to try to reverse the perception that the canal is contaminated. The Road 24 closure, due to the fire, and the cost of fuel have added to the problem Commissioner Benavente suggested that we could create a video for marketing purposes. We could talk to HCTC about running it on their local station. We could also go for funding from Mason County L Taxes to help fund it, and we may want to partner with other ports as well as the SHCBA. We may be able to tap into state tourism dollars, as well.
Commissioner Young stated that job creation is a measurement for economic development. Our role could be to get all of the local entities that survive on tourism together to brainstorm ideas and to assist in promoting programs. We also have to look at job retention. Most of the jobs in the area are seasonal. We should look at ways to make them year-round. The Port could be the facilitator to bring these groups together.
Commissioner Patterson suggested that we could contact the marketing professional who was part of the Master Plan discussions. Commissioner Benavente said that the author of Boomtown does that type of work and we may be able to talk to him. The WSU Extension in Bremerton works with the EDC and we may be able to get them to come out here to talk to the group.
Individual Commissioners’ Reports
Commissioner Benavente suggested that we put mooring buoys on the next agenda. If the Port wants to provide buoys for boats 25’ and over, we could charge fees for moorage. We would have to get a PMA designation on our lease to do it.
Gray and Osborne is looking for two pieces of property on which to place a wastewater holding tank and for wastewater discharge.
The Lake Cushman Booster Club is the largest club in the area, and they would like the Port to do a presentation for them. Commissioner Young will put something together and Commissioner Benavente will look at scheduling. There is some confusion in the community about the Port’s role in the Tall Ship project, and we could address that issue.
The WRIA is offering volunteer metering for private wells. They have a grant to help cover installation costs for 60 meters between Jefferson and Mason counties. They are offering $150 toward installation in exchange for gathering data on well usage.
Commissioner Young reported that the PRTPO has a draft schedule for enhancement grants. There is a call for projects by July 2007 for 2009 funding. A couple of our projects fit in, so we may want to look at it.
The Hood Canal Bridge will experience a 6-week closure in 2009, and they have identified the intersection of Hwy. 101 and Hwy. 119 as a problem area, which will need mitigation. There is a $10 million budget for mitigation for the 6-week period.
Agenda for the May 23, 2007 meeting:
Action Items:
Overnight Moorage Fee Review
Pumpout
Mooring Buoys
Hoodsport Master Plan Implementation
Dock Repair
Park Dedication Follow-up
Park Development Partnership Program
Discussion Items:
Tourism/Marketing
Individual Commissioner Reports
Correspondence
No Executive Session was needed.
Motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 11:11 a.m.
Thomas Young, Chairman Frank Benavente, Commissioner Dick Patterson, Commissioner