minutes from the regular meeting
of the Port of Hoodsport Commission
june 27, 2007
Call to order: 5:07 p.m. Adjourned: 7:10 p.m.
Roll Call: Commissioner Frank Benavente
Commissioner Dick Patterson
Commissioner Tom Young
Introduction of Guests: Eric Johnson, WPPA Deputy Director
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Benavente made a motion to “Approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on June 13, 2007 as presented.” The motion was approved unanimously.
Approval of Vouchers
Commissioner Benavente made a motion to “Approve vouchers for 2nd quarter per diem for Commissioner Thomas Young in the amount of $1,470; for 2nd quarter per diem for Commissioner Dick Patterson in the amount of $840; for Carol Ferguson for administrative services, mileage and reimbursement for county recording and postage in the amount of $578.08; and for R&G Handyman Services for dock and park maintenance in the amount of $360.10.” The motion was approved unanimously.
Commissioner Patterson made a motion to “pre-approve recurring vouchers for the month of July. The motion was approved unanimously.
Agenda Changes
Commissioner Patterson requested that we add the Park Dedication process to discussion items.
Open Items
Eric Johnson was invited to participate in a discussion of the Hoodsport Master Plan. Commissioner Young explained that we have been in a process for a year and a half to update the Capital Facilities portion of our Comprehensive Plan and that we had Art Anderson Associates fine tune the Capital Facilities portion and prioritize the projects and draft the Hoodsport Master Plan. We decided that we’d never have sufficient parking to support a marine support facility in our downtown area, so they suggested that we stay with the city dock concept.
We own some property north and south of our existing dock and would like to build a boardwalk/walkway over our property. The +10 high water mark, however, causes mitigation issues. We’re hoping that Mr. Johnson can advise us regarding environmental issues related to this project. He stated that there would be permitting issues around the shallow area, and suggested that we could build a “T” out over the deeper water where lack of light wouldn’t have an impact. Since that’s about 70 ft. out to mean low tide, the finances around that would be overwhelming.
Mr. Johnson commented that he was surprised that there didn’t appear to be much interest within the community in economic development projects like incubator buildings – that the focus seems to be on tourism and recreation. Commissioner Young explained that about 50% of our population doesn’t want growth, and would rather emphasize our natural resources.
Commissioner Benavente added that we’re property poor. Our downtown area was zoned RAC with current use in mind. We’re also competing with six other ports for funding. Property acquisition would allow for expansion of smaller businesses. Commissioner Young added that we have a commercial building in town that has only been utilized at about 50% capacity and that, until there is a need for more leased space, we don’t want to compete with private business.
Commissioner Patterson stated that tourism isn’t a year-round business in Hoodsport. Commissioner Benavente said that we could create event-driven tourism, but we need the facilities to hold the events. Mr. Johnson stated that Leavenworth is a year-round tourism area, and that Silverdale is similar to Hoodsport, but they acquired property that they were able to lease to generate revenue to purchase more property. Commissioner Young stated that part of our downtown plan is to create a theme, and that the Tall Ship could be a draw. Mr. Johnson suggested that we look at the Gray’s Harbor model – what works and what doesn’t. He also mentioned marketing our slips for destination weekends to small groups. We could pull in local businesses to provide discount coupons as part of the package.
Commissioner Young stated that we have opportunities for land purchases at this point, but that our revenues don’t lend well to conventional financing or to grants with a 50% match. We had a meeting with Sarah Crumb, from Norm Dicks’ office, to discuss funding for property acquisition and we’re meeting with the USDA tomorrow. We’re also very involved with the PRTPO. Mr. Johnson suggested that Brent at CTED, and Kammie from IAC, could help us to get into the county’s master plan process with their participation. It would also help us to have allies at the state level. There is a place for Ports in the planning process and we have to push for our right to participate. Mr. Johnson will send us copies of the WPPA’s planning handbook, which will give us some guidelines.
Mr. Johnson believes that we have a lot of tools at our disposal. He asked if there is any demand for permanent moorage. If we had more than our current 13 slips, a breakwater and security, we could likely compete with Pleasant Harbor. He added that public access/public recreation grants from the IAC appear to fit our projects very well, and that we should pursue them.
At the conclusion of Mr. Johnson’s comments, the commission took a break from 6:05 p.m. until 6:17 p.m.
Action Items
Pumpout
There isn’t any update other than that we’re waiting for the final engineering recommendation.
Dock Repair
Commissioner Young didn’t receive the draft letter due to his email issues. He asked if the re-bolting at the end of the float fixed the problem. Commissioner Patterson wasn’t sure if some of the boards should have been replaced, too, but said that it’s no longer dangerous. He asked if we are going to add concrete blocks to balance the floats, or if that was to be part of the fix. It was decided that we would re-draft the letter to Hurlen Construction asking that they come to our next meeting to discuss the final steps for completing the repairs.
Hoodsport Master Plan
Commissioner Young reported that Sarah Crumb, from Norm Dicks’ office, directed us to contact the Economic Development Authority in Seattle as another possible source of funding. She is willing to provide endorsement letters for us. She also said that the key time to contact state legislators is from August to November, and January to March for federal legislators.
Commissioner Benavente feels strongly that we have to understand the processes around development planning or our efforts will be hampered, and that we have to become involved in those processes. He suggested that we could partner with the Port of Allyn and attend sessions together. He also suggested that we might need consultants to help us and to represent us at meetings. We also have to educate the county regarding the Ports’ rights. CTED and CERB may be good resources for that purpose and for funding to help us in the process.
Commissioner Patterson asked if we could have a joint meeting with Bonnie Knight and/or the Port of Allyn. Commissioner Benavente will call Ms. Knight to get her feedback.
Per Diem Resolution
Commissioner Young researched the RCW and emailed what he found. Effective July 22, 2007, commissioners can be paid up to $90 per meeting, not to exceed $8,640 per year. It is not automatic and needs a resolution. He suggested that we wait to take action until the next budget year, since we’re only budgeted for $70 per meeting. Everyone agreed, so no action will be taken at this time.
Parks Development Partnership Program
There is no update at this time. The item is not on the County Commission agenda or on the L Tax agenda.
Rock Removal
Commissioner Benavente talked to Mike Purvis and he agreed to move the rocks. He plans to load them onto a trailer and move them to the back of the Port property. Since the property on which they sit doesn’t belong to us, we’ll no longer maintain it.
Tourism/Marketing
Commissioner Benavente will ask the tourism representative, Rand Riedrich, to attend our next meeting.
Park Dedication
Commissioner Patterson reported that we don’t have a park because no resolution was ever approved by the Port Commission at the time. He asked if we could approve a resolution now. We would have to get legal counsel on that. Carol stated that, according to the last email from Barbara Adkins, the family is more interested in getting the park on the maps than in another dedication. Since her task was to facilitate the dedication, she is turning it matter back over to the Port. Commissioner Benavente thought that, since the county does park dedications on a regular basis, we should be able to get their assistance on this. Commissioner Patterson said that he will follow up with the county and Commissioner Young will contact Steve from the State Parks Department for his input. Carol will send copies of the emails from Barbara Adkins to Commissioners Young and Benavente.
Commissioner Patterson left the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
Individual Commissioners’ Reports
Commissioner Benavente said that the RTPO will be meeting regarding the criteria for the enhancement funds and that they will be evaluating existing projects in August.
Commissioner Young reported on the meeting with Sarah Crumb on Monday. She will make calls to California regarding the Hoodsport Trails Park to see if she can speed up the process. He will also be meeting with Debbie Harper, USDA, tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.
Correspondence
We received the following correspondence since the last meeting, copies of which were given to the commissioners:
§ A notice regarding a Special Use Permit Public Hearing for Mike Purvis on August 28
§ The May 2007 Financial Statement
§ WGEP Elections materials
§ KMAS information regarding Community Awareness Messages
We also received a request from the Hoodsport Community Events Association regarding usage of Port property, including the dock, for the 4th of July celebration on Saturday, July 7th. They have provided proof of insurance. A motion was made “to allow the Hoodsport Community Events Association to use Port property for this event”. The motion was approved unanimously.
Carol Ferguson reported that we’ve received another $40 in overnight moorage fees.
Commissioner Young mentioned that the $60,000 carryover shows as “Uncollected Revenue” on the Financial Report, as well as on the county report. Since we’re on a cash basis, and It shows in the cash balance, it should probably show as revenue in January as well. Carol will check on this.
Commissioners Young and Benavente received letters from the county Auditor about a change in the payroll process in January 2008. It was confusing, and we’re not sure how to proceed. Carol will find out more about it and report back at the next meeting
No Executive Session was needed.
Agenda for the July 11, 2007 meeting:
Open Items:
Rand Riedrich regarding tourism
Action Items:
Pumpout
Hoodsport Master Plan
Dock Repair
Discussion Items:
County Auditor letter regarding payroll process
Park Dedication
Partnership/Parks Grant
Individual Commissioner Reports
Correspondence
The regular meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Thomas Young, Chairman Frank Benavente, Commissioner Dick Patterson, Commissioner