Minutes for the regular meeting
of the Port of Hoodsport Commission
october 25, 2006
Call to order: 5:07 p.m. Adjourned: 6:40 p.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 October 11, 2006, 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 totaling $249.92; R&G Handyman Services for dock maintenance in the amount of $216.60; per diem for two quarters for Commissioner Young for 17 meetings in the amount of $1,190.00; Mason County Auditor for warrant and mailing costs in the amount of $21.46; State Auditor for costs of performing the 2005 audit in the amount of $157.20; the Shelton Journal for two public notices in the amount of $71.26; Ferrellgas for 80 gal. of propane in the amount of $232.50; and Michael Glenn for the removal of the dock skirting in the amount of $300.” The motion was approved unanimously.
Commissioner Benavente made a motion to “Approve all reoccurring vouchers for the month of November.” The motion was approved unanimously.
Agenda Changes
§ Add the EDC Ships to Reef Program
§ Add a letter to the State Parks Department regarding trails
Public Hearing
A Public Hearing was opened to discuss the implementation of an overnight moorage fee of $10 for use of the dock, beginning on January 1, 2007. There were no members of the general public present, so the hearing was closed. Another hearing will be held at the next regular meeting.
Open Items - None
Action Items
Pumpout Grant Application
Commissioner Benavente received a copy of the permit application from Dave Christensen and we’re waiting for funding from the State Parks Department grant. The county will determine if what we have is sufficient. Permit fees are covered in the grant. The grant application will go through the Coordinating Council and we’ll get a copy when it’s completed.
Hoodsport Vision
Commissioner Benavente printed out the photos that we received from Anderson and Associates and he obtained a large aerial map from the county. Don Olmsted from the DNR was present at the last meeting and the feasibility of building out from the existing dock was discussed. We would have to build out on the north side of the existing dock because of upland property rules. Mr. Olmsted had no issues with the breakwater. He did suggest that we talk with the tribe and fisheries as we go forward with plans. The Marina Café does not have a DNR lease; their dock is built on their tidelands, so he doesn’t advise subleasing from them.
Commissioner Young felt that, with the property we currently own, we could do a feasibility study for a pier or wharf going out, in the short term, then build off from it in the future. That would put us in a position to look for grants. In the long term, we would look at property acquisition for expansion.
Commissioner Benavente stated that there are some CTED funds available for feasibility studies and that we could put a plan together in a phased approach. He mentioned an email from Greg at Anderson Associates, asking if we wanted them to come to one of the commission meetings.
Commissioner Young thought that, since there is a consensus to build out a wharf and add a breakwater, we should set up a separate meeting with WPPA staff to discuss the process to proceed and to schedule further discussion at the meeting following. There is a class next week in Leavenworth that would have some value in this process, so Commissioner Young will see if he can get away to attend.
Commissioner Benavente added that, after we consult with the WPPA, we should move forward with inviting in consultants to ask questions of them and opinions from them on the project. Once it goes into a formal bid process, that won’t be possible.
DNR Lease
When Don Olmsted visited, he mentioned that we might go to a Port Management Agreement when we sign a new lease. That would allow us to charge for services and keep the proceeds, and then we would pay the DNR for the lease.
Commissioner Benavente added that he hadn’t yet received the boxes from the parks department. He will follow up on them again.
Commissioner Patterson had to leave the meeting at 5:55 p.m. and did not return.
2007 Budget
The budget information was received from the county and we have to have our budget to them by November 17. That means that we have to hold the public hearing at the November 8 meeting and approve the budget immediately following. Commissioner Young presented his first draft of the 2007 budget and received comments on it. He’ll put together a final draft in the next few days and email copies to Commissioner Benavente and to Carol, who will make a copy for Commissioner Patterson. All comments will have to be back to Commissioner Young in a timely manner so he can prepare the final version for the November 8 meeting.
Dock Maintenance Contractor
As stated when we hired R&G Handyman Services, the contract would be reviewed in three months. Commissioner Benavente has some concerns about things not getting done. He’s not sure if the contractor doesn’t understand the process of bringing out-of-the-ordinary issues to us or if it’s something else. There are caps that need some attention, as well as a problem with a ramp runner. Since Commissioner Patterson already left the meeting, we’ll postpone a decision until the next meeting. In the interim, Commissioner Benavente will pursue the two outstanding issues. At the next meeting we will discuss a review of the existing contractor and managing the contractor.
Individual Commissioners’ Reports
Commissioner Benavente reported that the trail plan is moving forward and he brought a copy of the draft plan for the commissioners to review. It goes to the Planning Commission on October 30, 2006. They are looking at putting in a community center at Foothills Park in 2013 and are looking for a partnership with the Port. This is in response to the input from our Comprehensive Plan. If we want to participate, or if we have any concerns regarding the Foothills Park plan, we need to include them for Commissioner Benavente to address.
Commissioner Young made a motion that “the Port of Hoodsport supports the Planning Committee’s recommendation for a community center at Foothills Park and is willing to form a partnership pending our success in obtaining funding for the project.” The motion was approved unanimously.
Parks Department letter – The Hoodsport Trails Park may be given to another entity by the Parks Department and the Port of Hoodsport would be interested in receiving it. Commissioner Benavente has begun drafting a letter expressing our interest. Commissioner Young made a motion to “send a letter to the State Parks Department Commission expressing the Port’s interest in the Hoodsport Trails Park.” The motion was approved unanimously.
EDC Ships to Reef Program – this item will be carried over to the next meeting. There was a speaker at the last EDC meeting talking about “green power” issues. They are in favor of replacing non-green power sources with solar or wind power.
Commissioner Young reported that they would be wrapping up the project recommendations for the transportation piece of the RTPO plan on Friday. All four counties will meet on November 3 to prioritize the projects. Most of the Mason County projects will be submitted through Mason County Transit and they have a special needs emphasis this time.
Commissioner Benavente asked if a letter had been sent to Hurlen regarding acceptance of their bid, minus the removal of the skirting. Nothing has been sent, so Carol will draft a letter.
Correspondence
We received an information packet regarding a marina seminar in Monterey, CA. The commissioners felt that it wouldn’t be worth the expense at this point in time.
Agenda for November 8, 2006 meetings:
COMBINED EAB/POH MEETING:
2007 Proposed Budget
Hoodsport Vision Discussion
POH BUSINESS MEETING:
Public Hearing on 2007 Proposed Budget
Public Hearing on Proposed Overnight Moorage Fee
Action Items:
Final approval of 2007 Budget
Approval of Overnight Moorage Fee
Overnight Moorage Fee Implementation
Dock Maintenance Management and Contractor
EDC Artificial Reef
November 22, 2006 Meeting
Individual Commissioner Reports
Correspondence
Motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:40 p.m.
Thomas Young Frank Benavente Dick Patterson
Thomas Young, Chairman Frank Benavente, Commissioner Dick Patterson, Commissioner