Port Commission Regular Meeting
Wednesday, March 24at 4:00 pm
at the San Juan Island Yacht Club
These are the minutes of the March 24, 2004 Port Commission Regular Meeting at the San Juan Island Yacht Club.
Port Commissioners attending were Mike Ahrenius, Brian Calvert and Greg Hertel.
Staff attending were Port Director Steve Simpson, Port Auditor Marilyn O’Connor, Harbormasters Tami Hayes and Ed Barrett, and Airport Manager Pat Mayo.
1. Approve minutes of the previous meeting: Brian Calvert moved to approve the minutes of the March 10, 2004 regular meeting; Mike Ahrenius seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
2. Citizen’s Comment/Requests: None
3. Committee Reports and Facility Maintenance Reports:
Commissioner Ahrenius reported on the Small Community Air Service Grant meeting. A professional advertiser will be chosen at the next meeting. Once someone has been chosen, work will begin for a spring advertised special.
Jim Slocomb, representing the Marine Resource Committee, came to ask the Port Commission if they would be interested in participating in a derelict vessel cleanup program. The Department of Natural Resources has created a fund that will pay up to 75% in matching funds for the cleanup of derelict vessels. The other 25% of funds must be in matching or in-kind funds. Once Mr. Slocomb has more information on the program he will report back.
4. Consent Agenda: None
5. Commission Action Issues:
A. Request from Westcott Bay Institute exercising license agreement option for five years: The Port Commission denied the request to extend the agreement to five years, until the Commission receives additional financial information. At this time they are still interpretive signs to be displayed. The Commission would also like to see a budget that extends out to five years to show where income to maintain the aquarium will come from.
B. Recommendation for Planning and Architectural Design for Homeland Security Building: Specifications from Homeland Security regarding what they need in a new building are on the way. Staff thinks it is important to complete the Homeland Security building before continuing with the Waterfront Master Plan. Once the building is complete it will be easier to focus on circulation, parking and upgrading the Port’s Marina Services building. Staff will present a recommendation for architectural design at the next meeting.
6. Commission Discussion Issues:
A. Review of Airport Hangar Waitlist Policy: The Port Commission requested clarification of the waitlist policy and the actual waitlist as it is now. Staff showed the current waitlist and explained current policy. The Port Commission agreed that the waitlist is being kept as it should and called for no change.
B. Update on Browne Lumber Property: Richard Civille, Director of the EDC, gave a presentation on the analysis of the Browne Lumber property acquisition project. It is believed that the property could be divided into three separate revenue-producing leases: 1) a pay parking lot for Town businesses, 2) the lease of the actual building, and 3) leasing open space to the Farmers Market. The initial analysis shows a small positive cash flow based on conservative assumptions. Mr. Civille will present the Commission with a final report once it is complete.
C. RFQ for Popeye, the Port’s designated Seal, sculpture: An RFQ for a stone seal sculpture ran in the local papers today. Deadline for proposals is April 5th. A selection committee will be comprised of one commissioner, one staff member and one person at large from the art community.
7. Staff Reports:
Auditor Marilyn O’Connor reported that there had only been one proposal turned in so far for the Turnaround landscaping project. The Town is committed to paying 50% of the landscaping costs. Ms. O’Connor and Commissioner Hertel attended the Town Council meeting to hear discussions regarding the Front Street vacation proposal. They heard a lot of support to have the Town vacate the property, but this was mostly from persons related to the project.
Airport Operations Manager Pat Mayo reported that Hangars Unlimited project is proceeding according to timeline. The retaining wall and footings are going in this week.
Harbormaster Ed Barrett reported that the Main Pier bid opening had been extended to April 7th to better coincide with the bid opening for the Washington State Ferries project, which is slated to happen simultaneously with the Port’s project. Peratrovich Nottingham & Drage, the Port’s engineers on this project, believe that it could save the Port money. Mr. Barrett also reported that there was a decent sized diesel spill in the marina on Monday. It was attributed to a fishing vessel clearing Customs and was reported to the Coast Guard.
Harbormaster Tami Hayes reported that the San Juan Island Visitors Bureau, which meets twice a year, once on San Juan and once on Orcas, is requesting a waiver of passenger fees. Paraclete Charters out of Anacortes has offered to run their Board of Directors to Rosario Resort free of charge. The Port Commission granted a waiver, since no commercial business is taking place. Ms. Hayes also reported that liveaboard Mr. Norris had agreed to do landscaping on Port property for fees to be posted to his much overdue moorage account.
Port Director Steve Simpson reported that Jack Harmon from Victoria Express had called to let the Port know that as of now they have been turned down by U.S. Customs for clearance on a daily run through the summer from Victoria to Friday Harbor. Customs’ reasons for denial are inadequate facilities and not enough staff. Staff will continue to work with Mr. Harmon to make this run possible for this season. The Commission agreed that the Port should pursue this business by making accommodations for the US Coast Guard. The first rough draft of the Airport Master Plan from Barnard Dunkelberg has been done. The first meeting of the Advisory Committee for this project will meet March 30th at the Airport. Invitations for the Island Ports Conference have been sent to Orcas and Lopez Port Commissioners. Mr. Simpson also reported that there are two great articles this month boosting Friday Harbor. One specifically about the Airport is in Air & Space Magazine, and an article about sailing the San Juans is in Cruising World.
Greg Hertel made a motion to pay vouchers #G04128-04153 in the amount of $21,537.11 and #C04017-04022 in the amount of $4,279.21. Brian Calvert seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 6:10 pm.
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