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Stories about Port of Friday Harbor |
June 12, 2002
These are the minutes of the June 12, 2002 Regular meeting of the Friday
Harbor Port Commission.
Port Commissioners attending were Greg Hertel, Brian Calvert and Mike Ahrenius.
Staff attending were Executive Director Steve Simpson, Auditor Marilyn
O'Connor, Maintenance Supervisor Bob Freeauf, Airport Manager Pat Mayo, and
Harbormasters Tami Hayes and Ed Barrett.
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm.
1. Approve the minutes of the previous meeting: Brian Calvert moved to
approve the minutes of the May 22 meeting. Greg Hertel seconded and the
motion passed unanimously.
2. Citizens' Comment/Requests
- Introduction of new Port employee. Mike Bey was introduced as the new
security officer for the Port.
- Fire Chief Bob Lowe requested financial assistance from the Port to
purchase a new fireboat. The Commissioners asked to review costs for the
boat, and asked for information on the boat and requested a full discussion
at the next Port Commission meeting.
- San Juan Island Yacht Club Commodore Mike Close requested permission to
operate a beer garden in the Port's upper parking lot on July 4th. The Club
intends to keep the event family-oriented. A small beer garden may be
placed on Front Street for the event. The Commissioners noted that the
general public and yacht club members who don't have parking passes would
not be able to use the Port's parking lot. The Commission asked that the
Club direct dance participants to the parking area. The Commissioners
agreed that the Club could use parking at the overflow airport parking lot
for the event. The Commission agreed that staff should write a letter to
the Town of Friday Harbor saying the Port Commission approves the street
dance on July 4th.
3. Public Hearings: None
4. Consent Agenda: None
5. Commission Action Issues:
- Port position on gravel pit acquisition
a. Motion to outline the Commission's policy regarding acquisition and use
of the gravel pit property. The Port Commission discussed the Port's
history of involvement in the gravel pit. Greg Hertel made a motion to
approve the following policy regarding the acquisition of the Friday Harbor
Sand and Gravel property:
i. The Friday Harbor Port Commission (the Commission) supports the
acquisition of the gravel pit that used to be operated by Friday Harbor Sand
and Gravel so long as a portion of the site is used for a barge landing for
various public purposes.
ii. The Commission agrees to acquire beach property (1,200 feet) which is
not needed for a barge landing, dedicate it for water oriented/dependent
recreational uses, dedicate $300,000 of Port District funds to acquire the
property and to seek partial reimbursement of the Port's expenditure from
the Washington State IAC. The Port will work with the Land Bank to either
divide the beach property in proportion to the financial contribution or
develop use easements with the Land Bank to limit the uses to which the
property can be put.
iii. The Port District will assist the County, Land Bank, Recreation
District and School District to expeditiously acquire the property and
assist the cooperating agencies to fulfill the conditions required to
purchase the beach property and accept the donation of the balance of the
property from LaFarge North America. This includes any unique Port District
powers or capabilities that are needed to speed the acquisition process so
long as the ultimate disposition of the land remains the same.
iv. The Port Commission, along with the other involved agencies, is
dedicated to developing a community mitigation plan that will eliminate,
mitigate, control or compensate immediate neighbors to the property from
impacts resulting from the use of the site.
Mike Ahrenius seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
- Commission's annual review of marina fuel concession.
a. Presentation and discussion by Charlie and Lynn Meyer, owners of Island
Petroleum Services, Marine. Charlie Meyer gave his annual review of the
fuel concession. He reported that revenue from the pier is down, but better
than can be reasonably expected considering the big changes in the business
climate. He noted changes in the business, which are primarily due to the
loss of commercial fishing and other commercial vessels. The Meyers
requested the opportunity to renew the contract for another five years at
the end of the current contract period. The Commission discussed the
request and agreed that the Commission would negotiate in good faith for a
contract for an additional five years and asked staff to draft a resolution
that reflects the commission's intent and could be used by Mr. Meyer to
negotiate fuel supply contracts.
- Request to construct vehicle shelter for Millington hangar
a. Attached request from Dane Armstrong. Dane Armstrong requested that the
Port lease land adjacent to the hangar on land leased by Mr. Millington and
Mr. Armstrong for a garage adjacent to his hangar in the vicinity of the
aircraft wash pad. Staff noted that this particular piece of land cannot be
used for any other purpose. Greg Hertel moved to authorize staff to submit
an application to the FAA for permission to construct an automobile garage
on the side of the Millington/Armstrong hangar. Brian Calvert seconded and
the motion passed unanimously.
- Review and approve requests for scenic air tour operations from the FH
Airport.
a. Richard Drury, Vintage Air Tours. Mr. Drury's request to operate a scenic
biplane tour business from a hangar owned by James Crossley was also
considered. The Commission approved signatures on an airline operating
agreement as long as minimum standards and the following conditions were
followed:
1. Provide a sub-lease agreement from hangar owner authorizing the business
to operate from the hangar.
2. Company representatives must accompany customers while inside the airport
fence. Area inside the airport fence shall not be used for customer
parking. Employee auto parking shall be in the hangar, outside the airport
fence or in areas approved by the Airport Operations Manager.
3. Leased ramp area shall be used for aircraft parking only to the extent
that taxi lane clearances can be maintained (37.5 feet from the taxiway
centerline).
4. Signs must comply with Town sign code and be approved by the Port. Signs
shall not be placed until they have been approved in writing by the Port.
5. The proposed advertising, signage and requested placement of aircraft
invite walk-in traffic. A plan is needed to handle walk-in traffic if no
one is attending the place of business.
6. If unaccompanied customers, well wishers and waiting passengers are
allowed inside the hangar, there shall be locks on the doors leading to the
air-side of the fence to prevent unauthorized people from entering the airport.
7. Vintage Air Tours shall provide passenger and landing reports and pay
PFCs and landing fees.
8. Vintage Air Tour's request for permission to clean up parking and grounds
outside the lease area and outside the perimeter fence, adjacent to the
proposed hangar should be allowed on a non-exclusive use basis in lieu of
providing exclusive customer parking for the one year and until a demand for
parking is established. Staff shall report to the Commission in Spring of
2003 as to whether there is sufficient parking to support the business.
9. Provide a letter from insurance agent listing exceptions to the policy.
b. Dane Armstrong, FLI. Mr. Armstrong applied to operate a scenic air tour
business from FH Airport. The Commission approved signatures on an airline
operating agreement as long as minimum standards and the following
conditions were met:
1. Provide a sub-lease agreement from Mr. Millington giving Mr. Armstrong
rights to use the hangar for this purpose and make following the conditions
of the operating agreement a condition of the use in the sub-lease.
2. Customers, well wishers, etc. must be accompanied at all times by company
representatives while inside the airport fence. They cannot be left
unaccompanied inside the airport fence while the pilot and aircraft are away.
3. Signs must comply with Town sign code, be approved by the Port and cannot
be placed off the premises.
4. The business must have a Town of Friday Harbor business license.
5. The business must report passengers and landings and pay passenger
facility charges (PFCs) and landing fees.
6. Advertising should avoid directing customers to the airport and not
invite customers to the airport for the place of business.
7. Provide letter from insurance agent listing exceptions to insurance policy.
- Request to reduce lease/rental deposit.
a. Peter Whiting, Charters Northwest. Mr. Whiting requested the Port reduce
the amount of their bond required because his bond company is no longer in
business. The Commission authorized the moorage accounts and building lease
be amended to an amount equal to three months' billing, but if accounts fall
more than 60 days past due the required security deposit will increase to
six months rent and leasehold tax. Greg Hertel moved to approve the
request. Brian Calvert seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
6. Commission Discussion Issues:
Portals of Welcome report
a. Placement of public art. Barbara Meredith asked that the Port Commission
agree to commit the Port to placing the "Portal of Welcome" house poles on
Port property. Greg Hertel asked for a design committee made up of locals
and native people to review the placement before the Port accepts. Greg
Hertel moved to form a committee of Port staff and three others to locate an
appropriate site for the house poles and to agree to place the Portals of
Welcome poles on Port property.
Report regarding recording secretary
a. Report from Commissioner/Secretary Ahrenius. Commissioner Ahrenius
reported that the state auditor said the Port's minutes completely fulfill
requirements of state law. Staff was instructed to continue recording the
minutes, but more time should be spent on a clear statement of the motion or
resolution that the Commissioners are approving. It was recommended that
the Commissioners spend more time describing the intent of decisions to the
minute taker. The Commission asked that draft minutes be sent to them well
in advance of the meeting so they can read them thoroughly.
Schedule for Summer Commission Meetings
a. One meeting per month for June, July and August. The Port typically
schedules one meeting in July and one in August. The Commission agreed that
the second June meeting would be cancelled due to Commission and staff being
out of town. A meeting will be held on July 10 for bill paying purposes.
The next regular meeting will be held on July 24.
Commercial Policy Issue
a. Island Dive and Water Sports. Harbormaster Tami Hayes reported that the
company was offered a 70-foot slip that is available at Spring Street
Landing. They will accept the slip if they can allow their customers to
load and unload gear and stay overnight in that slip. The Commission agreed
to allow the transfer and have staff bring a resolution to the next meeting
that would define diving charters and permit dive charter customers or
diving business customers to use company moorage at Spring Street Landing
for overnight moorage. The resolution will include an allowance for the
Port to assign a portion of the slip vacated by Island Dive and Water Sports
to Friday Harbor Yacht Sales.
7. Staff Reports:
- Auditor Marilyn O'Connor reported that boat nights are down by
approximately 25%. The Port's liability company is no longer offering
liability insurance to the Port because the Port does not meet the
underwriter's requirements. Staff will be looking for another insurance
company. The Commission may be asked to approve a contract with a new
insurance company.
- Airport Operations Manager Pat Mayo reported the Airport Technical
Advisory Committee met on June 4. One recommendation was to take Unicom
1228.80 out of the Sectional Charts to avoid confusion. The Airport
outhouse is no longer serviceable and needs replacing. Staff was instructed
to do whatever is necessary to remedy the situation. A surplus property
sale is being advertised and bids must be in by 12:00 noon on June 17. The
Town Fire Department will start making fire inspections in all hangars at
the Airport. Staff will accompany inspectors to check for lease compliance.
- Harbormaster/Marina Report. Ed Barrett reported that the marina web-cam
is not yet on the air and the pay phone replacement project has not begun
yet. Mr. Barrett reviewed the details of a proposed contract with TRES
Telecom to provide wireless Internet connections for marina customers. The
Wi Fi project was discussed and was approved on a year-to-year basis for
five years. Staff was authorized to sign a one-year contract with four
annual renewals for TRES Telecom to provide wireless Internet connection
services in the marina.
- Director Steve Simpson reported that the review of qualifications for
planners to do the Airport Master Plan has begun and will be brought to the
next meeting for Port Commission discussion. The Town approved annexation
of a portion of the Airport. The change in boundaries must be approved by
the San Juan County Commission, but there are issues with the County over
jurisdictional lines to be reviewed. Mr. Simpson noted that there is some
concern about fire department jurisdiction over the airport. The Port has
no special arrangements with either of the two fire protection providers.
8. Capital Improvement/Acquisition/Project Approvals: None
9 Commissioners' Reports/Comments: Greg Hertel made a motion to pay
vouchers G20297-20346 in the amount of $44,482.34 and vouchers 20043-20050
in the amount of $59,577.29. Brian Calvert seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:44 pm.
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