PORT OF ORCAS
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
January 13 2005
Call to order and confirmation of a quorum
The meeting was called to order at 7:00P.M. in the Port conference room by Ulanah McCoy, Chairman. A quorum was present. Attending were: Ulanah McCoy, Steve Hopkins, Al Edwards, Jack Becker, Bea vonTobel, Richard Civille, Paul Losleben, Steve Garrison, Rusty Post, Alan Lichter, Jon Shannon, Jan Flagan, Rod Magner, Ted Grossman, Edward A. LeCocq, Jr., Eric Johnson, Robin Becker, Tony Ghazel.
Approval of minutes
Becker moved, Hopkins seconded approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of December 9, 2004 as presented, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Election of Officers for 2005
Edwards nominated Becker for chairman. McCoy nominated Hopkins for chairman. Nominations closed. After discussion among the members, Becker offered himself as secretary and Hopkins offered himself as chairman, and were so voted by acclamation.
McCoy presented the gavel crafted by Edwards to Hopkins. Hopkins thanked McCoy for her year and a half of service as chairman.
Public access time
Chairman Hopkins introduced the New Business item at this time, stating that the commissioners wished to seek input from the business and economic sectors of the island in order to determine what further service(s) to the community the port might wish to consider, including things to do or not do as the future unfolds. He then opened the floor for input and discussion.
Steve Garrison noted that Richard Civille was present as the resource person for the county in matters of economic development, but posed a question to the group on whether there was a focus on economic development on Orcas Island, elaborating further that the Economic Development Council was not in favor of heavy manufacturing, but was in favor of research, development and light non-polluting manufacturing (example: Lacramedics). He further stated that even though the overall population on the island is increasing, people ages 25-44 are decreasing in numbers because of nonexistent or low-paying, long-term jobs which did not allow them to find adequate housing.
Paul Losleben noted that because of OPALCO's completion of fiber optic cabling down Mt. Baker Rd., businesses in the vicinity now have access to high-speed internet connections, which could include a 'hot spot' in the vicinity of the airport, providing wireless capabilities. This would be valuable to the traveling public, pilots, and businesses which could locate in the vicinity of the airport. Those businesses could
support high-wage employment and would be non-polluting, taking advantage of the fact they could be operating far away from the manufacturing nodes.
Richard Civille stated that any development would have to be consistent with community standards, wishes and desires. He gave as an example the multi-faceted approach of the Port of Friday Harbor, which operates the airport, a marina, and owns several parcels of land throughout the island which support education and businesses of many kinds, and in which the port acts as leaseholder. Civille noted that a grant program for financing public facilities which create jobs is available for such development.
Rusty Post added that the possibilities which being able to hook into the fiber optic network would generate should be pursued.
Civille noted that at the gathering last year of the three island port districts, a beginning of county-wide sharing began, and should be continued, and that the possibility of connecting all three ports is a distinct possibility.
Losleben stated that if/when the port decides to upgrade the terminal, it would be a perfect spot to provide business incubator facilities, even though there may be some constraints on land usage by the FAA.
McCoy, noting that the port could acquire property aside from the airport, was supported in this concept by Civille, who stated that the Port of Lopez had been given a piece of property which it managed until it was sold or transferred to the organization which now owns and oversees the community center there.
Garrison stated that there are cottage industries on the island, which need small sites in order to become established before moving to bigger quarters. Becker noted that those groups would need to be charged market rates for rent/lease. Edwards, in continuing the discussion on FAA restrictions, stated that the Port of Orcas had offered the sale of a portion of the so-called Larson property to the fire district, but the FAA had not allowed that function to exist on the property.
Jon Shannon noted with jealousy the broad powers given to port districts by the RCWs, and that the port would be advised to take a look at the possibilities of its relations to the county, especially in relation to economic development and the creation of infrastructure.
Continuing in this direction, Shannon stated that SJC has UGA-compliant plans to deal with stormwater, but no funding, and stated that the community needs to figure out how to deal with that issue. Shannon also mentioned barge landing sites, stating that SJC is the only county which manages barge landing sites, and that water-to-ground freight mobility might be worth investigation by the port. There seem to be sufficient sites, but
the question of whether or not certain types of freight can be moved on/off-island needs an answer.
Losleben noted that there is a marine tech interest in locating in SJC, and Shannon contributed that NW Marine Tech on Shaw Island is a prime example of a company which is headquartered there, but which rents a plant facility in Anacortes because of a lack of shipping availability from Shaw.
Civille, offering additional examples of industries which are present in the county or on-island, stated that reverse osmosis products are assembled and shipped, software which targets hospital organizations is developed here, and stressed that small knowledge-based businesses can be headquartered here, and that port districts could be catalysts in helping them locate here. Currently, he noted that 'the conditions are lacking to cultivate a garden of ideas'.
Post stressed again the concept of creating things as opposed to ideas, and that the access to high-speed internet and its relation to intellectual property development, with a trainable work force to complete the product(s) produced should be a likely goal for the island. Civille added that high-end specialized curricula and educational products and training are other concepts which could be headquartered here.
Becker stated he had read of port districts that were active in economic development, manufacturing, tourism, acquiring real estate with multi-use possibilities, and wondered about funding mechanisms other than raising money by being a taxing district, to which Civille replied that bonding and partnerships with businesses might be developed. Losleben stated that the port might only be the contracting agent. Edwards contributed that only the current airport property has FAA mandates attached, and that there may be other bases with other funding available.
Hopkins noted that one of the items the commissioners needed to consider was the future direction of the airport itself, considering what constraints are already in place, such as a lack of room to expand, and the fact that the airport is located within the UGA and has an airport overlay in place.
Alan Lichter noted that he sees SJC at a tipping point, facing some major problems and a lack of revenue to solve them. He suggested that the port could honor the FAA commitments and do other things as well. He offered the concept that the commissioners educate themselves about the possibilities, and ask for facilitation to get a clearer picture about the future directions of the airport and the port district as a whole.
Becker, summing up the 1994 master plan, noted that many of the projections and assumptions were grossly overstated, and suggested that perhaps tourism offered the best draw to the island. Edward noted that perhaps the port might consider buoys in
East Sound. Becker stated that environmental regulations hamper development of marine activities. McCoy noted that the island didn't need more tourism; it needed more year-round jobs. Becker added that his conversation with Jeff Winter of the FAA allowed some leeway in the development of the Larson property of those who used the property were somehow tied to the airport as a facility.
Civille echoed Lichter's comments, in that the port continue to educate themselves about possibilities and then ask for facilitation on directions in which to proceed. Becker added that public support of any such decisions was imperative. Civille offered that other ports might be included in such facilitation efforts. Edwards noted that there is also a strong no-growth argument present on the island. McCoy agreed that an outline of some sort is needed on where the port might venture next. Losleben added that the Orcas Research Group would be glad to provide any information and expertise it might be able to share.
In conclusion, Lichter noted that public workshops would indicate to the public that the port is interested in soliciting opinions and ideas about how to move forward.
Chairman Hopkins thanked all for their contributions, and noted that the next regular meeting would include tenants of the port, soliciting their needs and wants for input.
Unfinished Business
1. Lantec, Inc. update and quit claim details
Eric Johnson was present to state that he had signed and had notarized the quit claim deed to the port for the 40' strip on the west side, and now awaited a reconveyance from the bank so the deed could proceed to filing.
New Business
1. Looking Down the Runway: Work Session of Future Direction(s) of the Port of Orcas
Since this item was taken up under public access time, it was reiterated that the next regular meeting on January 27th would be open for tenants to come and express their needs and wishes, and the airport manager was asked to arrange this.
Airport Manager's Report
Communications were received from:
1) Frank Cantwell, letter 1/1/05. This topic of this letter was scheduled for discussion at the next regular meeting. 2) Lantec, Inc., quit claim deed. This was dealt with earlier in the meeting.
Airport Manager's Report
The airport manager reported on:
1. Around the Port
a. Nature's Snowplow
b. Openings (gate malfunctions)
c. Bathrooms and Floors
2. Commissioner Resignation
3. Selection of Chairman and Secretary for 2005
4. Vouchers for 2004 and 2005
5. Treasurer's Report
6. New Business
Approval of Vouchers
McCoy moved, Becker seconded approval of the final 2004 general fund vouchers in the amount of $2,596.60, and the motion was unanimously carried.
McCoy moved, Becker seconded approval of early January 2005 general fund vouchers in the amount of $951.63, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Next Meeting and Adjournment
The next regular meeting of the Commission was scheduled for 7:00P.M., January 27th, 2005 in the Port conference room.
Prepared by
Bea vonTobel, Airport Manager
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