Present: Commissioners Sherry Bohn, Fred Duckwall, Don Hosford, and Bill Lyons; Attorney Jerry Jaques; from staff, David Harlan, Mike Doke, Linda Hull, Linda Shames, Melissa Child, and Laurie Borton

Absent: Commissioner Bob Nichols

Media: RaeLynn Gill, Hood River News (work session only)

President Bill Lyons called the work session to order at 4:35 p.m.

1. WATERFRONT: President Lyons stated the work session would focus specifically on the Waterfront and that final decisions would not be made during a work session. Lyons continued with a presentation of overhead transparencies that provided background information on the waterfront vision statement; the desired mix of uses identified by the Waterfront Task Force; possible modifications that could be made to Waterfront Infrastructure Plan provided by Leland Consulting to reduce costs; tasks that the Port and City of Hood River would need to work on; and preparation of a "doable" pro forma development plan to identify and establish Port resources relative to funding and marketing of the waterfront.

Executive Director David Harlan stated the Port's goal is to bring quality mixed-used development to the waterfront. In order to accomplish a "doable" plan, economic feasibility, engineering feasibility, and transportation access issues need to be considered. Harlan discussed overhead transparencies illustrating vehicular access, pedestrian/viewshed features, landscaping, park and open space, and a revised composite plan. Along with each transparency Linda Shames discussed cost comparisons between the Leland plan and the proposed modified Waterfront Infrastructure Plan. Harlan stated if the Commission decided to go in this direction that staff would proceed on refining plans for presentation to the Waterfront Task Force in October.

Lyons, Harlan, and Shames addressed questions from the Commission.

President Lyons closed the waterfront work session at 6:30 p.m. and reconvened the regular session at 7:30 p.m.

1. INTRODUCTIONS: None.

2. MODIFICATIONS OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: Executive Director Harlan requested that the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department grant agreement document be added to the agenda. President Lyons added the item under New Business.

3. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC: None.

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion: Move to approve minutes of the August 21 (work session/regular), 2001 meeting.
Move: Hosford
Second: Bohn
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
Absent: Nichols
MOTION CARRIED

5. REPORTS:

a) Executive Director: Executive Director Harlan reported a draft bridge inspection document had been received and that approval for final engineering for the redecking project will soon be needed; the Oregon Department of Transportation diver's inspection report of the bridge is being reviewed by HNTB; staff is working with Cruise West relative to electrical improvements at the boat basin barge dock for the "lay berthing" of two or more cruise ships over the winter months; staff is investigating the feasibility of revising the toll booth plaza and funding from the Oregon Department of Transportation may be available for improvements with an application deadline of October 5; the City of Hood River may be making available to the Parks and Recreation Department property north of the Skate Park for a BMX track; and that letters signed by President Lyons, Mayor Paul Cummings, and County Commission Chair John Arens were mailed to Representative Greg Walden, Senators Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden requesting that funding for a Technology Center be included in fiscal year 2002 labor, health and human service, education appropriations. Harlan also reported on a successful airfield dedication on September 8; that he attended an SR-35 Bridge Crossing meeting; and that the Commission received an invitation to attend a County Commission meeting on October 24, 2001 from 11a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Mike Doke reported he is waiting for feedback regarding the engineering for the placement of the airport sign and that a building permit would need to be obtained. Doke also stated that quotes from eight contractors, one of which is local, are due this week relative to excavation of a septic tank at the Ken Jernstedt Airfield.

b) Commissioners: President Lyons asked Executive Director Harlan to give a Gorge air quality briefing at a future Commission meeting. Commissioner Hosford reported that he would be introducing Commissioner Bohn as the new Port representative at the next Urban Renewal Committee meeting. Commissioner Duckwall asked if committee assignments had been determined and President Lyons advised they had not.

6. ITEMS FROM WORK SESSION:

a) Waterfront: President Lyons summarized the work session discussion on proposed Waterfront Infrastructure Plan modifications emphasizing the rationale for a "doable" plan along with engineering and marketing feasibilities, and cost comparisons between the Leland Plan and the revised Waterfront Infrastructure Plan. Lyons stated if there was Commission consensus on the Waterfront Infrastructure Plan as presented in the work session then staff would proceed with defining the plan for presentation to the Waterfront Task Force.

Motion: Move to approve the Waterfront Infrastructure Plan.
Move: Duckwall
Second: Bohn
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
Absent: Nichols
MOTION CARRIED

Executive Director Harlan responded that, depending on scheduling issues, staff would be ready in early October for a Waterfront Task Force presentation.

7. NEW BUSINESS:

a) Community College Annexation Resolution 2001-02-1:

Motion: Move to approve Resolution 2001-02-1 in continued support of the Columbia Gorge Community College annexation.
Move: Hosford
Second: Duckwall
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
Absent: Nichols
MOTION CARRIED

b) Airport Master Plan: Mike Doke reported the Oregon Department of Aviation is sponsoring a project that will develop or update existing master plans. Hood River is one of six airports in the state that would be included in the project and an official written request to be a participant needs to be submitted to the Oregon Department of Aviation. The Port would be required to provide 10% matching funds-or $5,000.00.

Motion: Move to approve the Port of Hood River's participation in the Oregon Department of Aviation master plan process and approve a budget of $5,000.
Move: Duckwall
Second: Hosford
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
Absent: Nichols
MOTION CARRIED

c) Bridge Utilities Relocation RFP: Executive Director Harlan reported that bids to relocate electrical services on the bridge were above the engineer's estimates. Options include accepting the low bid, rejecting all bids and readvertising the project, or negotiating with the low bidder, which is allowed under Oregon public contract law and Oregon Administrative Rules if no substantial changes are made to the project.

Motion: Move to authorize staff to negotiate with the low bidder of the bridge utilities relocation, pursuant to Oregon Administrative Rules and Oregon public contract law, and to bring the negotiated bid back to the Commission for approval.
Move: Hosford
Second: Bohn
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
Absent: Nichols
MOTION CARRIED

d) Accounts Payable: None

e) Oregon Parks and Recreation Grant: Executive Director Harlan reported a $25,000 matching grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department had been approved and the River Walk Committee will utilize the funds for the marina.

Motion: Move to authorize the Commission President to sign the grant agreement from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.
Move: Bohn
Second: Duckwall
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
Absent: Nichols
MOTION CARRIED

8. Executive Session: At 8:30 p.m., President Lyons called the Commission into
Executive Session under ORS 192.660(1)(e), Real Estate.

At the conclusion of Executive Session, the Commission was called back into regular session at 8:53 p.m. No action was taken as a result of the Executive Session.

The next Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 2, 2001 at the Expo Center Conference Room with a work session beginning at 4:00 p.m. and the regular session to begin at 7:30 p.m.

President Bill Lyons adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.