Minutes of August 6, 2002 Port of Hood River Commission Work Session/Regular Meeting
Expo Center Conference Room
5:45 P.M.

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

Absent: Commissioner Bob Nichols (resignation effective August 1, 2002)

Media: RaeLynn Gill, Hood River News

President Bill Lyons called the work session to order at 5:50 p.m.

1. EXPO CENTER SCHEDULING FOR 2003: Executive Director David Harlan commented the Technology Center project would be discussed in conjunction with Expo scheduling for 2003. A second floor addition to the building could still accommodate rental of the main floor, however, approved grant monies from the U.S. Forest Service, which were earmarked for architectural and engineering services, are currently on hold due to the much higher than expected fire fighting expenses. Executive Director Harlan also stated that in addition to the Department of Education grant that has already been authorized, the Port might receive additional appropriations through this year's federal VA/HUD bill. In the meantime event holders need a determination on the availability of the Expo Center because marketing and coordination of events require up to nine months lead-time.

2. HNTB RECOMMENDATIONS: In order to move forward with finalizing engineering work and bid documents, HNTB is requesting a decision from the Commission regarding nighttime closures during the bridge redecking project. Executive Director Harlan stated that while the users could view a nighttime full-lane closure as an inconvenience, it may be necessary to reduce costs, provide a more rapid construction schedule and result in an improved finished project. Executive Director Harlan stated that staff intends to survey bridge users and hold discussions with stakeholders regarding the closure options.

3. EVENT SITE RV PARKING: Information regarding recreational vehicle parking facilities throughout the Columbia Gorge area was provided to the Commission for their review and discussion. Executive Director David Harlan recommended the designated RV parking spaces and regulations be retained for the remainder of the season and that he would solicit input from the users for possible reconfiguration of the spaces this winter. Executive Director Harlan also suggested the Commission may want to review the rate structure to more accurately reflect the daily and seasonal uses at the Event Site.

President Lyons closed the work session at 6:50 p.m. and reconvened the regular session at 7:03 p.m.

1. INTRODUCTIONS: President Lyons asked the guests to introduce themselves.

2. MODIFICATIONS, ADDITIONS TO AGENDA BY COMMISSIONERS: None

3. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC: Guest Matt Kosmata stated he felt the minutes from the July 16, 2002 meeting did not accurately reflect his comments. President Lyons informed Kosmata that a tape transcript could be provided if requested.

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion: Move to approve the July 16 (work session/regular session), 2002 meeting minutes.
Move: Hosford
Second: Duckwall
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
MOTION CARRIED

5. REPORTS:

a) Executive Director: Executive Director Harlan commented that Ball Janik, the Port's lobbying firm, reports that earmarks of $100,000 for the Port's Technology Center Project and $550,000 for the City's water transmission line project were included in the Senate version of the VA/HUD appropriations bill. Harlan stated staff would be rewriting the Port's proposal for use of the $150,000 Tech Center federal funds emphasizing the purchase of equipment. Due to the current wildland fire suppression costs, the Forest Service grant dollars will likely not become available until October. Harlan reported that a meeting with architect Carl Perron would be scheduled to discuss Waterfront design guidelines. The Commission was informed that conduit from the recent bridge utilities relocation project was found in the river by the Hood River County Sheriff's marine patrol. Port maintenance staff has secured the conduit and Harlan reported that the project contractor, Mill Plain Electric, is conferring with HTNB regarding repairs. Harlan reported that diving from the gated and posted cruise ship dock remains to be a safety concern and that the police have offered the services of a diver to identify underwater hazards. Harlan also stated that he had participated in the initial review of applications for the newly created position of economic development coordinator for Hood River County, and that he would also be involved in the interview process of the finalists.

b) Other: Mike Doke reported on a meeting regarding the potential expansion of the Cascade Locks Enterprise Zone to include other portions of Hood River County. Doke stated the Cascade Locks City Council deferred the decision to the Port of Cascade Locks Commission, and that the Commission would not be making a decision until the appointment of the county's new economic development coordinator.

Doke also reported on his attendance at a Columbia Gorge Commission Scenic Resources Committee meeting at which the committee proposed the Hood River Bridge be identified as a Key Viewing Area in the Scenic Area Management Plan. Scenic Committee chair, Wayne Wooster, Gorge Commission senior planner, Brian Litt, and Gorge Commissioner Joyce Reinig responded to Port concerns of the bridge not meeting the "public viewpoint" standard because the bridge does not allow pedestrian use nor are there any pullout viewpoints for vehicle traffic. Mr. Litt advised the Commission a decision on adding the Hood River Bridge as a potential Key Viewing Area would be delayed until their next committee meeting on August 20, 2002.

6. ITEMS FROM WORK SESSION:

a) Expo Center Scheduling for 2003: Executive Director Harlan reported that staff needs to respond to inquiries about the availability of booking the Expo Center in 2003, and that the status of various grant funding along with clarification on the technology center status were factors to be considered. Because Forest Service grant funds, which were to be used for architectural and engineering services, will be delayed, Harlan suggested the Port may need to subsidize those expenditures for the time being and that there may need to be blackout periods in Expo Center scheduling during any construction periods.

Motion: Move to extend scheduling of the Expo Center for the twelve-month period of January 1 through December 31, 2003.
Move: Bohn
Second: Hosford
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
MOTION CARRIED

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Motion: Move to authorize the expenditure of Port funds not to exceed $20,000 for Technology Center architectural and engineering services.
Move: Duckwall
Second: Hosford
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
MOTION CARRIED

b) HNTB Recommendations: Staff will obtain additional information from HNTB regarding project cost estimates for an 8:00pm to 6:00am closure compared to a 9:30pm to 5:30am closure.

c) Event Site RV Parking:

Motion: Move to authorize staff to review parking at the Event Site with users relative to management of recreational vehicles.
Move: Hosford
Second: Duckwall
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
MOTION CARRIED

7. NEW BUSINESS:

a) Commission Vacancy: In a letter dated July 19, 2002 Commissioner Robert N. Nichols notified the Commission that he would be unable to complete his elected term as Port Commissioner and would be resigning as of August 1, 2002. The vacancy will be advertised pursuant to statute requirements. Interviews will take place during a worksession at the September 3, 2002 meeting, and the successful candidate will take the oath of office during regular session.

Motion: Move to accept the resignation of Bob Nichols.
Move: Duckwall
Second: Bohn
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
MOTION CARRIED

b) SR 35 Presentation: Guests Dale Robins, Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council project manager, and Michael Ray from the Oregon Department of Transportation updated the Commission on the SR-35 Columbia River Crossing Feasibility Study. The study's second tier, which narrowed an initial set of 17 crossing options down to three possible long-term alternatives, has been completed. Robins and Ray told the Commission they hoped to obtain their recommendation to proceed to Tier III, which would conclude the study by selecting a preferred alternative bridge crossing, developing an implementation plan, and completing a draft environmental impact statement. While discussing aerial illustrations, Mr. Ray reported that ODOT engineers are currently looking at roundabout traffic facilities for the eastbound and westbound ramps of Exit 64 to reduce traffic queuing and spillback onto the I-84 mainline. Executive Director Harlan commented that ODOT official have not, in previous discussions, been willing to recognize some of the issues involved with the Exit 64 interchange. President Lyons stated the Commission supports the SR-35 Committee's study of looking at what's best for the Oregon-Washington transportation system, and that feedback would be provided prior to the SR-35 Committee meeting scheduled for September 4, 2002.

c) Sprint DSL Presentation: Mary Gumm, Sprint public relations manager, discussed the handouts and answered Commission and staff questions, relative to an overhead projector presentation regarding Sprint's digital subscriber line service that is now available in Hood River.

d) Wasco Business Park Engineering:

Motion: Move to authorize additional tasks to Seaborn Engineering scope of work contract in an amount not to exceed $30,000.00.
Move: Duckwall
Second: Bohn
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
MOTION CARRIED

e) Approval of Accounts Payable: None.

8. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None.

President Lyons adjourned the meeting at 9:08 p.m.