Minutes of July 16, 2002 Port of Hood River Commission Work Session/Regular Meeting
Expo Center Conference Room
6:30 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

Media: None

President Bill Lyons called the work session to order at 6:35 p.m.

1. ENFORCEMENT ISSUES: Executive Director David Harlan informed the Commission he expected a group would be attending the regular session to address the issue of designated recreational vehicle parking spaces at the Event Site. Harlan also updated the Commission on the status of the kiteboard instructor evicted from Port property on trespassing charges after refusing to follow Port rules and the commercial activity ordinance. The case was dismissed based on a recommendation by City Prosecutor Teunis Wyers. Attorney Jerry Jaques stated his opinion on the trespass issue differed from that of Mr. Wyers, and that state statutes could be cited governing this and other situations. Jaques, however, did state that the City would like the Port to adopt an ordinance that they would then enforce.

President Lyons closed the work session at 6:53 p.m. and reconvened the regular session at 7:00 p.m.

1. ELECTION OF 2002-2003 OFFICERS: President Lyons stated officers for the new year needed to be elected and that the current officers were Bill Lyons, president; Don Hosford, vice president; Fred Duckwall, secretary; and Sherry Bohn, treasurer.

Motion: Move to re-elect the current officers for a second term.
Move: Duckwall
Second: Hosford
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
Absent: Nichols
MOTION CARRIED

2. INTRODUCTIONS: President Lyons asked that the nine guests present at the time introduce themselves by name. Guests arriving at a later point in the meeting did not introduce themselves.

3. MODIFICATIONS, ADDITIONS TO AGENDA BY COMMISSIONERS: None

4. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC: A letter from Kevin Cline, which was read by Jeff Diamond, was submitted to the Commission regarding recreational vehicle parking regulations at the Event Site. Cline's letter cited the regulated parking in the far end of the lot as being discriminatory and that parking restrictions should not be enforced on days when the lot is not at capacity. Cline was appreciative of the improvements made over the years but requested the RV parking issue be reconsidered. Speaking in support of the letter were Jeff Diamond, Ann Minehart, John Chow, Sail Hendricks, Bill Phillips, and Jon Plaster. Additional comments included the need for all rules to be enforced equally; that there is no standard length or width for RVs, thus the stalls are too narrow; and a question about pickups with campers not being restricted when cars towing trailers are.

Executive Director David Harlan commented the RV parking situation was brought to staff's attention as a safety issue, that vehicles were being left in loading zones, and that RV parking at the north end of the site prevented attendants from having a clear view of the loading zone. Harlan further stated that enforcement of Port rules is dictated by staff workload. Harlan stated the Port of Hood River is protecting everyone's access by monitoring the loading zone area.

Speaking to the issue of dogs on Port property were differing opinions from Ken Fielding, Mary Alice Fowler, Bill Phillips, Marilyn Burns, Ann Minehart, and Jon Plaster. There was not a consensus among the group as to whether or not a problem existed. When one opinion was voiced that there has never been a dog problem, Executive Director Harlan disagreed stating he had heard, unofficially, that a child had been bitten on the face last week. An audience member verified that dog bite incident.

Matt Kosmata spoke about traffic backups at the bridge and on Interstate 84 and questioned why a one-way toll could not be put in place to ease the congestion. Kosmata also stated that staff and the Commission, when speaking to the media, should differentiate discussions taking place in a work session from discussions made in regular session.

Executive Director Harlan told Kosmata he had a discussion with the Oregon Department of Transportation and that ODOT does not feel there is a problem with the Exit 64 Interchange on I-84. Harlan suggested Kosmata should direct his traffic congestion comments to ODOT.

The Commission was thanked for the opportunity to present comments and the group said there was a bigger contingent supporting the view represented tonight who weren't able to attend the meeting. President Lyons and the Commission agreed there was enough discussion presented to reconsider the recreational vehicle parking policy but that a decision revising that policy could not be made tonight.

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion: Move to approve the June 4 (work session/regular session), 2002 meeting minutes.
Move: Hosford
Second: Bohn
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
Absent: Nichols
MOTION CARRIED

Motion: Move to approve the June 28 (special), 2002 meeting minutes.
Move: Duckwall
Second: Hosford
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Hosford, and Lyons
Abstain: Duckwall
Absent: Nichols
MOTION CARRIED

6. REPORTS:

a) Executive Director: Executive Director Harlan reported a moorage lien foreclosure auction had taken place earlier in the day. Three boats were sold and monies in excess of the foreclosure amount will be sent to the Hood River County Treasurer in accordance with Oregon Revised Statutes requirements. Harlan reported the Real Estate committee had reviewed an architectural and engineering services proposal submitted by the architect involved with the conversion of the Expo Center Building, and the estimate submitted would provide the Port with schematics and alternatives for the Technology Center. Harlan stated event holders are waiting for an answer on whether or not the Expo Center will be available in 2003 for bookings. A settlement offer relating to the airport underground fuel storage tank contamination has been received and Harlan stated further discussion would take place in Executive Session. Harlan reported the contract for engineering services for Wasco Business Park with Seaborn Engineering will be negotiated by the end of the month and that survey work to complete lot line adjustments will be under way at the site in the near future. Harlan stated the Real Estate Committee would have discussions concerning the current tenants in the Columbia Building and that he expected to be recontacted by an interested purchaser. Harlan commented that a waterfront development meeting with the City was planned and that KPFF Consulting Engineers are updating plans and specifications for the Second Street Project and have preliminary approval from the Oregon Department of Transportation.

b) Commissioners: Commissioner Hosford reported on his and Executive Director Harlan's attendance at the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association mid-year meeting, and Commissioner Duckwall reported on his and Economic Development and Marketing Assistant Mike Doke's attendance at the Oregon Aeronautics meeting.

7. ITEMS FROM WORK SESSION:

a) Enforcement Issues: Staff will review Port rules and bring a recommendation to the Commission.

8. NEW BUSINESS:

a) Auditing Services RFP: President Lyons reported the Finance Committee reviewed four bids and the committee's recommendation to the Commission was to award the current auditing firm another three-year contract.

Motion: Move to appoint current auditors Onstott & Broehl to another 3-year contract in the estimated amount of $43,000.00.
Move: Bohn
Second: Duckwall
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
Absent: Nichols
MOTION CARRIED

b) River Walk RFP: Mike Doke reported four bid packages had been picked up and one had been returned. Doke's recommendation to the Commission was to accept the bidder's option for removal and rebuilding the existing walkway.

Motion: Move to approve Option II of the Port Marina Park River Walk bid award to Mid-Columbia Paving in the amount of $7,750.00 for removal and rebuilding the existing walkway.
Move: Hosford
Second: Bohn
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
Absent: Nichols
MOTION CARRIED

c) Ball Janik Contract Renewal:

Motion: Move to approve the Ball Janik contract, with the Port of Hood River's portion not to exceed $3,500.00 per month, and authorize the Executive Director to execute the contract.
Move: Duckwall
Second: Hosford
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
Absent: Nichols
MOTION CARRIED

d) Technology Center Letter:

Motion: Authorize the Executive Director to sign a letter requesting additional Federal grant funding assistance for the Technology Center and to request support from the City and County of Hood River, and Columbia Gorge Community College.
Move: Bohn
Second: Duckwall
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
Absent: Nichols
MOTION CARRIED

e) HNTB Recommendations: President Lyons stated that a decision would not be made at tonight's meeting regarding the May 6, 2002 letter from HNTB summarizing construction requirements and constraints for the bridge redecking project. President Lyons requested Commissioners Bohn and Hosford to seek public input regarding closure options during the redecking project, and that any questions the Commission had should be sent to Port staff for forwarding to HNTB. Staff will provide for the Commission a recap of the last bridge project to include commuter comments and mid-stream project changes. Staff will also prepare a motorist survey, which will provide notification of the project and seek input on closure options.

f) Approval of Accounts Payable: President Lyons stated the Finance Committee had approved payment of two invoices that would require ratification of the Commission. Linda Shames, accounting manager, requested the Commission to authorize the awarding of the Technology Center architectural services contract and associated payment for services.

Motion: Move to ratify payment of invoices to Lane's Paving & Seal Coating in the amount of $6,650.00 and to Kase Construction in the amount of $6,600.00.
Move: Duckwall
Second: Bohn
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
Absent: Nichols
MOTION CARRIED

*************************

Motion: Move to authorize the Executive Director to enter into a contract with Kevin Cooley for architectural and engineering services for the Technology Center in an amount not to exceed $18,000.00 and $1,200.00 for incidental costs.
Move: Duckwall
Second: Hosford
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
Absent: Nichols
MOTION CARRIED

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 8:25 p.m., President Lyons called the Commission into Executive Session under ORS 192.660(1)(e), Real State and ORS 192.660(1)(h), Litigation.

At the conclusion of Executive Session, the Commission was called back into regular session at 8:42 p.m. No action was taken as a result of Executive Session.

President Lyons adjourned the meeting at 8:42 p.m.