Minutes of May 7, 2002 Port of Hood River Commission Work Session/Regular Meeting
Expo Center Conference Room
6:00 P.M.

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

Absent: Commissioners Don Hosford and Bob Nichols; from staff, Linda Hull

Media: None

President Bill Lyons called the work session to order at 6:05 p.m.

1. EXPO CENTER/TECHNOLOGY CENTER: Further discussion was held on the concept of adding a second floor to the building. The structural support requirements of a second floor need to be identified and a feasibility study was suggested. Commissioner Bohn stated a marketing discussion should take place regarding utilization of the vacant lower space for events other than weddings, birthdays, and dances.

2. HOOD RIVER ELECTRIC CO-OP/TECHNOLOGY CENTER FUNDING: Executive Director David Harlan reported the Port has two opportunities to take advantage of regarding the Hood River Electric Cooperative's Parkdale-to-waterfront fiber optic project. One opportunity could be purchasing a maximum of two miles of fiber optic cable at the Co-Op's volume discount price; the other opportunity could be utilizing the services of David Evans & Associates, the Co-Op's design firm, to obtain a cost proposal on the design work for placement of fiber optic cable at the Port. Harlan stated both cost estimates would be useful in preparing the Port's write-up and budget to be submitted for the Technology Center funding. Attorney Jaques stated three competitive bids for the purchase of the cable should be obtained and that a personal services contract would need to be written for the design work.

3. BRIDGE REDECKING PROJECT: The bridge redecking project was revisited with a discussion on compressing, rather than expanding, the scheduled project. Interest rates are currently low and staff will confer with Ball Janik, LLP concerning the Port's chances of securing federal assistance for the project. Harlan stated that proceeding with the bridge redecking project without federal funding assistance may make it easier to obtain grant funding for other projects that do not generate debt service revenue.

President Lyons closed the work session at 7:37 p.m. and reconvened the regular session at 7:43 p.m.

1. INTRODUCTIONS: None.

2. MODIFICATIONS OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None.

3. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC: Guest Matt Kosmata stated the bridge stringer repair and redecking projects should not be further delayed. As a bridge customer, Kosmata feels the user should receive the service they pay for and that the dedicated bridge funds already collected should cover a majority of the project costs.

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion: Move to approve the April 23 (work session/regular session), 2002 meeting minutes.
Move: Bohn
Second: Duckwall
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, and Lyons
Absent: Hosford and Nichols
MOTION CARRIED

5. REPORTS:

a) Executive Director:

Executive Director David Harlan reported on the Enterprise Zone meeting he and Commissioner Duckwall attended in Cascade Locks. While there are some critics, Harlan stated there appears to be support to approve expansion of the zone to encompass other areas of the county, including Hood River, and that most users would be companies that are already located here.

A cost projection for the Port Office West Wing remodel had been received and Harlan stated the prospective tenant, architect, and staff would meet to review the proposal and discuss ways to scale back on the projected improvement costs.

Harlan reported a tour of the sewage treatment plant resulted in the City reviewing Council minutes to determine if the last upgrade was to have resolved, or just reduced, the odor problem.

Staff has been showing the Western Power building to interested tenants and Harlan reported that several large single users had submitted long lists of required improvements and that the amortized costs would not be recovered over a short-term lease period. An option would be leasing the building "as is" to multiple users. Harlan reported that Dave Coles Environmental would be reviewing Cooper System's Level I document to determine if the Port has any recourse on the resin and styrene odor problem that remains in the Western Power building.

Harlan commented that he had met with city planner Cindy Walbridge to discuss Waterfront and Wasco Street rezoning issues and stated the real estate committee would need to meet early next week to prepare for another Waterfront Task Force meeting.

b) Commissioners: Commissioner Bohn inquired if a sign was in place designating the Spit as a kiteboarding launch site and it was confirmed a sign was posted. Bohn also asked if dog owners who use the Spit had contacted staff regarding the County leash law. Harlan stated no official contact had been made.

6. ITEMS FROM WORK SESSION:

a) Technology Center Funding: The Commission concurred that staff should pursue the purchase of fiber optic cable from the Hood River Electric Cooperative and request that David Evans & Associates prepare a design proposal for fiber optic placement for the Port.

7. NEW BUSINESS:

a) Regular Meeting Schedule: Executive Director Harlan presented a summary of regularly scheduled Port Commission meetings that had been canceled the past year. Harlan proposed the Commission consider going to a single meeting date a month for regular meetings with Special Meetings scheduled as needed according to Port and Oregon Revised Statutes governance policies.

Motion: Move to change the meeting schedule to one meeting a month to be held on the first Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., at the Expo Center conference room.
Move: Duckwall
Second: Bohn
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, and Lyons
Absent: Hosford and Nichols
MOTION CARRIED

b) Accounts Payable: None.

8. 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 8:40 p.m. No action was taken as a result of Executive Session.

President Lyons adjourned the meeting at 8:41 p.m.