Minutes of September 3, 2002 Port of Hood River Commission Work Session/Regular Meeting
Expo Center Conference Room
6:00 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: None

Guests: Commissioner Applicants Mike Benedict, Gary Fields, Hoby Streich, and Kathy Watson

Media: None

President Bill Lyons called the work session to order at 6:15p.m.

1. PORT COMMISSIONER VACANCY INTERVIEWS: President Lyons explained that interviews would take place during the work session and that a decision on the appointment of the successful candidate to fill the Port Commission Position 5 vacancy would be made in regular session. The newly appointed Commissioner could then choose to participate in the regular meeting, after taking the Oath of Office, or wait until the October meeting.

"Interview Qualifications and Questions" were provided to applicants Mike Benedict, Gary Fields, Hoby Streich and Kathy Watson for review. The candidates were allowed five minutes to respond to the questions and at the end of five minutes a bell sounded indicating two minutes remained. All candidates remained in the room while each applicant, in alphabetical order, presented his or her responses.

At the end of the presentations, Commissioners asked questions of the candidates as well as stated what qualities they believed would be important in the selection process. Each Commissioner cast votes for their top two candidates; the applicant with the most votes would be chosen to fill the vacancy. A tally of the votes resulted in Hoby Streich receiving the majority vote, followed by Mike Benedict.

President Lyons commended all the candidates stating he hoped the three that were not appointed would choose to become involved with the Port in other ways.

President Lyons closed the work session at 7:00 p.m. and reconvened the regular session at 7:01 p.m.

1. INTRODUCTIONS: Guest Matt Kosmata introduced himself.

2. MODIFICATIONS, ADDITIONS TO AGENDA BY COMMISSIONERS: There was Commission consensus to move deliberation and vote on the Commission vacancy to the top of the agenda.

Motion: Move to appoint Hoby Streich to complete the term of Commission Position No. 5 vacated by Bob Nichols.
Move: Bohn
Second: Duckwall
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
MOTION CARRIED

Hoby Streich read and signed the Oath of Office and was welcomed to the Commission Board.

3. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC: None.

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion: Move to approve the August 6 (work session/regular session), 2002 meeting minutes.
Move: Hosford
Second: Bohn
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Lyons
Abstain: Streich
MOTION CARRIED

5. COMMISSIONER OATH OF OFFICE: By Commission consensus, this item was moved to "Modifications, Additions to Agenda by Commissioners."

6. REPORTS:

a) Executive Director: Executive Director Harlan reported that the Columbia Gorge Commission's Scenic Resources Committee decided against recommending designating the Hood River Bridge as a Key Viewing Area. A certified letter requesting immediate action to resolve the failed conduit support system installed on the Hood River Interstate Bridge has been sent to Mill Plain Electric following review of contract documents by Jerry Jaques, the Port's attorney. Harlan stated a response had not been received from a prospective tenant who has indicated interest in leasing the vacant west portion of the Port Office Building and that a letter would be sent advising that others are interested in the building. Harlan reported on an August 13, 2002 meeting regarding waterfront zoning issues and commented the draft is close to being finalized and that a public presentation will be scheduled for early November. Harlan advised the Commission that a grant award notice had been received from the U.S. Department of Education on the rewrite for use of $150,000 to acquire equipment for the Technology Center. Harlan reported on meetings with Columbia Building tenants DaKine Hawaii and Humanities Software regarding square footage needs, and that he and Mike Doke would be attending an Airport Master Plan meeting on September 19, 2002.

b) Other: None.

7. ITEMS FROM WORK SESSION:

a) HNTB Recommendations: Executive Director Harlan reported HNTB, the Port's
bridge engineer, is unable to quantify the cost savings of 8-hour nighttime bridge closures compared to 10-hour nighttime bridge closures for the Bridge Redecking Project given the number of assumptions that would have to be made. The bridge redeck is believed to be a two-year project, unless completed in a shorter timeframe due to contractor incentives. Harlan reported feedback from stakeholder meetings and bridge user surveys would be considered when the contract is finalized. There was Commission consensus authorizing staff to formalize a response to HNTB allowing them to move forward on finalizing its engineering work and preparing bid documents using an 8-hour closure template.

b) SR-35 Bridge Study - Tier III: Executive Director Harlan reported that Washington Department of Transportation and Oregon Department of Transportation officials are expected to decide on September 4 whether to proceed with phase three of the SR-35 Columbia River Crossing Feasibility Study. Tier III involves the selection of a preferred alternative crossing, developing an implementation plan, and preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed new bridge. Harlan stated a letter supporting phase three has been drafted and, with Commission approval, will be submitted for consideration at the September 4 meeting.

Motion: Move to authorize Executive Director to sign the letter, as written, supporting Tier III of the SR-35 Feasibility Study.
Move: Bohn
Second: Streich
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, Lyons, and Streich
MOTION CARRIED

8. NEW BUSINESS:

a) River Walk - Additional Paving Work: Mike Doke requested the approval for additional asphalt work expanding the initial phase of the River Walk Development in the Port Marina Park as a result of the low bid coming in under budget. Doke reported the work is expected to begin the week of September 9 and is scheduled for completion no later than September 30, and that bids for landscaping work will be let in Spring 2003.

Motion: Move to authorize additional asphalt work expanding the first phase of the River Walk in a total amount not to exceed $14,500.00.
Move: Duckwall
Second: Hosford
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, Lyons, and Streich
MOTION CARRIED

b) Approval of Accounts Payable: None.

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 8:00 p.m., President Lyons called the Commission into Executive Session under ORS 192,660(1)(e) Real Estate; and ORS 192.660(1)(h) Litigation.

At the conclusion of Executive Session, the Commission was called back into regular session at 9:15 p.m. The following action was taken as a result of Executive Session.

Motion: Move to authorize the Executive Director to resolve the repair and/or replacement of the conduit support system on the Hood River Interstate Bridge.
Move: Duckwall
Second: Bohn

Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, Lyons, and Streich
MOTION CARRIED

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Motion: Move to authorize staff to proceed with discussions relative to recommendations of the Real Estate Committee regarding the Columbia Building.
Move: Hosford
Second: Streich
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, Lyons, and Streich
MOTION CARRIED

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Motion: Move to adopt Resolution No. 2002-03-1, as modified, declaring the Ruthton Point land as surplus property.
Move: Duckwall
Second: Hosford
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, Lyons, and Streich
MOTION CARRIED

President Lyons adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m.

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Minutes of September 20, 2002 Port of Hood River Commission Special Meeting
Expo Center Conference Room
9:00 A.M.

Present: Commissioners Sherry Bohn, Don Hosford, Bill Lyons, and Hoby Streich; Attorney Jerry Jaques; from staff, David Harlan, Mike Doke, and Laurie Borton

Absent: Commissioner Fred Duckwall

Media: None

Guest: Matt Kosmata

President Bill Lyons called the Special Meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. for the purpose of discussing the 2003 Needs and Issues Inventory and to discuss a real estate transaction.

Executive Director David Harlan discussed the annual Needs and Issues Inventory prioritization process. Harlan and President Lyons answered Commission questions regarding the process. September 20 is the due date for submitting the Port's list to the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, which will compile all of Hood River County's Needs and Issues projects. All of the various projects will then be considered by the Hood River County Economic Development Committee, which will recommend overall project priorities to the Hood River County Commission. Staff is recommending these priorities for Commission approval: Hood River Integrated Technology Center, Wasco Business Park Infrastructure Development, Bridge Redecking Project, Waterfront Second Street Extension, Toll Plaza Improvement, and Hood River Integrated Technology Center Architectural and Engineering.

Motion: Move to accept the 2003 Needs and Issues Inventory prioritization list.
Move: Bohn
Second: Streich
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Hosford, Lyons, and Streich
Absent: Duckwall
MOTION CARRIED

At 9:17 a.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 9:37 a.m. The following action was taken as a result of Executive Session.

President Lyons stated that a real estate transaction had been discussed and that the Port would be submitting a Property Purchase - Counter Offer to Key Development Corporation involving the Columbia Building. Attorney Jerry Jaques commented that in consideration of this potential sale, the Port had determined the Columbia Building to be commercial property that is not needed for public use. Attorney Jaques stated that he would be making one additional provision to the counter offer requiring the purchaser to keep the existing tenants. The counter offer will be submitted to Key Development today and has until September 25, 2002 to accept the agreement.

Motion: Move to approve the Property Purchase-Counter Offer agreement, as amended, between the Port of Hood River (seller) and Key Development (buyer) involving the commercial real property known as the Columbia Building located at 408 Columbia Street, Hood River, Oregon and to authorize the Commission President to sign the agreement.

Move: Streich
Second: Hosford
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Hosford, Lyons, and Streich
Absent: Duckwall
MOTION CARRIED

President Lyons adjourned the meeting at 9:43 a.m.