Minutes of October 2, 2007 
Regular Session
5:30 P.M. - Marina Center Boardroom

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

Absent: Commissioners Hoby Streich and Kathy Watson

Media: Sue Ryan, Hood River News

1. CALL TO ORDER: President Duckwall called the regular session to order at 5:30 p.m.
a) Modifications, Additions to Agenda: Executive Director Michael McElwee commented on the possibility of an Action Item that may result from Executive Direction discussions.

2. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.

3. CONSENT AGENDA:
· Approve minutes of September 18, 2007 regular meeting
· Authorize contract with Bob Sady Painting Inc. for exterior painting of the Marina Center Building
· Authorize an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Hood River to evaluate the feasibility of tax increment financing on the waterfront

Motion: Move to approve Consent Agenda.
Move: Bohn
Second: Hosford
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, and Hosford
Absent: Streich and Watson
MOTION CARRIED

4. COMMISSIONER, COMMITTEE REPORTS:
§ Bridge Replacement Meeting - McElwee reported he and Commissioners Bohn and
Duckwall attended a September 27 meeting with Mid-Columbia region elected officials to discuss replacement of the Hood River Interstate Bridge. Duckwall commented that the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) became less urgent as any EIS data collected now would become irrelevant in the long-term. The Washington State Regional Transportation Commission will organize another meeting the end of November.

5. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: McElwee highlighted the following areas:
§ Schedule - To accommodate staff and Commission schedules, the October 16 meeting has been rescheduled to the following Tuesday, October 23. The Fall Planning session has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 7, which means the regular first Tuesday meeting that would have been held on November 6 is canceled. McElwee inquired if a Commissioner would be available to take his place on the October 15 radio program; Bohn volunteered but said that she would confirm her schedule with staff the next day.
§ Bridge/Transportation - McElwee reiterated the importance of the Port's participation, along with the County and City, in the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Interchange Area Management Plan (IAMP) for Exits 63 and 64 as the IAMP is likely to have a significant impact on the waterfront development potential. McElwee stated the IAMP effort would be closely monitored and substantive issues would be brought to the Commission's attention. Linda Shames, Finance Manager, illustrated one such issue that concerned her was ODOT basing traffic counts from Mosier Exit 69 on a Sunday afternoon in July.

6. REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
· Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum - Jeremy Young, Museum Director: On behalf of the Museum Board, Young presented the Commission with a framed poster of the Museum's September 7-9 Grand Opening and Fly-In stating that it was with sincere and deep gratitude of the Port's support of the event. Young reported the event was a great success with 298 aircraft participating and the guest book signed by 4200 visitors. Beginning next week, Young stated the Museum would be open on a daily basis and that plans for a second hangar to house antique automobiles were well underway. The Museum is also looking at getting a post-secondary education license to rollout aviation and automobile program options for high school-aged and adult students. Young also stated requests to hold banquets and meetings at the Museum hangars had been received but their Board was not interested in this type of use at this time. Young answered questions from the Commission and staff and was thanked for his presentation and the framed poster.
Following Young's presentation, Marketing Manager Mike Doke was asked to comment on the Airport Master Plan. Doke reported the County has agreed to a review of the plan but they have also requested the Port hire a consultant to guide the project through the 6-9 month process.
· Needs & Issues Process Update: A suggested list including previous and new infrastructure and capital improvement projects was provided for discussion by Doke, who requested input prior to the October 19 submission deadline. Commissioner Bohn questioned the process for ranking the projects. Doke and McElwee commented that prioritization was not a part of the inventory process according to their discussions with Bill Fashing, Economic Development Coordinator for Hood River County. Bohn also asked why a bridge replacement was not listed since Federal assistance may be less likely if a project is not supported at the state level. McElwee commented that he and Doke would continue to meet with Fashing regarding the projects to be listed on the Port's inventory.
· Lot 6 Park Committee Update - Mark Zanmiller and Paige Rouse: Development highlights of the waterfront park were presented by Rouse, one of three appointed Port representatives on the Park Development Committee (PDC), and Zanmiller, co-chair. Rouse emphasized the PDC members continue to actively facilitate the development process and remain cognizant that money is wisely spent. Zanmiller reported the City's application for $500,000 funded by a grant from the Oregon State Parks was ranked first in the state; construction documents should be 90% complete by November 15 for the Phase I construction bidding process in January 2008 (earthwork for the entire site, beach construction, restroom, east-west trail, final landscaping north of the trail, and interim field grass south of the trail). Zanmiller also reported the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had approved a permit for in-water work and it was hoped the beach construction would be completed prior to the Corps work window which closes the end of February. Zanmiller noted that fund-raising efforts by the Waterfront Community Parks Association can be found on the www.hoodriverwaterfront.com website. Zanmiller commented he was heartened that the Park is a draw to development on the waterfront and asked the Commission how the PDC could further help the process? Bohn commented on potential improvements to Portway Avenue and possible dedication of the street to the City resulting from development on the waterfront and was concerned how this might impact the PDC's plans for recessed parking into the park property. Zanmiller stated the PDC would appreciate being a part of any Portway Avenue improvement and dedication discussions.

Zanmiller and Rouse were thanked for the update and for answering questions from the Commission and staff.

7. ACTION ITEMS:
a. Approve Contract with W&H Pacific for Frontage Road Feasibility Study: Shames commented the contract amount had been negotiated down from $743,000. McElwee noted a significant portion of the contract deals with traffic data because it will be critical to establish baseline and future analyses for Exit 63 and 64 traffic to link to the IAMP analysis.

Motion: Move to approve contract with W&H Pacific for Frontage Road Feasibility Study in an amount not to exceed $558,534.57 plus reimbursable expenses.
Move: Hosford
Second: Bohn
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, and Hosford
Absent: Streich and Watson
MOTION CARRIED

b) Approve Contract with Icon West Developments for Planning Services Associated with Review of the Airport Master Plan by Hood River County: Doke reiterated the County has requested a planning consultant be retained by the Port to guide the process of reviewing the 2004-2024 Ken Jernstedt Airfield Master Plan Update with an eye toward a potential county comprehensive plan amendment. Doke commented that Icon West has experience with the local planning process and a background that will be important for agency coordination, code review, public outreach and working with the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development. Doke noted that Icon West could consult, as needed, with Century West, which developed the Master Plan.

Motion: Move to approve contract with Icon West Developments for planning services associated with review of the Airport Master Plan by Hood River County in an amount not to exceed $9,590.
Move: Bohn
Second: Hosford
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, and Hosford, Streich
Absent: Streich and Watson
MOTION CARRIED

8. COMMISSION CALL: Bohn stated that she would not be available for the October 23 meeting; and on a personal note, she would be celebrating her 22nd wedding anniversary this weekend. Commissioner Hosford said it would be a good week for him as no doctor or dental appointments were scheduled.

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 6:23 p.m. President Duckwall called the Commission into Executive Session under ORS 192.660(2)(e) Real Property. The Commission was called back into Regular Session at 6:30 p.m. and the following action was taken as a result of Executive Session.

Motion: Move to authorize to issue the Notice of Intent to award the construction contract to Hale Construction for the First Floor Tenant Improvement Project at the Wasco Street Office Building.
Move: Bohn
Second: Hosford
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, and Hosford
Absent: Streich and Watson
MOTION CARRIED

10. ADJOURN: President Duckwall adjourned the meeting at 6:31 p.m.

 

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Minutes of October 16, 2007
Special Meeting
4:00 P.M. - Marina Center Boardroom

Present: Commissioners Sherry Bohn, Fred Duckwall, Don Hosford, and Kathy Watson; Attorney Jerry Jaques; from staff, Michael McElwee, Mike Doke, and Laurie Borton

Absent: Commissioner Hoby Streich; from staff, Linda Shames and Linda Hull

Media: Sue Ryan, Hood River News

President Fred Duckwall called the Special Meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. The Commission was immediately called into Executive Session under ORS 192.660(2)(e) Real Property; however, Executive Director Michael McElwee said that discussions relative to negotiation of the Mid-Columbia Council of Governments (MCCOG) lease for 2,754 square feet of space on the first floor of the Wasco Business Building had concluded and discussion in open session was appropriate for the lease approval. Mike Doke, Marketing Manager, commented that approval of the lease would allow Hale Construction to begin work on October 17. Doke addressed Commission questions regarding the amortization of tenant improvements, which has been rolled into the monthly lease payment for the initial five year lease term (December 1, 2007 through November 30, 2012) as well as the optional five year lease extension (through November 30, 2017). Doke stated that MCCOG would be responsible for 10 years of payments for tenant improvements. If MCCOG leaves after ten years, the cost of tenant improvements would be rolled into the lease terms of a new tenant.

Motion: Move to approve the lease with Mid-Columbia Council of Governments for 2,754 square feet of space on the first floor of the Wasco Business Building.
Move: Watson
Second: Hosford
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Watson
Absent: Streich
MOTION CARRIED

The meeting was adjourned at 4:06 p.m.

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Minutes of October 23, 2007
Regular Session
5:30 P.M. - Marina Center Boardroom

Present: Commissioners Fred Duckwall, Don Hosford, Hoby Streich, and Kathy Watson; Attorney Jerry Jaques; from staff, Michael McElwee, Mike Doke, Linda Hull, Linda Shames, and Laurie Borton

Absent: Commissioner Sherry Bohn

Media: Mark Bailey, KIHR Radio

1. CALL TO ORDER: President Duckwall called the regular session to order at 5:30 p.m.
a) Modifications, Additions to Agenda: Executive Director Michael McElwee requested the addition of an Action Item to discuss the feasibility of installing wind testing equipment.

2. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.

3. CONSENT AGENDA:
· Approve minutes of October 2, 2007 regular meeting and October 16, 2007 special meeting.

Motion: Move to approve Consent Agenda.
Move: Hosford
Second: Watson
Vote: Aye: Duckwall, Hosford, Streich, and Watson
Absent: Bohn
MOTION CARRIED

4. COMMISSIONER, COMMITTEE REPORTS:
§ Pacific Northwest Waterways Association Annual Conference - Commissioner Hosford and McElwee attended the October 10-12 conference held in the Vancouver, Washington. There were presentations on the aging rail and highway transportation systems across the country. Hosford commented that traffic predications for 2010 indicate all day gridlock on regional bridge crossings; and McElwee noted that the I-5 Columbia River Bridge Crossing Project, which has been estimated at $4 billion, will be paid in portion by electronic video tolling. Hosford also congratulated McElwee for his election to the PNWA board of directors.

5. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: McElwee highlighted the following areas:
§ Schedule - Staff will be attending the October 29 Columbia Gorge Future Forum; and McElwee will attend the November 5-6 Oregon Ports Group meeting in Salem, with the first day focusing on Ports adapting their strategic plans into the state plan and a Port Commissioner training session scheduled for the second day. A draft agenda of the November 7 fall planning session was provided for comment and feedback from the Commission.
§ Waterfront Recreation - A meeting of the Waterfront Recreation Committee to review the 2007 season has been scheduled for November 1; the permit to re-contour existing sand adjacent to the Event Site has been submitted to the US Army Corps of Engineers.
§ Waterfront Development - A meeting with the US Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the Delta assessment study has been scheduled for November 8, which McElwee and Bob Naito will attend. Commissioner Watson inquired on the progress of Naito's project for redevelopment of the Nichols Boat Basin. McElwee responded the Frontage Road Feasibility and Delta Assessment studies may be determining factors. The City has approved the Intergovernmental Agreement to evaluate the feasibility of tax increment financing which was approved by the Commission at its October 2 meeting.
§ Airport - McElwee noted the County Commission will consider tax increment financing for the Windmaster Sewer Project at its November 5 meeting.
§ Bridge/Transportation - Enrollment for the electronic tolling "BreezeBy" system has kept office staff busy and an early November roll-out is anticipated.

6. REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
· The History Museum - Connie Nice, Museum Coordinator: Nice thanked the Port for its long standing relationship with the Museum since 1976 and for the Commissions and McElwee's continued support as the Museum plans for its future growth and partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center relocation to the waterfront entrance. Nice invited the Commission to attend the Museum and Chamber fund raising luncheon, "A Time to Connect…the Beginning" and showed a draft version of the video that will be premiered at the November 2 luncheon. The History Museum, which is a department of Hood River County, is a positive project high on the County's priority list, as noted by Dean Guess, Department Director. Commissioner Watson inquired about the Museum's fund raising goal. Nice stated that she would like to defer comments to the November 2 event as she did not want to under- or overstate the goal tonight for the Commissioners but Nice did say, however, that through a variety of means she was confident the goals would be met.
· Interchange Access Management Plan (IAMP) Next Steps - Kristen Stallman, ODOT: The reconstruction of Exit 64, which has been identified as a high priority by the County, City, and Port of Hood River, has been included in the 2006-09 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Funding for the bridge replacement and interchange modification at Exit 64 is provided by OTIA III (Oregon Transportation Investment Act), and Stallman noted a bid would be let November 2008 and the 2-year construction would begin spring 2009. Stallman commented that the three Hood River interchanges at Exits 62, 63, and 64 are unique in that a majority of the daily use is for local commuting rather than interstate travelers and the IAMP process would be a good forum in opening communication between the Oregon Department of Transportation, Port, City, County and community.

7. ACTION ITEMS:
a. Approve Contract with Thiel Landscape Architecture for Design Work in an Amount Not to Exceed $5,500 in Conjunction with the 2008 Recreational Trails Grant Program Application: Grant funding is available in 2008 from the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department for eligible projects that would include new multi-modal trail construction. Paige Rouse, the Port's representative to the Park Development Committee, will assist staff in writing the grant proposal. The Port will need to provide a concept and design layout plan, including a cost estimate for construction and plantings, with the grant application, and staff is recommending Thiel Landscape Architecture for the first phase of the Riverfront Pedestrian Trail System that will connect the east and west sides of the new Waterfront Park to the Hook roadway and Event Site up to the 2nd Street intersection. McElwee commented it would be appropriate to include reimbursable expenses with the motion.

Motion: Move to approve contract with Thiel Landscape Architecture for design work in an amount not to exceed $5,500, plus reimbursable expenses, in conjunction with the 2008 Recreational Trails Grant Program application.
Move: Watson
Second: Streich
Vote: Aye: Duckwall, Hosford, Streich, and Watson
Absent: Bohn
MOTION CARRIED

b) Approve Contract with Halus Power Systems (agenda addition): McElwee commented that wind and solar generation were opportunities the Port should look at, and the contract with Halus Power Systems would cover travel costs for a site visit to determine the feasibility of placement of an anemometer on a point near the Port office. The anemometer would be used to determine the quality of the wind and help determine if a wind turbine is feasible. McElwee noted the equipment would not impede the view corridor, and the potential energy generation would be under 1 megawatt, which would be enough for internal use with any excess going to the power grid for credit to the Port. With the County's interest in wind generation, Commissioner Watson inquired if the County should be contacted to determine if there was an interest in sharing travel costs. McElwee noted the Oregon Energy Trust may provide funds for such projects but that it was yet to be determined.

Motion: Move to approve contract with Halus Power Systems in the amount of $950 to determine the feasibility of installing wind testing equipment.
Move: Hosford
Second: Watson
Vote: Aye: Duckwall, Hosford, Streich, and Watson
Absent: Bohn
MOTION CARRIED

8. COMMISSION CALL: None.

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 6:25 p.m. President Duckwall called the Commission into Executive Session under ORS 192.660(2)(e) Real Property. The Commission was called back into Regular Session at 7:35 p.m. No action was taken as a result of Executive Session.

10. ADJOURN: President Duckwall adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m.