Minutes of September 4, 2007 
Regular Session
5:30 P.M. - Marina Center Boardroom

Present: Commissioners Sherry Bohn, 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: None

Media: None

1. CALL TO ORDER: President Duckwall called the regular session to order at 5:30 p.m.
a) Modifications, Additions to Agenda: None.

2. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.

3. CONSENT AGENDA:
· Approve minutes of August 21, 2007 regular meeting
· Approve lease with Chamber of Commerce
· Authorize execution of the Personal Services Contract with Ball Janik, LLP for the period July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008

Commissioner Hosford noted a correction to his Urban Renewal committee report saying the Port may be contacted regarding parking on the waterfront for the construction workers, and not business employees, during the construction on Oak Avenue between 3rd and 5th Streets that would begin February 2008. Executive Director Michael McElwee commended Port attorney Jerry Jaques and Marketing Manager Mike Doke for their work on the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce lease.

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

4. COMMISSIONER, COMMITTEE REPORTS: None.

5. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: McElwee highlighted the following areas:
· Waterfront Development - McElwee reported the presentation of the implementation strategy to the City Council on August 27 was well received with good feedback and positive comments. A report from Evergreen NRG on renewable energy options was provided with the following recommendations-to pursue the development of a wind energy project, encourage tenants to include solar photovoltaic and solar thermal installations in building plans, and investigate the potential utilization of methane gas from the wastewater treatment plant. President Duckwall commented the ratio of investment to payback was unattractive, and Commissioner Watson was in favor of the solar design build-in for future development. McElwee suggested the Commission may want to consider, at a future date, the placement of a wind gauge to better understand the need and/or relationship.
· Bridge/Transportation - Selected "BreezeBy" testing of the electronic tolling system began the previous Friday and approximately 70 transponders for personal use have been issued. Testing by selected commercial accounts is expected to begin next week. McElwee acknowledged HNTB employee Jerry Hautamaki for his diligence in modifying the system to meet the specific needs of the Port of Hood River. Staff will participate in a meeting scheduled for September 27 concerning an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) related to a future bridge replacement crossing the Columbia River. McElwee noted the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council would invite the Commissioners to attend this EIS meeting as well.

6. REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
· Website Redesign - Operations Manager Linda Hull introduced Alexa Shuman of Web Rock Design. The Port's new website was previewed and the Commission was asked to provide staff with comments. Shuman said she believed the redesign was more dynamic and informative and users would be allowed numerous opportunities to provide feedback. The redesigned website could be launched as early as October.
· Waterfront Subdivision Conceptual Layout - A progress report on Group Mackenzie's conceptual layout was presented by McElwee, who stated the illustrations were based on assumptions but that some decisions would need to be made within the next couple of weeks regarding the need to define the Expo property for conveyance. McElwee estimated the subdivision layout would be a 4-month process.

7. ACTION ITEMS:
a. Authorize the Port to Execute an Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for an Impact Assessment of the Delta in an Amount Not to Exceed $107,000: McElwee reported the intent of the Delta Impact Assessment is to look to the future and determine potential impacts on the waterfront by evaluating factors driving evolution of the Delta; preparing a hydrodynamic model to estimate future growth; determine the range of possible impacts on the waterfront; and identify potential measures to mitigate recreation, navigation, and habitat impacts. McElwee credited the involvement of Commissioner Bohn and Ball Janik staff in bringing attention of the Delta to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. McElwee said he believed the work would be the foundation for decisions by the Port about the future of the waterfront and Nichols Boat Basin, and if federal funds would be sought McElwee believed the information provided in the Assessment would be a necessary condition of future funding approval. Commissioner Streich questioned the urgency and asked if the timeline of the Assessment was needed with respect to development on the waterfront? McElwee stated the federal Planning Assistance to States (PAS) funding is available now but that it might not be in a year, and it was his opinion that the hydrodynamic model would help the Port in its decision regarding a minimal Delta modification; i.e., sculpting. McElwee commented the Delta modification may not be done with Port funds if the PAS is pursued but he felt it was still a good idea to submit a permit for placeholder purposes. McElwee also noted that Bob Naito, of Naito Development, LLC, had given a verbal commitment of $20,000 towards the Port's match of $107,000 towards the 50/50 PAS grant, and the Port's match would be further reduced by staff work credited as in-kind services.

Motion: Move to authorize the Port to execute an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for an Impact Assessment of the Delta in an amount not to exceed $107,000 comprised of a cash match and in-kind services from the Port of Hood River and a cash contribution from Naito Development, LLC.
Move: Watson
Second: Bohn
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, and Watson
Nay: Streich
MOTION CARRIED

b) Authorize the Port to Execute a Contract with Shawn Summersett Civil Engineering in an Amount Not to Exceed $5,950 for Engineering Fees Associated with the Wasco Business Park Parking Lot Redevelopment: Doke reported that engineering proposals had been requested from three firms to determine if a redesign of the parking lot was possible. The City, which has a 1-for-1 requirement of one parking space per employee, does not view Wal-Mart's offer of 10 parking spaces as meeting the spirit of their requirement. Doke said that it had been difficult to track why 27 parking spaces were built, and approved, when the lot had been designed with 37 spaces. Bohn stated that she hoped a redesign would provide for future needs and not just what would be needed for Mid-Columbia Council of Government's relocation to the Wasco Business Park building.

Motion: Authorize the Port to execute a contract with Shawn Summersett Civil Engineering in an amount not to exceed $5,950 for engineering fees associated with the Wasco Business Park parking lot redevelopment.
Move: Bohn
Second: Hosford
Vote: Aye: Bohn, Duckwall, Hosford, Streich, and Watson
MOTION CARRIED

8. COMMISSION CALL: Hosford announced his daughter was getting married this coming weekend; and Watson commented her restaurant Viento will be featured in the September issue of Sunset magazine and included in Best Places Northwest.

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 6:37 p.m. President Duckwall called the Commission into Executive Session under ORS 192.660(2)(e) Real Property. In addition, Attorney Jaques stated the Commission would in Executive Session under ORS 192.660(2)(f) Exempt Public Records, and ORS 192.660(2)(h) Litigation. The Commission was called back into Regular Session at 7:15 p.m.; no action was taken as a result of Executive Session.

10. ADJOURN: President Duckwall adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.

 

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Minutes of September 18, 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 Shames, and Laurie Borton

Absent: Commissioner Sherry Bohn; from staff, Linda Hull

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: A change in credit card processing companies was added to the agenda as an Action Item, and Executive Director Michael McElwee commented on the possibility of an Action Item that may result from Executive Direction discussions. McElwee also noted that a presentation from Jeremy Young of the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum would be postponed.

2. PUBLIC COMMENT: Linda Maddox commented on the Waterfront Development Strategy document from Group Mackenzie dated September 2007. Maddox said the strategy of concentrating on the interior core of the waterfront was a good approach and she liked the recreational mix and sustainable components. Concerns expressed by Maddox included the Frontage Road tie-in to the waterfront and how any changes made by the Oregon Department of Transportation could affect the waterfront, the concept for industrial river access potentially offered at the Western Power Building site, and the potential for a new industrial site west of the waste water treatment plant. Maddox was thanked by the Commission for expressing her comments.
Dean Cameron updated the Commission on his "Pacific Park" project at the Port's Wasco Business Park site. Cameron reported that issues with the project, which had been permitted in February, had been worked out and that foundations for the first building were expected to be poured in the next two weeks. Cameron also provided the Commission with conceptual designs for two other buildings. Cameron commented that the bank's appraisal of the property concluded that his project was financially not feasible to build and that because he personally covered the $300,000 gap he was considering "condominiumizing;" i.e., selling portions of the building, since rent wouldn't cover the mortgage. The Commission thanked Cameron for the update.

3. CONSENT AGENDA:
· Approve minutes of September 4, 2007 regular meeting

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

4. COMMISSIONER, COMMITTEE REPORTS: None.

5. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: McElwee highlighted the following areas:
§ Schedule - With the Fall Planning session typically scheduled for October, the Commission was asked to advise staff of any dates they were unavailable.
§ Staff & Administration - Melissa Child, Accounting Clerk and Joe Pounders, Maintenance Supervisor, were recognized for their work in defining maintenance hours by areas of responsibility, which McElwee commented would feed into the budget and Fall Planning session. Mike Doke, Marketing Manager, reported a pre-bid meeting for the Wasco Business Park 'First Floor Tenant Improvements Project' had been held on September 17 and bids would be opened September 27.
§ Waterfront Recreation - McElwee reported he met with the board of the Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association (CGWA) to raise the idea of the CGWA potentially funding the Delta sculpting project. McElwee commented on the 'Letter to the Editor' in the September 8 edition of the Hood River News stating it was nice to see that Dan Bauer was publicly noticed for the job he was doing as the Event Site Host. A date has not been determined, but McElwee reported that an end-of-season meeting of the Waterfront Recreation Committee would be scheduled sometime in October. McElwee also commented that he had taken two kiteboarding lessons and Commissioner Hosford commended his 'spirit of youth.'
§ Waterfront Development - McElwee reported that he had been discussing the idea of an Urban Renewal District with City Manager Bob Francis, who would discuss the concept at the September 24 City Council meeting. If it makes sense to move forward, McElwee stated there was a possibility of splitting the cost for a consultant's contract and a presentation would be made at an October meeting of the Port Commission.
§ Bridge/Transportation - Finance Manager Linda Shames reported that testing of the "BreezeBy" electronic tolling system was expected to begin next week in the outside bypass lanes. The W&H Pacific contract for the Frontage Road Feasibility Study should be ready for Commission approval at the first meeting in October.

6. REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
· Windmaster Sewer Project - Don Wiley, Hood River County Engineer: The presentation was deferred as Wiley had not yet shown up for the meeting.
· Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum - Jeremy Young: This presentation was postponed as the arrival of their second child was expected at any time.
· Expo Center Schematic Design - Michelle Vo, Hennebery Eddy Architects, Inc.: A PowerPoint presentation illustrated the exterior and interior redesign of the building for use by DaKine Hawaii. Vo explained the design plan; however, would also be well suited for future use and that it was not just a "DaKine building." Commissioner Watson commented that Hennebery Eddy had done a remarkable job of eliminating a big, ugly box. McElwee reminded the Commission the draft Disposition Agreement had not been finalized but he expected the agreement to be signed in October.

7. ACTION ITEMS:
a. Authorize Intergovernmental Agreement with Hood River County to Support Sewer Project at Windmaster Corner in an Amount Not to Exceed $102,300: With Wiley's absence from the meeting, McElwee addressed questions from the Commissioners regarding the needed sewer improvements within the Windmaster Health Hazard District. McElwee reported that the need for two sewer connections at the Ken Jernstedt Airfield currently exists and that eight additional connections would be prepaid for future hook-ups that may be necessary due to future development or expansion of airport facilities. Duckwall said it was his opinion this was a give-and-take situation and he was in favor of the Port showing its support of the Windmaster project and he hoped the County, in turn, would be supportive of the Port's Airport Master Plan. Shames responded to Watson's budget question by saying the $10,320 payment per connection had already been budgeted. Watson also asked if the opportunity existed for additional hookups if needed and McElwee responded that as far as he knew, there was plenty of capacity.

Motion: Move to authorize Intergovernmental Agreement with Hood River County to Support Sewer Project at Windmaster Corner in an Amount Not to Exceed $103,200.
Move: Hosford
Second: Streich
Vote: Aye: Duckwall, Hosford, Streich, and Watson
Absent: Bohn
MOTION CARRIED

b) Adopt Waterfront Development Strategy: Duckwall commented the strategy developed by Group Mackenzie was an excellent guide. Commissioner Streich asked about the project timelines and McElwee responded that, if anything, the timelines would likely be accelerated. Watson commended the plan's timeline and funding flexibilities.

Motion: Move to adopt the Group Mackenzie Waterfront Development Strategy dated September 2007.
Move: Watson
Second: Streich
Vote: Aye: Duckwall, Hosford, Streich, and Watson
Absent: Bohn
MOTION CARRIED

c) Credit Card Processing (agenda addition): Shames reported the Commission had previously authorized staff to negotiate with Eliot Management Company for debit and credit card purchasing at the July 17 Commission meeting; however, upon review of the agreement staff and legal counsel were not comfortable with some of the terms in the contract. Shames reported that Sage Payment Solutions had again contacted the Port and were offering better terms than had originally been quoted. Shames also stated that the Port of Cascade Locks uses Sage and were impressed with the customer service and timely processing. Attorney Jerry Jaques has favorably reviewed the terms and conditions of the Sage Payment Solutions contract.

Motion: Move to ratify the Finance Committee approval authorizing staff to negotiate a contract with Sage Payment Solutions for debit and credit card processing.
Move: Watson
Second: Hosford
Vote: Aye: Duckwall, Hosford, Streich, and Watson
Absent: Bohn
MOTION CARRIED

8. COMMISSION CALL: Giving credit to his daughter-in-law, Hosford reported that Oregon State University, rival to his beloved University of Oregon, had officially named the football stadium's big screen as "Dam Cam." Streich reported that he would not be available to attend the October 2 Commission meeting.

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 6:52 p.m. and the following action was taken as a result of Executive Session.

Motion: Move to approve Resolution No. 2007-08-1 authorizing the Executive Director to enter into negotiations with Hood River County for potential exchange of property on the Hood River waterfront.
Move: Watson
Second: Streich
Vote: Aye: Duckwall, Hosford, Streich, and Watson
Absent: Bohn
MOTION CARRIED

10. ADJOURN: President Duckwall adjourned the meeting at 6:53 p.m.