Present:Scott Hughesbrent Greningjeanette Ludka
Port of Ridgefield
Regular Meeting Minutes
May 26, 2010
Present:Scott HughesBrent GreningJeanette Ludka
Bruce WisemanAllene WodaegeGary Adkins
Joe MelroyRandy MuellerJim Johnson Sr.
Marie StephensonMichael WilliamsBill Eling
Lee WellsJohn BarbieriJohn Burrow
Laurie Olin
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Scott Hughes called the Port of Ridgefield Commission meeting to order at the hour of 3:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Chair Hughes led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND MINUTES:
Commissioner Bruce Wiseman made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 5, 2010 regular meeting. Chair Hughes seconded the motion. The motion was carried.
4. CORRESPONDENCE:
Comments on the following were made by Brent Grening:
CREDC 2nd Quarterly Event: The Columbia River Economic Development Council is hosting this event at the Heathman Lodge from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 30. The topic is Regional Industrial Competitiveness.
PNWA 2010 Mid-Year Meeting: The meeting is June 28 – 30 and will be held at the Skamania Lodge in Stevenson Washington. The agenda for this meeting was distributed and discussed.
2010 WPPA Commissioners Seminar: This seminar is held in Sleeping Lady Leavenworth from July 25 – 27.
Northwest Renewable Energy Institute: The Northwest Wind Industry Alliance and the Columbia River Economic Development Council will conduct a tour of the Northwest Renewable Energy Institute on Thursday, June 3, 2010. Lunch will be served by the International Air and Hospitality Academy at 11:30 a.m.
Work Plan and SEPA Documents: The Washington Department of Ecology and the Port of Ridgefield are planning to complete an Interim Cleanup Action as part of a 2001 Agreed Order to clean up property at the Port of Ridgefield. The Washington State Department of Ecology has completed a State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) review of the proposed Interim Action and determined that it is not likely to have significant negative environmental impacts. The Checklist and Determination documents are available for public comment for a two week period from June 7 –21, 2010.
Clark County Freight Mobility Study Update: Brent stated the Clark County Freight Mobility Study was initiated to provide an understanding of the key elements of freight movement and to explain why freight and goods movement is important to Clark County’s economy and employment. He provided a summary of the recommended regional freight strategies that were summarized.
CTRAN – 20-year Transit Development Plan: Brent stated the C-Tran’s Preferred Alternative proposes to add new service to rapidly growing areas, includes provisions for C-TRAN’s first bus rapid transit, light rail in downtown Vancouver, and adds more service in core areas.
5. CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
Allene Wodaege expressed her appreciation in how cohesive the City of Ridgefield and the Port of Ridgefield have worked together on several projects in the area. She also commented on the number of positive participants that attended the Integrated Planning Group meeting last month.
6. FINANCE REPORT:
Cash Balance: Brent stated the Port closed on several pieces of properties that increased the Port’s assets. He commented briefly on the Port’s $2 million in reserve and working capital. He stated the Port’s revenue is ahead this year and is generated from the boat launch profits. He stated the Port’s expenses were 27% at the end of April, somewhat less than the normal of 33%. Brent explained that Lake River operations outside services show 113% of budget because of the accrual of commission charges that will actually be paid over the next 3 years.
7. OLD BUSINESS:
Historical Plaque Presentation: Brent introduced private citizens Jim Johnson and John Burrows to expound on the history of the Port of Ridgefield property. John Burrows explained and related stories regarding the “Old Mill” tree company that operated for 30 years on the now Port of Ridgefield property. He was familiar with and provided much history on each photo displayed in the plaque presented.
8. NEW BUSINESS:
Special June 9th Meeting: Brent reviewed the agenda for this special meeting that will be held at the Ridgefield Community Center and will start with an Entrepreneurship Workshop from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. He stated the purpose for this meeting is to explore how public entities can promote entrepreneurship as part of an overall economic development strategy for the representatives of Ridgefield, La Center and Battle Ground. This meeting will also provide insight to the Integrated Planning Group. He stated the special guests for this meeting are Kathy Sego, Arch Miller and Jeff Smith. The commission regular business meeting will start immediately following the workshop. Allene Wodaege asked if the meeting was open to the public. Commissioner Joe Melroy responded yes.
2010 APEX Discussion: Brent stated the Port is starting to plan its October Annual Planning Expedition (APEX) meeting. He stated the Port will conduct and plan the meeting in a manner as in the previous years, meaning to hold the meeting at an off-site venue. He stated Michael Williams will research facility pricing and come back to the commission with a plan. Commissioners Melroy and Wiseman stated their support of holding the meeting off-site and noted the importance of this annual business meeting and the success accomplished.
Chair Hughes mentioned his displeasure in last year’s article printed in The Columbian Newspaper regarding the Port’s potential use of public tax dollars to fund this meeting. Commissioner Melroy stated the Port’s revenue is used to fund accommodations for the annual meeting.
9. CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
Allene Wodaege inquired about the status of the Port’s involvement in the potential purchase of the Ridgefield Bus Barn property. Randy Mueller stated the Port is waiting for the completion of the Feasibility Analysis Report. He stated the results will be announced at the June 23 Commission meeting. Lee Wells and Marie Stephenson thanked the Port commission for attending the Ridgefield Association Annual meeting. They especially thanked Brent for his presentation at the meeting.
Lee stated that the Ridgefield City Council will meet tonight at 6:00 p.m. to discuss ideas regarding economic development. He stated that home building permits has increased from last year’s numbers.
10. ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 3:52 p.m. with no further business or public comments.
The next Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 3:30 p. m. This will be a special meeting that will start with a work session at 2:00 p.m. The location of next week’s meeting will be held at the Ridgefield Community Center, located at 210 N. Main Avenue in Ridgefield.
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Bruce WisemanScott Hughes
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Joe Melroy
Respectfully submitted by
Wonder Baldwin
Administrative Assistant
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