PORT OF BENTON
COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
MArch 14, 2008
A. CALL TO ORDER: The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. at the Prosser Fire Department Conference Room, 1200 Grant Avenue, Prosser, Washington. Present were Commissioners Jane F. Hagarty, Roy D. Keck and Robert D. Larson. Staff members present included Executive Director, Scott D. Keller; Director of Finance/Auditor, Scott R. Reincke, Director of Special Projects, Marvin J. Kinney; Director of Airports and Operations, John D. Haakenson; Director of Governmental Affairs, Diahann C. Howard; Secretary, Janet R. Budzeck and Port Counsel, Tom Cowan. Also in attendance were Roger Wright , Deb Heintz, Patrick McFarlan, Kathy Corliss, Wally and Eunice Hickerson, Chris Flodin, Glenna Dragoo, Don West and Jacob VanPelt.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Deb Heintz led those present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. CURRENT BUSINESS:
1. CONSENT ITEMS: A motion was made, seconded and passed by the Commission approving the February 13, 2008, Commission Meeting Minutes and Resolution 08-08, To Cancel a Warrant.
2. PROSSER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (PEDA): Deb Heintz provided an update on the PEDA activities, highlighting the sale of the Brown & Cole building to Hancock Park, plans for the Horse Heaven Vista project, updates for the Historic Downtown Prosser Association, the PEDA annual meeting set for March 20, 2008, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with guest speaker John Gardner, who is vice-president to the Office of Economic Development at Washington State University, her attendance at the Unified Grape Symposium and the meeting set for Monday, March 17 th at the PEDA office with Washington State Department of Transportation, Benton County and City of Prosser representatives to discuss signage for Vintner's Village.
3. POTENTIAL BENTON CITY LAND SALE: John Haakenson informed the Commissioners of the desire by Mr. Joe Barnett, a steel mold patternmaker, to purchase Lot #1 in the Benton City Industrial Park to construct a 3,000 to 4,000 square foot building. A motion made, seconded and passed by the Commission approved selling the property. Scott Keller stated he and John met with the mayor of Benton City, Lloyd Carnahan, to discuss the possible purchase or lease of the old fire station in downtown Benton City. Scott and John will meet with Benton County Fire District representatives on Monday, March 17 th at 7:00 p.m. to further discuss this possibility.
4. WALTER CLORE WINE AND CULINARY CENTER: Patrick McFarlan, Executive Director of the Clore Board, updated the Commission on the activities of the board and remarked he feels they are headed in the right direction. He stated a major move for them was to bring agriculture into the picture and that the foundation for the center has to be based on agriculture, wine tourism and higher education. Washington State University (WSU) will create and sustain the higher education portion and a coalition formed by Governor Gregoire and headed by Kris Watkins will work to generate bed tax dollars for the tourism portion. Mr. McFarlan met with Mr. Dan Bernardo, head of the Agriculture Department at WSU Pullman, and with Valoria Loveland, head of the Washington State Agriculture Department. When the legislative session ends, Ms. Loveland will set up a meeting with all involved commodities to talk about the Clore Center from an agricultural standpoint. Current plans are to begin construction of the center in April 2009. It is estimated the overall cost will be $11.5M with $6.4M needed to begin construction, of which $5.1M has been secured. The Executive Director expressed appreciation to Mr. McFarlan for his efforts in stabilizing the board and promoting the Clore Center.
5. WINE & HOT JAZZ BASH: Wally and Eunice Hickerson provided information on the upcoming Wine and Hot Jazz Bash set for April 17-20, 2008, at the Prosser Wine and Food Park. Mr. Hickerson asked the Commission to support the event by procuring and erecting a tent. After discussing the request, a motion was made, seconded and passed by the Commission approving up to $3,000 for this expense.
6. TASTE OF HEAVEN: Chris Flodin and Glenna Dragoo commented on their cookie making business, currently housed in a 200 square foot area of Chris's home, and asked if the Port of Benton had any available space for lease in Prosser that they could move into. At this time, there is no space available, but Port staff will review the feasibility for a new development building in the 2009 budget.
D.COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
Commissioner Larson expressed concern about the WillowPointe development along the river in the Technology & Business Campus, to which Port Counsel responded the Port of Benton has reversionary rights so they can get the land back for the same amount the Port was paid at the time it was sold. Since the property was sold in three parcels, the Port could buy back only the commercial portion if they so desired. Port staff advised that it may be best to wait and see if the developer performs, due to the outstanding liens on the property.
Mr. Larson commented on his recent trip to Washington, D.C. for the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association Mission to Washington and extended kudos to Diahann Howard for doing such a great job in organizing the tour of the Capitol Building. He remarked the Port of Kennewick dropped out of the Inland Ports and Navigation Group and Judge Redden would be making a decision this spring on the Bi-op. Mr. Larson also shared that $1M is in the state budget to support bio-fuels and the Washington Development Resources Act bill passed; however, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is short of funds.
Commissioner Keck echoed Commissioner Larson's appreciation to Diahann Howard for setting up the Capitol Building tour and remarked the Washington, D. C. trip was an amazing experience.
Commissioner Hagarty stated her comments were covered under Deb Heintz's PEDA report.
E.
COUNSEL COMMENTS:
Counsel advised he assisted Port staff in preparing a response to the invoice Tri-City & Olympia Railroad (TC&ORR) submitted to the Port of Benton for damages from the roof leak, which occurred while the Port was having the roof of the building that TC&ORR leases repaired. Port Counsel also helped to prepare a response to TC&ORR concerning damages they incurred due to problems with the City of Richland's electrical service.
F.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS:
The Executive Director reported the Port is close to finalizing the purchase of 40 acres in Prosser for the gasifier project. Currently, a Phase I Environmental Assessment is being performed and the Washington State University (WSU) facility in Prosser will be checking the soil for growing conditions. Mr. Keller stated he had just completed ongoing education classes in San Diego and San Francisco, which leaves only one more class he will take next year as it is not available this year.
G. STAFF INFORMATION REPORTS:
MARKETING: The Executive Director stated Jan Jackson continues to work on events and advertising for the Port of Benton's 50 th year celebration.
GRANTS: Roger Wright reported construction of the transload facility has begun after a thorough review of the site for cultural and historical resources and the groundbreaking ceremony has been scheduled for April 3, 2008.
Port staff continue to move forward on the purchase of 40 acres in Prosser for the gasifier project and they are teaming with WSU staff in Prosser to check the growing conditions of the soil. West Oregon Wood Products is getting requests from international companies for the biomass pellets and Evergreen Fuel will soon be submitting a proposal to the Port to site a gasifier on Port property. Roger suggested locating the demonstration unit at the Prosser Wine & Food Park as it provides a convenient location to give tours and it could also be used to provide power to the businesses in the park. Funding sources are still being sought to help with this project.
Applications are being submitted to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy program for four Port projects.
Mr. Wright recommended Port staff have a cultural resources study done as soon as possible on the proposed site for the U.S.S. Triton sail in order to alleviate any possibility of artifacts being found on the site when the actual placement of the sail begins. In recognition of the christening of the U.S.S. Triton sail on August 19, 1958, it was suggested the dedication ceremony for placement of the sail on Port property could be set for August 19, 2008.
For additional details, see the current report filed in the designated section of the Commission notebooks.
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Diahann Howard reported that while she was in Washington, D.C. attending a coffee get-together with Senator Patty Murray, the Senator remarked that the Port of Benton is a gem for the State of Washington. With regard to the Richland Industrial Center, the Maritime Administration has approved all seven leases, except for the cell tower lease. As representative for the Port, Ms. Howard will be meeting with a Scottish delegation that is in town this week.
H. SITE PROJECT UPDATE:
The Commission was briefed on the Technology and Business Campus, Manufacturing Mall, Railroad, Richland Industrial Center, Richland Airport, Prosser Airport, Prosser Wine and Food Park, Vintners Village, Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center, Benton City Industrial Park and Crow Butte Park.
I. PORT FINANCIAL ISSUES:
Vouchers audited by the Auditor as required by RCW 42.24.080 and certified expense reimbursement claims as required by RCW 42.24.090 have been recorded on a listing, which has been made available to the Port Commission. As of this date, March 12, 2008, Port Commission, by unanimous vote, approved for payment those vouchers included in said listing and further described as follows: Payroll Warrants numbered 39850 through 39866 and 39987 through 40002 totaling $52,480.74 and General Expense Warrants numbered 39867 through 39986 and 40003 through 40069, totaling $290,524.08 from the General Expense Fund.
J. ADJOURNMENT:
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 5:23 p.m.
Roy D. Keck,
Commission Secretary
updated 4/17/08
Back to Top |
