Commissioners & Minutes
Roy D. Keck, Commission President, represents North Richland. Jane F Hagarty, Commission Vice President, represents South Richland and Robert D. Larson, Commission Secretary, represents Prosser and Benton City. If you would like to email your commissioners, click on their name.
Upcoming Commission Meeting Agenda
Commission meetings are open to the public and are scheduled the second Wednesday of each month at 8:30 a.m. in the Port of Benton conference Room, 3100 George Washington Way. March and September Commission meetings are held at 8:30 a.m. in Prosser at Walter Clore Vineyard Pavilion, 2140 Wine Country Road, Prosser, Washington. Commission meeting dates do change; please call (509) 375-3060 for confirmation.
Commission Meeting Minutes
Port of Benton Commission Meeting Minutes January 11, 2012A. CALL TO ORDER: The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. at the Port of Benton Conference Room, 3100 George Washington Way, Richland, Washington. Present were Commissioners Jane F. Hagarty, Roy D. Keck and Robert D. Larson. Staff members present included Executive Director, Scott D. Keller, PPM ®; Director of Finance, Stuart Dezember, Director of Airports and Operations, John Haakenson; Director of Maintenance, Kevin Howard; Director of Governmental Affairs, Diahann Howard; Administrative Assistant, Kelly Thompson and Port Counsel, Tom Cowan. Also in attendance were Marvin Kinney, Mike Hogue, Deb Heintz, Bob Stevens, Stan Jones, Toby Bouchey and Phillip Lemley.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: John Haakenson led those present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. CURRENT BUSINESS:
1. SELECTION OF COMMISSION OFFICERS FOR 2012: A motion was made by Commissioner Hagarty, seconded by Commissioner Larson and passed by the Commission approving the Commission Officers for 2012: President, Roy Keck; Vice President, Jane F. Hagarty and Secretary, Robert D. Larson.
2. CONSENT ITEMS: A motion was made by Commissioner Hagarty, seconded by Commissioner Larson and passed by the Commission approving the December 14, 2011, Commission Meeting Minutes; Delegation of Authority of Executive Director and his Designees (Standing Resolution 10-03); Resolution 12-01, Accepting Work Completed by Premier Excavation, Inc. for the U.S.S. Triton Sail Park, Phase 3; and Resolution 12-02, to cancel Warrant No. 53512.
The regular Commission Meeting was recessed at 8:37 a.m. and an Economic Development Corporation Meeting was convened.
3. PORT OF BENTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (EDC) MEETING: See attached minutes. A motion was made by Commissioner Hagarty, seconded by Commissioner Larson and passed by the Commission approving the January 10, 2011, Economic Development Corporation (EDC) minutes. A motion was made by Commissioner Larson, seconded by Commissioner Hagarty and passed by the Commission approving the Commission Officers for 2012: President, Roy D. Keck; Vice President, Jane F. Hagarty and Secretary, Robert D. Larson
The Economic Development Corporation meeting was adjourned at 8:41 a.m. and the regular Commission Meeting was reconvened.
4. The Executive Director presented a plaque to Commission that holds a hand written note and coin from General James N. Mattis, General, United States Marines; congratulating the Port on the dedication of the USS Triton Sail Park.
5. WALTER CLORE WINE AND CULINARY CENTER: Deb Heintz, Bob Stevens and Mike Hogue provided an overview of private funding to date for the Walter Clore Center. Mike Hogue thanked the Port for their assistance and for Marv Kinney’s expertise. He also reported that they have collected $178,700 in cash. The Executive Director overviewed a spreadsheet that reflected both public and private dollars raised; along with the projected construction timeline of the project. He advised that if the private multiyear commitments that have been made to date are fulfilled as anticipated that the $535,000 in match funds required is close to being met. The Executive Director recommended the Port proceed with the architect and design fee contract at this time in an effort to keep things moving. Commissioner Larson requested the Clore Board revise their business plan to reflect more realistic revenue numbers. A motion was made by Commissioner Hagarty, seconded by Commissioner Larson and passed by the Commission, directing the Executive Director to enter into a contract for the architect and design fee only, not to exceed the amount of $300,000 for the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center. This amount is not to include construction oversight.
6. ASSESSMENT OF MEMBERSHIPS AND ORGANIZATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS: The assessment of memberships and organizational assignments for 2012 was reviewed. Commissioner Hagarty requested that the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center be added. A motion was made by Commissioner Larson, seconded by Commissioner Hagarty and passed by the Commission approving the 2012 Assessment Membership, with the addition of the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center with Commissioner Hagarty assigned to it.
7. UNSCHEDULED BUSINESS/VISITORS: Toby Bouchey was present to discuss Willowpointe Property plans. She advised that Jeff Lum has asked her to place the property on the multiple listing service (MLS) in three sections. The first section, (Tract B) being the 9.1 acres located south of Battelle Boulevard; to be listed at an asking price of $2,700,000. The second, (Tract A) 4.37 acres of the remaining undeveloped property located to the north of Battelle Boulevard to be listed at $1,670,000 and the third listing to be the remaining residential lots within the 7.5 acres of existing residential development. She also expressed Mr. Lum’s desire to complete the recreational amenities for the existing housing units north of Battelle Boulevard. She thanked the Port for its consideration of the request to be discussed within the Executive Session of the meeting.
D. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
Commissioner Hagarty commented on her attendance at the Prosser Chamber Board Meeting and asked about the theme for the Prosser Chamber Awards Banquet. She requested that Port gift bags be at the tables for the Awards Banquet.
Commissioner Keck reported he attended the dedication ceremony at Pasco Airport for Jim Morasch and the Pasco Ag Forum.
Commissioner Larson reported he also attended the dedication ceremony at Pasco Airport for Jim Morasch. He asked Marvin Kinney about the status of possible periscopes for the Triton Sail. Commissioner Larson had a concern regarding the design for Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center. Port staff advised they would have a minimum of three opportunities to review the design.
E. COUNSEL COMMENTS: Counsel advised his comments were reserved for Executive Session.
F. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS: The Executive Director discussed design of the Columbia Park Railroad Bridge, and stated the Port would be sending letters requesting each of the railroads (BNSF, TCRY and UP) participate up to $20,000 per entity. The design is anticipated to cost up to $80,000 to complete but is necessary in order to seek grant funding for the bridge replacement. The Port will also continue to work with Tangent to research possible grant funding opportunities. The Port has been in discussions to purchase two acres of orchard land from Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) adjacent to the Clore Center Site. The land could be used as future overflow parking for the Clore Center during events and it could be cleared providing a higher level of visibility to the Clore Center.
G. STAFF INFORMATION REPORTS:
MARKETING: Mr. Keller advised that the 2012 Marketing plan was in the commission’s packet for review. The Director of Governmental Affairs stated she, Mr. Jackson, and the Executive Director would be attending a Washington Association of Grape Growers trade show in February to promote Vintner’s Village, Phase II and the Prosser Chamber Awards Banquet. The Commission expressed praise for the brochure ad for the trade show packet developed by Jan Jackson.
GRANTS: The Director of Airports and Operations discussed FAA Grants for the Prosser and Richland Airports and the fact that they are being released in very small increments.
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: The Director of Governmental Affairs and Economic Development briefed the Commission on the redistricting changes that bring in the 16th district to Benton City and Prosser. She advised that Richland will remain within the 8th district. She also informed the Commission her contact with Senator Cantwell’s office and she shared the white paper developed for the Columbia Park Trail Rail Bridge Replacement Project.
H. SITE PROJECTS UPDATE: The Commission was briefed on the Technology and Business Campus, Tri Cities Enterprise Center Building, Manufacturing Mall, Railroad, Richland Innovation Center, Richland Airport, Prosser Airport, Prosser Wine and Food Park, Vintners Village, Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center, Benton City Industrial Park, Benton City Downtown Property and Crow Butte Park.
The Executive Director updated the Commission on a request for public records received and completed last week regarding port property in Prosser.
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, January 11, 2012, Port Commission by unanimous vote approved for payment those vouchers included in said listing and further described as follows: Payroll Warrants numbered 00795 through 00832 totaling $71,939.05 and General Expense Warrants numbered 53920 through 54138 totaling $640,916.48 from the General Expense Fund.
J. EXECUTIVE SESSION: The regular Commission meeting was recessed at 11:15 a.m. for an Executive Session to discuss pending litigation with Tri-City Railroad and real estate negotiations in accordance with RCW 42.30.110 (g). The Commission announced the Executive Session would last no longer than thirty (30) minutes. The Executive Session was adjourned at 11:45 a.m. and the regular Commission meeting was reconvened.
K. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
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Robert D. Larson,
Commission Secretary
