MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR PORT COMMISSION MEETING FOR THE PORT OF HOODSPORT
March 12, 2025
Call to Order: 9:06am Adjourned: 10:06am
Hybrid Meeting Held at: 24113 North Highway 101, Suite B Hoodsport, WA 98548
Virtual Zoom Conference Meeting Room ID#406-238-9936
Roll Call: Commissioner Kincannon–Chairwoman / 2nd Trustee
Commissioner Morris – 2nd Chairman / Trustee
Commissioner Heil (appointed today)
Staff Present: K. Wyatt, Executive Director S. Lindgren – Maintenance Facility Supervisor
Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Kincannon motioned to approve the March 12, 2025, agenda Commissioner Morris seconded; all in favor, unanimously approved.
Public speakers: F McCullough – NW Land and Tree Eric Ffitch – Washington Public Ports Association
Minutes: Commissioner Kincannon motioned to approve the Regular port commission meeting minutes from February 19, 2025, Commissioner Morris seconded, unanimously approved.
Vouchers: Commissioner Kincannon motioned to approve 2025 Vouchers: February 1of1 in the amount of $12,692.83 Commissioner Morris seconded, unanimously approved.
Public Communication:
Commissioner Kincannon proposed appointing Bill Heil to Port Commissioner Position 1 so he could join the meeting. Following a newspaper advertisement, we received Bill Heil’s resume, which met all criteria for the position. Commissioner Morris agreed, noting Heil’s qualifications as an asset to the commission. Commissioner Kincannon moved to appoint Bill Heil to replace Terry Brazil in Position 1, seconded by Commissioner Morris; all were in favor. The appointment expires on December 31, 2025, with the position up for reelection in November 2025 for a full six-year term. Bill Heil read the Oath of Office, was sworn in by Commissioner Morris, and signed the Certificate of Appointment. Commissioners Kincannon and Morris congratulated and welcomed Commissioner Heil to the meeting.
Commissioner Kincannon asked F McCullough if he would like to talk about the disc golf course and hazard trees at the Hoodsport Trail Park. F McCullough said as they were creating the ‘back nine’ disc golf addition, they noticed hazard trees that need to come down because they are showing signs of dying. I recommend taking those down to stay caught up to avoid them falling during a high wind. There is at least a dozen hazard trees along the property line of the Lake Cushman golf course and others along the trail on both sides of the park. Commissioner Kincannon asked if we need permits and how long will the project take? F McCullough said no permits are needed because we are within the 15-year forestry plan, it will take approximately one week, it will be weather dependent, we will look for a few days of clear weather, possibly at the end of April. Commissioner Kincannon said the goal would be to do it before May 17th as we are having a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony for the ‘back nine’ additional disc golf holes. F McCullough said yes, we can get it done before that. We still have to find a place for staging to deck the logs, it’s possible to have 2-3 staging areas along the highway to avoid jamming up the parking lot. The director said while we have F McCullough here, I would like to talk about an email the Port received from a lady asking if her grandsons could ride their bikes on the trail at the trail park. In speaking to Commissioner Morris, we discussed creating a bike trail, he said it would be a great idea to create a mountain bike trail at the park since there is a lot of room on the 60-acre side of the park. Commissioner Morris said, “I envision a large mountain bike trail loop with sub loops for hard core mountain bicycles. We would have to be extremely careful to have clear signage, so bikes and humans do not cross. F McCullough said there are definitely areas where we could create bikes trails, the signs will be important because bike trails vs people walking could be a conflict. Commissioner Morris said, “is it feasible to come up with a designated trail for bikes only. F McCullough said I could do some mapping, there are a lot of old trails on state forest where the old Christmas tree roads are where people currently take their bikes, we could tie into those trails. Commissioner Morris said it could be an impressive bike trail destination; I think we should explore the idea further. I spoke to people who are really excited to see mountain biking trails here close to Hoodsport. S Lindgren said they would need their own parking area and take off point. F McCullough said people are really into it, expect drastic ups and downs and remember there are no chair lifts or rope tows on bike trails. The old Railroad grade will be a great access point for bikes. We will take a look for good access and trails to keep the walkers and bikes separate. Commissioner Kincannon asked F McCullough to come back to the next port meeting to give the commission an assessment plan with recommendations and costs. We are hoping the hazard trees can pay for the costs. Commissioner Morris said I make a motion to clear the hazard trees as described as soon as possible, Commissioner Kincannon seconded the motion, all in favor.
Commissioner Kincannon said welcome Eric Ffitch with the Washington Public Ports Association, we are happy to see you here at our regular port commission meeting. E Ffitch said thank you, I am glad to be here and want to talk about the WPPA’s Manifest spotlight article featuring the Port of Hoodsport, it’s recent dock repair and its amenities. Thanks to you and your director for collaborating in creating the article. Commissioner Kincannon said we have a few more edits and photos to get to the final product. E Ffitch said that’s great we are hoping to publish the article by March 18th. When it is finalized, we will turn it into a pdf. File which will become a document you can use on your behalf as a press release and advocacy piece to send to your lobbyist and feature on your website. Commissioner Heil said I think it is important to identify the dock as a vital evacuation point for our communities along Hwy 101. Commissioner Kincannon said yes, we focused on using the dock as an emergency access point in our letter of support. The director said she would email E Ffitch and Commissioner Kincannon the verbiage that was used in the letter of support to help finalize the article. Commissioner Kincannon said Mandy with WPPA sent the Spring meeting awards criteria. I would like to apply for that award for additional recognition showing legislation we are actively applying for grants with other agencies. E Ffitch said it could be a community outreach piece, there is stiff competition because we are receiving more applications this year. If you don’t win, you can apply again next year. Commissioner Kincannon said the Mason County Comprehensive Development strategy application is due May 1st. I would like to apply for this grant because the details are on scoring, we have a valid project with the dock improvement project. As far as the ‘back nine’s announcement for the Fjord magazine, I sent it to the publisher and have not heard back. I will check on T-shirts & hats for volunteers at the disc golf park. The director asked if everyone read through the ‘Electrical Survey’ written by Commission Kincannon to help realize the waterfront park vendor’s food equipment electrical needs. Commissioner Heil said you did a fantastic job on the survey with great questions. Commissioner Kincannon said thanks I would like to get an email list with vendors who will be attending the Fjordin Crossin and other food truck vendors for input. Commissioner Morris said be sure the upgrades to the electricity are done before Fjordin Crossin event on June 28th. The director said I will forward the food truck vendor list including vendors who will be attending the event in June. Commissioner Morris said I went to Olympia and met with the legislators. I am baffled as to how the legislators operate so well since they are totally exhausted. There is an intense budget shortfall, they haven’t been told yet how much the 35th district will have to work with this year. They said it is their priority to get as many small projects funded as possible, they are pretty confident up to 99% sure we may be funded. We talked about a major overhaul in 2027, we will see how the budget falls this time as the world cup is siphoning a lot of money this year. Senator McEwan wants to expand the sewage system, I think it is outside of the port’s scope, maybe in the summer we can chat about it. I spoke to E Ffitch about the DNR lease, they are walking on eggshells with the attorneys, luckily, they have a monthly allotment of lawyer time. We are hoping to get the lease to the Dept. of Commerce soon, they have a new admin director. We need various paperwork but mainly need the lease to be finalized before we can be reimbursed for the dock repairs.
Port Maintenance Reports:
Hoodsport Trail Park & Disc Golf Park: S Lindren said dog walkers have abandoned Foothills trail park and are making their own trails at the Hoodsport Trail Park crossing over the disc golf course fairways. Commissioner Kincannon said if it becomes a problem, we can add signs stating disc golfers have priority to the disc golf course and to stay on the course.
Hoodsport Marina, Dock & Waterfront Park: S Lindgren said I will be turning on the water at the waterfront park pretty soon. S Lindgren said the dock safety spill kits can be ordered, I suggest we get a waterproof container for the spill kit and a life ring. The director said I will order flower baskets and supplies.
Portable Restrooms: The Port of Hoodsport and Hood Canal Market Fresh share the cost of renting portable restrooms with hand washing stations for the public’s use. In the summer season, May–October, restrooms are serviced 3 times per week. In winter, October – April rentals are serviced twice per week. The Ports maintenance department monitors them for trash and additional toilet paper as needed in between services.
Port parking/Office building/Maintenance shed:
Port Directors Report:
The director said regarding the waterfront park improvements, can we re-paint the sign at the park, and it will need an updated logo. Commissioner Kincannon said to S Lindgren, give me the dimensions of the logo’s that need to be replaced, and I will order them. The director said I would like the Commissioners Q1 timesheets as soon as possible so we can process payroll.
Budget: Financial statements for February 2025 were reviewed
Old Business: As discussed above New Business: As discussed above.
Next Meeting: April 9,2025
Adjourn: Commissioner Kincannon made a motion to adjourn the Regular Port Commission meeting, Commissioner Morris seconded, it was unanimously approved, meeting adjourned at am 10:06am
2025 Regular Port Commission Meetings are scheduled as follows:
April 9th May 14th June 25th July 16th
Commissioner Kincannon Commissioner Morris Commissioner Heil