MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING
OF THE PORT OF HOODSPORT COMMISSION
March 19, 2014
Call to Order:
9:00am
Adjourned: 11:20am
Meeting Held at: Hoodsport Port Commissions Office 24113 N US Hwy 101 #A Hoodsport, WA
Roll Call: Commissioner Brazil
Commissioner O’Laughlin
Commissioner Petz
Staff Present: K. LeMaster, Port Operations Manager
B. Osborne, Hoodsport Services
Public: Heidi McCutchen- Mason County Chamber of Commerce
Janene Bandes – Mason County Chamber of Commerce
Forest McCullough – NW Land & Tree
Krag Unsoeld – WSU 4H Forestry
Approval of Agenda:
Commissioner O’Laughlin made a motion to approve the 03-19-14 meeting agenda. Commissioner Petz seconded, unanimously approved.
Minutes:
Commissioner Petz made a motion to approve the minutes of February 11, 2014. Commissioner Brazil seconded, unanimously approved.
Vouchers:
Commissioner O’Laughlin made a motion to approve the Vouchers of March 2014 1of1 $1,393.84 and 2of2 $2,867.90 Commissioner Petz seconded, unanimously approved.
Public Communication:
Heidi and Janene with the Shelton Mason County Chamber provided tourism facts regarding the Visitors Center located in Hoodsport which served 13,500 tourists in 2013. The website www.explorehoodcanal.com is hosted by the Chamber and had 67,000 hits last year. Brochures put out by the Chamber are in kiosks on the ferry system and at SeaTac airport directing people to the hood canal for activities year round including diving, fishing, hiking, golfing, camping, shopping and food. The Chamber publishes a Magazine 1/4ly which is mailed out to 18,000 people in the Community. Commissioner Brazil invited the Chamber to put up a Tourism map by the Hoodsport Public restrooms for informational purposes. Flower baskets are supplied by the Chamber in the town of Shelton; the Chamber would be willing to supply them in Hoodsport but cannot maintain the watering. The Chamber invited the Port of Hoodsport to become a member who would enable the Port to post informative information on their website and in their Chamber magazine to help the Public stay informed on activities and projects supported by the Port of Hoodsport. Commissioner O’Laughlin made a motion to have the Port of Hoodsport join the Chamber of Commerce as a member at an annual cost of $180.00. Commissioner Petz seconded, it was unanimously approved.
Forest McCullough with NW Land & Tree proposed falling the leaning, ‘dangerous Alder trees’ in the Hoodsport Trail Park. Several trees fell around the parking area and on the trail. The trees could be cut down so they do not pose a threat to the public however, the trees cannot be removed by his company from the park. The fallen trees in the parking area will be offered to the Kiwanis Club for their wood cutting program. The remainder of downed trees will be ground up by the Port maintenance for mulch to use in and around the Hoodsport Trail Park. A motion was made by Commissioner O’Laughlin to accept the bid by NW Land and Tree and approve falling only the dangerous Alder trees. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Brazil.
Krag Unsoeld with the WSU 4H Forestry program proposed a 2014 Summer program to help maintain the trails in the Hoodsport Trail Park. Krag walked the trail park and noticed the trees that were down were Alders that reached the end of their life. Krag and the Commissioners discussed several ideas on projects the 4H program could help with. The conclusion was the Port of Hoodsport is providing a Grant for the Mason County 4H forestry program to provide educational opportunities for youth involving educational experiences in the field of natural resources. Commissioner O’Laughlin made a motion to provide the Grant for Educational Opportunities for the 4H crew and accepted the fee of $5,000.00 to do heavy duty trail maintenance, define the trail with markers and start a new trail spur if time permits. Commissioner Petz seconded, unanimously approved.
Lake Cushman Resorts offered to provide the Boy Scouts with camping facilities in exchange for helping with clean up at the Hoodsport Trail Park as part of their public volunteer requirements.
Commissioner Reports:
None
Port Maintenance Reports:
Hoodsport Marina: A new ramp guard base will be installed at the bottom of the inclining metal boat ramp at the end of the dock. The water line on the dock will be charged and functional after all threat of a frost is eliminated. The Bird wire will be repaired after someone cut the wire this winter. Public Restrooms: A Homeless person keeps entering and messing up the restrooms. Someone is continuously stealing toilet paper from the TP dispensers, someone also stole the dispenser! Surveillance will be checked in to. The fire extinguisher keys will be in the office, there is a way to push the handle down to access the fire extinguisher by the Public. A couple of people will be solicited to be the backup maintenance crew as needed. Hoodsport Trail Park: A suggestion was made for MORE parking area by the kiosk or down toward the end of the existing parking lot as more parking is needed. The Outhouse floor needs to be replaced. A suggestion for a power pole to be installed for much needed light at dusk and dawn will be considered. Spring clean up will start soon to remove all dead plants from planters at the Marina park and restrooms.
Port Operations Manager Report:
A ‘Ladies of Mason County Fire Fighters calendar’ was provided to the Port Commissioners for their review, the Port of Hoodsport is a sponsor. Enduris, the Port of Hoodsports insurance carrier offered the Port of Hoodsport Cyber Crime & Dishonesty coverage with different levels of coverage at different costs. Commissioner O’Laughlin made a motion to accept the free blanket coverage, Commissioner Petz seconded, and it was unanimously approved. Idea’s on the Comprehensive Plan update were discussed, a survey of questions to be posed to the Public was decided to be the best venue in which to obtain the public’s opinion for future projects within the scope of the Port of Hoodsport’s parameter of responsibilities and budget.
Budget:
Review of Expenditures/Revenue month ending January & February 2014
Old Business:
New Business:
Discussion about revising and updating the Comprehensive Plan for the Port of Hoodsport. What are possibilities within the parameter of responsibilities and scope of the limited Budget of the Port of Hoodsport? In order to justify any purchase of real estate, there would need to be a creation of an income producing venue to provide income streams and revenue. An idea of a ‘call center’ was proposed where seniors who may want a ‘part time’ job can work. This could also help shift this kind of a venue back in to the United States. More information will be needed. A possibility of setting up a learning center’ where artists can have shops and teach a craft was discussed. An interpretive sign for the town of Hoodsport at the Port’s Marina Park was discussed. A survey will be assembled, approved by the Commission and sent out via the Lake Cushman newsletter, distributed at the IGA and the library for Public opinion.
Next Meetings:
Next meeting date is Thursday May 8, 2014 at 9am.
Adjourn:
Commissioner O’Laughlin made a motion to adjourn the Regular Port meeting. Commissioner Brazil seconded, unanimously approved, meeting adjourned at 11:20 am
2014 Regular Port Commission Meetings
are scheduled as follows: Thursdays at 9a.m.: May 8, May 22, Wednesdays at 9 a.m.: June 11, June 25, July 9, July 23, August 13, August 27, September 10
Minutes Approved: February 11, 2014
________________________ _______________________ _____________________
Commissioner O’Laughlin Commissioner Petz Commissioner Brazil