MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING
OF THE PORT OF HOODSPORT COMMISSION
August 12, 2015
Call to Order:
9:00am
Adjourned: 10:30am
Meeting Held at: Hoodsport Port Commission Office 24113 N US Hwy 101 #A Hoodsport, WA
Roll Call: Commissioner Brazil – Commission chair
Commissioner O’Laughlin
Commissioner Petz
Staff Present: K. Wyatt, Port Operations Manager
B. Osborne, Director of Maintenance
Public: Saundra & Gordon Carscaden – Lake Cushman Residents
Sheryl Kronin – Lake Cushman Resident
Lucy Couchman – Octopus Garden Jewelry store
Jan Morris – Hardware Distillery
Approval of Agenda:
Commissioner Petz made a motion to approve the 8-12-15 meeting agenda, Commissioner O’ Laughlin seconded, unanimously approved.
Minutes:
Commissioner O’Laughlin made a motion to approve the regular port commission minutes of July 16, 2015. Commissioner Petz seconded, unanimously approved.
Vouchers:
Commissioner O’Laughlin made a motion to approve the following Vouchers for payment. August 2015 1 of 1 totaling $19,408.51 Commissioner Petz seconded, unanimously approved. See attached itemized Voucher.
Public Communication:
Saundra & Gordy are part time Lake Cushman residents; they love the Hoodsport Trail Park and are ready to get involved with volunteer work in the Community. They expressed concerns, needs and solutions for overgrown blackberry vines growing across the trails at the Hoodsport Trail Park. Saundra spoke about how unsafe the trails were for people and pets with the overgrowth of sticker vines, she also asked if trail signs could be placed delineating trails connecting the lower loop for an easier hike, trails to the upper loop for a more strenuous hike, and signs pointing back to the parking area. Saundra pointed out that trees were planted too close to the trail. Saundra, Gordon and Sheryl are ready willing and able to form a Volunteer group to clean up the trails and had signage ideas. Saundra knows a local man who makes signs and is willing to talk to him to help with sign making. Saundra called the local fire department who said power tools with spark arresters could be used in the trail park. Commissioner Brazil said that every spring repairs have been made to picnic tables, trails, the outhouse and parking area due to wind and weather, typically in the summer a WSU 4H forestry group was given a grant by the Port to repair and clear the hiking trails however this year even though the Port budgeted for them to work, the program was dropped at the very last minute. He also said that the Port has a sign making machine which was being repaired and suggested possibly having temporary signs made until the sign router was repaired. Commissioner O’ Laughlin said last summer he was surprised at how overgrown the upper trail was and took his own equipment to trim the vines back off the trail, he agreed that about 50 of the reforested trees would need to be relocated in the park. Commissioner O’ Laughlin said a prison crew could work the trails at the trail park as long as a prison guard was within clear view however they are currently working with the fire crews on some of the state wide fires and are unavailable. Commissioner Brazil pointed out that one of the charters of the Port of Hoodsport was to increase tourism and that the Port of Hoodsport along with the Shelton Disc Golf Association were creating a championship professional disc golf course in the trail park which is why there are two new entrances at the North and South West ends of the trail park for future parking. He also said the existing parking area has been expanded for hikers. Commissioner Petz stated that the Disc Golf Course is designed not to interfere with the trail park and will be using unused areas of the 80 acres which will become a dual purpose recreational facility. Commissioner Brazil proposed forming a Volunteer Work Group and offered to walk the park with the volunteers to determine which areas to clear and where they thought signs should be placed and suggested Saundra becomes the coordinator. B. Osborne will also be involved with overseeing the project and a Volunteer List will be placed on the Bulletin board at the Hoodsport Trail Park with dates, times and what to bring to start the work parties. The first work party meeting will be tonight August 12, 2015 at 5:30pm. Saundra, Gordon & Sheryl expressed their appreciation for the Port of Hoodsport with the facilities it provides to the Public, they loved the flower baskets, Waterfront Park, marina, public restrooms and the Hoodsport trail park.
Jan Morris and Lucy Couchman spoke about their concern for pedestrian safety while crossing Hwy 101. Jan thanked Commissioner O’Laughlin for following through in having WSDOT cut back the wall of overgrown vegetation along the highway in front of the Library which prompted the library to also cut back their bushes. Jan followed through with talking to other business owners in Hoodsport regarding the dangers of walking in front of businesses along Hwy 101, she said there were many differences in opinion in the safety of crosswalks and about what the solution should be. She stood on the corner with Mark at the Model T and watched as many people turning right from State Rt 119 did not look before turning right onto Hwy 101 which could result in a pedestrian being hit by a car. Commissioner O’Laughlin said as a retired State Trooper and having been in the traffic safety business for over 25 years he completely understood the challenges. Commissioner Petz suggested the Port purchase a Driver Feedback Sign which displays a driver’s speed as they approach but this will have to be with permission from WSDOT. Commissioner O’Laughlin said if Jan brought together the business owners to speak up about the issue he would set up a Traffic Safety meeting in which he would be the Chairman inviting WSDOT, Senator Tim Sheldon and the local Fire Department. A date was set for Tuesday September 8, 2015 at 6pm to be held at the local fire hall.
Commissioner Reports:
Commissioner Brazil sponsored a hole at a local golf tournament with proceeds going toward cart path and paving at the golf course. The Port of Hoodsport was represented by signs at the sponsored hole. Commissioner O’Laughlin monitored the gravel and paving work at the new parking entrances and suggested that gravel be dumped on it quickly while the vegetation is cleared. He also recommended that the trees be transplanted from the area as soon as possible. There is currently ribbon across the entrances however someone has already gone in and made donuts with their car. A barrier will be placed at the South entrance to keep people out and a movable barrier will be placed at the North entrance so the disc golf work crews can enter at will. Commissioner O’Laughlin suggests creating a sign to be placed at the new parking entrance stating this is the future home of the Hoodsport Hills Championship Golf Course, exact verbiage to be determined so the Public will know what is happening.
Port Maintenance Reports:
Hoodsport Marina & Waterfront Park: B. Osborne is researching flagpoles for the waterfront park. Commissioner O’Laughlin was adamant about obeying flag rules and paying close attention to when it should be flown half mast.
Public Restrooms: Nothing to report
Hoodsport Trail Park: A bicycle was abandoned and brought to the office from the trail park, Commissioner O’Laughlin suggested that it be taken to the Sheriff’s office in case it was stolen. B. Osborne will drop it off. B. Osborne is concerned that the surveillance camera will be stolen if it wasn’t mounted with security cables. K. Wyatt will order the cables needed.
Port Operations Manager Report:
K.Wyatt received a letter from the State Auditor announcing their government hourly rates were increased by $4.50. K. Wyatt consulted with other Port directors about Grants available for boating facility programs for boating infrastructures and recreational trails programs. The Washington State Recreation and Conservation office will be accepting grant applications & proposals in 2016 for grant funding in 2017. Prison crew workers were discussed in the public forum. Informational signs and driveway barriers were also discussed. K.Wyatt spoke to Andrew Ollenberg who is in charge of the Lake Cushman and Lake Kokonee dam project about having a tour for the Commissioners and anyone interested. He said they were super busy at this time but he would call the Port when time becomes available. K. Wyatt informed the Port Commissioners and public in the room that there will be an outdoor movie night on Friday September 11th at 8:30pm sponsored by the IGA and Columbia Bank.
Budget: Review of Port of Hoodsport General account Financial Statement for July 2015 with an ending balance of $116,835.64. Port of Hoodsport Investment Account $226,952.17
Old Business:
It has been determined that Disc Golf is permitted within the guidelines and parameters of the WA State Parks Program of Utilization designed for the Hoodsport Trail Park as part of what is regarded as the highest & best use for public enjoyment at the Hoodsport Trail Park. Disc Golf is a popular sport with low impact on the environment would not impact current usage of the trail park and will create additional hiking opportunities. This sport will bring tourism, local jobs and revenue to the Hoodsport area.
New Business: None
Next Meetings: Next Regular Port Commission meeting is Wednesday August 19, 2015 at 9am.
Adjourn: Commissioner Brazil made a motion to adjourn the Regular Port meeting, Commissioner O’Laughlin seconded, unanimously approved, meeting adjourned at 10:30 am.
2015 Regular Port Commission Meetings are scheduled as follows:
Wednesday’s at 9a.m. August 19, September 9, October 7, November 11, December 16
Tuesday September 8, 2015 ‘Traffic Safety Meeting’ held at the Hoodsport Firehall on Finch Creek, Hoodsport, WA
________________________ _______________________ _____________________
Commissioner O’Laughlin Commissioner Petz Commissioner Brazil