Port Commission Minutes

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 / 2^nd Trustee

                                                Commissioner Morris – 2^nd 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 17^th 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 Reports    

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 18^th.  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 1^st. 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 28^th. 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 35^th 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 9^th  May 14^th June 25^th July 16^th

    

Commissioner Kincannon         Commissioner Morris               Commissioner Heil

MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR PORT COMMISSION MEETING FOR THE PORT OF HOODSPORT

February 19, 2025

Call to Order:   9:04am                                                   Adjourned: 10:08am

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 / 2^nd Trustee Commissioner Morris – 2^nd Chairman / Trustee

Staff Present:                    K. Wyatt, Executive Director S. Lindgren – Maintenance Facility Supervisor

Approval of Agenda:       Commissioner Kincannon motioned to approve the February 19, 2025 agenda Commissioner Morris seconded; all in favor, unanimously approved.

Public speakers:              Bill Heil – Hood Canal Electric

Jan Morris – Fjordin Crossin

Minutes: Commissioner Morris motioned to approve the Regular port commission meeting minutes from January 15, 2025, Commissioner Kincannon seconded, unanimously approved.

Vouchers: Commissioner Kincannon motioned to approve 2025 Vouchers: January 1of1 in the amount of $17,473.73 and Final Dock repair Ck #11 of $5,374.33 Commissioner Morris seconded, unanimously approved.

Public Communication:   

B Heil, Commissioner Morris and S Lindgren met to evaluate the existing electrical outlets at the waterfront park. It would be impossible to dig through rock under the walkway to extend electrical outlets. There are currently 2 outlets, a 50-amp RV outlet was discovered which previously serviced a pump out system, it would be easy to create 4 dedicated outlets on the post using the existing wiring.  Commissioner Kincannon said we want the most power for the least amount of work. B Heil said it will need some repair work to create additional dedicated outlets, you will also need to replace the residential covers with larger industrial metal waterproof covers.  Commissioner Morris said upgrading the covers is essential, where the controller is for the pump out is where the new outlets would be.  J Morris said 3 outlets is not enough for the vendors.  Commissioner Morris said the load is too much, ideally you should ask vendors to use propane to cook on. B Heil said would a 20-amp dedicated circuit be enough for vendors’ equipment and when will this be needed?  Commissioner Morris said, yes! Commissioner Kincannon said the timeline is May or June, I will check with the vendors for their requirements before we make a decision.  Let’s reach out to the vendors to find out what their needs are, I will create and email you with a survey to review to make sure we have the best language. The Port can provide Vendors with a vendor equipment requirement sheet.  Commissioner Morris said if you were a food vendor, you would absolutely know what your requirements are for your equipment.  Commissioner Kincannon said we can provide a survey of local vendors who we can get from the Chamber and say we are looking at upgrading the ports waterfront facility asking them what their requirements are.  J Morris said let’s add the local vendors to that list.  Commissioner Morris said I believe what B Heil is proposing would cover those vendors, I think we are limited to what we have to work with, we need to let them know what our limitations are instead of a giant upgrade.  B Heil said a survey is good so we know, too many people using these circuits will be too much of a load. 3 duplex outlets on the Christmas tree post and a repair to take away the 50 amp and make it 220 amp then replace the cover.  We can take out the pump control from the pump out and put the outlets there. Commissioner Kincannon said J Morris did you have anything to add. J Morris said no I just came to talk about electricity but want to let you know I have a meeting with the new head of State Patrol Justin Rowe at the state patrol on March 3^rd to talk about directing traffic at the Fjordin Crossin event which is on June 28^th.  I also want to mention next year at the Yule Tide celebration, we will be starting with caroling at the Port’s waterfront park.  Commissioner Kincannon said thank you both to B Heil and J Morris for coming to the meeting today.

Commissioner Reports    

Commissioner Morris said we are making progress with the Chamber, there’s been a staff turnover so they are getting back on track.  With dock repairs, Emily and Holly have been super helpful, we got the packet into legislation on time.  We will keep a master file with all of the paperwork needed for submission so we can cut and paste for packets moving forward.  I wanted to check with your schedule for February 24^th Commissioner Kincannon to see if that is a good date to meet with the lobbyists in Olympia.  Commissioner Kincannon said yes, Monday 2/24 a.m. midday or late day?  Commission Morris said probably early in the a.m.  I will circle back with Emily for confirmation of 2/24 and the time, I am hoping it can be as early as possible.  Commissioner Morris said the pile repair will take time to happen because the state only allows work on the surface of the water on various months for different bodies of water, repairs on the Hood Canal are between July and October.  Permitting and legal work takes 13 months to go through the state process so August 2026 will be the soonest we can get it done.  Commissioner Morris said S Lindgren painted tripping hazard nubs that were sticking up at the dock. People have been telling me the new ‘back nine’ at the Disc Golf Course are really nice.  They are saying they would like to volunteer to help maintain the disc golf course since they are on the trail every day, they can identify trouble spots on the course and would love to be able to contribute.  Commissioner Kincannon said they need to sign a volunteer release form, we can call them the Port of Hoodsport trail team, we can post it in the Hoodsport Trail Park area of the website to invite volunteers by saying, “if you want to help volunteer, sign up for the Hoodsport Trail Team”, we can give them work gloves, a volunteer hat and t shirt since we have funds dedicated for the trail park.  Is our volunteer form posted on the website?  The director said I will check the website, let’s look at dates for the grand opening of the “back nine”, it should be before Memorial weekend.  What does Saturday, May 17^th look like for everyone?  Commissioners Morris and Kincannon both agreed to the date.  Commissioner Morris said it is a great way to get reinvested into the trail park, I will talk to the guy who’s a regular at the brewery and invite him to talk more about it at our next meeting.  Commissioner Kincannon said I reach out to the Chamber, work on the Vendor survey, request quotes on upgrading signage at the park, quotes on Tshirts and hats for volunteers.  I will also reach out to R Hansen to publish the Disc Golf ‘ribbon cutting’ and grand opening for the new ‘back nine’ holes at the disc golf course.  J Morris said Rachel gave us publication dates deadlines, she’s so busy I would contact R Hansen right away to get it in the magazine before May.  You might want to consider the newspaper.

Port Maintenance Reports:

Hoodsport Trail Park & Disc Golf Park: S Lindgren said I have spill safety kits for you to look at from the U Line catalog.  Commissioner Kincannon said I have a discount we can use to order.

Hoodsport Marina, Dock & Waterfront Park:

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 triangular piece of property the Port surplusd and was selling to the adjoining neighbor,  the Port attorneys received emails form the Realtor and title officer who said upon further investigation and researching records back to 1873, it was determined that property everyone thought was owned by the Port is not owned by the port so the Resolution 2024-3 is Null and Void.  Commissioner Morris signed the Rescission agreement so escrow could refund the buyers earnest money. Commissioner assignments have been updated and sent to the elections office at Mason County.  An advertisement for the Port commissioner position 1 ran in the mason Journal in the last week of January and first week of February, we have received one Resume.  Commissioner Kincannon said forward any resumes to me and Commissioner Morris so we can interview candidates separately then in the March meeting we will make a decision. The director said would you like to run the ad again, possibly in a different category to see if we can receive other resumes?  Commissioner Morris said yes, I will send it to the Journal to ask if they can run it in a different area.  The director said, “Great I will forward the ad copy to you. 

Budget:     Financial statements for January 2025 were reviewed

Old Business:  As discussed above        New Business:    As discussed above.

Next Meeting:    March 12,2025

Adjourn:          Commissioner Kincannon made a motion to adjourn the Regular Port Commission meeting, Commissioner Morris seconded, it was unanimously approved, meeting adjourned at am 10:08am

2025 Regular Port Commission Meetings are scheduled as follows: 

March 12^th   April 9^th

Commissioner Kincannon         Commissioner Morris