Regular Meeting Minutes - 9/8/09

PORT OF VANCOUVER USA
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
September 8, 2009

CALL TO ORDER

Commission President Nancy Baker called a regular meeting of the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners to order at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 8, 2009, at the Port of Vancouver USA Administrative Office, 3103 N.W. Lower River Road, Vancouver, Washington 98660. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The regular meeting was immediately recessed into executive session for the purpose of discussing real estate, national security, and potential litigation matters.  No action was taken during the executive session, which concluded at 9:21 a.m., and a brief recess followed.

OPENING REMARKS BY PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The regular meeting was reopened to the public at 9:31 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Commission President Baker.  Commissioner Baker welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Executive Director Paulson recognized meeting attendees, as follows:
 
 Nancy Baker  Port Commission President
 Jerry Oliver  Port Commission Vice President
 Brian Wolfe  Port Commission Secretary
 Larry Paulson  Port Executive Director
 Todd Coleman  Port Deputy Executive Director
 Maggie Smith  Port Director of Finance
 Alastair Smith  Port Sr. Director of Marketing & Operations
 Curtis Shuck  Port Director of Economic Dev. & Facilities
 Addison Jacobs  Port Director of Public Affairs
 Patty Boyden  Port Director of Environmental Services
 Alicia Lowe  Port Legal Counsel
 Michelle Allan  Port Executive Assistant
 Katy Brooks  Port Community Planning & Outreach Manager
 Nelson Holmberg  Port Communications Manager
 Dave Hurt  Port Contracts Manager
 Rick Cline   Port Projects Procurement Manager
 Katie Odem  Port Communications Specialist 
 Marie Day  Port General Clerical Assistant
 Ronald Plushnick United Grain Corporation
 John Yamashita  MacKay and Sposito
 Brad Clark  ILWU Local 4
 Bob Carroll  IBEW Local 48
 Kelly Burns  Grady Britton
 Libby Tucker  The Columbian
 Tony Flagg  United Grain Corporation
 Cynthia Weed            KL Gates
 Richard Bailey          Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt
 Donna Chronis           Rufener Family
 Rose Marie Winters      Rufener Family
  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 
 
August 11, 2009, Regular Meeting

On motion by Commissioner Wolfe, seconded by Commissioner Oliver, and carried unanimously, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners approved the minutes of the August 11, 2009, regular meeting.

OPEN FORUM

Commission President Baker invited comments from the audience regarding items not listed on today’s meeting agenda.  No responses were received.
 

Public Hearing

Property Exchange Agreement between Clark Public Utilities and Port of Vancouver USA

Commissioner Baker recessed the regular meeting and opened a public hearing regarding the proposed property exchange agreement between Clark Public Utilities and Port of Vancouver USA. 

No comments were received concerning the proposed agreement so the public hearing was closed and the regular meeting resumed.

ACTION ITEMS

Property Exchange Agreement between Clark Public Utilities and Port of Vancouver USA

Director Shuck presented the staff report, as contained in the agenda packet, and discussed the proposal with the commissioners. Property Manager Holtby described details of the proposed agreement with the commission.

On motion by Commissioner Oliver, seconded by Commissioner Wolfe, and carried unanimously, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners approved the Property Exchange Agreement between Port of Vancouver and Clark Public Utilities and authorized the Executive Director to execute all documents necessary for the closing of the transaction.

Adoption of Resolution No. 9-2009 – Issuance of Refunding Revenue Bonds

Port Finance Director Smith presented the staff report, as contained in the agenda packet, and discussed the proposal with the commissioners. Cynthia Weed, port bond counsel, and Ronald Plushnick with United Grain Corporation also discussed the proposal with the commissioners and answered questions by the commission.

After discussion with staff and on motion by Commissioner Oliver, seconded by Commissioner Wolfe, and carried unanimously, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 9-2009 providing for the issuance of refunding revenue bonds.

Adoption of Resolution No. 10-2009 - Centennial Industrial Park

Port Director Shuck presented the staff report, as contained in the agenda packet, and discussed the proposal with the commissioners.

After discussion with staff, Commissioner Wolfe expressed reservations about naming the entire site as Centennial Industrial Park since the Rufener family farmed that area for 75 years and it has become an icon.  Commissioner Wolfe proposed naming only Parcel 8 “Centennial Industrial Park” for marketing purposes and naming Parcels 6 and/or 7 to commemorate the Rufener family farming legacy. Commissioner Baker agreed with Commissioner Wolfe. Commissioner Oliver stated he agreed with the initial staff proposal of naming the roadway leading into the industrial park after the Rufener family and felt that was sufficient to recognize the Rufener name.

Donna Chronis and Rose Marie Winters, daughters of Elmer and Marie Rufener who owned and operated the farm prior to selling the land to the port, said they were pleased to hear consideration was being given to naming the new industrial park in honor of their family. 

Director Boyden described environmental efforts underway at the site and assured the commission that the port is proactive and is diligently working to comply with appropriate environmental practices.

Commissioner Wolfe moved to amend the resolution to name only Parcel 8 as "Centennial Industrial Park.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Baker and carried 2-1 (Commissioner Oliver voted nay).

Following discussion, on motion by Commissioner Wolfe, seconded by Commissioner Baker, and carried 3-0, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 10-2009 as amended to include naming only Parcel 8 as “Centennial Industrial Park.”

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Port Contracts Log
 
Executive Director Paulson presented the port contracts log and discussed it with the commission.  He noted that the contracts log is presented on a regular basis to provide information regarding contracts that are executed under executive authority.  

NEW BUSINESS

No new business was considered at this time.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLES
Following discussion with Director Smith, on motion by Commissioner Oliver, seconded by Commissioner Wolfe, and carried unanimously, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners ratified and approved payment of August Voucher Numbers 2009 038696-039280 in the amount of $2,262,236.95 and August 2009 Payroll Checks 005223-005246 and Direct Deposits D20090 –D20238 in the amount of $312,822.50.   

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
 
Executive Director Paulson stated he sent an e-mail message to the commission to report his official activities rather than the standard oral report since the commissioners and a number of staff planned to attend the funeral service for Tony Bacon, former publisher of The Daily Insider and a community friend of the port.  

COMMISSIONER REPORTS

Commissioner Baker commended Alicia Lowe, port legal counsel, for participating in a recent community fundraiser, “Dancing with the Stars.”  She said Ms. Lowe performed with elegance and courage. 

Commissioner reports were deferred to the next regular meeting for the same reason mentioned by Executive Director Paulson.

UPCOMING EVENTS

A list of upcoming events was displayed on the screen for viewers to see staff activities and events. Dates, times, locations, and contact information were also displayed.  

WORKSHOP

The workshop session scheduled for this meeting was deferred to a later time.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners September 8, 2009, meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m. by Commission President Baker.

 PORT OF VANCOUVER USA
 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Michelle Alan,Executive Assistant,
September 8, 2009, Regular  
Port of Vancouver USA Board of
Commission Meeting