APPROVAL OF MINUTES

May 9, 2006, Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

On motion by Commissioner Wolfe, seconded by Commissioner Baker, and carried unanimously, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners approved the minutes of the May 9, 2006, regular meeting as distributed.

OPEN FORUM
Commission President Baker invited comments from the audience regarding any matter not listed on the agenda. There were no comments from the audience at this time.

ACTION ITEMS

Request for Authorization to Sign a Personal Service Contract with RL Wickman, Inc. for Services as State Lobbyist for the Port of Vancouver USA

Public Affairs Director Addison Jacobs presented the staff report, as contained in the agenda packet, and discussed the proposal with the Commissioners. She said that the Port's Strategic Plan calls for growth in marine and industrial development and revenues which necessitates expansion and new access for the Port rail system and nearby road access, as well as for significant habitat and wetland restoration and creation. Ms. Jacobs mentioned that those efforts require aggressive advocacy to secure funding and deal with ongoing issues including environmental remediation, beneficial use of water rights, contracting and administrative issues, land use and economic development financing options. As a result, she said that a contract for Washington State Legislative Services is recommended to maximize Port of Vancouver resources for development and conservation efforts and to create legislative support for Port projects and initiatives. She said the proposed contract would provide pre-legislative session strategy and agenda development, full legislative advocacy and communication during the legislative session, post-session monitoring and coordination of Port agenda and legislative communications, assistance with state agency interface, and ongoing feedback regarding legislative and agency activities.

Director Jacobs recommended approval of a contract for services with RL Wickman, Inc. and said that he provides a unique service to the Port due to his experience with Columbia River organizations and issues, community issues through his association with Identity Clark County, statewide and local transportation issues, and his knowledge of the port industry. She added that he would also bring a rich awareness and understanding of Olympia politics and the state budget process, as well as excellent relationships with individuals representing the Washington Public Ports Association and BNSF Railroad.

Director Jacobs said that the proposed contract cost would not exceed $50,000 plus expenses and the contract expiration date would be June 30, 2007. Ms. Jacobs said that the FY 2006 cost implication would be $25,000 plus expenses and was not reflected in the FY 2006 Budget, and the FY 2007 Budget would address the remaining contract costs anticipated to be $25,000 plus expenses.

On motion by Commissioner Miller, seconded by Commissioner Wolfe, and carried unanimously, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners authorized the Executive Director to sign a Personal Service Contract for "State Lobbyist Services" with RL Wickman, Inc. beginning July 1, 2006, for an amount of $50,000 plus expenses and a contract expiration date of June 30, 2007.

Approval of Lease: DCB Industries, Inc., Bowers Steel, at St. Francis Corner

Facilities Director Curtis Shuck presented the staff report and discussed the proposal with the Commissioners. He explained that DCB Industries, d/b/a Bowers Steel, has been a sub-lessee of Sound Delivery Services for approximately eight years and was also a prior tenant of the Port. He reported that, due to expansion needs of an adjacent tenant, DCB must relocate, at its expense, and has requested a lease for approximately 1.34 acres of property located at St. Francis Lane for use as a storage, distribution and minor processing of steel.

Director Shuck said the initial term of the lease would be for 60 months (5 years) beginning June 1, 2006, and terminating May 31, 2011, with base rent set at $4,356 per month ($0.05 per square foot per month) with annual CPI increases. Director Shuck said that, estimating a 2% CPI increase, the total anticipated revenue from this lease would be $272,000.

On motion by Commissioner Wolfe, seconded by Commissioner Miller, and carried unanimously, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners approved a lease agreement between DCB Industries and the Port for approximately 1.34 acres of land located at St. Francis Lane as outlined by Facilities Director Shuck.

Approval of Agreement between Port of Vancouver USA and OPEIU, Local 11: Port Security Department

Operations Manager Mike Schiller presented the staff report, as contained in the agenda packet, and discussed the proposal with the Commissioners. He said that Port security services are performed by Port employees represented by Local 11 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union, including security services to the Port's marine and industrial tenants through stationary and mobile posts and operates continuously throughout the year on a 24 hour, 7 day schedule, including holidays. Mr. Schiller added that the most recent contract with Local #11 expired on December 31, 2005, and negotiations had been ongoing since that time. He recommended approval of a mutually-agreed-upon contract resulting from those negotiations. Mr. Schiller explained the principal differences involved pay and duration. He explained that the four- year agreement being proposed with a seven percent pay increase retroactive to January 1, 2006, and each of the three remaining years of the contract would provide a two and one-half percent pay increase. He added that minor wording changes were made to the last contract to make it gender neutral and other changes in the proposal provides an additional $0.75 per hour for any officer acting in the absence of the superintendent during his/her approved leaves and provides VEBA coverage for part-time officers. Mr. Schiller said that a new article relative to seniority was added, at the request of the union, and it calculates seniority using the original date of hire.

Commissioner Miller pointed out that a red-lined version of the contract changes would have been beneficial to him, and he asked staff to remember that when presenting contract changes to the Commission in the future.

On motion by Commissioner Wolfe, seconded by Commissioner Miller, and carried unanimously, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners authorized the Executive Director to sign a contract for "Security Services" with the Office and Professional Employees International Union, Local #11.

Executive Director Paulson reported that staff members are pleased that the negotiations have been completed and he commended all involved in the process.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

RTC Funding Request

Executive Director Paulson reminded the Commissioners that at the last meeting RTC Executive Director Dean Lookingbill had explained that RTC received notification from the Federal Transit Administration that a $1.488 million grant for the High Capacity Corridor Transit Study to be conducted throughout Clark County was being awarded and required a $372,000 local match. Mr. Paulson said that the C-TRAN Board had approved a $55,000 pledge, Clark County approved $150,000 and the City of Vancouver approved $111,000 toward the $372,000 local match.

Dale Robins, representing Dean Lookingbill who could not attend this meeting, explained that the C-TRAN Board instructed RTC to attempt to secure the $56,000 balance from smaller jurisdictions in Clark County and report its findings to them at a later date for additional consideration.

Executive Director Paulson stated that he had mixed feelings about this request because the study is a transit issue that should be handled by C-TRAN, the City of Vancouver and Clark County. He said that it was not the Port's responsibility to provide the entire remaining balance, but he would recommend Commission consideration of providing a portion of that balance. Commissioner Miller explained that he shared Mr. Paulson's mixed feelings relative to the request.

After discussion with Mr. Robins and Executive Director Paulson, motion was made by Commissioner Miller, seconded by Commissioner Wolfe, and carried unanimously for the Port of Vancouver USA to pledge $5,000 toward the $372,000 local match for the Federal Transit Administration's $1.488 million grant for a High Capacity Corridor Transit Study to be conducted throughout Clark County.

NEW BUSINESS

Short Term Lease: Scope Services, Inc.

Executive Director Paulson reported on a short term lease for 8,400 square feet in Building 2400 with Scope Services, Inc. that was executed under his Executive Director Authority.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STAFF REPORTS
Executive Director Paulson announced that the Workforce Development Luncheon scheduled on May 24, 2006, was postponed until sometime in fall 2006.

Executive Director Paulson and Public Affairs Director Addison Jacobs reported on the WPPA Spring meeting which they, along with Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Baker and Maureen Chan-Hefflin, attended during the previous week.

Communications Manager Katy Brooks reported on a May 17 Columbia River Crossing Meeting and a May 18 BiState Meeting she attended on Mr. Paulson's behalf.

Executive Director Paulson reported on a May 18 Port of Vancouver presentation regarding road and rail projects, primarily rail, to FMSIB (Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board). He said the request was favorably received by FMSIB and voiced belief that it would be granted.

Deputy Executive Director Todd Coleman reported on a May 18 CTED (Community Trade and Economic Development) meeting he and Gerald Baugh, from the City of Vancouver's Economic Development Department, attended in Seattle regarding a joint City-Port funding application. Mr. Coleman said that he was not optimistic about the possibility of securing CTED funds for Columbia Gateway due to the process CTED used for funding determination.

Environmental Services Director Patty Boyden reported on a May 17 Vancouver Lake Watershed Partnership Committee Meeting that she attended. She said that the Steering Committee gave direction to the Technical Committee to proceed with speaking to WSU and Dr. Steve Bolens to study blue-green algae at Vancouver Lake. She invited all to attend the next Vancouver Lake Watershed Partnership Meeting at 4 p.m. on June 21 at the Port of Vancouver.

Executive Director Paulson reported that he, Deputy Executive Director Coleman and Director Boyden were involved in May 15 meetings with Jay Manning, Director of the Department of Ecology.

Executive Director Paulson reported that he and Public Affairs Director Jacobs met with Port of Tacoma staff on May 22 which was another meeting in a series they have held with other agencies recently in an attempt to develop an alliance primarily on rail, but also other transportation issues.

Executive Director Paulson reported that the following meetings were scheduled and invited the Commissioners to attend, including WSDOT Vancouver By-Pass Open House (05/23); Central Park Neighborhood Association meeting (05/23); Port Visit: Representative Orcutt (05/24); POVEA Quarterly Event (05/24); Port Tour: East Vancouver Rotary Club (05/25); Port VIP Tour (06/01) and Economic Impact Study and CREDC Luncheon (07/11).

Executive Director Paulson stated that he and Public Affairs Director Addison Jacobs were planning to meet with Representative Bill Fromhold on May 25.

Executive Director Paulson reported that he and Director Smith were planning to attend a conference in Pittsburg, meet with Subaru officials in New Jersey, and make a European marketing trip June 5 through 16.

Sr. Marketing and Operations Director Smith reported on an Asian marketing trip he made during the previous week.

Facilities Director Shuck gave an update on a recent facility site work solicitation relative to the bulk facility project. He said that since the lone proposal received on the contract was approximately $800,000 over the engineer's estimate, staff and Kinder Morgan officials decided to reject the bid, based on the fact that it was over the engineer's estimate. He said staff plans to redesign the project and maintain the current construction schedule.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Commissioner Wolfe reported that he spent a couple of nights at Southwest Washington Hospital which caused him to miss the WPPA Spring Meeting. He reported on the May 18 CREDC quarterly board meeting that he attended, including the board's decision to change the location of its offices and discussion of the "Blue Sky Committee," the funding mechanism for CREDC. Commissioner Wolfe encouraged all to attend CREDC's quarterly luncheon on May 25 at The Heathman in Vancouver.

Commissioner Miller reported on the WPPA Spring Meeting he attended; a Port tour he conducted for Mr. Padden, a Port steel customer; a Clark College Board Meeting where he provided testimony; and a Chamber of Commerce/CREDC/Identity Clark County legislative event.

Commissioner Miller stated that he asked Executive Director Paulson and Attorney Lisa Lowe to provide information to the Commissioners regarding a new law that limits political contributions to port commission candidates during an election. He added that the law currently only applies to Seattle and Tacoma and it was reported that they are the only ones affected because they are the only two ports in the state that have at least 200,000 people in their port districts. He pointed out that the Port of Vancouver also falls into that category. Mr. Paulson said that he felt certain that the requirement includes 200,000 registered voters, not residents, and that Attorney Lowe was researching the matter and would respond to the Commission as soon as possible.

Commissioner Miller reported on a session relative to global warming that he attended at the WPPA Spring Meeting. He said that global warming is a serious problem for everyone, and that he had learned during the session that if all the ice melt were to melt at the poles, the Port of Vancouver USA would be underwater.

Commissioner Miller suggested that Executive Director Paulson create a national peer group to discuss issues of mutual concern.

In response to questions by Commissioner Miller, Communications Manager Maureen Chan-Hefflin announced that the Port of Vancouver assumed sponsorship of the annual International Festival in Esther Short Park. She explained that the Seafarers Center Board decided to discontinue the annual festival and Port staff decided to combine it with the HomePort Adventure event due to its historical significance in the community.

Commission President Baker reported on the WPPA Spring Meeting; a May 10 school tour at the Port; a Labor Roundtable Meeting she attended on May 12; and her granddaughter's college graduation from Whitman College.

Commissioner Miller commended Commissioner Baker for the eloquent invocation she delivered during the WPPA Spring Meeting.

WORKSHOP
The Board of Commissioners and staff conducted a workshop on a mitigation banking option with Victor Woodward, Steve Sego and Jennifer Thomas, of Habitat Bank LLC, from 11:35 a.m. until 12:35 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners, the May 23, 2006, regular meeting was adjourned at 12:35 p.m. by Commission President Baker.