 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|||
|
|
 July 11, 2007
CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC MEETING He stated the regular meeting was rescheduled from Tuesday, July 10, 2007 to Wednesday, July 11, 2007 due to travel commitments.
OPENING REMARKS BY PRESIDENT AND
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Executive Director Paulson introduced
and welcomed guests. Those attending the meeting included:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES 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 June 26, 2007, regular meeting. OPEN FORUM Commission President Miller invited comments from the audience regarding any items not listed on the agenda. There were no comments at this time.. ACTION ITEMS Commissioner Miller requested Action Item E-2 be heard first. Authorization for authority for executive director to execute the Letter of Intent with Rappaport Energy Consulting, LLC Executive Director Paulson stated Marc Rappaport was in attendance and will have a few comments once Director of Facilities Shuck presents the action item. Director Shuck presented the staff report, as contained in the agenda packet. He indicated Rappaport Energy Consulting requests the Port to enter into a Letter of Intent for the development of a biomass energy/cellulosic ethanol production facility and a biodiesel refinery on a 30 acre site located at Parcel 3. Director Shuck stated Rappaport requires the 30 acres be shovel ready with road and rail access and the ability to gain access to the Port’s liquid bulk terminals through a future potential pipeline easement. He indicated Rappaport also requests a lease option be entered into by September 30, 2007 which allows for expansion of an additional 20 up to a total of 50 acres for future growth. He indicated Rappaport estimates 135 construction jobs and 95 fulltime family wage jobs. He added this project has significant benefits to the community and the environment. He indicated Rappaport will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide for efficient disposal of wood, construction debris, and bio-solids. He also stated Rappaport will look to use seed oils for its biodiesel process. He commented that the project is consistent with the Port of Vancouver’s development plans for Columbia Gateway. Mr. Rappaport is working with the City of Vancouver who also supports the project. Marc Rappaport gave a detailed presentation on the production process and facility. Commissioner Wolfe asked about impacts to the surrounding areas. Mr. Rappaport stated the power plant has a permitting process which conforms to both state and federal emissions performance requirements and this plant size will likely need to be registered with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Commissioner Wolfe asked if liquids would be captured if they went into the ground and Mr. Rappaport indicated the process of both facilities will capture and recycle water and produce more clean hot water than is used. Commissioner Miller indicated he was in the Midwest last week and noticed unit trains and ethanol cars going through Iowa. He added Rappaport will only use trains to bring product into the site but without rail to that site, it will inhibit opportunities to bring materials in. Commissioner Miller commented that he read in the Kiplinger Letter bio diesel producers get a credit of $1.00 per gallon. He stated the Port is talking about 60 million gallons of biodiesel and 20 million gallons of ethanol annually. To respond to a question by Commissioner Miller regarding credits, Mr. Rappaport indicated the credits are in place today. He added that for waste biomass streams with no cellulosic waste streams, the conversion to an ethanol or biodiesel will be higher than corn ethanol. He stated policy guidelines facilitate this type of project to stay competitive until the industry matures. Commissioner Miller indicated he is glad to see the Port is doing this. He also stated he was pleased to see an adjustment clause in the long term lease. Mr. Rappaport stated he is excited to present this to the commission. He added he greatly appreciates what the Port is ready to commit to. He stated a couple years ago he chaired a scientific workshop for the world renewable energy congress and they talked about this type of technology. He stated to bring it into reality will give this country an opportunity to smile and be viewed as innovators. He also stated he has thought about a facility name and believes the operating company and entity will be the Fort Vancouver Biofuels Refinery. He indicated he wants people to understand the distinction between this Vancouver and the other Vancouver. He also indicated he wants to call it Fort Vancouver because of the pioneering spirit being shown and the sense of value in saying we will be energy independent. Commissioner Baker commented that when she was coming through Longview this past week she noticed the harvest of poplar trees. She indicated she saw stumps in big piles and asked if these could be processed through the facility. Mr. Rappaport stated waste stream from poplar, cottonwood, storm debris, etc. would run through and be utilized for production of both power and green fuels. Gerald Baugh with the city of Vancouver added Mr. Rappaport presents an exciting opportunity for the community. He stated this fits right in with the Columbia Gateway project as well as projects with expansion of rail. Mr. Baugh also stated this is about a partnership between the City of Vancouver and the Port of Vancouver who is doing this for the community and beyond. Executive Director Paulson asked Mr. Rappaport what kind of investment his company would make in terms of facility structure and Mr. Rappaport indicated there will be an investment of over $200 million dollars. On motion by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wolfe, and carried unanimously, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners authorized the Executive Director to execute the Letter of Intent between Rappaport Energy Consulting, LLC and the Port of Vancouver. Commissioner Miller asked Executive Director Paulson to return to Action Item E-1. Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreement Between Port of Vancouver and Port of Vancouver Trades Council Director Shuck presented the staff report, as contained in the agenda packet and indicated this is for approval of the collective bargaining agreement between the Port of Vancouver and the Port of Vancouver Trades Council. He added the Port of Vancouver Trades Council also known as PVTC is a multi-craft bargaining unit consisting of carpenters, pile drivers, laborers, electricians, sprinkler fitters, and operating engineering unit. Director Shuck stated the Port of Vancouver has successfully negotiated a four-year contract with the PVTC which will expire June 30, 2011. Director Shuck added the PVTC fills a vital role at the Port of Vancouver and it is able to interface and interact with Port of Vancouver tenants, which is important to the Port. Dave Oury, President of the Port of Vancouver Trade Council, and who also represents the carpenters and pile drivers for the Port of Vancouver, wanted to express the professionalism the Council enjoys when dealing with the Port of Vancouver, not only during the collective bargaining process, but also with administration of the contracts. Nelda Wilson, with the Operating Engineers, Local 701, stated she has been the secretary of the Trades Council since its inception and prior to that, the trade union represented these folks for 20 years. She indicated this agreement allows for the ability to talk to the people the Port of Vancouver contracts with, which is important to the Council. Executive Director Paulson commented the Port of Vancouver has a longstanding relationship with the unions associated with port maintenance and crew and has a good working relationship with them. He indicated the Port has a fine group of people who do an outstanding job and these people provide a real benefit to both the Port of Vancouver and its tenants. Commissioner Wolfe asked if there were any substantive changes made to the contract since last week and Director Shuck indicated there were not. Commissioner Miller added he called Michelle and requested a copy of the red-lined version to compare the changes. He indicated it is so much easier to see what the changes are if both are sitting side-by-side. Commissioner Miller also expressed concerns to staff that he does not like to see in labor contracts provisions that are required by law. He added as an example, the sentence that reads, “Upon written request by the union, the Port shall supply the names of constructions contractors with whom it has entered into agreement.” He indicated this information is available through the Public Disclosure Information Act and is not necessary to have in the labor agreement. Commissioner Baker commented that she is proud of the labor force, the longshore, the trades, and the administrative staff. She added she believes Director Smith would agree that this is one of the things that make the Port of Vancouver so popular with its customers and shippers. On motion by Commissioner Miller, seconded by Commissioner Baker, and carried unanimously, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners approves the contract with the Port of Vancouver Trades Council and authorize the Executive Director to execute the agreement effective July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2011.Authorization for appointment of agent to receive claims for governmental entities pursuant to RCW 4.96.020 Executive Director Paulson presented the staff report, as contained in the agenda packet and stated this is a legal requirement to appoint an agent to receive claims for governmental entities pursuant to RCW 4.96.020. He added the Port needs to appoint a particular person, in this case, Margaret A. Smith, Auditor for the Port of Vancouver, as the agent to receive claims pursuant to RCW 4.96.020. He also stated this is a notice requirement and it is standard for public agencies. On motion by Commissioner Wolfe, seconded by Commissioner Baker, and carried unanimously, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners approves the appointment of Margaret A. Smith, Auditor for the Port of Vancouver, as the Agent to Receive Claims pursuant to RCW 4.96.020 and that the Board of Commissioners authorize the Executive Director to effect this appointment and file the necessary appointment documents with the County Auditor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business to come before the Commission at this meeting. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to come before the Commission at this meeting. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE Following discussion with staff, on motion by Commissioner Baker, and seconded by Commissioner Wolfe, and carried unanimously, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners ratified and approved payment of June 2007 Vouchers 024141-024694 in the amount of $3,034,458.40 and June 2007 Payroll Checks 04507 – 04533 and Direct Deposits 16465 - 16581 in the amount of $213,045.54. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STAFF REPORTS Executive Director Paulson commented that on June 23, the Port of Vancouver had the opportunity for some recent community activity with jet boat tours. He indicated there were roughly 250 individuals that came down to talk with staff regarding port activities and to enjoy a jet boat ride along the waterfront. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Commissioner Wolfe reported he attended or participated in the following meetings:
Commissioner Miller reported he attended or participated in the following meetings:
UPCOMING EVENTS Upcoming events were flashed on the screen for viewers to see staff activities and events. Dates, times, locations, and contact information were also displayed. ADJOURNMENT
|
|
 |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |