APPROVAL OF MINUTES

December 11, 2007, Regular Meeting

On motion by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wolfe, and carried 2 - 1 (Commissioner Oliver abstained), the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners approved the minutes of the December 11, 2007, regular meeting.

December 18, 2007, Executive Session Meeting

On motion by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wolfe, and carried 2-1 (Commissioner Oliver abstained), the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners approved the minutes of the December 18, 2007, executive session meeting.

December 21, 2007, Regular Meeting

On motion by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wolfe, and carried 2 - 1 (Commissioner Oliver abstained), the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners approved the minutes of the December 21, 2007, regular meeting.

OPEN FORUM

Commission Vice President Wolfe invited comments from the audience.

Donald Fish, Vancouver Wildlife League and the WA Waterfowl Association

Mr. Fish indicated he and Commissioner Oliver know each other as Commissioner Oliver is the president of Pheasants Forever. He invited port staff to participate in a guided tour of the Washington Fish and Wildlife area immediately north of port property. He indicated he would like to show staff the sites that Ducks Unlimited has designed for mitigation. He would be glad to pick up staff and tour the area.

Commissioner Wolfe thanked Mr. Fish and asked Environmental Director Boyden to get in touch with Mr. Fish.

ACTION ITEMS

Election of Officers

Executive Director Paulson presented the staff report, as contained in the agenda packet,
and discussed the proposal with the Commissioners.

On motion by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Oliver, and unanimously carried, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners adopted the following slate of officers for the year 2008:  Commissioner Brian Wolfe, President; Commissioner Nancy Baker, Vice President; and, Commissioner Jerry Oliver, Secretary. 

Appointment of Staff

Commissioner Baker stated this is done on an annual basis and is for the appointment of the
Executive Director, legal counsel, and Port auditor.

On motion by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wolfe, and unanimously carried, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners appointed Larry Paulson as Port Executive Director during 2008.

On motion by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wolfe, and unanimously carried, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners appointed the firm of Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt as Port legal counsel during 2008.

On motion by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wolfe, and unanimously carried, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners appointed Maggie Smith as Port Auditor during 2008.

Organizational Assignments

Executive Director Paulson presented the staff report, as contained in the agenda packet,
and discussed the proposal with the Commissioners.

On motion by Commissioner Oliver, seconded by Commissioner Baker, and unanimously carried, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners made the following 2008 Port of Vancouver USA Organizational Assignments:

Port of Vancouver USA – 2008 Organizational Assignments

American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)	Delegate Alternate	L. Paulson N. Baker
Pacific N.W. Waterways Assn. (PNWA)		N. Baker B. Wolfe
Washington Public Ports Assn. (WPPA)	Trustee Alternate	N. Baker B. Wolfe
Public Information Committee		N. Holmberg
Legislative Committee		L. Paulson A. Jacobs N. Baker
Finance Committee		M. Smith
Legal Committee		L. Lowe
Environmental  Committee		P. Boyden
Trade & Economic Development Committee		T. Coleman
Association of Pacific Ports (APP)	Delegate Alternate	B. Wolfe N. Baker
Columbia River Econ. Develop.(CREDC) (Executive Committee)	Delegate Delegate	B. Wolfe L. Paulson
Regional Transportation Council	Delegate	Roy Randel (Port of Ridgefield)
Steering Committee
Clark County High Capacity Transit
System Studying Steering Committee
RTAC		K. Brooks
BiState Coordination Committee		L. Paulson
Freight Technical Advisory Committee (Metro)		K. Brooks
Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce		A. Jacobs
International Air Service Committee	Delegate Alternate	J. Oliver L. Paulson
Columbia River Crossing Task Force	Delegate Alternate	L. Paulson K. Brooks
Design Engineering Committee		T. Coleman
Public Relations Committee		K. Brooks
Lead Staff Committee		K. Brooks
City of Vancouver Green Ribbon Panel		B. Wolfe

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Port Contracts Log

Executive Director Paulson stated the Port Contracts Log is provided monthly so the Commission is aware of all contracts approved under Executive Director authority. He added it is staff’s responsibility to report back about contracts and provide detailed information. Dave Hurt, Contracts Manager, added the logs are cumulative and current.

Executive Director 2008 Agreement and Plan of Deferred Compensation

Commissioner Wolfe stated this matter came before the Commission at the December 21, 2007, regular meeting and is only before the Commission for signature. Executive Director Paulson affirmed this and added the only modifications are based on changes to current law. Legal Counsel Alicia Lowe confirmed this. 

Amendment to Boise Cascade/BNSF/Port of Vancouver Exchange Agreement

Commissioner Wolfe stated this action item was added this morning and pertains to an agreement that the Commission authorized in early 2007.

Executive Director Paulson stated the transaction between Boise Cascade and Gramor was scheduled to close, but at this time is still pending. He indicated the Port of Vancouver’s agreement with Boise still is necessary to move forward with the rail, the acquisition of property, and the construction easements for the rail project. He added that the amendment would allow for portions of the property to go directly from Boise Cascade to the Port of Vancouver rather than from Boise Cascade to Gramor and then to the Port of Vancouver and vice versa.  Executive Director Paulson also clarified that although the approved action item had commissioner signature blocks on the closing documents, that the Executive Director typically executes the documents. He requested authorization to change the title blocks and execute the documents as previously approved.

On motion by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Oliver, and unanimously carried, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners authorize the Executive Director to sign the Non substantive changes in the Agreement between BNSF, Boise Cascade, Gramor (if applicable) and the Port of Vancouver.

There was no other 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 Oliver, and carried unanimously, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners ratified and approved payment of December 2007 Vouchers 028230 – 028751 in the amount of $3,913,997.00 and December 2007 Payroll Checks 004727 – 004755 and Direct Deposits 17400 - 17519 in the amount of $234,896.60.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STAFF REPORTS

Executive Director Paulson provided a brief overview on the recent comparison of the Port of Vancouver’s acquisition of the Alcoa/Evergreen property with the Port of Portland’s acquisition of the Reynold’s property in the Gresham/Troudale area. He stated the two pieces of property are extremely different and cannot be equally compared as outlined below.

Alcoa/Evergreen properties	Reynolds Property
Marine terminal dock already exists	No dock
Rail access in place	No waterfront access
Good surface transportation access	No rail access
Utility Infrastructure in place	Poor surface transportation access
Sellers assuming costs of environmental cleanup	Inadequate access to utilities
Total property will be shovel-ready for development once environmental cleanup is finished	Port of Portland assuming some costs of environmental cleanup (pump and treat)
Already zoned heavy industrial	350 net developable acres of 700 total
	200 acres (of the 350) easily developable
	150 acres (of the 350) require wetland mitigation & extensive filling

He added the purchase of the Alcoa/Evergreen property fits with the Port of Vancouver’s Strategic Plan and provides for additional marine and industrial family wage jobs. He emphasized that the Port of Vancouver will not close until the properties are cleaned to State industrial standards.  

Commissioner Wolfe asked a number of questions based on concerns expressed by a community member and Executive Director Paulson and staff provided responses.

WPPA Meeting

Executive Director Paulson stated he attended a meeting at the WPPA office on January 3.
He indicated that he chairs the Cooperative Development Committee and every five years, there is a joint funded cargo forecast with the Washington State Department of Transportation which is coming up. He indicated the cost of the forecast will come up in the Port’s dues.

Port of Camas/Washougal Meeting

Executive Director Paulson stated he attended the first 2008 Port of Camas/Washougal meeting and sent the Commission’s regards. He added he congratulated Bill Ward on his election and the choice of Dave Ripp as the new Executive Director.

Additional Meetings

Next Monday, Executive Director Paulson stated he is scheduled to make a presentation to Senator Murray along with other community leaders. He indicated the Port’s presentation and focus is on the West Vancouver Freight Access.

On January 15, he indicated he will be making a joint presentation with the Ports of Portland and Longview for the Propeller Club. 

He stated the next ICRIP meeting, which is the channel deepening ports, is scheduled for January 18.

Executive Director Paulson stated the next Columbia River Crossing Task Force meeting is on January 22. He has been advised that the March 25 meeting has been rescheduled to April 17 as the DEIS will not be final by March 25.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS

Commissioner Baker reported things were somewhat quiet with the holidays. She added that she did attend Commissioner Oliver’s Oath of Office on January 4. She also shared that she had the opportunity to welcome two new members of the longshore family as she went to the hospital to visit with ILWU Local 4 President Cager Clabaugh’s two new family members. 

Commissioner Oliver reported that in his official capacity, the only function he had was his swearing in on January 4. He indicated that the last month or two, he has met with a variety of community members who have an interest in Port affairs. He indicated he has one or two meetings scheduled with officials over the next couple of weeks and will report on those at the next meeting. 

Commissioner Wolfe stated he met with Commissioner Oliver a couple of times before he was sworn in and they had some good conversations. He indicated he also attended Commissioner Oliver’s Oath of Office on January 4. He added on January 7, he met with Executive Director Paulson.

Commissioner Baker extended compliments to the Public Affairs team about its new newsletter. She stated she recently met with a couple of community leaders who were very complimentary of its layout and design.

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

There being no further business to come before the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners, the January 8, 2008, regular meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m. by
Commission President Wolfe.