PORT OF SUNNYSIDE
MINUTES OF THE STUDY SESSION/BUSINESS MEETING
Held March 18,2009
The March 18, 2009 Study Session/Business Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Woodworth. The meeting was held at the Port of Sunnyside Administration Office at 520 S. 7th St., Sunnyside, WA.
Commissioners and Staff present at the Study Session & Business Meeting:
St. Clair Woodworth, Jeff Matson, Arnold Martin, Commissioners;
Amber Hansen, Executive Director;
Robert Farrell, Port Engineer;
Jay Hester, Property, Development & Project Manager;
Gary Holwegner, Sprayfield Manager;
Travis Jansen, Maintenance Manager;
Vernita Coffey, Administrative Assistant; and
Steve Winfree, Legal Counsel;
List of guests available on request.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Amber Hansen presented a written report and the following items were discussed;(written report available upon request).
Ms. Hansen reported that the House Hearing for Bill 5940 went well with more people in attendance and that the bill should move smoothly to the next step.
Ms. Hansen stated that the City of Sunnyside has been directed to have an action item on their agenda for the Monday night city council meeting regarding the stormwater zoning assessment. A number of citizens have expressed the concern that they do not believe that this is a lawful ordinance.
Ms Hansen indicated that the Port has received an extension on the CERB application for the De-watering facility. The project is not ready for a building permit and our CERB Special Conditions require proof of the building permit, therefore we requested the extension.
FINANCE OFFICER: Carol Carter presented a written report; (written report available upon request).
Ms. Carter presented the Draft 2008 Annual Report for review, which will be submitted to the State Auditor’s office by the end of March.
PORT ENGINEER: Robert Farrell presented a written report and the following items were discussed;(written report available upon request).
Mr. Farrell explained the recommendation by Ms. Jean Hays and Ms. Cathy Reed of DOE regarding establishing baseline conditions of Field G as a pilot-scale wetland.
SPRAYFIELD MANAGER: Gary Holwegner presented a written report and the following items were discussed;(written report available upon request).
Mr. Holwegner reported that a sizable quantity of the gravel that was left in Field H has been hauled to fill holes and gravel the roads in the sprayfields. He recommended that we stockpile what is left for a future use.
MAINTENANCE MANAGER: Travis Jansen presented a written report;(written report available upon request).
Mr. Jansen reported on clean up and pruning of Port properties and the Horizon building landscaping.
STAFF COMMENTS: Mr. Hester mentioned that the trees are planted along the roads in the E. Edison project and that it looks real nice. All of the landscaping is scheduled to be completed in time for the Industry Appreciation BBQ and the Industrial Park sign unveiling on June 5, 2009.
Mr. Jansen stated that the Mensonides property located at the intersection of Alexander and Sunnyside/Mabton highway is looking great since it has been cleaned up and leveled.
COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS: Commissioner Woodworth reported on the field trip that he and Commissioner Martin and Legal Counsel Steve Winfree took to The Dalles Dam. They toured the lower section of the dam and crossed over to the locks. The dam is 52 years old and they viewed some areas that are in need of some costly repairs. He stated it was a very interesting and impressive tour.
CITIZEN COMMENTS: Mr. Grubenhoff wished the Port good luck with the stormwater issue with the City of Sunnyside.
ACTION ITEMS: Action items were taken on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 (unless otherwise noted).
The consent agenda includes minutes of the Port Meetings held on March 02/04, 2009. Accounts payable checks in the amount of $205,038.68 for issue on March 18, 2009 and payroll in the amount of $19,286.65 for issue on March 5, 2009 totaling $224,325.33. Commissioner Matson moved to approve, Commissioner Martin seconded, motion carried.
Approve entering into agreement with BSW, Inc. To complete a baseline conditions study of the wetlands at a cost not to exceed $7,000 and authorize Amber to sign on behalf of the Port. Commissioner Martin moved to approve, Commissioner Matson seconded, motion carried.
Approve the Standstill Agreement for claims relating to the City of Sunnyside Utility Tax and authorize Amber to sign on behalf of the Port. Commissioner Matson moved to approve, Commissioner Martin seconded, motion carried.
NOTICE ITEMS:
Tri-Chamber Social will be held on March 19th from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Kestrel Vintners in Prosser.
March 24th is YCDA/New Vision’s Annual Meeting at the Yakima Convention Center at 5 p.m.
March 25th is Port Legislative Day and Reception with the Governor in Olympia. WPPA will be setting up a display from 1 - 3 p.m. on the 3rd floor of the Legislative Building.
Ribbon Cutting for the refurbished Sunnyside/Mabton Road shop and the revealing of the 2009 Miss Sunnyside Float will be on April 13th at 4 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Executive Session was called during the Study Session/Business Meeting by President Woodworth at 8:11 p.m. to discuss a legal issue as allowed under RCW 42.30.110 Subsection I. Session was expected to last 10 minutes. Session closed at 8:21 p.m. with no action required.
ADJOURNMENT: The Study Session/Business Meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m., peace and harmony prevailing.