Port of Orcas
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
January 8, 2004

Call to order and confirmation of a quorum
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. in the Port conference room by Ulanah McCoy, Chairman. A quorum was present. Attending were: Ulanah McCoy, Steve Hopkins, Frank Cantwell, Al Edwards, Jack Becker, Bea vonTobel, Edward A. LeCocq, Jr., Jill Blankenship, Eric and Laurie Johnson, Wally Gudgell.

Chairman McCoy introduced new Commissioner Jack Becker and welcomed him to the table. Election of Officers for 2004
Chairman McCoy opened nominations for the position of Chairman for 2004. Hopkins nominated McCoy. With no other nominations forthcoming, McCoy declared nominations closed. The vote was unanimous for McCoy.

Chairman McCoy opened nominations for the position of Secretary for 2004. Hopkins volunteered to assume this position after no nominations were forthcoming. McCoy declared nominations closed. The vote was unanimous for Hopkins.

Approval of minutesHopkins moved, McCoy seconded approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of December 11, 2003, and the motion was unanimously carried.

Public access time None

Unfinished Business To accommodate members of the public who were present, Chairman McCoy asked to move item #4 (Lantec, Inc.: request for easement, further discussion) to the first position on the agenda.

4. Lantec, Inc.: request for easement, further discussion
Chairman McCoy began discussion by noting that she had had earlier conversation with Susan Kimple of the Eastsound Sewer and Water District. That conversation revealed that the Commissioners of the Sewer District had scheduled conversation on possible placement of a sewer line down Seaview Street (which would accommodate the Lantec property, and others not presently connected to a sewer line) at their next meeting on January 13. Because of the impending discussion, Kimple recommended that the Port commissioners take no action until after the Sewer District meeting.

Hopkins noted that there appeared to be no upside to the Port for granting of an easement across public property, and mentioned that payment for such might be expected. Wally Gudgell mentioned that in his experience, underground utility easements are generally free, and that all sewer lines serve private property.

Cantwell asked Hopkins to consider a hypothetical situation in which the SJC Land Bank were to purchase the property and request the same easement, and whether his conclusion would be the same as in the case of a private developer.

Eric Johnson stated that he could put in septic systems on the property, but thought that having access to a sewer line was in the better interest of the community.

Gudgell asked whether the Port had any additional plans for building hangars on Port property. Cantwell replied that with the completion of the 14 new hangars, and the possibility of additional hangars planned by Marlo, Inc., on the Brandt property, there appeared to be no urgent necessity for more hangars.

Edwards noted that from his standpoint, there was no reason to delay a decision on this request.

1. Port of Orcas Capital Projects for 2003: status report Much of the information was contained in the airport manager's report.

2. Pending Litigation: status report Cantwell reported on the meeting with Port Counsel and the airport manager to gather information and plan strategy in the Stevens matter.

McCoy noted that the Kihlstrom matter might die for lack of action.

On other legal matters, McCoy noted that she had responded to a phone call from Doug Smith re the stormwater issue and construction delays on the new hangar project. Smith was unsure what steps to take next, and wondered whether the seating of a new Commissioner might make a difference in the Commission's handling of his request for reimbursement. McCoy reiterated the Port's vote on reimbursement in the amount of $4,500.00. This amount had not been accepted by Smith, because he feared that this would close the matter.

3. 2004 Budget: consideration of Resolution #01-08-04 McCoy moved, Hopkins seconded adoption of Resolution #01-08-04, and the motion was unanimously carried.

New Business

1. Hopkins mentioned that in a conversation with Ted Wixom of Eastsound Water Users Assn., Ted had noted an interest in obtaining an easement to drill one or more water wells and construct a well shed on Port property to access groundwater. Hopkins noted that this would provide income to the Port based on the amount of water which was withdrawn. The proposal would probably entail easement on a two-acre portion of the Larson property in the upland area.

Edwards noted that because FAA funds were used to purchase that property, a determination was needed as to whether this was a permissible use of the land.

Hopkins stated that he was reporting this information prior to a formal presentation being made by Eastsound Water Users Association, in an attempt to discern the Port's position on the matter.

Airport Manager's Report There were no communications received.

The airport manager reported on:

1. Around the Port

a. Construction Update

b. Terminal Roof

c. Port Truck

d. POO---the golf cart

e. Biodiesel Status

f. Sewer/septic alarm

g. Emergency Procedures and Phone List

McCoy moved, Hopkins seconded joining WPPA for 2004. The vote was McCoy, Hopkins, Becker yea; Edwards, Cantwell nay. Motion carried.

McCoy moved, Hopkins seconded approval of December 2003 payroll in the amount of $3,234.56 and the motion was unanimously carried.

McCoy moved, Hopkins seconded approval of December 2003 general fund vouchers in the amount of $7,822.09 and the motion was unanimously carried.

McCoy moved, Hopkins seconded approval of January 2004 initial general fund vouchers in the amount of $679.80 and the motion was unanimously carried.

McCoy moved, Hopkins seconded approval of December 2003 capital fund vouchers in the amount of $14,162.12 and the motion was unanimously carried.

Next Meeting and Adjournment
The next regular meeting of the Commission was scheduled for 7:00P.M., January 22, 2004 in the Port conference room.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10P.M.

Minutes prepared by Bea vonTobel, Airport Manager