PORT OF ORCAS
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
January 27 2005

Call to order and confirmation of a quorum The meeting was called to order at 7:00P.M. in the Port conference room by Steve Hopkins, Chairman. A quorum was present. Attending were: Ulanah McCoy, Steve Hopkins, Jack Becker, Bea vonTobel, Gary Abood, Dick Griot, Mike Buck, Clyde Carlson, Steve Pearson, Edward A LeCocq, Jr., Robin Watson, Paul Vierthaler, Barbara LaBrash, Les Swientek, Kathy Ciskowski, Garth Eimers, Gill Blinn.

Approval of minutesBecker moved, McCoy seconded approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of January 13, 2005, and the motion was unanimously carried.

Public access time None

Unfinished Business

1. Looking Down the Runway: Work Session of Future Direction(s) of the Port of OrcasChairman Hopkins welcomed the visitors, and noted that this meeting was an attempt to solicit input from tenants and abutters about ways to serve the island better. He summarized the preceding meeting's comments, and opened the floor for discussion.

Gary Abood, representing Marlo, Inc., stated that the pressure and volume of water into the outfall into Brandt's Landing exceeds its ability to handle what is flowing through it, and that both detention and treatment issues need to be addressed. Abood stated that Marlo, Inc., would be interested in helping solve this problem by granting additional outfalls, and encouraged the port to have its engineers join with those working on the marina expansion to find a solution. Abood further noted that he is ready to apply for a substantial shoreline permit and a clearing a grading permit, which would allow him to begin the expansion process. Abood concluded by stating that a public-private solution to this problem would be a major contribution to the community.

McCoy moved, Becker seconded asking the airport manager to contact W&H Pacific to work on a solution with Marlo, Inc. engineers, and the FAA for funding possibilities, and the motion was unanimously carried.

Paul Vierthaler mentioned several items of interest: 1)the upcoming runway overlay, which he hoped would be of better material than the last slurry seal; 2)maintaining the grass tiedown area north of the fuel pump as grass for camping and tiedowns, as it is one of the last of its kind in the state; 3)development of the so-called Larson property for tiedowns and hangars in the future; 4)concern about a possible extension of the west taxiway north to link with the Lantec, Inc. taxiway; 5)protect current barge landing sites by folding them into port responsibilities.

Steve Pearson noted that there are no public marinas in Eastsound, and suggested that perhaps by extending the current breakwater at Madrona Point to allow for better boat access to Eastsound. Pearson noted that this was not so much a competition with Brandt's Landing as an additional way for people to get into Eastsound from the south. Parking areas might also be developed, which would serve the downtown area as well. Relating to environmental issues, it might be easier to work through these if it could be proved that no reasonable dock currently exists. There would also be additional economic benefit should this be undertaken. His remarks were supported by Vierthaler, Watson and Abood.

Barbara LaBrash wondered whether there was a current or upcoming strategic plan in place for the port, and was informed that this was the beginning process for perhaps updating the current master plan, which is ten years old.

Dick Griot inquired whether there was money available for such an update, and it was noted that master plans are 95% fundable by the FAA.

Commissioner Becker stated that so far as the Larson property was concerned, he had learned from conversations with the FAA that the definition of 'aviation use' of a property was fairly loosely defined, stating that if a tenant used the airport (such as for shipping out of completed products), such use could be considered aviation use.

Kathy Ciskowski stated that the open space presently available is really a community asset.

Griot suggested that some market for small jets may exist and be expanded further in the future, and wondered whether the port had entered that into its plans.

Ciskowski, reminded of a statement from a Jackson Hole, WY resident, stated that they wished they had not extended the runway there to accommodate larger aircraft.

Vierthaler noted that the smaller jets were less noisy than some present aircraft which frequent the airport, and that jets are generally more cognizant of noise abatement procedures than some other aircraft.

Clyde Carlson, president of San Juan Airlines, noted that his company was contemplating instituting nonstop service from Eastsound to Boeing Field, and wondered whether additional terminal space might be available to serve the customers slated for that service. Carlson was particularly concerned about luggage-handling capability to allow quicker turnaround. He stated that the Caravans and the Navajo would be the aircraft serving the Boeing Field runs.

Abood added that the marina expansion also calls for a 5-month/year customs station, which could also allow the airport to serve as an airport of entry.

Becker also noted that he did not see homeland security issues being less stringent in the future, and wondered whether security issues at the airport might be addressed. Vierthaler inquired about the status of the GPS approach, and was informed that it is underway, but taking longer than might be desired.

Michael Buck asked about the 2003 stormwater drainage study and whether any part(s) of it had been instituted, and was informed that the port was ready to move on the work, but because of a lack of funding by SJCPW, there was currently no work being contemplated.

Chairman Hopkins thanked all those present for their input, and noted that all the comments and suggestions would be further discussed and refined as the commissioners' work continued in future meetings. Discussion was then opened to comments by the commissioners.

McCoy stated that she had attended a meeting the preceding week about sustainable agriculture on the island, and wondered whether the vacant lot formerly occupied by the senior center (and now owned by the county) might be available if the port wished to purchase it, and perhaps the two adjacent properties as well. McCoy stated that the purchase of such property(ies) could serve as a permanent place for year-round farmers' markets, and perhaps a bus turnout as well, eliminating the stop in front of the Landmark Inn.

Becker stated that Steve Garrison had offered to put together a meeting about funding for various projects for all the port districts, along with help from Richard Civille of CTED.

McCoy also noted that a shipping center for processing, storage and shipping of fresh produce and other perishables from the island might be needed. Becker replied that the electrical demands for such a business might exceed the capacity of the system. McCoy also stated that perhaps the port had missed another opportunity to purchase the former Trailers To Go property on Mt. Baker Rd., as this area is zoned service/light industrial.

Becker added that the commissioners really needed to be open to new ideas, and facilitate new opportunities by being the overall authority who could accomplish those goals.

Hopkins inquired whether Becker and McCoy would serve as the subcommittee to investigate further these sorts of ideas with other port districts and with Richard Civille and Steve Garrison, and received an affirmative answer. Becker again reiterated that the port should serve to facilitate the ideas as the landlord and not the operator.

New Business

1. Resignation of Frank Cantwell, Commissioner After discussion, the airport manager was asked to post legal advertisements on February 2 and 9, 2005 soliciting letters of interest from the public. These letters would be due no later than February 16, 2005, with interviews scheduled between the 16th of February and the 9th of March, with an appointment and first meeting date for the new commissioner at the regular meeting of March 10, 2005.

A note of appreciation for outstanding service to the Port of Orcas and the community was to be sent to Cantwell.

Airport Manager's Report Communications were received from: 1)WPPA, January newsletter, legislative reports; 2)Carol Key, FAA, additional $2,384.00 share of AIP 3-53-0023-005. Check was received and deposited 1/27.

The airport manager reported on:

1. Around the Port
1. Terminal Improvements

2. Methow Aviation News

3. Resignation of Frank Cantwell

4. Mower Servicing

5. Looking Down the Runway---Round 2

6. North Shack Rental

All items were informational in nature, or had been discussed earlier in the meeting.

Approval of Payroll/Vouchers McCoy moved, Becker seconded payment of general fund vouchers for January 2005 in the amount of $3,931.93, and the motion was unanimously carried.

Becker moved, McCoy seconded payment of January 2005 payroll in the amount of $3,446.10, and the motion was unanimously carried.

Next Meeting and Adjournment The next regular meeting of the Commission was scheduled for 7:00P.M., February 10, 2004 in the Port conference room.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50P.M.

Prepared by Bea vonTobel, Airport Manager