February 26, 2014
Commission Work Session
A work session took place from 1:00 – 2:45pm to discuss capital projects. No action was taken.
Port of Ridgefield
Regular Meeting Minutes
Present:Bruce WisemanScott HughesJoe Melroy
Brent GreningLaurie OlinRandy Mueller
Bill ElingJeanette LudkaLee Wells
Sandra DayJohn BarbieriBetty T.
Susan TrabuccoWonder BaldwinRon Onslow
Allene WodaegeAlan Malone
1. CALL TO ORDER:
At 3:00pm Chair Bruce Wiseman called the Port of Ridgefield Commission meeting to order.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Chair Wiseman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND MINUTES:
Commissioner Joe Melroy made a motion to approve the February 12, 2014 regular meeting minutes as presented. Commissioner Scott Hughes seconded the motion. The motion was carried.
4. CALENDARING ITEMS:
State of the County Address – This event is scheduled for Thursday, March 6. Commissioner Melroy and Randy Mueller will attend. The time is 2:00 – 4:00pm at the Clark County Square Dance Center in Vancouver Washington.
Rail Overpass Shoreline Use Public Hearings Examiner – A hearing is also scheduled on March 6, from 6:30 – 8:00pm to discuss the new lift station at Mill Street in Ridgefield. Brent Grening, Laurie Olin and the Port’s consultants will attend.
WSU Chancellor’s Seminar Series and Luncheon – This event is scheduled for Friday, March 7 at WSU in Vancouver. Brent has invited 5 guests to join him, which includes Commissioners Melroy and Hughes.
2014 Mission to Washington D.C. in March – The dates for the mission are March 9 – 13. Commissioner Hughes and Brent will attend.
Workshop with Andy Smiltneek – A commissioner workshop is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, March 19 and facilitated by consultant Andy Smiltneek. Brent asked the commission to contact him with their availability. He will confirm a definite date and time after his conference call with Andy tomorrow.
Ridgefield Association Meeting – It was mentioned this meeting is tentatively scheduled for the 2nd Monday in May.
5. CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
Allene Wodaege asked for a bio of Andy Smiltneek. Brent stated Andy is a management consultant who will assist the Port in transitioning from a remediation organization to a growing developmental organization. Andy owns a company called Growth Solutions and has previously worked with Karl Jolin, the Port’s remediation supervisor. Andy is familiar and knowledgeable in successfully developing waterfront projects like ours.
6. FINANCE REPORT:
General Fund Report – Jeanette Ludka stated the weekly cash graph report is in the dropbox and the final proof of the financial statements should be ready soon.
7. OLD BUSINESS:
None
8. NEW BUSINESS:
Public Private Partnership Presentation – Brent gave an update on the trip to Dallas that included his presentation at the conference. He stated the conference was well-attended with about 800 attendees. The Port connected with industries that could be potential development partners for a “mixed use” site like Millers’ Landing.
Representatives from Southwest Washington that attended the conference besides the Port of Ridgefield were the Port of Camas-Washougal and Denise McCarty from CREDC.
We distributed great brochures that showcased our products; the only downfall was the schedule for the presentations was delayed by 30 minutes. There were about 12 people that attended Brent’s presentation versus what could have been potentially 300 attendees.
Brent received several requests from interested parties to do follow-ups which included a participant requesting to visit the Port’s Millers’ Landing Waterfront.
Brent stated he gained much insight from attending and participating at the conference this year. It was very beneficial and worthwhile.
Randy Mueller added there was much value in the Port’s presentation and the materials displayed in the booth. They collected contact information from developers that specialize in developing “mixed use” projects both national and international. He was pleased with the overall conference.
February 19, 2014 – Commissioner Melroy stated he and Brent’s visit to Olympia with legislators was successful in terms of being able to meet with those that are on transportation committees. He noted they met with legislators to provide updates and awareness of the Port of Ridgefield’s funding needs for the Rail Overpass Project. He stated the transportation package revealed a small funding amount for Southwest Washington.
9. CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
Councilman Lee Wells gave a brief update on the City’s development projects.
Mayor Ron Onslow stated today there will be a press release naming the final candidates for the city manager position. Interviews are scheduled for Friday, February 28. These candidates are: Nelson Holmberg, Steve Stuart and Chris Sutter.
Randy asked the name of the company that provided the new city street lights, polls, etc. Mayor Onslow stated these were funded through a grant.
Councilwoman Sandra Day attended the CREDC board meeting last week and one of the topics discussed was incentives from the Obama Care Program. She may potentially become a CREDC board member in June.
Mayor Onslow stated the City’s workday last Friday was successful; many members from the Ridgefield community participated.
It was confirmed there is a city council workshop scheduled before the regular council meeting on tomorrow.
Commissioner Melroy expressed his appreciation to city council members Lee Wells, Sandra Day and Ron Onslow for their regular attendance at the Port’s meetings.
Alan Malone stated he’s a member of the new Main Street Association and noted there is much interest in this association since it has started.
10. ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 3:45pm with no further business or public comments. The next regular Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 3:00pm. The meeting will be held at the Port of Ridgefield office in the downstairs conference room, located at 111 West Division Street in Ridgefield.
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Scott HughesR. Bruce Wiseman
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D. Joe Melroy
Respectfully submitted by
Wonder Baldwin
Administrative Assistant
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2/26/2014 Minutes