Port of Bandon

Regular Commission Meeting

January 28, 2010-5pm

Coquille Community Center

Coquille, Oregon

Commissioners present: Donny Goddard, Steve Martizia, Robert S. Miller III, Rick Goche

Staff: Gina Dearth, Trudy Spanier

Guests: Fran Capehart, Cheryl Gagnon, Linda Short, Dennis Graham, Clay Davis of Juul Insurance,

Media: Jean Ivey of Coquille Valley Sentinel

President Goddard called the meeting to order at 5PM. He welcomed all present and thanked Ms. Capehart for the relocation of our meeting at the last minute to accommodate the police investigation at Coquille Council Chambers. Commissioner Miller made the motion to approve the consent calendar, seconded by Commissioner Martizia and passed unanimously.

Gina Dearth introduced Clay Davis of Juul Insurance the Port’s agent of record for Special Districts Insurance Policies. Mr. Davis gave a detailed overview of all current Port Policies, including liability, property, Workmen’s Comp., Storage Tank Liability, and Group Medical answering all questions posed by the commissioners. Commissioner Miller thanked Mr. Davis for his continued diligence in providing the best possible coverage for all port needs, and especially for anticipating some issues that had previously not been experienced. He has been an excellent agent of record for our needs and has gone above and beyond the call of duty several times recently to help Port of Bandon. Gina Dearth also commented that she was more than satisfied with our insurance as it is, and especially the Pre-Loss availability has been such a great benefit with both DEQ and contract questions. Port of Bandon is indeed very fortunate to have Mr. Davis’ talents representing us.

Cheryl Gagnon of F/V Nelma II was introduced by Gina Dearth. Ms. Gagnon wanted to clearly state that the information provided by Brian Vick to Pacific Seafood Group was extremely inaccurate and was simply an uninformed opinion regarding fish waste disposal in Port of Bandon’s boat basin. She stated that at all three port cleaning stations there are postings that clearly state how fish waste should be handled, and it is very clear that it is not be returned to the bay. The Nelma II landed the first commercial halibut in Bandon in approximately 10 years according to a fisheries biologist at Charleston ODFW. Nelma II sold about 30 halibut and all carcasses were properly removed and disposed of. The ones not taken by the customers themselves were taken to Hallmark’s in Charleston. Ms. Gagnon said that Hallmark has been extremely cooperative in allowing the Gagnon’s to dispose of carcasses at their fish waste disposal area. Because of the rising costs to purchase crab bait from the local bait shops many of the customers take their carcasses to freeze and use in their crab pots. During tuna season, the Gagnon’s sold 2002 lbs of whole fish (112 fish) off the dock. All fish waste not taken by the customers was put into containers and Jim Gagnon personally drove them to Hallmark for disposal. Ms. Gagnon thanked Port of Bandon for allowing her to speak the truth and for continued support of the commercial enterprise in Port of Bandon’s basin. She is available for any future questions.

Gina Dearth thanked Ms. Gagnon for coming to the meeting and for their continued efforts to help the port offer seafood off the docks. It greatly benefits the port to have them as part of our marina. Ms. Dearth added that all three of the port fish cleaning tables meet all DEQ standards and are legal.

Commissioner Martizia reported that the Coquille Riverwalk project is still waiting to be notified whether or not they made it into the next round with the grant that had been re-submitted. Commissioner Goche suggested that the commission begin thinking about the money that has previously been spent at Johnson Log Pond reverting to the Coquille Riverwalk project. Ms. Dearth suggested that in the next few months when budget process begins for FY 2011 the budget committee could responsibly explore budgeting funds for the Coquille Riverwalk Project.

Gina Dearth thanked Jean Ivey of the Coquille Valley Sentinel for the great article on the transfer of Johnson Log Pond to the Coquille Tribe. Commissioner Miller also asked Ms. Ivey if the Coquille Valley Sentinel could be read online. Commissioner Goche asked Ms. Dearth to give an update on the progress of the pond. Ms. Dearth has had the Special Warranty Deed notarized and will deliver it to Coos County Counsel on Friday.

ARRA funding loss was discussed. There is no other news other than the current media coverage on the matter.

Nancy Evans request to build a berm on port property was discussed. Gina Dearth asked Commissioner Miller to explain proposal. Commissioner Miller stated that Ms. Evans had purchased two properties on the south jetty that were adjacent to the port property line, and one of the residences actually was on the property line with an encroaching porch. Ms. Evans had gone to both City of Bandon and public works to get their approval prior to this request to build a sand berm. Commissioner Miller suggested that perhaps a 10 year license that is non-transferable and detailing that she must maintain it or the port could terminate with a 30 day notice retaining all rights for Port of Bandon might be the best way to address Ms. Evans’ proposal. Gina Dearth added that she had been contacted by another adjacent neighbor who expressed concern that Ms. Evans berm might divert flood water toward their property. In the process of investigating that Ms. Dearth spoke to an engineer who told her that beneath Ms. Evans cottage, the pilings had actually been set in a hole that each year filled with rainwater and that he would add a paragraph that said Ms. Evans project would not adversely affect adjoining residences. Port staff was directed to explore what fees the City of Bandon charges for this type of project and act accordingly. Commissioner Miller added that he had looked into a similar situation on the south jetty and an adjacent landowner had purchased the lot adjacent to his residence to complete his project. Commissioner Goche asked if this is something the port should consider, however at this time they concurred that the 10 yr. license would suffice. Perhaps in the future, something could be negotiated, but not at this time. Commissioner Goche made a motion to submit to Ms. Evans this license with a fee, and it was seconded by Commissioner Goddard and passed unanimously.

Ms. Dearth said that the Bandon Salmon Derby is coming up and asked the commission if Port of Bandon would like to again donate money to the event. This event is widely advertised and brings many people to Bandon. The first year Port of Bandon provided a trophy, and this past year donated $500. Commissioner Martizia made a motion seconded by Commissioner Goddard and it passed unanimously.

Ms. Dearth presented a letter submitted by Mr. Lonnie Beutel providing proof that he is the heir to Don Beutel’s estate. This was requested by Port of Bandon several months ago prior to paying the $975.00 claimed by the Beutel estate. Mr. Beutel had previously been given two clam buckets, and is now requesting a drag line bucket. Ms. Dearth has looked into ownership of these drag line buckets and finds nothing that validates Lonnie Beutel’s claim. The matter was discussed, and Commissioner Miller asked if the port should require Lonnie Beutel to provide proof that he owned a bucket. Upon further discussion Commissioner Martizia stated that this had gone on long enough, and since no proof could be established it would be irresponsible to the taxpayers to relinquish the drag line bucket to Lonnie Beutel.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:04pm.

Submitted by

Trudy Spanier