Port of Bandon

Regular Commission Meeting

December 15, 2011 4:00pm

Bandon Public Library

Bandon, Oregon

Commissioners present: Donny Goddard, Robert S. Miller, Rick Goche, Reg Pullen

Staff: Gina Dearth, Trudy Spanier

Guests: Jim and Chris Groh-taxpayers, John Boatman, Harry Slack, Eric S. Albertson, Tom Hultin-landowners, Rob Taylor and Don Chance

President Miller convened the meeting at 4pm. A motion to approve the consent calendar was made by Commissioner Goche, seconded by Commissioner Goddard and passed unanimously.

Gina Dearth reported that the spoils had been delivered to the lot across the street from the port building for the Nasomah Memorial and the Coquille Tribe had overseen the spreading and construction of a mud fence to prevent rain damage for the winter. They placed boulders of Tupper Rock in strategic locations to accommodate a draft design by Mike Vaughn for a memorial garden. It is a basket weave of pavers copied from a design from a tribal member’s grandmothers’ weaving. This has been all tribal money to construct the memorial.

She went on to explain that the port had received a letter from USFW as an adjacent landowner to their proposed expansion. The port owns 80 acres of land across the Coquille River from where the port building is located. Ms. Dearth stated that she was only speaking as staff, but she feels the port should not sell the land now or at any time in the future. Commissioner Pullen said that this 80 acres is very important to a lot of people, it is one of the only pieces of land you can drive over to get to the river beach. This is crucial to the future of the port in that it is a designated dredging spoils site, and if we ever need to dredge the boat basin, may well be needed to be used for the spoils. It is also important because a lot of people go there to hunt, fish, collect firewood, rocks. The City of Bandon sets off the city fireworks from that property every 4^th of July, and there has already been talk of “upsetting the birds”.

Commissioner Miller asked if there is also a problem with it being designated of “interest”. Commissioner Pullen said that the adjacent land owned by Mr. Keiser is posted as an area that you cannot drive over, and the reason given is that the state parks is overseeing it. Commissioner Pullen is against erosion of personal liberties. Commissioner Goddard agrees that property gives access to the estuary. Commissioner Goche stated that the port is not in the business of selling land, we are in the business of holding public land in trust for public benefit. Commissioner Miller noted that while not designated as a public hearing the Port of Bandon is always willing to hear from the public on any topic for as long as it takes to hear their views. Don Chance said that he attended a meeting last week and felt that the public had no input. It had not been a positive experience, and the questions posed at that meeting were not answered. He commended the port on their stance on the matter. He has had conversations with the Dept. of Interior who stated that this will be the largest restoration in the United States, and is said to be as much as 7000 acres. He is interested in finding out how long this has been planned and how much money has been spent on planning. His conjecture is that it will take a lot of private lands out of the Coos County tax rolls, and many people will lose. He has heard that the Nature Conservancy is buying property way above Myrtle Point. He suggests that the port contact Mr. Keiser to see if he would turn his property over to the Port of Bandon, and watch the proposed land swap that Bandon Biota has been working on. The third thing he hopes the port will do is to write a letter not supporting this expansion and against taking of any private land.

John Boatman said that he was the largest landowner on the Coquille, and is a past port commissioner for the Port of Umpqua. He sold 100 acres including the Myrtle Grove with the contingencies that he was able to run his cattle and cut his hay on it until he died. Roy Lowe promised him that the Myrtle Grove would be turned into a park, that they would improve duck habitat and enhance salmon habitat. None of that happened. Mr. Boatman has pictures of thousands of smolts dying in the creek, they took out all his fences and he cannot run his cattle on the land. Mr. Boatman also encouraged all landowners present to include in their response that they do not want their property in the study for fear that the endangered species act could be invoked by USFWS. Boatman added that the Bandon Biota land was used for mitigation by Mr. Keiser.

Tom Hultin stated that his property is at North Bank Rd. and Randolph Road and is bordered by the slough. Hultin does not want one more agency to answer to and does not want to see any more productive farmland lost. Mr. Hultin also stated that the county/state can’t fund our schools as it is and wonders where all this money is coming from to buy this land. Hultin submitted a letter to USFWS that he delivered to Western World for publication.

Harry Slack stated he was landowner in the proposed expansion and opposed to selling. Slack also opposes the transfer of the port’s public land to USFWS and the concept of expansion troubles him.

Rob Taylor does not want to see the loss of county taxes. USFWS blocks roads and halts access to hunting and fishing. Taylor stated that USFWS is getting their money from NGO’s who buy private land and donate it to the service.

Jim Groh stated he was at the meeting as a taxpayer and is tired of watching the government land grabbing. His wife Chris, a native of the area in question came to the port meeting to learn and called the meeting at the library a sham. Ms. Groh went on to say USFWS has enough area to study now in Bandon and felt the port meeting was much more educational. Eris S. Albertson is concerned about the families in the expansion area. At least 20 kids ride the school bus in this area. Coos County will lose taxes and the school district stands to lose those 20 kids at $5,000.00 each.

Commissioner Pullen made a motion to write USFWS a letter stating the port is not interested in selling their land in the proposed expansion area and to write a letter to Bandon Biota/Michael Keiser asking they consider donating their piece to the port who will act as stewards for this property by keeping it in the public’s hands. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Goddard and passed unanimously.

Ms. Dearth reported that Redmon Pond has been studied by Migs Scalici for a follow up after Jetty residents expressed concern over low water in the pond earlier this fall.

She went on to say she had met with Lindsay Adrean of ODFW to discuss the cormorant hazing project tentatively scheduled for mid-April. They will continue planning after Christmas. Commissioner Pullen asked if there would be a permit needed. This issue is quite popular with the port constituents who see the salmon decimated by these birds.

Charleston Crab Shack is still making plans for their proposed seafood business in the former Fisheries building. They reportedly are working on their financing and completing their business plan. Commissioner Miller asked if the boardwalk tenants are all ok with this concept. Commissioner Pullen stated that you may not be able to please everyone but that competition is generally a very positive thing in that it steps up the quality of product and service. Ms. Dearth said that the mission statement for the port is to be an economic engine, and job creation is a main concern.

Ms. Dearth said that Harlan Jones of Jordan Ramis PC is working on reconveyance of the deed of trust for the Fisheries building.

She announced that there will be a conference for SDAO held in Sun River in February. If any commissioners would like to attend that conference she would be glad to make travel arrangements.

Ms. Dearth is scheduled to meet with Cinamon Moffett on January 19^th at 1pm in the port offices regarding estuaries if any commissioners would like to attend.

There being no further business, President Miller adjourned the meeting at 4:56pm.

Submitted by: Trudy Spanier

______________________ ____________________________

President Secretary