Port of Bandon

Budget Committee Meeting

Public Hearing &

Regular Commission Meeting

May 27, 2010 5pm

Coquille City Hall, Coquille, Oregon

 

Commissioners present: Donny Goddard, Reg Pullen, Steve Martizia, Robert S. Miller,

Rick Goche

Staff: Gina Dearth, Trudy Spanier, Leigh Stiles

Budget Committee: Roger Straus, Sandy Norris, Dennis Graham

Guests: Fran Berge, Susan Berge, John Berge, Dan H.

 

President Goddard called the meeting to order at 5:02pm.  Commissioner Miller made a motion to appoint Roger Straus as Budget Committee Chairman; motion was seconded by Commissioner Pullen and unanimously carried.  A motion was made by Roger Straus to appoint Gina Dearth as Budget Officer, and Sandy Norris seconded and unanimously carried.  The budget members were then given 10-15 minutes to read the budget documents.

 

Chairman Straus called the budget meeting to order at 5:14pm.  He then asked Gina Dearth to read the Budget Summary.  Ms. Dearth read the budget message for FY 2010-2011 and described to the committee the three funds which consist of the general fund, reserve fund and the capital projects fund. 

 

The FY 2010-2011 budget will concentrate on implementing the Port Mission Statement within the limitations of available property taxes and other revenue sources.  Port staff will continue to

research available grants to continue waterfront revitalization, and aggressively pursue generation of both long term and short term revenue for the port.  Due to the recent success of mediation of the fisheries building, there will be a consistent need to “hunker down” to meet the three installment payments required paying off the total sum of money to complete the deal without borrowing or issuing an emergency bond or declaring a port owned property surplus to the district. 

 

Questions were asked by the budget committee regarding ownership of Johnson Log Pond.  The answer was that the Port has completed the transaction with Coos County, but has heard no information as to when the Coquille Tribe might become the owner.  Mr. Straus asked if there was a long term plan for the port at this time.  Ms. Dearth answered that after completion of the State of Oregon’s Strategic Plan, Port of Bandon will be able to draw up a strategic plan.  Dennis Graham asked about the audit fees.  He had noticed they remained the same as last year, but the two years prior had steadily been increasing.  Ms. Stiles answered that although the budgeted amount for last year was $12,000. the actual cost was a little more than $10,000. so that amount remained the same for budgeting purposes.  Commissioner Goche asked about the amount that

was to be set aside for grant writing and/or materials for the Coquille Riverwalk.  Ms. Dearth answered that the total of $14,125. was included in the Capital Outlay, and will be listed in either materials purchased or grant writing when the invoices are presented.

 

There being no other questions, Dennis Graham made a motion to approve the budget as presented.  This was seconded by Sandy Norris and passed unanimously.  Mr. Straus made a motion to accept the tax rate of .3249, seconded by Sandy Norris and passed.

 

Chairman Straus adjourned the budget hearing at 5:30pm.

 

President Goddard convened the commission meeting at 5:32pm.  Commissioner Pullen made a motion to approve the consent calendar, seconded by Commissioner Miller and passed unanimously. 

 

Public Comment was opened by Roger Straus.  He suggested that a “green project” of either solar or wind energy be located near the old Moore Mill Truck Site on port property.  Commissioner Goche remarked that perhaps a fledgling company might be interested in a test site for their wares.  Mr. Straus thinks that perhaps during the long summer daylight hours, a solar set up might generate enough electricity to run the port boat basin.  The commissioners will

take this under advisement.

 

Susan Berge asked what the plans were for the port use of the blue building when the ownership became clear.  The answer was that the deal is in progress and after November 1, 2010 the port will hold outreach meetings to get the community involved.  Another gentleman from Coquille asked why the port had to buy back the lease if the tenant had clearly defaulted.  Commissioner Miller answered that the waterfront 1.3 acres was a significant piece of land that needed to be returned to public use.  Commissioner Goche added that the fact was that both the original lease of 1977 and the amendments were poorly written.  The courts do not always decide right from wrong, they decide on the law.  Commissioner Martizia said that the mediation and subsequent buyout plan was best for the entire district. 

 

President Goddard made a motion to approve Resolution 2010-01-Appropriating an Intrafund Transfer.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Martizia, and passed unanimously.

 

Ms. Dearth gave a staff report.  The port received a donation to the boardwalk in the form of a 10 ˝’ myrtle wood Chinook salmon donated by the family of long time Bandon residents Stewart and Lorna Cameron.  On June 4th another art sculpture made from a metal buoy will be installed on the boardwalk.  The buoy has been made into a globe by artist Cheryl Garcia who has donated this piece to the Port. 

 

Today the port harbormaster and crew delivered 5 finished oak trash barrels to the City of Bandon in trade for the last dumpster bill the port will ever have to receive.

 

Ms. Dearth announced the Annual Blessing of the Fishing Fleet which will take place at noon on Saturday at the Fisherman’s Memorial in the port launch lot.  This year we are fortunate to have a bagpipe player that will play Amazing Grace.  Following the ceremony the clergy will board the U.S. Coast Guard vessel to carry flowers and wreaths across the bar to be scattered at sea.  The VFW #3440 Rifle Guard will be on the South Jetty for a salute.  That same day from 10am to 3pm will be the Marine Swap Meet which looks to be much bigger this year.  There are near 30 participants signed up to sell, and a good time will be had by all. 

 

Harbor Lights Middle School 5th through 7th grade Gifted and Talented program has donated new art boards to be displayed on the boardwalk. 

 

On June 10th, Commissioner Goche will travel to Washington DC as a guest of NOAA to accept Port of Bandon’s Award for Excellence in Local Government.  Federal Relations Ray Bucheger has kindly set up a complete schedule for Commissioner Goche allowing him to visit the offices of Merkley, DeFazio, Wyden, and the Corps. of Engineers. 

 

June 15th at 12:30pm Senator Wyden’s two aides will be having lunch with Port staff and Commissioners.  This will be a wonderful opportunity to discuss any issues and get input from this office. 

 

May 25th, the Safe BETT team sponsored a very heavily attended Tsunami Outreach Program.  Port of Bandon assisted in this event, and DOGAMI speaker James Roddey did a wonderful presentation on this very real hazard.  The education program is made possible by a grant through DOGAMI, and the eventual goal is a full evacuation drill sometime in Sept. or October.

 

Port staff participated in a CPR re-certification and AED instruction class this week and is ready for any situation requiring its use.

 

Commissioner Goche announced that June 2nd and 3rd there is a very good class held in Charleston on survival and safety at sea. 

 

Commissioner Pullen reported that as far as he can see the marine reserves issue is at a complete stalemate.  He wonders which side if either will give something to change that situation.  Commissioner Goche feels that after November the issue will go away.  OPAC already said no.  He feels that the two test sights should be watched vigilantly before any other decisions are made.

 

President Goddard adjourned the meeting at 6:41pm.

 

Submitted by Trudy Spanier