Port of Bandon

Regular Commission Meeting

July 28, 2011 5:00pm

Coquille Council Chambers

Coquille, Oregon

 

Commissioners present: Donny Goddard, Robert S. Miller, Wayne Butler, Reg Pullen,

Staff: Gina Dearth, Trudy Spanier

Guests: Dennis Graham, Cynthia Stone, Joe Slack representing HGE, Inc., Dave Gamble

 

President Miller called the meeting to order at 5:02pm.  Commissioner Pullen made a motion to approve the consent calendar, seconded by Commissioner Goddard and passed unanimously.

 

Commissioner Miller asked for public comment.  Dennis Graham announced that Coquille Riverwalk is seeking 2000 engraved bricks for their project.  He passed out applications, and also said that they will be selling fish windsocks at the Fireman’s steak feed and also at the “Smoke on the Water” event.

 

Next was a presentation of ideas for the Fisheries Building.  Cynthia Stone and Joe Slack were introduced and given the floor.  Cynthia Stone has been a Bandon resident since 2004.  Ms. Stone presented possible uses for the building and suggested goals for revenue, jobs and promoting the local economy.  Joe Slack then presented a power point on green alternatives for the building and landscape, with a conceptual of the building site.  Commissioner Pullen thanked them for their time and energy in presenting this plan, however his preference would be more for something that fits in and blends well with Bandon’s seaside village image.  He doesn’t want the building to change too much.  It has been there and is part of our waterfront.  Commissioner Miller said that the presentation was nice and he particularly liked the aerial photo.  Ms. Dearth asked if Joe Slack had taken into consideration the FEMA Flood Plain regulations.  Commissioner Pullen reiterated that he would like to keep the “Gritty Little Seaport” look.  Dave Gamble is a neighboring resident, and is working with the port to partner in an easement past his house for a future boardwalk extension.  He stated that he would be opposed to having a turnaround at the back of his house as shown in the conceptual. 

 

Gina Dearth reported that the attenuator project for the boat basin cannot happen.  There was an opportunity with FEMA for mitigation for future tsunami wave protection, but even though the original permit had been issued for an attenuator when the basin was built, it was never placed.  Current restrictions from the Army Corps. of Engineers make it impossible. 

 

She went on to report that Port projects did get listed in the current District 1 Urban Renewal plan.  Redmon Pond platform, the Fisheries Building, boardwalk extension and boat basin electrical are all part of the plan.  She found the committee to be very helpful and she is satisfied with the entire process. 

 

The new OCZMA Fish documentary “Oregon’s Ocean Fisheries” documents a conservation story and is now available for the general public.  Ms. Dearth feels that it is very informative, and it teaches that fisheries are sustainable.  Commissioner Butler commented that it gives an opportunity as fish managers to get the information out to the public.  There have been great positive changes in the management of the fisheries.  Commissioner Pullen commented that as far as marine reserves goes it looks good for us right now with no reserve at Arago.  We may have dodged a bullet for now, but it will require vigilance.  He felt that Jim Pex had put in an outstanding effort, and it was great working with the Port of Coos Bay.  Commissioner Butler cautioned that we are not done with this issue.  House bill 2009 went down, so it leaves the door open for the next run at us.

 

Gina Dearth reported that the committee working on Near Shores Fisheries Study has met three times and will continue to gather information with Coos County businesses.  The socio-economic impact of the near shore fisheries will be valuable.  The group has homework to do interviews and they will be putting together a spiral bound document to send to the legislators.  The port and Coos County are co-sponsoring the study.  Commissioner Butler said the focal point is the economics of the local community.  Commissioner Pullen thinks this will show the human impact of taking away the water access, stripping the public of their opportunity to fish.

 

Ms. Dearth said the port is again dealing with fish carcass waste.  The Charleston marina has adopted a “take your carcass home” concept.  Our port has a constant problem with people putting plastic garbage in with the fish waste, and then it cannot be taken out to sea with the current permit for dumping.  The county dump has complained of the smell, and port staff is looking into getting a chest freezer for storage of the fish waste until it can be dumped. 

 

Joe Slack reported that the Coquille Riverwalk will soon begin.  Dyer Engineering has target dates for the parking lot graveled, concrete sidewalk and connect to the trestle.  By November it will be built.

 

Ms. Dearth reported that the new owners of the Arcade came to the port offices, thanking us again for the bench, and now they would like to purchase two of the steel butt containers made by the inmate crew.  She also said that the launch lot area above the ramp has been cross hatched with a no parking area, but that the public continues to park there anyway, so Max Pollin is there to move them out.  The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary inspected 14 boats this week on port property.  WindFest 2011 is coming up the first weekend in August.  She reminded the commission that Ray Bucheger of Federal Relations will be here in the port office on August 22nd.  The South Coast Ports Meeting will be held in Coos Bay at 11am on the 29th of July.

 

There being no further business President Miller adjourned the meeting at 6:32pm.

 

Submitted by:

 

Trudy Spanier