Columbia Port regular meeting update

DAYTON – The Port of Columbia Commissioners held their regular meeting on October 12, 2022, at the Port of Columbia conference room and on Zoom. Present for the meeting were Commissioners Genie Crowe, Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, and the Executive Director, Jennie Dickinson. Members of the public attended using Zoom and in person.

The meeting focused on budget discussions, as the board must complete and approve next year’s budget by the end of November.

Bryan objected to taking the legally allowed one percent increase to the Port’s tax levy limit, saying the Port should do more with less money. The tax increase to the levy limit would add an estimated $4,631 to the port budget. The one-percent property tax levy limit protects the taxpayers by limiting the increase each year and allows taxing districts to increase revenue as costs to run business increase. The description of how the tax levy limit works can be reviewed at https://tinyurl.com/3k9jmadr.

Crowe asked Bryan if he would be willing to forgo being paid, to which Bryan replied, “Absolutely.” Bryan agreeing to forgo pay would save the Port $1800 annually. Watts also said he would forego pay “If that’s what it took.” This was only a discussion and not an action on the budget.

The Port is contractually obligated to pay for work to complete the trail design, and $20,000 from grants remain designated explicitly for that contract. Bryan said he did not want to authorize paying the remaining $20,000 to finish the trail design.

Dickinson talked about Community Support in the budget and the Port’s contract to provide workforce development funds to The Club. Bryan said he believes the money should be given to Dayton’s American Legion Post rather than the Club.

Dickinson countered that the money paid to the Club was a contractual agreement for the Club to provide workforce development.

Last year, The Club used the money to train three high school students as employees. According to Dickenson, The Club submits yearly reports on activities before they receive the money. She said this year’s report was excellent.

Bryan said the “American Legion works with veterans, finding them jobs, giving them employment, and things like that as well. So, they are also a valuable asset as far as our workforce goes.”

Bryan did not specify any programs American Legion Post 42 offer toward workforce development. The Commander of the local American Legion Post, Chuck Amerein, was present at the meeting but did not add a comment.

Bryan continued to articulate his opposition to The Club because it provided “daycare” and “after-school programs” for children and did not view it as valuable an asset as the Legion.

Dickinson said she would need to check the legality of redirecting the funds with the Port attorney. She said the American Legion has never requested funds from the Port to support workforce development in the county.

After the meeting, The Times asked Dickenson how the Port chose The Club as the recipient for funds. She replied via email, “Ports have specific RCWs that allow economic development, tourism and recreation spending. Workforce development is a narrower definition, but the State Auditor allows the agreement with The Club because it fits the definition. The Club was listed in our economic development plan as a community priority, and we require reports on activities from them each year. It is not handed to the Club randomly. They must perform a service first.

Bryan expressed opposition to the proposal of building a stage for performers at the Blue Mountain Station to support community events. He said he didn’t want to approve the proposal, “when we don’t even know what the direction of that property is going to be.”

He said it would be premature to spend money on the stage or better signage for Blue Mountain Station when the commissioners were about to redo the Comprehensive Plan. This indicates Bryan’s possible intention to change the current use and tenants at Blue Mountain Station.

Bryan also opposed any cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for port employees. An inflation offset of 3 to 5% has been proposed. Crowe objected to eliminating the cost-of-living adjustment, saying inflation was high. Bryan reiterated his offer to forgo his commissioner’s salary, saying he’ll be taking a loss.

“I think we can all make a little bit of a sacrifice here.” (Bryan reported to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission his sole individual source of income is from Social Security Disability, for which he will receive an 8.7 % cost-of-living adjustment next year.)

Should the board not include a COLA for the port employees, Dickinson expressed concern about her staff and fears losing good people.

Dickinson reminded the Commissioners that the budget must be approved by November, and a public hearing on the budget is also required by state law before it can be approved by the Commissioners.

Dickinson announced a new tenant at Blue Mountain Station; North Home Bees will replace Bee Local Honey (Humble Honey). The new honey producer will occupy the same suite as Humble Honey moves out.

The Commissioners voted to accept an Requet for Proposal (RFP) to contract for a consultant to assist with developing the Comprehensive Plan.

Bryan reminded Dickinson to speak to the appraiser to try and negotiate a better price for the appraisal of the Port’s railroad right-of-way. The last price quoted to the Port was for a fee of $12,000 for the appraisal, which would allow the Port to sell the right-of-way. Dickinson said she had not had time to do this yet.

Dickinson provided an update on the progress of the broadband project, and her report indicated the project is on track.

Table Rock Meats proposed buying two Port lots on Cameron Street between Columbia County Transportation and TEMA. These two lots combined total about two acres. The facility Table Rock Meats proposes to build would be a complete USDA-certified meat processing plant for local cattle farmers.

The facility may process beef, sheep, goats, and pigs. Once the facility is in operation, they plan to process game at the Main Street location since game processing cannot be mixed with farm-raised cattle. The Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the sale of the two lots, which now allows for a public hearing which will allow the sale to be finalized. The date for the public hearing has not been announced.

An executive session was scheduled on the agenda; the Commissioners decided to conduct their executive session on October 26, 2022.

The Commissioners discussed the placement of the flag. Bryan moved that the Pledge of Allegiance be recited by those present before each meeting. This resolution was seconded by Watts and approved by a vote of two to one.