Port receives CERB funding for grain cluster project

DAYTON — The Port of Columbia Commissioners held their regular meeting at 5 p.m. on June 12, 2024, at the Lyon’s Ferry Marina. Commissioners Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and Executive Director Jennie Dickinson were present. Watts arrived near the end of the meeting, saying he stopped to assist at a vehicle accident scene.

There was no public comment during the first opportunity to do so.

In the budget report, Dickinson said it was a low-expense month. Nothing unusual, she commented on the progress of the lighting project.

Dickinson said there was one lease signed this month. Southeast Washington Alliance for Health signed a two-year lease for space in the Co-Work building. Spring asked about occupancy, and Dickinson said they were full and overflowing. She said they are looking for money to build another building.

Dickenson said that the Comprehensive Parks Master Plan (CPMP) was first put together by the port in 2014. It is required by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) and must be updated every five years. She said there were no significant changes and would add the required public hearing for the revised plan to the meeting’s agenda.

Rock Hill Industrial Park

Dickinson said the lighting upgrade project and an HVAC issue at one of the units were the only items to report. Spring asked if there was a service contract for the HVAC systems at the facility. He thought it would prove cost-effective should there be a significant repair.

Dickinson said she would look at the issue again.

Lyons Ferry and Marina

Dickinson said she is working on the RCO grant and is still unsure if the port is eligible. She believes that since RV site revenue helps maintain public water access, the RCO would consider the port project eligible. She said she was revamping the application for August and had already put in 100 hours to put the application together.

Dickinson said the Lyon’s Ferry Marina concessionaires Wally and Joanne Knouf are retiring and have found buyers for the business. The Knoufs have operated the concession since November 2020.

The buyers, Tim and Susan Dewald, joined the Knouf’s management team on May 1. The Knoufs plan on turning over the concession by the end of summer and will stay on as needed to complete current projects and help with the RCO grant should it be awarded.

The Dewalds are long-time users of the facilities at the park and marina. He said they have a solid relationship with the Knoufs and appreciate the amount of support they will have as they take over the business.

Bryan said entrepreneurs always have their “own vision” and asked if the Dewalds had any changes planned.

Tim said they don’t plan on changing much to the Knoufs’ operations. He said they are considering some treehouse cabins and want to complete the pull-through spaces to keep KOA onboard. He said he wants to keep the experience the same, which he said would be a lot.

Blue Mountain Station

Dickinson said the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) awarded the port with a $% million grant and loan package for the craft malt facility at Blue Mountain Station. The port signed the initial offer of financial aid. Dickinson was impressed with how fast CERB moved.

Dickinson said the port has received many accolades. “Wheatlife” magazine published an article about the grain cluster project in the June 2024 issue. The commissioners received copies of the magazine in their packets; the article is available at https://wheatlife.org/a-germ-of-an-idea/.

CCW Railroad

Dickenson said the appraiser hired for the railroad property could not complete the job due to health issues. She is negotiating with a firm recommended by the City of Tacoma and expects a proposal soon. Dickinson said the new firm offers more services and has a team to ensure completion of the work. She hopes the assessment will be completed by the end of the year.

Spring said he received complaints about the railroad cars parked near Prescott and by the grain elevator in Huntsville. He said about four citizens asked about the autoracks parked near Prescott. He had at least two Huntsville residents expressed concerns about the cars stored on rails by their properties. The main concern is the graffiti covering the cars, which may include gang graffiti.

Spring asked why the port would allow graffiti on the rail line when gang-related graffiti is not allowed in town

Bryan said he opposed restricting the operator’s use of the railroad or reducing their ability to make revenue.

Spring said it was not unexpected for someone to complain when railroad cars with 13th Street gang graffiti are parked next to their backyard. Bryan said it wasn’t in their backyards but on the railroad right-of-way.

“You made that statement, but then you make the statement that you wouldn’t want a trail because it is next to their backyard,” said Spring. “It’s the same difference; you can’t say one thing on one side and another on the other.”

Bryan said he vehemently disagreed with restricting the operator’s ability to make revenue.

Dickinson said she would investigate the graffiti issue, review the lease, and go and look at the cars. She said she would ask the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office to investigate.

Dickinson said that for all practical purposes, the Dayton Community Broadband project is completed. The Touchet Valley Broadband is nearing completion, with fiber strung across the newly completed Rose Gulch Bridge. There was nothing new to report on the possible Rural Broadband Planning funding.

In other community economic development, Dickinson said the next Visit Walla Walla meeting would be at American 35 in Waitsburg. The group is working on branding and tourism issues for the entire valley.

Dickinson met with the owner of a new privately owned recreation facility in Columbia County called Jasper Mountain Reserve. She said the owner has developed a trail system over the last ten years. The reserve offers day or annual passes. More information can be found at http://www.Jaspermountainreserve.org. Dickinson said it would be a big draw to tourists and residents.

Spring gave an update on the Dayton Development Task Force. He said they discussed ways to get travelers to stop in Dayton. He referred to past marketing efforts, including Discover Dayton and Expect the Unexpected. He said the port should join with the county, city, and Starbuck to think about a theme and catchphrase.

The task force also discussed downtown development using B&O tax. He said there are opportunities to bring some tax back to the community. Other topics were pedestrian safety in Dayton and extending sidewalks to Blue Mountain Station.

Bryan attended the Washington Public Ports Association’s Spring meeting. A presentation at the meeting focused on energy concerns in Washington State. Concerns included the state’s not producing enough energy. Bryan was concerned with the loss of power from the reduction of coal and natural gas production and the possible removal of the Snake River Dams. He felt there was no effort to replace that energy.

He said the state’s green energy solutions were the least reliable and least efficient sources. Bryan said he thought there should be more natural gas production and the development of “smart electricity.”

Dickinson asked if nuclear power had been discussed. He said that they spoke about the use of

The meeting adjourned at 6:17 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. on July 9, 2024, at the port office and on Zoom.