Port of Ridgefield

Regular Meeting Minutes

June 30, 2017

Present:Joe MelroyBruce WisemanScott Hughes

Brent GreningJeanette LudkaClyde Burkle

Nelson HolmbergSean Philbrook

1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE:

At 3:00pm Chair Bruce Wiseman called the Port of Ridgefield Commission meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

2.REPORTS AND BUSINESS:

Innovation

Dark Fiber Optics Project

Brent announced an opportunity that came up Wednesday night, after the 6/28/17 Port meeting. The City of LaCenter is about to open up a 2 mile trench from LaCenter to the I-5 Junction. That leg happens to be on one leg of the dark fiber network. This would be a great opportunity if we could put conduit in that trench for our dark fiber network. Jeff Sarvis, Public Works Director of the City of LaCenter, called to see if we would be interested. Nelson received an email from Jeff with a pricing sheet attached. The Port has tried to put a plan together showing how this would impact LaCenter schools and emergency services.

The legislature is working on the budget only and our bills expanding powers of ports in developing fiber optics is not moving this year. However, Nelson met with Bill Eling, the ports’ attorney and received some good advice on how to proceed.

The cost for 2 miles of conduit would be $114,440.24 plus tax of $9,613.00 for a total of $124,053.22, this would also include 10 pole boxes and splice and maintenance opportunities. In checking with Joe Poire he thought it might be a little high, however we are not paying labor or interest on a bond. The City of LaCenter sent a utility reimbursement agreement however the port would prefer a contract so the port is working on that. Laurie has looked up the RCW for these powers which are in

RCW 53.57.050 and Bill Eling has comfort from this. Bill is drafting the contract and Nelson will meet with Bill. The City of LaCenter meets on July 12th, 2017 and the ground opens on July 17th. The interlocal with Port of Whitman will hopefully be completed by the 12th of July.

Discussion of cost and long-term goals. Nelson noted that this is a good way to solve the gap in the network. We have budget authority for 2017 and Brent said that we have had no specific project to invest in until now. First project is critical and must be done right. Brent asked for the Commission to authorize the project contingent on Bill Eling’s OK. Scott moved to authorize an agreement with City of LaCenter based on their estimate plus 10% contingency. Joe seconded the motion and the motion was passed.

Corwin Trail Update

Corwin is scheduled to come to the Commission meeting of July 12th to give an update to the potential trail on Port property. Corwin has paid for the services of Ecological Land Services to produce a map with a trail overlay which has the land owners listed. Corwin is interested in building that trail.

The Port is spending about $4,500.00 per year for maintenance of this property, which is not much but shows that we do not have much to spend out there. The stormwater area retention pond is on our property. We pay city of Ridgefield stormwater fees. We take more City water than the City takes Port water. Brent stated that he believes we are paying twice to maintain stormwater. A simple fix is to gift this property to the City for maintenance. All these companies in the industrial park pay the City to maintain stormwater and the Port maintains it and gets no money from the City. The City says that the trail is not part of their regional transportation system and have concerns about access; dogs, people camping, police and fire response. The Port must do its’ due diligence before we provide access to Corwin and we are not going to have those answers before the 12th. Bruce stated that the last letter we received from Corwin on the subject was in November and the Port was not in the loop until now. We will put this decision off for a month.

3. PUBLIC COMMENT:

Clyde Burkle commented that after sitting through the meeting and seeing all the good things that the Port is trying to do like fiber optics he is amazed at all the roadblocks that are thrown up in the way. He thinks this is a great use of Port money. Brent commented that it is a tortured path to get things done and that is why rules need to be modernized.

4.ADJOURNMENT:

The regular meeting adjourned at 3:50pm with no further comments or business. The next regular Commission meeting is scheduled forWednesday,July 12, 2017at 3:00pm. The meeting will be held at the Port of Ridgefield offices in the downstairs conference room located at 111 West Division Street in Ridgefield.

______

R. Bruce WisemanD. Joe Melroy

______

Scott Hughes

Respectfully submitted by

Jeanette Ludka

6/30/2017 MinutesPage 1