Event, traffic boosts Port 1 revenue

Commissioners of Wahkiakum Port District 1 heard reports on Labor Day weekend business at their meeting September 9.

“This has been a very busy month and you can see that reflected in our revenue,” said Port Manager Jackie Lea. Lea remarked on the number of campers over the holiday weekend and said the Chamber of Commerce chili cook-off had many attendees despite plans to cancel the event in the days leading up to it.

A budget workshop had originally been scheduled for the meeting, but Commissioner Brett Deaton was unable to attend and requested to postpone the workshop until the October meeting.

Commissioners Larry Bonds and Gary Quigley reviewed the proposed budget adoption timeline with Lea and Port Attorney Tim Hanigan to ensure that the budget would be filed with the courthouse by December 5 as required.

Bonds questioned Lea on the permits required to treat invasive aquatic milfoil with herbicide. Lea explained the permit is issued by the state Department of Ecology. Assistant Manager Abe York added that marina employees are exploring the process required to become licensed herbicide applicators.

“We’re just going to have to look into grant money and see what it takes to get certified,” said Lea.

Quigley reflected that if left untreated, the milfoil will clog boat intakes, leading boaters to discontinue using the marina. He said that some boat launches require boaters to spray off their trailers before leaving the area and people can get ticketed for leaving weeds on their trailer. Lea explained that boaters are currently allowed to use marina facilities to rinse off their trailers.

The commissioners reviewed a request to update the boaters’ guide display at the foot of the stairs leading up to the marina office for a fee of $2150, but decided against it since there have been very few changes to the geographic information on the display.

Lea informed the commissioners that the marina needs a new washer and dryer and presented them with a list of prices. Right now the dryer doesn’t work and the washer is rented, said Lea. The commissioners decided against purchasing machines with coin operated equipment due to the expense and necessity of regular repairs. Instead, the machines will be available to registered campers by checking out a key from the marina office.

The commissioners reviewed two bids to replace gutter fascia on the port storage unit, but decided to put out an updated bid request to clarify that the gutters must be replaced as well.

The commissioners authorized Lea to accept a letter of permission from the Army Corps of Engineers for the upcoming “F” Dock replacement project. Lea explained the letter of permission would streamline the permitting process.