Port 1 votes to raise variety of launch fees

Commissioners of Wahkiakum Port District No. 1 heard reports on marina operations and took public comment on their proposed 2011 budget before adopting it on November 11.

Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce board members Richard Erickson and Sandi Benbrook-Rieder attended the budget hearing portion of the meeting to advocate for the port to establish a funding contract with the chamber in place of the relationship it had formerly held with the Lower Columbia Economic Development Council (EDC).

In 2010, the port contributed $2,500 to the EDC. As of November 10, the executive boards of the EDC and chamber voted to merge, said Erickson, and the EDC will close as of January 1. A story with further information about the merger occurs elsewhere in this issue.

As background to his request, Erickson explained that the two groups had formerly received funding from Bradwood Landing, a project of NorthernStar Natural Gas, a Texas company that planned to site a liquefied natural gas terminal at a former industrial site across the Columbia River from Puget Island. NorthernStar announced it was suspending work on the project in May, 2010, and since then, the Wahkiakum Community Foundation, which also received funding from Bradwood Landing, has basically closed it doors.

The chamber plans to move its office from the Scarborough Building in downtown Cathlamet to the Julia Butler Hansen House at the other end of Main Street, a building owned by the foundation. Moving to the new office will keep the Hansen House open to the public, said Erickson.

The county will continue to fund the chamber from out of the “.09 fund,” which comes from lodging taxes. Erickson explained that to some degree the chamber is self funding since successful promotion of tourism will generate lodging taxes that will fund the chamber. Wahkiakum County used to fund the EDC and the chamber from the general fund, said Erickson.

Erickson passed out a table of revenue by weekend to show that chamber events increase revenue for the port. Erickson clarified that the figures on his sheet came from Port Manager Jackie Lea, who had averaged weekend revenues from July through September and found that for 2009, the average weekend revenue was $1825.28.

Bald Eagle Day weekend revenues were more than $10,000 above that figure, while the Cathlamet Downhill Corral longboard races and the Labor Day weekend chili cook off were also above the average. For 2010, the average weekend revenue between July 2 and September 26 was $1206.53, while the port brought in $13,107 for Bald Eagle Day weekend and a total of $22,331.89 above average revenues for the specified time period if Bald Eagle Day, the longboard racing weekend, and the chili cook off were combined.

Commissioners Brett Deaton and Larry Bonds stated they disagreed with the assertion that chamber-sponsored events were solely responsible for increased revenue for the port on holiday weekends, but the commissioners unanimously approved a 2011 budget that includes $2500 to be sent to the Chamber of Commerce.

Lea reported that revenue exceeded expenditures for October by $17,985.70. She attributed the income to robust rentals and fuel sales and almost $15,000 in property tax payments. The marina’s rental cabins have been full from elk hunters, said Lea.

Lea suggested the port purchase a cell phone for customers to contact the volunteer park hosts about cabin and fuel requests while the marina office is not open. The park hosts are currently expected to make their personal cell phones available for customer calls. The commissioners approved the proposal.

The hot water heater for the shower has been replaced, reported Lea.

The commissioners reviewed bids from three contractors for adding a new section to “F” Dock. They decided to request more information from one of the bidders, who submitted a bid at a substantially lower cost than the other two.

The commissioners discussed charging different rates for local versus out of area customers on the 2011 rate schedule.

“Give Wahkiakum County residents a little break - we need it with all the taxes around here,” argued Commissioner Gary Quigley.

Deaton said he couldn’t see raising the rates for local boaters this year.

After discussing the matter with Port Attorney Tim Hanigan in executive session, the board voted to establish an additional $5 per month flat fee to be levied on out of county residents mooring their boats at the marina on a long-term basis.

The board also added a $25 fee for people to be on the waiting list for permanent moorage.

People using the marina to launch their boats during commercial fishing seasons will have the option to purchase a $150 commercial permit valid only during the season.

The board passed resolution number 2010-08, authorizing the 2011 rate schedule, and 2010-09, authorizing a 2011 tax increase for the district. The property tax levy will have a standard increase of one percent and is in addition to any amount resulting from the addition of new construction or improvements and increases in assessed property values.

The board will reconvene on November 22 at four p.m. to review “F” Dock bids and to meet in executive session for personnel review.