Port 2 OK's budget, discusses contract

Commissioners of Port District No. 2 took care of house keeping measures and discussed a variety of issues when they met October 18.

The commissioner passed resolutions formally adopting the 2012 budget and increasing tax the 1 percent allowed by law without voter approval. The levy will be approximately $60,000 said Manager Bob Robinson.

Commissioners agreed with Robinson that they want to change terms in a proposed agreement with the association of up river ports that handles dreding of the Columbia. The port has allowed access to the river and offered a site for dredge spoils, which become a beach for Skamokawa Vista Park. The port also sells sand to contractors, paying a royalty to the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

Robinson suggested the contract be changed form the terms proposed by the upriver ports, who wanted a 20-year contract for $30,000. The contract, he said, had no guarantees that the ports would provide sand for the beach.

"I think we should five-year increments with options to renew," he said.

The port should also consider charging the dredging crew a user fee during years the beach gets no sand. The dredge crew parks on park land and stores equipment which is ferried to the dredging sites, and this precludes park patrons from using the area, Robinson said.

"Twenty years limits our ability to do anything with the land," he said.

Port Attorney Jennifer Hanigan said she would contact the upriver ports' attorney to express the concerns for the new contract.

The commission also discussed what to do about updating its comprehensive plan. The commission is looking for an inexpensive source of planning assistance.

Commissioners also discussed formation of a plannign advisory committee with members representing different areas and interest groups such as recreation and business development.

"We want to come up with some ways to generate money," Robionson added.