Port 2 hears phone, office proposals

Meeting for the first time in their new office, commissioners of Port District No. 2 discussed real estate and telephone service and approved a contract with a consultant for updating the district's comprehensive plan.

Skamokawa resident David Blalock said he and friends are planning to set up a Skamokawa based company to provide internet service. The goal, he said, is to provide service fast enough for people to work online as telecommuters.

Current service is inadequate because phone lines are old and overloaded, Blalock said. Satellite service is also problematic for telecommuting, he said.

Blalock asked if the port commission would support the effort, and commissioners said they would possibly become customers.

Blalock said he hoped to have some service operational in April.

The commission met in the new office of Skamokawa Vista Park, a new two level park model cabin with two small bedrooms, kitchenette, dining area, bathroom and loft.

"People have wanted to rent it," said park Manager Janet Bryan.

The port has left a small building just outside the park entrance. The building is owned by the defunct Skamokawa Park and Recreation District and lies on property that includes a basketball court.

Washkiakum County Undersheriff Steve Marshall said the sheriff's office would like to acquire the old office as a storage area. He suggested the county and port could cooperate in a deal that would cede the basketball court and park entrance road, which also lies on park and recreation district land, in return for use of a couple bays in the port's nearby garage/shop.

The proposal is just in the development stage, Marshall added, and other parties that would be involved seem favorable.

Commissioners said they were interested and would consider the proposal when Marshall had developed it fully.

In other business:

--Commissioners approved a contract with Brian Perleberg and Northern Resources Consulting for services for updating the port's comprehensive plan at a maximum expense of $6,000.

--The commissioners met in executive session to consider possible acquisition of real estate. but took no action upon reconvening in open session.