Port 1 repairs water leak, OK's street deal

Commissioners heard from Port Manager Jackie Lea on a variety of issues and discussed a possible agreement with the Town of Cathlamet regarding the vacation of Beal Street at May’s Port 1 meeting last Thursday.

Lea reported that the port had signed a contract with Maul, Foster & Alongi for their dredging project which should be completed by the end of February 2017.

She shared that after a couple exorbitant water bills, staff had finally located the leak and had contacted a plumber to address the problem. Staff have been busy painting and staining, and contractor James Trott had nearly completed the project to relocate the RV dump.

“It looks really good,” Commissioner Larry Bonds said of the new RV dump. “I think it’s going to work out really well.”

Counsel Tim Hanigan updated the commissioners on the possible vacation of Beal Street by the Town of Cathlamet.

“They are willing to vacate the street that is basically in front of the brewery in exchange for a license to the lot directly across from town hall,” Hanigan said. “What it does is allow us to build closer to the line if we decide to build up there. In the grand scheme of things I think it’s a good agreement for the two parties.”

The commissioners gave Lea the authority to sign the agreement with the Town of Cathlamet if the town agrees to begin the vacation process.

In other news, a local resident had approached Lea about purchasing rip rap from the Port’s rock pit and commissioners were open to the idea.

“I guess the thing to do is find out what its worth and if he wants to buy, then that’s fine,” Bonds said.

Lea has been looking into how much it would cost to design and replace fingers on Docks C and D.

“I would like to keep the existing run and just replace the fingers if we can,” Lea said. “I want the fingers longer and probably a different angle. Hopefully by next meeting I’ll have some numbers.”

The next Port 1 meeting is scheduled for June 11 at 5 p.m.