Port 1 board discusses maintenance, redistricting

On Thursday, the Wahkiakum County Port 1 Board of Commissioners opened their meeting with a budget and rate hearing. There were no comments, so the hearing was closed and they moved on to other matters.

A 25 foot sailboat was left at the Elochoman Slough Marina earlier this year, and a letter was sent to the presumed owner in June regarding removal or payment for moorage. Because the individual failed to make arrangements, the commissioners approved a resolution authorizing the sale of the abandoned vessel.

The commissioners also spoke briefly about redistricting, which will reset boundary lines for commissioners districts, a process that is done every 10 years following a census.

There is a need for an adjustment to make the districts more even in numbers, Counsel Tim Hanigan said, advising that they complete the process before the end of the year.

After a query about at-large positions, Hanigan said that the port’s other option would be to make all three positions at-large, but to do so would require a vote of the people.

The commissioners were pleased with the recent treatment for milfoil.

“It looks like a marina again,” Commissioner Scott Anderson said.

Staff are making improvements and preparing for the rainy season at the port. They are working on the yurts, cabins, and office, and sealing the new A-frame cabins, which have been getting a lot of positive feedback. Fuel lines will be repaired during the last week of October. Solar lights have been installed on several docks. They recently found rot and damage to the end of Dock C, and are looking for ways to address the issue.

After continuing problems with the sewer system at the port, including a recent break in the line, Maintenance Manager Todd Souvenir has been researching the matter.

There are several variables that center around questions about permitting, but in the meantime, commissioners agreed with their colleague, Anderson, when he said, “Get it fixed right.”

During commissioner’s comments, Commissioner Brett Deaton reported what he knew about rates at other marinas in the region.

It currently costs $3.75 per foot for monthly moorage at the Elochoman Slough Marina, and there was talk of raising it to $4.

“That’s cheap,” Deaton said, adding that it was $12 a foot at Port Astoria, and $10.75 at Ilwaco.

“With everything else increasing, the port’s got to cover,” he said. “I feel the pain. I keep a boat down here.”

“It’s still the cheapest on the river,” Deaton added.