Port 1 announces Jackie Lea retirement, hears restroom issue

Long time Port 1 Manager Jackie Lea retired on April 25 but plans to remain available to staff and commissioners until June 30 as they transition to new management.

“She gave a lot of time to this place,” Commissioner Scott Anderson said. “She will be missed.”

“We thank her for her many years of service,” Counsel Tim Hanigan said, “and wish her the best in her retirement.”

Maintenance Manager Todd Souvenir will step in as interim manager as the port begins its search for Lea’s replacement.

Cathlamet resident Laurel Waller spoke to the commissioners about County Line Park, describing it as unwelcoming, adding that she found the portable toilets covered in excrement during her last visit.

“I’m not sure why you can’t use bathrooms,” she said. “It would be fun to walk around, but by that time, you feel like you don’t belong.”

“I think we all agree that there is stuff that needs to get done,” Commissioner Art Hedman said. “We’ve been working on trying to get the sidewalks repaired, and the plumbing and water system all need major work.”

Souvenir said that the port had been working with the county to try to come up with a solution for the water issue.

“We can’t utilize the bathrooms until that is fixed one way or the other,” Commissioner Scott Anderson said. “It will either revert to the state or back to the county commissioners. Honestly for the return on investment it would take 20 years to get our money back and basically the port is a business.”

The Cathlamet Yacht Club petitioned for compensation after a recent leak caused damage to signs in their storage unit at the port.

Counsel Tim Hanigan pointed to the rental agreement, which includes a clause advising renters insurance to cover such situations. He recommended that the commissioners follow the rental agreement and deny the request.

Anderson suggested that the port send a notice to all renters reminding them of the policy.

The commissioners approved an interlocal agreement of mutual aid between the port and the Town of Cathlamet that will allow the two entities to share resources, including personnel, equipment, technical expertise in daily operations and emergencies.

Commissioners talked about a fire lane for the new brewery building and where they might move RV sites, as well as what to do with an old building that sits near the coming brewery that was once used to add chlorine to water as it entered the Columbia while the former town treatment facility was in use.

No one had any objection to the building being removed.

Souvenir reported tht a Department of Ecology inspection went smoothly, and that staff had started up the port’s dredge and that it was running fine, if in need of a few upgrades. He also said that a sewer line project would likely begin in early June.

The commission closed the meeting for an executive session to discuss property acquisition.