The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON-On Nov. 9, Port of Columbia commissioners, Port Manager Jennie Dickinson, and Rodney Huffman with the Walla Walla District US Army Corps of Engineers met to discuss renewal of the Port's lease with the Corps on the Lyons Ferry facility.

"We have reviewed the document. It is pretty standard, with some attachments: maps showing the facility, the Port's development plan for 25 years, an inventory and condition report, and an environmental assessment that was done," said Dickinson.

Dickinson asked for an assurance from Huffman that the lease does not supersede the seasonal camping program at Lyons Ferry, and she asked to revisit the inventory and condition report regarding the condition of the breakwater and crib walls at the marina, which she said were in "fair" condition, rather than "good" condition.

Dickinson also asked how the Port's facilities plan would mesh with the USACE Lower Monumental Master Plan, which is currently being developed and will be ready in 2017.

"As long as it complies with the Master Plan, there is no problem," Huffman answered. "We would look at it site specifically."

At Dickinson's recommendation, and after considerable discussion, all the parties came to the table to renew the lease for an additional 25 years.

Dan Heath, also with the Corps' Walla Walla District, told Port officials about some issues the Corps is having as a result of the Lyons Ferry Road realignment project. Heath said there were some minor issues pertaining to degradation of the soil that requires revegetation, and he said there is an oil spill that requires cleaning.

Heath said there had been no movement from the county on signs at the marina.

"We were looking for a larger sign, to identify more amenities," Heath said, pointing out there was no eating, store, fuel, or lodging indicators on the signage.

In his report to the commissioners, the Port's economic development manager Brad McMasters talked about partnering with Walla Walla Community College to bring extended learning courses to Columbia County.

Two classes are being offered at Blue Mountain Station, including a class on pruning fruit trees on Nov. 12, and a chopping, mincing and general knife skills class on Dec. 13.

McMasters said that he is obligated by a USDA rural business enterprise grant to offer business courses, and WWCC will push the classes through their program.

"They will market, advertise, and run payments through their system," he said. "I am looking forward to that relationship."

Paul Didelius with Frontier Rail, LLC, is in talks with the Washington Dept. of Transportation about replacing one of the eight railroad bridges with a culvert, Dickinson said.

Dickinson plans to turn management of the right of way over to Frontier Rail, LLC next week, she said.

Dicksinson said that Didelius has a new rail shipper who will potentially begin shipping in Columbia County, soon.

"The shipper will have as many cars a year as Seneca used to ship with asparagus; three hundred cars a year," Dickinson said.

During their meeting, Port commissioners approved Resolution 2016-01, an increase in the regular property tax to be collected in the 2017 tax year. The dollar amount of the increase from 2016 will be $3,661.00, which is a 1% increase from 2016.

Dickinson told the commissioners that the budget for 2017 was very nearly identical to last year's budget, and after some discussion the commissioners approved the 2017 budget.

The commissioners also approved a request from Columbia REA to allow the addition of fiber to an existing overhead wire line crossing. The line crosses from the REA substation to the Northwest Grain Growers facility, which is close to Seneca Foods, Inc., Dickinson said.

The commissioners also approved removing former Port auditor Cathy Shochet from the Port's bank signing accounts, and adding the new Port auditor, Angela Smith, to the accounts.

There were no major findings from an independent accountability audit of the Port from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2015, according to Dickinson. "We seem to be doing okay," she said.