Spring sworn in as port commissioner

DAYTON — The Port of Columbia Commissioners held its regular meeting at 5 p.m. on January 10, 2024, at the port office. Commissioners present were Seth Bryan, Johnny Watts, Mike Spring, and the Executive Director, Jennie Dickinson.

The meeting began with Dickinson swearing in Mike Spring as Columbia County Port Commissioner # 2.

In the public comment period, Jerry Kaiser asked the port commissioners not to sell the port-held railroad property until the federal government decided on the removal of the Lower Snake River dams. He said removing the dams would affect the value of the railroad.

Bryan responded, saying he had recently read that dam removals had been put off indefinitely. He said they cannot be legally removed until the dams’ services, including transportation, electricity, and irrigation, are replaced.

Kaiser said he had read an article the day before that reported the Biden administration planned to move forward with funding. Bryan interjected that they couldn’t legally do that, so it is not going to happen.

Kaiser continued that the federal government granted over 300 million for rail improvement for grain trains in Southeast Washington. He felt they wouldn’t have earmarked that money if the government was not planning on removing the dams.

Dave Harvey, commenting on Zoom, supported Kaiser’s comments, saying there was a path for the government and it doesn’t need Congress approval. He cautioned not to say it won’t ever happen as that could be very short-sighted.

The Seattle Times published a comprehensive report on the recent agreement between the Biden Administration, Nez Perce, and other litigants which put a stay on the years-long litigation. According to The Seattle Times article, “There is risk for both sides in the agreement. Just as the plaintiffs get no guarantee of dam removal, the plaintiffs retain their ability to go back to court at any time.”

The full article is available at http://tinyurl.com/yck26bsy.

The commissioners elected Spring as secretary and approved the December minutes.

Reviewing year-end vouchers, Dickenson said some reimbursements were moved into the 2024 budget to ensure funds were at year-end. Dickenson said they were close to paying off the sewer project at Blue Mountain station. She said they ended the year in good shape.

The annual policy review by the commissioners included minor changes to personnel policy, including whether Spring could participate in the ports’ health plan. He asked to be on the plan as a bridge policy until June. Dickenson said it was allowed but at the commissioner’s expense.

The policy was modified to include late fees to the Blue Mountain Station commercial kitchen rental agreements.

The commissioners accepted the policy changes and renewed the existing policies.

The annual delegation of authority to the port executive director was approved unopposed.

Dickinson said the port has a position on the Dayton Downtown Task Force, and Spring has expressed interest in being the port’s representative. Watts wanted to ensure Spring represented the port and not his business. Spring said he would be there as the port rep.

When giving the asset reports, the director said the Columbia Conservation District confirmed its intention to lease the garden area of Blue Mountain Station and is continuing discussions with Dickenson about expanding the lease.

Dickinson said she had just received the Craft Malt Feasibility Study in her inbox and did not have time to review it before the meeting. She said she was disappointed to hear from the potential malt operator that he was exploring other locations besides Blue Mountain Station. Dickenson plans on learning more in further discussions with the operator.

While reporting on the CWW Rail Line, Dickinson said the appraisal process is still underway. She said it would take a couple of months as the appraiser is still collecting information.

Dickeson said the Dayton Broadband Project was complete except for some paperwork and reimbursements. Because there have been more customers than expected, the port ran out of “drops,” which are the cables that are used to connect customers to the street connections. More are on order, so further installations are delayed.

As initially anticipated, due to change orders and uncooperative weather, the Touchet Valley Broadband project will not be complete on January 31, 2024. Dickinson did not announce a revised expected completion date.

The director said she has been working with the school on the levy effort in community economic development.

The last agenda item included a discussion between the commissioners, staff, and the public on housing and workforce development. Comments included the change in employment needs in the county, the potential to rehab vacant and fire-damaged houses, and the need for the community to pull together to find solutions.

The commissioners spoke about partnerships with groups, including Habitat for Humanity. One idea was to encourage a community group of investors to buy the abandoned properties to fix them. It was agreed that the problem needs a multifaceted solution.

In the last public comment, Kaiser asked if the appraiser for the rail way will take into consideration the affect of dam removals. He also brought up his experience at Habitat for Hunanity TriCities, saying that they are looking for projects to develop and to buy. He asked if they had been contacted. Watts said thats a good way to network. Dickinson said there had been a Habitat for Humanity project in Dayton but it was not popular after the home fell into disrepair. She said that was a long time ago and should be revisited.

The meeting was adjourned by the chair.