Port approves on-call engineering and design 3-year contracts

DAYTON – The Columbia Port Commissioners held their regular meeting at 5:00 PM on May 13, 2026, in the Port conference room. Commissioners Mike Spring and Scott Hudson were present in person; Johnny Watts joined via Zoom. The Executive Director, Jennie Dickinson, was also present, as was the Economic Development Coordinator, Shane Laib.

In public comment, Chuck Ketterman asked about the owner of the straw plant and their plans. Dickinson said the owner had begun splitting employees between the Pomeroy facility and the former Columbia Pulp site. She said his stated goal was to manufacture finished products, such as to-go containers, at the CP site. He plans to operate with up to 18 employees between the two facilities.

The commissioners discussed selecting an on-call consultant for architecture, engineering, and surveying. Dickinson recommended Anderson Perry for engineering and Blue Room Design from Spokane for architecture. The Commissioners approved three-year contracts for these on-call services.

The commissioners discussed extending the Conference Room, and Blue Room Design has reviewed the space and given recommendations.

Negotiations between Joanne Knouf and Corey Baker over the Marina are continuing, with Knouf still operating the Marina.

Dickinson discussed installing HVAC in Building 2 to attract new tenants. The commissioners approved using budgeted funds for HVAC.

The commissioners evaluated bids for the Starbuck Broadband contract and E911 coverage in that area. Blue Mountain Tel submitted the lowest bid. The Commissioners approved it, provided the company meets all federal requirements.

Dickinson said she got a query from a rural resident, “just down the valley,” about a request from a large utility company to install a transmission line across their property. Dickinson said neither the planning nor the public works departments knew anything about it. Dickinson contacted the company, and the utility would not respond to the purpose of the line without first speaking with her supervisor. As of the meeting, the utility company had not responded. Dickinson said it would be in the utility company’s best interest to make its plans public, or else area residents might come up with conspiracy theories, e.g., a data center.

Laib invited everyone to check out the butterfly way station at Blue Mountain Station.

He also reminded everyone that Dayton Days is Memorial Day weekend, and said everything is free, with vendors and the rodeo on Friday night. On Saturday, vendors are open, the flea market, downtown parade at 10 a.m., also an ice cream social, a special needs rodeo, and finally another rodeo (not their first rodeo).

Laib spoke at length about the purpose and function of Associate Development Organizations (ADOs), which are funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce. The Port of Columbia holds the ADO contract for Columbia County through 2027.

The commissioners reviewed the Port’s Comprehensive Plan as an overview for future detailed discussion. The current Plan is available online for review.

The meeting adjourned at about 6:47 p.m.