Port board continues comp plan review

DAYTON — The Port of Columbia Commissioners held their regular meeting at 5 p.m. on July 7, 2026, at the port’s conference room. Present were Commissioners Mike Spring and Scott Hudson, Executive Director Jennie Dickinson, and Economic Development Coordinator Shane Laib. Commissioner Johnny Watts did not attend.

The commissioners completed the agenda administrative items without debate.

Dickinson said the conference room remodel would not begin until August 2026.

She also said the sale of the Lyon’s Ferry Marina and Campground had still not closed but expects a deal with the prospective buyer to be completed soon. Dickinson said she worked the cash register at the Lyon’s Ferry gift shop on the Fourth of July to help after the manager had quit unexpectedly two days earlier. She said most people she saw while working at the till were tourists. The planned pull-through sites in the RV park are still in the cultural resource review stage.

At Blue Mountain Station, a call for bids for the Mainstem Malt project should be issued the week of September 10, 2026, if financing proceeds as planned. The director would like to present bid proposals at the October 14, 2026, board meeting. Foodstock will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at BMS.

The CWW Railroad lease negotiations continue, but the draft should be available in August. Much of the delay stems from discussions on a tourism element. The lease is expected to be for a term of ten years.

Under Community and Economic Development, Shane Laib presented data showing how the port has assisted local businesses over the past year.

A discussion followed on unnamed business projects in Columbia County. The projects were not identified, and no specific information was offered.

Beginning in May 2026, the commissioners began reviewing sections of the Port’s comprehensive plan. This month, the review covered the real estate and transportation sections.

The meeting adjourned for an executive session. The agenda stated that the session was to consider pricing for the sale or lease of port property. Any following action to sell or lease public property would be taken in a meeting open to the public.