Commissioners Present: Benye Weber, Bruce Bryson and Ann McDonald

Others Present: Jim Patton (Executive Director), Laura Blankenship (Comprehensive Plan Editor-in-Chief), Amber O'Brien (Edwards & Associates), , Karen Hutchinson (GFMG President), Tom Baenen (GFMG Treasurer), Terry Rose (GFMG Board Member), Jan Graham (Harbor Café), Nathan Whalen (Whidbey News-Times), Justin Burnett (Coupeville Examiner) Coupeville resident: Mike Diamanti.

Call to order: The regular meeting was called to order at 10:35 am by Commissioner Weber in the Island County Commissioners Hearing Room located at #1 NE 6^th Street, Room B 102, Coupeville, WA.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING:

Weber stated that Minutes for the regular meeting of December 13, 2006 were available for approval and signatures.

McDonald said that the spelling of Barbara Kolar's last name and Annie Horton's first name needs to be corrected. Also, McDonald would like her comment under the COG committee report that the Island County Commissioners are not interested in the passenger-only ferry system at this time to be deleted because she did not mean that they were completely disinterested.

ACTION: A motion was made by McDonald and seconded by Bryson to approve the December 13, 2006 regular meeting Minutes as amended. The motion passed unanimously.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:

None

MEETING OPEN TO PUBLIC INPUT:

No public comments.

CLOSURE OF PUBLIC INPUT: Weber closed the meeting to public input and invited the public to stay for the remainder of the regular meeting.

Welcome to Justin Burnett: Patton welcomed Justin Burnett who is the new reporter for the Coupeville Examiner.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Port Executive Director's Report: (Patton)

Boating and fueling activity: Patton said that in the month of December, $4,354 in fuel was sold and $121 was collected in moorage fees. Patton said that these are normal sales for this time of year. He reported that the contents of the fuel tanks were switched so that the diesel fuel is now in the larger tank and the unleaded gas is in the smaller tank. More than twice as much diesel is sold as gas at the wharf. Although the contents of the tanks were easily switched by Skagit Farmers Supply, the Port had to drain the fuel lines from the tanks to the pumps. The GFMG took 18 gallons and the rest went to Dick Tackett, the Port handyman, and the Mussel Farm.

WSU Beach Watcher display at the Coupeville Wharf: Patton said that the new wing wall at the wharf had been completed. The Penn Cove Mussel Festival framed posters would still need to be moved. Weber said that the Port's objective was to have the wall completed and the posters re-hung in time for the Beach Watcher 101 presentation.

North Puget Sound Dragon Boat Club: Patton had the Port/North Puget Sound Dragon Boat Club agreement ready for signature. The agreement was prepared in the same format as the Port's agreement with the Beach Watchers. Patton pointed out that no one from the Dragon Boat Club was in attendance today so he offered to contact them after the meeting for their signature. The Commission had no objection to the agreement. Weber signed the agreement. The Commission instructed Patton to contact the Dragon Boat Club for their signature.

Status of bids for strengthening the Port Office basement: Patton had advertised for bidders for strengthening the Port office basement in the Whidbey News-Times and South Whidbey Record for the past two weeks. He received a phone call from a bidder from Mukilteo, WA who will look at the basement on Saturday (1/13/2007). Patton is hoping that the bids will be within the Port's budget so that he can make a recommendation to the Board at the February Port meeting. Also, Karen Hutchinson's recommended a contractor who had worked on her basement. Jim met with that contractor onsite and is hoping to receive a bid from him soon. Patton said that the bidder who submitted the 90-day bid has agreed that his bid is still the same. Patton would like to have at least three bids to choose from before a final decision is made. Patton will keep the Board informed on the issue.

Status of Greenbank Estuary Project: Patton said that he had not had a response to the Port's letter informing Eric Beamer at the SRSC that the Port planned no further action in response to his proposal. He suspected that Beamer was busy working on other projects and has not had time to respond. Also, Patton reported that the Greenbank Beach and Boat Club Board decided to send ballots to all of the members regarding the Greenbank Estuary Project. They should hear back from the members by February 8, 2007. Patton will keep the Board informed on the issue.

Port representation on the Regional Transportation Policy Organization (RTPO): Patton said that, as instructed by the Board, he telephoned Island County Commissioner Mike Shelton, who is the RTPO Chairman, to make him aware that the Port of Coupeville would like both of the Ports on Whidbey Island to have a seat on the RTPO Board. He was told that Shelton would get back to him after the holidays but has not yet responded. Patton will continue to try to connect with Shelton on the issue. Weber said that the Port of Coupeville has a hand shake agreement with the Port of South Whidbey to rotate seats on the RTPO Board every two years. She was concerned that, to her knowledge, the Port of Coupeville has not had a verbal or written report on RTPO meetings from the Port of South Whidbey. McDonald said that she has committed herself to serving on the RTPO Board if a seat becomes available and is planning to attend the future RTPO meetings in an unofficial capacity.

Possible Switch to State Bulk Fuel Contract: Patton said that it is possible for the Port of Coupeville to switch to a State Bulk Fuel Contract, which would cost less than Skagit Farmers Supply. He said that it is important that the Port be able to continue to receive fuel deliveries on a day-to-day basis. Skagit Farmers Supply has been very responsive to the Port's fuel needs at the wharf. Patton has asked for additional information from the State Department of Acquisition but has not yet heard anything. Patton will keep the Board informed on the issue.

Resolution designating SEPA Responsible Official: Patton presented a draft resolution, Number 137, which would designate the Port's Executive Director as the State Environmental Protection Act responsible official for the Port of Coupeville.

ACTION: A motion was made by Weber and seconded by Bryson to approve Patton, Executive Director for the Port of Coupeville, as the SEPA representative for the Port of Coupeville.

Patton pointed out that the resolution does not mention him by name; it says only that the Executive Director for the Port of Coupeville is designated. This was done so that changes to the resolution will not be necessary. Weber amended her earlier motion to delete Patton's name.

ACTION: A motion was made by Weber and seconded by Bryson to approve the Port's Executive Director as the SEPA representative for the Port of Coupeville. The motion passed unanimously.

Resolution #137 was approved and signed.

Greenbank Farm Management Report: (Hutchinson)

Financial

• Hutchinson provided the November, 2006 GFMG financial statement, which was approved by their Board at their October, 2006 meeting. She said that the December, 2006 financial statement would not be approved until the GFMG Board meeting in January, 2006.
• A copy of the GFMG 2007 Preliminary Budget was included with the GFMG monthly report.
• Total budget is $315,000 (approx.), of which $45,000 or 14% comes from the Port, 9% comes from other kinds of support and 77% comes from programs. That means that the GFMG is contributing 85% of the operations of the Farm.

Board

• The next GFMG Board Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 18, 2007 at the Jim Davis House.
• The GFMG Board is awaiting a Port decision on providing a final Comprehensive Plan Advisory Board document.
• The GFMG has started to produce draft financial reports of expenses against the Management Services Agreement fee based on the letters exchanged between the GFMG and the Port. Hutchinson requested a meeting with Port Commissioner and liaison to the GFMG, Bruce Bryson, and Port Executive Director, Jim Patton, within the next few weeks to discuss formatting for future GFMG financial statements.

Volunteers: Hutchinson reported that volunteers had provided 71 hours of services as follows:

• Holiday Celebrations
• Holiday Tree, decorations, Santa, Elf, etc. (40 hours)
• Loganberry Patch
• Expansion, maintenance (19 hours)
• Tractor Maintenance (1 hour)
• Development (6 hours)
• Other (5 hours)

Fund Development:

• Hutchinson reported on the December Fund Development Letter and said that a comprehensive database was being prepared

Events:

• Holiday Markets finished ahead of last year - even with weather-related issues
• The holiday markets were able to continue at the Farm without power and the gravity-fed water system has been a great advantage.
• Hutchinson suggested the possibility of purchasing a generator for the main barn. There are several types of events including weddings that take place in the main Barn that rely on power.
• An extra Saturday market had been added at vendor request - December 23, 2006.

Tenants:

• A new shed to be built by the Master Gardeners had been approved by the GFMG Board and progress was being made on an agreement between the GFMG and the WSU-Master Gardeners.

Leased Facilities:

• Hutchinson requested that the Port supply the GFMG with copies of invoices that are paid for work performed at the Greenbank Farm.
• Caretaker Cottage Volunteer Day - February 24, 2007
• Hutchinson thanked the Port for the $6,000 contribution for repairing the Cottage.
• The GFMG is finalizing repairs and related costs.
• A potential caretaker has been identified and will be an employee of the GFMG
• The GFMG is s eeking estimates for removal of a berm pile with poison hemlock
• The GFMG hopes that the Barn A painting will be completed soon.
• The farm septic tanks were pumped on December 6, 2006, and water and food permits were completed for 2007.

Managed Properties:

• Fencing has suffered from age and recent storm damage
• Working on plans for replacement/reconfiguration/removal
• Repairs will be done in January, 2007
• Equipment maintenance in progress
• Seeking equipment donations - especially for a second brush hog
• Terry Rose is working on a recommendation regarding beekeeping at the Farm
• Contracts for 2007 Pea Patch plots have been completed
• Bill Stipe completed tilling for Market Garden area
• Organic certification for 2007 has been completed
• The GFMG will form a committee to review off-leash dog area issues
• Poop management
• Verbal control
• Wildlife impacts

GFMG Letter:

Terry Rose distributed a letter he had prepared to the press. Hutchinson said that the letter states that, contrary to popular opinion in the South Whidbey Paper, It was absolutely a banner year at the Greenbank Farm, it was a better year in all measurements that we have ever had. It was better in terms of the wine shop sales, market sales, attendance and festivals.

Event payments:

Weber asked what additional festivals were held at the Farm. Hutchinson said that the Quilt Show and Car show were both new in 2006 and were both very large festivals. Weber asked if the Quilt and Car show groups pay for the use of the facility. Hutchinson said that is correct. Weber asked if the GFMG received a certain amount of the net proceeds from the Car Show entry fees. Hutchinson said they received a flat fee for that event. The Car Show contract was put in place when Laura Blankenship was still the Executive Director for the Farm. Weber said, So the event was not a creative effort of the current leadership at the Farm? Hutchinson said that the event was created before the change of leadership at the Farm. However there was a tremendous amount of work done by the current leadership to finalize all of the arrangements and come up with all of the details necessary to work through the first show and set things in motion for the second show. Weber said that she could completely identify with Hutchinson for the long hours it takes as a volunteer putting a festival together and staffing it while it is going on.

Emergency generator:

McDonald asked Hutchinson to look into prices for a generator for the main barn at the Farm. Patton said that one of the costs associated with having an emergency generator at the Farm is upgrading the electrical panel so that it can accept the generator. Hutchinson should obtain an estimate for that as well. Bryson pointed out that the cost of purchasing a generator for the Farm would be part of long-term maintenance cost. Hutchinson said that the GFMG would have an electrician at the Farm during the Cottage repair process and could have him research the costs associated with having an emergency generator at the Farm.

Comprehensive Plan Editor-in-Chief's Report: Blankenship said that each of the Commissioners and the press had a public review copy of the 2007-2026 Draft Comprehensive Plan. She requested that the Board approve the draft plan so that it can be made available to the public for review and input. Patton said that the Introductory Remarks page of the Comprehensive Plan needed to be signed by the Board before public copies are made available. Weber read the Introductory Remarks page aloud.

ACTION: A motion was made by Bryson and seconded by McDonald that the Draft Comprehensive Plan be approved and made available to the public for review. The motion passed unanimously.

Briefings and public input:

Patton requested approval from the Board for him to schedule two public briefings of the draft plan. The briefings would constitute Special Meetings of the Port for that sole purpose. Response from the attendees would be invited. He recommended that the Port hold one briefing at the Coupeville Recreation Hall and one at the Greenbank Progressive Club. Patton had checked with Carolyn Mercer, who assured him that any dates during the last two weeks of January 2007 would be clear for the Progressive Club. The intention would be to have one meeting in the 4-6 PM time frame and another meeting in the 6-8 PM time frame. Patton said that the meetings should be scheduled so that all three Commissioners, Laura Blankenship and himself would be able to attend. Patton will check on location availability and then coordinate with the Board to set the dates for the public briefings. The Board approved Patton's request. The Board agreed to coordinate their schedules after today's meeting to come up with dates that they would be available for the public briefings. Patton said that the dates for the public briefings would be advertised in the newspapers. Blankenship said that copies of the plan should be available to the public by next week.

Comprehensive Plan Advisory Board Letter: Patton had prepared a letter for each of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Board members to thank them for their help throughout the Comprehensive Planning process. Weber said that the letters would be sent to each of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Board members at their home address. O'Brien read the letter aloud. A copy is attached to these Minutes. Comprehensive Plan Advisory Board members who will receive this letter are:

• Mr. Rudy Deck
• Mr. Michael Diamanti
• Mrs. Karen Hutchinson
• Mrs. Lindy Kortus
• Mrs. Jamie Laquet
• Mrs. Pat Powell
• Mrs. Emily Ramsy
• Mr. Rob Harbour

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Marine Resources Committee (MRC): (Weber)

MRC Meetings: The next meeting of the MRC will be on January 3, 2007 at the Heller Road Fire Station. The meetings are open to the public and Weber encouraged anyone interested to attend. The December 5, 2006 meeting was cancelled due to the power outage. Retreat: The MRC had a retreat on December 6, 2006. At the retreat they evaluated the 2006 projects, what they felt they had accomplished and where they need to go in the future. Weber read their Key Conclusions:

• They can't do everything and must prioritize and sometimes outsource some of their projected goals.
• They need to demonstrate some restoration success to engage the public. Dan Pederson is very good about delivering information to the media but they do not always report everything regarding restoration projects. The MRC needs a survey of public knowledge and attitudes to establish a benchmark to measure effectiveness.
• They should be a more active advisor to decision makers on marine issues.
• They should recognize that influencing opinion, attitudes, behavior and political will may be the greatest contribution they can make as a group and as individuals.
• Protection is less expensive than restoration - hence, education and outreach work is important in generating public support for protection efforts.

Weber said that at the retreat, they also discussed The Big Picture and Why We Are Here. Many members discussed why they were there and why do they continue to serve. The MRC meetings are not just two-hour meetings, there are documents to prepare, read and research. The majority of the group felt that the reason they were there is because they remember what fishing used to be in and around Whidbey Island.

They also discussed What is the Strength of this Group? They decided that their strengths are:

• Diversity: They are a cross section of the community with many different interests and disciplines.
• They are not an environmental group. This increases their credibility.
• They are advocates not only for marine life but also for all the resources that can be drawn from the water including commerce, industry and agriculture.
• They are not greed-based, and they are not seeking to protect a single special interest.
• They are the conscience of this community on marine issues. They are not a government agency and they are not regulatory.

They then discussed What have we accomplished? Their list of accomplishments was:

• Data collection and mapping.
• Advancement of science.
• Marine stewardship.
• Publication of the Getting to the Waters Edge booklet.
• A great deal of press coverage and outreach, plus partnering with the Beach Watchers and other organizations.

The final question discussed was What Can We Really Change? One of the things that they felt they could change was political will. They can do more to influence county leadership and encourage the public to be more receptive to restoration and protection efforts.

Waters Edge Booklet: Weber said that the On Whidbey newspaper featured an article called Bridging the season's, coming to the waters edge for fun. The article was unsolicited and prompted individuals to go to the waters edge and discover what is there. The article included references to the Getting to the Waters Edge booklet. Weber said that they appreciate the coverage that the media has given them.

Northwest Straits Commission: Lew Moore, Executive Director for the Northwest Straits Commission, has been working hard to secure funding from the state. The Commission is concerned about the level of federal funding that has come from congress for the last several years. They have been encouraging their congressional delegation as well as state representatives to remind their Congressional Friends that the money is needed

Shoreline Management Plan (SMP): (Bryson) Bryson said that there was no SMP update. A public meeting will be held to review the new SMP and those interested should watch the media for announcements.

Greenbank Farm Liaison: Weber asked Bryson if he would report any meetings that he has with the GFMG during the Committee Reports at regular Port meetings. Bryson agreed to do so.

Council of Governments (COG): (McDonald) McDonald said that the COG had its annual meeting on December 11, 2006. Due to power outages and bad weather, she will not have her report on that meeting until the next regular Port meeting. The next COG meeting will be in the Commissioners Hearing room on January 24, 2007 at 9:00 am. Mayor Conard sent an email to McDonald and other COG members suggesting that she invite Puget Sound Energy representatives to that meeting to discuss underground power lines. Also, Senator Haugan is exploring the use of 0.08% funds for underground power lines.

Economic Development Council (EDC): (McDonald)

No Update. The next meeting will be held on January 17, 2007 at 7:30 am at the Race Road Fire Station in Oak Harbor.

WPPA Legislative Committee: (McDonald)

No Update.

RTPO: McDonald is looking forward to attending the next RTPO meeting directly following the COG meeting on January 24, 2007. Weber asked if the COG and RTPO meetings were open to the general public? McDonald said that they are open to the public.

NEW BUSINESS: None

ANNOUNCEMENTS & ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS:

Next Port regular meeting: The next regular monthly meeting of the Port's Board of Commissioners will be held on Wednesday February 14, 2007 at the Island County Commissioners' Hearing room.

Monthly Financial Status Report: (O'Brien) O'Brien submitted the preliminary December, 2006 financial statement.

ACTION: A motion was made by Bryson and seconded by McDonald to accept the preliminary December, 2006 financial statement. The motion passed unanimously.

Approval of Current Vouchers: O'Brien submitted vouchers audited and certified by the auditing officer as required by RCW 42.24.080. She also submitted expense reimbursement claims certified as required by RCW 42.24.090.

ACTION: A motion was made by Bryson and seconded by McDonald to approve by signature the December, 2006 vouchers numbers #280 - 306 for a total amount of $37,622.91. The motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board, Weber adjourned the meeting at 11:33 am.