Commissioners Present: Benye Weber, Bruce Bryson and Ann McDonald

Others Present: Jim Patton (Executive Director), Laura Blankenship (Comprehensive Plan Editor-in-Chief), Nathan Whalen (Whidbey News-Times), Amber O'Brien (Edwards & Associates), Karen Hutchinson (GFMG President), Terry Rose (GFMG) Dan Pederson and Dick Toft (Island County Marine Resources Committee (MRC)), Don Meehan (WSU Extension Coordinator) and David Day (Coupeville Resident)

Call to order: The regular meeting was called to order at 10:30 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 February 14, 2007 and the special meeting of December 19, 2006 were available for approval and signatures.

Bryson found six typographical errors in the December 19, 2006 Minutes but said that otherwise the content is fine.

ACTION: A motion was made by Bryson and seconded by McDonald to approve the December 19, 2006 special meeting Minutes as corrected. The motion passed unanimously.

ACTION: A motion was made by Weber and seconded by McDonald to approve the February 14, 2007 regular meeting Minutes. The motion passed unanimously.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:

Marine Resources Committee: (Pederson, Toft and Meehan)

Pederson, Toft and Meehan were on hand to discuss the MRC interpretive signage proposed for the causeway leading to the Coupeville Wharf. Toft had met with Port Executive Director, Patton, and Port Handyman, Dick Tackett, at the wharf to review the potential signage location. Pederson said that the MRC met with the Board to go over the project at the August 9, 2006 regular Port meeting. Since that time, they have worked on the artwork for the signs and have tried to determine the best way to attach them to the causeway at the wharf. The MRC is seeking Board approval and co-sponsorship of the signage proposal to display three panels along the causeway at the wharf. Toft distributed a hand out to the Board containing information, diagrams and photographs that showed the potential location for the new signage. The signage would be attached to a simple structure outside the causeway railing with a minimal footprint. Toft said that the MRC could probably assume all signage and installation costs. Because of the grant funding situation, the MRC would like to have the signage installed by June 30, 2007. The next step in the process will be for the MRC to submit the necessary paperwork to the Town of Coupeville. Description of the signs: Pederson had samples of the fiberglass material that the signs would be made of. The material is produced by Pannier Graphics. The signs will be made to National Park Service specifications. They will be UV resistant, vandal proof and weather resistant. The signs would be placed below the railing height so you would not be able to see them from a distance. They would not obscure any of the views. They have also taken measures to address the seagull dropping issues. Meehan said that this project is highly consistent with the Port's draft Comprehensive Plan in terms of educating the community about marine resources. Bryson said that this project will be an asset to the wharf and to the entire Coupeville community. Weber pointed out that the Board already approved the signage in concept at the August 9, 2006 regular Port meeting and encouraged the MRC to move forward with bringing designs for Board review. Costs: Patton pointed out that the fifth bullet in the hand out provided by Toft states that the MRC can probably assume all costs of signs and installation and he asked to have that point clarified. Pederson said that the only unknown cost at this time is the cost to build the structure to which the signs will be attached. Patton said that the last bullet in the hand out asked if the Port had a preferred builder for the sign structure. Patton recommended Port Handyman, Tackett, who is an excellent carpenter. He would like to discuss the project with Tackett to ensure the structure would be built to endure storm damages. However, Patton wanted to be sure that the MRC would be responsible for storm repairs if they should occur. Permits: Meehan said that the Port would be responsible to obtain any necessary permitting for the signage at the wharf.

ACTION: A motion was made by Weber and seconded by McDonald to approve the interpretive signage for the Coupeville wharf with the understanding that the Island County MRC would assume the responsibility for the installation and the cost thereof. The Motion passed unanimously.

Meehan mentioned that the MRC's water quality buoy is in the water today and should be deployed within the next few weeks. Weber said that she would cover that update in her MRC committee report later in the agenda. She thanked the gentlemen for attending the meeting.

Intentions for leasing space at the Coupeville Wharf: (David Day)

Day was on hand to discuss his intentions for leasing space at the Coupeville wharf. He is interested in the space at the Coupeville wharf recently vacated by Corroseal. His idea is to transform that space into a guest house / B & B. In researching the idea, he realized that there are some obstacles in its path. Day wanted to know if the Board would embrace his idea. The Board confirmed that they had all received and reviewed the letter of interest submitted by Day. They asked him to explain his idea further. Day said his goal would be to modify the existing space and create a guest suite that would accommodate up to four people for overnight accommodations. That would involve additional plumbing to create a private bathroom and bar area. Other than that there would not be a lot of changes to the infrastructure. This would be a unique place for people to spend a weekend or evening in Coupeville. Sanitation: Patton was concerned with the bathroom that would have to be added to the space. The Port paid for a new 1,000 gallon sanitary tank at the wharf and Patton was unsure if that new tank had the capacity for an additional restroom. Patton said that the issue needs to be researched further before any decisions are made. Weber recommended that Patton work with Day to research the issue further. They need to also check on any restrictions that the Town of Coupeville might have. Advertisement: The Board said that they would be happy to consider Day's idea for use of the space at the wharf. Meanwhile, the Board instructed Patton to place an advertisement for the space in the local papers. State involvement: Day asked how his idea for the use of the space would be viewed by the Department of Ecology (DOE) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Patton said that the DNR would judge that the space would no longer be water dependant and they would add the 530 square feet to the rest of the area at the wharf that is being used for non water dependant purposes. That would increase the annual rent paid by the Port to the DNR. Patton said that the additional rent would be recovered from the tenant. Patton would meet with Day and would keep the Board informed on the issue. Day said that this project would require a significant financial investment on his part. He requested that the Board keep in mind whether his idea would be compatible with the Port's Comprehensive Plan because he would like to lease the space long term, probably for the next twenty years.

ACTION: A motion was made by Bryson and seconded by McDonald to have Patton advertise the available space at the wharf. The motion passed unanimously.

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.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Port Executive Director's Report: (Patton)

Boating and fueling activity: Patton said that, as anticipated for this time of year, there was not a lot of boating and fueling activity. In the month of February, $2,031 in fuel was sold and $83.50 was collected in moorage fees. However, the Mystic Sea had just arrived and she will increase the fuel and moorage sales for the next three months. On a more important note, Patton said that he would like to discuss his recent analysis of last year's fuel sales. Fuel analysis for 2006: Patton said that his analysis showed that the Port purchased $83,770 in gasoline and diesel fuel in 2006 and sold it for $91,453. The Port's practice has been to add $0.30 per gallon to the cost for the nine months of minimal boating activity and $0.40 per gallon for the three busy summer months. The Port depends on this profit to pay the various costs associated with providing the fuel service to boaters. About 34,000 gallons of fuel were sold in 2006 and the profit from those sales was only $0.22 per gallon. That was significantly less than anticipated. Profit-eating factors: Patton said that there were two factors responsible for the smaller than expected profit. One has to do with selling fuel at a discount. It has been the practice of the Port to give a five cent per gallon discount on fuel sales over 100 gallons and a ten cent per gallon discount on fuel sales over 1,000 gallons. In 2006, the Port made 59 sales of over 100 gallons and 11 sales of over 1000 gallons. Sixteen percent of the 446 fuel sales in 2006 were made at discounted prices. Patton said that even more troublesome was the fact that every time the Port received a fuel delivery the price of fuel was changed to reflect the most recent cost to the Port. The Port's fuel tanks have only a three thousand gallon capacity and during the busy summer months the tanks were often topped off on a daily basis. In 2006, the price of fuel to the Port often changed on a daily basis. When prices fell the Port's price to boaters was reduced without regard to how much fuel was still left in the tanks. This automatically devalued the remaining fuel and the Port lost money. The combination of the large number of discounted sales and this frequent procedural devaluation resulted in the loss of expected profit. Corrections requested:

Patton requested approval from the Board for three corrections to the Port's fuel pricing practices:

Add a margin of $0.40 per gallon to the cost of fuel throughout the whole year.

Discontinue the discounts on large fuel sales.

Increase fuel prices automatically as fuel costs to the Port increase but carefully determine the impact on remaining fuel balances before making any reduction in fuel prices.

ACTION: A motion was made by McDonald and seconded by Weber to accept correction #3.

Bryson would like to consider all three of Patton's recommended corrections rather than only considering #3. Weber did not want to accept all three of Patton's recommendations. She said that the Port needs to continue to give a fuel discount to boaters. Many boaters regularly visit the wharf to eat and shop in the Town of Coupeville. The fuel discount is an enticement for the boaters to continue to come. Bryson said that he would agree on maintaining the fuel discounts but would like to see a higher mark up on the fuel maintained throughout the year.

ACTION: McDonald's prior motion was amended to also accept correction #1. The motion passed unanimously.

Mystic Sea: Patton said that the Mystic Sea had returned to moor at the Coupeville wharf. He did not have a schedule yet but the owner, Monte Hughes, is working on it. They have had one dinner cruise, which was partially successful considering the terrible weather we have had lately. As the weather improves, they should become very busy. Weber and Bryson pointed out that Hughes was very busy during the Penn Cove Mussel Festival.

WSU Beach Watcher display at the Coupeville Wharf: Patton said that the wing wall is in place and the Beach Watchers' displays are nearly completed. As soon as their work around the wing wall is finished the Penn Cove Water Festival framed posters will be replaced. Weber said that she would like to have everything completed prior to the Festival on May 12, 2007.

Status of bids for strengthening the Port Office basement: Patton said that the Port had tried to get three bids for the strengthening of the Port office basement. He called everyone listed on the small works roster that would be eligible for the project and also placed advertisements in the local newspapers for two weeks. The Port received two valid bids. Patton had been expecting a third bid from a Mukilteo contractor. He told the contractor that the bid had to be received today but it had not arrived. Patton recommended that the Board choose between the two bids in hand, both of which are viable. Both bidders responded to the engineer's work package. Patton had met with each of the bidders on site to go over the work package. He found it remarkable that the two bids are very far apart in price. One bid, including tax, was for $35,000, the other bid, including tax, was for less than $9,000. Patton recommended that the Board approve the lower bid. Patton said that the low bidder is new to the Island and had moved here from the East Coast. He had been referred to the Port by Karen Hutchinson, who was very comfortable with his performance on a job he had done for her. Patton also pointed out that because the low bidder was from the East Coast, he was used to bidding in an extremely competitive environment. McDonald asked Patton if he had checked with the State to be sure the two bidders were licensed. Patton said that he had. Bryson asked if the permitting process would begin once the bid is approved. Patton said that he would go with the contractor to complete the permitting process. He also mentioned that each of the bidders promised to do most of the work internally so there would not be any equipment lying around outside the Port office building. That will avoid any pedestrian traffic disruption while the work is being done. McDonald asked if the bid addressed any extras. Patton said that the bid did not include any extras. McDonald said that Patton needed to make it clear to the contractor that if the Port contracts with him, he would be responsible to complete the project at his bid price. Patton said that he would make that point clear to the contractor.

ACTION: A motion was made by Weber and seconded by McDonald that the Board accept Patton's recommendation to award the low bid as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

The Board instructed Patton to contact the low bidder. Weber asked if the bidder had a projected start date. Patton said that the start date would depend on when the Port has the necessary permit in hand. Patton will give a progress report at the regular Port meeting in April.

Status of the Corroseal Lease: Patton said that, as instructed by the Board, he had negotiated a compromise that protects the Port's interests with Sue Koleada and Joan Geiger. They vacated the space that they had rented on the wharf in January, 2007 and agreed to pay two months rent beyond that date in return for terminating the lease early. Bryson had signed the lease termination agreement. Patton supplied the Board with copies of the lease termination agreement. Patton said that an invoice had been included with the current vouchers to reimburse the $350.00 security deposit to Joan Geiger. They were never in default of the lease and they are entitled to receive their security deposit from the Port. Patton said that this lease termination established a viable precedent for future early lease termination situations. Weber said that the Port had made some mistakes with the Corroseal lease and thanked Patton for taking care of it.

Status of Greenbank Estuary Project: Patton had spoken with Sharon Dunn, former President of the Greenbank Beach and Boat Club (GBBC), who said that they still do not have a decision from the GBBC members as to whether there is support for a feasibility study. Ballots would be mailed to each of their members today (3/14/2007) and they expect returns by April 14, 2007. They will not have made a decision in time for Patton to report at the next regular Port meeting on April 11, 2007. There is no further action on the part of Island County or the Port. Patton will keep the Board informed on the issue.

Letters responding to a Greenbank Farm Management Group (GFMG) request for confirmation of Board approval of new fee accounting practices and proposed uses for the managed properties: Patton said that at the last Port meeting, Karen Hutchinson presented the Board with two letters: one was in regard to the new fee accounting procedure and the other was a list of events that might encroach in some way onto the zoned managed properties at the Farm that the Port is responsible for protecting. Although the Board approved both letters by Motion, Hutchinson asked that the Board also respond to the letters in writing. The Board had copies of two letters Patton had drafted in response to the letters from the GFMG. He recommended that the letters be approved by the Board and read aloud into the record. The Board approved and signed two copies of each of the letters and Weber read the first letter regarding the accounting procedures. One copy was given to Hutchinson and the second copy will be sent via certified mail to the GFMG. McDonald read the second letter regarding the list of events that might encroach in some way onto the zoned managed properties at the Farm that the Port is responsible for protecting aloud. One copy was given to Hutchinson and the second copy will be sent via certified mail to the GFMG. A copy of each letter is attached to these Minutes.

Greenbank Farm Management Report: (Hutchinson)

GFMG General Operations

Administration

March Board Meeting will be Thursday, March 15th at the Jim Davis House (JDH)

The Wine Shop Manager resigned effective March 12, 2007

The GFMG is currently recruiting a replacement

Volunteer program - Strong volunteer support for caretaker cottage refurbishment workday - thank you to everyone involved

Hope to have a new caretaker by April 1, 2007

Hope to have final revisions completed today for the lease agreement, will get it to Bryson for signature

Letters from the Port regarding fee reporting format acceptance and proposed uses for the managed properties: Hutchinson said that she was pleased to receive the signed letters from the Port regarding acceptance of the new fee accounting practices and proposed uses for the managed properties. However, it had been her understanding that Bryson as the GFMG liaison had been approved by the Port Board to approve incremental events at his discretion rather than going through a 45 day process. She asked the Port to look at the Minutes from the last Port meeting regarding that topic to find out what was actually approved. Patton said that the agreement in place now provides for notification at times other than at public Port meetings so it is perfectly consistent with GFMG advising the liaison. The only issue is that the Port should get notification 45 days in advance of proposed events other than those already listed on the letter from GFMG. Hutchinson said that 45 days is a significant notification period. She suggested that the Board give Bryson the flexibility to accept it in less than 45 days. Weber recalled that they had discussed that possibility at the last regular Port meeting (2/14/2007). Patton referred to the discussion from the 2/14/2007 Minutes regarding the proposed uses for the managed properties and read it aloud. According to the Minutes, Tom Baenen had asked that the Port respond immediately to a request for an additional event and he did not ask for a waiver of the 45 day notification period. Hutchinson requested that the Board give the GFMG liaison the flexibility to approve an event with less than 45 days notice. Patton said that Hutchinson's request would be a change to the existing agreement. The Board was not willing to change the existing contract and denied Hutchinson's request. Patton pointed out that the 45 day notification period was for the protection of the Farm and the managed property. It provides a window of opportunity for the Board to make certain that any event being requested is consistent with the zoning regulations.

Financials

Preliminary December, 2006 financial statements were approved at the January, 2007 GFMG Board Meeting

The January Financial Statement is in the new format

December, 2006 will not be final until we close the year for tax purposes.

Hutchinson and Baenen reviewed the January, 2007 Financial Statement with Bryson and Patton.

Fund Development

Comprehensive database in development

Events

February 24-25 - Home Biz Expo

Included networking breakfast on Sunday featuring Sharon Hart of EDC and Local Chamber speakers.

February 10-11 & 17-19 - Sweetheart Wine & Chocolate market

Special Event permit to allow wine tasting

February 24 - Caretaker cottage work party

March 3-4 - Dan Karvasek

March 10-11 & 17-19 - Spring Flea Market

March 17-18 - Antique and Collectible Show

Leased Areas

Tenants

Seeking a new tenant for the Tacky Ladies location

Working with the Whidbey Camano Land Trust to accommodate their growth with additional space

Potential conversion of JDH office to conference room for Land Trust - Hutchinson has a list of the minor modifications necessary for this and will provide the list to Patton and Bryson following today's meeting.

Continued concerns from Antique Store regarding lack of highway signage

See letter of March 2, 2007

Richard Rhydes dropped off a proposal containing recommendations to improve the highway signage. The proposed signage would comply with the Master Plan and the County requirements.

A sign was damaged near Smugglers Cove due to recent windstorm - needs to be repaired and replaced.

Volunteer Organizations

Master Gardeners Lease being finalized - expects the GFMG Board to sign it at the March 15, 2007 meeting. Will need the Port to sign the lease as well.

Playground Area

Working on plans to expand play area to serve broader range of children

Focus on play equipment for toddlers

There is money available in a restricted account for this project

Ribbon cutting to coincide with Loganberry Festival's new children's stage

Facilities/Repairs

Caretaker cottage improvements complete

Barn Painting Status - waiting for good weather

Plans for removal of berm with poison hemlock in progress

Other repairs

Door to JDH and various doors to Barn A need repair

Door handle to lobby doors of Barn C needs repair

Managed Areas

General

Fencing - basic repair work complete (temporary fix)

Fencing still in need of major overhaul

Agricultural

Alf Christianson Seed Company: Kathy Lindbloom stopped by yesterday - very encouraged by the new Market Garden. They were very encouraged with how good the soil looked. They plan to contact Patton to discuss leasing eight additional acres of land at the Farm.

New loganberry area.

Cover crops are planted

Market garden area

Initial field preparation complete

Will be growing crops for Farmer's markets

Hutchinson will turn the floor over to Don Meehan and Terry Rose who had prepared a report regarding Tom Schoiler's (Bee Man) request to grow Sanfoin at the Farm. She reported that Schoiler had recently withdrawn that request but felt it was still important for the Board to hear Don and Terry's reports.

Recreation

Establishing a committee to review off-leash dog area issues

Poop management

Verbal control

Wildlife impacts

Weber said that she had recently visited the Farm and was surprised at the number of people with their dogs that use the off-leash area. She did not see any of the people using pet waste bags. She asked why there were not pet waste bags available. Hutchinson said that there had never been pet waste bags available at the Farm but that is something they are working on. Hutchinson said that cleaning up after the dogs is part of the problem; the other part of the problem is that that the Farm has fewer rules for the dogs and dog owners than you would typically find at other off-leash dog parks. These are the concerns that need to be addressed by the off-leash dog area committee. Hutchinson would like to work with Patton and Bryson to draft idea's that would help address the off-leash area issues.

Sanfoin Report: (Rose and Meehan):

Rose said that he had done extensive research regarding the potential use of the Sanfoin crop at the Greenbank Farm. He gave a verbal report of the telephone calls that he had made to local authorities including many Washington State scientists. Most of the scientists he had spoken with listed the crop as invasive and recommended against growing it at the Greenbank Farm. Meehan had spoken to several people as well regarding the Sanfoin crop. The sense that he got after visiting with those people was that the Sanfoin plant was not considered a terribly invasive crop, which is in contrast to what others have said. He pointed out that there is no Sanfoin planted in Island County. However, the USDA website indicates that Sanfoin is a plant that is distributed in Island County. He asked the USDA why that listing is on their website but has not yet heard back from them. His concern with the crop was that the Greenbank Farm is a certified organic farm. Planting a crop of this nature, without having much knowledge about it, could compromise the Farms certified organic status. Meehan was not against recommending the planting of the Sanfoin but he would first like to know more about how it would behave at the Farm. His advice to the Board was that the Sanfoin crop be tested at an alternate site prior to approving the planting of it Farm. Bees not the issue: Rose said that he was never opposed to having a nectar producing crop on the Farm. Bees are not the issue because Honey Bees are not a harmful species. Patton asked if the Bee Man had withdrawn his request just to grow this particular crop or to come to the Farm altogether. Hutchinson said that at the moment, Sanfoin was the only crop that the Schoiler was interested in growing. She said that he is still actively involved in the Farm and hoped to continue to work with him in the future. Patton said that he researched state law related to this topic. RCW 15.62.010 says that increasing the consumption of products for the Honey Bee industry and promoting the use of its services and stabilizing the Honey Bee industry within the state and the nation is a valid and necessary exercise of the power of the state to protect the public health, to provide for the economic development of the state and to promote the welfare of the people of the state. According to this RCW, the state would have no objection to a Honey Bee operation at the Farm. Meehan said that Honey Bees as a species are extremely important to agricultural production in Washington State. The Honey Bee populations are being actively challenged by many diseases and anything that we can do to encourage them on the Island is a good thing.

Comprehensive Plan Editor-in-Chief's Report:

Public attendance at public briefings: Blankenship said that over fifty people attended the public briefings on the Port's Comprehensive Plan. Blankenship asked the Board to make a decision about having additional Comprehensive Plan briefings.

Extending the duration of the public input phase: Blankenship said that the time allowed for public input to the plan is scheduled to end on March 31, 2007. She asked the Board to make a decision on whether to extend the public input period. Weber said that the Port provided a lot of public notice about opportunities to make public input, including announcements, brochures posted on bulletin boards, a radio advertisement and large advertisements in all of the newspapers. She did not see a need for an additional briefing or for extending the duration of the public comment period. The Board concurred.

Schedule for Board special workshop meeting & adoption of final plan at regular meeting: Blankenship will work with Patton to collate all of the public input received thus far and get that information to the Board. They would like to have a special workshop meeting to review the information prior to the regular April 11, 2007 Port meeting. Weber said that she would not be available for a meeting during the first week in April due to prior obligations. McDonald said that she would be out of the country from April 1 until April 15, 2007. Weber said that she would like to have all Board members present for the work shop meeting and recommended extending the time frame for adopting the plan to the May 9, 2007 Port meeting. The Board concurred. The Board would set a date for the special workshop meeting after today's meeting. Weber would like the addresses of individuals that had attended or commented on the Comprehensive Plan. Blankenship will supply that information to her. Patton said he would schedule the workshop meeting after April 15^th and that the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan would take place at the regular Port meeting on May 9, 2007.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

McDonald suggested that the Board submit their committee reports to the Port office via e-mail rather than paying for O'Brien to take the time to type the reports. Copies of the reports could be placed in the Commissioner's folders for review. Weber said that over the years the Board's responsibilities have increased tremendously. The reason that she wanted the committee reports shared at the public meetings is that they are then included in the Minutes. If that practice is discontinued the committee reports would no longer be part of the Minutes. Weber felt that it was important to continue to give committee reports at the public meetings. The Board could shorten the reports to summaries and submit them in writing to O'Brien to include in the Minutes. The Board concurred. O'Brien asked when the new practice would be effective. Weber said that it would be effective today (3/14/2007) and each Board member would need to e-mail their committee reports to O'Brien.

Where applicable, summaries of the following reports are attached to these Minutes.

Marine Resources Committee (MRC): (Weber)

Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) : (Bryson)

Greenbank Farm Liaison: (Bryson)

Council of Governments (COG): (McDonald)

Economic Development Council (EDC): (McDonald)

WPPA Legislative Committee: (McDonald)

RTPO: (McDonald)

NEW BUSINESS:

Port Tourism Facilities Bill: Weber said that there was a short period of time (36 hours) to respond to the inquiry regarding the Port Tourism Facilities Bill. Weber had personally responded to Barbara Bailey and Chris Strow in support of the bill. Patton said that the bill would empower Ports to build facilities for tourism. Patton had not seen the language of the bill but had spoken to Rosanne Alspector, the Island County Tourism Coordinator, who had seen the bill and she encouraged the Port to endorse it. Alspector is also looking at the Port's Comprehensive Plan to determine whether or not the Port should amplify its endorsement of tourism within the Port District.

ACTION: A motion was made by Weber and seconded by Bryson that Patton be authorized to call each of the legislators and express the Port's support for the Port Tourism Facilities Bill.

McDonald said that she was not necessarily on board with the bill. She planned to review it over the weekend. Patton said that a response must be received by the close of business today (3/14/2007). McDonald would like to abstain from supporting the bill.

The motion passed in a 2-1 vote.

Weber said that this bill would be a real feather in the Port's cap considering the funding that is available to the Port. Patton was curious about McDonald's objection to the bill. McDonald said that she did not want to comment until she had seen the final language of the bill.

Adoption of Bylaws: On instruction from Weber, Patton had prepared a draft set of bylaws for the Board's consideration, but he reported that he recently found an old file at the Port office containing two sets of bylaws for the Port of Coupeville. The first set is dated 1974, and a second set is dated 1989. The latter set appears to be still in force but many features are no longer appropriate. Patton provided copies of his draft and the two old sets to the Board members. Weber suggested that the Board take time to review all three versions of the bylaws prior to adopting a new set.

ACTION: A motion was made by Bryson and seconded by Weber to table adopting the bylaws until the April 11, 2007 regular Port meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS:

Next Port regular meeting: The next regular monthly meeting of the Port's Board of Commissioners will be held on Wednesday April 11, 2007 at the Island County Commissioners' Hearing room.

Monthly Financial Status Report: (O'Brien) O'Brien submitted the final January, 2007 and preliminary February, 2007 Financial Statement.

ACTION: A motion was made by Weber and seconded by McDonald to accept the final January, 2007 Financial Statement as submitted. 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 March, 2007 vouchers numbers #337 - 361 for a total amount of $18,207.35. The motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board, Weber adjourned the meeting at 12:40 pm.