Commissioners Present: Benye Weber, Bruce Bryson, Ann McDonald

Others Present: Jim Patton (Executive Director), Charles Edwards (Edwards & Associates), Tom Baenen (GFMG President), Michael Stansbury (GFMG Treasurer) and Donna Keeler, (Master Site Plan Coordinator) and others as listed on the attached attendance list.

Call to Order: The special meeting was called to order at 10:07 a.m. by Commissioner Weber in the Greenbank Progressive Club, Greenbank, WA, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Purpose of the Meeting:

Commissioner Weber stated that the purpose of the meeting was to provide a briefing to the general public on the process for the Master Site Plan for the Greenbank Farm. The Comprehensive Plan 2007-2026, adopted by the Board on May 9, 2007, identified the Master Site Plan as one of the Port's most important projects for the immediate future. The Master Site plan is expected to take more than one year to complete and will incorporate the views of the public to the maximum extent possible.

Commissioner Weber welcomed everyone there, and thanked those who have helped in the Master Site Plan process so far. She stated that today's input will be limited to questions, comments and suggestions regarding the planning process.

She introduced the other Commissioners, Edwards, and Patton. She then turned the meeting over to Patton who introduced Donna Keeler, President of Coastline Planning and the person selected by the Board as the Coordinator for the Master Site Plan.

Public briefing: Patton gave a Power Point briefing on the Master Site Plan process (attached to these Minutes and on file in the Port Office). After the presentation the meeting was recessed at 10:40 a.m.

Keeler's presentation: The meeting was reconvened at 10:48 a.m. Commissioner Weber introduced Keeler, who will be the Coordinator of the Master Site Plan.

Keeler gave a brief presentation of the planning process, and the composition of the public focus groups (detailed as an attachment to these minutes). She expected that the focus groups would meet about once a month for 2 and ½ to 3 hours. She is looking for groups of 7-10 people to work on each of four components to the Master Site Plan: Environmental Protection, Agriculture, Recreation and Commercial Activities. The components will be integrated and it is Keeler's role to be sure that the groups are communicating with each other.

Keeler asked for volunteers for the focus groups, and asked for those volunteers to note their interest on the attendance sheets.

Public comments: The floor was then opened to the public for comments and suggestions.

Carolyn Tamler of Greenbank expressed concern regarding the trails on the County property to the North of Greenbank Farm. She and Jerry Lloyd of Greenbank are worried about hunting in this area and safety of the users of the trails. Patton reminded them the Master Site Plan only includes the 151 acres of the Farm that are owned by the Port of Coupeville, but he suggested that the Recreation focus group might wish to address the trails.

Page Gilbert Baenen of Greenbank asked where and when other meetings will be held regarding the Master Site Plan process. Patton responded that the need for other meetings will be determined by the Board of Commissioners.

Emily Ramsey of Coupeville asked regarding input from other organizations, and will the Port be reaching out to other organizations. Keeler stated that she hopes other organizations will be represented on the focus groups, but if not, they will be asking other organizations for input.

Mike Stansbury of Greenbank asked when to the focus groups will start meeting. Keeler replied that she expected the groups to start meeting in January.

Paula Keohane of Coupeville stated that she thought the underlying purpose of the Port was enhancing economic development, and that the Greenbank Farm is viewed as a park. Patton explained how both economic development and concern for protection of the environment were made co-equal criteria for Port investment projects and initiatives in the Port's new Comprehensive Plan. He provided Keohane with a copy of the plan and he explained how all of the 68 Ports in Washington State have been empowered under a new law to encourage tourism by building, owning and operating tourist venues such as the Farm has become. Commissioner Weber explained how State Senator Mary Margaret Haugen has always been interested in the Port's stewardship of the environment and she is keeping the Senator informed of our progress on the Master Site Plan.

Kelly Sweeney of Greenbank asked how the focus groups and Commissioners will interact with the suggestions from the public. Keeler explained that focus groups will come up with recommendations to the Commissioners, then there will be public hearings on the recommendations, and based on the hearings some items may be remanded to the focus groups for further review. Commissioner Weber stated that the Commissioners will be kept in the loop as the process moves forward.

Keeler asked if there were any more comments. There were none, and she thanked all for attending.

ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Weber adjourned the meeting at 11:18 am.