Commissioners Present: Benye Weber, Ann McDonald and Marshall Bronson

Others Present: Jim Patton (Executive Director), Molly MacLeod-Roberts (Edwards & Associates), Tom Baenen (GFMG President), Nathan Whalen (Whidbey News-Times), Bob Becker (Coupeville resident) and Greenbank residents: Glen Russell, Rich Turner and Charles Knutila.

Call to Order: The regular meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by Commissioner Weber in Room B-102, Island County Commissioners Hearing Room, located at #1 NE 6^th Street, Coupeville, WA, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING:

Weber stated that the Minutes for the regular meetings of June 11 and July 9, 2008, were available for approval and signatures.

ACTION: A motion was made by Bronson and seconded by McDonald to approve the meeting Minutes as submitted. The motion passed unanimously.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:

Letter of Appreciation for Mr. Bob Becker: On behalf of the Board, Commissioner Weber read aloud the letter of appreciation for Becker's voluntary efforts in assisting with the raising of the abandoned sailboat that sank in April in waters leased to the Port by the Department of Natural Resources, and then presented the letter to Becker. Becker thanked the Board, and noted that the air bags he loaned to the Port to help raise the sailboat come in pretty handy - they were once used to save about 2 dozen oceanfront houses. He provided some information about the bags to the Board. The Board thanked Becker for the information, and again thanked him for all his assistance.

MEETING OPEN TO PUBLIC INPUT: Weber opened the meeting to public input.

Glen Russell, Greenbank Resident: Russell introduced himself as a Greenbank resident of 35 years and wished to speak to the Board regarding public access at Greenbank Road (now known as Wonn Road) being blocked by a wall built by Bruce Montgomery. He had prepared written comments that he read aloud. He provided the Board with a map from the Island County Planning Department that he stated clearly shows site #28 at the end of Greenbank Rd. is under the ownership of Island County. He said that state law says that roads and uplands extend to mean high water, which is 172 ft. inland from the water. Greenbank Rd. is a 40 ft. wide public road, and the County has always claimed access. Russell said Montgomery has a clouded deed for the tidelands fronting the road, and the County has unfortunately taxed Montgomery. The matter has been referred to the Island County Prosecutor for legal review. Russell stated there is a strong case for public ownership of this public access since it has been continuously used by the public since the first settlement of Greenbank. The landing there was the original location of the town of Greenbank. The remains of Greenbank Landing are still there, and the town dock was used for ferries and large steamers. The settlers who purchased land in the area were promised public access to the wharf. He showed an old brochure from that time period.

Russell said there was a recent similar case on Bainbridge Island in Kitsap County, and showed an article titled, Court Upholds Public Access and read aloud from the article.

Russell noted that the Port of Coupeville's Comprehensive Plan 2007-2026 states that a primary mission of the Port is to promote economic development. He referred the Board to Section 3, Projects & Initiatives, which states, The Port's first objective would be to facilitate passenger travel between Coupeville, Camano Island, Greenbank, Langley and Oak Harbor. It also states the importance of creating a marine freight link that would support the growth of existing marine business and encourage new business. Under the section for the Greenbank Farm Facility, Item v., which addresses the Emergency Preparedness Plan, the Plan cites the Farm as a gathering place for people during emergencies. Russell suggests that the Board consider Greenbank Rd./Wonn Rd. as an evacuation site, and therefore a masonry wall across the access makes no sense whatsoever in that context.

Russell said that he spoke last week with the former Greenbank Fire Chief, Smokey Hoover, who said in the 1960s it was determined that public access was required to the shore, including the dock, as a source of emergency water supply for the Fire Department. The Port's Comprehensive Plan also mentions the Holmes Harbor public water access, and he read aloud the following excerpts: The Port is aware that the Island County Non-Motorized Trail Plan has established a priority for identifying and developing publicly owned access points to the water on the eastern shoreline of Central Whidbey. Recognizing the historic existence of a commercial marine transportation link for passengers and products in the Greenbank area, the Port will explore the possibility of re-establishing a marine transportation link in the area. A mid-Island, Greenbank area site is ideal, as it is strategically located across from the Wooden Boat Center on Camano Island.

Weber thanked Russell, and added that the three Board members were all very much aware of the Comprehensive Plan they approved in May, 2007. The Port had an Advisory Committee that worked on it for 14 months, followed by a public review which sought public input at four different locations within the boundaries of the Port district. She added that she, McDonald, Bronson and Patton had all received Russell's letter, and said they are also aware of Russell's letters to the editor of the local newspaper and his various contacts with different departments within Island County's government. Weber said if Russell had something new to bring to their attention, they would be happy to hear it, but since the Board has read all the newspaper articles and reviewed Russell's letter there really is nothing more the Port can do at this point. The Island County government is currently researching facts on the ownership of the tideland parcel claimed by Montgomery. Weber said she has to have faith in the county's best efforts to do that. She appreciates Russell coming forward today and would like to hear any new or additional information that the Board does not have yet.

Russell said he believed he had some new information for the Board, and resumed reading his written comments as follows. He said Greenbank Landing would be a central hub for a marine transportation link up and down Saratoga Passage. Weber said, Is that new information? We are aware of that. Russell continued reading, Saratoga Passage is the sheltered inside route to and from the San Juan Islands and the Canadian Gulf Islands. Weber interjected, noting that the Port's Comprehensive Plan talks about trail systems on page 40. For residents of islands, waterways are certainly included in trail systems. She asked Russell again if he had anything new, and said she would have to limit his time because the Board's agenda is full. Russell said he had about two more minutes. He said he didn't know if they were aware of it, but there is a sheltered anchorage protected by the rising lands in the cove that is just south of the Greenbank dock. He said there is a reason why the dock is there: due to its location and the prevailing winds and currents, it is a premier area for sailing. Therefore, he said with minimal development, Greenbank could become a sailing mecca. There is always wind at Greenbank. No extensive development of the Greenbank access would be necessary. Facilities could be located at the Greenbank Farm, just a 3 minute walk from the wharf. Russell encouraged work to begin as soon as possible, limiting access to pedestrian-only and hand- launched boats. He said Greenbank Wharf should be designated as a historic structure.

Russell concluded by saying he came before the Board as a citizen of Greenbank and a representative of Save Our Beaches. The Board thanked him for his presentation.

No one else wished to speak and Weber closed the meeting to public input and returned to the public meeting.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Port Executive Director's Report: (Patton)

Boating and fueling activities: Patton noted that historically he has presented the fuel sales based on a dollar amount, rather than the number of gallons sold. In light of unstable fuel prices, reporting the dollar amount is not an accurate means to measure and compare, so today and in the future he will report the amount of gallons sold instead. In July 2008, the Port sold 2,700 gallons of unleaded gasoline and diesel, and collected just over $1,000 from the $0.40 per gallon mark up. Patton noted that in July 2007 the Port sold twice as much fuel. In 2006, the Port sold 6,000 gallons of fuel at $2.70/gallon and made $2,400.

Weber asked if that amount was the net profit, and Patton explained that it was gross profit because payments for the annual insurance on the fuel tanks, the annual calibration of the fuel pumps, the electricity for the pumps and payment of the dockhand while he pumps the fuel are all deducted from the gross profit made from fuel sales over the course of the year. Therefore, the Port essentially nets zero from fuel sales and simply provides a not-for-profit service to boaters.

Patton said that without including income from the levy, the Port brings in about $50,000 per year from rents, fuel sales and marina services. However, the Port pays an average of $86,000 per year for the Executive Director, the Harbormaster, the dockhand and the handyman. The $36,000 difference comes out of the levy. Patton explained that he is preparing a Fact Sheet, and that is the kind of information the public needs to be aware of, and Weber agreed.

He noted that their policy of keeping minimum fuel inventory and tightly managing the fuel inventory has made it much easier to ride the ups and downs of the fuel cost curve than the Oak Harbor Marina, which lost $10,000 over the last year on their fuel services. The Port's gas prices per gallon are currently $4.35 vs. Oak Harbor at $4.64, and the Port's price for diesel is $4.00 per gallon while Oak Harbor's is $4.85. With its larger tank capacity, Oak Harbor has not been able to ride the cost curve efficiently.

Repairs and disposition of abandoned sailboat, Soul Mate: Patton reported the legal notice advertising the silent auction of the sailboat was first published on Saturday, August 9, 2008. Pictures of all the equipment and the sailboat are now posted on the Wharf and the door of the Port office, along with the legal notice. Patton reminded the Board that the advertisement and auction had been delayed in order to re-step the mast and make other repairs to the boat. The bidding will close on September 9, and the bids will be opened on September 10 at the Port's regular public meeting.

Status of restaurant lease assumption: Long Bechard, owner of Long's Café, reported that the individual who sought to assume her lease has not been able to come up with the money to buy the Café, so she will remain as a tenant. If the individual provides the money, Bechard is prepared to sell at that time.   

Status of KWPA installation and lease of space in Harbor Master's office: Patton said he and Bronson had cleared about 80 square feet in the Harbor Master's office to make room for radio equipment, which still left 40-50 square feet for the Harbor Master. Patton noted that the Board had approved in principle the Lease Modification Agreement that allowed William Bell of Local Grown to delete from his lease the responsibility to operate KWPA radio station. Bell has signed two copies of that Lease Modification Agreement and it is now ready for the Board's signature. Patton also presented the Board with a Lease Agreement for KWPA Radio to lease 80 square feet in the Harbormaster's office. He recommended a security deposit of only $50 and liability insurance in the amount of $25,000.

ACTION: A motion was made by Weber and seconded by McDonald to approve and adopt the Lease Agreement with KWPA as submitted. The Motion passed unanimously.

Weber then signed two copies of the Lease Agreement as President of the Board.

ACTION: A motion was made by Weber and seconded by Bronson to approve and adopt the Lease Modification Agreement with William Bell as submitted. The Motion passed unanimously.

Weber then signed two copies of the Lease Modification Agreement as President of the Board.

Status of negotiation of new Transient Moorage Agreement with Department of Natural Resources (DNR): Patton reported that he had forwarded the Whidbey News-Times article about a passenger-only ferry between Coupeville and Camano Islands to Don Olmstead, DNR Director of Port Agreements. Patton also emailed Olmstead and explained that the Port believes having a concessionaire such as a passenger-only ferry operate from its moorage is vital to the economic development of the community. Patton also requested clarification of the aquatic lands lease by the DNR, and pointed out that the Port of Anacortes routinely permits concessionaires to operate from its moorage. The Port of Anacortes doesn't have the same element in their aquatic lands lease as the Port of Coupeville that prohibits providing moorage to concessionaires. Olmstead has not yet responded to the email, but Patton anticipates an answer by the Port's regular September meeting.

Status of Comprehensive Plan initiatives:

Progress on the Passenger-only Ferry initiative: Patton reminded the Board that his research turned up a 1995 ferry study that was conducted for Island County. The methodology for the study was very sound, and concluded the cost of transporting Island County employees between Whidbey and Camano Islands was $27,000 per month. Island County Commissioners Dean and Bakke now have that study, and it was brought up at the last meeting of the Board of Island County Commissioners (BICC). As a result, the BICC has assigned Bill Oakes, the head of the Public Works Dept., with the task of updating the study. The BICC is looking for a response by September 22, 2008. Patton will email the Board with any additional information.

Progress on the Marine Education Center (MEC): Patton attended the recent meeting with Washington State University (WSU) Beachwatchers and some other stakeholders, which was a sort of climax of the effort for the MEC. There were representatives from the Museum and from Ebey's Reserve in attendance. During the meeting, they explored a two-tiered response to the letter sent by the Port to WSU last year asking them to take on the task of getting public input regarding a Marine Education Center. The Port doesn't know whether a larger space will ever become available, and the Board has made it clear they are not in the business of forcing out retailers from the spaces on the Wharf. Patton explained that the first tier was then based on none of the spaces becoming available, and how the breezeway could be used then in combination with the museum and other facilities and resources in the area to incorporate everything into an interesting tourist venue. Patton said he was very impressed with Sarah Martin, the new Beachwatchers Coordinator, who unofficially chaired the meeting. It was her idea to respond with the two tiers. All the input gathered from the briefings over the last year falls into the second tier, which is based on the possibility of one of the two large rental spaces on the Wharf becoming available. Graham Johnson of WSU Beachwatchers said that compilation of information and potential use will not be available until early September. He hopes they will move forward on this initiative as soon as is practical. Weber said she looks forward to receiving the written report.

Progress on the Greenbank Farm Conservation Easement: Patton reported he had received a copy of the interim response to Senator Mary Margaret Haugen's letter sent on behalf of the Port to the State Attorney General, requesting an opinion as to whether the Port has the authority to transfer development rights on property that it owns to another municipality. MacLeod-Roberts read aloud the letter addressed to Senator Haugen from Deputy Solicitor General James K. Pharris which promised an informal opinion before the end of September (copy on file). If the opinion is affirmative, Patton noted that Michael Stansbury, a recently retired attorney and now the treasurer of the Greenbank Farm Management Group, has obtained all the pertinent bond information and is prepared to go to Foster Pepper and ask their opinion as to the effect a Conservation Easement would have on the bonds with which the Port purchased the farm.

Progress on the Master Site Plan: The focus groups will not be meeting during the month of August, but Master Site Plan Coordinator, Donna Keeler, has sent out the September schedule for all four groups. She will be working hard to coalesce all the ideas from the focus groups into writing, so that the Port can begin to develop the planning document. Patton said Keeler has done very, very good work and Weber agreed. Weber noted that all four groups will tentatively meet together in October, in order to have information for a capital budget project submission by the end of October.

Port Finances: Patton referred the Board to the email and the financial charts in their folders. The Port has been keeping expenses to a minimum. Halfway through the year, the Port has received 49% of the anticipated revenues and incurred 41% of the anticipated expenses. Three spikes in the expense column are expected in the next few months: 1) the WGEP insurance bill of $15,000, 2) the annual DNR rent of $7,000, and 3) the bill for improving the office spaces for the Greenbank Farm Management Group for $12,500. Although there may be a few more costs associated with the sunken sailboat, the Port will be able to get back 90% of all the costs associated with it through DNR's Abandoned Boat Fund, so it should hopefully come out revenue neutral as far as the sailboat is concerned. Patton noted that more than 1/3 of the total expenses listed on the Purchase & Payable Journal was for the purchase of fuel.

Preparations for the levy lift request - fact sheet printing and mailing costs, advertising for Pro & Con Committees: Patton explained that there are several steps to the process, and they have completed the first four: 1) adopting a resolution to place a Limited Proposition on the November General Election ballot, 2) filing the resolution with the County Auditor's Elections Office, 3) obtaining the County Prosecuting Attorney's review and legal description, and 4) advertising that the Port seeks individuals to serve on Advocacy Committees both for and against the levy lift. Those committees must then submit statements of 200 words or less to the County Auditor for inclusion in the Voters' Pamphlet by close of business on August 29, 2008. Step 5 is to submit a neutrally-worded explanatory statement prepared by the Port Attorney by that same deadline. Patton said he will be meeting with Port Attorney, Dale Roundy, today and plans to file the explanatory statement tomorrow.

Patton stressed that it is very important that the Port establish a paper trail of making a good faith effort to bring forth advocacy committees for and against the Limited Proposition. It is also very important that the Board be seized with the public disclosure laws. He said a copy of those laws would be available in the Port office. Weber said she has read through it and McDonald said she would read it after today's meeting.

Patton showed the Board a full page ad from the local paper encouraging the public to vote yes for the Coupeville Library's requests on the Primary Election ballot, and noted that at the bottom of the ad it states: Paid for by the Vote Yes Coupeville Library Committee. He thought it would be wonderful if the Port's Advocacy Committee for the Levy Lift would do the same kind of advertising. Weber recalled that one of the school proposals ran an ad with the list of people who supported it and those individuals contributed $20 to have their names listed. She suggested they could ask those members of the public who were originally in support of the Port buying the Greenbank Farm to come forward and support the levy lift request of an additional $0.06 per thousand dollars of assessed value. Patton cautioned the Board that the state's public disclosure law prohibited almost all involvement of Port officials from the activities of groups or individuals who might come forward either in support of or in opposition to the levy lift request. He also pointed out that just as the Board and the Executive Director are limited by public disclosure laws, the Greenbank Farm Management Group is also limited because they are a contractor for the Port. They can support it as individuals, but they can not officially support it as the Group.

Patton said the law provides the opportunity for the Port to adopt an enabling resolution in favor of the proposition, by doing so in public and publishing it on an agenda, and offering opponents equal time to publicly oppose it. He will draft a resolution and ask the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) to review it and make sure it is appropriate. Patton said he will then present the enabling resolution to the Board for consideration at the regular September meeting.

He has also been working on the Fact Sheet, and will have the PDC vet it once it is complete. Once PDC has approved it, the Port can then get it out to the public, but it can only be sent out one time. Patton has purchased the CD containing the mailing addresses of all the voters within the Port's District from the Elections Office. There are 7,085 voters. Branch Business Services has a bulk mailing permit, which cuts mailing costs way down. Branch Business Services estimated it would cost $2,000 to mail a double-sided, tri-fold document. The labels would be $142, and the printing would be $3,000. The total cost would be between $5,000 and $5,500. He asked the Board to consider whether or not the budget could handle an additional cost of $5,000 to $6,000. The Board agreed they would think about it and be prepared to discuss it at next month's meeting.

Subleases at Greenbank Farm; GFMG letter clarifying policies; resolution of exclusivity issue: Patton said he had received a letter dated August 8, 2008, from Michael Stansbury of the GFMG in response to Weber's letter requesting a resolution of the conflicting subleases within 30 days. MacLeod-Roberts read Stansbury's letter aloud (copy on file). Weber said, if indeed the problem has been resolved as the letter states, then that takes care of the situation. Bronson and McDonald agreed it had been resolved.

Patton explained that Stansbury sent another letter dated August 11, 2008, to supplement the August 8, 2008, letter. MacLeod-Roberts read the letter aloud (copy on file).

ACTION: A motion was made by Bronson and seconded by McDonald to amend the sublease for Artworks Gallery to remove the exclusivity clause.

Patton noted that although they have a letter from GFMG, they do not have an equivalent letter from the Artworks Gallery. In order to amend their sublease, Artworks Gallery must first send a letter to GFMG requesting the change, and GFMG must approve it. GFMG must then present both Artworks' request for amendment and GFMG's approval of the amendment to the Port for approval.

ACTION: As a result of Patton's explanation of proper procedure for subleases, Bronson withdrew the motion, and McDonald withdrew her second.

Commissioner Weber asked if there was any additional contact from Linda Shafer of the Artworks Gallery, and Patton said there had not been.

Greenbank Farm Management Report: (Baenen) Baenen was on hand to answer any questions the Board had regarding the July Report he previously submitted via email and which is included in these Minutes as follows:

The Community Sustainable Agricultural (CSA) grant request was completed, signed and submitted on time. Maryon Atwood, Special Projects Director at the Northwest Agricultural Business Center, spearheaded this grant request. She has requested through WSU Extension Service interim funding in order to start working on the CSA Program as it relates to the Farm

Work on resolution of a tenant's concern at the Farm continues.

The Loganberry Festival, July 26-27, 2008 preparation, set-up, presentation and take-down was the principle focus of Board and Staff throughout the month.

The Board was notified the I Remember When Antique Shop operators will not be exercising their Option and will close at the end of September.

The trusses for the new sign have been delivered and work on the Route 525 sign should resume next month.

The 2008 Loganberry Festival was deemed a success. It was shut down late in the day on Sunday due to heavy rain, but the band played on and many danced in the rain to the very end! Debriefing sessions are starting August 1, 2008.

Review of June's financial report on Managed and Leased property with Commissioner Bronson and Executive Director Patton took place on July 30, 2008.

Baenen provided additional information that did not fall into the July timeframe as follows:

Artworks Gallery is restructuring its own makeup, so they have not had a chance to respond in writing to the request to change.

Airside, Inc. is one of the upstairs office tenants at the Farm, and their lease expires next June. They are requesting an additional year - through May 2010. Baenen asked if the Board wanted Airside to sign a new lease for duration of 12 months or if the existing lease should be amended to add one year.

Weber asked Patton for his opinion, and Patton responded that amending a lease puts things on shakier ground. As he recalls, the existing lease entitles the tenant to request the lease be renewed for x number of years, subject to mutual agreement on terms and conditions. Patton said one of the terms and conditions could be that the renewal is for just one year, and at that point, the lease would simply be renewed for one year at the end of its normal termination. Baenen asked if that includes option periods, because that is what Airside is in now. Patton said it would just be a lease renewal, subject to mutually agreeable terms and conditions such as increased rent and an identified period of time it will be renewed for, and GFMG can do that without additional Port approval according to the policy.

Baenen had questions regarding the agricultural lands leases, and noted that all of the renewed lessees are now gone. Since the GFMG now has the responsibility for those leases, he asked if they could have a copy of the Port's lease template to use when formulating new leases. Patton said with Board approval, he would work with GFMG and Farm Manager Cheryl Sagmeister and bring to them the Port's fundamental lease arrangements. The Board agreed.

Baenen also mentioned that Gordon from Gordon's Restaurant would be conducting a cooking demonstration at the Sunday Market on August 24^th. Gordon uses local produce in his business, most of which he buys from the Farmer's Market at Greenbank Farm. Baenen also noted the lease for the alpaca area was up July 1^st. They are in effect a holdover tenant and GFMG has not received any notification from them, and they are on a 30-day basis at this point. He did add that the alpacas are being cared for. Bronson asked if they were current in payments, and Baenen said they are not - they are behind in rent as of August 1^st, since they were paid up through July.

Weber thanked Baenen for his report.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Marine Resources Committee (MRC), Northwest Straits Commission (NWSC) and Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce (CWCOC): (Weber) MRC: Weber reported the next meeting is scheduled for August 19^th in South Whidbey. She explained it would be a joint meeting with the Snohomish MRC at the Clinton dock. There will be a potluck picnic and the MRCs will compare achievements and look into future cooperation for some projects the Snohomish MRC is doing. The Island County MRC allocated $3,080 to the Whidbey Island Conservation District to help sponsor their workshop for contractors and $2,000 for the Pigeon Guillemot brochure. They also approved $12,000 to purchase equipment and train and deploy Beachwatchers to survey eelgrass in Island County. NWSC: At their meeting on July 24^th, the NWSC talked about the Puget Sound Partnership. The NWSC brings together all seven of the MRCs in the Puget Sound area. The Island County MRC made a presentation on their eelgrass project that recently started. Weber also reported that Don Meehan, the lead agency individual for the Island County MRC, has submitted his retirement papers for the WSU-Extension office. However, he has accepted a position with WSU and will be in charge of natural resources in this area. The committee was told it usually takes 6 months to fill the position of lead staff agent, and in the interim WSU will probably appoint Judy Feldman, the 4-H coordinator. CWCOC: Weber did not attend last month's meeting since it conflicted with the Affordable Housing Summit. She said the Summit was packed; it went very well and was a real eye-opener. The next CWCOC meeting is at 8 a.m. tomorrow in the Fellowship Hall at the Methodist church. EDC: Weber said she and Bronson had attended the EDC luncheon with Governor Gregoire on July 21^st. She said the Penn Cove Water Festival, of which she is a member, was approached about the possibility of a gift for the governor, since she is a collector of Native American Arts. The Penn Cove Water Festival was asked to give a framed art print, and Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard presented it to Governor Gregoire on the Festival's behalf and that of every festival in and around Coupeville.

Weber added that she and Patton had attended a meeting with Senator Mary Margaret Haugen on July 17^th, the Master Site Plan focus group meetings for natural resources, agriculture and recreation, and the Public Affairs Committee meeting on July 21^st. Weber said she was at the Loganberry Festival on the Sunday of the festival, but it was raining very hard.

Council of Governments (COG): (McDonald) Weber attended the July 23^rd meeting in McDonald's stead. She received a Sustainability Resolution that she would like the Board to look at later in the meeting.   

Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) and Economic Development Council (EDC): (McDonald). RTPO: Nothing new to report. EDC: McDonald attended the EDC Board of Directors on July 16^th.  The guest speaker was Dom Amor, the local government and community relations manager for Puget Sound Energy (PSE). PSE has opened an office in downtown Freeland. The EDC reviewed the Governor's luncheon they held on July 21^st and termed the sold out event as a raging success. McDonald said EDC has some new board members. For some period of time it looked like they would not have enough participation, but now it's looking really good. They made some minor changes to the bylaws. The EDC hopes to open a Camano office soon for about 3 hours a week with an outreach individual that they are currently seeking to hire. The EDC put on a Destination Sales Tax workshop in June, and are getting excited about their Whidbey Biz Expo that takes place on October 11-12 at the Coupeville High School.

Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA): Nothing to report

Puget Sound Partnership (PSP), and Greenbank Farm: (Bronson) PSP: Nothing new to report. Greenbank Farm Liaison: Bronson said Baenen's report summed up the activity well. Although he didn't make it to the Loganberry Festival, he did attend the Highland Games event , which was well attended and well organized. Bronson said Greenbank Farm is really becoming more and more of a center of activity for the whole Island. He added that the Tourism Committee is going to try to have a roll out meeting at the Greenbank Farm for a new website.

Weber noted that the GFMG was supposed to submit an Annual Report back in May, but they were unable to submit it on time because they were changing their bookkeeping system. Weber asked Patton to remind the GFMG that they are still waiting for that Annual Report on the Farm Operations. She would also like to know when the GFMG's board meetings are held.

NEW BUSINESS:

Sustainability Resolution: Weber presented the latest Sustainability Resolution as presented by the COG for the Board's consideration. She noted that COG includes representatives from the cities of Oak Harbor and Langley, the town of Coupeville, the port districts of South Whidbey and Coupeville, and Island County.

ACTION: A motion was made by Weber and seconded by McDonald to approve COG's Sustainability Resolution 01-08 as submitted (copy on file). The motion passed unanimously.

Weber then read aloud the list of recommended actions for County residents and businesses to take that were attached to COG's Sustainability Resolution.

ACTION: A motion was made by Weber and seconded by McDonald to approve the recommendations as submitted. The motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:

Letter to Patrick Jones, retired Executive Director of WPPA: As directed by the Board at a previous meeting, Patton had prepared a letter to Jones congratulating him on his retirement and welcoming him to Island County. Weber read the letter (copy on file), and all three members of the Board signed it.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Patton's contract proposal: At 12:12 p.m. Weber called the Board into an Executive Session to review Patton's contract proposal and consider his performance and qualifications. Weber closed the Executive Session at 12:20 p.m. and returned the Board to the Public Meeting.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS:

Action in response to Patton's contract proposal - motion and discussion:

ACTION: A motion was made by Bronson and seconded by McDonald to accept a new agreement for services with Patton for two years.

Bronson said that Patton is thorough, agreeable to work with, and a good advisor at all times, and the other Board members strongly agreed. All three indicated they were happy and pleased to sign the new contract. Bronson said Patton has been of inestimable value. Weber thanked Patton very much, and said his effort and his dedication to the Port is commendable.

The motion passed unanimously.

Next Port regular meeting: Bronson stated that he would not be able to attend the next regular monthly meeting that was scheduled for September 10, 2008. Because the Board felt it was important for all three commissioners to be present to approve the Preliminary budget for 2009, the regular monthly meeting of the Port's Board of Commissioners was rescheduled and will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 8, 2008, in the Island County Administration Building, Room 116, located at #1 NE Seventh Street, in Coupeville, WA. The Board also agreed to reschedule the regular October meeting from October 8^th to October 7^th. That meeting will include the Public Hearing and adoption of the Final Budget for 2009.

Monthly Financial Status Report: MacLeod-Roberts submitted the final June 2008 financial statement.

ACTION: A motion was made by Weber and seconded by McDonald to accept the final June 2008 financial statement as submitted. The motion passed unanimously.

Approval of Current Vouchers: MacLeod-Roberts 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 Weber and seconded by McDonald to approve by signature the August 2008 vouchers, numbers #790 - #809 for a total amount of $30,978.43. The motion passed unanimously.

WPPA Request from Executive Director's Conferences: Weber referred the Board to WPPA's request for identification of the three challenges the Board is in control of and the three challenges that others control. Patton explained that WPPA had made the same request of all port executive directors, and now they are requesting the same of all port commissioners. Weber read aloud Patton's response pertaining to challenges under the Board's control: 1) fiscal solvency/ budget control, 2) maintenance of Wharf and Farm buildings; selective expenditures, and 3) execution of the Comprehensive Plan's projects and initiatives, including prioritization and funding control. Patton identified the three challenges that others control as: 1) the levy lift (voter controlled), 2) the Conservation Easement (controlled by Attorney General, the bond attorneys, and Island County), and 3) new building for Greenbank Farm (state legislators control). Weber felt Patton's responses were well said, and agreed with the identified challenges. Bronson and McDonald concurred, and the Board agreed that they all forward their individual esponses to WPPA Executive Director Eric Johnson.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board, Weber adjourned the meeting at 12:25 p.m.