Commissioners Present: Benye Weber, Marshall Bronson and Ann McDonald

Others Present: Jim Patton (Executive Director), Molly MacLeod-Roberts (Edwards & Associates), Michael Stansbury (GFMG President and Treasurer), Long Bechard (Harbormaster), Justin Burnett (Whidbey Examiner), Nathan Whalen (Whidbey News-Times), Sharon Hart (Island County Economic Development Council, Executive Director) and Mary Alice Sterling (Coupeville Resident). Greenbank Residents: Randall & Kim Sittner, Mark Fesslar, Barbara Kolar, Erin Stonefelt, Rich Turner and Don Stewart. Oak Harbor Residents: Reed Tacia and Bob Burkhard.

Call to Order: The regular meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by Commissioner Weber in the Port Office, located at 24 Front Street in Coupeville, WA, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: Weber stated that the Minutes for the regular meeting of January 14, 2009, were available for approval and signatures.

ACTION: A motion was made by Bronson and seconded by McDonald to approve the January 14, 2009, meeting Minutes as submitted. The motion passed unanimously.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:

Reed's Construction re: Large On-Site Sewage System (LOSS) inspection at Greenbank Farm (Reed Tacia): Reed Tacia was on hand to answer any questions regarding the inspection report submitted to the Commissioners earlier. The report is on file at the Port office. Patton explained that Reed's Construction was the only septic service company that answered the Port's solicitation in the media and that Tacia had conducted the first comprehensive inspection of the whole septic infrastructure at the farm. Tacia said he gathered information on the design of the system from both the State and County Health Departments. As a result of a 2-day process, Reed's Construction was able to do a complete inventory of the entire system. They were able to define the assets and examine the condition of the system. As the pictures in his report show, since its construction more than 20 years ago, the system has not been maintained, and it is now in dire need of repair and maintenance. The assets are on the edge of failure. If a pump failure or a back-up occurs, the businesses using the system would have to be shut down for an extended period of time.

Patton explained that last year the State informed the Port that the permit to operate the LOSS would be terminated unless inspections and tests were conducted weekly, monthly, and biannually on the system. The Board previously approved a long-term monitoring contract with Reed Construction, and also approved the installation of a grease trap at the Café (which is now complete).

Patton summarized that the very large system that Chateau Ste. Michelle installed in 1987 has two issues: 1) it was never maintained, and 2) no grease trap was installed for the Café, and that essentially "poisoned" the system over four years, with grease and olive oil accumulating all the way up to the drain fields.

He reported that since the grease trap has been installed and the LOSS has been inspected and placed under a long-term monitoring contract, the Port is now in compliance with the Washington State Department of Health. It remains to clean the system and keep it in good condition.

Tacia and Patton provided additional information regarding sanitation maintenance issues for Barn B and Barn C. The sewer lines from these barns connect with the line coming from Barn A and were added to the main system in 2004. He referred to the inspection photographs. Tacia explained that the big problem is that sewage deposits are losing "settling time" in the system's main settling tank. Just as the deposits are trying to settle, the pumps that move sewage from Barns B and C turn on and stir it up. Another problem is with the main pumps that empty the settling tank. The pumps should empty the tank within a minute and a half, but instead it is taking them 20-30 minutes to empty it. These pumps are a major concern - they are running at half their rated speed. The metal piping and metal fittings attached to the pumps have corroded so badly that the pumps cannot easily be removed and if a pump fails all the businesses would have to shut down in order to excavate the area, cut the pump out, replace it and rebuild the lines. Reed's Construction has submitted a proposal recommending that the Port complete the upgrades to the system now, before that happens.

Bronson asked if any of the repairs and replacements can be made while the system is still in operation without shutting everyone down, and Tacia said, "Yes, that is my proposal." Reed's Construction would have everything organized, staged and ready to go prior to the septic pumper trucks vacuuming out the tanks, and they would not cut any lines until the pumping is completed. It would then take considerable time before the settling tank filled up.

Weber asked how long the businesses would have to be shut down for, and Tacia said if they decided to retrofit, the businesses would only be out of service for 30-45 minutes. If the upgrades are planned and implemented now, there will be a very small amount of "down time", but if a pump goes out without having any upgrades, the service disruption might last at least a week or two.

Patton noted that although the Port's 2009 Budget includes money for the LOSS inspection and the long-term inspection/monitoring contract, there isn't any money allocated specifically for extensive repair work. He said it would probably cost $10,000-$12,000 to do all of the proposed upgrades. Bronson asked if it could be done per item, in stages. Tacia said, "If you were going to piecemeal it, you could change out the pumps in the large system of the LOSS itself first and then do the rest. He said his proposal breaks it down in that manner (per section). The most difficult section is the area serving the Café.

Bronson recommended that the Board look into the matter further, including review of Tacia's proposal and the budget, before taking any action. The Board agreed. Patton noted it would be a priority issue, because with the $40,000 allocated for construction and repair in 2009, the Board hoped to catch up with the deferred maintenance on the Coupeville Wharf.

The Board thanked Tacia for his input.

With the Board's consent, Weber reordered the agenda to allow discussion of the lease for the restaurant to take place earlier in the meeting.

Potential buyer for Long Bechard's restaurant and lease assumption:

Patton reported that Kim and Randall Sittner had presented a proposal to assume the lease agreement for the restaurant on the Wharf (Long's Café) between Long Bechard and the Port, as well as a business plan that they had worked on with the assistance of Sharon Hart, Executive Director of the Island County Economic Development Council (EDC). Randall Sittner explained their existing business and said leasing the space was a good business opportunity for them to expand and fulfill Kim Sittner's dream of opening a restaurant. He noted that Bechard had established a very good business, with good clientele, good service and good food and the Sittners intend to keep all those things, but also add some menu items. Kim Sittner said future plans include adding breakfast, as well as staying open late in the summer in order to serve dinner. Randall has a full-time job and Kim would be operating the restaurant which will be named Kim's Café.

Patton noted that he had reviewed the lease terms and conditions with the Sittners in detail, including the duration of the lease and the limitation of extensions to one year. Randall Sittner said the limited extension of the lease is not ideal but it's not insurmountable. He thought it would be beneficial to all parties to consider multi-year extensions (3-year). When the current lease expires in 2010, if the business is doing well, he hopes the Port would consider extending the lease for more than a year.

Hart said Kim Sittner met with the Small Business Association's Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) counselor twice, and he was very impressed with how well organized she was and how willing Long Bechard was to help make the restaurant successful. Kim Sittner also has a lot of inventory, management and accounting experience in her background.

Long Bechard said she believed the Sittner's would do very well, and noted that Kim Sittner is a very hard worker. Bronson said he was also very impressed with Kim's background.

ACTION: A motion was made by Bronson and seconded by McDonald to accept the Sittner's proposal and approve the Lease Assumption Agreement as submitted. The motion passed unanimously.

The Lease Assumption Agreement, dated February 11, 2009, was signed by Weber as President of the Board of Commissioners, Long Bechard, Randall Sittner and Kim Sittner, and was attested to by Patton as Executive Director of the Port.

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

Mary Alice Sterling of Coupeville noted that at the Port's special meeting on February 4^th, Bronson had shared his leadership efforts at the Greenbank Farm as the Port's Liaison Commissioner. At the end of that meeting, Sterling said she had challenged the Board to demonstrate a similar leadership effort to help coordinate the different groups interested in the Wharf. At the time, the Board said they would take it under advisement, and Sterling wondered, "What is the result of that challenge?" Weber said nothing has happened yet and noted that the meeting was only one week ago and the Board has not met since. She explained that, later in the meeting, she planned to suggest that the Board have a workshop to discuss the input from the special meeting and work out details as to the Port's next step in the matter.

Richard Turner of Greenbank said he attended the special meeting regarding the Coupeville Wharf last week as well. He said he didn't hear any discussion of specifics for grants. He noted that the Port of Everett received grant money from the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program, there is a Spill Prevention Grant Program that provides money for pump-outs, and the State of Washington has a Boating Facilities Grant program. Turner asked if the Port has looked into those types of grants at all. Weber said no, not as a Board, but she and Patton are making a list of potential funding agencies, and are looking into Conservation Futures money as well. Turner said the money is there, paid for by boaters, and the Port should be pursuing those grants. Patton said that the spill prevention grant is on today's agenda and will be discussed later. He reported that the Port has been in frequent contact with the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) that has the boating grants, and unfortunately the kinds of things RCO is funding are building marinas and other large-scale projects that are incompatible with what the Port has at the Wharf. Patton explained that the other problem is that all the grants have a 25% matching requirement, and the Port does not have matching money. The RCO does have a grant program that provides funding to make a Port facility compatible with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), and Rory Calhoun, RCO's ADA Specialist, plans to come and inspect the Wharf and inform the Port what needs to be done and how much grant money is available. That grant has only a 10% or "in-kind" matching requirement,

Weber reiterated that the Port is looking into grant opportunities and said they would be happy to show the list of agencies. Turner said he doesn't need to see a list. He suggested they look into the Puget Sound Partnership's Shellfish Enhancement program. If the Port rebuilds the docks, it could participate in the biological remediation of carbon sequestering and de-nitrification of seawater using shellfish species.

Sharon Hart added that Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) has provided assistance as well. She and McDonald had also discussed the possibility that an energy audit on the Wharf might provide some good opportunities for weatherization and help with replacement costs. McDonald said Patton is looking into the matter with Walt Blackford at Puget Sound Energy.

Weber said there were a lot of good suggestions during and after the special meeting, but the Board has not met since so they have not been able to discuss them together as a Board.

Patton noted that RCW 53.08.110 permits ports or other taxing districts to "accept gifts of real and personal property and to expend in improvements and betterments such amounts as may be necessary." As Hart had suggested, such gifts could be treated as "in kind" to meet the matching requirements for grants.

Turner said the Port won't get the money if they don't write the grant. If the Comprehensive Plan was done in order to qualify for grants, and no grants have been written since - it is a waste of money. He said, "The fact that you haven't written any grants or tried for any, strikes me as incompetent."

Patton explained that two years ago, the Port went out on a big limb with the Washington State Department of Community Trade & Economic Development (CTED) for a grant to renovate the second floor of Barn B. Turner interjected that was for the Farm; none have been written for the Wharf and Patton acknowledged that. Patton went on to explain that the grant fell short because they were unable to find a light industry owner who would help meet CTED's required number of jobs provided by the project (5 "family wage" jobs).

Erin Stonefelt, owner of Greenbank Cheese at the Farm, said that Laura Blankenship had brought it up with them, but it was never pursued. Hart explained there were other issues involved as well, including the weight limits of the floor.

Weber noted that they also worked with Don Meehan of Washington State University - Extension and the Beachwatchers to obtain funding for marine resource for the Wharf, but they didn't find any money available.

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 and repairs to fuel dock: Patton reported only 962 gallons of fuel were sold in January 2009, compared to 1,300 gallons sold in January 2008. January moorage was also down - $128 collected compared to $296 last year. Now that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has sanctioned concessionaires on the Wharf, the Port looks forward to the arrival of the Mystic Sea the first week of March, but first the 40-ft section of the fuel dock that broke away needs to be repaired and reattached. Patton said the steel brackets have finally arrived and are ready to be installed. Port Handyman, Dick Tackett, wants to work on it on the beach, as soon as the weather cooperates (no wind). It will be floated in at high tide, worked on during low tides and then floated back out and connected.

State Department of Ecology (DOE) inspection of underground fuel tank and documentation - tests required: Patton reported DOE spent ½ day performing the annual inspection and no problems were found with the documentation. However, the fuel tank was filled to capacity the last time, resulting in a jammed float switch. DOE now requires an expert provide verification that the float switch is operable. Evergreen Environmental Services will provide that service, as well as the required annual tightness test on the fuel lines and annual calibration of the fuel pumps. Evergreen will be here on February 13^th to do all of that for an estimated cost of $500-$600.

Response to Washington State University (WSU) request for sign for Master Gardeners at the Greenbank Farm: After discussions with Greenbank Farm Management Group (GFMG) president, Michael Stansbury, and Farm Operations Manager, Virginia Bloom, about the best action to take while staying in conformance with Island County's sign regulations, Patton prepared a draft letter to Judy Feldman, Acting Executive Director of WSU Island County Extension, endorsing signage for the Master Gardeners. The GFMG echoes that endorsement, and, since GFMG has completed their new large sign by the intersection of Wonn Road and State Route 525, they've surplussed the small sign. Island County signage rules will not allow two signs on that corner, so the GFMG is amenable to moving the sign over to the entrance to the Farm where it would be attractive and would celebrate the work of the Master Gardeners. The Board agreed with that solution and authorized Patton to sign and send the letter to Feldman.

Status of Comprehensive Plan Initiatives:

Letter to WSU re: the Marine Education Center (MEC): Patton noted that the briefings to various local groups about the proposed MEC were inconclusive - everyone liked the idea, but there was no "spontaneous eruption of financial support" for the project. He added that the Port had taken the precaution of shortening extension options on the leases on the Wharf businesses to make space available for a MEC in the event that funding becomes available. He will continue to work on the matter.

Progress on the Greenbank Farm Conservation Easement: Patton said he and Michael Stansbury needed to meet with Pat Powell of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust again. At the Port's special meeting last week, Tim McDonald and Don Meehan suggested that the Port could possibly obtain money from the Conservation Futures property tax to help with the current financial situation. If Conservation Futures could provide enough money to pay off the $831,000 that will still be owing for the Farm next January 1st, that might provide a very neat valuation (as required by the State Attorney General) for the development rights on the portion of the Farm placed into the Conservation Easement. He explained that in order to delineate the area to be placed into the Conservation Easement, the Port must first complete the Master Site Plan. Stansbury said they are at the stage where they can start "framing out" the language of the Conservation Easement.

Progress on the Master Site Plan (MSP): (Keeler) MSP Coordinator, Donna Keeler, was ill and requested that Patton provide an update in her absence. Patton said that the draft MSP will be circulated for comment to the consolidated group of volunteers that have been advising on the plan prior to the group's next meeting on February 19^th. Once the draft MSP is completed, the Port will gather public input on the draft using the same model used successfully for the Comprehensive Plan. The Port will provide a PowerPoint presentation at different times and locations and advertise those meetings in the newspaper in order to gather public input. Keeler and Patton will synthesize the input into the form of specific issues that can be discussed by the Board at a special public meeting for that purpose. The Board can then make decisions on the issues and a "smooth document" can be prepared for the Board's consideration, approval and adoption at a subsequent public meeting. Weber asked if the first draft document would be ready by the Board's regular March meeting, and Patton said he thought that it might be ready by then.

Status of proposal for capital project at Greenbank Farm - briefings and Member Request - cooperation of WSU, NABC and Farmers' Market: Patton explained that State Senator Haugen, Representatives Smith and Bailey, and Island County Commissioner Price-Johnson all voiced enthusiastic support after being briefed on the proposal for a new, multi-purpose building. All three state legislators counseled the Port that the Governor's budget does not contain much money for capital projects. However, the federal economic stimulus package is expected to provide money to the state, particularly for local construction. The legislators asked the Port to complete the Member's Request for a Local Construction Project, and Patton completed the form, which was co-signed by Representatives Smith and Bailey and submitted to the Chair of the House Capital Budget Committee, Representative Hans Dunshee. A copy was also provided to Senator Haugen. Patton will be working out partnership arrangements with WSU-Extension, the Northwest Agriculture Business Center and the Farmers Market Association to secure help and advice in setting up and operating the learning centers, the cooperative kitchen and the indoor farmers market facilities in the multi-purpose building.

Status of Puget Sound Energy (PSE) request for a vegetation control easement: Patton reported he finally met with PSE arborist, Janet Brown, and Greenbank Farm's Operations Manager, Virginia Bloom, on site. The arborist determined PSE doesn't need the 25 ft. width originally requested, and she will ask Cindy Whelpley of PSE to rewrite the easement for 15 ft. instead. Brown assured them that any stumps left would be taken right down to the ground or they would grind them if necessary.

Status of the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project at Greenbank Farm: Patton briefly recapped the progress to date. Stansbury noted that he and Bloom are scheduled to meet with CSA's Anza Muenchow and Northwest Agriculture Business Center's Maryon Attwood on Friday to go over the arrangements for space, etc.

Status of small works projects at Greenbank Farm: Patton noted that the Board previously approved the solicitation of bids for 3 non-emergency, small works projects: 1) the long-term contract for periodic inspections and maintenance of the LOSS (discussed earlier on the agenda), 2) the installation of a grease trap in the Café' (work recently completed by Harbor Plumbing), and 3) the new heat pump for Barn A. The bid received to replace the heat pump was provisionally approved by the Board at the January meeting, pending "a green light" from the GFMG. Stansbury said Bloom is currently researching the matter, including costs to insulate Barn A, what type of heat would satisfy the requirements of the wine shops, Café and Barn A, and feasibility and practicality. He said they should have a decision by the Port's next regular meeting in March. GFMG will continue to repair the existing heat pump until a decision is reached.

Greenbank Farm Management Report: (Stansbury) Stansbury was on hand to answer any questions the Board had regarding the January Report he previously sent to Patton and which is included in these Minutes as follows:

Virginia Bloom began as interim Farm Operations Manager on January 19. With Farm activities typically at the low point during the year, Virginia has been familiarizing herself with the Farm operations, tenants and personnel and planning for upcoming events.

The Farm filed the application for renewal of its organic certification with the State of Washington.

Although this is typically a period of low activity, the Farm appears to have been more active than usual. Sales at the wine shop were 50% ahead of last year and the Café appears busier. The Farm looks forward to events in February, including First Friday, where the wine shop, art galleries and other Farm venues continue open through the evening, and the Wine and Chocolate Market, which coincides with Valentine's Day.

Evaluation of basic Farm mechanical systems continues, including the septic system and the heating systems serving Barn A and the Café, Wine Shop, Office and Rest Rooms.

Stansbury added that February's First Friday event was the most successful the Farm ever had. He said the GFMG is very optimistic about things going forward. Bronson asked if the increase in activity at the wine shop has a commensurate increase at the cheese shop. Erin Stonefelt of Greenbank Cheese said, "My news is not so good." She said the recent months of November, December and January were the worst in history, and she has a lot of inventory. Her business suffers when the weather is bad and when there aren't any events at the Farm.

Patton asked Stonefelt to comment on the meetings between the GFMG and the subtenants. Stonefelt noted that although Bloom is new, she has already provided everyone with a newsletter that includes a calendar of events. Stonefelt said the calendar is very helpful to her for ordering and preparing for events. In the past, Farm businesses had frequently requested a calendar of events but never received one. Stonefelt said Bloom is very enthusiastic and has made herself available and really seems to care about them. Stonefelt has high hopes that Bloom will change the environment at the Farm and she feels very positive about the future.

NEW BUSINESS: Weber suggested moving this item up on the agenda with Committee Reports to immediately follow. The Board agreed.

Another levy increase request: Weber added this item to the agenda since she was the one who made the motion at the last regular meeting to proceed with another request for an increase in the levy. As a result of the input received at the special meeting concerning the Wharf on February 4^th, Weber wished to reconsider and made the following motion:

ACTION: A motion was made by Weber and seconded by Bronson to delay any activity in support of requesting an increase in the levy at this point, in order to gather additional public input. Any decision to go forward will be contingent upon that input and additional findings. The motion passed unanimously.

Since the representatives from the local newspapers (Burnett and Whalen) had already left the meeting, Weber asked Patton to notify them of the action taken today. Weber said it's important to show a good faith effort by the Board to the people who shared their ideas and concerns at the special meeting and others who have come forward as well. The Board needs to be open and receptive and consider all options.

Arlo Grundeen's request to hold two shows featuring the works of two photograph artists on the Wharf: Patton referred the Board to Grundeen's email. The request proposes giving a percentage of their earnings to the volunteer efforts to provide infrastructure repair, maintenance and operational funding. Patton will meet with Grundeen and update the Board via email. The Board agreed Patton should cooperate with Grundeen on this volunteer endeavor. Weber voiced concern about the existing Beachwatcher displays, and Patton said he would work out the space details with Grundeen. Patton noted that Whidbey Island Center for the Arts would like to have an art show on the Wharf as well. He and Grundeen walked through the breezeway and looked at what needed to be moved and Patton said it appears "very do-able." Bronson noted that one of the Port's major objectives is to get more people to go on the Wharf, and the only way to do that is to have more activities there. A scheduling list is needed, and Bronson suggested that would be a good task for a volunteer to work on. The Board agreed.

Solicitation of volunteers and bids for upkeep of the wharf building: As a result of the special meeting on February 4^th, Patton said the Port office had received several telephone calls and emails from potential volunteers. The Port has not advertised the need for volunteers, and he asked the Board if they wished to do so now. Bronson suggested they not solicit volunteers until the Board has come up with a list of specific projects for people to volunteer to work on. Suggested projects should include the previously mentioned creation of a Schedule of Events for the Wharf, and also getting the Wharf designated as an historic building. The Board also needs to identify the scope of work needed. Weber and McDonald both said that could be accomplished at a workshop. The Board agreed to notify Patton of potential meeting dates and times so he could schedule that workshop within 2 or 3 weeks. They agreed that the public would be invited to attend, but they would not be invited to provide input.

Penn Cove Shellfish request for pumpout station at the wharf: Patton explained that Ian Jefferds of Penn Cove Shellfish currently has to take all of the small holding tanks on his boats to the Town's pumpout station and it is very time consuming. Jefferds would like to have a pumpout station at the Wharf so he could refuel and pump out simultaneously. Patton provided a brief description of the proposed pumpout station. The cost for installation is estimated at $10,000, and Jefferds has offered to pay half. Bronson noted that the station could increase the amount of boaters to visit the Wharf, and pumpout stations are of primary importance in cleaning up Puget Sound. Patton added that, as Turner had mentioned earlier, there is a Spill Prevention Grant that might reimburse the Port for the whole cost of installing the pumpout station. If the Board agrees, Patton said he would work with Jefferds and the grant administrators to determine exactly how it would work, because the Port needs to avoid large up-front costs while waiting for reimbursements.

The Board agreed it was a very good proposal and directed Patton to begin working on it as soon as possible. McDonald added that they would want to advertise it to the boating public before summer, and Patton said he could update the boating periodicals.

ACTION: A motion was made by Bronson and seconded by McDonald to direct Executive Director Patton to work with interested parties to achieve the installation of a pumpout station at the Wharf. The motion passed unanimously.

Correspondence: Weber added this item to the agenda.

Letter from Matthew Young: Patton reported that Young is interested in extending the irrigation system for gardeners outside of the P-Patch and exclusive of the 8.5 acre CSA area at the Farm. Patton asked Richard Turner to comment, and Turner described the area Young referred to and noted that in the past the commercial market garden area has tied into the P-Patch water system, which is drawn from the potable water system. Turner noted that according to State law, potable water cannot be used for irrigation [since determined to be incorrect information]. Since the manifold is at the north end of the commercial market garden's leased plot area, pipes could be run to the area in conjunction with running pipes into the CSA area, which is approximately 300 linear feet away from the market garden area.

Bronson said the system needed to be divided so the P-Patch is no longer using potable water. The amount of water available and the demands for the water must be determined, as well as how the water will be distributed. Patton noted that when the irrigation and fire suppression pumps and piping were installed, the calculations showed that there is ample water in the pond available for both irrigation and fire suppression. He added that the potable water system uses "ground water" from a well in the forest north of the farm that is owned by the Port and the irrigation and fire suppression systems use water from the pond which is "surface water" that flows into the pond from a spring west of State Route 525 that is also owned by the Port. The two water systems are completely separate. Weber questioned the size of the area needing irrigation and this led to the discussion of the proposal by Art Herrera to lease 10 acres along the northern edge of the Port's property for an olive orchard, which would involve adjusting the zoning of that area which is currently zoned "recreational." The Master Site Plan group is still discussing how to go about handling the matter. Patton noted the additional concern is that if that area is leased, the Port would be obligated to provide adequate irrigation for it, and the existing 7.5 horsepower pump might not be sufficient, given the elevation of the site requested by Herrera above the pond.

Bronson asked Patton to provide an analysis of how much water is needed and how much it would cost to get the water up to the area. McDonald said she would also like Patton to look into the cost of irrigating the whole thing with a drip irrigation system and come up with a ballpark figure.

Weber cautioned that some of the soils at the Farm are not the best for agricultural production, and the soil survey that the County has is very out of date. Weber suggested Donna Keeler should call Ken Drexel of the Whidbey Island Conservation District and ask him to do a site visit and do a soil survey.

Letter to Island County Commissioner John Dean, Chair of the Island Sub-Regional RTPO Policy Board from the Port of South Whidbey: At Weber's request, MacLeod-Roberts read the letter aloud (on file in the Port office).

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Penn Cove Water Festival Committee (PCWF), Marine Resources Committee (MRC); Northwest Straits Commission (NWSC) and Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce (CWCC): (Weber) PCWF: Weber reported the group has been meeting monthly since October. The Festival will be May 15, 2009, from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. The Island County Historical Society and the Museum will sponsor activities on Friday evening and the PCWF is working with the Mystic Sea owner for educational tours on Sunday. MRC: Weber summarized the draft Minutes from the January 20^th meeting that she attended (on file at the Port office). The next business meeting is February 17^th at 3:30 p.m. in the Island County Commissioners' Hearing Room. CWCOC: The Public Affairs Committee did not meet in December or January.

Council of Governments (COG); Economic Development Council (EDC); Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO); Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA): (McDonald) EDC: McDonald reported that the EDC made a few changes at their annual retreat, including the elimination of 5 spaces on their Board that were vacated a couple of years ago. They elected new officers - Scott Lincoln of Lincoln Computers as President, McDonald as Vice President and Wayne Morrison of Blue Star Rockery as Secretary. She read aloud the EDC's list of Goals & Objectives (on file in the Port office). COG: McDonald reported that the Sustainable Whidbey Coalition made a presentation at the last COG meeting. Puget Sound Energy also made a presentation for their Home Energy Audit - a 3-hour visit to homeowners to analyze their energy use for a $95 fee. She and Patton will talk with Walt Blackford at PSE about performing an energy audit at the Wharf and at the Greenbank Farm. RTPO: The scheduled presentation by Ray Dierdorf of Washington State Dept. of Transportation was cancelled. There was a presentation from Energy Performance Contracting, done through the State's General Services Administration. The goal is to improve energy efficiency, and McDonald explained that she and Patton thought the Port could work with them in designing the new building at the Farm, but unfortunately they don't do new construction, only retrofitting. Patton would look into whether it could be of benefit for the Wharf and/or Barn A at the Farm. WPPA: McDonald said WPPA still hasn't scheduled their next legislative committee meeting. She explained that there have been repeated requests for WPPA to provide an annual calendar, but WPPA has said they can't do it.

Greenbank Farm and Puget Sound Partnership (PSP): (Bronson) PSP: Nothing new to report. Greenbank Farm: Bronson noted that the Farm activities had been covered earlier in the meeting. Patton informed him that Stansbury proposed they conduct the monthly Farm audit for December and January on February 20^th in the morning, and Bronson said he would check his schedule and get back to him.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS:

Next Port regular public meeting: The next regular monthly meeting of the Port's Board of Commissioners will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at the Island County Commissioners' Hearing Room, B-102, #1 NE 6^th Street in Coupeville, WA. [Subsequently changed to the Coupeville Recreation Hall at 901 Alexander Street in Coupeville, WA.]

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

ACTION: A motion was made by Weber and seconded by McDonald to accept the final December 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 Bronson and seconded by McDonald to approve by signature the February 2008 vouchers, numbers #941 - #964 for a total amount of $22,459.32. The motion passed unanimously.

At Weber's request, Don Stewart of Greenbank introduced himself as a former Port Commissioner who initiated the Port's purchase of the Greenbank Farm. He said the current Board is doing a great job, and he just wanted to say, "thank you."

Weber asked the Board to review the Port's 2009 budget and consider adjusting it at the workshop mentioned earlier if necessary.

Native Plant Stewards draft Cooperative Agreement: Barbara Kolar presented the draft 5-year agreement and requested placement on the agenda for the Port's next regular meeting. The Board said they were very pleased with all the wonderful work done by Native Plant Stewards over the previous five years. Patton suggested they could go ahead and execute the document now.

ACTION: A motion was made by Bronson and seconded by McDonald to approve and execute the Greenbank Farm Wetland - Biocontrol Research Project Cooperative Agreement between the Port of Coupeville and Native Plant Stewards as submitted. The motion passed unanimously.

Weber signed the agreement on behalf of the Port.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board, Weber adjourned the meeting at 1:10 p.m.