MEETING OPEN TO PUBLIC INPUT: Weber opened the meeting to public input. No one 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 reported that 1,000 gallons of fuel were sold in March, and that was about the same as in the last couple of years. Although there was another problem with a 40-ft. section of the fuel dock, Ian Jefferds of Penn Cove Shellfish was able to come in and purchase fuel on the other 40-ft. section. Port Handyman Dick Tackett is currently re-installing the section that had problems in the most recent storm. Patton explained the problem was caused by the new fittings being too snug against the pilings and the waves from the storm caused a lot of stress on the bolts holding the steel plates to the concrete deck. Tackett has drilled new holes in the arms of the bracket fitting to allow freer movement. Weber asked if the Port would be able to claim both fuel dock repairs on the insurance, but Patton said they would not, because the Port has a $1,000 deductible and this time the repair cost would be less than $500. Repairs to fuel dock and insurance claim: Patton said the total spent on the previous repair to the 40-ft. section of fuel dock totaled $6,368. The Port's insurance company, Enduris (formerly known as Washington Government Entity Pool), called to say the Port's submitted claim form was exceptional, as it included Whidbey Examiner articles and photographs that detailed the entire process. Patton said they are more than happy to pay the claim, and he expects the reimbursement check (less the $1,000 deductible) to arrive in the next week or so. Mystic Sea arrival and sublease: Patton reported moorage revenue was only $235 in March, compared to $800-$1,000 for the last two years, due to the Mystic Sea requiring overhaul on the 1^st of March for about 3 weeks and therefore not paying moorage during that time. The Mystic Sea is at the Wharf now and will remain for the next month and a half under a new sublease. Accepting reservations at floats: Patton explained that under the Port's new Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Aquatic Lands Lease, the moorage policy of "first come, first served" is no longer required. Patton said his personal recommendation is that the Port try accepting reservations, and charge something over and above the moorage fee as a reservation fee to defray the additional administrative costs of processing reservations. Bronson felt reservations would be very difficult because of the very limited pier capacity, and the administrative hassle handling the small space available would not make it advisable or cost effective. Weber agreed with Bronson, and added that it would be too short notice to start for this summer as boaters would have to be notified in advance. She said it is not a good time to start a program like that. McDonald said she would like to try it; it's a great idea. The only thing that would be limiting is that "we are so small." She would also like to do something that the Port would make a profit on for a change.

ACTION: A motion was made by Bronson and seconded by Weber to not try a reservation system at the Wharf at this time, but to look at it at a later date. The motion passed with two votes in favor and one abstention.

Status of grant request for pumpout station: Patton summarized previous activity related to this item, including the Port's rejection of a bid for $30,000-$40,000, and Ian Jefferd's offer to match up to 25% of the cost. If the Port purchases the equipment directly, it would cost approximately $11,000. The Port would then use a local plumbing and a local electrical company to work on the installation. Patton has contacted Harbor Plumbing (the company that installed the Wharf's sewage system) and CK Electric (also provided electric work on the Wharf in the past) and they are both prepared to provide reasonable bids for this job. He will provide the Board with additional information by the next regular meeting.

Wharf, causeway and park upkeep:

Volunteer support: Patton referred the Board to an article in the Whidbey Examiner about "The Marvelous Mossblasters" - a group of volunteers who have been cleaning the Wharf and helping to maintain and "spruce up" the park and kiosk at the entrance. At last month's regular Port meeting, Russ Johnson of the Marvelous Mossblasters forgot to attend to receive his plaque because he was staining the kiosk and helping spread the new gravel at the time! Patton noted that Ed's Construction had donated the gravel. As a member of the local garden club, Johnson also brought in 6 barrels of planted flowers and they are blooming beautifully. Source of cedar for Wharf siding: Patton said the Ebey's Trust and Historical Society have indicated they would really like the Port to restore the exterior siding on the Wharf using cedar, which is much more expensive than the most commonly used alternative. The Town of Coupeville will be demolishing the building at 905 Main St., and since it is cedar sided, Johnson came up with the idea that the Port could reclaim that wood and use it on the Wharf's exterior. Patton then contacted Gary Wray, a professional sider, to look at the wood and determine if it was feasible, and Wray said the wood is mostly reclaimable. Patton also spoke with Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard, and she has agreed to stipulate in the requests for proposal for the demolition job that the Port will be allowed to strip the building and reclaim the wood prior to the demolition. Port handyman, Dick Tackett, is trying to locate a dry space to store the wood until the work can be done and the Port is seeking donated space nearby. The wood will also need to be cleaned. The Board thanked Johnson and Wray very much, and Weber said the park looks beautiful. Wray explained the siding would be done one section at a time with the goal of saving the Wharf at a minimum cost, and he will solicit volunteers for the work. He added that the wood would take up a space of approximately 16 ft. long by 4 ft. wide and 4 ft. high. Farm Operations Manager Virginia Bloom offered the use of the upstairs of Barn B at the Farm. New roof on Wharf: Patton reported receipt of the first estimate for the new roof and explained that Port procedure has been to search for "should cost" estimates before advertising and soliciting bids. The first estimate was for $16,000 was from the same company that has provided roofing services at the Wharf and at the Port office. Patton suggested that once the Port has received the levy income from the payment of property taxes in April, he will solicit bids for re-roofing the Wharf and measure it against that estimate. He will then make a recommendation to the Board at a subsequent meeting. Results of piling survey and plans for repairs: Patton reported the Port's Diver completed his survey and report. All of the pilings under the Wharf were spiked and almost all are healthy pilings. Of the 139 pilings under the Causeway, there are five that have either failed or are showing signs of failure. Three of them are on the pedestrian side and two are on the vehicle side but they are spread out, so there is no danger at the moment. Those five need replacement and Patton will solicit bids using the same procedure of obtaining a "should cost" estimate first. He will update the Board via email.

Status of Comprehensive Plan Initiatives:

Review of five initiatives for Coupeville: Patton felt it would be a good time to review the five initiatives in the Comprehensive Plan for Coupeville since it seems recent meetings have concentrated on the initiatives for Greenbank Farm. The key initiative had to do with establishing a Marine Education Center (MEC), on the Coupeville Wharf and Patton noted that the Port enlisted the help of Washington State University-Extension to present public briefings and solicit public input and feedback. Unfortunately, no source of funding was identified that could take the place of the rent the Port is collecting from the tenants at the Wharf, and the failure of the levy increase request last November made it clear that the Port needs that rent revenue. Meanwhile, the Board did take the action of limiting the renewal terms of the existing leases on wharf spaces to one year to allow the possibility of eventually using one or more spaces for the MEC. At the Board's direction, Patton drafted a letter to Judy Feldman, Acting Director of WSU Island County Extension, thanking WSU and the Beach Watchers for their help in soliciting local public opinion about the MEC and informing them that there is no plan to proceed at this time. Port Clerk, Molly MacLeod-Roberts, read the letter aloud. (The letter is on file at the Port office.)

ACTION: A motion was made by Bronson and seconded by McDonald to approve the letter as presented and send it to WSU Island County Extension. The motion passed unanimously.

Weber provided her signature and the Board thanked Patton for the well-written letter.

Patton reviewed the remaining four initiatives: 2) Create a marine facility marketing plan and to engage a marketing specialist and put money in the budget to cover marketing. Patton explained this initiative has not been financially possible, but the Port has advertised the Wharf in various boating journals. 3) Marine transportation links. Patton noted that the Port has done all it could to facilitate a ferry operation from Coupeville, working closely with two different entrepreneurs but neither was successful in getting a ferry run established and operational. The Port remains "welcoming" to anyone who would like to establish that link. 4) Wharf and moorage recreational boating improvements. Patton noted that the Port purchased a new buoy to replace one that drifted free last winter and will reinstall all four buoys at the beginning of boating season. The Port is still working on getting a state grant to make the mooring facilities ADA-compatible. Patton has talked with Rory Calhoun of the Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office, and he has agreed to come to Coupeville but has not yet had the opportunity. Patton will continue to work on the matter and update the Board when a meeting is scheduled. 5) Front Street entrance improvements. Weber noted that McDonald agreed to work with Patton to prepare an application for funding for the Island County Council of Governments (COG). Patton noted that the 5^th initiative also included support for WSU to sell named pavers for the entrance park on Front Street but it was subsequently determined that pavers are neither economically feasible nor practical in that location due to the existence of numerous lines (fuel, sewage, water, fire suppression) beneath the surface of the park. Therefore, Patton's recommendation is that they simply keep refreshing the gravel at the entrance.

Progress on "Plan B" and the Greenbank Farm Conservation Easement: As noted in the email he previously sent to the Board, Patton called Karen Bishop, District Manager of the Whidbey Island Conservation District (WICD). Bishop explained that because the WICD is not a taxing district, they are not in competition for Conservation Futures money. Patton also spoke with Island County Budget Director, Elaine Marlow. After talking with Island County Commissioner, Helen Price-Johnson, Marlow again encouraged the Board to go forward to the Island County Commissioners with a request for Conservation Futures money to pay the balance of the bond debt incurred by the Port for the purchase of the Greenbank Farm. The only thing that the Port lacks now on one side of the Plan B equation (i.e., creating a Conservation Easement for the Greenbank Farm) is the delineation of the Conservation Easement itself. That delineation depends on the outcome of the Master Site Plan, and he and Donna Keeler are working hard to bring that to closure. Weber pointed out that the wonderful idea of seeking Conservation Futures money was brought up by Tim McDonald and Don Meehan at the Port's special meeting in February, and the Board is thankful to both of them for suggesting it. At a previous meeting, Weber stated that Central Whidbey had not received any Conservation Futures money, and she since learned that was an incorrect statement: Conservation Futures money was used to purchase the Kittles' property in Central Whidbey.

Patton explained the next steps as follows: 1. completion of the Master Site Plan; 2. delineation of the Conservation Easement area; 3. proceed (with Michael Stansbury's assistance) to persuade the County to accept the Easement and become the Conservator, and 4. appeal to the Citizen's Advisory Board for the Conservation Futures money. Patton noted that Marlow also encouraged the Port to continue to socialize this plan, so it will be in the minds of the people who make the decision before they see the formal request.

Master Site Plan (MSP) draft status: Master Site Plan Coordinator Donna Keeler was unable to attend today's meeting, but emailed a briefing that Patton summarized for the Board. Approximately half of the members of combined focus group have sent comments on the first draft of the MSP. When Keeler returns from vacation, she will revise the draft to reflect the comments received and schedule a meeting for the combined focus group to review and discuss the second draft of the MSP. She will also provide a summary of the responses to the zoning questions posed at the last meeting. If the combined group is satisfied with the edits and changes at their next meeting she will then finalize a draft document and work with Patton on scheduling public presentations at Greenbank and Coupeville. Patton said he would start working on a PowerPoint presentation for those special meetings, just as they did with the Comprehensive Plan.

Status of proposal for capital project at Greenbank Farm: Patton noted that the State Legislative Session will close at the end of the month and, so far, neither the Senate nor the House have found any money in their capital budgets to even provide seed money for building a new multi-purpose building at the Farm.

Visit to Olympia March 24-25 and thank you letters/Results of state budget process and next steps: Bronson and Patton attended the Washington Public Ports Association's (WPPA) first ever "Port Day with the Legislature." Patton reported they were very hospitably received by Senator Haugen and Representatives Norma Smith and Barbara Bailey. They reaffirmed their support, but they also explained how difficult it was to find money for the capital project based on all the other problems that they have. Patton provided draft letters to the senator and representatives thanking them for their support. The Board approved the letters and all three commissioners signed them. Weber noted that the 10^th District did not receive any allocation of funds out of the capital budget. She thanked Bronson and Patton for going to Olympia and representing the Port.

Status of Puget Sound Energy (PSE) request for vegetation control easement at Greenbank Farm - new offer: Patton reported PSE had submitted a revised easement request of no more than 15 ft., and a revised offer of $1,560. Once the document has been authorized by a Port representative, signed in the presence of a notary, and returned to PSE, the Port should receive a check within 3 weeks.

ACTION: A motion was made by Bronson and seconded by Weber to authorize Executive Director, Jim Patton, to execute the vegetation control easement for Puget Sound Energy at Greenbank Farm as the Port representative. The motion passed unanimously.

Patton said he would have the Port Attorney's secretary notarize his signature and mail the document to PSE today.

Status of the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project at Greenbank Farm - irrigation manifold, cost & schedule: Patton and Maryon Atwood met with a Northwest Agriculture Business Center (NABC) representative (an expert on land use and agriculture) and toured the CSA project yesterday. The representative was very pleased with the project, which is NABC's first CSA project in the northwestern portion of the state. The project is waiting on the irrigation manifold (which has been ordered), and Patton noted that the Board previously approved $3,500 for the manifold. The Market Farmers have subsequently asked if they could tap off of the irrigation line and irrigate their leased area with the pond water just as the CSA plans to do. Commercial Fire has submitted a bid for $900 to provide that tap access, and Patton recommended the Board accept and approve that bid. He noted that although the $900 was not in the Port's 2009 budget, neither was the $1,560 from PSE, so it could be used to offset the expense.

ACTION: A motion was made by Bronson and seconded by McDonald to accept and approve Commercial Fire's $900 estimate to install a tap off of the irrigation line for the Market Farmers at Greenbank Farm. The motion passed unanimously.

Port contribution to food bank: Patton said that at the Governor's Reception for the WPPA in Olympia, Governor Gregoire said the ports are very important to the state, and mentioned that more and more ports had made contributions directly to their local food banks. The CSA group is actively seeking subscribers to make their project successful. For $500, each week a subscriber gets a full market basket of organic vegetables for 20 weeks. Patton and Bronson suggested that the Port could provide additional support for the CSA and the local food bank by purchasing one or two subscriptions and donating them to the local food bank. Bronson supported the idea because it shows even more support of the CSA program and shows that the Port recognizes this is a difficult economic time and there are people who could be helped with the donation. Weber and McDonald agreed it was a good idea. Patton pointed out that the new Farm Operations Manager, Virginia Bloom, had saved the Port over $1,000 when she researched alternative heat pumps and installers and came back with AP Mechanical's proposal that was $1,000 less than the original bid, and that savings could be reallocated for the CSA subscription.

ACTION: A motion was made by Bronson and seconded by McDonald to authorize the Executive Director to purchase one CSA subscription to be donated to the local food bank in Coupeville. The motion passed unanimously.

Status of LOSS repairs at Greenbank Farm: Patton reported that according to Reed Tacia of Reed's Construction the septic holding tank should be completely cleaned by the end of the day, with no interruption to the businesses at the farm.

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

There was much activity surrounding agriculture this month. The CSA continued to prepare its fields and the Farm provided segregated dry space for storage of equipment and other necessary materials. Work proceeded on activating the irrigation system. A wash station to service vegetable crops is being planned and is most likely to be located between the tractor barn and the pea patch. Those working the market farm plots have planted crops and have approached the GFMG to secure five-year leases and to expand with the inclusion of a small orchard. This suggests greater stability of this component of agriculture at the Farm. With increased agricultural activity at the market plots, the CSA fields, the pea patch and a vegetable wash station, the GFMG is reviewing a rearrangement of the off-leash dog staging areas to provide more efficient access to the recreational trails and, at the same time, to protect the organic farming activities. It should also be noted that the CSA training program will also take over responsibility for the loganberry field.

The Farm office and retail space continues to be fully leased. Renewals of the leases for the Whidbey Pies Café and the commercial pie business are currently being negotiated so that there will be continuity for these important Farm landmarks.

The primary public event in March was Garden Fair. To date, seven weddings have been booked at the Farm, which is ahead of last year.

This period also includes considerable management planning activities, including financial and cost analysis, budget development, operating policy review and Loganberry Festival planning.

Weber thanked Stansbury for his report, and commended Farm Operations Manager, Virginia Bloom, explaining that several people had made positive comments regarding Bloom's management style.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Greenbank Farm and Puget Sound Partnership (PSP): (Bronson) Greenbank Farm: Bronson had nothing further to add to the GFMG report. PSP: Bronson and Patton actually met PSP Port Representative, Rory Calhoun, a Commissioner from the Port of Port Angeles, in Olympia and got the impression that the representative felt the Port of Coupeville was insignificant. Patton reported that they met with WPPA Executive Director, Eric Johnson, in Olympia, and asked him to urge Calhoun to confer with the ports and inform and update them regarding the PSP activities. Weber reiterated her displeasure with Calhoun and his lack of any communication with any of the ports.

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, but will start meeting weekly next week. Their website has been updated, and she explained that this year's Festival will include Friday night activities as well as a cruise on Sunday. NWSC: Weber attended the NWSC meeting on March 27^th in Coupeville. CWCC: No report. MRC: Weber provided information on recent MRC activities, the record of which is on file in the Port office.

Council of Governments (COG); Economic Development Council (EDC); Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO); Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA): (McDonald) COG: Weber attended the COG meeting in McDonald's place. The Whidbey Island Conservation District provided an update on what they are doing regarding Low Impact Development (LID). Weber explained that the MRC has dedicated funds for some of the LID workshops, and there will be a bus tour of different LID sites this Friday. Additional information on the tour, including a map, is available in the Port office. Weber reported that the COG sent a letter to Governor Gregoire regarding the sense of urgency and concern with respect to the state parks in Island County that are being considered for closure, mothballing, or transferring of title. COG also discussed Green Power Challenges. Patton noted that PSE conducted a good energy survey of all the buildings at the Wharf and at the Farm, and he looks forward to receiving PSE's report. McDonald thanked Weber for attending in her stead. RTPO: McDonald reported that RTPO did not meet last month. Weber said she would be attending the RTPO's next meeting on Friday, so she would not be going on the LID tour. WPPA and EDC: McDonald was unable to attend the meetings, so she did not have anything to report. Weber said she and Bronson attended the EDC's Annual Meeting in Oak Harbor. A state government representative from Olympia made a presentation regarding employment and the status of the work force in the state, and provided interesting statistics. The EDC also re-elected all their officers.

NEW BUSINESS:

New budget calculation: "Cost of ownership of Coupeville properties": In response to a request from Bronson at a previous meeting, Patton submitted an accounting of the "Cost of Ownership of Coupeville Properties for 2008," which provided a separate breakdown of expenses for the Port's Coupeville properties and for Greenbank Farm (this document is on file at the Port office). Bronson observed that, with the exception of the annual bond payment, the cost of ownership of the Port's properties in Coupeville was nearly equal to the cost of ownership of the Port's properties in Greenbank. There is really no record of partiality between the two Port ownings. The Board thanked Patton for the well-prepared report.

Wharf Liaison Commissioner: Patton noted that Mary Alice Sterling of Coupeville had suggested at two meetings that the Port should have a Coupeville Wharf Liaison Commissioner, consistent with having a Liaison Commissioner for the Greenbank Farm. Weber felt there is not a need for a wharf Liaison Commissioner because the main area of service of the harbormaster, dockhand and Executive Director is already at the wharf and marina, in addition to a part-time handyman who works at both the farm and the wharf. Moreover, Weber said that she visits the wharf frequently and Bronson has, on several occasions, made himself available to handle contingencies at the wharf - such as the retrieval of the fuel dock when it broke away during a winter storm. The Board agreed that a Wharf Liaison Commissioner was not needed, and directed Patton to draft a letter of response to Sterling advising her that the Board considered her suggestion and agreed it was not necessary for the reasons stated above.

Advertisement in the Central Whidbey Visitors Guide: Patton reported that tomorrow is the deadline for advertising in the Guide. The minimum block would cost $250. Since the Wharf's tenants are already paying for advertising of their spaces and because money is so tight at the Port, the Board agreed to not advertise in this year's Guide. They will look into the possibility of doing it next year, possibly with an advertisement in combination with the Port's tenants.

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, May 6, 2009, at the Coupeville Recreation Hall at 901 Alexander Street in Coupeville, WA.

Monthly Financial Status Report: MacLeod-Roberts submitted the final February 2009 financial statement.

ACTION: A motion was made by Weber and seconded by McDonald to accept the final February 2009 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 April 2009 vouchers, numbers #994 - #1029 for a total amount of $30,840.42. The motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board, Weber adjourned the meeting at 12:45 p.m.