PORT OF COUPEVILLE

Commissioners Present: Marshall Bronson, Ann McDonald and Benye Weber
Commissioners Absent: None

Others Present: Jim Patton (Executive Director) and Community Advisor Committee Members: Sharon Dunn and Loretta Seybert

Call to Order: The special meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Commissioner Bronson in the meeting room of the Coupeville Branch of Sno-Isle Libraries at 788 NW Alexander Street in Coupeville, WA, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

PURPOSE OF THE MEETING:

Commissioner Bronson read aloud the Purpose of the Meeting from the Agenda, as follows:

PROCEEDINGS:

Board review and discussion of each of the community advisory committee's proposed updates: Bronson read aloud the following introduction from the Memorandum for the Board of Commissioners prepared by Executive Director Jim Patton and dated March 5, 2010 (on file at the Port office):

The Board then discussed the CAC's following substantive recommendations for updating the Comprehensive Plan 2007-2026:

1. With regard to the Coupeville Marine Facility:
   • Expand volunteer support for the Coupeville Wharf and designate a volunteer coordinator: Bronson suggested it should be combined with bullet #7 (Recruit volunteers to form "Friends of the Wharf") and the Board agreed. The Board also agreed with the CAC's recommendation to expand volunteer support and designate a volunteer coordinator for the Wharf.
   • Designate a liaison commissioner for the Coupeville Wharf: Weber didn't feel it was necessary. She noted that the reason for a Greenbank Farm liaison commissioner is that the Port doesn't have an office at the Farm as it does in Coupeville. The Board agreed a liaison for the Wharf was not necessary, and Bronson noted that the development of the "Friends of the Wharf" group and a volunteer coordinator would facilitate various activities at the Wharf. Patton suggested he could prepare a charter for the "Friends of the Wharf" group that would include the various desired functions. He proposed emailing the draft charter to the Board prior to the regular April meeting when they could discuss and take action on it.
   • Retain the Marine Education Center as a project and actively search for partners & funders with missions related to marine science and education - employing a qualified volunteer group to make the search: At Bronson's request, this bullet item was discussed last.
   • Convene a focus group to guide future programs & improvements to the Wharf: Bronson suggested this item should be combined with bullet #1 (Expand volunteer support for the Coupeville Wharf and designate a volunteer coordinator) and bullet #7 (Recruit volunteers to form "Friends of the Wharf"). The Board agreed they should be combined and agreed with the CAC's recommendation to update the Plan accordingly.
   • Draft a "Wharf Master Site Plan" to guide capital improvements & marketing at the Coupeville Wharf: (Inadvertently skipped; addressed later in the agenda.)
   • Design measures to increase fuel sales: Patton noted that Michael Diamanti would be presenting his fuel analysis report and recommendations at the next regular Port meeting, so the Board agreed to hold off further discussion until after his presentation.
   • Recruit volunteers to form "Friends of the Wharf": Combined with the bullet #1.
   • Establish a marine link to Camano Island and other points: Bronson suggested the wording be changed to "Encourage the development of a marine link to Camano Island & other points." McDonald said that would be good. Bronson doesn't think the word "establish" is what the Port should do. Weber suggested they add something like "continue to seek opportunities." The Board agreed to change it to: "Seek and encourage a marine link…" Weber reiterated the point that the Comprehensive Plan is "a guideline" and read the following aloud to from page 1 of the Plan: "This comprehensive plan is primarily an authorization vehicle, not an 'official' control or regulatory ordinance. It does not mandate any action or commit the Port to pursue any action. It does not constitute any final decision or action regarding the implementation of any project or initiative contained herein." She stated, "It's a guideline, and all of it is dependent upon having the money to do these things." The Board agreed they should remain in the "passive mode" on the matter of the marine link, due to the other projects the Port is involved in at the Greenbank Farm and the Coupeville Wharf. Bronson added that the Port's economic and physical resources are just about extended to their maximum capacity, so supporting these ideas in concept is perfectly acceptable, but attaching a mandatory timeline would be unrealistic. The Board agreed.
   • Develop an overall site plan for the Front Street Park: The Board agreed it would be very good to come up with a specific plan, and McDonald suggested the Friends of the Wharf group could potentially accomplish that.
   • Work on signage scheme to benefit tenants & visitors: Bronson noted that the Port must coordinate with the Town of Coupeville regarding amount and size of signage, but the Port can still establish a unique set of fonts and usages for the Wharf that would provide complimentary uniformity. Patton explained that CAC member Jim Phay had discussed the issue with the Wharf tenants, who indicated they felt their businesses were "under-advertised" and were quite concerned that visitors were not even aware that the Wharf is open to the public and that there are businesses out there. Bronson suggested asking the tenants to come up with a plan for signage that meets the Town's requirements for Board consideration, and the Board agreed. The Board also agreed that such a plan was not to include any signage on the wall of the Wharf building. The Board reiterated that they want their tenants to succeed.
   • Respect beauty & historic integrity of Coupeville Wharf: The Board agreed.
   • (Agenda Re-ordered) Retain the Marine Education Center as a project and actively search for partners & funders with missions related to marine science and education - employing a qualified volunteer group to make the search: Bronson said that a marine education center was tried in Poulsbo, with a lot of money and a lot of effort and has turned out to be a failure. He thinks having marine science exhibits is a good idea, but he is against the idea of turning the end of the pier into a Marine Education Center. It would not provide any revenue to the Port, and does not seem to be supported by any particular group, except in concept. Weber agreed and noted that the Port had worked faithfully to get funding and support for such a center, but it just didn't fly." Bronson added that various agencies, including Puget Sound Partnership and Marine Resources Committee, are attempting to make Penn Cove into a "little marine laboratory." He believes the Port, along with the Washington State University Beach Watchers, could use our spaces to encourage the concurrent development of what the agencies are doing. Bronson proposed changing the language from retaining and/or establishing a marine education center to instead say the Port will encourage the display and activities of missions related to marine science and education. The Board agreed with his proposal and directed Patton to revise the Comprehensive Plan accordingly. Patton noted that if they "delete going forward with a Marine Education Center," then that re-opens the question of limiting the duration of the leases for the Wharf tenants.
     
     The Board briefly discussed their desire to develop a business plan for the Port, to include marketing of the Wharf, etc. Weber thought Sharon Hart, Director of the Island County Economic Development Council would be willing to work with them on it. Weber said she would like the Port to host an after-hours meeting at the Coupeville Wharf for the 100+ members of the Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce. The Board agreed it was a great idea.
2. With respect to the Greenbank Farm:
   • Include Wonn Road public beach access in the Comprehensive Plan inventory of water access points - show as "contested": Bronson felt the Port has always had the view that the Wonn Road access issue is NOT the part of the Port's activities, anymore than the tide gate that belongs to the Holmes Harbor Home Owners Association is part of the Port's responsibility. He said he would be uncomfortable addressing any of those types of issues. Weber recalled that when the water access section of the Plan was drafted, the volunteers wanted to include Wonn Road. However, the Board felt the situation was too sensitive, and since the Port has no jurisdiction over Wonn Road, they removed any reference to it in the final Plan. The current Board was in agreement that Wonn Road public beach access should not be included in the inventory of water access points in the Plan.
   • Maintain public participation and transparency in planning for transition beyond the current lease and management services contract with the Greenbank Farm Management Group (GFMG) in 2014: The Board agreed, and Bronson referred to it as "a no-brainer."
   • Arrange management of the Farm to reduce draw down of Port revenues so as to provide funding for new projects and initiatives: Bronson recommended they change the wording from "Arrange management of the Farm…" to "Continue economic development of the Farm…" The Board agreed with his recommendation, and directed Patton to insert that language into the Comprehensive Plan.
3. With regard to new projects and initiatives:
   • Integrate Whidbey Island agricultural development with the Northwest Agricultural Business Center: Bronson said this item is "de facto" - it is happening and the Port is participating. The Board agreed.
   • Make careful assessment of community support before committing resources to a feasibility study re: acquisition of Eisenberg airport: Bronson noted that the Port is already doing that and it is in the Plan (page 38, #2. Airport Transportation Facility and page 52, #2. Air Transportation Facility), so it doesn't need to be changed. The Board agreed no change was needed.
   • Retain support for light industrial development in the Comprehensive Plan: Bronson agreed, noting that, "we've done that already," and the Board agreed as well.
   • Delete reference to the Keystone ferry terminal and harbor of refuge from the Comprehensive Plan: The Board agreed with the CAC's recommendation to delete the reference, and directed Patton to revise the Plan accordingly.
   • Continue to incorporate sustainable energy projects at both Greenbank Farm and the Coupeville Wharf: Once again, Bronson noted that the Port is doing that, including planning for developing a solar project at the Farm.
   • Assure all resource values (i.e., environmental protection, historic appearance, etc.) are considered when choosing sites for energy projects/equipment: Bronson said the Port already does this, so it doesn't need to be added. The Board agreed.

Pursuant to the earlier discussion regarding the CAC recommendation to include Wonn Road public beach access in the Comprehensive Plan inventory of water access points, Sharon Dunn explained that the Committee felt it should be added to the 7 listed water access points on page 36. She noted that the list contains places other than Port-owned locations and the CAC recommended they show Wonn Road as "contested." Bronson asked why the CAC felt that would be valuable information, and Dunn responded, "It would be accurate." Bronson noted that all the places listed on page 36 are all available to the public right now. Adding Wonn Road would be "adding something that is currently not available." The Board discussed whether or not any other items on page 36 were contested, and noted that Hidden Beach road-end might be, but Weber thought Island County shows it as public access. Weber felt the Port doesn't have enough information on the matter and should leave the Wonn Road issue up to the County. McDonald suggested that since the Board doesn't have enough information, they could wait and address the matter again at the next 3-year review of the Comprehensive Plan.

ACTION: A motion was made by Bronson to include Wonn Road public beach access as "contested" on page 36 of the Comprehensive Plan on the list of Water Access locations. The motion failed, due to lack of a second.

The Board reiterated they do not have enough information and Wonn Road access should NOT be added to the Comprehensive Plan.

Patton pointed out that the following item had not been addressed earlier:

• Draft a "Wharf Master Site Plan" to guide capital improvements & marketing at the Coupeville Wharf: Bronson didn't feel the Port needed to spend the amount of money and effort required for a Master Site Plan for the Wharf. He explained that the Greenbank Farm was a major problem that required "a whole lot of answers from a lot of different areas." The Wharf, on the other hand, is a very particular problem that should be able to be solved by the volunteer coordinating committee and the Port's business plan. The Board agreed with Bronson's assessment that a Wharf Master Site Plan was not needed.

Board decisions as to adopting amendments to the Comprehensive Plan 2007-2026: Board decisions were included earlier in the agenda.

On behalf of the Board, Bronson thanked Loretta Seybert and Sharon Dunn as representatives of the CAC for their efforts.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Bronson adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.