POG Manager Report 3/23-29

POG Manager Report 3/23-29

+          Added two projects for TEP 2013 work plan consideration: sharing of water data information for possible aquaculture opportunities and kayak launch park facilities.

+          Attended Garibaldi Days Committee Meeting.

+          Attached a water data collector loaned by TEP onto the cargo dock to determine various characteristics of bay water for possible oyster larvae production.

+          Meeting with Toby Taylor to view a restroom/shower facility he’s building at Camp Magruder. Toured with Dave Olson. Good place to get ideas for the similar building at the RV park. We’re thinking that this building is where all of the panels and utilities would be hubbed and as such it might make sense to build this building first before changing out the lines. Plus it would make sense to have this building up before tearing down the older structures.

+          Visited Irish’s Mooring on Friday morning for coffee.

+          Took personal day off on Wednesday.

+          Submitted ConnectOregon monthly report.

+          Talked to Patrick Wingard, DLCD, about possible planning grant available July 1 that could help with funding the port’s vision plan. Also talked to Mark Seder about elements of the scope of work that I’m working on. OBDD is hesitant to grant any more funds until the other ports get their SBP’s in place. Patrick also sent a copy of another community vision plan grant application which will be helpful.

+          Facilitated information regarding HB3441 between fisherman and OPPA.

+          Follow up with OPPA on the DEQ noticing process to landowners in addition to leaseholders. DEQ has not communicated any progress on their noticing program.

+          Received preliminary plans for RV park. Reviewed with Dave Olson, Paul Daniels, Miami Cove Electric, and Toby Taylor. Made suggestions, corrections and will send back to HLB/OTAK. Visited restroom facility at Camp Magruder.

+          Updated Garibaldi’s entry for the PNWA coastal ports economic impact report.

+          Edited and approved Port’s ad for Tillamook County tourist map. We bought a small ad with other Garibaldi businesses. Map will be distributed at Oregon entry points.

+          Setting up appointment next week with ODFW about possible wetland mitigation banking opportunities in Tillamook Bay.

+          Received a single write up for the walking brochure. Hope to get more next week.

+          Completed Project Completion Report for POG Strategic Plan Award. Emailed to IFA this week.

+          Received Project Closeout letter for requirements related to the RV Park loan. The OM&R guide met their requirements.

+          Email exchanges with Blair Smith. He’s continuing to work issues out with the equipment manufacturer and the city regarding the boat wash.

+          Followed up with David Ulbricht (bond market), TLC and Bank of Astoria about interim financing opportunities. IFA instructed me to reach out to the private market before contacting them. We’ll probably need a $1.75MM line of credit that will be paid off every 30 days during construction. Submitted all information required by TLC.

+          Edited and made comment on OSMB grant application for the boarding float. Deadline is April 5^th and Jessi is doing most of the work on the application.

+          Agreed with Tamara at Garibaldi Charters to hire building inspector to fully review the building. Inspection was done on Friday. Dave and I went to see how it went. Should get inspection back next week and will negotiate any improvements with the new business owners. We’ll split the cost of the inspection with GCharters.

+          Updated website including waiting list, April agenda, etc.

+          Discussion with city planner on USACE permit for boarding floats. He signed off on the permit application and I sent it off to the USACE. Shouldn’t take too long to get word back. He did let me know that the city code requires the port to make a presentation to the planning commission. Awaiting date and time.

+          Read all three surveillance proposals and had several detailed email exchanges with Commissioner Luquette. The three companies are going to submit a network design that shows how their equipment relates to one another. This will be helpful in clarifying the scope of work for the RFP.

+          Received continued interest from an individual interested in starting the larvae production facility. Could be a start up site on the Guest dock. Sent email confirming size of upwellers to see if they could fit into a slip. May need to follow up with nearby moorage holders.

+          Meeting with Commissioner Barnett on a number of topics.

+          Received word that EDA is awarding the Port of Garibaldi $3.0MM toward the reconstruction of the Commercial Ave. Wharf. Will have a meeting with Ken Valentine, Project Manager, to begin the press for developing the bid documents.

Merkley, Wyden, Schrader Announce $3 Million for Port of Garibaldi Wharf Reconstruction

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               March 29, 2013

Contact:  Courtney Warner Crowell (Merkley) – 503-326-2747


Tom Towslee (Wyden) – 503-326-7525

Cody Tucker (Schrader)— 202-225-5711

Merkley, Wyden, Schrader Announce $3 Million for Port of Garibaldi Wharf Reconstruction

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, and Congressman Kurt Schrader announced today that the Port of Garibaldi has been awarded $3 million from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help reconstruct the wharf along Commercial Avenue in Garibaldi that was damaged in the severe winter storms of 2011. 

“The wharf is essential to Garibaldi’s economic future,” said Merkley. “I applaud the local leaders who have worked so hard to get this reconstruction started. This funding will strengthen the future for this important port and for the entire Garibaldi community.”

“I have always believed that private investment can follow public investment to create jobs, retain jobs and improve services,”Wyden said. “Economic Development Administration money to reconstruct this dock will lead to the return of commercial fishing boats to the wharf as well as heavier marine manufacturing products. All that adds up to a stronger and more diversified local economy.”

"This grant is essential in helping the port commission accomplish its goal of rebuilding its wharf, diversifying businesses and updating its infrastructure," Rep. Schrader said. "Most importantly this investment promotes real economic development opportunities and job growth in Tillamook County."

EDA’s grants are awarded through a competitive process based upon the applicant’s eligibility, application merit, and the availability of funds.  It is anticipated that this project will retain 250 jobs, create 32 new jobs and leverage $1.8 million in private investment to the area.

###

POG Manager Report 3/16-22

+          Attended first half of Tourism Symposium. Commissioners Folkema and Daniels also attended.

+          Attended Garibaldi City Council Meeting and gave an update on port activities including a preview of the Commission’s desire to have a Vision Plan up soon in the next fiscal year and hoped that the city would be involved.

+          Monthly staff meeting.

+          Took a couple hours of personal time off on Tuesday.

+          Met with Rob Trost to discuss Old Mill’s plans. They’ve been exploring permitting for dredging their eastern marina, but they’ve been encountering some agency push back. Shared a conversation that I had with Chris Knudsen about mitigation banking and looking at renewing the Public Private Partnership opportunities on the SW corner.

+          Attended a tenants meeting at Irish’s Mooring café. I sent a short survey asking all then businesses to submit a short write up and a couple of photos to be included in brochure that could be distributed around the port. Also, shared some brief steps for getting businesses to add their stuff to TripAdvisor. Commissioner Daniels also attended.

+          Began looking into getting interim financing for the wharf project. Emailed Carol Brown at TLC and talked to Dave Harlan at OBDD. The state will first ask if the Port has contacted private banks. The costs are so tight (pared down from the $6MM) that we’ll need to be careful of any interest costs related to the interim loan. Dave also suggested contacting SDAO for their flex lease program.

+          Pending sale of Linda Sue III Charter building to Kelly Barnett. I wrote a letter to Kelly explaining what the Port will need. (Similar to what we asked of Darus late last year.) Also discussed process for Kelly to recuse himself during the discussion and vote to avoid an actual conflict of interest. Will be on April agenda.

+          Left messages to get a building inspection of the Garibaldi Charters building.

+          Had coffee at Irish’s Mooring. They are looking for a 20 year lease and they have some requests for time limits on parking spaces out in front of their business. She also felt that any new building for the restrooms/showers should be behind their building and not to the side. I would agree with her on that as well. Their modification will be on the April agenda.

+          Began looking into getting grants for the Port’s vision process. Sent a request to Pat Wingard, DLCD, and to Dave Harlan, OBDD, for grant information. Both need to get a Scope of Work which I need to make a priority next week.

+          Attended Nature Conservancy Committee Meeting in Rockaway Beach to talk about the progress on the motor flush/boat wash (Lake Lytle impacts).

+          Met with a group of students from Reed College and Allyson Gardner, Food Roots, about port issues related to seafood and infrastructure. Afterwards, Virgil gave a tour to the group of port infrastructure. They finished off by visiting the North Jetty.

+          Did a little research on the HB 3441. Looks like most of the Port are going along with this and it allows for more hatchery fish to be worked into the inventory (as I understand it). Gillnetters should be at the table.

+          Mill is interested in expanding their log yard (received call from operations manager) and put them in touch with the Harborview Motel owners. A result could be Harborview building a new hotel at the location of our office/crab pots. Very early in the process but the mill does have needs.

+          Filing for the Spring Election is completed and all four incumbents have filed without opposition.

+          Conducted annual performance evaluations for Dave and Jessi. They’re doing a great job and they’ve established some goals for themselves for the next year. They will be conducting evaluations of their direct reports next week. All six employees are now Q-Care certified. Q-Care is an Oregon Tourism certification training program for customer service representatives.

+          Asked for a proposal to remove the Susie Q. The port is now in possession of the boat and will begin the disposal in 30 days. Grants are available from OSMB to assist.

+          Conversation with Maggie Rivers, Port of Alsea, about their SBP. Shared our process with her. Only 8 ports have their plans completed.

+          Coast Guard will be moving boats out of our marina by April 1. It’s been great having them in the boat basin; we’ve had no reports of crime during their stay here!

+          We may be compiling comp time incorrectly. Have some reference materials to review and coordinate with staff. Nothing major but could affect our earned liability balances (cash).

+          DLCD rep. Matt Spangler asked me to review from a Port’s perspective preliminary review/changes to the state planning Goal 16 (Estuaries). Part of the discussion was trying to coordinate permitting issues between local governments and the federal government and also trying to find uses for unusual circumstances like the Pier’s End Boathouse located in an Estuary Conservation zone. My response was about three pages.

+          Talked to City Councilor Terry Kandle about City Beautification Day scheduled for April 19^th. The city has a group of kids that will be helping clean the RR ROW and wanted to see if the kids could work on our harborview trail. Yes!

CALENDAR UPDATE NEXT WEEK

3/25-29          Spring Break for schools

3/25-27          Working Waterfronts Symposium in Astoria/Tacoma

3/25    Garibaldi Days Committee Meeting

3/27    TIDE Meeting

3/27    Rep. Schrader Town Hall at County Courthouse (6pm)

-###-

POG Manager Report 3/9-15

POG Manager Report 3/9-15

+          Met with an interested party regarding finding a location for oyster larvae production. Toured waterfront facilities with maintenance manager to discuss utility access from various dock sites.

+          With an influx of recent aquaculture inquiries, the port has a need for obtaining detailed water data along our waterfront. Reached out to TEP (they have the advanced and expensive water data equipment) and they agreed to work the port to obtain water data on the shoulder seasons. The city is also working to share daily rainfall totals that they track in support of the sewer treatment plant. Together, this data will provide insight to the water conditions around the port and make it easier for interested businesses to gain knowledge about the port environment.

+          Reviewed ODFW fish landing statistics for Garibaldi. Overall the Port of Garibaldi is losing its share of state-wide fishing landings. It’s not all gloom and doom, however, as the Port did see a percentage increase in a number of fisheries compared to 2011. Salmon, shrimp, certain rockfish species, lingcod, and albacore landings look promising compared to last year as a percentage of the statewide landings.

Here's the ODFW link to all the details … http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/commercial/landing_stats/2012/index.asp

+          Had a good meeting with John O’Leary, CM, about recent conversations with regulatory agencies and the Old Mill owners on their efforts to dredge and rebuild their marina. Also talked about rezoning of the city’s downtown zone and other building considerations on port property. City will be sharing rainfall data with the port (and others) so we can incorporate the data with other water quality data collection.

+          Continued conversations with contractors with various port projects. I’ve recommended that dredge consultants attend the annual dredging and resource agency coordination meeting that was scheduled on Wednesday, March 14^th. This is a great way for those with dredging needs to meet with the Portland District Waterways Maintenance division for coordinating projects.

+          Sent USACE permit application to City for signatures. This will be part of the OSMB boat launch grant application.

+          Continued conversations with Blair Smith about the car/boat wash. Tried to lay out options available with regards to permitting and various land use actions. The Port Commission has given permission to go ahead with the rezone, but Smith needs to determine whether he wants to wait until his total building permit plan is closer to submission.

+          Talked to Tim Thompson with the OCSR about their desire to organize a benefit concert for restoring the Tillamook Depot. The event would take place at the Garibaldi Depot on the weekend of Sept. 1^st. Will involve the use of the portion of Lumberman’s Park and we’ll be on our toes for the increased people. Forwarded information to the Tourism Commission.

+          Conversation with Chet Weichman, SDAO health insurance rep., about increases in health coverage. Considering some changes but we’ve already gutted most of the cost savings.

+          Sent final RV park OM&R guide to Melanie Olson, IFA. She wanted additional budgetary information showing that the Port plans to continue funding capital outlay at the Park. I’m proposing that our budget set aside $45k for RV park improvements primarily focused on the utility (underground) lines. We should be getting a closeout letter letting us know we’ve met all the terms of the loan agreement.

+          Received call from Rodney Breazile, budget committee member, inquiring about kayak launches (or lack thereof) at the Port. I scheduled a meeting with him and Marcus Hinz from Kayak Tillamook to meet at the area behind the fish cleaning station on Jerry Creasy. Rod has a contracting background and wanted to find out how can help donate time and possibly materials to improve kayak launching. The port can help coordinate any permitting issues.

+          Coordinating with Food Roots for a tour of port food processing facilities. Shared contact information for processors and fishing boats.

+          Finished draft budget message. Draft enterprise and special revenue funds budgets completed. Making good headway on the general fund, but am awaiting a few firmer personnel-related costs.

+          Worked with staff to survey other communities on their printing/copying needs to aid with the equipment purchase. We need a new network printer but want to make sure we’re going with a firm that does maintenance calls in our area.

+          Received final grant reimbursement for our old SBP project ($6k) and a reimbursement from our wharf planning effort ($23k). This will help March cash flow.

+          We’ve been a little short-handed this week so I’ve been helping at the front counter a little more. It’s great for me to see what our office staff does from a first hand view.

+          Signed two evication notices for the RV park and talked to one of the individuals.

+          F/V Valiant paid up so we won’t have to acquire and dispose of the boat. We had been ready to take possession today.

+          Confirmed use of the Tourism Commission logo. The GTC has copyright rights to use the logo as it sees fit.

+          Reviewed tentative work schedule for wharf project. No grant-related construction dollars will be spent this fiscal year so no need for a supplemental budget. First contractor payment (if everything goes forward) wouldn’t be until September.

+          Reviewed county election clerk materials for commission positions. Sent data to all officials. Position 1 and 2 currently unfilled, Folkema has reapplied for position 4 and Daniels has applied for position 5. March 21 is the deadline for filing.

+          Due to staff shortage, I wrote the meeting minutes and sent draft copies to the commission. A few corrections were brought to my attention. It’s tough to take minutes and participate in discussion at the same time.

+          Posted Washington DC trip notes on POG BLOG and sent link to all organizations that wrote support letters. Received a nice note from Mark Labhart asking if the county can help with any Bay Ocean spit dredge disposal sites. I forwarded the comments to the USACE to help facilitate any movement on the issue. My hunch is that an ocean disposal site will be cheaper than an upland site, but I appreciate Mark reaching out.

+          Was drawn in to a discussion on SB523 which would require municipal and industrial dischargers to mark their “mixing zones” with buoys or signs so that the public can know where the zones are. Garibaldi has a few outfalls one of which is the city’s sewer plant outfall. I can tell you first hand from a city perspective that DEQ has heavy, daily and necessary requirements for tracking affluent. There are unfunded costs related to this action that is already heavily regulated (and rightfully so). I believe SDAO, OPPA and the LOC will oppose this and it was interesting to be in on the discussion with other cities and ports.

+          Inquired with ODFW about the possibility of mitigation banking. Any time public work takes place in estuary development zones, local governments are required to consider mitigation options. However, any time there is a reclamation project, I don’t believe that there is a requirement that requires the project to be reviewed as to its mitigation banking opportunities. Tillamook Bay has no known mitigation banking sites, but I believe it is high time that when these huge reclamation project are done (Miami Cove, Kilchis Pt., etc) that opportunities for banking be considered.

+          Sent content to Tillamook County tourist map company for development of a port advertisement to appear in the next month or so.

+          Began developing an RFP for the Port Commission’s Vision Planning. Sent inquiries into OBDD and DLCD to hopefully find some grants to help underwrite costs. This is a top goal of the Commission this next year.

+          Forwarded Capital Hill contact information to Commissioner Bob Browning.

+          Developed a one-page white paper on Port Advertising/Marketing Efforts (w/ costs) 

1.              TripAdvisor. Manager has added two sites to the website: the Garibaldi Boat Basin and Pier’s End. Still needs to be populated with pictures and information. (free)

2.              FaceBook. The Port has a FaceBook page with 243 likes; we also have a 
“parent” page that acts like an individual’s page with 32 friends. (Free)

3.              The Port sponsors a two-page spread in the Mile x Mile guide that also allows local businesses to advertise at a discounted rate. This advertising – in part -- is eligible for reimbursement from the city. ($5,000)

4.              Visit Garibaldi website. (www.garibaldi.us) This is the primary tourist website serving the Garibaldi area. Any one is able to add content or photos to the site. The city through the Garibaldi Tourism Commission (GTC) pays for the site. (free)

5.              NovoPrint Tourism Map for Tillamook County. This a 40,000 run map of Tillamook County with a separate pull out for Garibaldi. The Port is advertising the boat basin in a small add on a panel with other Garibaldi businesses. There is also an interactive website associated with the print map. ($250)

6.              Tide Books. The Port publishes 1,000 tide books promoting the Lower Biak RV Park. It also includes a scan code which takes you to the Visit Garibaldi website. ($185)

7.              CampingFriend.com. This service is part of our online reservation program. Anyone who is looking for RV spaces and uses CampingFriend will find the Biak RV Park. (free as part of reservation service)

 We also have a presence on other tourism website but with a lesser degree of thoughtful input. (i.e. Oregon Coast Visitor’s Association, Tillamook Chamber website, etc.) The GTC is also advertising in other programs that feature elements of the Port.

CALENDAR UPDATE NEXT WEEK

3/18    Tourism Symposium

3/18    City Council Meeting

3/19    Staff Meeting

3/20    RB Conservation Committee Meeting

3/21    Tentative Food Roots Tour

-###-