Friday, March 15, 2013

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.


+          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 14th. 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. 1st. 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

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