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Chief
06-04-2008, 05:48 PM
VANCOUVER, Wash. – Due to business travel schedules, the regular meeting of the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners has been moved to Thursday, June 5, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Four action items will be considered by Commissioners Nancy Baker, Jerry Oliver and Brian Wolfe, including an interlocal agreement, a public works contract, a ground lease and a resolution concerning the Columbia River Crossing project.

The commission is also expected to authorize the accounts payable, and hear project updates.

Interlocal Agreement

Commissioners will vote on whether to authorize Executive Director Larry Paulson to sign an interlocal agreement between the port and the City of Vancouver, which would partner the port with the city in efforts to secure financing through the state of Washington’s LIFT (Local Infrastructure Finance Tool) program for local infrastructure. The City of Vancouver intends to apply for $500,000 in funding during 2008 for the Columbia Waterfront Revenue Development Area. The port’s role would be as a participating local government and agree to dedicate and apply a portion of the port’s local property tax allocation as it applies to the infrastructure improvements in the Revenue Development Area.

Public Works Contract

The Port of Vancouver recently evaluated bids for the construction of a trichloroethylene (TCE) groundwater cleanup system, and staff will present Layne Christensen Company (Fontana, Calif.) as the most responsive and responsible bidder, with their bid not to exceed $2,141,835 including Washington State sales tax. This construction will include manufacture, delivery and quality control of the installation and operation of the groundwater cleanup using this facility.

Ground Lease with Alcoa Aluminum, Inc.

Commissioners will be asked to approve a ground lease between the Port of Vancouver and Alcoa Aluminum, Inc. A provision of Addendum 2 to the purchase and sale agreement between the two parties gives the port the right to lease the entire Alcoa property for $1 per month, and use segments of the property for marine cargo and industrial uses. All lease payments will be credited toward the purchase price at closing.

Resolution concerning the Columbia River Crossing project

The port commission will be asked to approve Resolution 7-2008, which would authorize Paulson, as a member of the Columbia River Crossing Task Force to vote in favor of a light rail transit alternative at the June 24 meeting of the Task Force. The commission previously approved Resolution 3-2008, which supported a replacement bridge and improvements to the Mill Plain and Fourth Plain Boulevard interchanges.

About the Port of Vancouver USA

While working on some of the most important port development on the U.S. West Coast, the Port of Vancouver USA is cooperating with its tenants and customers to schedule and maximize business potential during construction. The end result will show why the port is “On Track to the Future,” as the completed developments will mean expansion of business and resulting new jobs for the community.

The Port of Vancouver USA, created by Clark County taxpayers in 1912, is one of the major ports on the Pacific Coast. Its competitive strengths include available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a dependable labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community.

Chief
06-05-2008, 06:04 AM
It's time to stand up and be heard this morning.

The Commissioners have a full plate this morning, and I intend to speak today about the LIFT application. I have several documents to back me up, and I hope I can convince the Commissioners to at least consider what the implications of this agreement will be. If they support the LIFT application for the CITY, they might as well plan on budgeting for $500,000 a year, because the City will award tax abatements if things stay the way they are right now.

In addition the Commissioners are going to consider a light rail resolution, and I cannot imagine what has changed for the better since the last time they discussed this...we will see...

Most definitely developing...

Chief
06-05-2008, 12:20 PM
More detail to follow, but I spoke twice at the Port meeting this morning, first in opposition to the interlocal agreement with the City's LIFT application, and the second time about the Port's resolution on the Columbia Crossing Project.

The commissioners voted 2-1 with Commissioner Oliver dissenting, to approve the Interlocal agreement, with language included that provides an escape clause for the Port to stop participating if the City of Vancouver ever awards tax abatements on the properties in the waterfront RDA.

The Commissioners voted 2-1 (with Oliver dissenting again) to table a motion to approve the resolution supporting Light rail on the Columbia Crossing. In effect, the Commissioners wanted more time to gather further information, including the DEIS Chapter 4 materials that I discussed with them this morning. They deferred a decision until June 24th, and we will see what they come up with by then. Commissioners Nancy Baker and Jerry Oliver both expressed deep concerns and reservations about the Columbia Crossing Project and the impact it will have on the community.

More to follow...

Chief
06-05-2008, 01:48 PM
Actually, this is the quote of the day...


"I think that there is a lot of misinformation and promises being circulated that can’t be delivered on."

Port of Vancouver Commissioner Nancy Baker, Regular meeting of the Commissioners of the Port of Vancouver, June 5, 2008, on the Columbia Crossing Project financing.


Hmmmmmmmmm................

I wonder who commissioner Baker was referring??

;)

Waterbuffalo
06-05-2008, 04:12 PM
<spews soda pop, bites his tongue and waits to watch later...>

NO comments until i watch the video....

Chief
06-05-2008, 08:40 PM
Updating to provide a link to CVTV's coverage of the Port. They have broken the meeting into sections so that you can view each one separately now.

http://www.cityofvancouver.us/cvtv/cvtvindex.asp?catID=23

Again, I spoke about the LIFT application and the Columbia River Crossing resolution.

Waterbuffalo
06-05-2008, 10:13 PM
Thanks for the direct link. I'll be watching it in the morning or later tomorrow.