Chief
06-24-2008, 03:16 PM
VANCOUVER, Wash. – Due to positive signs of progress in the negotiations with the Colf family for the acquisition of property for mitigation land, the Port of Vancouver Board of Commissioners voted to again postpone its decision on action toward authorizing eminent domain at its meeting today.
In its 3-0 vote, the full commission recognized the hard work that has been done since May 27 when it first considered a resolution to authorize the use of eminent domain, and expressed hopes that the positive negotiations between the Colf family and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would continue toward a negotiated agreement.
The Columbia River Channel Improvement Project is well underway, with more than 50 percent of the project complete, and taking action to gain ownership of Martin Island to compensate for the habitat changes that occur due to the project is critical to the continuation of the project. The purchase of mitigation land on the Washington side of the river is still to be complete, so the use of eminent domain is an option that is required by Federal regulations to complete the project. Most of the project is being paid for by the Federal government, while the remainder is paid through a local match.
“The parties are continuing to try to work out an amicable solution, having met as recently as yesterday,” said Port of Vancouver Executive Director Larry Paulson. “Based on e-mails I have received, they’ve made great strides since May 27.”
A public hearing on the issue was held during the meeting, and no comments from the public were offered.
Columbia River Crossing Transit Alternative
In a 2-1 vote, the port commission authorized Paulson – 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’s resolution – No. 07-2008 – supported a light rail alignment that minimizes the impacts to the port’s freight corridors on Mill Plain and Fourth Plain Boulevards and their interchanges to Interstate 5. The resolution also identified the preference of a light rail terminus being at Clark College.
A handful of public comments, representing both sides of the light rail interest in the community, were heard during a comment period allowed by the commission.
In a resolution passed in January, the commission voted unanimously to authorize Paulson to vote in support of the replacement bridge, but deferred a decision on the transit method until now.
Amendment to the port’s comprehensive scheme
The commission unanimously approved a resolution that amends the port’s Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements and Industrial Development to provide for the deconstruction of agricultural buildings and the farm home at the former Rufener Farm.
The buildings, which are located on what the port refers to as “Parcel 8” – the eastern-most plot on the property – were determined to have no value to the port district and are scheduled to be dismantled to allow for fill and development of the property.
Pacific Northwest Ship and Cargo Services
Commissioners voted 3-0 to approve the first amendment to a lease between the port and Pacific Northwest Ship and Cargo Services for an 850-square foot office leasehold in the port’s Terminal Operations building. Income to the port for the one year extension will be $6,528, plus leasehold excise tax, insurance and Common Area Maintenance (CAM) fees.
Master On-Call Agreements
The commission also unanimously authorized Paulson to sign Master On-Call Agreements for architect and engineering services with Wiser Rail Engineering, Jacobs Engineering, HDR, and Lochner. Each firm will be able to field a team to provide a full range of services for planning, design and permitting of rail-related facilities at the port. Typical projects would include installation of track and turnouts, retaining walls, signals, at-grade roadway crossings, and other systems needed for the construction of the port’s rail system.
Electrical System Upgrade at Berths 13-14
The commission unanimously approved a request for authorization that would allow port staff to proceed with an upgrade of electrical power infrastructure at berths 13 and 14 on Terminal Four. The port has been successful in securing a contract to provide layberth services for a Military Sealift Command vessel operated by General Dynamics American Overseas Marine. The cost of the electrical system upgrade will be $394,731.18, which will be reimbursed to the port by General Dynamics when the upgrade is complete.
The port will also receive layberth payments for a minimum of six months, and totaling $213,000. If the three six-month extensions in the contract are realized, the maximum value of the contract would provide $878,000 to the port.
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.
– POV –
=======================
Nelson Holmberg
Communications Manager
Port of Vancouver USA
3103 NW Lower River Road
Vancouver, WA 98660
360-992-1107 - direct
360-518-2553 - mobile
nholmberg@portvanusa.com
In its 3-0 vote, the full commission recognized the hard work that has been done since May 27 when it first considered a resolution to authorize the use of eminent domain, and expressed hopes that the positive negotiations between the Colf family and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would continue toward a negotiated agreement.
The Columbia River Channel Improvement Project is well underway, with more than 50 percent of the project complete, and taking action to gain ownership of Martin Island to compensate for the habitat changes that occur due to the project is critical to the continuation of the project. The purchase of mitigation land on the Washington side of the river is still to be complete, so the use of eminent domain is an option that is required by Federal regulations to complete the project. Most of the project is being paid for by the Federal government, while the remainder is paid through a local match.
“The parties are continuing to try to work out an amicable solution, having met as recently as yesterday,” said Port of Vancouver Executive Director Larry Paulson. “Based on e-mails I have received, they’ve made great strides since May 27.”
A public hearing on the issue was held during the meeting, and no comments from the public were offered.
Columbia River Crossing Transit Alternative
In a 2-1 vote, the port commission authorized Paulson – 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’s resolution – No. 07-2008 – supported a light rail alignment that minimizes the impacts to the port’s freight corridors on Mill Plain and Fourth Plain Boulevards and their interchanges to Interstate 5. The resolution also identified the preference of a light rail terminus being at Clark College.
A handful of public comments, representing both sides of the light rail interest in the community, were heard during a comment period allowed by the commission.
In a resolution passed in January, the commission voted unanimously to authorize Paulson to vote in support of the replacement bridge, but deferred a decision on the transit method until now.
Amendment to the port’s comprehensive scheme
The commission unanimously approved a resolution that amends the port’s Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements and Industrial Development to provide for the deconstruction of agricultural buildings and the farm home at the former Rufener Farm.
The buildings, which are located on what the port refers to as “Parcel 8” – the eastern-most plot on the property – were determined to have no value to the port district and are scheduled to be dismantled to allow for fill and development of the property.
Pacific Northwest Ship and Cargo Services
Commissioners voted 3-0 to approve the first amendment to a lease between the port and Pacific Northwest Ship and Cargo Services for an 850-square foot office leasehold in the port’s Terminal Operations building. Income to the port for the one year extension will be $6,528, plus leasehold excise tax, insurance and Common Area Maintenance (CAM) fees.
Master On-Call Agreements
The commission also unanimously authorized Paulson to sign Master On-Call Agreements for architect and engineering services with Wiser Rail Engineering, Jacobs Engineering, HDR, and Lochner. Each firm will be able to field a team to provide a full range of services for planning, design and permitting of rail-related facilities at the port. Typical projects would include installation of track and turnouts, retaining walls, signals, at-grade roadway crossings, and other systems needed for the construction of the port’s rail system.
Electrical System Upgrade at Berths 13-14
The commission unanimously approved a request for authorization that would allow port staff to proceed with an upgrade of electrical power infrastructure at berths 13 and 14 on Terminal Four. The port has been successful in securing a contract to provide layberth services for a Military Sealift Command vessel operated by General Dynamics American Overseas Marine. The cost of the electrical system upgrade will be $394,731.18, which will be reimbursed to the port by General Dynamics when the upgrade is complete.
The port will also receive layberth payments for a minimum of six months, and totaling $213,000. If the three six-month extensions in the contract are realized, the maximum value of the contract would provide $878,000 to the port.
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.
– POV –
=======================
Nelson Holmberg
Communications Manager
Port of Vancouver USA
3103 NW Lower River Road
Vancouver, WA 98660
360-992-1107 - direct
360-518-2553 - mobile
nholmberg@portvanusa.com