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From the Washington Public Ports Association |
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JUNE 2011 |
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Upcoming Events July
14-15, 2011 Economic Development, The
Way It Should Be Reserve
Your Seat For The NW Economic Development Games Putting
Your Port’s History To Work Your
Legal Questions Answered By the Municipal Research and Services Center Nestor
Newman Retires from The State Auditor’s Office After 31 Years The citizens
of Clarkston, Washington, and Lewiston, Idaho, two cities snuggled across the
Snake River from each other have long realized they are home to a very
dynamic cluster of welded-aluminum jet boat manufacturers, an area known as
the “Jet Boat Capital of the World.”
Interestingly enough, they also represent a very dynamic cluster of
economic development organizations, representing two cities, two counties and
two states, which are working together to fund and implement a unique export
development program, titled the Snake River Boat Builders Export Program (http://www.snakeriverboats.com/).
Based on
research by Janet Bauermeister, the program was focused on the European
Union, specifically Germany. For this
reason the U.S. Commercial Service offices in Düsseldorf and Frankfurt,
Germany, and Brussels, Belgium, played significant roles. The boat manufacturers participated in
extensive export training beginning in June 2010 covering export finance,
freight/logistics, CE Mark Certification and European trade show
participation, and other subjects. The
program culminated with the Snake River Boats Pavilion at the 42nd boot
Düsseldorf, the world’s leading international show for boating and water
sports, January 22 – 30, 2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany. In the fall of
2010, the Port of Clarkston (Clarkston, WA) received a grant from the State
of Washington to continue the program.
The Port was one of six statewide organizations to receive a total of
nearly $3 million in grants, as part of the Washington State Community
Economic Revitalization Board’s (CERB) Export Assistance Program, to help
small and medium sized businesses in exporting. The Port of Clarkston’s grant will provide
a continuation, without interruption, of the program. “The new
funding will allow us to provide additional on-the-job training here in the
Lewis-Clark Valley and through expanded participation in Europe,” stated
Wanda Keefer, manager, Port of Clarkston.
The Snake River Boat Builders Export Program is projected to create
approximately 16 million dollars in new export boat sales, 80 direct jobs in
boat manufacturing and 120 indirect, support jobs over the next six years. What event lasts five days, combines learning,
fun and food, reminds you of college, allows you to interact with Northwest
colleagues and experts on the local level, gives you the big picture of
economic development activities, and creates friendships and partners that
could last a lifetime?. If you said, “The Northwest Economic
Development Games?”, then you would be right. On
August 22-26 the 20th annual
economic development course will take place in Ellensburg, Washington.
This course brings some of the best consultants, practitioners and teachers
in the Northwest to give their thoughts on how states and communities
can establish a healthy environment that can lead to economic
development. Over 1,000 people have
graduated from this basic course and learned how to create wealth for their
communities. This course is the only nationally accredited course in
the Northwest from the International Economic Development Council and has
been one of the top ranked basic courses in the country for years. What
happens during the day in Ellensburg does not stay in Ellensburg. It
multiplies into job creation, increased wealth,
and strategic thinking for communities. Brought to you by the Washington State Department of
Commerce, Business Oregon and the Washington Economic Development
Association, the course, agenda, general information, and
online registration are available at
www.commerce.wa.gov/nwedcourse. Space is limited so reserve your seat now Now that the port history essays are posted on HistoryLink.org, it’s time to put your port’s history to work. Sharing your port’s history with the public will broaden their understanding of the role your port has played in your community and the local economy. The port essays and the thematic public port district essays can be used on port websites and in newsletters (just be sure to include a reference to HistoryLink.org, the sources, and the author’s name). Photos may require separate permission if they are from other organizations. To find your port’s history, go to www.HistoryLink.org and search your port’s name in quotation marks (e.g. “Port of Vancouver”). You can search for the thematic essays by entering “public port districts” in the search box. Each month the Municipal Research and
Services Center (MRSC) sends out an e-newsletter which features responses to
some of the questions staff has received.
This month, the newsletter contained a question pertinent to ports: may a city council discuss in executive
session the performance of an uncompensated, appointed member of a citizens'
advisory body? The statute which deals
with this issue does not only apply to city councils. RCW
42.30.110(1) (g) allows a city council or
other governing body to meet in executive session to "To evaluate
the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the
performance of a public employee."
Does this allow a governing body to discuss in executive session the
performance of an uncompensated, appointed member of a citizens' advisory
body, such as a planning commission? MRSC
did not find definitive legal authority on this issue, but found a similar
issue addressed in the concurrence/dissent in Miller
v. City of Tacoma,
138 Wn.2d 318 (1999), in which Justice Madsen concludes that a person
appointed to a uncompensated, appointed position is not a "public
employee" under RCW 42.30.110(1) (g) and therefore, could not
have his/her qualifications evaluated in executive session. Although that
court decision addressed evaluating the qualifications of an applicant
for a planning commission under RCW 42.30.110(1) (g) (see 09-4839), arguably the
same principles would apply to reviewing the performance of a current
uncompensated, appointed member of a citizens' advisory body. Based on the
principles and legal authorities discussed in Justice Madsen's
concurrent/dissent, it is the opinion of MRSC that a city council cannot go
into executive session to review the performance of an uncompensated,
appointee on a citizens' advisory body because the appointee is not a
"public employee" under RCW 42.30.110(1)(g). Justice
Madsen in her concurrence/dissent expands on her distinction between
appointees to elective office and appointees to non-elective positions. To read this distinction and its affect on
the ability of a governing body to go into executive session to review the
performance of an uncompensated appointee, please visit the June
E-newsletter. To
receive the monthly e-newsletter which answers questions on a variety of
legal issues pertinent to ports, subscribe to Ask MRSC.
Nestor Newman
at the 2011 WPPA Finance and Administration Seminar, with Linda
O’Brien, Port of Pasco On
June 30 the Washington State Auditor’s Office will lose Nestor Newman to
retirement after 31 years of service. Nestor works in the State Auditor’s Office’s Performance Audit
team. Additionally, Nestor serves as SAO’s Program Manager for port
districts. Prior to joining the State Auditor's Office, Nestor worked for a
national CPA firm and the U.S. General Accounting Office (Government
Accountability Office). Nestor is a
graduate of the University of Idaho with degrees in Economics and
Accounting. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified
Government Financial Manager (CGFM). Nestor has
been a member of the WPPA Finance Committee since 1993 and is currently an ad hoc member.
He has been an invaluable asset to both the committee and to
WPPA. His presence will be greatly
missed. Congratulations on your
retirement, Nestor! Port
of Grays Harbor Named Grays Harbor Chamber Business of the Month Over 200 Grays Harbor Chamber of
Commerce members joined the Port of Grays Harbor for Business After Hours on
the Port’s docks May 10th. Guests were treated to a firsthand look at the
cargoes shipping through Grays Harbor. As a surprise to the Port, the GH
Chamber Ambassadors had selected the Port as their May Business of the Month,
an honor bestowed upon businesses that provide excellence in image, employee
relations, community service, Chamber support and customer service. Gary
Nelson proudly accepted the award on behalf of the Port Commissioners and
staff.
Fly Quiet Awards Winners Recognized
by Port of Seattle as Good Neighbors Three airlines were honored by the
Port of Seattle Commission this week as winners of the 2011 Fly Quiet Awards
for their efforts in 2010 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Air Canada
Jazz finished first this year, with Sky West Airlines (United Express) second
and Mesaba Airlines (Delta Connection) recognized as honorable mention. Air
Canada Jazz and SkyWest were honored for the second straight year. The Fly Quiet incentive program was
designed to honor airline companies that work to reduce the impacts of jet
noise on the region. Evaluations include measuring each airline on its
compliance with noise abatement flight paths, overall noise level of its
operations and compliance for testing engines on the ground. The annual
awards were established by Port staff and a citizen advisory committee to
increase airline and pilot awareness to benefit local communities. Air Canada Jazz, Sky West and
Mesaba Airlines scored well due to their jets following noise abatement
flight paths and through operation of quieter CRJ aircraft. Port
of Vancouver Sells Land to Farwest Steel The Port of
Vancouver USA announced the closing of the sale of 20 acres of industrial
land to Farwest Steel Corporation, one of the leading distributors,
processors and fabricators of specialty steel products in the
Northwest. Closing is the final step in the real estate transaction
between the two parties. The sale is
expected to bring up to 225 industrial jobs to Clark County. “This is a
good day for the port and our community,” said Port of Vancouver Commission
President Brian Wolfe. The decision
to sell the property was made last year by the port’s board of commissioners
on August 10, 2010. As required by law, public comment on the proposed
sale and action by the board declaring the property as surplus occurred in
June of 2010, preceding the commissioners’ unanimous decision to sell. Also part of
the process was development of a Purchase and Sale Agreement between the port
and Farwest that set strict criteria for the sale, including a requirement
that the land be used for industrial purposes; a minimum job requirement; and
a repurchase clause if the company does not start construction within 12
months, decides to sell the land or ceases operations. These covenants ensure
that the commission’s criteria for the sale are protected. Approximately 100 jobs will be relocated to
the port, with plans to add an additional 125. Northwest Ports Post Progress toward
Clean Air Goals for 2010 Target Year Thanks to a joint effort that crosses
not just county but country lines, maritime-related air emissions are
improving in the Pacific Northwest. The Northwest Ports Clean Air
Strategy, an initiative of the ports of Tacoma, Seattle and Metro Vancouver,
B.C., is a long-term, collaborative agreement to reduce emissions in the
Puget Sound and Georgia air basins. A newly released implementation
report demonstrates how the agencies are meeting short- and long-term clean
air goals for ships, cargo-handling equipment, rail, trucks and harbor craft. The goals were adopted in early 2008
as part of the ground-breaking Northwest Ports Clean
Air Strategy. The
implementation report calls out the improvements achieved by all three ports
through their cooperative relationships with customers, tenants, and air and
environmental regulatory agencies. The 2010 results mark the end of the strategy's
first milestone, showing progress in producing cleaner air for the
communities that surround our harbors. 2010 results ·
Ships: 44 percent of ships calling
frequently used low-sulfur fuels or electrical shore power to meet the
performance measure ·
Cargo-handling
equipment: 62
percent of diesel-powered equipment met the performance measure through
retrofits, replacements or use of low-sulfur fuels ·
Trucks: 98 percent of drayage trucks met the
measure through outreach, engine retrofits or incentive programs ·
Rail: Partner agencies replaced engines,
added idle- and friction-reduction technologies and used low-sulfur fuels ·
Harbor
craft: Despite
technical challenges, made progress through replaced engines, shore power
connections, resurfaced hulls and low-sulfur fuels ·
Administration: Made progress through conservation
programs, hybrid vehicle fleets and commute-trip reductions See result highlights for the Port of Tacoma and the Port
of Seattle. The report outlines detailed results for each port. It
also outlines efforts under way to meet the more stringent 2015 standards. Puget
Sound and Pacific Railroad Selects the Port of Centralia for Its Headquarters Puget Sound
and Pacific Railroad (PSAP) has entered into a long term lease agreement to
move its headquarters to the Port of Centralia. PSAP, a subsidiary of RailAmerica, Inc.,
interchanges with the BNSF and UP Class I railroads at Centralia. They began business in Elma, WA in 1997 and
have grown from running 8,000 carloads to 30,000 carloads per year in 2010.
PSAP moves freight over 108 miles of track stretching from Centralia to
Aberdeen and the Port of Grays Harbor and as far north as the US Naval
Submarine Base at Bangor. Their major
commodities include lumber, forest products, grain and other agricultural
products, and automobiles. The company
will occupy a newly remodeled 3,000 square foot building located on Midway
Court in the Port’s Park I development.
Larry
Sorensen, Assistant General Manager, of the PSAP stated “The Port of
Centralia offered PSAP a perfect strategic location to enhance our
operations. “ Sorensen added “We
appreciate the Port’s ability to remodel the facility that will accommodate
our needs for many years to come.” Port of
Centralia Commission President Gene Groshong stated, “We have had a great
relationship with Puget Sound and Pacific Railroad over the years and are
pleased that we were able to accommodate them.” Groshong further stated “Having the
railroad headquartered in Centralia, will clearly enhance our ability to
attract rail dependent industries and gives us a considerable competitive
advantage in the market place.” Noahs Ark
charter bus line moves to Port of Woodland
Another business has chosen the Port of Woodland as its new home, on the
heels of four businesses that moved to the port in 2010. Noahs Ark – owned by Noah and Pat Wessinger of Woodland – has
announced it will move into the port’s vacant building at 1670 Schurman Way
in Woodland, effective August 1, after the Port of Woodland Board of
Commissioners unanimously approved a lease with the company at its regular
meeting on Thursday, June 16. The lease is for seven years and Noahs Ark has said its intent is for
a long-term partnership with the port. Noahs Ark is moving into the port’s newest facility, which was built
in 2009 and covers nearly four acres of property in the port’s Schurman Way
Industrial Park in northwest Woodland, less than one mile from access to
Interstate 5. Noahs Ark is a Woodland-based company that brings 42 jobs, including
25 coach operators, and has seen continued growth even during the recent
recession. The company recently purchased a number of new and previously
owned coaches, to respond to needs of the growing business. For more information, please visit the port's website at www.portofwoodland.com, or the Noahs Ark website
at www.noahsbus.com. Port of Vancouver USA Signs Lease with Sapa
Extrusions The Port of Vancouver
announced today the signing of a long-term lease with Sapa Extrusions, North
America’s largest provider of extruded aluminum profiles, for a 142,800
square foot building located at 2001 Kototbuki Way. The 15-year lease, with
two five-year options to extend, enables Sapa to relocate one of its plants
from Vancouver, BC, Canada, to the port and bring 100 family-wage jobs to
Southwest Washington. Sapa’s
relationship with the port began in 2006 during the company’s ongoing
explorations of possible plant sites in the Pacific Northwest. “This is a
good example of how the port’s commitment to building strong, positive
connections with private-sector companies is paying off,” said Commission
President Brian Wolfe. A critical
step in bringing Sapa to Vancouver was the port’s success in securing an
$800,000 public facility improvements loan from the Washington State
Community Economic Development Revitalization Board (CERB). These funds will
be used for necessary building upgrades.
In addition to the CERB loan, the port will provide $500,000 in
matching funds to complete the improvements, bringing the port’s investment
to $1.3 million. “Access to
economic development tools such as the CERB loan program is critical in times
like these,” said Port of Vancouver Executive Director Larry Paulson. “With
Clark County’s unemployment rate continuing to hover right around 13 percent,
our ability to make necessary improvements to a public facility is bringing a
major private-sector employer to our community.” Sapa plans
to be operational at the port, with Vancouver residents on the payroll, by
late August or early September of this year. Manager (Real
Estate), Port of Tacoma Maintenance and Repair Manager, NW Marine Terminal Operating Company Maintenance Supervisor, Port of
Camas-Washougal Project/Property Manager, Port of
Sunnyside Commerce
Specialist 3—CERB Program Manager, Department of Commerce PO
Box 1518 * Olympia, WA 98507 |
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