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Busy Times For The Port of Astoria

Commissioners absorb dozens of items from Staff in Tuesday Workshop


At the start of the meeting Port Director Ron Larsen commented they were going to have to move along quickly to fit everything into 90 minutes. And he was right.


Lora Eddy, the Port’s new full-time Environmental Compliance Officer, kicked things off by telling the Commissioners some good news, winter dredging has just been completed and will suffice for the next 9 months. She also noted that the Port will need to replace 6 pilings on the East end Mooring basin and will need the proper permits. She also informed the Commissioners that Staff is currently working on a storm water plan for the Port.

Parking and Cruise Ships

Chief of Security John Hord was up next and gave the Board an overview of the current parking issues. The Port and the City of Astoria are currently trying to hammer out a parking plan that will bring the Port back into compliance and Staff will bring a Master Plan to the Commissioners sometime in the near future. He also commented that the Port is ready for Cruise ships and that he thinks the Port Staff should handle some of the duties that Mitch Mitchum did on a contract basis, such as setting up signage and administrative duties. Later in meeting there was also talk of eliminating the $500 per Cruise Ship contract with Mr. Mitchum and putting that money into increased Port Staff.

Storm Damage

Port Director Ron Larsen gave an update on the storm damage:

Main Port building: Painting and new rugs need to be finished.
Pier 1 Electrical: More painting and will be done soon.
OSP building: 100% completed.
T-Hangers: 100% completed.
Maintenance: Needs a bit more roof repair
Pier 2 Warehouse: Starting repairs soon.
Pier 1 Fencing: Will be repaired shortly.

Staff have been working with FEMA to try and collect funds for some of the repairs. “Hopefully FEMA will be paying for 75% of the storm costs and the Port will be responsible for the other 25%”, said Larsen. He also said that between Insurance and Oregon Economic & Community Development Department much of that 25% should be covered and that there are some Operating Funds available in case there are some extra expenses that are not covered.

Econ Devo

Larsen also informed the Commission that there is a push for a “Economic Zone” along the Columbia that covers a few miles of Clatsop County from Wauna Mill to the County Border. The Zone would be similar to a Urban renewal District and the Port would lose about $46,000 a year in tax revenues and possibly other future property taxes that new companies would pay if they moved to the proposed Economic Zone. The main benefit for the Zone is that it could entice new companies and employment to the county.

Steve Forrester, Editor of the Daily Astorian, gave a presentation to the Board about a state of the art press facility on 2-3 acres of land adjacent to Western Oregon Waste near the Airport. “A press of this size and quality would allow us to become the regional printing center for the area”, said Forrester. There would also be a insertion facility that would make “Quasi-Slick” insert ads that would be put in other newspapers around the state.

New Port Leader

Another topic discussed was the hiring of a new Port Director. The Commission first agreed that they should rename the position to Port Manager because it better describes the job. They also tentatively agreed on what the application will entail and the final copy will be available shortly. Under law they are required to allow the Public to give input on the application itself. Once that is completed the Port will advertise the position for 30 days, this will be followed by interviews and then an eventual hiring in July or early August.

In other Business:

The regular March Meeting will be pushed from Tuesday the 18th to Wednesday the 19th so the Commissioners can attend the Connect Oregon Dinner at the Seafoods Lab.

The regular April Meeting will most likely be held in Seaside so the Board can get some input from South County residents.

The Questionnaire for the Commissioner vacancy is available on the Port of Astoria website and is due along with a resume by the 25th of March.

Discussed whether Bruce Conner should continue doing Cruise Ship work in the future. Kathy Sanders wants to let the new Port Manager decide whether to keep him on or hire another staff member to handle it and use the money they give to Mr. Conner for someone that can work year round. Other Commissioners are still undecided.

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