Port Commission holds special meeting

— by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter –

The Orcas Island Port Commission held a special meeting on Monday, May 4. The meeting began with an Executive Session. The stated purpose of the Executive Session was ‘to receive and evaluate complaints or charges brought against a public officer or employee,’ No public action was taken at the end of the Executive Session, which lasted approximately thirty minutes.

In other business, Commissioner Michael Triplett reported on conversations he has been having with Aeronautical Services. Aeronautical Services is the UPS delivery agent for San Juan County. For many years, they have leased space at the airport for their Orcas Island operations. Triplett told the Commission that he had been advised by Aeronautical Services manager Mark Franklin, that the company ‘had closed on a property’ and would be relocating to new facilities sometime in 2021. Until the move is complete, Aeronautical Services is likely to continue to lease space from the Port on a month to month basis. Current annual income from the Aeronautical Services lease is approximately $13,000 per year.

The Commission next turned to the timing of interviewing candidates for the Airport Manager job. They tentatively agreed to schedule an Executive Session to conduct interviews with each of the top five candidates next Monday, May 11 at 4 p.m. When Commissioner Pierrette Guimond questioned whether those interviews should be held publicly, Commission chair Mia Kartiganer answered that she thought that involving the public was an essential part of the process, but the initial round of interviews would more appropriately be held in executive session. Kartiganer said that she planned to invite the final three candidates to a public meeting for further interviewing and the opportunity to meet with the community.

The Commissioners also agreed to advertise for an office clerk to fill a temporary three month position, with the possibility of continuing beyond that time if needed. The job would be for ten hours per week, with compensation set at $25 per hour. The clerk would be responsible for maintaining the airport website, posting minutes, preparing the agenda and providing notification for upcoming Port Commission meetings and various other responsibilities.

The meeting began and ended with expressions of appreciation for recently deceased Port Commissioner Steve Hopkins. Hopkins was described as a kind and gentle man who had been a beneficial presence at the airport for over two decades. Due to illness, Hopkins had been unable to attend any Commission meetings since January. The Port Commission is actively seeking a qualified person to replace him on the Commission.