Port Commission moves forward, looks ahead

— by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues Reporter —

Following two previous attempts that had been thwarted by the requirements governing public meetings, the Port Commission convened on Monday, February 3, from 3:30 to approximately 5:15 p.m.

Several topics were on the agenda. These included interim arrangements for the ongoing management of the Port, developing a question list for the upcoming discussion with the consultant to the Airport Master Plan, the appointment of a Public Records Officer, and consideration of future staffing configurations related to the search for a new airport manager.

The meeting was lightly attended by the public. The lighter than usual attendance seemed to lend itself to a certain informality and there was an ongoing interaction between the Commissioners and the members of the public who were in attendance. Port Commissioner Steve Hopkins was unable to attend and there were no staff present at the meeting.

The first item on the agenda was a discussion of the contract with former airport manager Tony Simpson. Simpson has been working for the Port as an independent contractor, and at the January meeting, the Commissioners had reduced his responsibilities.

Much of the discussion was focused on establishing appropriate parameters for Simpson’s ongoing participation in the work on the Master Plan. Eventually, the Commissioner’s agreed that while it would be helpful for Simpson to participate in the process because of his knowledgeable perspective, it was also essential to be clear that it is the Commissioners’ role to establish policy. Along these lines, the Commissioners made clear that it is their intention to directly oversee and control the process of completing the Master Plan.

At the conclusion of the discussion, a resolution was adopted reinstating Simpson’s responsibilities. Simpson will continue to work for six hours per week. There was also agreement that, if he is willing, Simpson will be the primary contact in the event of an emergency.

Next up on the agenda was discussion of the upcoming teleconference with DOWL representative Leah Whitfield. DOWL is the consulting engineering firm that has been facilitating the preparation of the Airport Master Plan since the process began in 2017. The primary purpose of the call, which is scheduled for the next Commission meeting on February 13, will be to bring the Commissioners up to speed on the current status of the plan and what the next steps are.

During the discussion, Commissioners acknowledged that the plan is nearly complete. They also agreed that the public controversy that arose around the plan in 2018 and led to the election of three new commissioners this past November needs to be taken into account as the plan nears completion. Commission chair Mia Kartiganer stated that it is her intention to provide a letter to the consultant prior to the meeting that will summarize the commission’s questions and concerns. She also said that there had been minimal response to her post in Orcas Issues on January 24 inviting comment on the plan.

A major issue that has already been resolved is the question of diverting vehicular traffic from the section of Mt. Baker Road that runs along the south side of the airport. That element was removed from the Draft Master Plan last fall. A key concern that remains is the impact of the proposed plan on adjoining property owners, some of whom have stated that the plan as it currently stands is adversely affecting their property value.

There are also questions about how much funding will be available from the FAA for implementation of the plan. Current FAA support to the airport is $150,000 per year. The plan projects $1,000,000 per year beginning in 2021. However, this increased level of support is based on the number of enplanements (flights) in and out of the airport in any given year. Orcas airport reached the threshold level of 10,000 flights once before, in 2018, and it is unclear whether this level of activity will be attained again in future years. The number of enplanements in 2019 was 9,280.

There were further questions about the potential for future litigation and the location of freight services given the timing for the relocation and construction of new facilities as described in the Master Plan.

In other business, Commissioner Pierrette Guimond agreed to serve as the interim Public Records Officer. The commissioners also discussed the vacant airport manager position and possible future staffing structures. One possibility that was considered was the addition of a clerical position with responsibility for managing paperwork, meeting materials, and Board minutes. There was also an update from Commissioners Bea vonTobel and Mia Kartiganer, who were appointed to a personnel committee at the January 23 meeting. They will present their committee report to the full Commission at the February 13 meeting.

After the meeting, Kartiganer indicated that it is the Commission’s intention to have their letter to DOWL be available to the public prior to the February 13 meeting. She said that the letter is intended as a starting point for discussion and that there may be other issues around the master plan that come up during the phone conversation. She also wants interested citizens to know that while there will be public access time at the February 13 meeting, there will be no opportunity for public comment during the phone call with DOWL.

The next regular meeting of the Port Commission is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, at the Port of Orcas meeting room. The Commissioner’s retreat that had been planned for February 10 has been cancelled.