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Port of Chelan County Board of Commissioners
Meeting of February 6, 2014
Meeting Highlights
Goodwin Bridge Study Matching Funds Approved
Jeff Wilkens, Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council (WVTC) Executive Director, updated the Commission on a Highway 2 corridor study, focusing in on the Cashmere intersections. The Goodwin Street Bridge is expected to be closed in ten years due to capacity, age, and deterioration. A proposed Transportation Study will evaluate all Cashmere Hwy 2 intersections, freight mobility and truck routes, and Goodwin Bridge replacement. Port Commission Chair JC Baldwin noted that freight mobility is an extremely high priority, especially for the tree fruit industry. In view of this, and the Port’s ownership of the Cashmere Mill Site, the Commissioners approved contributing $30,000 in matching funds for this study. Chelan County, the City of Cashmere, and the WVTC are also providing funds. WSDOT will contribute staff engineering services, and the study will include a public input component.
Business Development Director Reviews Plans
Craig Larsen, Port of Chelan County Business Development Director, reviewed with the Commission some work plan goals for 2014 including real estate portfolio review, community relations and communications, partnerships, marketing properties, recruitment of new businesses, and business retention. The Commission directed staff to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for real estate services for the lease or sale of the Peshastin Mill Site property. The marketing and eventual lease or sale of the property will incorporate the Port’s commitment to provide public access to the Wenatchee River and to accommodate a future trail corridor, in a manner to be determined.
Industrial Building #4 HVAC Project
The HVAC Project for Industrial Building #4 (IB#4) was put out to bid in December, 2013. Only one bid was received and was much higher than the Engineer’s estimate. The Commission approved rejecting the previous bid. Revised plans and specifications were presented and the Commission authorized the engineer’s estimate of $142,356 including WA state sales tax to be placed on file and a call for new bids. The project will replace a significant portion of the IB#4 HVAC system. Pregis, which manufactures bubble wrap products, has been a long term tenant with 13 employees in IB#4. The HVAC improvements were a condition of the recent renewal by Pregis of their lease of IB#4. Pregis is a manufacturer of packaging materials used by the agricultural industry.
Cashmere Mill Site Update
The Port of Chelan County Commissioners unanimously approved Task Authorization 01.129 with RH2 Engineering to finalize plans and specifications for Phase II of the Cashmere Mill Site Wood Waste Removal Project. The project is funded by the Washington Department of Ecology, using dedicated funding from the State’s Model Toxics Control Account (MTCA). Plans and specifications are scheduled to be ready to go out to bid in late February, 2014. A major portion of the Mill Site remains under contract to Crunch Pak to accommodate potential future expansion.
Pybus Market Update
The Port of Chelan County Commissioners approved a policy involving the lease with the Pybus Market Charitable Foundation. The policy addresses the receipt and review of financial information from the Foundation anticipated by the lease. The policy was suggested by the State Auditor, as a means of assuring compliance with requirements of the HUD federal grant that funded a significant portion of the project.
Laura Jaecks, Port of Chelan County Capital Projects Manager, also advised the Commissioners that the project to add stairs from Pybus Market to Riverfront Park is progressing. However, the recent freezing weather has put the project on hold, but the mild winter weather has allowed contractors to pour the concrete steps and ramp.
Agreement Approved for Small Business Development Center
The Port of Chelan County Commissioners unanimously approved an Interagency Agreement for Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Services. The Agreement, with Washington State University, continues the services provided by Jim Fletcher, SBDC Business Counselor, to assist existing businesses looking to expand, improve product sales, or other business management issues in addition to assisting people starting a business. Services are also provided to retain existing businesses within North Central Washington. The contract is $40,000 over two years. For information on services provided, contact Jim Fletcher (509-888-7252,
Port Hiring Policy Approved
Port of Chelan County Commissioners unanimously approved a hiring policy for future full time employees. The policy states notice of availability of an open position will be posted including the application process and compensation range. There is no statutory mandate requiring the Port to follow this process, but the Commission approved this policy for future full time employee hiring by the Executive Director.
Pangborn Memorial Airport (PMA)
Air Service Presentation February 11
Trent Moyers, Pangborn Airport Director, and Craig Larsen, Port of Chelan County Business Development Director, briefed the Port Commission on an upcoming visit Feb. 10-11 by our air service consultant Jack Penning of Sixel Consulting. A series of meetings will be held with stakeholders, community leaders, and a public presentation is scheduled for February 11 at the Confluence Technology Center. See the attached media release for more details. This effort is being funded largely by a federal grant awarded to Pangborn for the purpose of maintaining and increasing scheduled commercial air service connecting North Central Washington to the national and international air transportation system.
Port of Chelan County to Host Air Service Presentation
Jack Penning, Director of Market Analysis at Sixel Consulting, will brief the public and community leaders on current and future air service at Pangborn Memorial Airport on Tuesday, February 11th. The meeting will be held at the Confluence Technology Center, 285 Technology Center Way, Wenatchee at 10 a.m. There is no cost and all are encouraged to attend.
Sixel Consulting recently prepared a successful Small Community Air Service Development Grant application for Pangborn in the amount of $200,000 from the Federal Department of Transportation to support current and future air service. Jack’s visit is the kick-off of the process of engaging stakeholders and the public served by Pangborn in the process of deciding how best to use these funds to benefit Pangborn and the entire region. Topics to be covered include: The state of the airline industry, recent performance of the Wenatchee market, and marketing current and future air service. The presentation will be followed by an opportunity for questions from the audience.
