Commissioner A primer on the Port of Whitman County and the roles and - - PDF document

Commissioner

A primer on the Port of Whitman County and the roles and responsibilities of a Commissioner

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What is a port?

 Washington State law created port districts as “municipal corporations” of the state. Often referred to as “special purpose districts,” ports are different from counties, cities and towns.

Port of Whitman County

Notes: A port district is a geographical area that may be as large as an entire county or as small as a city or town; its boundaries are defined when the district is formed. Voted into being by an election of the people who live in the district, law creates port districts as “municipal corporations” of the state. Often referred to as “special purpose districts,” ports are different from counties, cities and towns. Almost all powers of the port district are vested in a board of commissioners or “commission.” Elected from the district to serve six‐year terms, the governing body of commissioners assures local control and accountability. The port commission, like a city council or county commission, is the legislative body responsible for making the policies and decisions of the district in both internal and external matters. Such policies or decisions might involve adoption of plans, establishing positions, setting employment policies, purchasing or disposing of real estate and other property, setting rates, adopting budgets, levying taxes and more. The commission appoints an executive director who administers the policies and decisions made by the commission.

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Ports may:

• Develop lands for industrial and commercial needs
• Provide general economic development programs
• Buy, lease and sell property
• Provide air and water pollution control works
• Operate trade centers and export trading companies
• Establish and operate foreign trade zones
• Promote tourism
• Build telecommunications infrastructure and provide wholesale telecommunications

services Port districts in Washington state are governed pursuant to RCW Title 53. In general, the Board of Commissioners sets the strategic direction and policies for the organization and the Executive Director carries out those policies administratively. Ports primarily provide four types of facilities: industrial areas; recreational marinas/docks; airports; and marine terminals. They also have the authority to:

• Buy, lease and sell personal property and real property.
• Build and operate sea walls, jetties, piers, wharves, docks, boat landings, warehouses,

storehouses, elevators, grain bins, cold storage plants, ice plants, bunkers, oil tanks, ferries, canals, locks, tidal basins, bridges, subways, tramways, cableways, conveyors, fishing terminals, rail and motor vehicle transfer facilities, belt line railways, roads and highways.

• Develop lands for industrial and commercials needs by dredging, filling, bulkheading,

providing and improving waterways.

• Enter into public works contracts.
• Operate trade centers and export trading companies.
• Provide environmental enhancement, protection, and public access.
• Provide air and water pollution control facilities.
• Provide tourism‐related facilities.
• Provide telecommunications facilities.
• Establish and operate foreign trade zones.

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About the Port

• f Whitman

County

Port of Whitman County

 In 1958, the people of Whitman County formed the Port of Whitman County. The Port now operates three lines of business: 1) industrial real estate; 2) telecommunications infrastructure development; and 3) recreation.

Notes: The Port of Whitman County operates three lines of business: 1) industrial real estate; 2) telecommunications infrastructure development; and 3) recreation. The Port operates three properties on the Snake River: Port of Wilma, near the Idaho state line; Port of Central Ferry, midway between Walla Walla and Colfax; and Port of Almota, four miles downriver of Lower Granite Lock and Dam in Colfax. The Port’s more recently acquired, off‐water properties include Pullman Industrial Park, which borders Washington State University, and Port of Whitman Business Air Center, which occupies the former site

• f the Colfax airport and Colfax Industrial Park.

The Port also builds telecommunications infrastructure across the state, supports tourism and transportation needs county‐wide and manages Boyer Park & Marina in Colfax to enhance the recreational opportunities on the Snake River. The Port of Whitman County is governed by a three‐person elected Board of Commissioners that sets policy, approve all expenditures and appoint the Executive Director and Port Attorney. Commissioners serve six‐year terms and while they are elected countywide, each must live in a specific district within Whitman County. The current elected Commissioners are Kristine Meyer (District 2) and Tom Kammerzell (District 3). The vacant Commission seat is for District 1. This position was recently vacated by

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Commissioner John Love, who served on the board for 24 years. The Commission meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month at the Port office, 302 N. Mill Street, Colfax, WA 99111, at 10 a.m.

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On‐water Properties

Port of Whitman County

 The Port operates three on‐water ports: Port of Central Ferry (top left), Port of Wilma (top right) and Port of Almota (bottom).

Notes: Port of Wilma The Port of Wilma is the largest and busiest of the on‐water port sites and is noted for its diverse tenant base and heavy industrial character. It is located near the terminus of the Columbia‐Snake River inland waterway. Port of Almota The Port of Almota serves as a major grain‐shipping terminal for the Palouse region and is the former site of the now submerged historic town of Almota, where Lewis and Clark stopped on their historic voyage through the Pacific Northwest. Port of Central Ferry Centrally located on State Route 127 between Walla Walla and Colfax, Central Ferry is the most rural of all the port sites and allows access to a wide geographic area.

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Boyer Park & Marina

Port of Whitman County

 Boyer Park & Marina is a 56‐acre full‐service marina and campground located near the base of Lower Granite Lock and

• Dam. The Port funds, operates and maintains the park and marina.

Notes: A Port district may construct, improve, maintain, and operate public park and recreation facilities when such facilities are necessary to more fully utilize boat landings, harbors, wharves ad piers, land, and water passenger and transfer terminals, waterways, and other port facilities authorized by law pursuant to the port's comprehensive plan of harbor improvements and industrial development The Port funds, operates and maintains Boyer Park & Marina as a public service to the citizens of Whitman County. Boyer Park features long term or transient boat moorage, shaded campsites for RV's with full and partial hookups, camp cabins, a small on‐site motel and tent sites, meeting a wide spectrum of camping and moorage needs. The Park has an onsite convenience store, restaurant, laundry room, restrooms, shower facilities and a good‐sized swimming beach. The park also boasts the 3.5 mile Snake River Trail, a pedestrian and bike trail that stretches from historic Almota Creek, through Boyer Park and on to the base of Lower Granite Lock and Dam.

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Off‐water Properties

Port of Whitman County

 The Port operates two off‐water properties: Port of Whitman Business Air Center (above) and Pullman Industrial Park (below).

Notes: Port of Whitman Business Air Center The Port of Whitman Business Air Center is a small general aviation airport and industrial

• park. It is located on Airport Road approximately one mile from State Route 26, directly

adjacent to the Colfax Airport. Pullman Industrial Park (East and West) Located on the north end of Pullman, Pullman Industrial Park‐East is home to several technology and manufacturing firms. It is located adjacent to Washington State University and within an easy drive of the University of Idaho. A portion of Pullman Industrial Park West was recently sold, but the Port retained 8.36 acres for possible future development.

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Broadband

Port of Whitman County

 The Port has been building telecommunications infrastructure since 2000 – the year in which public port districts received this legal authority through Substitute Senate Bill 6675.

Notes: Telecommunications work has played an increasing role in the Port’s business

• perations since the 1990s. Nearly 30 years ago, the Port Commission and staff dreamt of

bringing high bandwidth internet access to the rural communities of Whitman County. Legislative changes and strategic thinking on the part of Commissioners and staff has allowed the Port to build out over 300 miles of dark fiber in a network ranging from the City of Spokane in the north to the City of Clarkston in the south. Recently, the Port has sought out partnerships with other ports that share an interest in bringing broadband infrastructure to previously unserved or underserved communities across Washington. In 2019, the Port joined the Washington Ports Broadband Cooperative, along with the Port

• f Bellingham, Port of Kalama, Port of Pasco, Port of Ridgefield and Port of Skagit County.

These members selected the Port to manage the cooperative for a minimum of three years, due to the Port’s proven ability to develop infrastructure, partner with local and regional carriers and provide affordable, state‐of‐the‐art telecommunications opportunities. The Port will be compensated for managing the cooperative and obtained independent financial analysis which showed that the Port will realize a cumulative net positive cash flow of $679,045 in the first three years.

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Then in January 2020, the Port founded and began managing Petrichor Broadband LLC, a limited liability company that seeks to meet the broadband needs of Washington State. Other initial members include Port of Bellingham, Port of Kalama, Port of Pasco, Port of Ridgefield and Port of Skagit County. The mission of the LLC is to provide wholesale telecommunications facilities with the collective goals of: enabling communication services to unserved or underserved areas within member communities; and creating economic

• pportunities, including sustainable community wage jobs; and consolidating administrative

and operating functions for efficiency.

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Environmental Stewardship

Port of Whitman County

 The Port advocates for a healthy and balanced Columbia‐Snake River System, the federal system of locks and dams that includes the four lower Snake River dams.

Notes: As a public port district, the Port of Whitman County is a key stakeholder in what’s known as the Columbia‐Snake River System. This is the federal system of locks and dams that provides our region and the greater Northwest with access to navigation, trade, hydropower, irrigation and recreation. An essential element of the Port’s mission is preserving multimodal transportation, and the navigation channels created by this series of locks and dams provide a vital mode of transport for Whitman County. The channels allow barges to transport crops and goods from inland ports such as our Ports of Wilma, Central Ferry and Almota all the way to Portland, Oregon. This supports our transportation system as a whole by keeping nearly 150,000 semi‐trucks off our highways and providing competition to rail service. Overall, barging is most fuel‐efficient and cleanest modest of cargo transportation available. That’s why we titled this slide “Environmental Stewardship.” Taking out the Lower Snake River dams would actually add to climate change by increasing cumulative carbon emissions equivalent to building a coal‐fired power plant every five or six years. The Port’s position on the river system has always been one of balance. We believe that the river system can support both agriculture and salmon, energy and climate change, trade and environmental sustainability. We work to educate the public and policymakers on these facts through a few ways.

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• First, we participate in formal public comment processes. The Port Commission

submitted a public comment on the Columbia River System Operations Draft Environmental Impact Statement in the spring when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation and Bonneville Power Administration held their public comment

• period. Two weeks ago, the Commission commented on the EPA’s Total Maximum Daily

Load for Temperature in the Lower Columbia and Snake Rivers.

• Second, we hold the Snake River Family Festival every spring at Boyer Park & Marina.

This is a free, family‐focused event that provides education about the river system, while offering free food, ice cream and activities to the public.

• Third, the Port’s Communications Director produces communications materials that

serve to educate the public and policymakers about all of the benefits of the river

• system. We also partner with organizations such as Pacific Northwest Waterways

Association to participate in communications efforts that reach a broader Northwest audience beyond Whitman County. Calls from certain environmental groups to breach the dams are stronger than ever, so our work to educate and inform is more important than ever and will continue to part of the Port’s mission.

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Financial Responsibility

Port of Whitman County

‐$250,000.00 ‐$50,000.00 $150,000.00 $350,000.00 $550,000.00 $750,000.00 $950,000.00 $1,150,000.00

Income (Loss) from Operations

2020‐2029 Forecasted

Notes:  One of the Port’s strategic goals is to maintain the fiscal ability to provide needed resources and services while seeking to minimize the reliance on local tax revenue. This is accomplished in part by having operations revenue, such as property and telecommunications leases, exceed operations expenditures, such as management of the Port and its property, each year.  The Port also continues to seek and apply for state and federal grant funding and low‐ interest loans to complete capital infrastructure projects.  The assessed valuation for the county has increased by 22% from 2016 to 2020 while the Port has decreased its levy per $1,000 by $0.05 during the same time frame.  Additionally, the safeguarding of public resources is imperative. The Office of the Washington State Auditor (SAO) performs annual audits to ensure the Port complies with applicable state laws, regulations, and Port policies, and provides adequate controls.  Budget process: The annual budget process starts in September and the 2021 preliminary budget will be presented to the Commissioners on October 15. The

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public hearing for the adoption of the 2021 budget and tax levy is on November

• 19. The Port must file its annual budget with the County by the first Monday in

December.

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Strategic Goals

Port of Whitman County

 The Port’s strategic goals provide direction on how to carry out the Port’s mission and include directives relating to economic vitality, transportation, partnerships, properties, finances and telecommunications.

Notes: The Port’s Strategic Plan, which provides direction on how to carry out the Port’s mission, identified eight long‐term goals:

• Actively encourage diversification of the District’s agriculturally based economy.
• Support a balanced multi‐modal transportation system.
• Coordinate partnerships to drive economic development.
• Maintain Boyer Park & Marina, recognizing its importance on quality of life in the

District.

• Continue acquisition, development and managing of Port properties and facilities.
• Improve the Port’s financial position.
• Develop telecommunications infrastructure.
• Enhance community engagement and communications efforts.

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Board Role and Responsibility

Port of Whitman County

 The Board of Commissioners govern the Port and are the policy‐making body of the Port.

Notes: The Board of Commissioners govern the Port and are the policy‐making body of the

• Port. As such, the Board of Commissioners is responsible for the following:
• Identify and define the strategic plan, values and vision of the Port of Whitman County,

along with the results the Port is to achieve in accordance with RCW 53 and communicate them in the form of policy.

• Make certain operational decisions as are designated by law, specifically pertaining to

the confirmation of the Port Finance Officer and the Port Attorney.

• Hire, evaluate, and terminate the Executive Director.
• Provide fiduciary oversight to the management of the Port. This includes approving

annual budgets, vouchers, and long‐term financial plans. The Board of Commissioners’ governance focus will be primarily on:

• Strategic leadership more than administrative detail.
• Encouragement of diversity in viewpoints.
• Clear distinction of Board of Commissioners and Executive Director roles.
• Future rather than past or present.
• Being proactive rather than reactive.

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Board Time Commitment

Port of Whitman County

 Time commitments are required for initial training and orientation, bi‐ monthly Commission meetings, conferences and more.

Notes: New members shall receive training and orientation in the Board of Commissioners governance, policies and procedures, effective communication skills, decision‐making and facilitation of public meetings. Board members must complete training per the Open Government Trainings Act. The Act requires elected officials to receive training regarding the provisions of 42.56, Public Records Act and RCW 42.30, Open Public Meetings Act. Training must be completed no later than ninety days after the date the board member takes the oath of office. The Commission meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month at the Port office, 302 N. Mill Street, Colfax, WA 99111, at 10 a.m. Commission members should ensure ample time for commuting to and from and participating in these meetings. Other time commitments include conferences with organizations such as Washington Public Ports Association and Pacific Northwest Waterways Association.

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Board Benefits

Port of Whitman County

 Compensation for Port Commissioners are set in several different statutes, which provide rates for per‐diem and monthly compensation.

Notes: Compensation limits for port district commissioners are set in statues. A commissioner of a port district shall receive compensation, per day or portion thereof spent (a) in actual attendance at official meetings of the port district commission, or (b) in performance of other official services or duties on behalf of the district. RCW 53.12.260(1) provides the rate for payment of per diem compensation for each commissioner, with a not to exceed annual amount based on the Port’s gross operating income in the preceding calendar year. The compensation thresholds are adjusted for inflation by the Washington State Office of Financial Management. Effective July 1, 2018, (the most recent adjustment) the dollar threshold for commissioners is $128 per day and the annual compensation limit is $12,288 which equals compensation for up to 96 days. In addition to per diem compensation, RCW 53.12.260(2) provides for monthly commissioner compensation. RCW 53.12.260(3) authorizes the Port Commission to set compensation to be paid to Commissioners. In 2017, the Commission resolved that in addition to the statutory per diem compensation, the Commissioners shall receive $600 a month, in lieu of the additional compensation set forth in RCW 53.12.260(1) commencing

• n January 1, 2018, and increasing by 2% per year as an annual cost of living adjustment

(Resolution 17‐08). Insurance

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In 1985, the Washington State Legislature passed a law amending RCW 53.08.170 that gives a port district the authority to provide health and accident insurance for its Commissioners to the extent it provides health and accident insurance to its employees. Health and accident insurance are provided for the Commissioner on a reimbursable basis with coverage equivalent to that provided for its employees and at a cost not to exceed that provided for its employees (Resolution 222). This coverage may include both Commissioner and spouse, and medical, dental and vision coverage. All claims for reimbursement shall be made on the monthly expense report form and supporting documentation must be provided. Travel and Business Expenses Travel and business expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the Port Travel and Business Expense policy. Monthly Expense Reports Pursuant to RCW 53.12.260, the Port Commissioners can execute a request or claim for compensation by submitting a monthly expense report specifying the compensation claimed and providing the required documentation (Resolution 10‐12). If out‐of‐pocket expenses are to be reimbursed, the Board Member must include the expenses on the monthly expense report and provide itemized receipts. The monthly expense report must be submitted to the Port Finance Director by the last business day of the month.

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To apply, please visit:

Port of Whitman County

www.portwhitman.com

Notes: Applications can be found on the Port’s website under “News and Announcements,” as well as the home page. Applications are due by close of business on Wednesday, September 16, 2020. The Commissioners will interview potential applicants at the October 1, 2020 Commission meeting and select the new Commissioner. Then, onboarding will take place between October 1 and October 15. The new Commissioner will attend his or her first meeting on October 15.

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Questions?

Thank you!

Notes: We hope this presentation provided a helpful overview of what we do at the Port and the role of a Port Commissioner. If you would like more information, we invite you to look over our Comprehensive Plan, which can be found on our website under “About The Port.” You can also find additional information about how port districts operate by visiting washingtonports.org. This is the website for the Washington Public Ports Association, and the organization has a resource titled “Knowing the Waters,” which explains the nature, purposes, powers and limitations of port districts in Washington. Are there any questions for us? If you think of additional questions at a later time, please don’t hesitate to contact us at port@portwhitman.com.

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