Brown appointed to Port Chairmanship

DAYTON–The Port of Columbia Board of Commissioners voted to appoint Commissioner Shawn Brown as Chairman, then discussed plans to advertise the vacancy for District No. 3.

Commissioner Sean Milligan as Secretary began the regular Port of Columbia meeting on September 8 in the absence of Chairman Earle Marvin. Milligan said, "Duly note, that our Chairman Commissioner Earle Marvin has passed. That's a sad thing. Our condolences go out to his family."

After there was no public comment, Milligan moved to handle the business of appointing Commissioner Shawn Brown as Chairman, which was approved.

Brown led the remainder of the meeting beginning with a statement about Marvin. "I so much appreciate Commissioner Marvin's service to the Port and I have his wife and family in my prayers as they move ahead. I'm sure it's not easy for them."

Executive Director Jennie Dickinson announced that because of COVID, the family will not be holding a service for Marvin at this time.

Filling the vacancy for District No. 3 was then discussed and plans were made to advertise the opening. Interested individuals residing in the district should submit letters of interest to the Port to be reviewed. Candidates will be interviewed at the next meeting on October 13. Whoever is appointed would run for election in November 2022.

Dickinson and the Commissioners re-evaluated the monthly meeting format. Both Commissioners thought with current elevated case counts in the County, continuing offering meetings by Zoom makes sense. However, they also approved the idea of each month considering meeting in person, but opening the conference room either for the public to attend or view the meeting there by Zoom. Dickinson said typically in hybrid meetings, it is difficult to hear everyone, but suggested they purchase a speaker with a built-in microphone and camera that swivels and moves as people speak.

Blue Mountain Station is holding a Fall Family Festival and Oktoberfest on October 9, which the Port will begin promoting soon. Some activities include pumpkin painting and live music.

Dickinson reported the Public Works Board has another funding opportunity with a zero-match requirement for expanding the Broadband into the County west along Highway 12 to the Walla Walla County line. Brown responded in favor of moving forward with the application affirming the Port's commitment of building the network out as funds become available.

For the Touchet Valley Trail project, Anderson•Perry is currently using property deeds they have obtained to survey the boundary lines along the trail site, Dickinson said, but they need the input of the City along with adjacent homeowners pertaining to the site along Commercial Street as they work on the design.