Port 1 considers security cameras

Wahkiakum Port District #1 commissioners listened to a proposal about installing security cameras and discussed the Cathlamet Yacht Club’s (CYC) reciprocal moorage agreement with the port at a meeting on February 11.

Port Manager Jackie Lea invited Bayfront Wireless to submit a proposal on installing security cameras around the marina property, and John Price, a representative from Bayfront Wireless, attended the meeting. Their company sells cameras with the ability to rotate, pan, and zoom. Ports in Garibaldi, Oregon and Ilwaco received grant money from the Department of Homeland Security to install the cameras, said the representative. He also suggested contacting the port’s insurance company to see if the company would provide funding for the cameras due to the reduced risk of damage claims.

Two to three months of digital footage could be saved, said the representative. Recordings taken from these cameras are admissible as evidence in court, unlike the analog style cameras currently installed at the marina, he said.

Assistant Port Manager Abe York reported that the marina restrooms had sustained vandalism once in 2009, but explained that number was a significant drop from five years ago when vandalism occurred much more frequently.

Port commissioners took no action on the proposal, but said they would discuss it again.

Cathlamet Yacht Club Commodore Dan Cary attended the meeting to propose the commissioners roll over the remainer of a reciprocal moorage payment the club made in 2009 to the current year.

The club offers one night’s moorage at the Elochoman Marina to visitors from yacht clubs with whom the CYC has established a reciprocal moorage agreement. The club paid $500 to the Port in 2009 for that purpose, but only $118 of that amount was spent.

Port Attorney Tim Hanigan explained that the legal agreement signed between the CYC and the port called for an annual payment of $500, so Cary’s proposal would not be possible.

Commissioner Brett Deaton asked what would have happened if the total amount spent totaled $1000.

“We’d be out $500,”said Hanigan.

The commissioners suggested Cary, Lea, and York work together to make an agreement that could be discussed at the March meeting.