Port District 2 looks for manager

Commissioners of Port District No. 2 discussed a variety of personnel moves as they completed their first month without a port manager.

The board voted to fire 28-year manager Steve McClain at its February meeting. They have been advertising for applicants to take his place.

In the meantime, Commissioner Kayrene Gilbertsen has been volunteering much time at Skamokawa Vista Park, and the port has been using part-time employees and volunteers to keep the park going.

Janet Bryan, who, with husband Rick, is park host at Port 2's Svensen Park on Puget Island, has been helping at Vista Park and offered to work there on an interim basis while the port commission seeks a manager.

Commissioners voted to hire Bryan for 20 hours per week at $15 per hour on a temporary basis.

Commissioners said they've been pleased with the extra work of part-time employee Matt Johnson and boosted his pay from the state's minimum wage to $10 per hour.

Commissioners Gilbertsen and Brian O'Connor said a handyman working through a Community Action Program work program has been making progress with plumbing and other building tasks.

"There have been major accomplishments at this park in the past month," O'Connor said.

Gilbertsen commented that the office has been very busy with people wanting to camp for the spring chinook salmon season.

O'Connor added that he had volunteered some time to recycle old bottles in the port's storage barn.

In other business:

--Port commissioenrs met with Attorney Jennifer Hanigan in executive session to discuss real estate issues, qualifications for employment, and potential litigation. No action was reported after the meeting.

--Gilbertsen reported that Wahkiakum County commissioners agreed to finance $25,000 for the port to complete work at Svensen Park, including installing restrooms.

Until the county revises its Capital Projects Plan, the park isn't eligibile for a grant from the Capital Project Fund, so the funds will be an interest bearing warrant.

--Commissioners agreed to seek proposals from grant writers to add them to the small works roster. McClain had written port grant applications in the past, but commissioners said that contracting the work will keep the manager from being overloaded in work.

--Commissioners also noted that the port is paying West Side Water System for water, and it may have to end tolerance of people coming to Vista Park to obtain potable water when supplies are short at home.

Some people make it a regular habit, commissioners said, and it may have to end.