The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Commissioners of Port District No. 2 of Wahkiakum County adopted two resolutions and discussed other business when they met Tuesday in Skamokawa.

One resolution amends the compensation paid to port commissioners. State law allows compensation other than money, and at the suggestion of commission Chair Brian O'Connor, the board voted to allow port commissioners five nights of free camping at Skamokawa Vista Park on days when the park isn't full.

Commissioners have traditionally waived compensation.

A second resolution fixed a $1,500 maximum contribution for health insurance payment to Port Manager Janet Bryan.

In other business, Skamokawa resident Mike Linn suggested the port commission could undertake a couple of improvements, and after discussion, commissioners said the suggestions should be raised when the commission undertakes an update of the port's comprehensive plan.

Linn suggested the port consider becoming a wifi internet service provider for the Skamokawa area and and become a vendor for connection to the new fiber optic phone line recently installed by NOA Net.

Linn also suggested the port's boat launching ramp on Skamokawa Creek is in poor condition and needs work. It takes two people to launch or pull in a boat at the ramp, he said, and the paving is uneven and hard to use.

Commissioners discussed maintenance projects and authorized the purchase and installation of a new water heater for the showers in the lower bathroom building at Vista Park. They also discussed installing new doors on their storage building and improving drainage around the building, which floods in periods of high rainfall.

Commissioners tabled approval of a contract with the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce. They said they were unsure of what services would be provided, and while they budgeted $1,000 for Chamber membership, the contract calls for a $1,250 membership fee.