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

Commissioners gathered last Thursday for their March meeting to discuss Port 1 business, including insurance, a sewer fee for campers, and a raise for the port manager.

The commissioners approved an increase for Port Manager Jackie Lea. She will receive a salary of $5,000 per month, retroactive as of January 1, 2017 along with 35 days of combined sick leave and vacation leave each year.

Lea reported that the commercial gangway and abutment had been installed. Gates have been positioned at the entrance and exit to the rock pit and before the gangway to the commercial dock.

Lea has a tentative meeting set up with a representative of Estuary Partnerships to discuss setting up a non-motorized launch site later this month.

Lea also stated that the port will be open on Sundays for the spring salmon season for the next three weeks, March 19 and 26 and April 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Commissioners approved the addition of a daily sewer fee.

“Right now we have those sewer connections back there by the barbecue,” Lea told them. “If they camp there just for one night, if you prorate the monthly sewer, you are only getting a couple bucks.”

“We have a daily electric fee, a daily extra tent fee,” Lea said. “I think we should set up a daily sewer fee for that site.”

“That shows a little more usage?” Commissioner Scott Anderson asked. “If you use it 10 days a month, you recoup your entire fee?”

“That’s what I’m trying to,” Lea said.

Commissioners also discussed insurance for the port, which will cost them about $17,000, according to Lea.

Finally, the commissioners discussed the job description for the assistant manager/maintenance supervisor position at the port. They discussed where to list the opening, though the job is not being advertised anywhere at this time.

Commissioner Brett Deaton will attend the Spring Washington Public Ports Association meeting in Cle Elum in May. Port Manager Jackie Lea will attend as well.

The meeting closed for an executive session to discuss potential litigation.