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Sunset Empire Transportation District Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes Astoria City Hall, Conference Room March 16, 2004
CALL TO ORDER; PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Chair Shannon called the meeting to order at 9:45 am.

ROLL CALL :
Commissioners Present:
		Chair Shannon Commissioner Harris Commissioner Gannaway Commissioner Fenske Commissioner Mendenhall Commissioner Kee
Commissioners Excused
		Commissioner Goforth

Staff Present:
		Cindy Howe, Executive Director

COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None

CHANGES TO THE AGENDA:
The billboard was added as item c. under old business.

APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 17, 2004 MINUTES:
Motion by Commissioner Mendenhall, seconded by Commissioner Gannaway to approve the minutes as submitted. Chair Shannon, Commissioners Fenske, Harris and Kee voted yes.

REPORT FROM CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS:
Commissioner Fenske: Reported that she has had some nice comments from the seniors at the senior center on having the use of the bus.

Commissioner Kee: No report.

Commissioner Harris: No report.

Commissioner Mendenhall: No report.

Commissioner Gannaway: Reported that he has been attending the CEDC transportation committee meetings and noted that Ms. Howe attended the last meeting to give the members an update on the Lewis and Clark shuttle system.

Chair Shannon: No report.

Ms. Howe was asked to give a brief report on the crab festival planning to date.


FINANCIAL REPORTS:
Commissioner Harris asked about the OMAP reimbursements and why the expenses are exceeding the revenues. Ms. Howe replied that the Ride Center checking account was carrying a very large balance that needed to be spent down so the cost per ride was reduced. This will show as deficit spending until the balance has been reduced to equal one month's expenses.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE:
Ms. Howe reported that construction is on schedule. She stated that there would be a change order (s) brought for board review at the next meeting. She said that occupancy of the building and use of the parking lot will be dependent on the cure time of the concrete.

She noted that there is a meeting scheduled with Fort Clatsop staff, Chair Shannon, Commissioner Gannaway and herself to begin the planning for the ribbon cutting ceremony on June 5th.

CORRESPONDENCE: None

PUBLIC HEARINGS: None

RESOLUTIONS: None

OLD BUSINESS:
a.		Lease of Space at 9th and Marine Drive:
		Ms. Howe reported that the Clatsop-Nehalem tribe had withdrawn their proposal to occupy the lease space at the building and that Coastal Family Wellness Center is now in the process of developing a proposal for use of the facility. Commissioner Fenske indicated that she was quite familiar with their operation and agreed it would be a good use of the facility. Chair Shannon asked if a subcommittee should be formed to work with Ms. Howe on the leased space. Commissioner Harris said he liked the idea of getting rent for the space and that the Coastal Family Center has a lot of potential. He questioned how much parking would have to be set aside for the operation? Chair Shannon stated that there were many issues that would need to be worked out such as lease term; no subleases; insurance issues, etc. Ms. Howe was asked to work with Commissioner Kee as needed to bring this back to the board at a later date.
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b.		Goal Setting with Peter Schauer
		The board agreed to hold the goal setting work session on Thursday, April 1, 2004.

c.		Billboard
		Ms. Howe gave an update as to the status of the billboard. She requested that a letter written by OTAK be sent to the City of Astoria and to Mr. Clark regarding their serious concerns about the design of the billboard.

		Commissioner Fenske stated that she believes the City of Astoria Historic Landmarks Commission will need to review any exterior alterations caused by the design of the billboard retrofit. Chair Shannon agreed and stated that the City of Astoria is responsible to the downtown historic district. He said the District does have the option of requesting the sign being removed and paying Mr. Clark 40% of the original cost of erecting the sign, cost of removal and a percentage of the remaining contract. He stated that if the sign remains, he does not see any reason for the District to extend the term beyond its end date of 2012 and he would like to notify Mr. Clark now in no uncertain terms that it would be extended.

		Chair Shannon requested the board consider authorizing him to write a letter to the Mayor and Commissioners of the City of Astoria indicating their concerns about having the work on the sign done as proposed by Mr. Clark.

		Motion by Commissioner Kee, seconded by Commissioner Harris to authorize Ms. Howe to send the letter written by OTAK to Mr. Clark and to the City of Astoria. Chair Shannon, Commissioners Gannaway, Fenske and Mendenhall voted yes.

		Motion by Commissioner Fenske, seconded by Commissioner Mendenhall to authorize the Chair to send a letter to the Mayor and City Council of Astoria indicating the Board's serious concerns about the design changes proposed by Mr. Clark on the billboard.

NEW BUSINESS: None

OTHER ITEMS:
		Ms. Howe noted they were included in the board packets for review.


There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at: 11:00 am.

Approved:







Secretary/Treasurer



NEXT BOARD MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 20^TH IN THE WARRENTON CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS.