The Port of Grays Harbor will spend more than $330,000 on security improvements over the next two years thanks to another security grant that has been approved by the Department of Homeland Security.
It is the sixth successful application and award for the Port since 2007 through Homeland Security’s Port Security Grant Program, the Port announced at its meeting earlier this week.
The grant will help fund $331,360 worth of improvements. The Port Security Grant Program is providing $248,520, and the Port was required to provide 25 percent in matching funds, or $82,840.
Though the application was approved, the grant process is not yet complete, and the funds have not yet been awarded to the Port. First, an environmental and historical preservation review is required.
The Port will prepare the forms, which then are sent to Homeland Security.
“Their reviewers conduct that review,” port Accounting Manager Lisa Benn said. “Once we’ve submitted the forms, it’s a two- to three-month process.
“They may come back to us with questions, they may want more documentation and pictures.”
The review is looking for environmental impacts, ground disturbances or equipment being attached to any potential historic structures or buildings.
“Since all of these areas have been developed for decades, we don’t anticipate any issues, as we’ve not had any in the past with any of the security projects,” Benn said.
The grant, when approved, will upgrade several security components throughout Port property.
Improvements include:
• Replacement of existing equipment with 20 new hand-held VHF radios.
• An additional repeater to add another channel for radio communications.
• Added lighting at Terminal 1.
• A permanent guard station and added lighting at Terminal 2.
• A waiting station for foreign vessel crew and new fencing to upgrade current fencing to meet security code requirements at Terminal 3.
• A new fence to prevent water access to a Port structure at Terminal 4.
Oil projects update
Public Affairs Specialist Kayla Dunlap briefed the commissioners on recent developments regarding three proposed oil terminals at the Port.
The U.S. Department of Transportation comment period for rule making regarding the transport of crude oil closed in September.
Westway and Imperium are continuing the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process and documentation should be available in a few months.
The EIS scoping period currently is under way for U.S. Development. A scoping public meeting will be held on Oct. 16 at the Rotary Log Pavilion in Aberdeen from 1 to 4 p.m. and at the Grays Harbor County Fair &Events Center from 6 to 9 p.m.
On Sept. 24, the Aberdeen City Council passed resolution 2014-11 urging no extended or new leases for crude oil terminals and the examination of any existing leases to determine if lease termination is possible.
Commissioner Stan Pinnick said the Port will take the resolution under advisement.
“We assume all of these issues will be dealt with in the environmental assessment remaining process,” Pinnick said.
Preliminary budget
The 2015 preliminary budget was approved as presented, including a projected $35.4 million in revenues in the general fund (up from $33.2 million projected for 2014), expenses totaling $30.1 million (up from $27.9 million) and a $4.9 million ending cash balance (down from $6.8 million in 2014), according to the cash flow summary.
The preliminary budget also shows reserve funds will end with $3.1 million in the land acquisition fund (up $100,000) and $9.4 million in the R&R fund (down $138,000).
A public hearing on the budget will be held during the Port’s November meeting.
Other Business
• An amendment to include Friends Landing and Sterling Landing in the Port’s comprehensive plan was approved.
The inclusion is part of statutory requirements.
“Whenever a Port acquires new property or plans to spend money on a property, the Port has to make certain the property is part of the comprehensive scheme or plan for Harbor improvements,” legal counsel Art Blauvelt said.
The property was accepted as a gift to the Port in June 2014.
• Maintenance is planned for the port’s Chehalis pilot boat. The boat is used to transfer pilots to shore.
The repairs, expected to total about $30,000, are annual maintenance, Port Contract &Project Manager Mike Johnson said.
The boat will be hauled out in Hoquiam and repairs include replacing zincs, repainting, inspecting and repairs to hull damage, deteriorated metal, bilge piping, bumpers and hangers and a sea chest piping valve. The bathroom door also will be replaced.
• Vessel activity continues to hint at a successful year. In September, 102,531 metric tons of cargo went through the Port. Seven ships came into the Port.
Year-to-date numbers through September show 83 ships and 13 barges calling on the Port and about 1.8 million metric tons of cargo being handled.
“We’re still having a really good year,” Deputy Executive Director Leonard Barnes said.
• Presentations were made by Michael O’Dell of Greater Grays Harbor Inc., and Vicki Cummings of Grays Harbor Council of Governments regarding their service agreements through the Port.
Both touted their successes and requested the port grant similar funding to their respective organizations in the 2015 budget.
• A rental agreement for a maintenance hangar at Bowerman Airport with Frank Foode was approved.
• A special meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, to award a contract for marine terminal maintenance dredging.
The commissioners also will hold a strategic planning workshop on critical issues to sustainable maintenance and growth of the Port, and will hear a presentation regarding the 2013 economic impact of the Port.
• As approved in September, the November Port meeting will take place at 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 7.
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