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Good Morning, everybody. It's Wednesday,
October 2nd, 8 A.M. Call the meeting to order. Wade do we have any...
letters of communication to the board? There are a few things in the board read packet I'd like to direct your attention to.
One, is the St. Lawrence Factory Stores appeal. And, information from our counsel.
There's a letter from Seaway Administrator, Betty Sutton, that
Sam and I met at Breakbulk, in New Orleans. A couple of press releases,
during the period. There's some photos of the switchgear project
at the port. And, there's news articles throughout the period.
I would say this morning...
Ms. Sutton, at the top...a very delightful personal
professional order...really nice to talk to. It was very...
commendable to us, to being there, and being in the game. You know, being part of the North Country, and so,
that was a really nice reach to her, to us. And, that was really nice of her to say those things about us being there.
We have approval of board meetings...
held on September 11, 2013, and September 20, 2013.
I'll move. Second. Second, Doug. Any other questions, comments? All in favor,
signify by saying aye? Aye. Thank you. Any other comments, or presentations
from citizens regarding agenda items? No? Well, let's move to the
Staff Reports. Okay, I have a couple of highlights of the report, what I've been working on in September.
Specifically, the authority's Tourism Application to the MarketNY program. And, the
Grain Bin / Rail Rehab Application were both designated as high priority projects, by the Regional Council.
I think that's a really important designation, because, that helps move us to the head of the list, should the region be funded.
We're very appreciative to the council's efforts in this regard, and also to our partners that had helped make this happen.
And, we will recognize our partners with thank you letters, as well.
At the Port of Ogdensburg, as I mentioned, we retained multiple
letters of support for the Grain Bin / Rail rehab project. We had the kick-off meeting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
for the Section 107 deepening study. There are several items that we need to get to the corps, for...
our homework, if you will, as part of the study process. As things stand right now, it looks like
the...study process will be complete, in the Spring of 2014.
As Sam mentioned, we promoted the port at Breakbulk in New Orleans.
We had a call, with an interested party.
And, this project may bring four years worth of business to the port. So, we're still...
pursuing that. Longshoremen negotiations continue with Great Lakes District Council representatives.
And, many thanks to both Frank Cappello, our counsel. And, our outside counsel, for the effort
for this. And, we work *** many issues, but we're progressing.
A couple things, related to the airport for this period. The Master Plan, the Forecast document was submitted
by OBPA, to the FAA. It requires approval at the regional and main office.
And, we need a consultant agreement to continue that process. And, that's one thing that we need to talk about in Executive Session today.
The Runway Rehabilitation discussion was held,
an informal discussion with a project engineer, and the contractor. And, it looks the work is most likely going to begin in the Spring
of 2014. And, that's due to the temperature requirements that need to...
that need to occur because of the asphalt. Sam, and I attended the
Joint Airport Meeting, in Watertown, New York. And, also ran into our engineer at that meeting.
So, we had a follow-up conversation with the engineer, related to several projects.
As you know, we concluded the negotions with Deringer/OBPA/DeFelsko.
And, that was approved by the special board meeting, earlier this month. And, we're continuing to
reach out, and promote the authority. And, retain and grow our existing
business space. I'd be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Wade, do you see any debate in the FAA with this...government shutdown that we've got?
It's unclear at the present time, how that's going to affect. I think it's
going to affect the...main office in D.C., more than it is the
...the regional ADO. So, in other words, when I pick up the phone, and talk to the ADO,
they're there, in the New York office. I don't know about the Washington people. I noticed on the news this morning, and it just left
that the...support staff around these people, they're not going to be there.
And, that's...really becoming a concern, if it's going to affect our projects that's going on
out here. I think it may have some affect on our projects, it's unknown at this time. In some cases
it could help. For example, the Army Corps of Engineers project in the port deepening.
If they're not working on anything else right now, I'm hoping to transition them over to working on our projects. And hopefully,
accelerate the port project. That's an example of where it could work in our favor. With the FAA, if the folks aren't
there that need to approve the Master Plan, at the...
regional level, and also at the main office level. The regional guy is there. I don't know about the main office guy or gal.
So then, that could slow things up a little bit. But, I do anticipate
if this continues for any length of time, it will probably impact our reimbursements from the Federal Government processing,
that type of thing, there will be impacts. Probably about six weeks, to eight weeks.
...
Do we have any other questions for Wade? Mr. Morrill, do you want to give us your report? Yes.
Looking forward to attending the MWBE forum in Albany tomorrow, and Friday.
Our second quarter utilization report is due the fifteenth of October.
We've started that, and I think that you will be as pleased as I am, with the results of the second quarter.
I believe that not only will the second quarter make our goals for that quarter, but I think it will bring our
year-to-date up to the goals. Up to the annual goals. Outstanding. We will know
after we get it in, but it's looking positive. We have had
success with our incentive contracts...for salt
at the port. And, I've developed some spread sheets, there's some complex invoicing arrangements that go
along with that incentive. And, I've developed those, so that we can invoice
properly, and correctly. I will now go to the...I don't have the
financial reports. It's only the second day of the month. And, they just weren't quite ready.
I do have the airport report, and the bridge traffic report.
We start on page 8, with the airport report.
The passengers were down, and that's the first negative number we've seen in a long time.
Down 52 passengers from September of a year ago.
I don't know why that is, other than...
...that's the report that I got, I received that yesterday from Cape Air. But, for the year,
we're still up 7.3, and our enplanements were up 5%.
The rest of them, if Massena's was down also, they get the correlation, because we're pretty similar. Yes.
We're their...(throat clearing - unintelligible)...in just appearing for that month. Yes.
Then, on the next page, page 9, is the bridge traffic report.
That, is still up, but just barely. We're up 1%. Up 1.25 on autos.
Down 10, trucks.
Actually, trucks were up 1, from the year before, in the pluses, because this is all other crosses.
Busses were down 11. So, that's extremely close to last year's
number. It is...off from what we had
hoped. And, when we did the 2013-14 budget,
but...it's still up, and the other bridges in the area, as reported in the Watertown Times.
are down. Do you see a correlation between this, and the
value of the Canadian dollar? That could be affecting it, we have...(interrupts): That's what I thought it would be. (continues):
Yes. Yes. I think, probably. Although it is bad,
I mean, it's moved just a little, but it's not at par now.
3%, all that's going to be up to 5? Well, the exchange rate...(cough/throat-clearing - unintelligible)
And, that might go the other way, if the U.S. government stays shut down for an extended period of time.
Any questions, about anything
reported, or anything else? Fred, can you tell me anything, why the...
the airport lost it's evening flight out of here on Sunday, and Massena also was cancelled?
Does anybody know anything about that? There is something about a maintenance issue,
but that's...I can look into it, and we'll get back to you on that. Well, both of the airports cancelled.
And then, all these other people that were wanting to fly out Sunday, couldn't fly out on Monday morning,
because the plane was already full. My question was, if they cancelled that flight, and they knew there were people
here, that wanted to get to Albany, why didn't they send another plane? Yeah. That was my question.
But, that's "a day late, and a dollar short". But, I thought I'd mention it here today, because, it's kind of...
interesting, because Massena, and Ogdensburg both were cancelled. I'll find out the reason.
Thank you. I will send the financial reports to you...
via email, first of next week. I'd get them out by Friday, but I'm going to be in Albany.
On Friday. I'll get them out so then, you'll get a chance to look at them. And,
feel free to ask any questions when you get them. Anything in that report, Fred, that we should be...
noting? Or, is it just...everything, Wade, is...I mean, is there anything
we're not knowing here? No, I don't believe...I don't think there is anything...
...we're busy...with...
continuing with the plans, things like the EO...(interrupts): EO 4. EO 4.
Which is, a report about our...
energy use, and recycling, and things like that. It's a greening effort.
And, I'm beginning to start working on...
the budget. You know, getting the worksheets updated for
this coming year, and things like that. There's nothing
of concern. Okay. That's what I mean, if there's something that we should really be knowing
that's coming our way...that's good. We get some very interesting requests,
sometimes, that have some very tight timelines associated with them. For example, the request that we get in
this week, was on marketing, and advertising. The state is now taking an interest in
that. And, oh, by the way, there's a template associated with that, there's an analyst associated with that, and all that
information, and received it by, what Fred? Receive it yesterday? And, oh by the way, this needs to go on a sheet. (laughter) Yeah, after we
started filling out the sheet, we got a new sheet. It's an endless job,
complying with all these various data requests. Things that we
don't normally see. There is one thing, and that's the RFP for banking. I've had some questions about
that. We have...we asked for information from the Comptroller about it. Because we didn't want
to do anything wrong. It took a long time to hear back from them. And, when we did,
we got information about, "Well, why don't you have it here anyway?" That got us excited. And, we didn't
need to. So, I talked to Frank, and found out that we have it there, because our enabling legislation requires
us to. And so...
it took some time, and I'm glad we took the steps, and...that we...we do get it right.
And, that we did take the first thing we heard, as the truth. And, go off in that
direction, because once we did go off in that direction, and do it wrong, it wouldn't be that phone call, or that report from
the Comptroller's office. It would be our lack of doing it, and doing all our due diligence.
So, I appreciate Frank providing us with the proper information. And, that soon will be
issued. Unless they change it by statute this time, and they change.
One's tied into the pre-payment for the debt on the bridge. So, we can give that one goodbye, unless they
change the legislation. So, it just seems kind of awkward, all of our
revenue goes to one account, the Comptroller's account. All of our...
spending comes out of a different account. And then, we have...and, we can't transfer money from the
Comptroller's account to that account. We have to wait for them to write a check. And, it makes for
interesting cash management. You know, it might be something to lobby your local representatives,
and say, could we amend the law, so we don't have to do this? And, maybe the Comptroller would be even on board with it.
Or, recommend...you know, they could bring their own sections up, too. They would recommend laws
a lot of occasions, for things he wants to correct and change. Make the request. All they can say is, "no",
we're no worse off. At least they would become aware of it. Well, I don't think some of the under staff is aware of it.
These things, these are from the original two legislations, the Ogdensburg bridge, and Ogdensburg port.
When they combined the two, all they did is lump it all into one, but they didn't change anything. They just made it one authority,
kept the board, and left it all to immigration. They didn't do away with those sections, as far as I can tell.
Anything else on that subject?
John, do you want to give us your report, please? Are you on for this? Oh, I don't know, so what are we going to do?
(crosstalk - side conversation - laughter - unintelligible) I'm sorry, I want to back up here for a little bit. Sure, I'm sorry, yeah.
I want to ask Fred something on that. Where are we with this grievance system...you've got filed?
In the ILA. I would be happy to interject,
on that, in Executive Session. Because it is a grievance, we should not be discussing it in public.
We'd be happy to fill you on that.
Okay. Sorry. It's right here. Thank you.
Now my...(interrupts): The most important report of the day, Karen. (laughter) (continues): I've got a...(interrupts): Well, it's on the list, you know, so that's why I was going to bring it up. I didn't want to,
I just wanted to maybe...it should be brought up here. Well, I'm glad you brought it up. I think...
Fred had mentioned, too, with our MWBE compliance, I think it's kind of odd,
it's a very good thing. We're actually working with a couple of vendors that we do use now, that are actually
majority women-owned, but are not registered. So, we're working on helping them register as MWBEs
thinking, you know, maybe that will give us a little boost, with MWBE compliance people, too.
So, we're working on that report this week, trying to get that done before the October 15th deadline. The EO 4/EO 18
actually got finished up yesterday, and filed. So, we're all set with that.
I had to do sales tax reports for the quarter, and the pre-paid motor fuel reports
for the month. I worked a lot on ILA negotiation and proposal things, over the past
few weeks, with Wade, and Fred, and with Frank. And, after a few
tweaks, the RFP, I think it's ready for Wade to take those out, before we send it out.
So, we're going to finish up with WBE, hopefully as I said, this week. And, go on to
some deals that we have down there, finish up, you know, get the RFP out, and do our September "recs", once we get the statements.
I know the...the MWBE is very
important to us. I'm just curious from a staff standpoint. It seems like we spend a lot of time
investigating different companies and stuff, right? Absolutely. Yes, we do.
It seems like both of you people really...really spend a lot of time in that, to meet that goal.
We do. Well, it makes an interesting point. You think of...you get a percentage of...of what
that contract means to that rating system, but what about the time you are, supporting that?
The outside of...I wonder if there's any allowance for that? No. (laughter)
No. My comment way back when was, you know, it seemed impossible.
You know...well, it was two months longer. But...you know it...it felt like...
it was going to be difficult. But, I think our staff, and everybody looked...with guidance from Albany, and all the people...
that...it's a mentality that we have to use, it's a mentality all around us. And, I think our
staff did an outstanding job to meet those goals. And, you know, obviously, it's been a question with what's the penalty
as a board? We could be dissolved. Okay? If we don't follow those guidelines. So, I think we've done an outstanding job,
and it's a great report, when Fred comes back, and...you know, tell us exactly where we're at.
If you can get that changed in the next two days. (laughter)
(laughter - crosstalk - unintelligible) I think I'll come back with a more
zealot of making proposals. Well, I've looked into the labor aspect, Fred.
I mean, that's one of the things that we first talked about. And, it seemed like there was a waiver for this, and a waiver for that, and then all of the sudden there wasn't.
You know, so, some of those rules, and...how we first started...that's what you go a way to find out.
And, see exactly how the process works, and...it does come with a cost.
What we're you going to say? I was just going to...I wanted to ask Karen, any feedback on the accounts receivable
as you reached out to some people? Yes, and no. (chuckles)
Usually, just the same ones. Well, you go on to the number one thing to keep in mind.
Every time you get a waiver, it doesn't reduce your responsibility. You're still
You've still got to make the call. So, remember that, just what I'm saying, just remember that every time you get a waiver,
it doesn't give you a release from your goal. So, you're still going to have to meet it.
Well, that's not the way you explained it the first time to me, but maybe you're right. Well, I'm positive on it. There is a
guy that works with it, ask him. is that right? The goals are still the same. That's right. It just makes
the calculation different. So, if you had a waiver on a $50,000 contract,
then that $50,000 contract is not included in the calculation. It doesn't change the 20% goal.
It only is included in the calculation. Well, it does state...it rises it.
It raises it, it maintains the same, you don't lose. You don't lose...you gain
on that individual contract in the calculation, but the goals will remain the same,
of 20%. It doesn't change the goals. Waivers should be explored...it doesn't mean there is a
tactical advantage, because there are certain things that we can't get around, we can't find a minority business to even bid on it. So you've to keep...that's your...
hip pocket thing, you use it only when necessary, you try to comply if you can. Yeah.
If you don't over-use it, you might find out you could use it, when you have that one thing that you can't get from any other source.
Anything else for Karen?
(unintelligible)...Looking very nice. The red tie. (chuckles)
Over the past 14 months, we've been moving in some heavy-lift cargo, through the
port. Worked with six or seven different companies, and as Wade mentioned, through those companies we may get a short list.
So, we're optimistic, cautiously optimistic that we might get
those individual shipments of components, and it could be a multi-year cargo for us.
Sam, Wade and I attended Breakbulk Americas.
I think we had excellent coverage...(unintelligible)...good attendance, a lot of people stopped
and talked to us, good exposure. And, probably talked, easily to 1500 people.
So, it was a very successful show. We also had an excellent
kick-off meeting with a large local industry that Mr. Carter has urged us, on several occasions
to reach out to. So, this is another effort to reach out to them, and we had a meeting here with them.
And, they indicated that the time was perfect, and they need to be evaluating all
their raw material inputs, and outputs. And...Steve, and
Fred, and everybody's working on it, so close to them now, just to do some comparisons on
highlighting stuff, and see how that turns out. We have a company that's interested in the heavy
industrial park, a couple small parcels, and we'll hear about that in the future. We continue to work with
them. Steve met with...some folks that are
working with our local wood pellet manufacturer, and gave a tour of the port. So, that seems to be
progressing, there seems to be some new interest there. Going on the Ag tour.
Cargill, we hope is looking to bring in a couple more vessels this year.
It depends on their mine in Cleveland, and how things work out there. It was shut down for a
brief time period. I'll be attending the Can/Am Border Trade Alliance next week,
in Washington D.C. I guess I won't be able to go to any of the monuments, but...(chuckles)
it looks like an interesting program, I look forward to attending that. ACCO's filed their Foreign Trade Zone
...request with the Foreign Trade Zone's board. And, there's a meeting next week with
customs, and ACCO, and someone from the authority to discuss that in further detail.
There's a lease extension on your agenda for Corning. And, there's a
variety of prospects there, that we've been working with, just to bring your attention to.
...
One of the things that...you, and I know, and Wade, because we've already been over this,
is woodchips. And...or, pellets.
What is it? Pellets? Woodchips? It's pellets, right? Pellets. Yes.
It's like, that's a big thing, right now. Do you want to give us an update on that? It has been for
the past two, or three years, it keeps increasing. There's a...actually, when we went on the trip to Europe,
there was talk, quite extensively, that there's a growing demand for pellets and chips
in Europe. And, that's because they're converting a lot of their coal facilities over to bio-fuels.
And, we haven't been able to make that connection
yet, but we've really worked on it hard. It seems like most of the shipments are coming out of the south.
And, there are larger boat carriers.
More economical than our seaway-sized ships. I'm not aware of anything coming out of the seaway.
With the exception of the port, on the other side of the locks up in Quebec. Yeah. That's what the guy,
Stu, that's what he was saying. Yeah. But, we're working hard with...
Curran, and he's really looking into it. And, getting some competitive pricing.
I know he's got some folks that have gone to Europe, and met with some of the large utilities.
So, we'll see what happens. Well, you know, I was talking with Wade, if you know of any ideas
with Greek yogurt, and hops, and all those types of things...I don't know...did we ever look at....why we...
why we don't have a maker for pellets here, I don't know.
Stir everything up, and look at all those types of things. I'm not saying we could do that right away, like that. But, I don't know...
...if we'd be a value to that industry, or not. I don't know.
We do have a couple prospects, three or four, that we've worked with over the years.
We were going to have them in the industrial park, or, for some grade wood pellets.
Industrial grade wood pellets, for that market. And...they're still...
a couple that are interested. Now, it was interesting
on the Greek yogurt plants, there was an article in the Post Standard the other day, about a new
yogurt plant, being built in Corning. And, it was interesting to me, that they said,
their big market was the Canadian market. Where, before, when we were talking about it,
it was off limits. It was very interesting.
Interesting rule, there. Yeah.
The Post Standard? Yeah, it was in the Post Standard. Well, it's maybe something we should talk to our
Senator about. Isn't she the chairman of that committee? Maybe we should
you know, send somebody to have a visit with her, and find out why...read that article, and find out why.
As I indicated, you know, North Lawrence was mentioned in here. Their capacity, I don't believe is about 50%.
They've got the capacity. No, not without the rail, to be...(unintelligible). And plus, you've got the
...the one in Lafargeville. I mean, they're not
up to capacity, and they make yogurt, that's what they've been making, that's what they've been living off.
But, maybe we should visit that with the Senator, and talk to her about it.
I mean, it's kind of funny that they'd be looking at the Corning area, when we've got a bridge right here, sitting here.
And, we've got everything else. But, it's unique,
I'm glad you brought it up. It's something to check on, you know. I just thought it was kind of funny, that when we were talking about it,
that was like Fred said, that's off limits. And, all of the sudden that was...(interrupts): We spent a lot of money on that...(continues):...part of their
...(interrupts): Looking into that process. Bruce put a lot of hours in it. Yeah. We'll look into it.
I know it's...interesting.
I don't know what the marketing strategy is anymore, because I'm not there anymore,
representing the people. But...you know, your local managers, have a lot of
knowledge. It's worth "breaking bread" with them, take them to lunch, get some ideas
of what's going on in the dairy industry. They'll set right down and tell you this. Privately, they'll tell you
where it is. You know, it's no different than you bring up the...the chips,
and, the pellets. Not to be sour about it, but...
just go and look, and see how the pellets are brought into the United States, and how they get here.
If they're coming through these large, large warehouses, and they buy them up.
I don't think that you can buy...around this area...any American
made pellets. Unless you were to buy them from Curran directly.
Otherwise, go look at the bags, and flip the tag up, and you'll see where they're coming from.
It's interesting. But, that is something that you'll just have to keep pushing on. I'd like to see some
of that into the North Country. Especially for Curran, who's put a lot of his own money into that
market. How do we compete in that market?
Anything else for John? I'll make one
comment, maybe Steve can answer this question. I know three, or four years ago, we were talking, one, two ships,
and, of course, the project last year. I don't know, how many did we end up? Seventeen ships in the year, something like that?
What's that number this year, so far? Right now, it's at five. Five, we've got
a couple others coming? Yeah. So, six, seven, eight when we're done, probably? I was going to give
you that number. Is that on your report? Yeah, I did my homework, again! How could you know that? (laughter) I don't know. You're ahead of me
every time! Doing my job. I'm sorry, Steve. No, no, that's fine.
Did you get soaked into this? (laughter) It's on the report, I had it!
(laughter) Could be coming from the St. Lawrence Golf Course! (laughter)
That's too much! Well, give us...give it in that report. All right, well, I'll give you give you the "fluff" first, and then
I'll go on. (laughter) Over in the Industrial Park, we did some upgrading of the landscape.
Things were kind of getting kind of shabby, and old. And, we kind of upgraded some of the tree
plantings, and some of the entrances. And, we've got some ways to go, but we're just starting that.
So, we worked on building #6, which is, where Strader-Ferris is, and the old Social Security building,
that was the old Social Security location. On the bridge, Modjeski & Masters did their interim
bridge inspection, and then, they looked at all the yellow flags. We had 12 locations, that was the
concentration of all our maintenance work, on the floor beams. And, they gave us, they looked at all the yellow
flags, so we're in good standing as far as our 2012...
inspection went. And, currently we're going to finish out the year, we're painting the suspension
cables. And, we prioritize that, to keep the moisture out of the cables. There were some areas below the deck
that needed some work. So, we've got a pretty good system down there. And, we're happy - that will be
probably completed at the end of the week. And then, we'll be wrapping up for the rest of the month, which is the maintenance
aims there, as weather permits. Out at the airport, we're also doing some maintenance
at the fuel farm...the storage tanks. We're trying to bring them up to...
a much better condition. At the port, we've received the Algosteel, and they've
delivered 11,500 tons. And, what I was getting to was, that put us, right now,
that puts us at 118,000 tons for the year, which is more than we've received in the last four years.
So, that's already topped. And, we've still got, we believe we've still got a couple vessels to go.
I think a lot of that's due to our incentive contracts that Wade, and John
and Fred kind of put together. It seems, there's more activity there, more
asking about when we take vessels, and everything. But, as it stands right now, we're....it's just
the end of September. And, just from talking, I think we can see a couple more,
but that's never guaranteed, but that's the way they're talking there, so that will put us quite a bit above what we've
had in the last four years. So, that's kind of what I was getting to right there. So,
currently we're at 118,000, and our largest year, going back to 2010,
was 2011, we had 113 for the whole season. So, we're already 5,000
above that. So, I really attribute a lot of that to the incentive
program that we worked on earlier in the year. And, probably lastly, there's two pictures in
your read file. The Switchboard Replacement Project. We budgeted
35,000, it was bid at, I believe 8,000.
And, that all came in really good, and we have a lot more reliability on our overhead
lights, and our building, too. That's what's fed through that switch gear. So, I just wanted to
bring that to your attention. It's not a real fancy thing, but it was giving us problems the last couple years.
And, to have the lights go out while we're doing night work, we did experience that during hurricane Sandy.
But, that wasn't because of the switch gear. But, we realized we were pretty well "dead in the water" then.
So, we just wanted to eliminate that happening, and we got it done pretty cheap. So, I just wanted
to point that out to you. The stock piles look pretty impressive from the Canadian side. Yeah.
I was over there yesterday. Well, good, because theirs looked pretty impressive to me, while I'm over here. (laughter) A little too
impressive. It did look pretty good yesterday. We're pleased because of extensive
reach to the port, too. For the first time, we're servicing areas south of Route 3.
Who do they get to do the trucking? Do you have any idea on that? I don't know
the names, but I'm talking with them at 10 o'clock this morning, and I can get you info on that.
Well, Steve, one of the things that I've...I've been to the port, around the salt,
I've been down there a few times, and looking things over. And, we seem to be unloading at the end of the pier.
At the end of the dock, we're unloading down there, and then we're moving it. To where we store it.
Right. Now, where we're storing it for, is Morton
Salt, right along with that? Right by the water? Yeah. Yeah, the one black cover up there, that's all Morton, yeah.
So, the cost then, moving that salt from where they unloaded it, up to there,
I think it's important we have a note on that, for the Corps of Engineers. Because, that's added
cost to the consumer, and added cost to the company. Right. In the long run,
the state was paying for that. Right. You know what I'm saying? And, I looked at that pile, and I said, if we could've got that
ship up in there, and that's why we didn't unload up there, off the ship, it's too heavy?
Just the tail end, we were able to get some, but way up, you're can't get that part on. Right. So,
that's right. And, I just want to bring this back, for you new folks to keep in mind. It's always
been our intention...somehow, that if we could get the city to agree
with us, that that boat launch area, if we could get that
area turned over to us, so we could get our ships up in there further,
we've got more places now to unload the salt. A long time ago, we tried to get the city
to agree with that. Now, I heard here recently, that the city's talking about maybe building a new...
...doing more boat launches. It's maybe an avenue that we want to
revisit, Mr. Chairman. And maybe, talk with them about relocating Patterson Street down
within the port. Where we've got the area where the fishermen are. We already have a little
boat launch down in there. If that could be developed...and we could
take that other...over, it would be better for us. Because the bow of our ship goes up there, and they have to
*** off onto an angle. And, to the best of our knowledge, they have to hold that
in place with the pilot. Because there aren't any tie offs up in that area. That particular area,
up in there, I think we've got one. So, it's just something that I wanted to mention to you, because, if they're
talking about doing something with the city, maybe we should talk about...and bring this back up again. And, maybe
working with them, and putting a nice boat launch down in our area down there. And, they'd have
parking, they'd have it all, it's all there. So, it's just something I wanted to mention to you. Yeah, they're going to do that, because,
to go along with what Fred just said, there was an article in the paper, a week or two weeks ago, that they either have a grant,
or they've applied for a grant to renovate that Patterson Street boat launch site.
All right? So, if they're going to do it, you know? Yeah, a preliminary place holder
numbers, and we're refining this with the Corps, if you have direct discharge, as opposed to relocation,
it would save about $200,000 per year overall to the salt company, and thereby
the customer, and you guys. That's why it's such an important project, that we continue to work on it.
And, we should have a definitive answer, I'm told, the Spring of 2014.
Outstanding.
Now, if I have another question to ask,
will you be prepared for that one too? (laughter) That was enough, I had one shot. (laughter) I don't know how you can see, Steve.
I just have one. Go ahead. So, from what I can see on this report,
on the bridge maintenance, and all of that. By increasing...back up to...got us in line.
All of it. Yeah. Scott's...(cough - unintelligible)...was my foreman, and we're just kind of discussing the end of this
season. And, I asked him, you know, overall what he did, and he said he's gotten...twice...we had twice...
we got twice the work done this year. And, we had a lot coming at us. But, it was
kind of like...I wouldn't say we caught up, but we're way ahead of where we normally
would've been, if we hadn't manned up. But, he said the knowledge of the new people now, will help
us, so we can take them...and it actually speeds things up, because they all know their way around the bridge, they know
what's got to be done early in the season, and things like that. And, if you did want to add more,
that would just be more people with that knowledge, that they could help out those guys.
But, overall...we just had that conversation yesterday, and we're very pleased with that.
So, in the upcoming budget, we'd be looking at something there, maybe? Possibly, yeah. We could,
Wade talked about that. Thank you. Yeah.
Committee reports?
No reports. Not a committee today. Any... (unintelligible)...anything? The Finance
Committee received there reports, we went over them, and everything seems to be fine.
Anybody else want to make a report of anything? No? We're all set there?
Wade, any unfinished business to discuss? No, Mr. Chairman. Okay.
Scheduled upcoming board meeting is November 6th.
We'll follow up with December 4th. Well, I guess we can move into business items.
Can we pencil in a tentative Facilities Committee, if needed, at 7:30, on each of those
dates? Yeah. Thank you for that.
Or, if we need an alternate day. If we have more, a time when a half time limit might not be enough. But, just in case?
Let me ask the question, Mr. Chairman, is November 6th a bad day for you financial people?
Should we move it a little bit? December 6th is fine. It's really
tough when it's the first day, or the second day of the month, because...
it's just nearly impossible to get the financials done. So, November 6th is fine? Yeah, November 6th is fine.
Okay. How about the 4th of December. That will be a challenge, but I think we can do the 4th.
of December. It's that first, second, even third is tough. But, if that were needed,
we'd move it probably...due to a budget. Yeah, right. Because, it's traditionally
a budget time. But, as far as financials, it's just...it's those first two days.
And, maybe the third. Okay. Wade, do you want to take us through the business items?
Absolutely. A very light agenda this morning, the first is ratification of a grant offer with the FAA. You'll remember last time
that we accepted the bids on the snow removal equipment...pending
FAA funding. Well, the FAA funding came through, and that's what you see over on page 12.
It is, in total, a $415,000 project.
$394,250 is funded through the FAA.
Do our engineers have any support on this? Or,
is this just something that's done within us? No, there is...with any project we do, there's actually
four agreements. We'll have one with the C & S, as the engineer, we'll have one with FAA,
we'll have one with the state DOT, which we haven't seen any of the state DOT
ones yet. And, we will have one for the acceptance of the bid. That's our general
process. The C & S gets a portion of that? Is that what you're saying? Yes. There is a
separate account? It is generally in that range. Okay. But, there's a separate
a separate one for C & S, on this. And, I'm not sure if this has already been approved, or will be
coming for approval. I'll look into that. Okay. The C & S portion.
Wade, on the report itself, the last sentence is, "The Facilities Commitee
met on October 2nd." That didn't happen. That's a good point. Thank you.
... This was
approved before, right? It was not. Not the grant agreement with the FAA.
We accepted the bids, pending FAA funding. This is the FAA funding. Is this
another one that could be tied up, in regards to this report of the shutdown?
It's possible. We'll look into the processing portion. We got this in ahead of the deadline,
this is why this is a ratification. And, again, it was in, it was submitted shortly after
the last board meeting. Could we lose this? We won't lose it. It's possible it could be delayed.
...
I need a motion? I'll move it.
Doug moves it. Fred, second. Any further comments, questions?
One quick question. Steve, do we know when the anticipated delivery of this is? No, we haven't heard yet, to support any of that,
right now. July of next year! (laughter) That's why I asked the question!
I almost see it coming, Wade, on my paperwork. And, that's funny too, isn't it? Yes.
All those in favor,
signify by saying aye? Aye. Okay, on page 13 of your packet,
there is approval of a re-supplement with Corning Incorporated. This is for 500 square feet,
it's a six month lease supplement. And, you can see the diagram on page 14.
Actually, I'm sorry,
Corning's on 15.
Yes, it's both, it's 500 square feet in building #1, and 500 square feet in building #11.
...
...
I make a motion to approve. John? Second. Any further
discussion? Okay. It's the money coming in.
All those in favor, signify by saying aye? Aye. The last item's over on
page 16. This is our standard Transfer and Storage Agreement, for the
airport hangar space. There's three parties involved, three separate agreements, one resolution.
The term, November 1, 2013, through October 31, 2014.
At the rates, terms, and conditions you see before you. I approve, make the motion.
I'll second. Okay. Any further questions, comments?
All those in favor, signify by saying aye? Aye. Mr. Chairman,
just to back quickly, did we mention at the last meeting, I think about the possibility of ACCO renting some space
from us? What building was that going to be in? I'm looking at
port #5, and building #11.
And, building #1 as an alternate. Building #1 as alternate, okay. They haven't heard anything
lately, they're looking around for other possibilities, alternatives around. Yeah. Okay.
...
Mr. Chairman, there is a need for a brief Executive Session, pertaining to matters
relating to the appointment of a corporation, and also contract negotiations
pertaining to the ILA. Will we have action out of that, possibly?
There may be, on the consultant agreements, pending the board's preference. Okay.
I make a motion to go into Executive Session. Second. Doug seconds. In favor?
Aye.
Okay, let the record show that we've returned from the Executive Session,
the time is 10:07. I'll call the meeting back to order. I believe we have
...this...(unintelligible)...business meeting to do? Yes, Mr. Chairman, it originates
from the Executive Session, is approval of a contract with McFarland Johnson,
for on call planning services, for an amount not to exceed $25,000.
Tasks included for this contract would be technical support and coordination with the FAA, related to the ongoing Master Plan,
and forecasting efforts. Technical support and strategy, formulation of fast track high priority projects.
And, meetings and development of communication materials to promote OBPA goals,
and initiatives. I would make that motion, Mr. Chairman. Has the press got this?
Do you have a copy of that? Okay. Give that other one to him. I make a motion to approve it.
I'll second. Second, Ramona.
...
Wade, maybe you want to explain exactly what this means? For a second?
I think it's pretty self-explanatory,
because it's right in the resolution, in the report itself. Okay. I think this has
authorization on page 3, it might explain it, pretty much. Okay. Any further discussion, comments?
All those in favor, signify by saying aye? Aye. Ayes have it.
Okay. Wade, do we have any further business? There's no further business, Mr. Chairman.
I make a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn, Fred. Second. Second, Steve. All those in favor,
signify by saying aye? Aye. The meeting's adjourned.