Commissioner A primer on the Port of Whitman County and the roles and responsibilities of a Commissioner 1
Washington State law created port districts as “municipal corporations” of the state. Often referred to as “special purpose districts,” ports are different from counties, cities and towns. What is a port? Port of Whitman County Notes: A port district is a geographical area that may be as large as an entire county or as small as a city or town; its boundaries are defined when the district is formed. Voted into being by an election of the people who live in the district, law creates port districts as “municipal corporations” of the state. Often referred to as “special purpose districts,” ports are different from counties, cities and towns. Almost all powers of the port district are vested in a board of commissioners or “commission.” Elected from the district to serve six‐year terms, the governing body of commissioners assures local control and accountability. The port commission, like a city council or county commission, is the legislative body responsible for making the policies and decisions of the district in both internal and external matters. Such policies or decisions might involve adoption of plans, establishing positions, setting employment policies, purchasing or disposing of real estate and other property, setting rates, adopting budgets, levying taxes and more. The commission appoints an executive director who administers the policies and decisions made by the commission. 2
Ports may: • Develop lands for industrial and commercial needs • Provide general economic development programs • Buy, lease and sell property • Provide air and water pollution control works • Operate trade centers and export trading companies • Establish and operate foreign trade zones • Promote tourism • Build telecommunications infrastructure and provide wholesale telecommunications services Port districts in Washington state are governed pursuant to RCW Title 53. In general, the Board of Commissioners sets the strategic direction and policies for the organization and the Executive Director carries out those policies administratively. Ports primarily provide four types of facilities: industrial areas; recreational marinas/docks; airports; and marine terminals. They also have the authority to: • Buy, lease and sell personal property and real property. • Build and operate sea walls, jetties, piers, wharves, docks, boat landings, warehouses, storehouses, elevators, grain bins, cold storage plants, ice plants, bunkers, oil tanks, ferries, canals, locks, tidal basins, bridges, subways, tramways, cableways, conveyors, fishing terminals, rail and motor vehicle transfer facilities, belt line railways, roads and highways. • Develop lands for industrial and commercials needs by dredging, filling, bulkheading, providing and improving waterways. • Enter into public works contracts. • Operate trade centers and export trading companies. • Provide environmental enhancement, protection, and public access. • Provide air and water pollution control facilities. • Provide tourism‐related facilities. • Provide telecommunications facilities. • Establish and operate foreign trade zones. 2
About the Port of Whitman County In 1958, the people of Whitman County formed the Port of Whitman County. The Port now operates three lines of business: 1) industrial real estate; 2) telecommunications infrastructure development; and 3) recreation. Port of Whitman County Notes: The Port of Whitman County operates three lines of business: 1) industrial real estate; 2) telecommunications infrastructure development; and 3) recreation. The Port operates three properties on the Snake River: Port of Wilma, near the Idaho state line; Port of Central Ferry, midway between Walla Walla and Colfax; and Port of Almota, four miles downriver of Lower Granite Lock and Dam in Colfax. The Port’s more recently acquired, off‐water properties include Pullman Industrial Park, which borders Washington State University, and Port of Whitman Business Air Center, which occupies the former site of the Colfax airport and Colfax Industrial Park. The Port also builds telecommunications infrastructure across the state, supports tourism and transportation needs county‐wide and manages Boyer Park & Marina in Colfax to enhance the recreational opportunities on the Snake River. The Port of Whitman County is governed by a three‐person elected Board of Commissioners that sets policy, approve all expenditures and appoint the Executive Director and Port Attorney. Commissioners serve six‐year terms and while they are elected countywide, each must live in a specific district within Whitman County. The current elected Commissioners are Kristine Meyer (District 2) and Tom Kammerzell (District 3). The vacant Commission seat is for District 1. This position was recently vacated by 3
Commissioner John Love, who served on the board for 24 years. The Commission meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month at the Port office, 302 N. Mill Street, Colfax, WA 99111, at 10 a.m. 3
On ‐ water The Port operates three on ‐ water ports: Port of Central Ferry (top Properties left), Port of Wilma (top right) and Port of Almota (bottom). Port of Whitman County Notes: Port of Wilma The Port of Wilma is the largest and busiest of the on‐water port sites and is noted for its diverse tenant base and heavy industrial character. It is located near the terminus of the Columbia‐Snake River inland waterway. Port of Almota The Port of Almota serves as a major grain‐shipping terminal for the Palouse region and is the former site of the now submerged historic town of Almota, where Lewis and Clark stopped on their historic voyage through the Pacific Northwest. Port of Central Ferry Centrally located on State Route 127 between Walla Walla and Colfax, Central Ferry is the most rural of all the port sites and allows access to a wide geographic area. 4
Boyer Park & Marina is a 56 ‐ acre full ‐ service marina and campground located near the base of Lower Granite Lock and Dam. The Port funds, operates and maintains the park and marina. Boyer Park & Marina Port of Whitman County Notes: A Port district may construct, improve, maintain, and operate public park and recreation facilities when such facilities are necessary to more fully utilize boat landings, harbors, wharves ad piers, land, and water passenger and transfer terminals, waterways, and other port facilities authorized by law pursuant to the port's comprehensive plan of harbor improvements and industrial development The Port funds, operates and maintains Boyer Park & Marina as a public service to the citizens of Whitman County. Boyer Park features long term or transient boat moorage, shaded campsites for RV's with full and partial hookups, camp cabins, a small on‐site motel and tent sites, meeting a wide spectrum of camping and moorage needs. The Park has an onsite convenience store, restaurant, laundry room, restrooms, shower facilities and a good‐sized swimming beach. The park also boasts the 3.5 mile Snake River Trail, a pedestrian and bike trail that stretches from historic Almota Creek, through Boyer Park and on to the base of Lower Granite Lock and Dam. 5
Off ‐ water The Port operates two off ‐ water properties: Port of Whitman Properties Business Air Center (above) and Pullman Industrial Park (below). Port of Whitman County Notes: Port of Whitman Business Air Center The Port of Whitman Business Air Center is a small general aviation airport and industrial park. It is located on Airport Road approximately one mile from State Route 26, directly adjacent to the Colfax Airport. Pullman Industrial Park (East and West) Located on the north end of Pullman, Pullman Industrial Park‐East is home to several technology and manufacturing firms. It is located adjacent to Washington State University and within an easy drive of the University of Idaho. A portion of Pullman Industrial Park West was recently sold, but the Port retained 8.36 acres for possible future development. 6
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