Port Manatee Commission Meeting Summary; April 15, 2010

Port Manatee Commission Meeting Summary; April 15, 2010

CALL TO ORDER

Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Comment  (none)

1.CONSENT AGENDA - approved; unanimous
A. Warrant List:
B. Minutes for Approval: March 18, 2010
C. Budget Resolution
D. Updated Interchange Agreement – CSXT  
E. Audubon Island Monitoring and Reporting Agreement
F. Change to Port Manatee Tariff No. 3

2. 2010 Commercial Paper Loan - approved; unanimous

3. Dredging Return Waterline Pipe Bid  - approved; unanimous

4. Discussion of Pending Environmental Issues:

Differences between Florida and federal regulations for nutrient discharges from runoff water are causing slow permitting and general scheduling problems for businesses in the Port Encouragement Zone. While the port itself is okay, the commissioners asked staff if there was a way they could help businesses in the Port Encouragement Zone deal not only with today's regulations but also with possible regulatory changes.

There was no way any action on this matter could be taken during this meeting, but Port staffers said Rob Brown, a County staff person who deals with environmental matters, is supposed to brief the county commission (same people as the port commission) about this matter at their April 27 meeting.  This is a topic that is more properly dealt with by the county commission, anyway. One action that might really help is to create a single runoff treatment facility that could be shared by the port and some or all nearby businesses. It may be possible to work with other ports around the country since this is an issue that affects all of them. Also: Congressman Buchanan is a notable Port booster. Talking with him and with Congresswoman Castor, Manatee County's other HR member, might prove fruitful. Commission chairperson Bustle made a note to transmit a memo about these matters to the county commission so it would be on the record. Motion to do this all this was made, seconded, and approved unanimously by all commissioners present.

Dredging is  another environmentally sensitive matter commissioners discussed. But, at this point, the port should be able to use permits it has already obtained for most or all planned maintenance dredging work so dredging should not create any permitting problems at this time.

Other conversation: ”We need to make dealing with the port as easy and predictable as possible.“ was the takeaway statement from the last round of commissioners' comments. Commission Whitmore said it might be a good idea to increase the port's marketing budget, which Commissioner McClash said was ”just under $2 million“ right now.

Commissioner Whitmore pointed out that when many Europeans think of Florida, ”they think of Miami and Disney World, and that's it.“ And those who get to our part of the state, she said ”are always surprised“ at how nice it is here. So yes, it might be nice to spend more money on marketing. (No motion was made.This was merely conversation.)

Last topic: new welded-steel entryway signposts, made by staff. They look good.

And with that, the meeting was adjourned.