Seperate Sandbar Season Pass!

sherrybohn · Since 16 Jun 2006 71 Posts

[quote="tekko"]The Port is, at least partially, private.. which translates to.. they have no legal responsibility to share any of their $ #'s or budget...

Ever try to figure out where all of the bridge $$ goes?? Never will.. because they don't have to share. Without a legal mandate, they have no benefit in being transparent... because 'good will' is something they obviously aren't too worried about.

I don't think $50 would be that bad if they would share some of it back for improvements.. which I think might be an easier argument than a cheaper rate.[/quote]

Ports in Oregon serve a unique function as government agencies that also focus on profit-making enterprises. Like other local governments, ports are authorized to levy taxes, borrow money, issue bonds, and charge for services. A very small portion of most ports' revenues is derived from taxes. With a tax rate of just over three cents per $1,000 of assessed value, the Port of Hood River receives less than $40,000 in tax monies each year. Tax receipts account for slightly more than 1% of the Port's $3 million annual operating budget.

Because of the specialized role assigned them by state statute, Oregon ports also operate much like businesses-negotiating economic development projects, leasing land, buildings and equipment, and promoting their facilities and districts for potential economic growth and opportunities. The primary role of Oregon's smaller ports is to encourage economic activities within the district's boundaries. Oregon law allows ports to engage in such activities as the improvement of bays, rivers and harbors; construction and operation of warehouses and other facilities; operating of airports and interstate bridges; construction and operation of public marine facilities; and development of industrial parks. Over the years, the Port of Hood River has been involved in all of these activities.

Ports also work closely with the Ports Division of the Oregon Economic Development Department to increase funding for the Port Revolving Fund. This fund provides capital for development of public facilities such as sewer and water as well as providing job development assistance to existing or new industries located in port districts. Several businesses in the Hood River area have benefited from the Port Revolving Fund.

I know that Waterfront Rec Committee discussed a seperate pass for the spit at one time but can't remember what staff's position was on it. I don't think it got forwarded to the full commission.

Come on down. Talk to the commission but .... keep in mind that "procedures" require us to just listen during public comment and then ask that an item be put on the later date agenda for discussion. It might be better to have CGKA board reach consensis and then talk with staff/commisioner to add it to the June agenda.....but like I said you are always welcome to come make a public comment.

In regards to improvements to the spit. Always keep in mind that it is right in the middle of a Goal 5 zone (City of Hood River & State of Oregon) - think bird, fish, natural habitat, water quality, etc, etc - that controls a lot of what can be done at this time. It is also connected/associated with a Port directed feasibility study being conducted along with ODOT and the City with regards to a new frontage road and Hood River river crossing . Plus it was/is the top of a "groin" that was never intended to be an access point.

Port of Hood River annual budget is printed in the Hood River News annually after it is adopted (June or July). A good portion of the bridge money goes to repairing and maintaining the bridge. Which needs to be replaced but that is another topic.

forrest · Tue May 20, 08 8:18 am

Thanks for the info Sherry.

BigR · Since 05 Jul 2005 372 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

All we want are some trees and grass, then I would gladly put my $50 down

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Yeah, Sherry. Thanks for taking the time.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

First of all by the time it is June, most of us will already have bought our passes to the spit.

2nd on your issue of the spit sitting on top of some environmental land. You guys went in there 3 years ago, completely flattened the place, took out whatever habitat there was there and basically ruined it. Now your telling us that you cant do "improvements" to the area because of the reason that it is sitting on top of some environmental zone??

Its funny how even the people on here are saying they would pay the 50 dollars if you would simply plant some trees and such things to make it nicer down there. Basically reverting the parking lot at the spit to how it used to be before you idiots went down there and ruined it.

sherrybohn · Since 16 Jun 2006 71 Posts

What I said was that a decision couldn't/wouldn't like get made tonight because it need to be added to the agenda as an action item. The next meeting is June 3rd. If the consensus is that you want the commission to discuss a seperate spit pass then let me know and I'll get it on the agenda

3 years ago we were asked to make room for more parking, more schools and to find a way to keep the dust down. There is no water except from the river. We (the port) can't legally pump water from the river -- at this time. Should we just plant stuff and not water? Should we remove a couple of schools and some of the parking.

We can't pave/blacktop without putting in drainage system for run off. We've looked at permiable surfaces and continue to do so but....that means building a real road and that takes money and jumping through lots and lots of regulations and such.

Permanent "flushies" require a whole number of hoops to jump through and over.

Plus....as I said the access to the spit's "road" is part of a frontage road feasibility study as well as Mr. Naito's development. We need to know what's going to happen before we throw more money at an area that wasn't designed for it's current use.

Us "idiots" are the ones trying to work with the kiters,windsurfers and all the other waterfront users to maintain a safe and controlled access point for ALL users. I for one would love to make the spit "nicer" but these things take time and a "community" effort. I sometimes wonder if "nicer" might cause more congestion in a already over crowded access point but that doesn't make me stop trying to get improvements. It just takes time.

Mark · Tue May 20, 08 1:25 pm

The process of change takes time. I realize it can be frustraiting to wait. On the other hand we need to start making long term plans now so the wait will be less. Please continue to ASK for what you want. No need to be AGRO. If enough people ask the powers to be will listen and do what they can to help us.
~M

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

Sherry,
Thank you very much for taking the time for posting. You have always done a great job on this forum representing what is to many a faceless organization.. and we realize and appreciate the fact that you stick your neck out and at times take some serious heat for doing so.

Inept... simmer down... c'mon... you might not always agree with the ports position.. but there is no need for name calling... I don't always agree with Sherry's position.. but I have been around her enough to know she's not an 'idiot'.. she may work with some 'idiots'.. but name calling here does no good because she's the only one who takes the time and effort to try and communicate with us.

My big question is that, at least specifically in regards to kiteboarding, and the spit, charging $ for access to the area where new people pay to learn is counter productive to the verbage that says:

"The primary role of Oregon's smaller ports is to encourage economic activities within the district's boundaries."

In fact... I think it could be argued that the promoting improvements that increase kiteboarder traffic and users specifically productive to encouraging economic activities within the district.

Any of the local shops and schools can tell you about a decline in windsurfing revenue and continued difficulties surviving on sales of gear and lessons... Kiteboarding.. is an activity that is growing at a rapid rate... just look at the # of kites on the water last weekend, compared to the # of windsurfers.... ask any of the shop owners if they would stop selling kite gear and try and just make it on windsurfing.

Many of these are the same people.. who do both sports.. or have converted to kiteboarding... but.. those people still spend $ in the district on lodging and food, etc, regardless of the sport the practice.

But.. as the sport grows.. if we do not have the access in HR to grow with the sport.. some people won't want to destination here.. then, all of the businesses that have thrived for years on windsurfing will lose business because people will go elsewhere to kite.

It would seem, that, based on local economic trends of the sporting industries local to HR, and the Port's self imposed mission of encouraging economic activities.. that investing in kiteboarding related access and improvements would be right in line with the mission of the organization AND proactively preparing for the future by recognizing the trends and staying ahead of the curve...

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

so if i get you straight here is what you are saying.

3 years ago you were asked to do a couple things to improve the spit.
1) Make more parking
2) Make more room for schools
3) Minimize dust

Here is what you did.
1) You did not make anymore parking just made it more organized by wiping out the entire habitat at the sandbar.
2) You did not make anymore room for schools, you just put them all on the front row.
3) You did not do anything about the dust, the dust situation down there now is as bad if not worse with the gravel and the huge mound of dirt on the UPWIND side of the parking.

Right good job port, definitely did a lot to help the situation down there.
And its because of these "improvements" you justified charging us in the first place.

Obviously your first attempt at trying to improve the sandbar was not thought out what so ever. I could have gone down there with a shovel and done a better job than you, as a matter of fact I could have done absolutely nothing and done a better job than you. And by you I mean the port. And what have you done thus far to make any of us believe that your next attempt is going to be better.

I understand that you guys are "trying" to make things better for us but you obviously are not trying that hard.

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Oh and about what Tekko said,

my comment of Idiots was not aimed at Sherry personally. That would be shatty of me to do.
I understand that she is trying her best. Even tho presonally I feel like the reason she comes on this forum is just to tell us what we want to hear so we quit our biatchen.
Im just calling the port a bunch of idiots, that is not aimed at the non idiotic people that work there.

Sorry for the misunderstanding

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

yeah as soon as i get my mil id be down to have a summer condo on my spit.

lol

sherrybohn · Since 16 Jun 2006 71 Posts

I don't usually take comments personally. No need to apologize - No misunderstanding. I learned very early when I was ELECTED a port commissioner that I would need a pretty thick skin.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm a downtown business owner (Sage's Cafe) a recreationist (windsurf, kite but - not at the spit, surf, bike) and port commissioner in that order. I use this forum as a tool for finding out what is going on and to communicate with the local kite community. I try to listen and then play it forward to others that I deal with.

I firmly believe that access for all users needs to be maintained throughout the world - to the point that when access was being threatened while I was in Hawaii I took my vacation time to communicate with local elected officials about what we had and were trying to do in Hood River. I've also had many "discussions" with a windsurfing brother-in-law about not limiting access to kiters at Diamond Head and other "windsurfing spots."

As Mark said this will take time and a community effort. The CGKA is finally gaining some much deserved respect.

I agree Tekko that kiteboarding should/could fit into the port's mission....perhaps like windsurfing 20 years ago. Someone(s) need to present the "facts" in a manner that the average "joe/commissioner" will understand and take to "heart."

I hear you about the dust and I'll discuss that with port staff.

SalmonSlayer · Since 27 Nov 2005 648 Posts Addicted **CGKA Member**

Sherry,

I spoke with Mr. Naito (seemed like a nice guy) about a month ago. They were just getting financing together. Preliminary plans would be required before any bank will consider funding a project. I would assume that the port would have plans available for public viewing. Can you conform this or??

Paul

forrest · Tue May 20, 08 2:59 pm

Phil, Paul,

Jim has been in contact with Naito development and you can trust that we're trying to work closely with them. Cory had been tracking it for a while prior. You will hear much about this within a few weeks.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder