Coincidental or what? Port to review relationship with Platypus

Readers, talk about your strange coincidence, or irony. While fishing for topics to write about today. I checked to see if the Port of Port Angeles had published their agenda. Low and behold on their agenda during their work session meeting before their 1:PM meeting on Monday this little item was on it: Platypus Marine Lease/Port Relations
According to the staff memo provided:
Platypus Marine, Inc. (“Platypus”) has been a Port tenant since June 1, 1995 (its
predecessor was AM Marine). Platypus currently employs approximately 80 employees
and provides marine repair and manufacturing services for the recreational, commercial
and governmental sectors. Under its current written lease agreement, Platypus leases 3.89 acres and pays a monthly lease rate of $6,795 plus leasehold tax. The lease states that rate is to remain in effect until May 30, 2010, at which time the rate was to be renegotiated. To date,
there have not been any successful rate renegotiation. Platypus also uses the Port’s
travel lift pier for $175 per lift. ( see full memo)

See full work session agenda: http://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/03142016-137?html=true

Now readers as I mentioned yesterday, I support the sale of the 5 acre property. I already gotten a response from a former Port Commission Candidate saying that would be a big mistake! I am quite aware readers that the Port earns income from the leases and lease hold tax. But, I believe they can still earn income from property taxes, and utilities right? What we are talking about here readers is just 5 acres! Do we want to run the risk of them pulling up stakes and moving somewhere else were they will be able to buy their own land, and having 80 people lose their jobs? Now, some would argue let them! The Port can simply fine another topside repair company who will be willing to lease port property rather having their own land. Now Rayonier purchase a chunk of shoreline property years ago, can't remember if it was from the port or city. But, the point is the property now sits barren and empty now, years after the mill closed down. Some would argue, whoever sold the property to Rayonier don't want to make the same mistakes twice. That's assuming of course either the port or city sold it in the first place years ago.
Yes, those are all valid arguments against selling five acres to Platypus. But, all these arguments ignore the human element, that is the cost of jobs, and yet another business moving out all over five acres.

Now, as for the regular meeting which didn't have the issue with Platypus Marine.
The highlight item on their agenda Monday is besides swearing in Steve Burke as new Port Commission which the port issued the following press release after he was selected, long after both this publication, and the PDN ran stories on it.
Commission Appoints Mr. Steve Burke as the District 2 Commissioner
Today at a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Commissioner McAleer and Commissioner Beauvais unanimously voted to appoint Mr. Steve Burke to the vacant District 2 Commissioner position.
Commissioner Burke will be sworn in as a Port Commissioner on Monday, March 14th at the 9:00AM work session. Commissioner Burke will complete the term of former Commissioner Jim Hallett until a new commissioner is elected during the November 2017 general election. Commissioner Burke is currently the executive director of the William Shore Memorial Pool.

Burke apparently won't be sworn in until after the work session which the Port will review the relations with Platypus, but, I am sure he will be able to weight in on this issue. It will be interesting where he leans on the issue of selling port property outright to a private business.
Nevertheless the highlight item or items that Burke will be part of is: Clallam County EDC Contract


See full agenda: http://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/03142016-138?html=true

In other Local news...

CITY TO CONSIDER TOLLING AGREEMENT FOR HARBOR CLEAN UP
Another topic in the City Council agenda that caught my eye was this staff memo entitled:
PA Harbor Cleanup Tolling Agreement for Potentially Responsible Parties (PRP’s)
Summary: There are two separate categories of claims arising from contamination in Port Angeles harbor, or any similar harbor. The Agreement for consideration by City Council tonight deals with just one such claim – a claim made under federal law for natural resources damages (NRD). The western harbor group, of which the City is part, asserts that the statute of limitations has run on that claim, but the federal Trustees who made the NRD claim disagree. The purpose of the proposed Agreement is simply to toll the statute of limitations issues, which means to suspend those issues just as they exist now while reserving all parties’ rights and positions. The purpose of tolling the statute of limitations is to allow the parties time for settlement negotiations of NRD claims. If the PRPs enter into the Tolling Agreement and commence negotiations, and settlement negotiations fail, then nothing is lost. However, if the negotiations are successful, it would benefit all parties.
Funding: No funding is necessary for this Tolling Agreement.
Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to enter into the attached Tolling Agreement and to make minor modifications to the Agreement if necessary
Editor's note: That's good this tolling won't cost us anything, but, I can't help thinking that this contamination in the harbor might be from our fluoridated water? See if they ever admit to that right?
See full agenda: http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2845

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL
by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2 Peter 1:4 NKJV