Port commission OKs maintenance projects

At its last meeting of the 2023-24 fiscal year, the Port of Newport Board of Commissioners approved maintenance expenditures and authorized a change in the organization’s bylaws.

A fuel tank that supplied the emergency generator on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) campus was authorized for replacement. Corrosion was the likely culprit of cracks that developed in the 2000-gallon tank and its concrete exterior structure. Port Director of Operations Aaron Bretz said the fuel will be pumped into a temporary holding tank while the old container is removed and replaced with a double-walled steel tank. Through a competitive bid process, 4C’s Environmental was selected as the preferred vendor, according to Bretz. Commissioners gave the go-ahead for the replacement process at a cost not to exceed $62,000.

Ongoing work on the 45-year-old Rogue seawall required additional investment, thanks to the movement of four pilings that came to light during recent seawall repairs. Bretz walked commissioners through the process of discovering the problem, as well as the necessary next steps to test and repair the pilings. Commissioners authorized an additional $88,000 for the work, which Bretz said could be the final step in the seawall repair project if the load testing goes well.

In other business, port commissioners conducted the second reading and public hearing for an ordinance change to the organization’s bylaws. The change authorizes a deputy director to be appointed during those times when the executive director may be sick or on vacation. According to the revised bylaws, the deputy director will assume the duties and authority of the executive, with the exception of hiring and firing personnel, which would require commission approval.