Port of Hood River dedicates property along Indian Creek Trail to city

• Approved a contract with PSquare-Neology to maintain the bridge’s electronic tolling system. Some of the total $234,622 annual cost is paid by Port of Cascade Locks through a service fee. The work includes an upgraded collection system: The old system ran in Windows XP, an obsolete “legacy” product no longer supported.

• Dedicated about three acres of port property along Indian Creek Trail to the City of Hood River. The port has been responsible for vegetation management and slope stabilization. Hood River Parks & Recreation manages Indian Creek Trail. The parcel in question had been acquired from Diamond Fruit Company, which at once time diverted water from Indian Creek through a flowage ditch to its downtown processing facility.

• Reviewed status of the port’s strategic business plan, which is being conducted by Boise, Idaho-based Points Consulting. The draft plan is available on-line for public comment at portofhoodriver.com/port-seeks-public-comment-on-draft-strategic-business-plan . Formal presentation of the state-mandated update will occur at the port’s October meeting.

• Called for a resolution, also to be presented at the October meeting, reaffirming the port’s commitment to support replacement of the Hood River Bridge. Bridge replacement is the responsibility of a separate, bi-state entity, the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority. The port owns properties, both underwater and on land at the port’s current administrative offices, which will be needed for the new bridge. Bridge replacement, scheduled to start just over a year from now, hinges upon federal funding including a $532 million grant request. The bridge authority board is awaiting a federal decision, perhaps arriving within weeks.