Port denies Greenbank Farm request

Published 1:00 pm Saturday, July 15, 2006

In a tight-lipped rebuff, the Port of Coupeville rejected an extended timeline Wednesday for negotiations on a new contract with the Greenbank Farm Management Group.

Last month the all-volunteer farm board had formally requested a 12- to 24-month extension on talks over a new management agreement. The management group said it was busy running the farm’s daily operations, and wanted ample time to get public comment on a new contract.

Port commissioners were unmoved, but at their regular meeting at the farm’s Jim Davis house, none spoke publicly about rejecting the farm board’s request.

Instead, commission president Benye Weber instructed secretary Amber O’Brien to stand and read a letter from the board of commissioners to the farm board, which was also being sent to the group by registered mail.

Commissioners “considered this vague and lengthy timeline” request to be in “stark contrast to the will of the board.”

Commissioners stated there was no good reason to extend discussions beyond Sept. 15, which would allow the port to consider the new contract as it prepares its 2007 budget.

“There are no impediments to concluding our negotiations,” the letter said, and noted that only a couple more meetings would be needed to wrap up work on a new contract.

Port commissioners hope the old contract will be terminated by Dec. 31, 2006.

Farm board vice-president Karen Hutchinson said later that the management group will discuss the letter at their next public meeting on

July 20.

“We want to take the time to do it right, ensuring due diligence concerns are fully addressed on both sides,” she said.

In April, the management group made a proposal to start negotiations with the Port of Coupeville to change the farm management group’s operating contract. The board wants a revised agreement to assign property management duties to the port while the farm board concentrates on farm activities and promotional efforts for the farm’s six tenants.

The current agreement between the farm and the port dates back to April 2004 and has eight years left remaining in the contract. The farm board is paid $45,000 a year to manage the operations at Greenbank Farm.

The Port of Coupeville owns and is responsible for the farm’s operations. The management group was formed as a nonprofit board of directors to preserve the aesthetic character, economic value and community use of the property.

Day-to-day management of Greenbank Farm continues to be a topic of wide public interest, however.

Earlier during the meeting, more than 40 people offered their views on the negotiations and former director Laura Blankenship, who resigned in April.

A few, like Derek Pritchard of Greenbank, wondered if the changes would affect the long-term vision for the farm.

“The intent on both sides is to not change anything, but our vision and the details are still far apart,” said Commissioner Bruce Bryson.

One Greenbank store owner, Colleen Hammer of Remember When Antiques, was delighted by the recent hiring of new farm manager Cheryl Sagmeister.

“We appreciate this news and all the board has done for us,” Hammer said. “They do a wonderful job.”

Others, like Dick Francisco, want Blankenship back at the helm.

“We’re going to lose a good manager forever if you don’t hire her,” he said.

Commissioners Weber and Bryson listened to all the comments, but repeatedly stressed that they couldn’t respond because of ongoing negotiations.

“But we’re very aware of the input we’ve gotten so far,” Bryson said.

Finally, Hutchinson reported on the state of affairs at Greenbank.

“Retail sales are good, the tenants are doing well — in fact there’s a waiting list — trash is being removed at county expense and everyone is gearing up for the big Loganberry Festival on July 29,” she told commissioners. “We think of the festival as a gift to the community, a chance for the public to enjoy their farm.”

The next Port of Coupeville meeting will be at 10:30 a.m., Aug. 9 in Coupeville at a location to be announced.

Jeff VanDerford can be reached at 221-5300 or e-mail jvanderford@southwhidbeyrecord.com.