PORT AUTHORITY TO CONSIDER ON-SITE OFFICE

SCOTT CITY -- Commissioners of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority decided Monday to study the possibility of constructing an office building at the port.

Commissioner Bill Bess of Sikeston raised the possibility at the end of an open meeting. Bess said it was time to begin planning a facility that would house the port's administrative offices on port property.

"I recommend we have a feasibility study done by this board at this time," said Bess. "Our rent is at a figure where we can just about afford to own a building."

Commissioner W.K. Dillon of Cape Girardeau said it was a good idea. "I agree with Bill; I think it is time to start planning."

Board Chairman Mysie Keene of Jackson said she agreed that a building was "a very good idea," but suggested it would be better to wait until after the Nash Road extension is finished. "My main concern is how we can select a site with construction under way on Nash Road," said Keene.

But Bess said that conducting a study for a port office would take time, and it is not too early to start. "I don't think it is too soon to start evaluating what we can do," said Bess. "It will take a lot of planning and thought."

Commissioner Fred Surman of Chaffee pointed out the port authority is now paying $8,400 a year for rent at an office on Main Street in Scott City. He suggested the rent was high enough to just about cover payments on a new building.

Commissioner Hense Winchester moved that a study be conducted and Dillon seconded the motion. The motion passed with one dissenting vote: that of Commissioner Chap Arnold of Scott City.

Keene said she would refer the issue to the board's acquisitions committee.

Laura Joyce Hulcy, market analyst for the port, who has been overseeing the preparation of an application for foreign trade zone status, updated members on the status of the application.

Hulcy reported that she has talked with most businesses in Missouri that might use the port in order to determine the number of shipments they would have from outside the United States. Now she is working on a list of Illinois businesses, she said.

Hulcy said the goal is to verify 2,500 shipments per year, and at this point about 1,400 have been verified.

"We are working with the other ports in the area and making a lot of phone calls to try and complete this list," she said. "It is a long and time-consuming process."

The board approved a resolution to the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department endorsing the planned extension of Nash Road westward to connect with Highways 25 and 77 near Blomeyer. Executive Director Dan Overbey explained that the project is included in the department's 15-year plan, though near the end of the 15 years.

"This extension would provide a clear shot to the west where many of the users of the port come from," said Overbey. "As it is planned now, Nash Road is only good to the interstate."

Keene said: "It is important not only to the port but to all the industries along Nash Road. I am sure there are other industries along Nash Road that might be interested in the same thing."

Board members also unanimously approved a resolution requesting $50,000 from the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department for an administrative grant for the next fiscal year that begins July 1. The port has received the operating grant for a number of years, though its request is generally cut back.

In the current fiscal year, the grant amounts to about $39,000, Overbey said.

Overbey reported that the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation has given its approval for the extension of Nash Road, which is one of the steps that must be completed before the bids on the project can be solicited.

The commissioners were also advised Monday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided the port $33,317 to cover damage sustained from last year's flooding.

The board approved payment of $97,787.84 in capital expenditures, which includes nearly $77,000 for the third phase of paving the dock. Most of the capital funds that were paid are from an Economic Development Administration grant the port authority has received.

Net tonnage passing through the port in February was 16,937, which compares with 17,452 tons moving through during the same month in 1993. Total tonnage for the year is 47,391.