Port of Walla Walla Commission
Meeting of September 11, 2025
I was unable to attend the September 11th meeting but reviewed the audio recording. All the staff and commissioners were present. After they went through the protocol for the meeting, pledge of allegiance, declarations, public comments (none) and adoption of agenda, they got down to the business of paying bills, nothing out of the ordinary.
Discussion ensued about various port properties and projects such as asbestos remediation on the Avery property in Walla Walla. Commissioner Schwab commented on the responsibilities of the port. Jennifer Skoglund gave her report regarding airport projects, speaking about environmental cleanliness and general small projects around the airport and surrounding properties. She also mentioned the BBQ at Gorge aviation put on by Arizona commemorative air force, as well as Dream flights that provided rides in a Stearman aircraft to folks that came from Wheatland Village. One particular veteran, 104 years old, went on a ride and the passed away the very next week. Everyone was glad he got to go on one last ride.
In other conversations, Commissioner Schwab discussed the fair booth and Hwy 12. She also mentioned a request for the port to man a table at the Open House on October 15, 2025, where she got a tour of Nelson Irrigation. “It is a very impressive operation,” she said. Owner Craig Nelson said they used to get workers from the community college but now they are getting more employees from the Columbia area Is that Tri-Cities?. She would like to see more workshops about the direction of what is happening, why there are more empty storefronts and the number of wineries is declining, and what we can include in our budget to address some of these issues. Commissioner Dunning spoke about the Fair booth and how he felt it was very successful, people had a great time at the BBQ, and he mentioned and how difficult it is for entrepreneurs to start a small business in this area. Much more discussion among the commissioners about the fair and Nelson irrigation and the city college, as well as other things.
The meeting adjourned at 10:11 AM.
Reported by Craig Woodard