One newly elected commissioner for the Port of Coupeville got a lesson in public transparency during his first official meeting.

Commissioners Mike Diamanti and John Mishasek rejected a proposal from new Commissioner William Bell to approve a $2,200 expenditure for a new Greenbank Farm logo last week.

The problem, they said, is that Bell sought out a graphic designer and began work without consulting the board during a public meeting or even getting approval. In fact, Bell started the project prior to even being sworn into office.

The issue is urgent, Bell said. He is concerned the port-owned farm does not have an identity for web and marketing purposes. Bell also sought out a web designer and has been working with him to build and launch a new website. That estimate is about $300 with a small monthly maintenance fee, he said.

During his first official meeting as commissioner on Jan. 13, Bell presented several logo options and asked the board to approve one.

Commissioner John Mishasek, who was sworn into office in November, said he was concerned with spending $2,200 the port doesn’t have.

Board president Mike Diamanti also pointed out that selecting one person isn’t proper procedure.

“We should have advertised for someone to do a logo,” he said.

Bell argued that the port doesn’t have to go to bid because the logo is considered a small-works project.

Executive Director Forrest Rambo pointed out the process also wasn’t good business. A new tenant at the Greenbank Farm said he recently spent $400 on a new logo for his business.

Mishasek and Diamanti’s concerns, they said, weren’t just the cost, but also the process.

“We can’t be transparent in one breath and then not,” Mishasek said.

Diamanti concurred.

“I love (the designer’s) work, but I agree with Forrest that we need to put (a bid) out for the logo and website,” he said. “We can’t pay for something that’s been done that wasn’t authorized.”

Bell maintained that having an identity and online presence is important for the farm and raised a motion for the board to conditionally approve the use of the logo for one month while the port advertises for bids.

“It’s a balance,” Diamanti said. “It’s really important we have a connection to the community, but I’m bucking at approving the logo when it wasn’t approved in an orderly fashion.”

Commissioners himmed and hawed over temporarily using the logo.

“I think we’re on thin ice here and we need to be careful,” Rambo said.

Mishasek said approving a logo temporarily would be a stupid road to go down. Both Mishasek and Diamanti rejected the motion by Bell.

However, the board did agree to pay $300 to launch the new www.greenbank

farm.com website and use Bell’s web person temporarily.

Longterm operations for the site needs to be advertised, they said.

The board also set a special meeting for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27 at the Greenbank Farm to discuss the vision for the farm and other issues.

“I can tell you after today’s meeting, I wouldn’t want to do anything without commissioner approval,” Bell said.

He will be serving as the port’s marketing and community relations chair.