It shall be the duty of the commission to keep a minute book in which shall be recorded all of their acts, orders, rules and regulations. It shall be the duty of said commission to adopt rules and regulations not inconsistent with law to govern their official acts. It shall be the duty of said commission to make and publish all needful rules and regulations to govern the harbor, docks, and passes within its jurisdiction, and to fix tariffs, fees, fines, penalties and forfeitures for the violations of the rules and regulations of said commission, and said commission shall have the power to fix and determine all port and terminal charges, and it may enforce the collection thereof through any court of competent jurisdiction in this state. This section shall not apply to public utilities nor to railroad terminal charges covered by or carried in approved tariffs authorized by Interstate Commerce Commission nor to lawful railroad operation and activities.

It shall be the duty of said commission to employ such help, including a port director, secretary, and such other help as will be necessary to carry on the business and work of such commission, and it will be the duty of said port commissioners to see that all port employees, such as harbormaster, pilots, and any and all other necessary employees for the operation of said port, perform any and all such duties as required for the operation of said port, at salaries to be determined by said port commission.