September 2002
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham
Compiled by Earl Dennis
Action Taken at August 6, 2002 meeting
75. Change the petty cash custodian at Squalicum Harbor? Due to a reassignment of duties, it is necessary to assign Jody Erickson as the petty cash custodian at Squalicum Harbor. The custodian is responsible for the petty cash fund at his/her location and ensures that the fund is operated in accordance with port resolutions (Resolution 1165). Vote: 2-0, Scott Walker excused.
76. Declare 65 assorted items ranging from office equipment and desks to cranes and truck toolboxes surplus? Their estimated total value is $21,750 and the auction is set for September 14, 2002 (Resolution No.1166). Vote: 2-0, Scott Walker excused.
77. Start a trust account with the International City Managers Association (ICMA)? Currently the port is using a 456 plan with ICMA for deferred income investments for employees. The commissions approval is needed to create the additional retirement fund (Resolution No.1168). Vote: 2-0, Scott Walker excused.
78. Authorize the executive director to sign a $70,000 contract with A&J Development for the demolition of an office building and the cleanup of the property at the western end of Harris Avenue? A&J is the only bidder because of concern over material used in the building construction and their capabilities to handle the project. Once the site is cleared, it is expected that long-term leases and resulting revenue will quickly follow because of the propertys track record as an income producer. Vote: 2-0, Scott Walker excused.
79. Approve an amendment of the ports moorage tariff at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal and the Bellingham Shipping Terminal? Set a per kilowatt-hour rate established through Resolution 1106-C, which allows the executive director to set the power rates based on Puget Sound Energys rate. The power rate increased by 4.6 percent as of July 1, 2002. This passes the costs of electricity on to the commercial customers more effectively. Vote: 2-0, Scott Walker excused.
80. Authorize the executive director to accept an FAA grant for $1,061,816? This grant will combine four security enhancement projects and the purchase of a new fire truck. In January 2000 the FAA certification recommended the airport replace its 1981 International fire rescue truck because of increases in standards. The security enhancement projects include reimbursement for the fingerprinting machine (see July issue, vote 54, page 15) and for installing car checkpoints at the airport. The installation of cameras in key areas of the terminal, an upgrade of software that control and monitor the gates for the terminal area, and adding an additional fence around the fuel tanks to create a larger buffer area. Vote: 2-0, Scott Walker excused.
81. Authorize the executive director to sign a contract with Landau Associates of Edmonds for $395,450 to design and obtain permits for the cleanup and redevelopment of in-water portions of the Gate 2 boatyard (aka the Weldcraft site)? The state has determined that cleanup is necessary under the Model Toxic Control Act. The upland work will be a separate project. The scope of the project will establish the exact cleanup requirements, overall project design, permitting and regulatory support. Construction design will include remediation of contaminated sediment, removal of the marine railway to allow access to the soil underneath, and facility redevelopment. Vote: 2-0, Scott Walker excused.
82. Reimburse the city of Bellingham $15,000 toward the cost of consulting services to complete a population and economic forecast for Whatcom County? Bellingham, the six smaller cities of the county and Whatcom County needed 20-year population, housing and economic forecasts for Growth Management Acton requirements. The Partnership for a Sustainable Economy wanted the same information to complete the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Bellingham took the lead and hired a consulting firm to make the forecast that was completed in May 2002. Now Bellingham is requesting the sponsoring entities reimburse the $65,000 expenses. The ports share is covered by a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Vote: 2-0, Scott Walker excused.
83. Execute a long-term agreement with Mt. Aspring Air Land Trust for berthing two vessels at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal? The two vessels [each between 240 and 290 feet long] are primarily for oceanic mapping operations in the Pacific Ocean. The agreement is for five years and the fee is $5,000 per month paid quarterly in advance. The lessee will be responsible for insurance and security and the contract has a yearly cancellation option with notice. Vote: 2-0, Scott Walker excused.
84. Modify a lease with Whitewater Engineering? The lease for the former port administration building at the foot of Cornwall Avenue shall be modified to a monthly basis and the rent reduced from $3,000 to $1,800 monthly. The current lease expires in September 2002 and the lessee seems to be considering whether to reduce operations at the site or to eliminate it entirely. With this agreement, Whitewater allows the port to start marketing the property immediately. The port has yet to evaluate the current market for the 6,000 sq. ft. building at 625 Cornwall Avenue. Vote: 2-0, Scott Walker excused.
85. Authorize the executive director to sign a $51,000 contract, which includes a 10 percent contingency fee, with Signature Architectural Signage for the Wayfinding System? This is a joint effort by the city of Bellingham and the port to place directional signs from I-5 to the waterfront. See the March issue, vote 22, page 19 and the April issue, vote 26, page 4. Vote: 2-0, Scott Walker excused.
86. Authorize the executive director to pay $7,500 to settle the claim in the matter of Williams v. Port of Bellingham? On August 27,1998, Dean Williams, a crewmember of the Pacific Horizon, was injured at Squalicum Harbor. Williams was trying to manually free a net stuck on the web reel, while standing unsafely on the roller, when it caught his foot. A claim for $79,000 was filed on June 15, 2001, $2,000 medical, $22,500 in lost wages, and $55,000 in general damages. The claim held the port liable due to insufficient maintenance records on the machine at that time, which has since been corrected. Vote: 2-0, Scott Walker excused.
87. Modify the rental agreement with Alpha Distributors for hangar space at Bellingham International Airport? The modifications will change the number of days for the lease from 180 days to 240 days and also lengthen the period for notification of termination of the lease from 180 days to 240 days. The March issue, vote 18, page 19 reported Alpha was going to sign a 25-year lease and spend $1.5 million to build a 40,000 sq. ft. hanger at the airport. Vote: 2-0, Scott Walker excused.
