January 2004
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham
Compiled by Earl Dennis
Action Taken at November 18, 2003 Meeting
Shall the Commission
98. Adopt the 2004 operating and capital budget and the 2004 strategic plan? The capital budget is $13,268,148. This is an increase over last year. (Resolution 1184) Approved 3-0
99. Adopt the 2004 property tax levy? The property tax income is estimated to be $4,989,101. The levy rate will be 38 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation. The port’s share of property taxes on a $150,000 home will be $58.53, no increase over 2003. (Resolution 1185) Approved 3-0
100. Sign a new lease with Wood Stone Corporation of Bellingham for an additional 52,500 square feet at the airport? The new 20-year lease will allow the company to expand their operations at the former ice arena and hire 40 new full-time employees. The monthly rent starts at $36,150 and will escalate annually to a maximum of $45,141 in the 20th year. Approved 3-0
101. Authorize the executive director to sign a $65,000 agreement with Carletti Architects of Mount Vernon for design of the Wood Stone expansion project? The qualification process, rather than the bidding process, selected Carletti from five firms. They will prepare architectural drawings and specifications, ensure that local and national codes are met, and help design the architecture of the facility. This project budget at $4,828,673 is the port’s biggest capital project planned in 2004. Approved 3-0
Action Taken at December 2, 2003 Meeting
Shall the Commission
102. Appoint Robin Halliday to the Ethics Advisory Committee? Nancy Jordan resigned due to work conflicts; the ethics committee recommended Halliday to fill the vacancy. Approved 3-0
103. Authorize the executive director to sign contracts for $890,754 to implement the 2004 employee benefits program? The contracts are $863,799 with Regency Blue Shield (medical), $24,948 with Jefferson Pilot (life and accidental death/dismemberment/ long-term disability) and $2,007 with Health Promotion Network (family employee assistance). The 2004 benefits program will increase $101,354 or 12.8 percent over last year. Approved 3-0
104. Appoint Al Scott Bethke, Edward Griemsmann and Walter Kleffel to the Bellingham Airport Advisory Committee? The three-year terms are effective 1/1/04. The committee recommended the three candidates from those who responded to a Bellingham Herald ad. Approved 3-0
105. Modify the 25-year lease at the Bellingham airport for Hi-Five, Inc.? The rent is renegotiated every five years. The rental rate for the next five years will be $6 per square feet for hangar, storage and office space with private road access. Access that requires passage through a gate will be $5 per square feet. Approved 2-0-1 Commissioner Doug Smith abstained due to his 25-year acquaintance with the owner.
106. Modify the 30-year lease at the Bellingham airport with Bellingham Hangars Condominiums? They sublease hangar repair and storage space to individuals for their aircraft needs. The rent is renegotiated every five years. The first year (3/1/03 to 2/28/04) will be $1,445 per month. The second year (3/1/04 to 2/28/05) will be $1,488 per month and for the final three years the base will increase to $6 per square foot for their aircraft storage and commercial helicopter repair areas. Approved 2-0-1 Commissioner Doug Smith abstained due to his 25-year acquaintance with one of the partners.
107. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreement with the state Department of Ecology to complete a remedial investigation/feasibility study of the Cornwall Avenue landfill site? An initial investigation/study was completed in October, 2000. Since then, the state Department of Natural Resources, the port and city have been named as potentially liable for pollution at the site. The next step will be to publish a draft of the study for public review and comment in early 2004. Approved 3-0
