December 2004
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham
Compiled by Earl Dennis
Action Taken at October 6, 2004 Meeting
Shall the commission:
102. Adopt updated rules, regulations and procedures for Blaine and Squalicum Harbors? This update supercedes Resolution 1086 (3/30/98), it clarifies the operating procedures for staff, tenants and the general public at both harbors. There are two major changes: 1: All vessels moored for three days or more in the harbors will be required to have $300,000 of liability insurance, the port’s insurance will cover amounts above $300,000. 2: The commission must review and update the operational procedures each year at the first regular meeting in January due to regular changes to laws, government policies, technical specifications for the infrastructure and procedures to improve operations. (Resolution 1201) Approved 3-0
103. Authorize the executive director to renew the port’s insurance coverage? The $425,639 property and liability insurance package (10/1/04– 9/30/05) will be with AON Risk Services of Chicago. Even with a large increase in terrorism coverage, lower property and liability premiums have resulted in an overall premium decrease of $47,973 from the previous year. Approved 3-0
104. Authorize the aviation director (Art Choat) to sign the wildlife hazard management plan? This plan (required by the FAA) outlines the responsibilities, policies, and procedures to reduce wildlife hazards at Bellingham International Airport. The plan includes: mowing the grass to 7-10 inches, removal of the old orchard on the west side of the airport and the removal of beavers and dam (8/17/04 meeting, vote 90). The $10,000 annual operating cost of the plan will not be reimbursed but the FAA, but project costs, such as the detention pond project, are covered. Approved 3-0
105. Amend the contract with Landau Associates of Edmonds for the remedial investigation/feasibility study of the Weldcraft site? This amendment is for $38,500 and the total estimated cost is $123,500. An agreement with the state Department of Ecology (9/7/04 meeting, vote 92) added uplands to the in-water cleanup, increasing the scope of the project and requires a site wide RI/FS after the finishing the in-water cleanup phase. Approved 3-0
106. Approve a three-year lease modification with Arrowac Fisheries’ for their Fairhaven Terminal space? Arrowac has lost revenue in recent years. This lease will reduce the monthly rent from $16,040 to $11,863 and give the port a share of Arrowac’s after tax profits of 30 percent the first year, 40 percent the second year and 50 percent the third year. The modification runs from August 1, 2004 to July 31, 2007. Approved 3-0
107. Authorize the executive director to award the low bid of $82,719 to Ebenal General of Bellingham to install three security gates at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal? The gates will be installed at the car loading ramp, Gate 2, and the fueling catwalk. The contract includes a 10 percent contingency fee of $8,272 for a total of $90,991. Approved 3-0
Action Taken at November 2, 2004 Meeting
Shall the commission:
108. Renew the lease for docking the Alaska ferry in Bellingham? The lease will run from 10/1/04 to 9/30/09 and will stay at $100,000 per year. Additional charges will be $102,492 per year for operations and $246,552 per year for terminal services with both increasing 2 percent for each of the five years. Another ferry will be added during the winter schedule for an additional $25,000 to $34,000 per year. Approved 3-0
109. Acquire the Chevron U.S.A. property on the Whatcom Waterway adjacent to Georgia Pacific’s wastewater treatment lagoon? Chevron will give the property to the port in exchange for the port cleaning it up. While port will assume responsibility for environmental cleanup of the 4.6-acre site, Chevron remains responsible for claims incurred before the port becomes the owner. The estimated cost of cleanup is $2,290,000 and the property valued at $1 million. The state Department of Ecology has confirmed that grants are available for the cleanup. Approved 3-0
110. Increase the airport-consulting budget for Reid Middleton by an additional $25,000? Middleton has developed a plan for expansion of the general aviation area and other properties on the east side of the airport. He requested an additional $20,000, plus a $5,000 contingency fee, to guide the application through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers review process. Permit complications for the project make the request reasonable. Approved 3-0
