June 2004
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham
Compiled by Earl Dennis
Action Taken at April 20, 2004 Meeting
Shall the commission:
45. Sell $16,000,000 in revenue bonds? The money will refinance bonds sold in 1994 and 1997. The new interest rate will be approximately 3 percent less than the 1994 and 1997 bond rate. Approved 3-0
Action Taken at May 4, 2004 Meeting
Shall the commission:
46. Add Georgia-Pacific’s wastewater treatment lagoon to the improvement plan for Squalicum Harbor? Recent studies have shown that there will be a need for an additional 600 slips by 2015 and 1,700 by 2025. A Seattle consulting firm was hired to find the best location for a new marina; the treatment lagoon was the top choice. The port believes that public need necessitates inclusion of the lagoon into the harbor improvement boundaries. This will not obligate the port to take further action, but it is the needed first step before investigating the feasibility of building a marina in the treatment lagoon. (Resolution 1191) Approved 3-0
47. Establish a procedure to notify the public on upcoming commission meetings? On the Thursday prior to a regularly scheduled meeting, a preliminary agenda will be sent to local newspapers, radio stations and all others who have requested it. Further, on the same day, the agenda will be posted in the administrative offices and copies will be available at the front desk for those who request them. (Resolution 1193) Approved 3-0
48. Terminate a lease with America’s Cup, Inc. of Bellingham? The Squalicum Harbor espresso and snack bar has been sold. The lease will be terminated with Verna and Tim Mumford on April 30, 2004. Approved 3-0
49. Sign a three-year lease with the new owners of America’s Cup, Inc. of Bellingham? The new owners (Richard Johnson, John Gerrity and Joseph Bartlett) will continue to operate the business under the original name. The rent will be $122.85 per month, starting May 1, 2004. Approved 3-0
50. Authorize the executive director to sign a $385,000 contract with W&H Pacific of Bothell for engineering, consulting and planning services for taxiway projects at the airport? All three taxiways at the Bellingham International Airport will be worked on simultaneously to minimize runway closures and reduce operations impacts. The taxiways will be examined to find the extent and cause of the pavement failure so repairs can be made. A federal grant will reimburse 95 percent of the expected engineering costs. Approved 3-0
51. Authorize the executive director to sign a $136,870 contract with Global Diving and Salvage of Seattle to install a cathodic protection system at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal? The system will protect the pilings that support the terminal building. Currently, the protective cold tar epoxy on the pilings is rapidly wearing away. This measure is seen as a cost-effective alternative to replacing the pilings, which would require driving them through holes in the ceiling and floor of the terminal building. The system should extend the pilings’ expected life by 20 years. Approved 3-0
52. Sign a letter of agreement with the State of Alaska for security upgrades at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal? U.S. Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security regulations require security improvements at the Alaska ferry terminal. The state of Alaska and the port have received $400,000 in federal grants for the improvements and are combining their efforts into one single project to be more cost effective. The port is responsible for design and construction of the improvements. Approved 3-0 §
