May 2005
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham
Compiled by Earl Dennis
Action Taken at March 15, 2005 Meeting
Shall the commission:
46. Modify and renew the lease with Bornstein Seafoods of Bellingham? The new leason will run 11/1/04 to 10/31/09. The modification will allow for transfer of tennant improvements to Starlight One, LLC of Bellingham? Myer and Sharyn Bornstein formed Starlight to refinance new equipment and a new roof for their building at 1001 Hilton Avenue. The modification allows the Bornsteins to transfer ownership of the improvements to their limited liability corporation. Approved 3-0
Action Taken at April 5, 2005 Meeting
Shall the commission:
47. Refinance $13,565,000 in revenue bonds and issue $15 million in new revenue bonds? The refinancing will save the port between $300,000 and $500,000 over the next six years. The exact mount depends on the bond price on the sale day. (Resolution 1211) Approved 3-0
48. Authorize the executive director to sign a $120,000 contract with VanNess Feldman (a law firm) of Seattle, to help the port in acquiring federal grants for waterfront development projects? VanNess was originally retained in 2004 to represent both the city and port on federal issues surrounding the Georgia-Pacific acquisition. This contract will extend their work through December 31, 2005. Approved 3-0
49. Authorize the executive director to pay the state auditor $28,992 for the annual audit? The auditor’s office estimates it will take 384 hours to complete the work, including five hours for the federal audit. The above amount does not include travel and out-of-pocket costs. Approved 3-0
50. Add $142,000 to the 2005 budget to cover the closing costs of the Georgia-Pacific project? The anticipated costs were $824,000 and the final was $965,243. Approved 3-0
51. Appoint five members to the Waterfront Advisory Group? This is a joint advisory group with the city of Bellingham (3/14/05 meeting, number 60) that will implement the recommendations of the Waterfront Futures Group. The city appoints five members and the port the other five. The port received 28 applications. Randy Bilof will chair and serve a one-year term, Chris Fairbanks, Cy Lindberg and Ken Raithel will each serve two-year terms, Bradley Smith will serve a three-year term. Approved 3-0
52. Approve $50,000 for three economic development projects? The money will be used with matching funds from the cities to fund projects aimed at improving the cities’ infrastructures. Everson’s Mission Road improvements will receive $24,000; Blaine’s boardwalk overpass project will receive $15,000; Everson’s city owned electrical substation will receive $11,000. Approved 3-0
53. Authorize the executive director to accept a federal grant of $1,391,077 for the taxiway repair project? The FAA grant will fund 95 percent of the Taxiway E and F repair project and buy a handicap-boarding ramp. The cost to the port is $73,214. There is no contingency fee but the FAA will allow the grant to be modified up to 15 percent. Approved 3-0
54. Authorize the executive director to enter into a $1,403,791 contract with IMCO General Construction of Bellingham for the repairs of Taxiways E and F and the intersection of Taxiway A/F? The vote also authorizes $60,000 for port employees to supervise the project. The contract includes a 10 percent contingency fee for a total of $1,544,170. Approved 3-0
55. Authorize the executive director to sign a $127,794 contract with Ebenal General Construction of Bellingham to install a digital video access system? The marine terminal and airport security systems will be intergraded into one system. The contract includes 10 percent contingency fee for a total contract of $140,537. Approved 3-0
