Port of Bellingham

Shall the commission:

119. Reduce the number of petty cash custodians at the Bellingham airport from two to one? After staffing changes the port only needed one petty cash custodian at the airport. (Resolution 1222) Approved 3-0

120. Authorize the executive director to issue $5 million in general obligation bonds to finance a number of port pro-jects? The projects include improvements to the Squalicum and Blaine marinas; Bellingham airport; the Fairhaven Cruise Terminal, bus and train station; infrastructure improvements such as breakwaters, promenades and riprap. The bonds will also pay for the planning and development of a new marina in the former G-P aerated stabilization basin lagoon on the Southeast end of Whatcom Waterway. (Resolution 1223) Approved 3-0

121. Authorize the executive director to extend an agreement with the city of Bellingham to lease fiber optic cable? The cable runs from the Harbor Center Building to the city’s computer network operations center located in the Nelson Harbor Building at 851 Coho Way. This agreement produces approximately $84 per month for the port. Approved 3-0

122. Authorize the executive director to extend a contract with Western Washington University for economic research? The original contract ran from 1/1/02 to 12/31/05; the port compensated the university for research on the county’s economy and to present their findings. The new contract runs from 1/1/06 to 12/31/07 and has been modified to include the port paying $5,000 for regular publications, special reports and presentations. Approved 3-0

123. Authorize the executive director to sign a $36,983 contract with Bennett Engineering of Bellingham to monitor water leaching through the wood waste landfill at the Bellingham airport? The contract includes a 10 percent contingency fee of $3,693 for a total of $40,681. For other recent votes on the airport wood waste landfill contracts, see 6/7/05 meeting, vote number 66; 9/14/05 meeting, votes 96, 97 and 98. Approved 3-0

124. Authorize the sale of five vessels and the contents of one webhouse storage unit for nonpayment of moorage and storage fees? The vessels are the Wicked Air, Lady Shabda, Sharron B, Nalu Holo and the Nauti Girl. Two of the vessels are commercial, two of them are sailboats and one is a houseboat. The total nonpayment charges are $7,627. The auction will occur in March. Approved 3-0

125. Authorize the executive director to sign a $7,950 amended contract with Ken Kok Electrical Engineers of Lynden for airport security? The airport security system was designed to be compatible with the cruise terminal system for door control, gate access and video monitoring. The original $27,225 contract was approved at the 1/4/05 meeting, vote number 11. An FAA grant is paying for 90 percent of the project. This contract ran over budget because of inaccurate and missing records of the routing of power and communications circuits and conduits at and near the airport; additional security features such as intercoms, alarm horns and the addition of Gate 14 also added to the costs. Approved 3-0

126. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreement with the Bellingham Housing Authority to explore the mutual feasibility of developing residential and mixed-use property within the former G-P property? The housing authority has successfully developed housing available to people of different income levels. Approved 3-0

127. Authorize the executive director to accept a state grant of $2 million for the former Georgia-Pacific property? The port has budgeted $5.68 million for demolition costs through 2009; of the state grant, $1,600,000 will go for site demolition and $400,00 for planning. All funds must be used by June 2007. Approved 3-0

128. Authorize the executive director to spend $58,886 to purchase two passenger boarding ramps for the Bellingham airport? The ramps (purchased from KCI, Inc. of White City, Oregon) will accommodate passengers with disabilities and replace a staircase and hydraulic lift. Approved 3-0

129. Approve a memorandum of understanding with the state on environmental and land use goals associated with Bellingham Bay? This memorandum reaffirms cooperation between the port and the state Department of Natural Resources to accomplish site cleanups, potential land exchanges and joint development agreements, update state harbor lines and federal channel authorizations. Approved 3-0

130. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreement with the city of Bellingham to allow the fire department to continue training exercises at the former Georgia-Pacific mill site? G-P allowed the fire department to use the site for training; the port now owns the property. Approved 3-0

Shall the commission:

131. Increase the financial compensation for commissioners from $200 to $500 a month starting 1/1/06? The resolution was originally written so the current commissioners would receive a pay increase after reelected, which means the raise would only apply to Scott Walker and Doug Smith. It was amended so Jim Jorgenson will also receive a raise. (Resolution 1224) Approved 2-0, Jim Jorgenson abstained.

132. Authorize the chief financial officer to open and manage a $5 million line of credit? It will relieve the port’s reliance on its cash flow to meet financial obligations. (Resolution 1225) Approved 3-0

133. Authorize the executive director to sign contracts for $951,899 to implement the 2006 employee benefits program? The contracts are: $921,837 with Regency Blue Shield ($839,853 for medical and $81,984 for dental and vision); $27,751 with Jefferson Pilot ($13,085 for life, accidental death and dismemberment and $14,666 for long-term disability); $2,311 with Health Promotion Network (family employee assistance). Approved 3-0

134. Modifiy and renew a 10-year lease with Puglia Engineering, doing business as Fairhaven Shipyards? The rent increases $3,983 from $17,952 for the first three years, and then increases 3 percent for years four through nine. Puglia is also expected to pay an annual fee based on the company’s annual revenue. The lease renewal runs from 11/1/05 to 10/31/15. Approved 3-0