February 2007
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham
by WW Staff
Action Taken at November 7, 2006 Meeting
Shall the commission:
112. Authorize the executive director to sign a contract with Puget Sound Executive Services of Seattle to provide security at the Bellingham airport? The company will provide law enforcement officers at screening checkpoints. The contract runs from 10/1/06 to 9/30/07. Approved 3-0
113. Authorize the executive director to amend a contract for $46,973 with Boss Construction of Bellingham to replace and repair pilings and floats at Squalicum Harbor? The original contract was approved at the 10/3/06 meeting, vote number 109. The total amended contract is $186,928. Approved 3-0
114. Accept a state grant of $44,000 and use the money to purchase two spill response trailers? The executive director is authorized to purchase the two trailers from Global Diving & Salvage of Seattle. Approved 3-0
115. Amend the aviation division budget in the amount of $650,000? The amendment will fund improvements at passenger screening, gate holding and baggage areas at the Bellingham airport. See votes 116 and 117. Approved 3-0
116. Authorize the executive director to purchase a modular building from Pacific Mobile Structures for $298,384? The refurbished building will be used as a temporary passenger holding area at the Bellingham airport. This doubles the holding area, allowing approximately 250 passengers. The contract includes a contingency fee of $26,616 for a total of $325,000. Approved 3-0
117. Authorize the executive director to spend up to $70,000 for passenger seats at the Bellingham airport? The amount covers the seats and their installation in the new temporary passenger holding area. A federal grant covers 95 percent of the cost. Approved 3-0
118. Authorize the executive director to amend a contract for $21,220 with Bennett Engineering of Bellingham to develop a permanent solution for dealing with water leaching through the woodwaste landfill at the Bellingham airport? As part of the Georgia-Pacific purchase agreement, the port assumed responsibility for monitoring the landfill site. Bennett Engineering had monitored the site for 10 years and was awarded the first port contract for the site at the 6/7/05 meeting, vote number 66, and amended at the 10/4/05 meeting, vote number 96. The total amended contract is $93,770 and it expires on 12/31/07. Approved 3-0
119. Authorize the executive director to extend a contract for $62,200 with Vanderveen Family Transport of Bellingham for the disposal of leachate at the airport wood waste landfill site? The landfill acquires approximately 3,800,000 gallons of leachate a year. The original contract, signed at the 10/4/05 meeting, vote number 98, expired on 12/31/06. This contract runs from 1/1/07 to 12/31/07. The total extended contract is $110,318. Approved 3-0
120. Authorize the ports legal counsel to amend the 2006 environmental consulting contract with the Retec Group of Concord, MA for $24,900? The 2006 contract for up to $150,000 was approved at the 1/10/06 meeting, vote number 14. This brings the total amended amount to $174,900. Approved 3-0
121. Write-off the delinquent account of $74,410 for Padden Creek Marine? The company owes the port $48,942 in rent, $6,284 in leaseholder tax, $15,910 for utilities and $3,278 in late charges. It has assets of $104,940, liabilities of $1,094,654 and secured claims of $377,160. Approved 3-0
Action Taken at November 21, 2006 Meeting
122. Amend the moorage rates at Squalicum and Blaine Harbors? Resolution 1034, passed in 1995, called for a review of moorage rates every four years. The rates were changed at the 5/7/02 meeting, vote number 51, because the formula hadnt taken into account boaters who took advantage of the 10 percent discount for yearly payments. The Marina Advisory Committee recommended that the next review take place in 2008. (Resolution 1163-A) Approved 3-0
123. Adopt the 2007 operating/capital budget and 2007 strategic plan? The year 2007 begins with reserves of $14.5 million, anticipates revenues of $33.7 million, expenses of $36.6 million and end reserves of $11.4 million. The strategic plan is a five-year plan to meet financial guidelines. (Resolution 1238) Approved 3-0
124. Adopt the 2007 property tax levy? The 2006 property tax income is estimated to be $6,761,331. The levy rate will be 38 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, the same as 2006. When the county provides the final tax assessment, a modified resolution may be introduced. (Resolution 1239) Approved 3-0
Action Taken at December 5, 2006 Meeting
125. Allow BP (British Petroleum) West Coast Products to issue up to $50 million in tax-free bonds to construct solid waste and sewage control facilities at their Cherry Point Refinery? Prior to 2002, the commissioners allowed BP to sell $70 million in tax-free bonds. Since the 2/5/02 meeting, commissioners have allowed BP to sell $206 million in tax-free bonds. At the 2/5/02 meeting, vote number 17, the commission approved $30 million in tax-free bonds; at the 3/5/02 meeting, vote number 27, it was $22 million; at the 3/4/03 meeting, vote number 25, it was $24 million and at the 11/15/05 meeting, vote number 108, it was $80 million. (Industrial Development Corporation Resolution 63) Approved 3-0
126. Support Industrial Development Corporation Resolution 63 allowing BP West Coast Production to sell up to $50 million in tax-free bonds? See vote 125 for details. (Resolution 1237) Approved 3-0
127. Recommend to the state preferred alternative #6 for the cleanup of Whatcom Waterway? The Department of Ecology presented eight alternatives for cleaning contamination from Whatcom Waterway. Approved 3-0
128. Authorize the executive director to release State Farm Insurance from damages in exchange for $80,000? The damages are the result of a July 2006 Squalicum Marina boat fire. Approved 3-0
129. Authorize the executive director to execute a contract for $33,777 with Bennett Engineering of Bellingham to monitor the Bellingham airport woodwaste landfill site for 2007? For details on woodwaste monitoring at the airport, see vote 118 on page 13. This contract runs from 1/1/07 through 12/31/07 and contains a 10 percent contingency fee for a total of $37,155. Approved 3-0
130. Authorize the executive director to sign contracts for $1,101,204 to implement the 2007 employee benefits program? The medical plan (covering 91 employees, 58 spouses and 45 children) will increase by 8.5 percent in 2007. Approved 3-0
131. Approve a lease with Western Airlines for commercial air service at the Bellingham airport? The terminal building lease (not exceeding 3,000 square feet) is for the ground floor and storage space on the upper level. The airline will use their employees for ticketing and ground security. They began flights to four West Coast cities (Los Angeles/Ontario, Phoenix, Reno and San Diego) on January 18. Amended and approved 3-0.
132. Authorize the executive director to terminate a lease with the federal government for airport property? The U.S. Air Force has leases for three pieces of property totaling 5.11 acres at the Bellingham airport. The Air National Guard used the property until 2002. The port owns two pieces (4.33 acres) and the state of Washington owns the third piece (.78 of an acre). Approved 3-0
133. Authorize the executive director to spend $300,000 to purchase property at the Bellingham airport? The port is purchasing the state-owned property listed in vote 132. An FAA grant will cover $260,000 of the purchase and staff are working to increase the grant so the port only pays $15,000. Approved 3-0
134. Authorize the executive director to enter into an agreement with the state of Washington for the removal of abandoned marine structures? The state will pay for direct cost associated with the removal of derelict creosote structures in the Squalicum Creek waterway and other locations in Bellingham Bay. The port will incur indirect costs for staff to coordinate the project. Approved 3-0
135. Authorize the executive director to award a $174,669 contract to Deric Willett Construction of Bellingham for security and utility connections at the Bellingham airport? The project will connect sewer, water, power, PA and fire alarm systems and will install cable for security systems and airlines communication systems. A wall and a security gate will be relocated and walls will be demolished. The contract contains a contingency fee of 10 percent for a total contract of $192,169. Approved 3-0
136. Settle three liability insurance claims? Firemans Fund Insurance company will pay the port $25,000 to settle claims for three sites: Uniflite/Murray Industries, Olivine Corporation and Yorkston Oil Company. American States Insurance Company will pay the port $250,000 to settle claims related to the Weldcraft site. River Thames Insurance company will pay $4,190 to settle claims the minutes didnt specify. Approved 3-0
Action Taken at December 12, 2006 Meeting
Shall the commission:
137. Approve a $60,000 contract with FusionPartners of Seattle for a New Whatcom marketing plan? FusionPartners will develop a marketing plan to position New Whatcom within the regional real estate market and a branding for the site. The city of Bellingham will contribute $30,000. Approved 3-0
138. Approve the second supplemental agreement with the city of Bellingham for $332,118 to fund preliminary SEPA work for New Whatcom? The first supplemental agreement was approved at the 7/18/06 meeting, vote number 93. The Port of Bellingham will contribute 50 percent or $332,118 for the second phase of the environmental impact statement/development plan and revised timeline. See next vote for specific contracts. Approved 3-0
139. Authorize the executive director to execute two contracts totaling $664,237 for New Whatcom? The $348,905 contract with Blumen Consulting Group of Kirkland is for SEPA work; the $315,332 contract with CollinsWoerman of Seattle is for marketing and planning. The city of Bellingham will contribute 50 percent or $332,118, see vote 138. Approved 3-0
140. Authorize the executive director to execute a $30,700 agreement with Whatcom County for the Squalicum Creek delta restoration project? The funds will be used for a survey, design and permitting of estuary improvements in the Squalicum Creek delta. The total cost is estimated to be $67,000. Approved 3-0
