December 2008
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham Commission
Compiled by Bill McCallum
Action Taken at September 2, 2008 Meeting
Shall the commission:
107. Authorize the executive director to apply for a $178,543 state grant to fund half of the Blaine boat launch replacement project? In 1986, the state funded 75 percent of the boat launch project. (Resolution 1258) Approved 3-0
108. Authorize the executive director to increase a grant agreement with the state by $100,000 (amendment #3) to complete the I&J Waterway remedial investigation/feasibility study? This amendment increases the total cost of the study to $521,428. It increases a state grant to the port by $50,000 bringing the total grant to $182,500. Bornstein Seafoods and the port have been labeled as potentially liable parties for contamination near Bellwether Way. Bornstein will fund 30 percent of the study. This amendment extends the deadline to 6/30/09. Approved 3-0
109. Sponsor a Northwest Discovery Project grant application? State law requires a local government to sponsor the grant. The Northwest Discovery Project is applying to the Whatcom County Economic Development Investment Board for a $600,000 grant. The Northwest Discovery Project is developing the TerrAquarium. If the county awards the funds, the port will pass through the funding in a subrecipient grant agreement. Approved 3-0
110. Authorize the executive director to award the low bid of $316,409 to General Construction of Everett for pier repairs at the Bellingham shipping terminal? On 4/4/06, 4/26/06 and 3/4/07 there were tug accidents with estimated damages totaling $13,395. On 2/4/08 there was a large tug accident with estimated damages of $213,197. The damages will be repaired along with additional maintenance work. The work was advertised and five bids were received. A 10 percent contingency fee brings the total contract to $348,000. Approved 3-0
111. Authorize the executive director to sign a $195,100 contract with RMC Architects of Bellingham for improvements to the former G-P tissue warehouse? The improvements will be for 10,000 square feet at the northeast corner of the building, part of the innovation partnership zone project. The improvements will consist of office space, training rooms, research lab and storage space to be used by the Bellingham Technical College and Western Washington University. There will be four subcontractors on the project: structural, mechanical, electrical and civil. Approved 3-0
112. Write-off the delinquent account balance of $31,761 for Top Mortgage Company? The company leased a suite in the Bellwether Building from May 2004 through April 2008. The company owes $26,768 for rent, $2,889 for utilities and $2,104 late charges for October 2007 through April 2008. No assets can be located for the company so $31,761 will be recorded as bad debt expenses. Approved 3-0
Action Taken at October 7, 2008 Meeting
Shall the commission:
113. Authorize the executive director to renew the port’s liability and auto coverage? The $146,878 for coverage (10/1/08 through 9/30/08) will be with Alliant Insurance Services of Newport Beach, Calif. The premiums are 12.4 percent or $20,806 lower than the 2007-2008 coverage. The port’s property insurance coverage was approved at the 7/1/08 meeting, vote number 94. Approved 3-0
114. Authorize the executive director to sign a cost sharing partnership with Whatcom County for licensed Pictometry imagery and software? The port budgeted $20,000 for new aerial photography and maps; this agreement will reduce the cost to $8,000. Approved 3-0
115. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreement with the Bellingham Technical College to lease their meteorological tower? The port is seeking wind data for use in the design of the new marina, design of structures in the Waterfront District and the feasibility of placing a wind power generating facility on the Waterfront District property. The tower will be leased for 18 months. A contractor will erect the tower and take it down at the end of the collection period. Total costs associated with the tower are $15,000. Approved 3-0
116. Authorize the sale of three vessels for the nonpayment of moorage fees? The three vessels owe a total of $5,724 in moorage fees. An auction was held on October 30 for the three vessels — none were sold. The J.G. Murphy Company of Kenmore will probably auction the three vessels: a 30-foot pleasure vessel with unpaid fees of $1,758, a 31-foot pleasure vessel with unpaid fees of $2,418 and a 24-foot sailboat with unpaid fees of $1,548. Approved 3-0
117. Authorize the executive director to sign a $42,255 contract (Amendment #1) with ICF Jones & Stokes of Fairfax, Va., for the demolition of three buildings in the Waterfront District? Phase I (approved at the 6/18/08 meeting, vote number 90) developed a mitigation plan for the buildings. Phase II will demolish the screen room, pulp storage and bleach plant buildings. This amendment brings the total contract to $72,970. The city of Bellingham is appealing the port’s decision to demolish the three buildings. For details, see the 10/20/08 City Council meeting, vote number 288. Approved 3-0
118. Authorize the executive director to award the low bid of $71,833 to VECA Electrical of Bellingham for the inner harbor maintenance project? To extend the life of the floating moorage system at Squalicum Harbor, the port staff identified electrical, structural and maintenance deficiencies. This contract is for the testing, inspection and repair of the electrical system at Gates 6-8 and 10; Gate 9 will wait until 2009. The work was advertised and three bids were received. A contingency fee of 20 percent brings the total contract to $86,200. Approved 3-0
119. Authorize the executive director to increase by $314,273 the contingency fee for IMCO General Construction of Bellingham adding alternative #3 to the terminal apron and taxiway improvements? Alternative #3 was not included in the original bid that was approved at the 6/17/08 meeting, vote number 88, due to the lack of funding. This increase brings the contingency fee to $943,893 and the total contract to $7,236,514. FAA grants fund 95 percent of the project. Approved 3-0
120. Terminate a lease with Peter A. Paulsen for a suite in the Bellwether Building and sign a new lease with Byundgam and Judy Min? Starting in December 1999, a bakery and espresso bar operated at the suite. The suite was subleased in March of 2004 to Dan McGuire and Carol Cassie doing business as Mama Cassie’s. That business has terminated and the lessee has requested an early termination of the 10-year lease. Byundgam and Judy Min will operate a sushi restaurant at the suite. Approved 3-0
Action Taken at October 21, 2008 Meeting
Shall the commission:
121. Authorize the executive director to sign a $171,925 contract (amendment #8) with Blumen Consulting Group of Kirkland to complete the final environmental impact statement for the Waterfront District? The draft EIS was issued in January 2008. The final EIS will address all comments submitted for the draft and supplemental draft EIS. The target date for the issuance of the final EIS is the end of December. This amendment brings the total contract to $854,705. Approved 3-0
122. Authorize the executive director to sign a $60,020 contract with Ronald T. Jepson & Associates of Bellingham for a topographic survey and mapping of stormwater retention ponds at the Bellingham airport? Whatcom County is requiring a comprehensive stormwater management plan for the airport. This contract will evaluate the capacity of both the Alderwood and southwest retention ponds. The stormwater plan will allow the port to continue developing airport property. A 10 percent contingency fee brings the total contract to $66,744. Approved 3-0
