Port of Bellingham Commission

Shall the commission:

133. Authorize the executive director to increase the Friberg Construction Company contingency fee by $154,442 for the Bellingham airport parking lot project? The construction of the airport parking lot is requiring larger quantities of materials than originally estimated. The contract for $1,565,580 plus a contingency fee of $156,558 was approved at the 7/17/07 meeting, vote number 89. This vote brings the contingency fee total to $311,000. Approved 3-0

134. Authorize the executive director to sign a $12,000 contract (amendment #8) with Reid Middleton, Inc. of Everett for the Bellingham airport wetland strategy? Reid Middleton was awarded the contract1 to develop a 20-year wetlands strategy for the airport and to oversee applications for state and federal permits. The federal government at a meeting on 11/26/07 requested that the strategy be revised from 20-years to three to five years This amendment revises the draft joint aquatic resource permits application and supporting documents, an archeological survey and further environmental evaluations and assessments. This vote brings the contract total to $619,180. Approved 3-0

135. Authorize the executive director to sign contracts for $1,154,023 to implement the 2008 employee benefits program? The medical plan covering 93 employees, 69 spouses and 47 children will increase by 9.72 percent in 2008. The contracts are: Regency Blue Shield ($1,065,586 for medical and $55,166 for dental and vision); Lincoln Financial ($14,280 for life/accidental death/dismemberment and $16,680 long-term disability); and Health Promotion Network ($2,311 for employee assistance). The monthly cost for employees will rise for from $15.00 to $27.00 and for a family from $47.00 to $84.00. Approved 3-0

136. Authorize the executive director and port attorney to settle a claim by the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance concerning the port’s industrial stormwater permits? The claim under the Clean Water Act, was regarding stormwater sampling at three National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System sites. The proposed settlement includes the port providing a one-day stormwater management seminar targeted at port districts, industrial facilities and other municipalities; the port co-sponsoring a one-day “green and innovative” stormwater management seminar with emphasis on airport stormwater management; additional sampling; and payment of Puget Soundkeeper Alliance attorney fees. Approved 3-0

¹ The original contract for $439,000 was approved at the 12/19/00 meeting, vote number 39; amendment #1 was approved at the 6/27/03 meeting for $40,000; amendment #2 was approved at the 11/2/04 meeting, vote number 110, for $20,000; amendment #3 was approved at the 2/1/05 meeting, vote number 33, for $10,000; amendment #4 was approved at the 3/7/06 meeting, vote number 36, for $61,000; amendment #5 was approved at the 7/18/06 meeting, number vote 92 for $13,000; amendment #6 was approved at the 11/14/06 meeting for $23,180 and amendment #7, a contract extension not requiring commission approval, was approved on 3/14/07.

Shall the commission:

137. Establish a master plan for improvements to Blaine Harbor? (Public hearing held on 9/18) The master plan draws from the last complete re-write in 1998 and reflects changes in land-use goals, shoreline management and critical areas programs. The plan calls for major infrastructure improvements to Blaine Harbor. It leaves open for future discussion the decision to close vehicle access to Fisherman’s Pier. Depending on the option that will be chosen for Fisherman’s Pier and cost sharing to be negotiated with the city of Blaine, estimated construction costs range between $23 and $26 million dollars. (Resolution 1252) Approved 3-0

138. Authorize the executive director to sign a $!20,000 contract (amendment #2) with The Retec Group/ENSR of Westford, Mass., for the Central Waterfront remedial investigation/feasibility study? The Central Waterfront properties are: Roeder Avenue landfill, Chevron, Colony Wharf and Olivine. The properties require remedial action under the state Model Toxics Control Act. Amendment #1 was approved at the 9/4/07 meeting. This will increase the total amount to $544,991. Approved 3-0

139. Authorize the executive director to apply for a $150,000 state grant (amendment #1) for the Central Waterfront remedial investigation/feasibility study? At the 9/5/06 meeting the port received a state grant of $496,736 for the Central Waterfront site. This application brings the total to $646,736. Approved 3-0

140. Authorize the executive director to extend a contract for $66,731 with VanderVeen Family Transport of Bellingham for the disposal of leachate from the Bellingham airport wood waste landfill site? The landfill accumulates approximately 2,500,000 gallons of leachate a year. To dispose of it requires 859 tanker truck trips to the former G-P treatment lagoon. Fifty percent of the leachate management is covered by prepaid insurance. The contract runs from 1/1/08 through 12/31/08. The total revised contract is $177,049. Approved 3-0

141. Authorize the executive director to sign a $37,018 contract with Bennett Engineering of Bellingham to monitor the Bellingham airport wood waste landfill? The landfill is on the state list of hazardous sites; the site was operated by Georgia-Pacific between 1984 and 1992 and monitored by them until 2005 when the port assumed the responsibility as part of the G-P land acquisition. Prepaid insurance will cover 50 percent of the costs. The contract includes a 10 percent contingency fee for a total of $40,720. Approved 3-0

142. Increase the executive director’s salary for 2008? In 2007, the executive director was paid a base salary of $123,000 with $14,000 deferred for a total of $137,000. Since inflation is currently between 2.9 percent and 4.2 percent, the base salary will increase by 3 percent or $3,690. Approved 3-0

143. Provide direction in support of a name change from Drayton Harbor to Blaine Harbor? The proposed name change was filed by a representative of the Harbor Lands Company along with a petition signed by 73 area residents, and now must obtain written opinions from all local jurisdictions. So far, the Blaine City Council and the Washington State Board of Geographic Names have recommended against this change. As the existing name has been widely published and recognized since the mid-19th century, there would be substantial costs in changing the name. Failed 3-0