March 2008
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham Commission
Compiled by Marcia Guderian
Action Taken at January 8, 2008 Meeting
Shall the commission:
1. Increase the amount late fees can waived or reduced by the port auditor or executive director for real property agreements? Resolution 722 — passed in 1980 — allowed the auditor to waive or reduce late fees up to $1,000, and the executive director up to $2,000. At the 6/6/06 meeting, vote number 67, the port adopted an updated late fee schedule, amended and clarified it at the 7/5/06 meeting, vote number 79. This resolution only applies to real property agreements and increases the auditor’s waiver limit to $2,500, and the executive director’s waiver limit to $5,000. These amounts reflect an approximately 3.3 percent annual increase since 1980. (Resolution 722A) Approved 3-0
2. Authorize the executive director to sell property valued at $10,000 or less? State law requires annual renewal of the authorization to sell surplus state property. (Resolution 1029M) Approved 3-0
3. Delegate certain administrative powers and duties to the executive director? The powers run from 1/31/08 to 1/31/09. (Resolution 1106J) Approved 3-0
4. Designate the chief financial officer as the official responsible for informing the public of the port’s intent to issue tax-exempt bonds? This vote extends the designation through 1/31/09. (Resolution 1183E) Approved 3-0
5. Adopt changes to the rules, regulations and procedures for Blaine and Squalicum harbor in 2008? Some language has been changed to be clearer; they are largely housekeeping changes. (Resolution 1226B) Approved 3-0
6. Adjust the surety bond limits required for the port treasurer and deputy treasurer? Past resolutions set the amount of this bond at $500,000. Recently, the port’s insurance program has evolved to include a crime bond policy that was not previously available to the bonded employee. Because of this change, the surety bonds will be reduced to $10,000. The crime bond insurance provides an additional $1 million coverage over the surety bond for a total of $1,010,000 per bonded employee. (Resolution 1253) Approved 3-0
7. Reaffirm Chmelik, Sitkin, & Davis as the port’s general legal counsel for 2008? The hourly rate of $200 established in 2001 will remain in effect. Approved 3-0
8. Approve port rents for 2008? Rates are being increased at: Harbor Mall, Squalicum Esplanade, Harbor Center building, Bellwether building, lower level of Fairhaven Station, warehouse and storage. Approved 3-0
9. Establish meeting facility/space fees for 2009? Since many reservations are made a year in advance, now is the time to determine rates for 2009. The fees are for the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, Squalicum Boathouse, Blaine Boating Center, parks and open space. Approved 3-0
10. Authorize the executive director to pay the port’s portion of the 2007 general election costs? Commissioner Jorgensen ran unopposed so there were no primary election costs. The Whatcom County auditor’s office determined that the port’s portion of the general election costs was 11 percent or $42,119. Approved 3-0
11. Authorize the executive director to enter into a holdover agreement with Whatcom County Fire District No. 8 to provide fire protection, emergency medical services and CFR support to Bellingham airport? This agreement will be in effect while the parties negotiate a new agreement. The port has budgeted $25,000 annually for this agreement. Approved 3-0
12. Appoint Erin Ossewarde as auditor and Matt Saves as deputy auditor for fiscal year 2008? They will hold these positions until the port retains a new chief financial officer. Approved 3-0
13. Select officers and regular port commission meetings? The officers will be: president: Douglas Smith; vice president: Jim Jorgensen; secretary: Scott Walker. Approved 3-0
14. Approve 2008 committee nominations?1 See footnote for specific committees and organizations. Approved 3-0
15. Update the Bellingham airport’s tariff schedule? The last change in tariff rates were approved at the 1/14/04 meeting, vote number 9. After a survey of the fees collected by other Washington state airports, the staff recommended increasing parking to $7.00 a day and eliminating the weekly rate and establishing a minimum billing rate of $10.00 for transient aircraft parking overnight on the general aviation ramp. Approved 3-0
16. Authorize the port’s legal counsel to enter into contracts up to $154,770 with Anchor Environmental of Bellingham, for environmental support? Between 1996 and 2007 this service was provided by the Retec Group of Concord, Mass. Anchor Environmental will provide consultant services to support the port’s attorney, Chmelik, Sitkin & Davis, in representing the port in site management, liability management, cost recovery and litigation relating to environmental cleanup sites. Approved 3-0
17. Authorize the executive director to sign a $976,055 contract with Anchor Environmental of Bellingham for phase 1 of the Whatcom Waterway cleanup and marina design? Three proposals were received; a five-person team unanimously selected Anchor Environmental. Phase 1 covers site inspections, site surveys and mapping, review of existing information and data management and marina planning. The contract includes a 10 percent contingency fee for a total amount of $1,073,661. Approved 3-0
18. Authorize the executive director to amend the electrical rates for Squalicum Harbor, Blaine Harbor and Fairhaven Terminal? Squalicum Harbor and Fairhaven Terminal rates have risen by 15 percent and Blaine Harbor rates have gone up 2.4 percent. By authorizing the executive director to adjust the rates, it will be easier to keep the cost recovery time up with future rate increases by electrical providers. Approved 3-0
19. Adopt liability insurance standards for 2008? Previously the port has not had consistent liability requirements for its leases, property transactions, meetings, events, etc., although it has included moorage liability requirements in its harbor rules and regulations. The 2008 standards will allow the port to be consistent with liability insurance requirements for customers with similar operations at all its facilities and provide the port with adequate coverage. Approved 3-0
1Bellingham/Whatcom Economic Development Corporation:
Douglas Smith and (alternate) Jim Jorgensen
Whatcom Council of Governments:
Scott Walker and (alternate) Jim Jorgensen
Washington Public Ports Association:
Scott Walker and (alternate) Douglas Smith
Public Art Advisory Team: Jim Jorgensen
Economic Development Investment Committee:
(This is a new committee) Jim Jorgensen
Action Taken at January 15, 2008 Meeting
Shall the commission:
20. Increase the 2008 strategic (operating and capital) budget and property tax levy? At the 11/20/07 meeting, vote number 131, a preliminary budget was approved. Since that meeting the port was notified of the newly assessed valuation of its properties by the county assessor. This vote increases operating and capital accounts by $62,739. (Resolution 1250-A) Approved 3-0
21. Increase the 2008 property tax levy? When the levy was approved at the 11/20/07 meeting, vote number 132, the port had not received notification of assessed valuation. As the property tax levy is based on the assessed property valuation, the amount in the adopted budget must be modified to reflect the new assessment. The increase in the assessed value results in a tax levy of $7,207,095 ($49,239 higher than the amount listed in the adopted budget). This vote adjusts tax levy. The maximum tax levy the commission could assess for 2008 is $8,136,870. (Resolution 1251-A) Approved 3-0
