July 2008
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham Commission
Compiled by Cheryl Stewart
Action Taken at May 6, 2008 Meeting
Shall the commission:
58. Amend portions of the Squalicum Harbor improvement project? (Public hearing held) The Bellwether Gate project has one building with a height of 50 feet. Homeowners along Eldridge Avenue are appealing the city decision allowing a building higher than 35 feet. David Ebenal would like to go ahead with the lease of this property (see vote 71), pending the outcome of the appeals. (Resolution 1254) Approved 3-0
59. Enter into a partnership with Western Washington University to acquire property and develop university facilities at The Waterfront District? It will allow WWU and the port the authority to work together in acquiring financing and/or developers to build the facilities and to secure a long-term commitment from WWU to use those facilities/buildings. This partnership will be financially independent of WWU and the Port of Bellingham. (Resolution 1256) Approved 3-0
60. Appoint Craig Dunn to a three-year term on the Ethics Advisory Committee? Mr. Dunn is an associate professor at WWU and an associate professor emeritus at San Diego State University, in both instances specializing in business and society issues; his research interests include managerial ethics and values. The term expires on 12/31/10. The ethics committee has no enforcement power; it can only offer advice. Approved 3-0
61. Authorize the executive director award the sole bid of $52,195 to Larry Brown Construction of Everson for roofing and gutter replacements? The Harbor Mall roof will be patched and repaired, the Harbor Center roof fasteners will be replaced and and the Fairhaven Station gutters replaced. A 20 percent contingency fee brings the total contract to $63,000. Three bids were solicited and one was received. Approved 3-0
62. Modify the lease with Allegiant Air to reimburse the airline for flights to San Francisco and San Diego, California and amend the premises lease? The port will reimburse Allegiant $3 for each passenger flying on an Allegiant airplane to San Francisco and San Diego. The modification includes 152 feet of additional ticket space and removes upstairs office space as Allegiant has moved office and storage space downstairs. Approved 3-0
63. Authorize the executive director to apply to the federal government for departing airline passenger fees? The port currently collects fees of $4.35 for each departing airline passenger. The fees are used for airport improvement. The port participates in a special program that will expire on 5/9/08. By meeting the 5/9 deadline, the airport can collect $4.35 on Allegiant Airlines flights to California, funding new equipment and taxiway repair, purchasing snow removal equipment and reimbursing an airport improvement project grant totaling $2,550,830. Approved 3-0
64. Authorize $450,000 in airport income to be used to construct a temporary parking lot at the the Bellingham airport? The projected volume of passengers parking at the airport is exceeding the current and overflow parking lots. A temporary lot will create 396 spaces to accommodate the loss of 300 spaces with the closing of the main lot. The temporary lot will have pay and ticketing machines and be attended for three years while the new parking lots are completed. Engineers estimate the cost for this temporary lot at $450,000. Approved 3-0
65. Authorize the executive director to enter into a $50,000 contract (amendment #3) with Friberg Construction Company of Ferndale for phase II of the Bellingham airport parking lot project? This original contract (7/17/07 meeting, vote number 89) was for paving and this amendment covers increased oil prices. The total phase II contract is $1,951,580. Approved 3-0
66. Authorize the executive director to sign a $359,458 contract with Floyd/Snider LLC of Seattle to complete a remedial investigation/feasibility study at the Harris Avenue shipyard? The Harris Avenue shipyard site includes upland and aquatic land that is currently used for shipyard and boat manufacturing operations. The port entered into an agreement with the Department of Ecology in 2002 to perform a remedial investigation/feasibility study for contaminated marine sediments under the Model Toxics Control Act. A draft sediments remedial investigation/feasibility study was completed in 2004. The state has requested that it be expanded to include upland property. The contract includes a contingency fee of $35,946 and $20,000 to provide strategic legal support for a grand total of $415,404. Approved 3-0
67. Authorize the executive director to sign a $24,840 contract (amendment #3) with RMC Architects of Bellingham for the G-P tissue warehouse renovation project? The tissue warehouse is now being called the Marine Trade Center. This amendment completes the predesign work of programming and cost estimating. The cost estimate is critical information to be integrated into the port’s business plan for the building. The executive director signed the phase I contract for $24,900 on 10/5/07. The phase II contract was approved at the 11/6/07 meeting, vote number 122. This amendment brings the total contract to $63,100. Approved 3-0
68. Authorize the executive director to award the low bid of $356,636 to Ebenal General of Bellingham for electrical upgrades at The Waterfront District? Georgia-Pacific is now executing the final phase of the required demolition of the tissue mill complex. Decommissioning the main electrical substation is part of this demolition scheduled. The substation provides power to the entire G-P facility. Ebenal will install main switchgear purchased by the port, relocate and reinstall port-acquired transformers and switch gear, provide new area lighting and reefed electrical power to the remaining structures. A contingency fee of $35,000 brings the total contract to $391,636. Approved 3-0
69. Authorize the executive director to sign a contract not to exceed $91,062 with Puget Sound Energy for the installation of a power line extension? PSE will install a new power line from Hilton Avenue to Roeder Avenue where there is now three-phase power and to the former G-P warehouse at 1000 F Street in The Waterfront District. This new commercial electrical power line extension will replace the substation on Laurel Street. Approved 3-0
70. Authorize the executive director to sign a $68,033 contract (amendment #1) with Carletti Architects of Mount Vernon for design and engineering of the rescue and firefighting station at the Bellingham airport? Due to FAA funding restrictions the construction sequence has been reversed. This amendment allows the design to include a building pad at the proper elevation, an access road to the airfield and to have all utilities brought to the service the building. The original contract for $279,706 was approved at the 6/5/07 meeting, vote number 77. This amendment brings the total contract to $347,738. Approved 3-0
71. Authorize the executive direct to sign lease agreements for the Bellwether Gate project? The project will comprise four buildings (see vote 58) at Bellwether on the Bay. Three buildings will be 35 feet high and the fourth 50 feet high. The 50-year lease agreement with David Ebenal has a 30-year renewal option. Approved 3-0
Action Taken at May 20, 2008 Meeting
Shall the commission:
72. Adopt a policy to prohibit illicit discharges into municipal storm sewer systems? The state of Washington on 5/17/07 issued the Port of Bellingham a municipal stormwater permit (phase II) for Marine Park, Squalicum Harbor, Blaine Harbor and the Bellingham airport. The permit requires the port to develop and implement an illicit discharge policy that sets the purpose and intent, includes illicit discharge prohibitions, illicit connection prohibitions, access and monitoring of discharges, improper disposal and enforcement authority. (Resolution 1257) Approved 2-0, Scott Walker excused.
73. Authorize the executive director to sign a contract with David Evans and Associates of Bellingham not to exceed $50,000 to prepare applications for the Bellingham airport site plan and planned unit development plan? The port’s current site plan with Whatcom County has expired and requires replacement. The site plan includes pertinent information about wetlands, traffic, utilities, landscaping, stormwater treatment and building standards. The port intends to utilize the planned unit development process to manage the land use and design of the airport, much as the Cordata area is managed. Approved 2-0, Scott Walker excused
74. Authorize the executive director to spend $51,130 to purchase parking lot equipment from Entrance Controls? At the 11/16/04 meeting, vote number 112, the commission approved a low bid from Entrance Controls of Tukwila for automated machines at the airport parking lot. This vote is for new parking ticket dispensing machines, pay stations, gates and software at a temporary parking lot. The new equipment must interface with the previous purchase. When the phase three parking lot is complete, this equipment will be relocated there. Approved 2-0, Scott Walker excused.
