March 2009
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham Commission
Action Taken at January 6, 2009 Meeting
Shall the commission:
1. 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 1029N) Approved 3-0
2. Delegate certain administrative powers and duties to the executive director? The powers run from 1/31/09 to 1/31/10. (Resolution 1106K) Approved 3-0
3. 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 1183F) Approved 3-0
4. Adopt changes to the rules, regulations and procedures for Blaine and Squalicum harbor in 2008? Some language has been changed to clarify policies and efficiency; they are largely housekeeping changes. (Resolution 1226C) Approved 3-0
5. Select officers and regular port commission meetings? The officers will be: president — Scott Walker; vice president: Jim Jorgensen; secretary: Douglas Smith. Approve 2008 committee nominations. Approved 3-0
6. Appoint Rob Fix as auditor and Tamara Sobjack as deputy auditor for fiscal year 2009? Approved 3-0
7. Establish meeting facility/space fees for 2010? Since many reservations are made a year in advance, now is the time to determine rates for 2010. The fees are for the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, Squalicum Boathouse, Blaine Boating Center, Aviation Center, parks and open space (Zuanich Point Park, Fairhaven Marine, Tom Glenn Common). Approved 3-0
8. Adopt liability insurance standards for 2009? Previously to 2008, the port didn’t have consistent liability requirements for its leases, property transactions, meetings, events, etc., although it has included moorage liability requirements in its harbor rules and regulations. There are no changes for 2009. Approved 3-0
9. Authorize the port’s legal counsel to sign contracts up to $148,602 with Anchor Environmental of Seattle, and other consultants for environmental support? Of the total, Anchor’s cost is estimated at $126,169. The port’s attorney, Chmelik, Sitkin & Davis, will represent the port in site management, liability management, cost recovery and litigation relating to environmental cleanup sites. Approved 3-0
10. Reaffirm Chmelik, Sitkin, & Davis as the port’s general legal counsel for 2009? The hourly rate of $200 established in 2001 will remain in effect. Approved 3-0
11. Adopt port rents for 2009? The rates apply to: Harbor Mall, Squalicum Esplanade, Marina Square, Harbor Center building, Bellwether building, Fairhaven Station, Bellingham airport, cruise terminal, warehouse and storage. Approved 3-0
12. Revise weblocker definitions and rates? Weblocker tenants are no longer just local commercial fisherman. Rates for active commercial fishermen will not be increased this year. Approved 3-0
13. Approve the Bellingham airport fee schedule for 2009? The fees are: ground service fees (automobile parking and parking pass); aviation fees (landing, fuel, rescue, transient tie-down); space and land rental fees (hangers and monthly tie-down) and user fees (business license and security access card). The fees for daily parking, parking pass and security access card are being increased. Approved 3-0
14. Authorize the executive director to sign a lease with the federal government for the 2010 Olympics coordination center at the Bellingham airport? The International Trade building lease is for two years with two one-year options. The yearly rent will be $203,331 for 15,198 square feet of warehouse space, 2,483 square feet of office space and 7,154 square feet of secured indoor parking. The port will spend approximately $1,393,733 for building improvements and $940,000 for “special” building improvements. The federal government will compensate the port $779,507 in two annual payments for the improvements, a lump sum of $940,000 for “special” improvements and $119,921 annually for operating costs. Approved 3-0
15. Authorize the executive director to sign a $146,5000 contract (amendment #1) with Carletti Architects of Mount Vernon for the Olympics coordinating center? The contract is for architectural and engineering services. A $15,500 contingency fee brings the contract to $162,00 and the total amended contract to $167,500. Approved 3-0
16. Appoint the Industrial Development Corporation officers and establish the meeting dates? The officers will be: Scott L. Walker-president, Jim Jorgensen-vice president, Douglas G. Smith-secretary and Rob Fix-treasurer. Meetings will be held in conjunction with port meetings and occur “as needed.” Approved 3-0
17. Adopt the 2007 Industrial Development Corporation budget of $247,148? The IDC charges a fee to issuers of industrial revenue bonds. These fees can only be used for economic development purposes. The 2007 budget anticipate revenues of $135,505. Approved 3-0
18. Appoint Rabbi Cindy G. Enger to a three-year term on the Ethics Advisory Committee? Rabbi Enger’s term expires on 12/31/11; she replaces Rev. Andrea McMillin Stockburger who resigned. The ethics committee has no enforcement power; it can only offer advice. 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:
Jim Jorgensen
Action Taken at January 20, 2009 Meeting
Shall the commission:
19. Authorize the executive director to apply for a $859,000 state grant to fund the initial phase of the Cornwall Avenue landfill cleanup? The Cornwall Avenue landfill is located at the foot of Cornwall Avenue. The grant application covers engineering, design and shoreline stabilization. Total costs for the first phase are estimated at $1,793,000. Fifty percent of the costs are eligible for state Model Toxics Control Act grants. The port, city of Bellingham and state Department of Natural Resources have been named as potentially liable parties and are responsible for the cleanup. Under an agreement the mayor of Bellingham signed with the port (see the 11/7/05 City Council meeting, vote numbers 232/233), the city purchased 49 percent of the Cornwall Avenue site from the port for $2,450,000 and agreed to spend an additional $3,700,000 for cleanup. Approved 3–0
