April 2009
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham Commission
by WW Staff
Action Taken at February 3, 2009 Meeting
Shall the commission:
20. Eliminate term limits for Ethics Advisory Committee members? The ethics committee was established at the 8/19/03 meeting, vote number 59, amended at the 4/4/06 meeting, vote number 50 and the 6/5/07 meeting, vote number 72. Committee members were limited to two three-year terms. The ethics committee has no enforcement power; it can only offer advice. (Resolution 1181C) Approved 3-0
21. Appoint Robin Halliday to a third term on the Ethics Advisory Board? Robin Halliday was first appointed to the Ethics Advisory Board at the 12/2/03 meeting, vote number 102, to fill a vacancy and to a three-year term at the 4/4/06 meeting, vote number 51. The third term for Robin Halliday, currently committee chair, ends on 12/31/11. (Resolution 1181C) Approved 3-0
22. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreement with the city of Blaine for maintenance of the rain garden? In 2008, Marine Drive-abutting port property was improved and the rain garden installed.The garden contains stormwater piping. soils and plants to provide stormwater treatment. The city will maintain the stormwater system and landscaping maintenance. The port will reimburse the city for landscape maintenance. The initial cost will be $2,700 and the annual cost will be $1,300. Approved 3-0
23. Authorize the executive director to sign a $15,512 contract (amendment #1) with General Construction of Seattle for repairs at the cruise terminal? The Alaska ferry damaged the passenger ramp during loading operations. The ramp dropped approximately 18 inches requiring new wire rope, sheave plates and pins, and turnbuckles. The state of Alaska reimbursed the port in the amount of $35,885 to cover engineering analysis, construction costs and associated staff time. A $3,000 contingency fee brings the amended contract to $18,512 and the total contract to $381,540. Approved 3-0
24. Authorize the executive director to accept a state grant of $104,995 for the Blaine boat launch replacement project? To replace the treated pilings with concrete pilings, replace the concrete floats, repave the approach and add new lighting, the project cost is estimated at $209,995. The port will contribute $104,995 to the project. The commission authorized the executive director to apply for the state grant at the 9/2/08 meeting, vote number 107. Approved 3-0
25. Authorize the executive director to accept a federal grant of $847,279 for the Bellingham airport? The FAA grant will fund the purchase of snow removal equipment and plans for the repair of taxiway/runway 16/34 and taxiway “A.” The federal grant will fund 95 percent of the projects. Approved 3-0
26. Authorize the executive director to sign a $10,605 contract (amendment #6) with Bennett Engineering of Bellingham for the Bellingham airport woodwaste landfill? The landfill began operation by Georgia-Pacific in 1984 and was closed in 1992. The port assumed responsibility as part of the G-P land acquisition.This amendment will decommission four leachate monitoring wells and install a new one. The total amended budget is $124,795. Approved 3-0
27. Authorize the executive director to sign a $90,000 contract with Bennett Engineering of Bellingham for the design, engineering and permitting to close the airport woodwaste landfill? The Whatcom County Health Department is supervising the closure. The landfill is listed by the state of Washington as a hazardous waste site. Leachate from the landfill is currently being trucked to the G-P treatment lagoon. The port plans on closing the treatment lagoon to leachate dumping and turning it into a marina. Bennett Engineering is working on a plan to construct a pump station and dispose of treated leachate in the city of Bellingham’s sewer system. A contingency fee of $10,000 brings the total contract to $100,000. Approved 3-0
28. Authorize the executive director to accept $220,500 from the city of Bellingham for the Innovative Partnership Zone? A federal grant of $245,000 was mistakenly awarded to the city of Bellingham for the partnership zone. The city reduced its normal 20 percent administration fee to 10 percent. Approved 3-0
29. Modify a lease with Tera and Ryan Lorimer (doing business as Sorella’s)? The food preparation business offers baked goods, sandwiches, fish and chips, soups, salads and espresso at the ferry terminal. The original two-year contract for 500 square feet was approved at the 10/16/07 meeting, vote number 120. The Lorimer’s requested a rent reduction and a decrease in the number of days the business is open to a minimum of Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The rent reduction will result in a yearly decline of $3,000 for the port. Approved 3-0
30. Approve a research facility lease with Western Washington University? In October 2007, the state of Washington designated the Waterfront District as an Innovation Partnership Zone. A $1 million state grant was awarded to the port (6/17/08 meeting, vote number 91) to be used for construction of the Innovation Partnership Zone research and training facility. The port will construct a 10,000 square foot facility in the former G-P tissue warehouse — now called the Marine Trade Center. The construction budget is estimated at $1,420,500 and includes a federal grant (see vote 28) of $220,500. WWU will use the lab for marine research and starting on 1/1/12 will pay the port $1.20 per square foot per year in rent, increasing 4 percent annually, plus utility charges. Approved 3-0
31. Approve the Seaview Boatyard North application with the city of Bellingham for a neighborhood plan amendment and rezone? The business near the Squalicum marina has applied with the city of Bellingham for a rezone change from “commercial waterfront” to “industrial light mixed.” As the property owner, the port must approve the application. The existing buildings on the site are nonconforming, the zoning change will allow taller buildings. Approved 3-0
Action Taken at February 17, 2009 Meeting
Shall the commission:
32. Send a letter to Senator Kevin Ranker supporting Senate Bill 5344? Since 1999, the state of Washington has funded a tug at Neah Bay to protect against oil spills. The tug rendered aid to vessels that became disabled. Under Senate Bill 5344, ships designed to carry oil, large passenger and cargo vessels (fishing boats and small vessels would be exempt) would fund the tug through a “tug cooperative.” The Bellingham City Council voted to support 5344 at the 2/23/09 meeting, vote number 37, and the Whatcom County Council voted to support 5344 at the 2/24/09 meeting, vote number 40. Approved 3-0
33. Authorize the president of the Industrial Development Corporation to grant the power of attorney to British Petroleum representative Mayer Brown? The Internal Revenue Service is conducting an audit of $22 million in revenue bolds sold by British Petroleum West Coast Products. The commission approved the sale at the 3/5/02 meeting, vote number 27. Port staff determined that the most efficient way to provide the IRS with requested documents is to grant the power of attorney to the BP representative. Approved 3-0
