March 2011
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham Commission
Compiled by David Camp
Action Taken at January 4, 2011 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 authority to sell port surplus property. Consent Agenda D (Resolution 1029-P) Approved 3-0
2. Delegate certain administrative powers and duties to the executive director and approve recommended staff changes? The powers run from 2/1/11 to 1/31/12. Action Item 2 (Resolution 1106-M ) 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? The designation expires on 1/31/2012. Action Item 4 (Resolution 1183-H) Approved 3-0
4. Approve changes to the rules, regulations and procedures for Blaine and Squalicum Harbor in 2011? The housekeeping changes involve rules, regulations and procedures for vessel operations and moorage. Action Item 6 (Resolution 1226-F) Approved 3-0
5. Appointment Rob Fix (chief financial officer) as auditor and Tamara Sobjack (controller) as deputy auditor for fiscal year 2011? (Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
6. Reaffirm the Chmelik, Sitkin, & Davis as the port’s general legal counsel for 2011? The hourly rate of $200 per hour established in 2001 will remain in effect. (Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0
7. Authorize the executive director to make a $47,800 payment to the Washington Public Ports Association for 2011 membership dues? (Consent Agenda F) Approved 3-0
8. Select officers and regular port commission meetings for 2011? The officers will be: president – Michael McAuley; vice president – Scott L. Walker; secretary – Jim Jorgensen. Moving the starting time to 1 p.m. for regular meetings was discussed but it was decided that meetings will continue starting at 3 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month in 2011. (Action Item 1) Approved 3-0
9. Approve nominations for commissions to serve on organizations and committee? (Action Item 1) Approved 3-0
10. Authorize the executive director to sign $30,000 contract with the law firm of Van Ness Feldman of Washington, D.C./Seattle to continue providing legal counsel to the port with regard to the redevelopment of The Waterfront District? (Action Item 3) Approved 3-0
11. Authorize the port’s legal counsel to enter into contracts up to $152,750 with Anchor QEA of Seattle and other consultants for environmental support? Given the legal nature of the services provided, Anchor QEA is the sole source for this service. The recent settlement for the Yorkston Oil site (see 12/7/2010 meeting, vote #178) is an example of environmental support services. (Action Item 5) Approved 3-0
12. Adopt rental revenue standards for 2011? The only change is an update of the rental revenue standards. (Action Item 7) Approved 3-0
13. Adopt liability insurance standards for fiscal year 2011? There is no change in the 2011 standards. (Action Item 8) Approved 3-0
14. Approve event and facility rental fees for 2011 and 2012? In 2009 and 2010 there was a steep decline in rentals for business meetings, company parties and private parties on weekdays. Rates are increased for wedding parties and the Home for the Holidays gift show in 2012. (Action Item 9) Approved 3-0
15. Annul the Aluminum Chambered Boats, Inc. account in the amount of $173,301? The company signed a lease agreement with the port in January 1999, and ceased operations on 11/15/2010. The $171,526 real estate write-off and the $1,775 marine terminal write-off is will be recorded as a bad debt. (Action Item 10) Approved 3-0
16. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreement with the city of Bellingham for shared use of certain public facilities? On 12/2/2009, the city and the port signed an agreement for the use of three public facilities. That agreement expired on 12/31/2010. The 2011 agreement will wave fees on the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, Squalicum Boathouse, Blaine Boating Center and the conference room at 4201 Mitchell Way. The 2011 agreement expires on 12/31/2011. (Action Item 11) Approved 3-0
17. Appoint Industrial Development Corporation officers and establish the date, time and location of meetings for 2011? (Commission meeting as the Industrial Development Corporation.) The officers will be: president – Michael McAuley; vice president – Scott L. Walker; secretary – Jim Jorgensen; treasurer – Rob Fix. IDC meetings will be held as needed in conjunction with regular port commissioner meetings. (IDC 2) Approved 3-0
18. Approve the 2011 Industrial Development Corporation budget? (Commission meeting as the Industrial Development Corporation.) The budget anticipates revenues of $219,565 and expenses of $388,810. The 2010 year-end balance is projected to be $634,851. (IDC 3) Approved 3-0
Action Taken at January 18, 2011 Meeting
Shall the commission:
19. Authorize the payment of $58,260 to the state of Washington for two aquatic land leases? One lease is for the wastewater pipeline to the former G-P treatment lagoon which extends from the lagoon into Bellingham Bay. The other lease is for state-owner property at the southeast corner of the treatment lagoon. (Action Item 1) Approved 3-0
