April 2011
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham Commission
Compiled by David Camp
Action Taken at February 1, 2011 Meeting
Shall the commission:
20. Authorize the executive director or delegate to apply for a state grant for funding assistance with the Squalicum Harbor boat launch float and piling replacement project? The estimated cost of the two-year (2011 and 2012) project is $596,226. The port is requesting that the state fund 75 percent of the project. Consent Agenda D (Resolution 1292) Approved 3-0
21. Authorize the executive director to spend $86,567 for new seating at the Bellingham airport? The airport terminal currently has 318 seats and 20 benches, the purchase of 164 seats and 20 benches from Washington State Correctional Industries will bring total seating capacity to 522 for Phase 1 of the terminal expansion project. (Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
22. Approve the renewal of a five-year rental agreement with the State of Washington for a suite at the Harbor Mall? The Department of Fish and Wildlife uses the suite for office and lab work. The rent for the first two years is $1.09 per square feet and increases 2 percent per year for the balance of the five-year lease. Total rent for the five-year lease beginning on 2/1/2011 and ending on 1/31/2016 is $56,079. (Action Item 1) Approved 3-0
23. Approve a five-year lease renewal/modification with First American Title? The title company occupies about 80 percent of the third floor of the Bellwether building. The lease entails a renewal at a lower rate for the five years from $20.19 per square feet to $18.72 per square feet, increasing each year until it reaches $19.92 per square feet at the end of the five-year lease. This represents a 16 percent reduction over the term of the lease renewal. The total rent over lease term is $750,050. (Action Item 2) Approved 3-0
24. Authorize staff to request bids for phase 5 of the parking lot expansion project at the Bellingham airport? Parking stalls will increase from the current 2,490 to 3,334 by September 2011. The demand for more parking is due to increased flights. Alaska is increasing weekly flights to Las Vegas from four to seven and Allegiant is increasing weekly flights from 34 to 50. The total estimate cost of phase 5 is $520,000; estimated net income from the lot is $630,000. (Action Item 3) Approved 3-0
25. Authorize staff to issue a request for proposals for the design of future parking lots at the Bellingham airport? This entails expenditure of $200,000 to design parking to meet the current and future increased demand. (Action Item 4) Approved 3-0
26. Authorize the executive director to sign a $31,750 contract with KPFF Consulting Engineers of Seattle for engineering services to replace boat launch floats and pilings at Squalicum Harbor? New concrete floats will replace existing floats, a new boat wash down area will be constructed and the existing boat ramp will be repaired or replaced. A contingency fee of $3,175 brings the total contact to $34,925. (Action Item 5) Approved 3-0
27. Authorize the executive director to sign a $145,500 contract (amendment #9) with Reid-Middleton, Inc. of Everett for the Gate 3 laterals F and G project? This amendment brings the total project cost to $712,900 and to 90 percent of completion. The project was budgeted at $805,839. (Action Item 6) Approved 3-0
28. Authorize the executive director to sign a $99,700 contract (amendment #4) with with Landau Associates of Edmonds for the Cornwall Avenue landfill site? This project contemplates the re-using of dredge spoil for remediation of the Cornwall Avenue landfill. A state grant under the Model Toxics Control Act will fund 50 percent and the balance will be from the port’s pre-funded insurance package. This amendment brings the total contract to $256,630. (Action Item 7) Approved 3-0
29. Authorize the port’s attorneys to settle the lawsuit known as Culbertson Marine Construction, Inc. v. Port of Bellingham? At the 4/2/2002 meeting, vote #38, the commission approved a $1,596,207 contract with Culbertson Marine Construction of Anacortes for the Blaine wave barrier project. The barrier design was similar to the one at Seattle’s Pier 66. The barrier was to be made of galvanized steel and be 560 feet long with a 102-foot-wide opening. The lawsuit was initiated by Culbertson Marine in 2005 and related to work done. Culbertson claimed an additional $1.2 million based on changed conditions. The lawsuit is settled on the following terms: 1. Culbertson and the port mutually release all claims arising out of the Blaine wave barrier and pier restoration project. 2. The port releases statutory retainage to Culbertson. 3. The lawsuit is dismissed with prejudice and without an award of attorneys’ fees or costs to either party. (Action Item 8) Approved 3-0
Action Taken at February 15, 2011 Meeting
Shall the commission:
30. Adopt a new marina model for moorage rates at Squalicum and Blaine Harbors? Resolution 1034, passed in 1995, called for a review of moorage rates every four years. The Marina Advisory Committee met 10 times in 2010 with different interest groups and discussed the impact the model would have on each group. Key elements of the new model: the annual discount for prepaid moorage will be indexed to the rate equal to a five-year treasury bond plus one percent; moorage rates are set for 2011 with projections for 2012–2015; changes are made for active commercial fishing vessel and changes to Fairhaven Terminal moorage rates. Action Item 1 (Resolution 1293) Approved 3-0
31. Change the petty cash custodian at the accounting office from Bonnie LaFave to Tamara Sobjack? With the retirement of Bonnie LaFave, it is necessary to update the custodian at the accounting office. Consent Agenda D (Resolution 1294) Approved 3-0
32. Authorize the president of the Industrial Development Corporation to sign a $334,000 agreement with the Northwest Economic Council? (Commissioners acting as the Industrial Development Corporation.) The Industrial Development Corporation, the port, city of Bellingham and Whatcom County signed an agreement to take a coordinated approach (see commission meeting on 12/7/2010, vote #174) for funding and contracting with economic development service providers. Whatcom County will be responsible for 49.45 percent of the funding, the port for 27.47 percent and the city of Bellingham for 23.08 percent. (IDC Agenda Item 2) Approved 3-0
33. Authorize the president of the Industrial Development Corporation to sign a $25,000 agreement with the Technology Alliance Group of Northwest Washington? (Commissioners acting as the Industrial Development Corporation.) Formerly known as Bellingham/Whatcom Technology Alliance Group this vote, like the previous vote, is part of the coordinated approach (see commission meeting on 12/7/2010, vote #174) for funding and contracting with economic development service providers Whatcom County will be responsible for 49.45 percent of the funding, the port for 27.47 percent and the city of Bellingham for 23.08 percent. (IDC Agenda Item 3) Approved 3-0
34. Authorize the executive director to spend $74,165 to purchase Bellingham airport parking lot equipment from Entrance Control of Tukwila? Entrance will provide and install barrier gates, ticket dispenser, fee computer and attendant booth for phase five of the parking lot expansion project. This sole source contract is required because the parking lot equipment needs to be compatible with previous purchases from Entrance Control. (Consent Agenda A) Approved 3-0
35. Authorize the executive director to sign a $56,000 change order with American Construction Co. of Tacoma to repair storm water damage in Fairhaven? Wind and cold weather on 11/20/2010 caused damages to the Coast Guard bulkhead and damaged timbers at the Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park. The timber damage was caused by a vessel that broke free in the storm. Port staff recommended American Construction because it is performing similar work that was approved at the 10/5/2010 meeting, vote #136. A contingency fee of $10,000 brings the total contract to $66,000. (Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
36. Delegate authority to the executive director to develop and implement an incentive program for active commercial fishing vessels operating out of Squalicum or Blaine harbors? The moorage rate would be reduced from $6.92 to $5.39 resulting in a reduced income from $200,000 to $250,000. (Action Item 2) Failed 1-2, Jim Jorgensen and Scott Walker opposed.
37. Delegate authority to the executive director to develop an incentive program to be presented at the 3/1/2011 meeting for active commercial fishing vessels operating out of Squalicum or Blaine harbors? (Action Item 2) Approved 3-0
38.Authorize the executive director to sign a $180,695 contract (amendment #2) with Reid Middleton, Inc. of Everett for final design and permit services for two water retention ponds at the Bellingham airport? The original contract was approved at the 8/17/2010 meeting, vote #123. The southwest pond serves two-thirds of the runway/taxiways, commercial apron, general aviation areas and one-half of the Mitchell Way development area. The work is eligible for 95 percent federal (FAA) reimbursement funding.This amendment initiates the Alderwood pond design and permitting and brings the total revised contract to $268,741. (Action Item 3) Approved 3-0
39. Authorize the executive direct to sign a $295,623 contract (amendment #1) with CH2M HILL of Englewood, Colo., for phase 2 design and permitting services for the wetland mitigation project on Slater Road? The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit (11/16/2010 meeting, vote #161) allowing 8.9 acres at the airport to be filled for the terminal building expansion project. Approximately 37 acres of wetland will be created on state property on Slater Road adjacent to unnamed tributaries of Spring Creek. Phase 2 involves creating a hydrologic and hydraulic model of the site to determine the water budget to ensure that the habitat will be sufficiently watered to survive over the long term. This vote brings the total amended contract to $320,623. (Action Item #4) Approved 3-0
