May 2011
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham Commission
Compiled by David Camp
Action Taken at March 1, 2011 Meeting
Shall the commission:
40. Authorize the chief financial officer to pay the state auditor an estimated $33,326 for the annual audit? The estimated amount doesn’t include travel and out-of-pocket costs. The audit will begin on April 4 and the port expects it to be completed in June. (Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
41. Authorize the sale of three vessels for the nonpayment of moorage fees? The three vessels owe a total of $8,163. A moorage fee of $3,434 on a 56-foot purse seiner was paid. A 32-foot Unflite cruiser with $2,699 in moorage fees is involved in bankruptcy proceedings. An auction was held on March 24 for a 26-foot wood Chris Craft, it was not sold. The J.G. Murphy Company in Kenmore may auction the Chris Craft; it has unpaid fees of $2,030. (Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0
42. Delegate authority to the executive director to develop and implement a two-part program to promote the local fishing industry and marine trades community? The moorage model passed at the 2/15/2011 meeting, vote #30, reduced the moorage rate for active commercial fishing vessels less than 80 feet from a rate of $6.92 to $5.90. The two-part program will encourage residents to moor their vessels in Whatcom County and port staff will work with local vessel owners, boat yards, suppliers and vendors to retain and promote local jobs. The estimated clost of the two-year two-part program is $25,000. (Action Item 1) Approved 3-0
43. Authorize the executive director to sign a $26,915 contract with The Gillmore Resource Group of Seattle to conduct a countywide survey about the airport? The survey will measure the community’s understanding of the airport and measure any concerns community members may have about the airport. There will be 600 questionnaires of approximately 20 questions collected by a 10-minute phone interview. Data collection will begin this month on March 14 and end on April 12. The final report will be delivered on May 6. A contingency fee of $2,691 bring the total contract to $29,606. (Action Item 2) Approved 3-0
44. Authorize the executive director to sign a $70,150 contract (amendment 2) with TEC, Inc. of Charlottesville, Va., to perform consulting services for the port’s environmental compliance assessment program? The program began in 1992, when the port started looking more closely at the impact of the port and tenant operations on port properties. This contract addresses stormwater regulations related to National Pollution Discharge Elimination System phase II municipal stormwater permit. Through the environmental compliance assessment program, the port provides stormwater education to tenants as well as illicit discharge detection and stormwater catch basin labeling. The original contract was approved at the 4/7/2009 meeting, vote #57 and amended at the 2/2/2010 meeting, vote #32. This amendment brings the total contract to $194,448. The contract begins on 4/1/2011 and ends on 3/31/2012. (Action Item 3) Approved 3-0
45. Authorize the executive director to sign a $98,933 contract (amendment 2) with Pacific Survey and Engineering of Bellingham for phase four of the Bellingham airport parking lot project? This vote is for supplemental construction management, materials testing and as-built submittals. The original contract was approved at the 3/2/2010 meeting, vote #43 and amended at the 6/6/2010 meeting, vote #107. This amendment brings the total contract to $323,568. (Action Item 4) Approved 3-0
46. Authorize the executive director to sign a $46,800 contract (amendment #2) with Anchor QEA of Seattle to perform engineering and design services for the Squalicum Creek restoration project? This project will help restore Bellingham Bay. At the 7/6/2010 meeting, vote #103, Anchor QEA (formerly Anchor Environmental) was authorized to produce a conceptual plan for major components of the project: habitat enhancement of the creek estuary, modification of two bridges, removal of the concrete bottom between the two bridges and replacement of a sewer trunk line. The estimated cost of the project is $1,750,000 and will be financed by grants secured by the city of Bellingham and the port. This amendment brings the total contract to $178,550. (Action Item 5) Approved 3-0
47. Authorize the executive director to award a $23,625 contract to ICF International of Fairfax, Va., to perform historical preservation consulting services to support demolition of three structures in The Waterfront District? The bleach plant, pulp storage building and pulp screen room will be demolished. Each structure will be dismantled to preserve the industrial history of the waterfront district. A contingency fee of $2,300 brings the total contract to $25,925. (Action Item 6) Approved 3-0
48. Renew the lease with the Bellingham Yacht Club? The Bellingham Yacht Club has been a port tenant at 2625 Harbor Loop since 1962. The rent for the five-year contract will increase 15 percent for years two through five bringing the total rent to $103,292. (Action Item 7) Approved 3-0
49. Authorize the commission president to sign an agreement with the Public Utility District of Whatcom County and the city of Lynden for a joint investigation and feasibility analysis of a community-sized biogas/methane production facility? An anaerobie digester would generate methane gas that could generate electricity, heat for central heating services, vehicle fuel and sale as natural gas. The total cost among all parties will not exceed $75,000. (Action Item 9) Approved 3-0
50. Authorize the executive director sign a temporary use permit with the state of Washington for the Slater Road wetland mitigation site? 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. (Action Item 10) Approved 3-0
Action Taken at March 15, 2011 Meeting
Shall the commission:
51. Adopt the comprehensive park, recreation and public access plan for port properties? (Public hearing held at March 1 meeting.) This vote repeals Resolution 1197 and replaces the comprehensive park and public access plan that was adopted at the 7/6/2004 meeting, vote #78. The new plan will guide the port over the next six years. Action Item 2 (Resolution 1295) Approved 3-0
52. Award the Small City Economical Development Fund grants totaling $70,000 to Blaine, Everson, Lynden, Nooksack and Sumas? The port started the small city grant program in 2004. The city of Blaine will receive $20,000 ($49,000 cash match) to extend Boblett Street to the Mercer Distribution and Transport border inspection facility. The facility will pre-inspect container/shipments for international shipments. The facility is within the Gateway Zone, the former Blaine airport. The city of Everson will receive $10,000 ($10,000 cash match) for the water system plan update. The plan is necessary for future growth and expansion of the city. The city of Nooksack will receive $10,000 ($10,000 cash match) for the water system plan update. The plan is necessary to create a 30-acre industrial zone in the Urban Growth Area. The city of Lynden will receive $30,000 ($10,000 cash match) for two projects. The first grant is the biomass digester feasibility study that the city is working in partnership with the Public Utility District, Port of Bellingham, Whatcom Farm Friends, other agencies and businesses. The second grant will help fund a feasibility review to create a public development authority. (Action Item 3) Approved 2-0, Scott Walker was out of the room.
53. Correct Aluminum Chambered Boats, Inc. write-off errors? At the 1/4/2011 meeting, vote #15, the commission approved a write-off of $173,301. This vote reduces the original write-of vote by $1,831 to $169,748 for real estate and $1,722 for the marine terminal. (Action Item 4) Approved 3-0
