September 2011
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham Commission
Action Taken at June 21, 2011 Meeting
Shall the commission:
98. Authorize the executive director to accept a federal grant of $512,675 to update the Bellingham airport master plan? The plan will cover five-, ten- and twenty-year periods. (Action Item 1) Approved 2-0, Jim Jorgensen absent.
99. Authorize the executive director to sign a $512,675 contract with URS Corporation of San Francisco for an updated Bellingham airport master plan? An updated airport master plan was last approved at the 3/2/2004 meeting, vote #26, when the number of passenger was 79,000 for the year. This year, the number of passengers is expected to be 488,000. (Action Item 2) Approved 2-0, Jim Jorgensen absent.
Action Taken at July 5, 2011 Meeting
Shall the commission:
100. Allow BP (British Petroleum) West Coast Products to issue up to $26 million in tax-free bonds to construct pollution control facilities at their Cherry Point Refinery? (Commissioners acting as the board of directors of the Industrial Development Corporation.) BP is solely responsible for the repayment of the bonds. The applicant also pays the IDC an annual serving fee. IDC 2A (Industrial Development Corporation Resolution 73) Approved 3-0
101. Support Industrial Development Corporation Resolution 73 allowing BP West Coast Products to issue up to $26 million in tax-free bonds? BP is solely responsible for the repayment of the bonds. Action Item 5 (Resolution 1300) Approved 3-0
102. Authorize the executive director to sign a contract to renew the port’s property insurance coverage? The $440,299 in property insurance will be with Alliant Insurance Company of Newport Beach, Calif., for the period 7/1/2011 through 7/1/2012. This premium is a 4 percent increase over the coverage that was approved at the 7/6/2010 meeting, vote #99. (Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
103. Authorize the executive director to spend $85,072 to purchase a four wheel drive tractor? The tractor with self-leveling loader will be purchased from the John Deere Company through Washington Tract of Lynden. This tractor will replace one purchased in 1995 and will be used for field mowing at the airport. The purchase is subject to an FAA grant that will cover 95 percent of the purchase price of the tractor. (Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0
104. Authorize the executive director to sign the 2010–2012 collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Firefighters, Local 106? The previous agreement for 1/1/06 to 12/31/08 with the International Association of Firefighters, Local 3266 was approved at the 8/15/2006 meeting, vote #95. The agreement was extended at the 6/2/2009, vote #83 until 12/31/2009 because IAFF Local 3266 was in the process of merging with the Bellingham Fire Department, Local 106. Negotiations for the current agreement became deadlocked and the bargaining teams jointly filed for mediation and a tentative agreement was reached on 6/8/2011. IAFF employees ratified the agreement on 6/23/2011. The employes are awarded a 2.5 percent wage increase; the increase is not retroactive. The three-year contract begins on 1/1/2010 and ends on 12/31/2012. (Action Item 1) Approved 3-0
105. Authorize the executive director to sign a $45,700 contract with KPFF Consulting Engineers of Seattle for a survey and analysis of the Blaine end pier? The work involves structural inspection and evaluation of piling, pier support structure and decking. The evaluation will recommend repairs, if needed. A contingency fee of $4,300 brings the total contract to $50,000. (Action Item 2) Approved 3-0
106. Authorize the executive director to award the low bid of $1,236,499 to RAM Construction of Bellingham for improvements to Bellingham airport southwest retention pond? The FAA criteria to reduce attraction of waterfowl must be met because an FAA grant will fund 95 percent of the improvements. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wetland fill permit requires an upgrade to the capacity and function of the pond. The work was advertised and four bids were received. The low bid was $254,561 under the engineer’s estimate. A contingency fee of $123,649 brings the total contract to $1,360,148. (Action Item 3) Approved 3-0
107. Authorize the executive director to sign a $99,901 contract (amendment 4) with Reid Middleton of Everett to provide construction support services for improvements to the Bellingham airport southwest retention pond? An FAA grant will fund 95 percent of the costs. A contingency fee of $10,000 brings this amendment to $109,901 and the total contract to $398,007. (Action Item 4) Approved 3-0
Action Taken at July 19, 2011 Meeting
Shall the commission
108. Approve a lease with Scotty Browns restaurant and lounge at the Bellingham airport? The five-year lease is for 1,400 square feet inside the secured area for a full-service restaurant and lounge. Approximately $500,000 in private funds will build and outfit the restaurant. The restaurant will be open for business no later than 3/1/2012. Rents will be based on 5.5 percent of gross sales. The restaurant will employ 25 people and generate an estimated $1.5 million in sales in the first year. (Action Item #2) Approved 2-0, Scott Walker absent.
109. Authorize the executive director to accept a $1,782,833 federal grant and contingent upon federal authorization up to $1,992,579 for work at the Bellingham airport? The FAA grant may be used for the southwest retention pond rehabilitation, a John Deere tractor, new seating, signage, de-icing system modification and the interactive training system. (Action Item 3) Amended and approved 2-0, Scott Walker absent.
110. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreed order for the Cornwall Avenue landfill (amendment #1) with the state of Washington for the Cornwall Avenue landfill? The agreed order is between the state, the port and the city of Bellingham. The commission initially authorized the executive director to sign the original order at the 12/7/2004 meeting, vote #115. The Bellingham City Council approved this agreed order amendment at the 6/6/2011 meeting, vote #96. The Cornwall Avenue landfill is approximately 16.5 acres located at the south end of Cornwall Avenue next to the bay. From 1888 to 1946 the property was used by a sawmill for log storage and wood disposal. Next it was used for municipal solid waste disposal from 1953-65. Then later the dumpsite was buried under a layer of soil. It outlines the work that will be needed to conduct an remedial investigation/feasibility study of the site and cleanup options. The proposed amendment allows interim cleanup actions and is also a detailed plan for an interim action which will use material dredged from Squalicum Harbor marina to re-contour an upland portion of the site then cover it with a waterproof sheet to redirect rainwater so that less water flows through the remaining municipal waste. The port needs to dredge the marina in order to maintain required water depths for navigation. Taking this interim action while the dredged material is available should make future cleanup of the site easier and more effective. The amendment is subject to modification based on public comments that was accepted until 7/6/2011. (Action Item 4) Approved 2-0, Scott Walker absent.
111. Authorize the interim executive director to sign a $1,362,766 contract (amendment #23) with Anchor QEA of Seattle for the phase 1 of the Whatcom Waterway cleanup project? The contract provides for final design and permitting of the inner Whatcom Waterway, the log pond area and the berth 1 area of the Bell Shipping Terminal. A contingency fee of $136,277 brings this contract to $1,499,043 and the total amended contract to $6,912,084. (Action Item 5) Approved 2-0, Scott Walker absent.
112. Authorize the executive director to award the low bid of $356,253 to Hytech Roofing of Lynden to re-roof FMIP Building 1 and BCT Warehouse 4? Building 1 will receive a standing seam metal roof, new gutters and downspouts. Warehouse 4 will receive a PVC membrane roof over the existing hot tar roof. A contingency fee of $35,647 brings the total contract to $391,900. The work was advertised and four bids were received. (Action Item 6) Approved 2-0, Scott Walker absent.
113. Authorize the executive director to award the low bid of $6,875,830 to Dutra Construction Company of San Rafael, Calif., for the Gate 3 F&G replacement and outer harbor dredging project? The project will replace floats, dredge a large portion of the outer harbor, the upland disposal of dredge material and reestablish beach habitat. At the 11/2/2011 meeting, vote #151 the commission authorize the sale of $43,470,000 in revenue bonds. Of the total, $10,566,000 is for the Gate 3 dredging and construction project. A contingency fee of $500,000 brings the total contract to $7,375,830. The work was advertised and seven bids were received. (Action Item 7) Approved 2-0, Scott Walker absent.
114. Authorize the executive director sign a $243,000 contract (amendment 11) with Reid Middleton of Everett to provide construction administration assistant for the Gate 3 F&G project? Besides performing administration assistant Reid Middleton will coordinate electrical upgrades to the parking area of Gate 3, which will allow for expansion of electrical service in the future. A contingency fee of $15,000 brings this contract to $258,000 and the total amended contract to $970,900. (Action Item 8) Approved 2-0, Scott Walker absent.
115. Authorize the executive director to sign a memorandum of understanding with Bellingham Cold Storage to coordinate dredging in Bellingham Bay? The port is in the process of replacing aging floats and dredging in the outer basin of harbor known as the Gate 3 project. The area abuts Bellingham Cold Storage. In three annual installments, Bellingham Cold Storage will contribute $100,000 toward dredging costs. (Action Item 9) Approved 2-0, Scott Walker absent.
