January 2010
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham Commission
Compiled by David Camp
Action Taken at October 20, 2009 Meeting
Shall the commission:
157. Authorize the staff to write a resolution of appreciation to be presented to Louise Bjornson? She is a friend of the port and has been a member of the Bellingham City Council since 1988. This is her final year on the council. The resolution will be presented to Ms. Bjornson at her retirement party. (Resolution 1273) Approved 3-0
158. Authorize the interim executive director to settle an insurance claim for damage to the Bellingham Shipping Terminal? On 2/4/08, a tug and barge accident at the shipping terminal caused estimated damages of $213,197. At the 9/2/08 meeting, vote number 110, the commission approved a contract with General Construction of Everett for pier repairs at the terminal. The pier repairs have been completed at a cost of $223,124. A $25,000 deductible with the Lexington Insurance Company resulted in a payment of $198,124. (New Business 1) Approved 3-0
Action Taken at November 3, 2009 Meeting
Shall the commission:
159. Declare Blaine boathouse M-21 surplus and authorize it to be sold? The port acquired the boathouse in a small claims judgement to recoup delinquent moorage fees, taxes, liens and miscellaneous costs. The assessed value of the boathouse is $17,000; the port is owed $9,071 for delinquent moorage fees and other costs. (Resolution 1272) Approved 3-0
160. Authorize the use of a master tax-exempt installment purchase agreement to finance equipment approved for replacement? The agreement with Key Government Finance (a Colorado corporation) will allow the costs of replacing the equipment in the 2009 strategic budget to be spread over a multi-year period. (Resolution 1274) Approved 3-0
161. Declare a rotating beacon surplus and authorize the interim executive director to dispose of the beacon by providing it to the Heritage Flight Museum? The Port of Bellingham acquired the beacon in 1957 when the airport was transferred from Whatcom County to the port. The beacon failed in 2006 and in August 2008, the beacon tower was taken down to make room for the rescue and fire fighting station. (Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0
162. Authorize the interim executive director to extend a contract with VanderVeen Family Transport of Bellingham for the disposal of leachate from the Bellingham wood waste landfill site? Tanker trucks dispose of the leachate from the airport landfill in the former G-P treatment lagoon. Based on volume hauled in recent years, approximately 2.3 million gallons of leachate will be hauled to the lagoon for the same price ($0.0162 per gallon) as 2009. The amount of the contract is $37,260 for a revised total of $211,209. The contract runs from 1/1/10 to 12/3/10. (Consent Agenda E ) Approved 3-0
163. Authorize the interim executive director to award the low bid of $147,343 to Myers General of Bellingham for lighting and fencing project at The Waterfront District? The aim of this project is to improve security at the former G-P site. Approximately 2,900 lineal feet of chain link fencing and 40 street lights will be installed. The project was advertised and eight bids were received. A contingency fee of $22,106 brings the total contract to $169,479. (New Business 1) Approved 3-0
164. Renew and modify a lease with Teal Jones Lumber Services? The downturn in the economy has made it difficult for Teal Jones to remain open and make lease payments. The Sumas facility employes between 30 to 50 workers. The revised lease agreement gives six months free rent over the five-year renewal term and forgives late fees on some 2009 payments if they are brought up to date by the end of the year. The port will receive $761,271 in rent over the next five years, a net reduction of $48,608. (New Business 2) Approved 3-0
165. Terminate a lease with Dakota Port Service and approve a lease for the same property with the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe? The tribe purchased Dakota Port Service and will operate a fish buying facility at the site in Blaine to supply their processing facility in La Conner. Rent to the port will be $91,969 over five years. (New Business 3) Approved 3-0
166. Amend the lease with Bellwether Gate B for construction of the second building in zone 1 of Bellwether on the Bay? The project includes four multi-use buildings; three building will be constructed in zone 1 and one building in zone 2. The second building in zone 1 will be three stories of approximately 14,000 square feet. This amendment is necessary because the developer has decided to add two residential units on the top floor. The port’s approval is necessary for the developer to obtain a city building permit. (New Business 4) Approved 3-0
167. Approve a supplemental lease (agreement #1) with the federal government for the Olympic Coordination Center? At the 1/6/09 meeting, vote number 14, the commission authorized the executive director to enter into a lease with the federal government for the International Trade building at the Bellingham airport to house the 2010 Olympics Coordination Center. “Special” building improvements were estimated at $940,00, the actual cost was $541,786. This supplemental lease will reduce the amount the federal government is required to reimbursement to the port to actual incurred costs. (New Business 6) Approved 3-0
168. Approve rental rates for meeting rooms at the Waterfront Innovation Zone’s Technology Development Center? Two meeting rooms, the training room and the conference room are available for rental. Annual revenue is estimated at $4,800. (New Business 7) Approved 3-0
Action Taken at November 17, 2009 Meeting
Shall the commission:
169. Allow British Petroleum West Coast Products to issue $26 million in tax-free bonds to construct solid waste and sewage control facilities at the company’s Cherry Point refinery? (Public hearing held) This vote brings total authorized industrial revenue bond sales to $206 million.1 (Industrial Development Corporation Resolution 68) Approved 2–0, Scott Walker absent.
170. Support Industrial Development Corporation Resolution 68 allowing BP West Coast Products to sell $26 million in tax-free bonds? BP is solely responsible for the repayment of the bonds. The applicant also pays the port an annual serving fee. (Resolution 1275) Approved 2–0, Scott Walker absent.
171. Adopt the 2010 operating/capital budget? The year 2010 begins with reserves of $23.5 million, anticipates revenues of $60 million, expenses of $58.9 million and end reserves of $24.6 million. When the county assessor provides a final property assessment, staff will prepare a modified resolution. (Resolution 1276) Approved 2–0, Scott Walker absent.
172. Adopt the 2010 property tax levy? The 2010 property tax levy was 32 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation and tax levy income estimated at $7,423,308. The revenue increase for 2010 is estimated at $216,214. When the county assessor provides a final property assessment, staff will prepare a modified resolution. (Resolution 1277) Approved 2–0, Scott Walker absent.
1The first bond sale of $23 million was approved at the 12/19/01 meeting, vote number 67. At the 3/26/02 meeting, vote number 27, a bond sale of up to $22 million was approved; at the 3/4/03 meeting, vote number 25, a bond sale of up to $24 million was approved; at the 12/5/06 meeting, vote number 125, a bond sale of up to $50 million was approved and at the 10/2/07 meeting, vote number 11, a bond sale of up to $61 million was approved.
