March 2010
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham Commission
Compiled by David Camp
Action Taken at January 5, 2010 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-O) Approved 2-0, Michael McAuley abstained.
2. Delegate certain administrative powers and duties to the executive director and designees? Two housekeeping items were added to the powers and duties. The powers run from 2/1/10 to 1/31/11. New Business 4 (Resolution 1106-L ) 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? New Business 6 (Resolution 1183-G) Approved 3-0
4. Approve changes to the rules, regulations and procedures for Blaine and Squalicum Harbor in 2010? Many Alaska fishermen do not bring the fishing vessels back to Whatcom County, just their nets and gear. One change removes the higher web locker rates for fishermen who do not moor a fishing vessel at Squalicum Harbor. New Business 9 (Resolution 1226-E) Approved 3-0
5. Appoint Rob Fix as auditor and Tamara Sobjack as deputy auditor for fiscal year 2010? (Consent Agenda C) Approved 2-0, Michael McAuley abstained.
6. Reaffirm the Chmelik, Sitkin, & Davis law firm as the port’s general legal counsel for 2010? The hourly rate of $200 per hour established in 2001 will remain in effect.(Consent Agenda E) Approved 2-0, Michael McAuley abstained.
7. Authorize the interim executive director to make a $45,213 payment to the Washington Public Ports Association for 2010 membership dues? (Consent Agenda F) Approved 2-0, Michael McAuley abstained.
8. Select officers and regular port commission meetings for 2010? The officers will be: president, Jim Jorgensen; vice president, Michael McAuley; secretary, Scott Walker. The regular meetings for 2010 will be the first and third Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. (New Business 1) Approved 3-0
9. Approve nominations for commissioners to serve on organizations and committees1? See footnote for specific committees and organizations. (New Business 2) Approved 3-0
10. Adopt rental revenue standards for 2010? The high end of the range did not increase because of the overall market stagnation of real estate values. (New Business 3) Approved 3-0
11. Authorize the interim 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? (New Business 5) Approved 3-0
12. Authorize the interim executive director to terminate an agreement with the Whatcom County sheriff regarding the use of a portable explosives detector? The agreement was approved at the 2/7/06 meeting, vote number 23. The detector, owned by the sheriff, was kept at the airport and the port was responsible for routine maintenance and damage repair. This system has never been used and the airport now has other means of detecting explosives. (New Business 7) Approved 3-0
13. Authorize the port’s legal counsel to sign contracts up to $147,745 with Anchor QEA of Seattle and other consultants for environmental support? Frank Chmelik, port legal counsel, voiced the opinion that given the legal nature of the services provided, Anchor QEA is the sole source for this service. The recent settlement on the Northwest Fuel site (see 12/15/09 meeting, vote number 187) is an example of the support services. (New Business 8) Approved 3-0
14. Authorize the interim executive director to sign a $23,323 contract (amendment #1) with Farallon Consulting of Issaquah for water sampling and data analysis in Blaine Harbor? In June 1998, the federal government issued a permit for moorage expansion in Blaine Harbor. Besides fecal coliform monitoring, the project is required to develop a long-term water quality monitoring plan addressing post-project water quality. The contract total is $39,405. (New Business 10) Approved 3-0
15. Approve the expenditure of $35,074 to perform a survey on the condition of the gillnet loading zone pier at Squalicum Harbor? The structure is used by commercial fishermen, marine fuelers, upland marine services and other marine tenants. Fuel trucks and large cargo vehicles frequently use the pier to access vessels. (New Business 11) Approved 3-0
16. Adopt liability insurance standards for fiscal year 2010? There is no change in the 2010 standards. (New Business 12) Approved 3-0
17. Approve event and facility rental fees for 2010 and 2011 and update public space use policies and procedures? Added to the rental facilities are the conference rooms in the Technology Development Center and the conference rooms in the buildings at 625 and 921 Cornwall Avenue. (New Business 13) Approved 3-0
18. Appoint Industrial Development Corporation officers and establish the date, time and location of meetings for 2010? The officers will be: president – Jim Jorgensen; vice president – Michael McAuley; secretary – Scott Walker; treasurer – Rob Fix. IDC meetings will be held as needed in conjunction with regular port commissioner meetings. (IDC 2) Approved 3-0
19. Approve the Industrial Development Corporation budget for 2010 budget? The budget anticipates revenues of $219,829 and expenses of $344,749. The 2009 year-end balance was $760,606. (IDC 3) Approved 3-0
1Northwest Economic Council
• Michael McAuley and (alternate) Jim Jorgensen
Whatcom Council of Governments
• Scott Walker and (alternate) Michael McAuley
Washington Public Ports Association
• Scott Walker and (alternate) Jim Jorgensen
Economic Development Investment Committee
• Jim Jorgensen
Public Art Advisory Team
• Jim Jorgensen
Action Taken at January 19, 2010 Meeting
Shall the commission:
20. Authorize the interim executive director to sign an addendum to the Small City Economic Development program allowing city of Nooksack to participate? The city of Nooksack has not previously participated in the program, has not applied for the program and has not given any indication of a project. (New Business 1) Approved 3-0
21. Authorize the commission president to sign letters supporting federal funding for the final phase of the city of Blaine’s sewer treatment plant? The final phase of the work will reroute all waste and water from the current plant on Semiahmoo Spit to the new facility at Lighthouse Park. This will allow the Semiahmoo site to be developed into a Native American historical site. (New Business 2) Approved 3-0
