April 2010
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham Commission
Compiled by David Camp
Action Taken at February 2, 2010 Meeting
Shall the commission:
21. Allow BP (British Petroleum) West Coast Products to issue up to $800 million in tax-free bonds to construct solid waste and sewage control facilities at their Cherry Point Refinery? This vote increases the amount from $300 million that was approved at the 6/5/07 meeting, vote number 71. Before BP can issue bonds beyond the $206,000,000 already approved the port commission must approve the issue. (Industrial Development Corporation Resolution 69) Approved 2-0, Scott Walker abstained.
22. Adopt a policy for personal service contracts and agreements? In 2008, the Washington State Legislature amended the laws relating to ports’ contracting for personal services and requiring port districts to adopt a policy for personal service contracting. In 2007, the Port of Bellingham adopted purchasing procedures that exceeded the procedures and dollar thresholds suggested by the Washington Public Ports Association. This policy has been developed to meet the requirements of the new law and to be compatible with existing port procedures. New Business 1 (Resolution 1279) Approved 3-0
23. Support Industrial Development Corporation Resolution 69 allowing BP West Coast Products to issue up to $800 million in tax-free bonds? BP is solely responsible for the repayment of the bonds. The applicant also pays the IDC an annual serving fee. New Business 10 (Resolution 1280) Approved 2-0, Scott Walker abstained.
24. Authorize the interim executive director to spend $43,135 for automated parking lot equipment at the Bellingham airport? The equipment will be used at the main parking lot when the expansion is completed in early 2011. At the 11/16/04 meeting, vote number 112, the commission approved a sole bid from Entrance Control of Tukwila for parking lot equipment. This sole source contract is required because the parking lot equipment needs to be compatible with previous purchases from Entrance Control. Equipment purchased from the company at the 11/16/04 meeting, vote number 112, the 5/20/08 meeting, vote number 74 and the 3/3/09 meeting, vote number 39 totals $220,530. (Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
25. Authorize the interim executive director to amend a lease with Bellingham Technical College for their meteorological tower? The commission approved the original lease for 18 months at the 10/7/08 meeting, vote number 115. The tower is 50 meters tall and collects wind data at three different elevations. The port is seeking the data for use in the design of the new marina, design of structures in the Waterfront District and the feasibility of placing a wind power generating facility on The Waterfront District property. This vote extends the lease to 7/30/11. (Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0
26. Revise the port’s moorage tariff at Squalicum Harbor, Fairhaven Terminal and Blaine Harbor? The goal of the revised moorage tariff is improving customer service. The current billing practice creates confusion and has been perceived as overcharging. Currently, customers leaving or arriving in a partial month are billed a combination of the daily or weekly rate up to, but not to exceed the monthly rate. The billing will be changed to a monthly proration of moorage. (Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0
27. Terminate a lease with Sunrise Mortgage Company? The lease is due to expire on 4/30/10, the early termination is sought because of health problems. This vote terminates the lease on 2/28/10 with a revenue loss of $1,341. (Consent Agenda I) Approved 3-0
28. Authorize the interim executive director to sign a lease extension with Northwest Discovery Project for the period 1/1/10 through 3/31/10? In 1995, the port entered into a yearly agreement with the Northwest Discovery Project to operate the Marine Life Center. Since 2005, the center has charged admission to be used for operation, maintenance and repair. The Marine Life Center had approximately 19,000 visitors in 2009, down from 23,000 visitors in 2008. Commissioner Walker introduced a substitute motion to provide funds for the first quarterly and invite Marine Life Center board members to the next commission work study session to discuss port subsidies. (New Business 3) Substitute approved 3-0.
29. Authorize the interim executive director to sign a $30,281 contract (amendment #2) with TranTech Engineering of Bellevue to perform construction management services and field survey at the intersection of Roeder Avenue and Bellwether Way? This is the third phase of the traffic signalization project. An agreement with the city of Bellingham (see 7/7/09 meeting, vote number 104) requires a traffic signal at the intersection prior to the city issuing a certificate of occupancy for a second building at Bellwether Gate. This vote brings the total amended contract to $99,406. (New Business 4) Approved 3-0
30. Authorize the executive director to sign a $25,000 contract (amendment #1) with Bennett Engineering of Bellingham for the design, engineering and permitting to close the airport woodwaste landfill? The original contract for $100,000 was approved at the 2/3/09 meeting, vote number 27. The Whatcom County Health Department is supervising the woodwaste landfill closure. The landfill is listed by the state of Washington as a hazardous waste site. Leachate from the landfill is currently being trucked to the G-P treatment lagoon. The port plans on closing the treatment lagoon to leachate dumping and turning it into a marina. Bennett Engineering is working on a plan to construct a pump station and dispose of treated leachate in the city of Bellingham’s sewer system. The vote brings the total contract to $125,000. (New Business 5) Approved 3-0
31. Authorize the interim executive director to sign a $73,700 contract (amendment #9) with Landau Associates of Edmonds for the remedial investigation/feasibility study of the Weldcraft site? The recently completed sediment investigation needs to integrated into the remedial investigation/feasibility study and cleanup action plan, this vote brings the total contract to $383,900 and the deadline is extended to 12/31/10. (New Business 6) Approved 3-0
32. Authorize the executive director to sign a $71,415 contract (amendment #1) 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. This vote brings the total contract to $124,298 and the deadline is extended to 3/31/11. (New Business 7) Approved 3-0
33. Spend $104,628 to hire three employees for the Bellingham airport? Allegiant Air intends to increase operations above 35 flights a week with MD 80 aircraft starting in March of this year. The MD 80 is a Index “C” aircraft; with 35 or more flights a week the required the number of aircraft rescue employees must increase from two to three per shift for 16 hours per day. (New Business 8) Approved 3-0
34. Authorize the interim executive director to sign a $40,000 agreement with WWU’s Center for Economic Vitality Business Outreach Program? The development center provides business counseling services to retain and expand businesses in rural Whatcom County. In 2002, the port commission approved an agreement with WWU’s Small Business Development Center. In 2006, the agreement was rewritten to automatically renew every year. In 2009, the Small Business Development Center name was changed to the Center for Economic Vitality Business Outreach Program. This new agreement also provides counseling services to port tenants. (New Business 12) Approved 3-0
Action Taken at February 16, 2010 Meeting
Shall the commission:
35. Authorize the executive director to utilize a supplemental bidder responsibility criteria in appropriate public work projects as determined by the executive director? This authorization adds a second level of evaluation to the bidding process so that the low bidder must also meet the supplemental bid responsibilities in order to be granted the project. This resolution is authorized by state law. New Business 4 (Resolution 1281) Approved 3-0
36. Authorize the interim executive director to sign a $20,000 contract with the Bellingham/Whatcom Technology Alliance Group to identify opportunities and projects for the port’s Technology Development Center? At the 11/4/08 meeting, vote number 130, the commission approved a contract with TAG to produce a directory of companies, research facilities at local colleges and private consulting firms. At the 12/1/09 meeting, vote number 175, the commission approved a contract with TAG to expand the online directory with a questionnaire sent to companies in the database. The current vote will identify customers that are interested in taking advantage of the services at the port’s Technology Development Center. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland will provide “data mining software” for the project. (New Business 1) Approved 3-0
37. Authorize the interim executive director to sign an agreed order with the state of Washington to complete a site-wide remedial investigation/feasibility study at the Harris Avenue shipyard site? A draft of the agreed order was released for public comment in October 2009. The Harris Avenue shipyard site includes upland and aquatic land that is currently used for shipyard and boat manufacturing operations. The port entered into an agreement with the state of Washington at the 12/17/02 meeting, vote number 121, to complete a remedial investigation/feasibility (RI/FS) study for contaminated marine sediments under the Model Toxics Control Act. A sediments remedial investigation/feasibility study was completed in 2004. The state has requested that the RI/FS be expanded to include upland property. At the 5/6/08 meeting, vote number 66, the commission approved a $359,458 contract with Floyd/Snider LLC of Seattle to complete a remedial investigation/feasibility study at the Harris Avenue shipyard. (New Business 2) Approved 3-0
38. Authorize the commission president to sign a letter supporting federal funding of the North Puget Sound Clean Ocean Training, Research and Innovation Initiative? The initiative is a joint venture of Western Washington University, Bellingham Technical College and the Northwest Indian College. The intent is to train students for skilled jobs in renewable energy, clean marine technology and aquatic conservation. The cost of the facility is estimated at $9 million of which $2,370,000 has been secured. (New Business 3) Approved 3-0
