December 2011
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham Commission
Action Taken at September 6, 2011 Meeting
Shall the commission:
126. Authorize the executive director to accept a $200,000 grant from Whatcom County for improvements to the building at 300 Harris Avenue? At the 11/16/2010 meeting, vote #156, the commission authorized the executive director to apply for a $500,000 loan from the Economic Development Investment Program. The county administers the program, the money comes from portions of the rural sales tax which can only be used for public facility projects. At the County Council meeting on 1/11/2011, vote #8, the council approved the $500,000 loan. When building improvements went over budget, port staff applied to the EDI for a $200,00 grant. (Action Item 1) Approved 3-0
127. Authorize the executive director to accept a $371,943 federal grant for the Bellingham airport? The FAA grant will be used for seating in the expanded terminal building, signage and modification of the de-icing system. The federal grant covers 95 percent of the projects and the port the other five percent for a total of $391,519. This is the third and final grant for this year. The previous grants were reported at the 6/21/2011 meeting, vote #98, and the 6/19/2011 meeting, vote #109. The three federal grants total $2,479,620 and the port portion of $130,366 for a total of $2,607,322 for the projects. (Action Item 2) Approved 3-0
128. Authorize the executive director to sign a $171,800 contract (amendment #5) with Landau Associates of Edmonds to provide construction oversight for the Cornwall Avenue landfill site? Dredge sediment from the Gate 3 F&G dredge and float replacement project (see 6/19/2011 meeting, votes #113/114) will be used as a cap on the Cornwall Avenue landfill. 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. Fifty percent of the costs are eligible for state Model Toxics Control Act grants. The port, city of Bellingham and state Department of Natural Resources have been named as potentially liable parties and are responsible for the cleanup. Under an agreement the mayor of Bellingham signed with the port (see the City Council meeting on 11/7/2005, votes #232/233), the city purchased 49 percent of the Cornwall Avenue site from the port for $2,450,000 and agreed to spend an additional $3,700,000 for cleanup. A contingency fee of $17,180 brings this amendment to $188,980 and the total amended contract to $445,610. (Action Item 3) Approved 3-0
129. Authorize the executive director to sign a Model Toxics Control Act grant (amendment #3) with the state of Washington for the Cornwall Avenue landfill site to increase the amount of state money available by $2,307,650? The signature does not authorized the port to receive any money, only to be reimbursed an additional $2,307,650 for cleanup expenditures. This amendment increases total cleanup costs from $1,718,000 to $6,333,300 and increases the state contribution from $859,000 to $3,166,650, which is 50 percent of the total cost and the amount available under the Model Toxics Control Act. (Action Item 4) Approved 3-0
130. Authorize the executive director sign a Model Toxics Control Act grant (amendment #3) with the state of Washington for The Waterfront District to increase the amount of state money available by $2,307,650? The signature does not authorized the port to receive any money for the former Georgia-Pacific site, only to be reimbursed an additional $2,307,650 for cleanup expenditures. This amendment increases total cleanup costs from $1,718,000 to $6,333,300 and increases the state contribution from $859,000 to $3,166,650, which is 50 percent of the total cost and the amount available under the Model Toxics Control Act. (Action Item 5) Approved 3-0
131. Authorize the executive director to sign a Model Toxics Control Act grant (amendment #4) with the state of Washington for the Harris Avenue Shipyard site to increase the amount of state money available by $747,041? The signature does not authorized the port to receive any money, only to be reimbursed an additional $747,041 for cleanup expenditures. This amendment increases total cleanup costs from $1,494,082 to $1,830,082 and increases the state contribution from $168,000 to $915,041, which is 50 percent of the total cost and the amount available under the Model Toxics Control Act. (Action Item 6) Approved 3-0
132. Authorize the executive director to sign a $35,765 contract (amendment #5) with Aspect Consulting of Seattle to increase the scope of the compliance groundwater monitoring for the Northwest Fuel site? The state requires four consecutive tests that indicate stable groundwater conditions to meet cleanup requirements. A bulk fuel terminal operated at the site from the 1930s until 2007. Tenants at the site have included Shell Oil (1935 to 1969) and Northwest Fuel Company (1969 to 2004). In early 2002, Northwest Fuel merged with another company to firm Transmart Petroleum. Federated Insurance will pay for ninety percent of the cleanup, $1,011,774 and 50 percent of the remaining costs can be recovered under a state grant program. Shell Oil is still liable for any remaining contamination removal costs after site remediation. This amendment brings the total contract to $303,048. (Action Item #7) Approved 3-0
133. Authorize the executive director to sign a $7,076 contract (amendment #1) with Western Refinery Services of Ferndale for the Squalicum Harbor boat launch? Asphalt is being replaced at the sawtooth pier. During removal the asphalt was discovered to be thicker than anticipated resulting in added expense. This amendment bring the total contract to $156,676. (Action Item 8) Approved 3-0
134. Authorize the executive director to sign a $225,000 contract (amendment #1) with RAM Construction of Bellingham for additional work at the Bellingham airport southwest retention pond improvements? At the 7/5/2011 meeting, vote #106, a low bid of $1,360,148 plus a $123,649 contingency fee was awarded to RAM Construction to reduce the attraction of waterfowl. project has encountered extremely soft soils at the bottom of the existing pond that was unforeseen. The new pond bottom material was going to be placed over the top of the existing pond bottom. The softer and deeper anticipated material will not support the fill being place over it, and needs to be removed. The anticipated cost is $349,000, this vote adds $225,000 to the previous contingency fee of $123,649. AFAA grant will fund 95 percent of the improvements. This amendment brings the total contract to $1,585,148. (Action Item 9) Approved 3-0
135. Ratify the action taken by the executive director in declaring an emergency at the Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park? The main high voltage power line feeding the industrial park failed resulting in a complete power loss to the site. Potelco Inc. of Kent was selected to install a temporary splice allowing Puget Power to re-energize the wire to the site. The city requires permits for a new main disconnect on the power feed to bring the site up to code. The estimated cost of the temporary repair is $16,000. (Action Item 10) Approved 3-0
Action Taken at September 20, 2011 Meeting
Shall the commission:
136. Authorize the executive director to sign a Model Toxics Control Act grant (amendment #8) with the state of Washington for the I&J Waterway site to increase the amount of state money available by $666,780? The signature does not authorized the port to receive any money, only to be reimbursed an additional $666,780 for cleanup expenditures. This amendment increases total cleanup costs from $817230 to $1,634,460 and increases the state contribution from $150,450 to $817,230, which is 50 percent of the total cost and the amount available under the Model Toxics Control Act. (Consent Agenda A) Approved 3-0
137.Authorize the executive director to sign a Model Toxics Control Act grant (amendment #18) with the state of Washington for the Weldcraft Steel and Marine/Gate 2 Boatyard site to increase the amount of state money available by $500,000? The signature does not authorized the port to receive any money, only to be reimbursed an additional $500,000 for cleanup expenditures. This amendment increases total cleanup costs from $2,153,388 to $3,153,388 and increases the state contribution from $1,076,694 to $1,576,694, which is 50 percent of the total cost and the amount available under the Model Toxics Control Act. (Consent Agenda B) Approved 3-0
138. Authorize the executive director to sign a Model Toxics Control Act grant (amendment #3) with the state of Washington for the Central Waterfront site site to increase the amount of state money available by $1,182,057? The signature does not authorized the port to receive any money, only to be reimbursed an additional $1,182,057 for cleanup expenditures. This amendment increases total cleanup costs from $2,604,057 to $5,208,114 and increases the state contribution from $1,422,000 to $2,604,057, which is 50 percent of the total cost and the amount available under the Model Toxics Control Act. (Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
Action Take at October 4, 2011 Meeting
Shall the commission:
139. Change the petty cash custodian at the Blaine office and the change fund custodian at the Blaine boating center? Andy Peterson will replace Pam Taft at both locations. Consent Agenda E (Resolution 1301) Approved 3-0
140. Authorize the executive director to renew the port’s liability and auto insurance coverage? The premium will be $134,046 (10/1/2011 to 9/30/2012) and the broker is Alliant Insurance Services of Newport Beach, Calif. The premium is 1.9 percent or $2,512 above 2010-2011 coverage. The port’s property insurance coverage was approved at the 7/5/2011 meeting, vote #102. (Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
141. Authorize the executive director to sign a $33,060 contract (amendment #1) with KPFF Consulting Engineers of Seattle to perform engineering services for the Squalicum Harbor boat launch improvement project? New concrete floats will replace existing floats and guide piles, the boat ramp will be repaired, a new boat boat wash down area, associated water treatment and lighting systems will be constructed. The contingency fee of $3,175 bringing this amendment to $36,235 and the total contact to $67,985. (Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0
142. Approve a lease with Leap Frog Water Taxi for office and moorage space at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal? An aluminum passenger vessel that carries 20 passengers will begin serving San Juan Islands that have no ferry service in the spring of 2012. Seasonal whale watching trips and cruises will also be offered. The lease will be from 10/1/2011 to 9/30/2013. (Action Item 1) Approved 3-0
143. Authorize the executive director to sign a lease with Greenberry Industrial of Corvallis, Oregon, for approximately five acres of land and a 45,000 square foot warehouse space at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal? Greenberry will build modules to be installed on a safety response vessel that will operate in offshore drilling locations. Greenberry has purchase a 42,000 square foot facility in Ferndale. The land and building lease will be from 11/1/2001 to 6/30/2012. (Action Item 2) Approved 3-0
144. Authorize the executive director to award the low bid of $413,060 Parberry Environmental Solutions of Ferndale to dismantle and recycle three building at The Waterfront District? The three buildings at the former Georgia-Pacific site are the pulp storage warehouse, pulp screening room and bleach plant. The project is scheduled for 105 calendar day with completion expected in January 2012. The work was advertised and five bids were received. A contingency fee of $$41,306 brings the total contract to $454,366. (Action Item 3) Approved 3-0
145. Authorize the executive director to sign $8,785 contract (amendment #1) with ICF International of Fairfax, VA, to perform field cataloging and inventory for the dismantling and recycling of The Waterfront District buildings? The information catalog (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet) will record and track items salvages from the three buildings. The total amended contract is $34,710. (Agenda Item 4) Approved 3-0
146. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreement with the Bellingham Technical College to donate process instrumentation equipment from the former Georgia-Pacific buildings to the school? Port staff escorted BTC instructors thru the three building scheduled for demolition and they identified 22 items such as valves, gauges, meters, filters and controllers with an estimated value of $1,000. (Agenda Item 5) Approved 3-0
147. Authorize the executive director to award the low bid of $895,465 to Strider Construction Company of Bellingham to excavating soils in The Waterfront District? Soil in the in the Bunker C tank area contains high levels of oil-contaminated material. The extent of the contaminants to be removed is not fully known so the contingency fee of 20 percent is higher than normal. The work was advertised and nine bids were received. The port is eligible to be reimbursed for 50 percent of the costs under a Model Toxics Control Act grant and the remaining 50 percent through a Chartis Insurance package. The low bid was $163,164 under the engineer’s estimate. A contingency fee of $179,535 brings the total contract to $1,075,000. (Action Item 6) Approved 3-0
148. Authorize the executive director to sign a $114,400 contract with Landau Associates of Edmonds to perform planning and preliminary engineering for the Blaine Marina industrial area redevelopment project? This is the first phase of what is anticipated to be a multi-phase project over a number of years. Future phases will include detailed design, permitting and construction support services. A contingency fee of $20,000 brings the total contract of $134,400. (Action Item 7) Approved 3-0
149. Authorize the executive director to sign a $120,000 contract with Landau Associates of Edmonds to negotiate an Agreed Order with the state of Washington to conduct a remedial investigation/ feasibility study of the Westman Marine site in Blaine? Previous limited environmental investigations have documented metals contamination in marine sediment. The state has listed the site at the top of the Model Toxics Control Act priority list. A contingency fee of $12,000 brings the total contract to $132,000. (Action Item 8) Approved 3-0
150. Authorize the executive director to sign a $191,300 contract with Landau Associated of Edmonds to negotiate an Agreed Order with the state of Washington to conduct a remedial investigation/feasibility study of the Blaine Marine Tank Farm site? The tank farm has been listed by the state as a Model Toxics Control Act site. The site cleanup will be a multi-phase process. Previous environmental investigations have identified petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil and groundwater. A contingency fee of $19,130 brings the total contract to $210,430. (Action Item 9) Approved 3-0
151. Authorize the executive director to sign a $324,947 contract (amendment #9) with Aspect Consulting of Seattle for engineering design and construction management services for the Bunker C interim action plan at The Waterfront District? The port acquired the property from Georgia-Pacific in January of 2005. Soil and groundwater contamination requires remediation under the Model Toxics Control Act. At the 8/19/2008 meeting, vote #103, the commission approved the contract with Aspect Consulting for project scoping, remedial investigation field work and preparation of a draft report. Amendment eight was was approved at the 5/17/2011 meeting, vote #80. This amendment brings the total contract to $1,869,621. (Action Item 10) Approved 3-0
152. Approve a lease with the Bellingham Bay Community Boating Center? The Community Boating Center is a nonprofit corporation that promotes small human-powered boat use on Bellingham Bay. The lease is for premises located adjacent to the Bellingham Cruise Terminal at 555 Harris Avenue. The lease is for three years with one two-year renewal option. The lease is retroaction from 11/1/2011 through 10/31/2013. For the first year, the monthly rent is reduced from $905.46 to $903.54 and increased 2 percent for years two and three. (Action Item 11) Approved 3-0
Action Taken at October 18, 2011 Meeting
Shall the commission:
153. Adopt an updated Whatcom County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan? The plan was first approved at the 8/16/2005 meeting, vote #83. In order to receive federal disaster relief funds, the port commission must have an approved disaster plan. Consent Agenda B (Resolution 1302). Approved 3-0
154. Authorize the sale of one vessel and items in a dry storage unit for the nonpayment of fees? A moorage fee of $1,841 is owed on a 27-foot sailboat and a storage fee of $378 for two net boxes. An auction was held on November 17 and ?????. (Consent Agenda A) Approved 3-0
155. Authorize the executive director to sign an easement with the state of Washington for the placement and storage of fill material on a portion of the Cornwall Avenue landfill? Dredged material from Squalicum Harbor marina will re-contour approximately eight acres of the upland portion of the site and a landfill gas collection systems will be installed. 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. (Action Item 1) Approved 3-0
156. Authorize the executive director to sign $177,162 contract with URS Corporation of San Francisco for engineering and design of the first phase of the airport apron rehabilitation and reconstruction project? The apron is paved with asphalt, it has cracking and water is pooling. It is possible that water has migrated under the pavement and could result in damage to aircraft. Two subareas of Area 1A are covered in phase one, Subarea 1 covers approximately nine acres and Subarea 6 a little over one acres. The goal of the project is to extend the life of the pavement for another twenty years. The federal government (FAA) will reimburse the port for 95 percent of the cost. (Action Item 2) Approved 3-0
157. Authorize the executive director to increase a contract by $200,000 (amendment #2) with RAM Construction of Bellingham for additional work at the Bellingham airport southwest retention pond? The FAA criteria to reduce attraction of waterfowl must be met for an FAA grant to 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 project has encountered extremely soft soils at the bottom of the existing pond that was unforeseen. The new pond bottom material was going to be placed over the top of the existing pond bottom. The softer and deeper anticipated material will not support the fill being place over it, and needs to be removed. This amendment brings the total contract to $1,785,148 (Action Item 3) Approved 3-0
