Port of Bellingham

1. Authorize the executive director to sell property estimated at $10,000 or less? State law requires annual renewal of the authority to sell surplus port property. (Resolution 1029-L) Approved 3-0

2. Delegate administrative powers and duties to the executive director? The powers streamline various housekeeping duties and legal transactions. These powers are renewed annually. (Resolution 1106-I) 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? These powers are renewed annually. (Resolution 1183-D) Approved 3-0

4. Adopt the rules, regulations and procedures for Blaine and Squalicum harbors for 2007? There are no changes in the rules, regulations and procedures. (Resolution 1226-A) Approved 3-0

5. Modify the 2007 operating and capital budgets and the 2007 strategic plan? They were first approved at the 11/21/06 meeting, vote number 123. Changes to the original vote: operating income is increased by $119,590; public priority expenses are increased by $20,413 and the 2007 capital budget is decreased by $216,340. (Resolution 1238-A) Approved 3-0

6. Modify the 2007 property tax levy? When the levy was approved at the 11/21/06 meeting, vote number 124, the port had not received notification of assessed valuation. The commission had two levy options: they could choose a levy with a projected income of $7,770,930 and a rate of 38 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation or one with a projected income of $6,939,388 and a rate of 34 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The commission choose the latter levy. (Resolution 1239-A) Approved 3-0

7. Maintain the maximum property tax levy? Given the estimated costs for cleanup and development of the former Georgia-Pacific property and ambitious plans in other areas, there is a need to preserve the maximum taxing authority. (Resolution 1240) Approved 3-0

8. Appoint John Carter as auditor and Erin Ossesarde as deputy auditor for fiscal year 2007? John Carter is the chief financial officer; state law requires that the auditor monitor all port expenditures, comply with state law and port policies, control all invested funds and report directly to the commission. Approved 3-0

9. Approve port rents for 2007? Rents for the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, Squalicum Boathouse, parks and open space, Blaine Boating Center and aviation center will increase an average of $26.39 or 10 percent. Approved 3-0

10. Approve the officers and dates of regular port commission meetings? The officers will be: Scott L. Walker-president, Douglas G. Smith-vice president, Jim Jorgensen-secretary. The meetings will be held at 1801 Roeder Avenue on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 3 p.m. Approved 3-0

11. Approved 2007 committee nominations?1 See footnote for specific committees and organizations. Approved 3-0

12. Increase the base salary of the executive director by 6 percent? The salary for the executive director was last increased on 1/1/05. In the future, the salary will be discussed with work on the budget and approved with the final budget. Approved 3-0

13. Renew an $80,000 agreement with WWU’s Small Business Development Center? First approved on 7/2/03, the development center provides business counseling to small cities and rural areas of the county. Half the funding is from the Industrial Development Corporation. Approved 3-0

14. Authorize the port’s legal counsel to enter into a contract up to $155,000 with the Retec Group of Concord, Mass., for environmental consulting? Since 1996, the Retec Group has been the port’s environmental consultant for over 20 sites and has helped (along with the port’s legal counsel) to recover cleanup costs from liable parties. Approved 3-0

15. Renew a lease agreement with the Northwest Discovery Project? The port is contributing $34,750 for the operation of the Marine Life Center; the agreement runs from 1/1/07 through 12/31/07. In 1995, the port entered into a yearly agreement with the Northwest Discovery Project to operate the center. Since 2005, the center has charged admission to be used for operation, maintenance and repair, reducing the port’s funding participation. The port supports the Northwest Discovery Project’s goal of creating a regional aquarium. Approved 3-0

16. Appoint the Industrial Development Corporation officers and establish the meeting dates? The officers will be: Scott L. Walker-president, Douglas G. Smith-vice president, Jim Jorgensen-secretary and John Carter-treasurer. Meetings will be held in conjunction with port meetings and occur “as needed.” Approved 3-0

17. Adopt the 2007 Industrial Development Corporation budget of $118,100? The IDC charges a fee to issuers of industrial revenue bonds. These fees can only be used for economic development purposes. The 2007 budget anticipate revenues of $135,505. Approved 3-0

Whatcom Council of Governments: Scott L. Walker and (alternative) Jim Jorgensen

Washington Public Ports Association: Scott L. Walker and (alternative) Douglas G. Smith

Public Art Advisory Team: Jim Jorgensen

Not appointed were representatives to: Association of Pacific Ports, Puget Sound Ports Group and American Association of Port Authorities. If necessary, they will be appointed at a future date.

18. Authorize the executive director to increase by $79,000 a contract with Deric Willett Construction of Bellingham for security and utility connections at the Bellingham airport? The original contract was approved (before the design was completed, permits issued or it was reviewed by the federal government) at the 12/5/06 meeting, vote number 125. This vote brings the total contract to $253,669. Approved 3-0

19. Authorize the executive director to spend $70,335 to purchase security system upgrades for the Bellingham airport from ASG (Aronson Security Group) of Seattle? To be purchased: seven magnetic lock/alarm/proximity readers and all associated circuits; two security cameras and associated circuits; security fencing; a canopy covering the entry and exit ramps of the module and miscellaneous items required by the building permit. A 10 percent contingency fee brings the total to $77,335. Approved 3-0