July 2007
Watching Government
Port of Bellingham
by WW Staff
Action Taken at May 1, 2007 Meeting
Shall the commission:
59. Authorize the sale of four vessels and one dry storage unit for the non-payment of moorage and storage fees? The moorage fees for one vessel was paid. An auction was held on May 24 for three vessels and the dry storage unit; one vessel was sold. The J.G. Murphy Company in Kemore auctioned the two remaining vessels and the storage unit on June 16. Both vessels were sold, one for $300 and one for $200; the dry storage unit wasn’t sold. Approved 3-0
60. Authorize the executive director to sign a $66,812 contract with Baron Telecommunications of Bellingham to upgrade the voice communications system? Baron Telecommunications is the authorized dealer for Toshiba in Whatcom County. Approved 3-0
61. Authorize the executive director to sign a collective bargaining agreement with ILUW Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 7? The contract runs from 1/1/07 to 12/31/09 and gives employees a 3 percent raise each January 1. Four temporary/seasonal workers can be hired during peak periods. Approved 3-0
62. Renew a lease with Allegiant Air? Since June 2004, Allegiant Air has been making weekly trips to Las Vegas, Nevada. Beginning on 5/25/07, the airline will make three weekly trips to Reno, Nevada. Between 5/25/07 and 5/24/08, the port will spend up to $60,000 to assist the airline in marketing the Reno flights. Approved 3-0
63. Approve a one-year lease with Skybus Airlines? On 5/29/07, the low-fair airline began commercial service from Columbus, Ohio, to Bellingham. One-way fares for the first 10 passengers are $10; regular prices are $50 with higher fares for last minutes tickets. Skybus will lease space in the temporary module building (see next vote) and Slattery Ground Services (see vote 65) will perform ticketing, baggage handling and security. Approved 3-0
64. Authorize the executive director to enter into an agreement with Pacific Mobil of Marysville to rent a mobile office? The 28’ by 64’ building will be rented to Slattery Ground Services (see next vote) on a month-to-month basis. If needed, the building has additional space for another airline. Approved 3-0
65. Approve a lease with Slattery Ground Services for space in the mobile structure the port is leasing from Pacific Mobil? Slattery will perform ticketing services for Skybus Airlines in the mobile structure? Slattery will rent 200 square feet in the building for $400 per month plus state tax. Approved 3-0
66. Authorize the executive director to apply for a $15.5 million state grant to fund the design and implementation of the Whatcom Waterway cleanup? The estimate cost of the cleanup is $65,625,085. The port is eligible for $32,309,684 in state cleanup funds. The state Department of Ecology is currently reviewing the remedial investigation/feasibility study and environmental impact statement for the Whatcom Waterway. Approved 3-0
67. Authorize the executive director to accept $30,700 from Whatcom County for improvements to the Squalicum Creek delta? The port also received $30,700 from the county at the 12/12/06 meeting, vote number 140. The port received a $25,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation at the 7/5/06 meeting, vote number 84, for delta improvements. At the 3/6/07 meeting, vote number 37, the commission approve a $135,000 contract with Anchor Environmental design and permitting of the project. Approved 3-0
68. Modify and renew the warehouse lease with Georgia-Pacific West, Inc.? The square footage used by G-P will be reduced from 250,000 to 175,000 but the month rent will remain the same — $29,166.67 per month or $350,000 a year. If G-P uses more than 175,000 square feet it will pay 17 cents per square foot per month. The lease runs from 7/1/07 through 6/30/08. The port will market the vacant warehouse space. Approved 3-0
69. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway to cross the railroad track at the former Padden Creek Marine location? The port purchased the former Uniflite property in the early 1990s. The last tenant, Padden Creek Marine declared bankruptcy in 2006 and vacated the property. See the next vote for additional information about the property. Approved 3-0
70. Approve a lease with Seaview Yacht Service Fairhaven for the former Padden Creek Marine location? The Seaview site will be a boatyard and retail marine shop. The lease is for 10 years with a four-month abatement period for cleanup and improvements. The port spent $10,000 for hazardous waste cleanup on the site. Monthly payment will start at $5,700 and increase to $8,900 in the fourth year. The lease will be terminated if Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway doesn’t issue a license to cross the railroad track (see previous vote). Approved 3-0
