Action Taken at May 6, 2025 Meeting
Shall the commission:
47. Approve Stephen Crooks and Jon Sibold to the Bellingham Airport Advisory Committee? Stephen Crooks will hold the urban growth position and Jon Sibold the environmental interest position. Each will serve three-year terms. (14667/Consent Agenda B) Approved 3-0
48. Approve a $100,000 loan to the Egis Group LLC of Guyancourt, France, dba Egis Mobile Electric of Bellingham? The company designs and manufactures electrical products for police/ emergency vehicles, marine, 4X4/van and work trucks. The loan is from the port’s Economic Development Administration Revolving Loan Fund. The loan is expected to create 10 full-time positions. At the 1/4/2022 meeting, vote #6, Egis Mobile Electric was loaned $125,000 and at the 4/11/2023 meeting, vote #29, it was loaned $99,000. (14668/Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
49. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreement with the state of Washington for up to $200,000 in reimbursement for vessels voluntarily surrendered to the port to be demolished and the disposal of the remains? The Port of Friday Harbor and Skagit hosted hosted a vessel turn-in event. The owners of over 60 nonfunctioning vessels were turned in; the state reviewed the applications and covered the full cost of demolition and disposal. The port will hold a vessel recycle event for up to 35 vessels. The port and subcontractors will dispose of the vessels. The work will be performed from 7/24/2025 to 9/30/2025. (14670/Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0
50. Modify a lease with Fountain Pyse LLC dba Zeeks Pizza? At the 5/2/2023 meeting, vote #45, a lease was approved for three shipping containers located at the Portal Container Village. This modification will allow the placement of barriers on the south side of the containers to direct traffic to outdoor seating on the north side. The lease expires on 12/31/2027 with a five-year renewal option. (14671/Consent Agenda F) Approved 3-0
51. Approve a change of ownership lease from Scheffer Holdings LLC to Pawsitive Dog Trading School LLC? At the 6/20/2017 meeting, vote #81, a lease was signed with The Puget Hound LLC for a building at the Bellingham airport. It had been previously leased to the Whatcom Humane Society. At the 9/17/2019 meeting, vote #115, the building was sold to Rover Stay Over dba The Puget Hound (dog boarding, daycare and grooming services). At the 11/3/2020 meeting, vote #100, the commission approved the sale of the building to Scheffer Holdings LLC. The Puget Hound subleased the building from Scheffer Holdings LLC. After Pawsitive Dog Training School LLC purchases the building, the lease will be assigned to Puget Hound Pet Resort Inc. (14672/ Consent Agenda G) Approved 3-0
52. Approve Mike Merrick to the Marina Advisory Committee? The committee has seven members, it is required to have at least 10 members. Mike Merrick has been a Bellingham boater since 1973. He is a lifelong sailer and small boat racer. He was a commercial fisher for seven years. Merrick’s membership will increase the committee to eight members. (14674/Consent Agenda I) Approved 3-0
53. Authorize the executive director to sign a major modification with the City of Bellingham for facilities within the Waterfront District? At the 12/3/2013 meeting, vote #175, the commission approved the Waterfront District Sub-Area Plan. At the 12/2/2013 meeting, vote #253, the Bellingham City Council approved it. The City of Bellingham will purchase 16,000 square feet at $8/ sq. ft. The property will be used for a city-owned and operated skatepark under the Roeder/Chestnut bridge. (14677/Action Item #1) Approve 2-1, Bobby Briscoe opposed.
54. Authorize the executive director to submit an application to the state of Washington to amend the port management agreement? On 7/1/1997, the port entered into the port management agreement with the state of Washington to manage nine state-owned harbor areas in Blaine and Bellingham. This application to the state Department of Natural Resources will amend the management agreement to include: Whatcom Waterway, I&J Waterway and Squalicum Waterway. 14679/ Consent Agenda D (Resolution 1421) Approved 3-0
55. Approve the settlement, second stockpile and material removal agreement with Harcourt? At the 10/19/2021 meeting, vote #116, the executive director was authorized to sign a revised project memorandum and estoppel certificate for Harcourt’s waterfront residential project. The commercial lender (Parkview Financial of Los Angeles, Calif.) requested the estoppel certificate along with the updated project memorandum, and, in the event of a default by Harcourt, any successor will be required to complete the project in accordance with a commission-approved project memorandum. On 10/19/2023, the completion deadline had passed without Harcourt obtaining a certification of completion for building A or B. On 10/20/2023, the port issued Harcourt a notice of default for the failure of compliance with the development schedule. On 12/5/2023, Harcourt requested an extension of the development schedule. At the 2/6/2024 meeting, vote #17, the extension request was denied. At the 10/15/2024 meeting, vote #86, Harcourt was required to remove stockpiled material within 12 months at a minimum volume of 250 tons per week and the vote defined the scope of issues to be arbitrated. Arbitration was scheduled to start on 7/21/2025; however rather than continue with arbitration, the port and Harcourt have come to the settlement, second stockpile and material removal agreement. All stockpiled material must be removed with 12 months. Construction of the second building may continue so long as Harcourt does not breach the stockpile removal agreement. Failure to do either would be an incurable default. (14680/Action Item #2) Approved 3-0
