Compiled by Andrew S. McBride
The Port Commission meeting scheduled for August 4, 2015 was cancelled.
Action Taken at August 18, 2015 Meeting
Shall the commission:
101. Transfer ownership of surplus computer equipment to electronic recycling services? This resolution provides an alternate to Resolution 1060, which established a policy of transferring surplus computer equipment to Whatcom County School districts. 5392/Consent Agenda B (Resolution 1345) Approved 3-0
102. Update Whatcom County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan? The plan was first approved at the 8/16/2005 meeting, vote #83, and last updated at the 10/18/2011 meeting, vote #153. Meant to plan for disasters before they happen, this plan must be adopted in order for the port to qualify for federal post-disaster funds and must be re-adopted every five years. 5393/Consent Agenda C (Resolution 1344) Approved 3-0
103. Send a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office in Seattle requesting maintenance dredging of Squalicum Waterway? Access to docks along the Squalicum Waterway are limited by lack of sufficient water depth. Bellingham Cold Storage, the largest portside cold storage facility on the west coast lost international business contracts because of limitation within Squalicum Waterway. (5394/Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0
104. Authorize the executive director to sign a use permit with the Bellingham Sailing Foundation to allow a youth sailing program to use the Zuanich Point Park day dock? The Bellingham Yacht Club’s Youth Sailing Program is for kids ages 8-18. It was formed in 2009 and the first use permit was approved by the commission at the 3/2/2010 meeting, vote #42. The Zuanich Park dock is at the entrance of Gate 3; the permit will allow kids just learning boating to avoid the busy waterway of Gate 3. This permit expires on 10/1/2017. (5395/Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0
105. Renew a lease with Bakerview Hangar LLC for hanger #17 at the Bellingham airport? The hangar is tenant-owned and is used for storage of aircraft and maintenance. The five year lease expires on 8/31/2020. Total rent for the five years is $77,220. (5396/Consent Agenda F) Approved 3-0
106. Authorize the executive director to sign a deed of conveyance to the city of Bellingham for water mains, fire hydrants and associated piping at Squalicum Harbor? The port spent $137,997 constructing a 12 inch water main and two fire hydrants located at Squalicum Harbor. The city has accepted ownership and will be responsible for operation, maintenance and replacement of the water main along N. Harbor Loop Drive and S. Harbor Loop Drive to Coho Way. (5398/Consent Agenda H) Approved 3-0
107. Renew a lease with Bellingham Aviation Services for aircraft refueling at the Bellingham airport? At the 11/4/2003 meeting, votes 93 and 94, the commission authorized the port to sign a lease with Bellingham Aviation for airplane refueling and other aviation services at the Bellingham airport. This renewal and modification extends the lease for a term of 10 years beginning 1/1/2014 and ending 12/31/2023 with two five-year renewal options. Total rent will be $455,029. (5399/Action Item 1) Approved 3-0
108. Approve a new lease with Bellingham Aviation Services for hangar HE-15 at the Bellingham airport? The new commercial lease is for office space at 4121 Mitchell Way which will be used for maintenance and repair of ground support equipment, services for the signature airlines, office use, and ancillary fixed base operations. The term will be for eight years, five months beginning 8/1/2015 and ending 12/31/2023 with two consecutive five-year renewal options. Total rent total is $68,805 for the new office space at 4151 Mitchell Way and the HE-15 hangar. (5399/Action Item 1) Approved 3-0
109. Authorize the executive director to sign a $107,838 contract (amendment #21) with Aspect Consulting of Seattle to perform additional sampling at The Waterfront District? Since 2014, the port has been working with the state on development of a feasibility study for the Chlor-Alkali remedial action unit. Due to significant amount of cleanup work completed as part of the mercury removal interim action, the state is requiring additional groundwater sampling, additional groundwater and sediment porewater sampling, ongoing project management and development of a draft feasibility study which will be informed by results of sampling. This amendment brings the total contract to $3,259,855. (5406/Action Item 2) Approved 3-0
110. Authorize the executive director to sign an interagency agreement (amendment #9) with the state of Washington for the Bellingham Bay Demonstration Pilot? The Bellingham Bay Demonstration Pilot project was initiated in 1996 with a completion date of 6/30/02. This amendment adjusts the scope of the project, decreases the budget by $100,000, and extends the deadline to 6/30/2017. This amendment supports ongoing coordination with other agencies and provides MTCA funding for specific habitat restoration projects. The port will transfer $100,000 in existing state grant funding to the city of Bellingham to support a city-led habitat restoration project at Little Squalicum Park. The transfer will allow the city to provide funding match necessary to secure additional grant funding from the Rose Foundation. The decrease of $100,000 brings the new total to $2,234,250. (5406/Action Item 3) Approved 3-0
111. Authorize the executive director to sign a $28,200 contract (amendment #1) with Wilson Engineerin of Bellingham for the Squalicum Way wharf demolition and bulkhead replacement project? The initial design and engineering was approved at the 1/20/2015 meeting, vote #25; this amendment will allow Wilson Engineering to complete design and engineering of the project. It will advance the design from the 30 percent level to 100 percent bid-ready level which will include additional site observations, continued structural calculations, preparation of technical specifications, and bidding support. This amendment brings the total contract to $63,200. (5402/Action Item 4) Approved 3-0
112. Authorize the executive director to sign the 2015-2018 Collective Bargaining Agreement with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 7, Clerical? The 2012-2014 collective bargaining agreement was approved at the 3/6/2012 meeting, vote #35 and it expired on 12/31/2014. Respective bargaining teams have been negotiating since November 2014. Based on data received from the union bargaining team and from recent salary surveys, it was determined that wages were below market. All positions covered by this agreement will receive a one-time wage adjustment retroactively to 1/1/2015. Salary cost will increase incrementally with 6.0 percent in 2015, 2.5 percent in 2016 and 2017, and 3.0 percent in 2018. Total salary cost will increase from $585,437 in 2015 to $651,960 in 2018. The agreement will expire on 12/31/2018. (5403/Action Item 5) Approved 3-0
113. Authorize the executive director to sign the 2015-2019 collective bargaining agreement with the Inlandboatmen’s Union? The 2010-2014 collective bargaining agreement was approved at the 4/19/2011 meeting, vote #70, and expired on 12/31/2014. Respective bargaining teams have been negotiating since November 2014. The union represents three employees. Bargaining teams reached a tentative agreement 7/16/2015, and members ratified the agreement. A primary goal was to eliminate a pay gap in the hourly rates paid different employees. At the end of this five year contract, the gap will be eliminated. Salary cost will increase incrementally from $2,912 in 2015 to $3,266 in 2019. Total salary cost will increase from $106,434 in 2015 to $119,538 in 2019. (5407/Action Item 6) Approved 3-0
Action Taken at September 1, 2015 Meeting
Shall the Commission:
114. Authorize the executive director to accept a $74,262 state grant for the Squalicum Harbor Boat Launch float and pile replacement project? At the 6/3/2014 meeting, vote #82, the commission authorized the executive director to apply for a state grant to replace the Squalicum Harbor Boat Launch. The first part of the project has been completed. Phase 2 of this project consists of readjusting and removal and demolition of some existing panels, setting new pre-cast panels, and placing the rip rap key at the ramp toe. (5434/Consent Agenda A) Approved 3-0
115. Authorize the executive director to accept a $216,765 state grant for the Fairhaven Boat Launch float and pile replacement project? At the 6/3/2014 meeting, vote #82, the commission authorized the executive director to apply for a state grant to replace the Fairhaven Boat Launch. The Fairhaven Boat Launch provides salt-water access from April through October. The floats were constructed in 1991 and are nearing the end of their useful life. The project consists of removing treated timbers, styrofoam floatation and wood/treated piling, replacing with new float and piling and performing modifications to ramp abutment to the floats. (5434/Consent Agenda A) Approved 3-0
116. Authorize the executive director to award the only bid of $30,389 to Shelter One of Grants Pass, OR, for the purchase of a replacement staging booth for the Bellingham Cruise Terminal? Shelter One will fabricate a staging booth offsite and will deliver it to cruise terminal, where port maintenance personnel will install it. (5437/Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0
117. Authorize the executive director to sign a $23,000 contract (amendment #8) with Kennedy/Jenks Consultants of Federal Way to perform facility programming and construction estimating for the conversion of the rail span pier at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal? The original contract was approved at the 5/5/2014 meeting, vote #66. The port was awarded a $1.5 state grant for the stormwater improvement project. Separately, the port has budgeted $85,000 for planning of future facilities at the shipping terminal. These efforts have significant overlap leading to cost efficiencies. This amendment responds to directions given by the commission at its 7/14/2015 budget retreat wherein making the shipping terminal construction ready. This amendment brings the total contract to $249,704. (5438/Action Item 1) Approved 3-0
118. Authorize the executive director to sign a $83,353 contract (amendment #3) with Moffatt & Nichol of Long Beach, CA, to perform design, engineering and bid support services for the Bellingham Shipping Terminal and pier repair project? During a high wind event on 12/9/2014, the Bellingham Shipping Terminal sustained damage along with Berth #2 when the port’s tenant’s vessel Horizon Fairbanks broke free from the pier. Damaged areas include mooring system (cleats and bollards), fender system and pier structure. The original contract to perform a condition survey of the shipping terminal and a post event inspection of the damaged pier was approved at the 4/21/2015 meeting, vote #64. The survey reports were submitted to the port in July. Port staff has identified a window of opportunity to perform repairs to berth #2 after the Horizon Fairbanks is moved to facilitate cleanup of the Whatcom Waterway. The scope of work includes developing plans and specifications through final design and bidding services for the post event damage repair and the initial phase of BST maintenance repairs. This amendment brings the total contract to $258,003. (5439/Action Item 2) Approved 3-0
Action Taken at September 15, 2015 Meeting
Shall the commission:
119. Authorize the sale of one vessel for the nonpayment of moorage fees? An auction will be held for a 31-foot yacht with unpaid moorage fees of $2,207. (5451/Consent Agenda A) Approved 3-0
120. Authorize the executive director to sign a memorandum of agreement with AGCS Marine Insurance Company and Alaska National Insurance Company? After the 3/30/2012 fire (see the 4/17/2012 meeting, votes 74/75) at the Squalicum Harbor boathouse, the port’s insurance carrier, Starr Indemnity & Liability Company undertook the defense of the port in various state and federal lawsuits. At the expense of Starr, the port tendered the defense to AGCS and Alaska National. The memorandum of agreement provides that AGCS Marine and Alaska National will each pay $270,000 to Starr to satisfy their past defense obligations. The port will pay $540,000 to Starr to offset the defense costs paid by Starr. (5453/Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
121. Authorize the executive director to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with the International Sailing Center for use of a site on Cornwall Avenue or another site to be identified? The original motion was rejected by the commission; it was rewritten, as indicated above. While port officials fully support the Sailing Center, they remain concerned about the growing footprint by the center and the subsequent loss of waterfront land to non-industrial uses. The Community Food Co-op has donated the building at the corner of Champion and N. Forest to the International Sailing Center and will help defray costs of moving the building. The port isn’t convinced that moving it to the Cornwall Avenue site is the best course of action. After lengthy discussion with center representatives at the meeting, the commissioners asked for a rewrite of the motion to the above wording. (5446/Action Item 1) Amended and approved 3-0
122. Authorize the executive director to sign the 2015-2017 Associate Development Organization contract with the state of Washington. The state legislature created the Associate Development Organization in 1993 to support local economic development. Since 1993, the Northwest Economic Council has served as the lead economic development organization in the county. Responsibilities were transferred to the Port of Bellingham at the 3/6/2012 meeting, vote #44. The port will be reimbursed $97,825 per year for economic development services. (5447/Action Item 2) Approved 3-0
123. Authorize the executive director to award the low bid of $669,755 to Strider Construction of Bellingham for the bunker C soil removal project at the GP West site? This project involves the removal and off-site disposal of petroleum-impacted soils. The work includes controlling groundwater inflow, removal of concrete and piping to access contaminated soils, excavation and sorting of material for testing, disposal of contaminated and structurally unsuitable material, and backfill of reusable and imported material. Due to the variable nature of the depth, extent, and concentration of contaminants to be removed, the actual depth and lateral extent of the excavation that can be practically performed is unknown; therefore, the recommended 20 percent contingency is higher than normal. The work is scheduled to begin immediately and will be completed this year. This is a Model Toxics Control Act site. The work was advertised and four bids were received. A contingency fee of $133,951 brings the total contract to $804,000. (5448/Action Item 3) Approved 3-0
124. Authorize the executive director to sign a $296,406 contract (amendment #2) with Aspect Consulting of Seattle to prepare construction and monitoring plans for the contaminated soils removal project? At the 12/2/2014 meeting, vote #149, the commission authorized the executive director to sign a contract with Aspect to initiate the first phases of design and engineering for cleanup work. In order to expedite cleanup of the 74-acre site former GP West site, the port and the state have agreed to remove the petroleum-impacted soil on an accelerated schedule with a wide capping efforts to take place in mid-2016. This is a Model Toxics Control Act site. This amendment brings the total contract to $577,017. (5449/Action Item 4) Approved 3-0
125. Authorize the executive director to sign a $99,898 contract with Reid Middleton, Inc. of Everett to perform a condition assessment, structural engineering design, permitting and construction support for multiple marine structures at Blaine Harbor? The condition survey and assessments are for the Gate 1 concrete float system, the sawtooth pier is timber, concrete and asphalt and two timber piers used for fueling and by crabbers and fisherman. They are a variety of floating and fixed piers. A contingency fee of $10,000 brings the total contract to $109,898. (5450/Action Item 5) Approved 3-0