Port of Bellingham Commission

Compiled by Bill McCallum

Action Taken at August 9, 2021 Meeting

Shall the commission:
94. Authorize the executive director to spend $60,000 to purchase a portable restroom from Portable Restroom Trailers of Lake Wylie, South Carolina? It will be used for the Waterfront District trackside beer garden and food truck overflows and for events sponsored by the port. (10308/Consent Agenda B) Approved 3-0

95. Reduce the amount of cash on hand at three locations from $400 to $200? Since cash is being use less often, there is a reduced need for a large amounts of cash. The accounting office will have $100, the Squalicum and Blaine offices will have $50 each. 10309/Consent Agenda (Resolution1362-B) Approved 3-0

96. Authorize the executive director to accept two American Rescue Act grants totaling $4,466,863 for the Bellingham airport? On 3/11/2021, President Biden signed the act containing $362 billion for coronavirus-related response and recovery.  At the 5/5/2020 meeting, vote #37, the port received $5,015,715 in CARES act funds for the airport. At the 4/20/2021 meeting, vote #50, the port received a $2,639,217 federal grant under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. (10310/Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0

97. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreement with Southwest Airlines for commercial air service for one year? Southwest Airlines will commence air service on 11/7/2021, utilizing Boeing 373-700 aircraft for two daily departures to Oakland, California and one daily departure to Las Vegas, Nevada. There will be a projected 10,439 enplanements per month, generating an estimated $151,365 for the port. The agreement runs from 8/10/2021 to 8/9/2022. (10311/Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0

98. The executive director awarded a $137,229 contract to Guardian Security System of Seattle for replacement of the fire alarm panel in the Bayview/Bellwether buildings. Contracts under $300,000 fall within the executive director’s spending authority; they require only commission notification. (10312/Consent Agenda F) Approved 3-0

99. Authorize the executive director to sign a lease modification with Fairhaven Industrial Marine Repair Facility for the Fairhaven Shipyard property? At the 5/4/2021 meeting, vote #57, the commission approved a 10-year lease with Fairhaven Industrial Marine Repair Facility for premises at 200, 201 and 207 Harris Avenue. The modified contract covers the dock fueling, utilities and services and reconfiguration of stormwater improvement. (10315/Consent Agenda I) Approved 3-0

100. Amend the harbor land leases (modification #3) with with I & J Properties for Lot A and Hilton Roeder II for Lot B? At the 10/3/2017 meeting, vote #125, leases for 50-year terms with one 10-year renewal option were approved. It allowed the lessors to construct, manage and sublease a building on each lot. This modification adds shared stormwater treatment. (10317/Consent Agenda K) Approved 3-0

101. Authorize the executive director to sign an amended master development agreement with Harcourt Bellingham? At the 3/31/2015 special meeting, vote #53, the commission authorized the executive director to sign a master development agreement with Harcourt Developments Limited of Dublin, Ireland, for 18.8 acres within the Waterfront District. In June 2021, the port issued a notice of default; Harcourt had not actively pursued completion of three residential buildings on Whatcom Waterway. This amendment reduced the right to develop property in the Waterfront District from 18.8 to 7.7 acres. Harcourt is also required to undergo additional steps before it can develop property in the district. (10318/Action Item 1) Approved 3-0

102. Authorize the executive director to accept a $1,500,000 state grant for the Little Squalicum beach? The beach is located along Bellingham Bay on Port of Bellingham property immediately south of Little Squalicum Creek on the northwest boundary of the city of Bellingham. The project will improve the existing filled tidelands and degraded shoreline by providing a more natural shoreline. At the 4/5/2011 meeting, vote #60, a contract was approved for preliminary design and permitting for Little Squaicum beach improvements on the northwesterly bank of the artificial shoreline adjacent to Mt. Baker Plywood. The site had been identified as a priority for habitat restoration. The design and permitting was completed in 2014. The grant will refresh the design, engineering, permitting and construction of the project. Blue Coast Engineering of Bellingham was selected as the most qualified firm to provide final design and permitting services for this habitat restoration project. (10319/Action Item 2) Approved 3-0  

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