Compiled by Bill McCallum
Action Taken at April 11, 2023 Meeting
Shall the commission:
25. Authorize the use of electronic signatures in lieu of handwritten signatures? RCW 1.89 allows governmental agencies to send and accept electronic records and electronic signatures. Port Commissioners, the executive director and any employee designated by the executive director may sign documents electronically in accordance with procedures consisteant with this resolution. 12631/Consent Agenda B (Resolution 1407) Approved 3-0
26. Authorize the sale of four vessels for the nonpayment of moorage fees? An auction was held on May 11 at the Blaine Harbor and Squalicum Harbor offices for a 29-foot sailboat with unpaid fees of $3,266, a 26-foot sailboat with unpaid fees of $2,896, a 24-foot Bayliner with unpaid fees of 2,169, a 52-foot Nordland cruiser with unpaid fees of $5,001, and storage yard (fishing gear and nets) contents with unpaid fees of $730. The port contacted the owners about the unpaid fees, a total of 47 times between February 2022 and March 2023. (12632/Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
27. Authorize the executive director to sign a $616,797 contract (amendment #3) with SP Plus Corporation of Chicago for parking management at the Bellingham airport? The contract was originally approved at the 6/21/2016 meeting, vote #113. Amendment #2 increased the parking schedule to 24 hours with limited shuttle operations. The workforce has been reduced by 11 shuttle bus drivers and parking booth cashiers. The contract runs from 7/1/2023 to 6/30/2024. (12634/Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0
28. Authorize the executive director to sign a five-year cloud-based software subscription for TIBA Parking Systems? The current software for revenue management at the Bellingham airport parking lots is version 5.0; the new one is version 8.3. Time Equipment Company of Bellevue installs and manages the maintenance of all TIBA equipment. The five-year subscription is 63,442. (12635/Consent Agenda F) Approved 3-0
29. Authorize the executive director to sign documents for a $99,000 loan to Egis Mobile Electric of Bellingham? The company is in the business of designing and manufacturing electrical products for police/emergency vehicles, marine, 4X4/van and work trucks. The interest rate is 5.81 percent fixed term. The loan will allow sales on a national level and with regional retailers. (12636/Consent Agenda G) Approved 3-0
30. Authorize the executive director to sign an updated agreement with Whatcom County and the PUD of Whatcom County for the continued development and implementation of the rural broadband fiber network? At the 11/20/2018 meeting, vote #164, the commission first approved an agreement to work collaboratively to develop a public fiber strategy. (12637/Consent Agenda H) Approved 3-0
31. Authorize the executive director to sign a memorandum of understanding with the state of Washington and the Northwest Straits Commission for the storage of a green crab cargo trailer? European green crabs are classified as a prohibited species in the state of Washington. The crabs can devastate local environments, displace, degrade and prevent restoration of native species, such as eelgrass beds, alter food webs and threaten the local seafood industry. In 2019, green crabs were detected at Drayton Harbor and Lummi Bay. The 6×10 foot cargo trailer will be parked at a mutually agreed-upon Blaine Harbor location. The storage period runs from 12/1/2022 to 11/30/2025. (12638/Consent Agenda I) Approved 3-0
32. Increase by $150,000 the budget for fire suppression system at 1000 F Street to a total of $1,625,000? In 2017, the fire suppression system in half (104,000 square feet) of the warehouse was upgraded to accommodate the Lummi Fisheries Supply tenant. Problems were discovered during construction. The system will be upgraded from a dry to wet system. The additional funds will address unanticipated conditions if they are encountered. (12639/Consent Agenda J) Approved 3-0
33. Approve a three-year commercial lease with Gustafson and Association for room 230 in the Bayview Center? The suite will be used for appraisal services; it will employ a staff of seven. Gustafson will repurpose a medial office into a professional office. (12627/Consent Agenda M) Approved 3-0
34. Approve a land lease with Corix Utility Systems of of Chicago, Illinois, to construct and operate an energy facility in the Waterfront District? At the 11/7/2017 meeting, vote #141, the commission approved a $555,446 contract with Razz Construction to install a “four-pipe” shared heating system. Corix is committed to delivering a strategy that is innovative, proven, cost-effective and environmentally sound. At the 12/11/2018 meeting, vote #171, a memorandum of understanding was signed with Corix Utilities Systems to develop an energy implementation strategy for the Waterfront District. At the 12/8/2020 meeting, vote #125, an agreement was signed with Corix to design, construct, finance, own, operate and maintain the district energy utility in the 44 acres that was the former Georgia-Pacific West site. A system of water pipes, space heating and cooling, hot water delivery and storage equipment will distribute and store thermal energy. This lease is fifty years with three consecutive ten-year renewal options. The initial facility will be constructed by 3/31/2024 with the initial lease for 3,850 square feet and 9,100 square feet by 4/1/2028. (12628/Consent Agenda N) Approved 3-0
35. Authorize the executive director to sign documents to allow Cohanim Bellwether D LLC to sublease premises to Anchor QEA of Seattle? Any lease over ten years requires Port of Bellingham approval. A staff of 25 to 31 will work in the commercial ground floor of the Bellwether Apartment Building (Building D) at 20 Bellwether Way. (12629/Consent Agenda O) Approved 3-0
36. Update the Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements? (Public hearing held at March 21 meeting.) At the 12/3/2013 meeting, vote #177, the commission initially approved the Squalicum Harbor Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements and it was last amended at the 1/1/2022 meeting, vote #23. This update incorporates the 2023 strategic capital budget and five-year forecast, adopted by Resolution 1404 on 10/18/2022, and changes in port real property ownership boundaries as a result of purchase and sale transactions. 12642/Action Item 1 (Resolution 1408) Approved 3-0
37. Authorize the executive director to sign authorization for the Millworks LLC to proceed with Phase 2 in the Waterfront District? At the 11/15/2022 meeting, vote #134, the Millworks LLC signed an option for 3.3 acre site in the Waterfront District. The project is in the Lighin parcel. Phase 1 includes 83 units of permanently affordable workforce and family rental housing, owned and operated by Mercy Housing Northwest, along with a six-classroom early childhood education center run by the Whatcom Family YMCA to support approximately 100 children. Construction is underway with occupancy expected in 2024. The permit includes a seven-story mixed use building with attached parking structure. The project anticipates a ground-floor food campus with commercial and demo kitchens and retail/restaurant space. The second floor is programed with office space for local non-profits and five floors of affordable one- and two-bedroom units, approximately 84 residential units with attached parking structure. (12624/Action Item 3) Approved 3-0
38. Authorize the executive director to sign an option with the BoardMill Group to purchase 5.37-acres in the Waterfront District? At the 8/9/2022 meeting, vote #110, the commission voted to negotiate an agreement with The BoardMill Group for a 3.43 parcel on the corner of Laurel and Granary Avenue in the Waterfront District. The group proposed a 107 room hotel, meeting space, 160 residential units, a parking structure with 368-470 spaces, commercial and retail spaces. If the BroardMill Group exercises the option for the entire 5.3 acre property, the sale will generate approximately $5.75 million in revenue for the port. This was in the consent agenda as item L. (12640/Action Item 3) Approved 3-0
