Action Taken at April 14, 2026 Meeting
Shall the commission:
41. Authorize the interim executive director to sign documents required to close the recently approve $100,000 loan to Cirrus Cycles Inc? The Bellingham company was founded in 2011, and is in the business of manufacturing and selling a bicycle seatpost designed to smooth out rough terrain and absorb vibrations and a suspension stem that connects the handlebars to the fork. This loan will allow the company to grow internationally, hire staff, update their marketing assets and strategy, and invest in new product development. The five-year loan has a fixed rate of 5.16 percent. (15472/Action Item #1) Approved 3-0
42. Update the Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements? (Public hearing held at March 17 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 4/1/2025 meeting, vote #35. This update incorporates the 2026 strategic budget adopted at the 11/18/2025 meeting, vote #117, and the transfer of the Chestnut Avenue Waterfront Skate Park to the City of Bellingham. It also includes miscellaneous text, image and embedded link updates. 15473/Action Item 2 (Resolution 1429) Approved 3-0
43. Modify a lease with Halibut Henry’s at the Bellingham Airport? Since 1999, Halibut Henry’s has leased space at the airport. At the 3/19/2013 meeting, vote #55, a lease agreement was approved for 1,282 total square feet of space at the airport. The business currently leases 1,498 square feet of retail, storage and office space. In August 2024, an airline stopped servicing the airport resulting in a reduction in 40 percent of the flights. The reduction in business has caused a hardship to Halibut Henry and they requested a reduction in the percent of gross receipts they pay the port. This modification would reduce the amount of concession fees paid to the port from 3.5 percent of gross receipts to 0 percent for less than 240,000 enplanements in a year. Concession fees above 240,000 enplanements would remain at the current negotiated rates.(15475/ Action Item #4) Approved 3-0
44. Modify a lease with WGR Airport d/b/a/ Scotty Browns? At the 7/19/2011 meeting, vote #108, the commission approved a lease with Scotty Browns restaurant and lounge. Private funds built and outfitted the restaurant. The lease was for 1,400 square feet. At the 3/19/2013 meeting, vote #54, the lease was modified for a total of 2,502 square feet. At the 8/16/2016 meeting, vote #142, storage space was reduced by 351 feet. This modification would reduce the amount of concession fees paid to the port from 3.5 percent of gross receipts to 0 percent for less than 240,000 enplanements in a year. Concession fees above 240,000 enplanements would remain at the current negotiated rates. (15476/Action Item #5) Approved 3-0
45. Approve a new lease with Post Point Seafood for property located in Fairhaven? In February 2001, the port entered into a lease agreement for a portion of warehouse 9 at the Fairhaven Terminal. The port intends to demolish warehouse 9 and keep the area available for future development. Post Point Seafood will relocate to the building at 207 Harris Avenue. The space will be used for commercial aquaculture and mariculture activities, including the holding, processing, and preparing of crab and other seafood products. The port will receive $10,865 for the remainder of the lease.(15477/Action Item #6) Approved 3-0
46. Amend the 2026 strategic budget to reallocate $500,000 from the Blaine Harbor M Dock D and E extension project and the infrastructure capital improvement budget to the fit-up float and the I&J Waterway? The port has an opportunity to install a float in the I&J waterway for non-exclusive moorage and a fit-up float for All American Marine. The Blaine Harbor M Dock D and E extension project is reduced to $2,258,000 and the capital improvement budget to $200,000. (15478/Action Item #7) Approved 3-0
47. Authorize the interim executive director to sign a letter withdrawing claims of ownership of lots 9 and 10, block 20 of the amended Fairhaven plat? The Port Commissioners received a letter from Gene and Connie Shannon regarding fractionated Lots 9 and 10 of block 20 of the amended Fairhaven plat (lots). The lots in question are a less than 300 square feet triangular area. The Shannons own two properties abutting the fractionated lots, Fairhaven Inn and South Bay Suites. The Shannons requested that the port provide a title report to validate the port’s claim of ownership or provide a letter withdrawing claim of ownership. It does not appear that the port has a title history report for these lots or has satisfactory documentation available to demonstrate clear title of ownership. (15480/Consent Agenda B) Approved 3-0
48. Modify a lease with Dockmeister Marine Sales d/b/a/ Lakeside Marine for building #1 at the Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park? Lakeside Marine’s sister company, has a separate lease for building #2 at the Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park. This modification of lease changes the name of the lessee from Dockmeister Marine Sales d/b/a Lakeside Marine Sales to its sister company Viking Marine Inc. These companies provide storage, detailing, and winterizing services for vessels, and specialize in the design, construction, maintenance and repair of dock facilities. The port will receive $265,300 over the two-year lease. The port will receive $550.00 per month as a base fee plus three percent of gross receipts. (15482/Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0
49. Approve a nonexclusive license with Bellingham Beach Club for nonmotorized watersport rentals and lessons? This license will supersede the previous license and allow Bellingham Beach Club to manage and expand access to surfski, hydrofoil, wingfoil, efoil, kiteboard, windsurf and other nonmotorized activities. The nonexclusive License is for approximately 10,000 square feet and nonexclusive access to the bay to launch and retrieve vessels within the area commonly known as Mount Baker Peninsula. (15483/Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0
50. Modify a lease with A8 Growth LLC for property located at 3851 Sound Way in the Airport Industrial Park? At the 9/3/2019, vote #107, the airport building was transferred from Sofie’s Properties to RespLabs Medical USA. At the 7/12/2022 meeting, vote #96, the lease was tranferred from RespLabs Medical USA to A8 Growth of Bellingham. (15484/Consent Agenda F) Approved 3-0
51. Increase the leased area to A8 Growth to 27,007 square feet, the port will receive $17,525 annually through 9/30/2029? (15484/Consent Agenda F) Approved 3-0
52. Approve the two-year lease with Hidden Root Studio for Suite 209 in the Bayview Center Building? The approximately 773 square feet will be used for gyrotonic and yoga instruction, and released health services. The lease will expire on 4/30/2028 and the two-year rent will be $25,500. (15485/Consent Agenda G) Approved 3-0
53. Terminate a lease with Backcountry Medical Guides for 704 Coho Way and relocate at 700 Coho Way? At 2,000 square feet, the new location is approximately twice the size of the previous location. Backcountry Medical Guides conducts specialty training in emergency medicine and rescue in austere environments, and it will be expanding to include maritime medical training, hosting Coast Guard accredited merchant mariner education, and launch a maritime telehealth program. The rent for two years will be $50,000;the lease will terminate on 4/14/2028. (15489/Consent Agenda K) Approved 3-0
54. Approve a lease with Dragonfly Kayak Tours for 704 Coho Way? Kayak Tours will use the space for kayak sales, kayak rentals, and checkin for guided kayak tours. The two-year rent will be $32,000; the lease will terminate on 4/30/2028. (15489/Consent Agenda K) Approved 3-0
55. Authorize the interim executive director to sign the second consent decree for the former Georgia-Pacific mill site? At the 8/4/2009 meeting, vote #130, the executive director signed an agreed order with the state of Washington requiring the port to perform a remedial investigation/feasibility study at the former Georgia-Pacific mill property under the Model Toxics Control Act. At the 8/9/2022 meeting, vote #109, the executive director was authorized to sign a consent degree with the state of Washington for cleanup action at the Lignin operable unit. The second amendment to the consent decree amends the Cleanup Action Plan by striking all requirements for an environmental covenant. It also amends the schedule by removing all reference to environmental covenants for the Lignin operable unit. (15490/Consent Agenda L) Approved 3-0
56. Terminate a lease with SFP Partnership and approve a new lease with A8 Growth LLC for property located at 1950 Victoria Place in the Airport Industrial Park? A8 Growth is a real estate and clean energy development company. The company specializes in developing industrial properties and retrofitting commercial buildings with solar arrays, battery storage, and heat pumps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the local power grid. A8 Growth and SFP Partnership have entered into a purchase and sale agreement for tenant improvements and the leasehold interest. The port will receive $22,343 annually for the next five years.(15495/Action Item #3) Approved 3-0
57. Small Works Roster. Contracts under $350,000 fall within the executive director’s spending authority; they only require commission notification. Contracts totaling $119,982 for asbestos abatement and demolishing warehouse 9. (154696/Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
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Action Taken at April 28, 2026 Meeting
Shall the commission:
58. Update the Small Works Roster process in the awarding of public works contracts? The small works roster process (Resolution 1358) was passed at the 11/15/2016 meeting, vote #192. This vote updates Resolution 1358-B, passed at the 6/18/2024 meeting, vote #51. The small works roster puts contracts that are $300,000 or smaller within the executive director’s spending authority; they only require commission notification. This vote increases the dollar amount from $300,00 to $350,000. The Port of Bellingham does not need to comply with formal sealed bidding procedures for the construction, building, renovation, remodeling, alteration, repair, or improvement of real property where the estimated cost does not exceed $350,000, excluding sales tax, which includes the costs of labor, material, and equipment. 15510/Action Agenda #1 (Resolution 1358-C). Approved 3-0
59. Approve new design services association with the airfield improvement project at the Bellingham airport? The design will reconfigure existing taxiway geometry to improve operational efficiency, reduce pilot confusion, and enhance safety. Construct new taxiway connections to meet current FAA design standards and improve airfield circulation. Install compliant runway blast pads at both runway ends to address jet blast erosion and reduce ongoing maintenance. Upgrade airfield lighting, signage, drainage, and pavement systems to meet current regulatory and operational standards. The design effort will result in a complete set of plans, specifications, and construction bid documents, positioning the project for FAA grant funding and construction in 2027. (15511/Action Agenda #2) Approved 3-0
60. Support commercial air service at the Bellingham airport and the development of new routes and destinations? Currently, Action Taken at April 14, 2026 Meeting the Bellingham airport is losing approximately 83 percent of the area passengers to Vancouver International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This resolution demonstrates the Port of Bellingham’s commitment to sustaining and growing commercial air service Bellingham airport. To address significant passenger leakage, the airport will be pursuing a strategic marketing plan designed to capture a greater share of local demand. 15512/Action Agenda #3 (Resolution 1430) Approved 3-0
61. Renew the lease with Austin Heights Holdings LLC dba Web Locker (Restaurant) at the Marina Square Building, 734 Coho Way? Rent remains the same for the first three years. There is a 3 percent increase in the fourth year with rent remaining the same in the fifth year. Common area maintenance charges are reconciled annually. The rent for five years will be $156,354, and the lease will end on 3/31/2031. 15513/Consent Agenda B) Approved 3-0
62. Approve a lease renewal (modification #5) with The Landings at Colony Wharf? At the 5/4/2014 meeting, vote #61, the commission approved a 10-year harbor land lease for premises on C Street. The lease was for approximately 6.7 acres of land and 43,000 square feet of buildings and sheds for marine related activities. The lease has since been modified four times to adjust the property lines and update lease terms and renewed through April 2034. The four modification were approved at the 6/3/2025 meeting, vote #56, The Landings at Colony Wharf entered into a month-to-month lease. These fifth modifications expand the harbor land lease by approximately 87,122 square feet and the month-to month lease by approximately 41,042 square feet. The total rentable area is approximately 375,000 square feet. The port shall receive an additional $60,290 for the harbor land lease modification and $27,703 for the month-to-month lease on an annual basis. (15516/Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0
63. Approve a modification of Bellingham Aviation Services’ tie-down, t-hangar and landing fee collection management agreement? At the 2/7/2017 meeting, vote #17, the commission authorized the executive director to sign an agreement with Bellingham Aviation Services of Bellingham for management of aircraft tie-downs, transit/overnight parking fees and general aviation landing fees at the Bellingham airport. The proposed modification extends the term on a month-to-month basis and updates the exhibit showing the tie-down areas included in the agreement. This modification does not alter the compensation structure or fee percentage established in the current agreement. (15517/Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0
64. Approve a settlement agreement to resolve a Whatcom County Superior Court case? On 7/29/2021, Juston Smith was injured at the boat launch. He filed a tort claim in September 2022, alleging that the port was negligent and caused his injuries. Mr. Smith’s tort claim alleged $3.5 million in damages. Mr. Smith filed a lawsuit against the port and Roger Woods, who was present at the boat launch on the day in question, alleging negligence against both parsties. The port denied that it was negligent and that it caused Mr. Smith’s injuries. The parties engaged in mediation and have reached a settlement agreement. The port will pay a $25,000 deductible as part of the settlement. The port’s insurer will pay the remaining balance of the settlement amount. (15518/Consent Agenda F) Approved 3-0
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Port of Bellingham Commission
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