Action Taken at January 7, 2025 Meeting
Shall the commission:
1. Authorize the executive director to sign a $24,000 agreement with the Public Health Institute of Oakland, California, for an AmeriCorps Fellow? In 2021, port staff formed the Building and Infrastructure Management Program to address the requirements of the state Clean Buildings Act. The AmeriCorps Fellow will work from 1/13/2025 to 9/5/2025 with the port staff to create systems to ensure initial compliance with the Clean Buildings Act and towards energy reduction targets. (14395/Action Item #1) Approved 3-0
2. Approve a new vendor fee structure for the Bellingham Dockside Market? At the 1/5/2021 meeting, vote #6, the commission authorized the executive director to sign an agreement with Bellingham SeaFeast to operate a dockside seafood market. At the 1/18/2022 meeting, vote #18, the commission authorized a vendor handbook for the dockside market. The handbook has a market schedule and fees, membership guidelines, a vendor review committee, regulatory policies and grievance procedures. The original handbook had a fee of $50 for sales over $1,000 and $35 for sales under $1,000. This vote adds a third fee of $10 for sales under $300. A fee of $35 would be for sales from $301 to $1,000. The fee for sales over $1,000 would remain the same. (14396/Action Item #2) Approved 3-0
3. Authorize the executive director to accept a $1,525,892 federal grant for the energy transition plan? The grant is from the Environmental Protection Agency; it will assist the port in prioritizing areas for transition to electricity at the shipping terminal, Squalicum Harbor and cruise terminal. The port will be partnering with the National Renewal Energy Lab and Pacific Northwest National Labs on the work. Grant funds cover 100 percent of the port’s costs. (14399/Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
4. Approve a $35,521 contract extension for services with Cobb, Fender and Associates (CobbFendley) of Houston, Texas, for the north Ferndale part of the rural broadband fiber network? This broadband project is a 22-mile fiber network that passes 456 homes and has a budget of $5 million. At the 11/15/2022 meeting, vote #130, the port received a $4 million federal grant to build broadband infrastructure. The grant funds are from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The original contract for $197,100 engineering, designing and permitting was approved at the 4/9/2024 meeting, vote #36. This vote is for the redesign and permitting of underground segments. The contract expires on 12/31/2025. (14400/Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0
5. Approve a $35,742 contract extension for services with Cobb, Fender and Associates (CobbFendley) of Houston, Texas, for the north Lynden part of the rural broadband fiber network? At the 9/19/2023 meeting, vote #81, the port signed a $350,219 contract with CobbFendley for engineering, designing and permitting. The 45-mile fiber project passes 450 homes and has a budget of $3 million. This vote is for the redesign and permitting of underground segments. (14401/Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0
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Action Taken at January 21, 2025 Meeting
Shall the commission:
6. Authorize the executive director to sign a $80,100 settlement agreement with Kristin Noreen for injuries sustain in a fall? On 3/16/2024, when Ms. Noreen and a friend departed the Weblocker Restaurant, she tripped on the uneven sidewalk. She sustained a concussion and laceration to her forehead requiring follow up care and lost wages. The port’s insurance carrier will pay $55,100. (14444/ Consent Agenda B) Approved 3-0
7. Amend certain administrative powers and duties of the executive director? The executive director shall have the authority to manage all personnel matters for port employees and staff, which includes hiring, firing, training, grievance procedures, labor union contracts, employee benefits and administration of the employee salary schedule and incentive programs. Revisions to this vote include approving employee travel to Canada, increase the limit on the sale of personal property from $10,000 to $22,830, and allow the retaining of special council without consultation with current legal counsel. The administrative powers will remain in effect until 1/31/2026. 14445/Consent Agenda C (Resolution 1106-BB) Approved 3-0
8. Authorize the executive director to sign a $91,160 two-month extension with SP+ Corporation of Chicago, Illinois, for parking management service at the Bellingham airport? The contract was originally approved at the 6/21/2016 meeting, vote #112. Amendment #4 was approved at the 6/18/2024 meeting, vote #52; it expired on 1/31/2025. A delay in getting the automated parking up and running is the reason for the extension. (Other Business) Approved 3-0
