Action Taken at April 1, 2025 Meeting
Shall the commission:
33. Authorize the executive director to apply for a state grant to reimburse the port for all costs associated with the removal and disposal of an abandoned vessel? On 2/1/2022, a sailing vessel named the Carrumbal was abandoned by its owner in Squalicum Harbor. All attempts to contact the owner were unsuccessful. On 3/20/2024, the port assumed ownership of the sailing vessel and attempted to sell it through public auction. It was not sold and was disposed of by port maintenance staff on 3/3/2025. (14595/ Consent Agenda B) Approved 3-0
34. Approve a five-year lease with Guardian Tile & Escrow Company for suite 211 in the Bayview Center building? The footage is approximately 921 square feet and the rent for five-years will be $131,149. There will be two three-year renewal periods. The five-year lease will expire on 5/31/2030. (14596/Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
35. Update the Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements? (Public hearing held at March 18 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 4/11/2023 meeting, vote #36. This update incorporates the 2025 strategic budget adopted by Resolution 1416 on 11/19/2024, and changes in port real property ownership boundaries in Sumas as a result of purchase and sale transactions. It also includes miscellaneous text, image and imbedded link updates. 14597/Action Item 1 (Resolution 1420) Approved 3-0
36. Authorize the executive director to sign a consent decree for the Harris Avenue Shipyard site? The site consists of approximately five acres of upland and five acres of marine sediments in Fairhaven. This consent decree only applies to upland areas. Marine sediments will be addressed in another consent decree. The site has been used for shipbuilding activities since the early 1900s and has documented soil, groundwater and sediment contamination from historical operations which require cleanup under the Washington State Model Toxics Control Act. At the 12/17/2002 meeting, vote #121, the commission approved an agreed order to conduct remedial investigation and cleanup design work. The remedial investigation and feasibility study — studies carried out by consultants overseen by the Department of Ecology — had shown that there are levels of arsenic, copper, zinc, and petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil and groundwater that are above health standards set by the state. At the 2/16/2010 meeting, vote #37, the executive director signed an agreed order with the state for a sitewide remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS). The RI/ FS agreed order was amended in 2016 and finalized by the state in 2019. In 2021, the state finalized a cleanup action plan for the site which defined the cleanup actions for the separate upland and marine sediment units. In total, cleaning up the Harris Avenue site will cost about $30.82 million. (14606/Action Item #2) Approved 3-0
37. Authorize the executive director to sign a modified agreement with Bellingham Aviation Services for management of aircraft tie-downs, T-hanger and general aviation landing fee collection management at the Bellingham airport? The agreement was initially approved at the 2/7/2017 meeting, vote #17. In the original agreement, Bellingham Aviation Services received 5 percent of the aviation landing fees. At the 3/18/2025 meeting, vote #29, the aviation fees were increased to 10 percent of the estimated $240,000 income for this year. This vote clarifies the collection process and compensation to Bellingham Aviation Services. (14609/Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0
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Action Taken at April 15, 2025 Meeting
Shall the commission:
38. Approve electric vehicle charging station fees? The first of four charging stations have been installed on port property. The charging station will be accessible by the public and port employees. This vote adopts the following fees: $0.25/kWh while charging; $0.25 will be charged for staying in the stall after charging is complete (there is a 10-minute grace period) and the total fee shall not exceed $23.00. Revenue will be used to cover electric costs and recoup capital investments. (14631/Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0
39. Approve $50,000 in Small City Economic Development funds for the City of Nooksack? The port started the small cities grant program in 2004. The city will use the funds for multiple projects. It will update the water system plan; amend the general sewer plan; analyze infrastructure improvements for the Sytsma industrial area and complete preliminary design work for West 2nd Street. The city has received $50,000 from other sources. (14632/Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0
40. Authorize the executive director to sign a $203,167 one-year contract (amendment #2) with Pacific Security (Parker Corporate Services) of Bellingham for security services? The port hired 10 security specialists to reduce reliance on contractual security services. Port staff has not internalized all security functions; this renewal should be the final contract with Pacific Security. This contract is an increase of $40,492 over the previous year. A contingency fee of $10,158 brings the total contract to $213,325. It runs from 6/1/2025 through 5/30/2026. (14633/Consent Agenda F) Approved 3-0
41. Modify a lease with Bin 13 in the Waterfront District? At the 5/2/2023 meeting, vote #45, the commission approved a lease with Bin 13 which is a wine bar and tasting room for two modified shipping containers in The Portal container village. At the 3/18/2024 meeting, vote #29, the lease was modified for outside seating, increasing the lease from 1,125 square feet to 2,450 square feet. This lease adjustment will allow for covered outdoor seating; and will increase the lease to 2,600 square feet. (14635/Consent Agenda H) Approved 3-0
42. Authorize the executive director to sign the necessary documents to purchase 58.81 acres of agriculture land located at 6211 Northwest Drive, Ferndale? The purchase price of $3,390,893 will be funded by a state grant and a grant/loan from the local Economic Development Investment program. The port will lease the property to the Whatcom Food and Farming Station. The nonprofit represents berry farms, dairy farms, vegetable farms, market-oriented farms and agricultural businesses. The agricultural research station is aimed at the future of local agriculture. The lease payment will be $55,000 per year, and it will cover the port’s EDI loan payment. (14636/Action Item #1) Approved 3-0
43. Approve a 75-year lease with Northstar Industrial Park of Los Altos, California, for approximately 3.49 acres of land located at 3910 Williamson Way (Lot 3)? A8 Growth LLC, an airport industrial park tenant, submitted a proposal to construct two approximately 20,000 square-foot warehouses with 2,500 square feet of office space in each building on Lot C. Northstar would have the option to develop adjacent property known as Development Site #15. Other port tenants could submit offers for development on Development Site #15. The initial lease will be 50 years with two 10-year renewals and one five-year renewal. The annual rent will be $110,000. (14637/Action Item #2) Approved 3-0
44. Increase the budget for the airport’s automated parking system from $350,000 to $440,000? The current parking system at the Bellingham Airport has reached the end of its practical service life. Entrance Controls of Tukwila is implementing a new automated parking system. The new system will no longer need contracted parking services, reducing the annual parking budget by $600,000. The added $90,000 will cover updated labor costs, IT equipment, design adjustments and unforeseen delays. (14640/ Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
45. Approve a lease (amendment #7) with the state of Alaska (Alaska Marine Highway System) for the continued use of the Bellingham Cruise Terminal as the terminus for the Alaska ferry? The original 20-year lease was signed in 1988. Puglia Engineering had been providing line-handling and ramp-tending services to the ferry until it shutdown its operation at the Fairhaven shipyard. At the 7/9/2019 meeting, vote #84, ILWU Local 7 began providing line-handling and ramp-tending services. This amendment will increase ILWU wages and benefits from 10/1/2024 through the end of the contract on 9/30/2025. (14643/Consent agenda G) Approved 3-0
46. Authorize the executive director to sign a one-year lease with Barlean’s Fishery of Ferndale for property located at 2551 Roeder Avenue? The building on the property was formerly occupied by CityMac. Barlean’s will use the space to operate a seafood market and professional offices (1,933 square feet) and the outside area for parking lot/boat storage (21,935 square feet). The lease can be renewed for three consecutive one-year options. (14650/ Action Item #3) Approved 3-0
