Action Taken at July 15, 2025 Meeting
Shall the commission:
73. Place on the 2025 general election ballot, a proposition to increase the number of port commissioners from three to five? If the proposition is passed, the commission will increase port districts in the county from three to five. The Port of Bellingham has been governed by three commissioner since it was established in 1920. In 2012, a ballot measure was passed by the port commissioners to increase the number of members to five elected members. That measure (Proposition No. 1) was defeated by 1,458 votes out of 89,854 ballots cast. (Resolution 1422) 14825/Action Item #1. Approved 2-1, Bobby Briscoe opposed.
74. Authorize the interim executive director to accept a $17,931,000 federal grant for the Bellingham Shipping Terminal rail connection project? The project will reduce truck emissions while modernizing the shipping terminal. The grant fully funds the rail connection; it does not require a port match. (14826/Action Item #2) Approved 3-0
75. Authorize the interim executive director to sign a lease with the Whatcom Food and Farming Station for approximately 58.81 acres of land at 6209 Northwest Drive in Ferndale? At the 4/15/2025 meeting, vote #42, the commission authorized the purchase of 58.81 acres of land on Northwest Drive. The purpose of the purchase was to lease the land to the Whatcom Food and Farming Station. For additional information about the purchase and purpose of the the land, see Whatcom County Council meetings on 5/13/2025, vote #121, 6/24/2025 meeting, vote #152, and the port commission meeting on 6/17/2025, vote #67. (14827/Action Item #3) Approved 3-0
76. Authorize the executive director to renew the port’s property, cyber and crime insurance coverage? The total cost is $517,693. The property premium is $1,494,468, a decline of 4.3 percent or $64,539 from the previous year. Alliant Insurance Services of Newport Beach, California, serves as the port’s broker of record. Included is: $25,000 for cyber, $50 million each for earthquakes and floods, $100 million for terrorism. The coverage is for the period 7/1/2025 through 7/1/2026. The crime coverage is for two years. (14830/Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
77. Authorize the sale of one vessel for the nonpayment of moorage fees? An auction was held at Squalicum Harbor for a 24-foot sailboat with unpaid fees of $758.14. Sealed bids closed on August 5. Port staff contacted the owner about the unpaid fees a total of 10 times. (14831/Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0
78. Execute a mutual separation agreement with former Executive Director Rob Fix? A separation motion passed at the 6/3/2025 meeting, vote #64, did not give the amount of severance pay. This vote authorizes the amount of severance at $235,000, Rob Fix’s regular salary for 12 months. (14832.Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0
79. Renew and modify a lease with the Wood Stone Corporation for premises located near the corner of West Bakerview and Airport Way? A lease for property at the airport industrial park was first signed in April 1999. The Wood Stone Corporation manufactures bistro home ovens, mountain home ovens, a professional series grill, tool sets, outdoor chimney and exhaust fan. In 2013, Wood Stone was purchased by the Henny Penny Corporation located in Eaton, Ohio. The five-year lease ends on 5/31/2030: the base rent will be $1,469,229, plus one-half of 1 percent of gross receipts. (14833/ Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0
80. Authorize the interim executive director to sign an extension for parking management with SP Plus Corporation of Chicago, Illinois? This extension is for a month-to-month contract at $50,000 per month. The port is transitioning to an automatic parking revenue system at the Bellingham airport, completion expected by the end of August of this year. The new automated system owned and operated by the port will save the port over $600,000 per year. (14834/ Consent Agenda G) Approved 3-0
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Action Taken at July 24, 2025 Special Meeting
81. Appoint individuals to serve on “For” and “Against” committees to prepare statements for the voters’ pamphlet? At the 7/15/2025 meeting, vote #73, the commission voted (approved 2-1, Bobby Briscoe opposed) to place on the 2025 general election ballot, a proposition to increase the number of port commissioners from three to five. (14850/Action Item #1) Approved 3-0
