Action Take at the May 12, 2026 Meeting
Shall the commission:
65. Formalize Tiffany DeSimone in the role of permanent executive director of the Port of Bellingham? At the 6/3/2025 meeting, vote #64, the commission voted (2-1, Bobby Briscoe opposed) to execute a separation agreement with Executive Director Rob Fix. Since 2012, Rob Fix had been the the port’s executive director. At the same May meeting, vote #65, Tiffany DeSimone was appointed to serve as interim executive director and the commission voted to conduct a nationwide search for a replacement; the port received 99 applicants. The commissioners had an opportunity to meet and discuss the qualifications of the candidates after each step in the process. At the 4/28/2026 meeting, the commissions voted unanimously to offer the position to Tiffany DeSimone. Her yearly salary will be $237,699. (15532/Action Item #1) Approved 3-0
66. Authorize the interim executive director to sign a $25,000 master agreement for 2026 with Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism? The master agreement provides for basic tourism services, an airport ambassador program and a cruise terminal ambassador program. The airport ambassador program will provide and manage trained volunteers at the Bellingham airport at peak times for 8 to 16 hours per week. The cruise terminal ambassador program will provide and manage trained volunteers at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal on Alaska Marine Highway ferry departure days. This agreement has been in place since at least 2015. (15533/Action Item #2) Approved 3-0
67. Authorize the interim 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, Squalicum Harbor and Lummi Bay. The 6×10 foot cargo trailer will be parked at a mutually agreed-upon Blaine Harbor location. Only European green crab trapping equipment will be stored in the cargo trailer. The storage period runs from 3/1/2026 to 12/31/2027. (15535/Consent Agenda B) Approved 3-0
68. Approve $45,000 in Small City Economic Development funds for the City of Blaine? The port started the small cities grant program in 2004. The City of Blaine proposes targeted streetscape and plaza improvements at the H Street and G Street plazas to support continued revitalization of the downtown corridor. Project elements include new plaza furniture and planter baskets. Additional enhancements include hanging light-pole banners and café-style seating tables along downtown sidewalks. These improvements are designed to create an attractive, accessible, and family-friendly downtown environment that encourages longer visits, outdoor dining, and increased pedestrian activity. The total cost of the project is $90,0000.(15543/Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
69. Approve a lease with the Federal Aviation Administration for premises at the Bellingham airport? The U.S. Department of Transportation has leased the former aircraft and fire-fighting building for the past 25 years. The space is approximately 225 square feet and is used as an equipment room for air traffic communications, navigations air and weather observations. The 10-year lease runs from 6/1/2026 to 9/30/2035. Rent for 10 years will be $46,333. (15544/Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0
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Action Take at May 26, 2026 Meeting
Shall the commission:
70. Authorize the executive director to sign a $198,251 two-year contract (amendment #2) with Pacific Security (Parker Corporate Services) of Bellingham for security services? Currently, the port has 12 employees providing afternoon and evening security coverage for Squalicum Harbor, Blaine Harbor, and various port-owned real estate properties. Current staffing levels are not sufficient to meet 100 percent of the port’s operational requirements. Pacific Security will provide security services at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal, the Bellingham Cruise Terminal and the Fairhaven Transportation Station. A 5-percent contingency fee bring the total contract to $208,163. (15557/Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
71. Authorize the executive director to renew the port’s property, cyber and crime insurance coverage? The property premium is $1,458,648, the cyber premium is $22,434 and crime is $791. The property premium is a decline of 2.4 percent or $35,820 from the previous year. Alliant Insurance Services of Newport Beach, California, serves as the port’s broker of record. The policy includes: $50 million each for earthquakes and floods, $100 million for terrorism. The coverage is for the period 7/1/2026 through 7/1/2027. The crime coverage is for two years. (15558/Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0
72. Renew a lease with Sea Ray Sports Yachts? A tenant at 2121 Roeder Avenue since 2008, Sea Ray leases approximately 37,372 square feet of upland, 21,221 square feet of tideland and 50 feet x 204 feet of mooring floats. Sea Ray has stopped manufacturing large yachts and sport yachts (models over 40 feet) to refocus exclusively on sport boats, cruisers, and outboard-powered models. The five-year lease will begin on 4/1/2026 and end on 3/31/2031; the port will receive $301,970 in rent. (15559/Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0
73. Authorize the executive director to sign the 2026 commercial strategic energy management incentive agreement with Puget Sound Energy? At the 9/19/2023 meeting, vote #79, the commission approved the original agreement. PSE offers financial incentives — work with the PSE team to increase energy efficiency measures and help meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets. The port will be eligible for $20,900 incentives in the first two years and $26,330 in the third year. The savings target for the three years is 477,210 kWh. The agreement runs from 5/1/2026 through 4/20/2029. 15563/Consent Agenda I) Approved 3-0
74. Approve the settlement agreement amendment, third stockpile removal amendment and second construction license access agreement with Harcourt residential development? At the 10/19/2021 meeting, vote #116, the executive director was authorized to sign a revised project memorandum and estoppel certificate for Harcourt’s waterfront residential project. The commercial lender (Parkview Financial of Los Angeles, Calif.) requested the estoppel certificate along with the updated project memorandum, and, in the event of a default by Harcourt, any successor will be required to complete the project in accordance with a commission-approved project memorandum. On 10/19/2023, the completion deadline had passed without Harcourt obtaining a certification of completion for building A or B. On 10/20/2023, the port issued Harcourt a notice of default for the failure of compliance with the development schedule. On 12/5/2023, Harcourt requested an extension of the development schedule. At the 2/6/2024 meeting, vote #17, the extension request was denied. At the 10/15/2024 meeting, vote #86, Harcourt was required to remove stockpiled material within 12 months at a minimum volume of 250 tons per week, and the vote defined the scope of issues to be arbitrated. At the 5/6/2025 meeting, vote #55, the port entered into the settlement agreement and second stockpile and material removal agreement with Harcourt. Port staff have determined that the stockpiled material is of a quality that it can safely be utilized at a certain property in the Waterfront District for grading purposes. Harcourt shall pay the port $1,500,000 in exchange for the port taking title to and being solely responsible for the stockpiled material. This agreement grants Harcourt a temporary, non-exclusive license to certain port property for temporary staging of materials and portable offices during the development of its building two projects. (15566/Action Item #1) Approved 3-0
75. Amend the port’s 2026 strategic budget to reallocate funds to the Fairhaven Hand Launch Dock Project? In 2020, the port began planning the Hand-Launch Dock, a community-focused project designed to provide safe, water access for nonmotorized boaters. Located adjacent to the Community Boating Center, the new dock was envisioned as a safer alternative to the port’s motorized boat launch and would become the first ADA accessible hand-launch facility north of Everett. In 2021, the port initiated design and permitting for the dock and secured a $500,000 state grant. The port recently completed the bidding process. A budget amendment of $580,000 from the Squalicum Inner Harbor upgrades, design and permitting is needed to address increased construction costs due to inflation, rising labor wages, higher material prices, supply chain disruptions, and an increased demand for skilled trades and development. The revised budget for the Hand Launch Dock is $2,471,837. (15568/Action Item #2) Approved 3-0
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Port of Bellingham Commission
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