Action Taken at June 9, 2026 meeting
Shall the commission:
76. Authorize the executive director to sign a $162,838 contact with Mead & Hunt of Middleton, Wisconsin, for planning activities at the airport industrial park? At the 2/3/2026 meeting, vote #20, the port received a $100,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce Community Economic Revitalization Board which will help fund the work. The port has committed $55,000 in matching funds. The Airport Industrial Business Development and Action Plan will provide strategic recommendations, actionable steps, and a roadmap to attract new businesses, support existing enterprises, optimize land use, market analysis, and alignment with regional economic objectives. The plan will serve as a guiding document to advance the airport’s role as a catalyst for industrial innovation and job creation in the community. (15596/Action Item #1) Approved 3-0
77. Declare equipment surplus and sell it at public auction? The surplus property: 1990 Hyster forklift, 1969 Ford F250, Ford F250 (in one location the year is listed as 1976 and in another location 1996), and 2008 Aluma trailer. (155998/Consent Agenda B) Approved 3-0
78. Authorize the executive director to sign a one-year extension with Puget Sound Executive Services of Sequim to provide law enforcement officers at the Bellingham airport at $92.38 per hour? The federal government requires the port to provide uniformed, armed law enforcement officers that have arrest authority to be present when the passenger screening checkpoint is open, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is performing screening procedures. Law enforcement officers also roam the terminal to increase law enforcement presence, patrol for unattended vehicles parked along the curb, and respond to situations in which an individual is interfering with TSA or airport operations. At the 6/18/2024 meeting, vote #53, the commission approved the original contact at $89 per hour. This extension runs from 7/1/2026 through 6/30/2027. (15599/Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
79. Restrict the use of Port of Bellingham property for civil immigration enforcement purposes and activities? This vote is intended to explicitly align port policies and practices with applicable local, state, and federal law, while continuing to respect lawful federal authority in existing federal operations. Port property shall not be used for civil immigration detention facilities or civil immigration enforcement support facilities. Moreover, it specifies that a lawful judicial warrant is required to carry out federal civil immigration enforcement in nonpublic port-owned spaces. (Resolution 1432) 15621/Action Item #2 Approved 2-1, Bobby Briscoe opposed.
80. Add the Pledge of Allegiance to beginning of the Port Commission meeting? Commissioner Briscoe heard a suggestion during the public comment period that the Pledge of Allegiance be added to Port Commission meetings; he made a motion to add the Pledge of Allegiance to every meeting. (Other Business) Approved 3-0
81. Cancel the June 23 Port Commission meeting? Commissioners Michael Shepard and Bobby Briscoe will not be available for the next scheduled meeting. (Other Business) Approved 3-0
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Port of Bellingham Commission
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