Compiled by Bill McCallum
Action Taken at April 5, 2022 Meeting
The meeting was cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.
Action Taken at April 19, 2022 Meeting
Shall the commission:
37. Amend the budget to allow the installation of security cameras at the Bellwether underground garage? The garage has experienced a significant increase in vehicle break-ins, gas siphoning, large gatherings with loud music, partying and other objectionable activities. The estimated cost to install the cameras is $22,000. Signage will be installed indicating the premises are monitored by security cameras. (11467/Consent Agenda G) Approved 3-0
38. Authorize the executive director to sign a $356,752 one-year contract with Pacific Security (Parker Corporate Services) of Bellingham for security services? The contract is for unarmed security guard and vehicle patrol services at the train station, ferry terminal, airport, Bellingham and Blaine harbors. A $35,675 contingency fee brings the total to $392,427. The contract runs from 6/1/2022 through 5/3/2023. (11468/Consent Agenda H) Approved 3-0
39. Small works roster. Contracts under $300,000 fall within the executive director’s spending authority; they only require commission notification. The executive director awarded a $39,300 contract to BOSS Construction for the BTC generator storage area and a $53,856 contract to Hytech Roofing for Roeder improvements. (11470/Consent Agenda J) Approved 3-0
40. Award 2022 small cities economical development grants totaling $100,000 to Sumas and Nooksack? The port started the small cities grant program in 2004. The city of Sumas will receive $50,000 for preliminary design and the feasibility of relocating the City Hall/police department/public works facility. The building sustained damage during the Nov. 2021 flood event and was not operational as a command center during the disaster. The total feasibility cost is estimated at $100,000. The city of Nooksack will receive $50,000 for the design and permitting phase of 4th Street/Gillies Road/SR9 improvements. The 4th Street/Gillies Road project will improve all-weather access to adjacent housing areas. The SR9 crosswalk enhancement project will improve safe crossing of the state highway in the downtown commercial core. The total cost is estimated at $100,000. (11471/Consent Agenda K) Approved 3-0
41. Authorize the executive director to sign a $456,044 two-year contract with Puget Sound Executive Services of Sequim to provide law enforcement officers at the Bellingham airport? The federal government requires the port to provide uniformed, armed law enforcement officers that have arrest authority to be present at passenger screening checkpoints. This is a 13 percent increase over the $400,578 contract approved at the 6/19/2018 meeting, vote #87. The federal government will reimburse the port $20 per hour with the remaining balance reimbursed by the airlines. The contract runs from 7/1/2022 through 6/30/2024. (11472/Consent Agenda L) Approved 3-0
42. Modify a land lease with the Bellingham Bay Community Boating Center? At the 8/16/2016 meeting, vote #145, the commission approved the lease to operate the Fairhaven boat launch and moorage facilities at 555 Harris Avenue. The Bellingham Bay Community Boating Center promotes small human-powered boat use on Bellingham Bay. The center would like to expand the approximately 16,107 square feet by 1,950 square feet to construct a two-story building to provide showers/changing stalls, restrooms, an outdoor classroom, and an indoor multipurpose space. These resources are needed to support their expanding programs, and are needed resources for cold water safety. They currently have only outdoor classrooms and portable toilets. The rent will be increased to $159.03 per month plus leaseholder excise tax. (11473/Consent Agenda M) Approved 3-0
43. Authorize the executive director to award the low bid of $4,827,912 to Boss Construction of Bellingham for the construction of a facility to hold snow removal equipment? Two bids were received. The federal government will fund 90 percent and the port’s share is $472,791. At the 7/13/2021 meeting, vote #81, the commission authorized a contract with AECOM of Seattle for the design, permitting and bidding services for the facility to house snow removal equipment. At the 8/14/2018 meeting, vote #113, the port received a $703,363 federal grant for the purchase of snow removal equipment. At the 6/19/2018 meeting, vote #87, the commission approved a low bid of $748,163 for snow removal equipment. The new snow removal equipment operates 10 mph faster and the plow blades are eight feet wider. (11474/Consent Agenda N) Approved 3-0
44. Authorize the executive director to award the low bid of $5,304,848 to the Colacurcio Brothers of Blaine for the relocation of the Foxtrot taxiway? Two bids were received. The federal government will fund 90 percent and the port’s share is $530,485. The memorandum does not contain any information about the relocation project. (11474/Consent Agenda N) Approved 3-0
45. Renew the lease with WGR Airport LLC d/b/a/ Scotty Bowns at the Bellingham airport? At the 7/19/2011 meeting, vote #108, the commission authorized a lease for 1,400 square feet inside the secured area of the passenger terminal building. Private funds built and outfitted the restaurant. The opening was to be no later than 3/1/2012. The rents were based on 5.5 of the gross sales. At the 3/19/2013 meeting, vote #54, the lease was modified, the total space was increased to 2,502 square feet . At the 8/16/2016 meeting, vote #142, the space was reduced by 351 feet. At the 3/24/2020 meeting, vote #29, the rent was reduced from 5.5 percent to 3.5 percent of gross sales. The renewed lease runs from 5/1/2022 through 4/30/2027 and the base rent is 3.5 percent of gross sales. Nominal rent is $58,531. (11475/Consent Agenda O) Approved 3-0
46. Authorize the 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 and Lummi Bay. This is the second year the 6×10 foot cargo trailer will be parked at a mutually agreed-upon Blaine Harbor location. The storage period runs from 3/28/2022 to 11/30/2022. (11476/Consent Agenda P) Approved 3-0
47. Modify a lease with Seaview Boartyard North at Squalicum Harbor? Seaview has been a port tenant since 2002. At the 4/20/2021 meeting, vote #48, the lease was modified to extend the lease from 4/30/2042 to 4/30/2062 and allow upland vessel moorage, construction of a building for large vessel repair and maintenance, installing a fueling facility and extending the lease to 4/30/2062. Building plans were to be submitted by 1/31/2022 — it was modified to 4/15/2022. This vote allows the plans to be submitted by 7/1/2022. (11478/Consent Agenda R) Approved 3-0
48. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreement with the city of Bellingham for the installation, operation and maintenance of port fiber conduit at the intersection of Roeder Avenue and F Street? Recently, fiber conduit has been installed along Granary Avenue and Laurel Street and Roeder Avenue between Seaview Avenue and Central Avenue. The project is expected to begin in July 2022. It is part of the city’s F Street Crossing project (sidewalk and gutter, ADA ramps and other roadway work) in conjunction with railroad crossing improvements. The port’s expect cost of the project is $60,000. (11479/Consent Agenda S) Approved 3-0
49. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreement with the Whatcom Council of Governments to upgrade the Smart Trips website? Smart Trips encourages all of us to make more of our trips by walking, biking, riding the bus and sharing rides. The update will include mobile apps, mapping, integration and more. The current operating system, Framework v.3.2, is no longer supported and is in jeopard of crashing. The port will contribute $40,000 to the integrated digital platform. (11480/Consent Agenda T) Approved 3-0
50. Authorize the executive director to sign documents approving a $125,000 loan to Larrabee Lager? The loan is based on Larrabbe Lager’s owner Sam Milne’s extensive background in all aspects of running craft breweries. Larrabee Lager will open for business in the late fall/early winter of 2022. The interest rate is 2.44 percent over nine years. Commissioner Bell expressed reservations about a low-interest loan to a brewery. (11482/Consent Agenda B) Approved 3-0
51. Authorize the executive director to request a reimbursement from the state of Washington for costs associated with the disposal of two abandoned vessels? Through the Derelict Vessel Removal Program, the state will reimburse the port for 90 percent of the costs. In February 2022, 24-foot and 26-foot sailing vessels were found sunk of port-managed property in Fairhaven. The estimated cost of demolishment and disposal is $20,000. (11483/Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
52. Reassign two Blaine web lockers to Trident Seafoods? Since 2003, Aleutian Spray Reverse has moored the 110-foot ocean dragger F/V Muir Milach at port facilities in Blaine and Bellingham. Trident Seafoods, the new owner of the F/V Muir Milach, has expressed an interest in continuing to operate it from Whatcom County. (11484/Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0
53. Authorize modification #2 to a lease agreement with Comcast Cable Communications for the licensing of port-owned conduit? In August 2000, the Port of Bellingham and Comcast Cable entered into a 50-year conduit license agreement covering Squalicum Harbor and Squalicum Peninsula for the purpose of providing communications’ services to port tenants. The agreement was modified at the 10/6/2015 meeting, vote #126. Comcast wishes to expand its conduit lease up Roeder Avenue to 1224 Roeder Avenue. The total one-time fee is $14,507. (11485/Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0
54. Authorize the executive director to sign an authorization with Harcourt Bellingham to proceed with Projects No. 3 and 4 within the Waterfront District? At the 10/19/2021 meeting, vote #116, the commission authorized the executive director to sign an amended development agreement with Harcourt Bellingham. Projects 3 and 4 include the development of two, six-story mixed use buildings over a common above grade parking structure. The projects anticipate a mix of commercial and retail on ground floor, with upper floors as multi-family residential. The two buildings will provide approximately 135 residential units, a parking garage for over 260 vehicles and approximately 11,000 square feet of commercial space. No affordable housing units are proposed as part of this concept. The buildings will be located on the corner of Granary Avenue and Laurel Street. It is presumed that construction will start in late 2023 or early 2024 with a anticipated completion date of 12/1/2026. (11487/Action Item #1) Approved 3-0
