Compiled by Bill McCallum
Action Taken at June 6, 2023 Meeting
Shall the commission:
49. Award 2023 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 Everson will receive $50,000 for the downtown commercial area. Recent flooding impacted the downtown and the money will be used for floodplain modeling, mapping and analysis to prepare for future flood events. The total cost is estimated at $100,000 and will be completed this year. The city of Blaine will receive $50,000 to complete engineering plans for the revitalization of five blocks of the downtown and fixing Peace Portal Drive. The total cost is estimated at $2,545,000 and is expected to be completed by December of 2025. (12776/Consent Agenda B) Approved 3-0
50. Establish petty cash and change funds? Petty cash funds shall be established in the following locations, amounts and custodians. Accounting office: $100, Sarah Eastwood. Squalicum office: $50, Aaron Bisson. Blaine office: $50, Andy Peterson. Change funds shall be established in the following amounts and custodians. Gate 12 change machine: $100, Aaron Bisson. Gate 3 gatehouse change machine: $400, Aaron Bisson. BTC locker change machine: $50, Dave Warter. Blaine boating center change machine: $300, Andy Peterson. Three tills for Blaine employees: $600, Andy Peterson. Six tills for Squalicum employees: $1,200, Aaron Bisson. Dockside market for EBT card tokens: $1,500, Cari Chan. Total petty cash and change fund: $4,350. 12777/Consent Agenda C (Resolution 1362-D) Approved 3-0
Action Taken at June 20, 2023 Meeting
Shall the commission:
51. Authorize the executive director to amend the personal services agreement with Distinctive Voice Consulting of Bellingham? The $13,900 agreement is for diversity, equity and inclusion training of port staff. The Port of Bellingham strives for a diversified, professional workforce. Employee retention is a key corporate goal, and additional training and development for staff and management is in alignment with a key corporate goal. (12817/Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0
52. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreement with Sound Internet Services d/b/a/ PogoZone for right of use, fiber design and construction of a fiber network? The 44-mile network passes 500 homes in the north Lynden area. At the 11/20/2018 meeting, vote #164, the commission first approved an agreement with the PUD to work collaboratively to develop a public fiber strategic. The port received a $2 million state grant for the rural broadband project and $1 million local matching grant from the Whatcom County Economic Development Investment Board. Terms of the agreement: The Port of Bellingham will construct and own the network. PogoZone will operate and maintain the network, collect fees and provide lite service on the network. (12818/Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0
53. Authorize the executive director to sign a release of claims with former employee Erich Tritz? An independent investigation into misconduct by Mr. Tritz resulted in his termination on 3/30/2023. The Inlandboatmen’s Union of the Pacific filed a grievance on 4/17/2023. The port, the union and Mr. Tritz negotiated the following: $60,424 payment to Mr. Tritz, less applicable taxes and payroll withhholding; medical dental and vision benefits for 30 days after separation; all references to termination will be replaced with voluntary separation, the port will not object to the awarding of unemployment benefits or comment about performance issues to employment inquiries. (12819/Consent Agenda F) Approved 3-0
54. Increase the budget by $245,365 for ARFF (aircraft rescue and fire fighting) turnout gear (personal protective equipment), self-contained breathing apparatus, a liquid de-ice vehicle and phase two of the building to house snow removal equipment? Three bids were received for the turnout gear and breathing apparatus. The low bid was $98,997 from L.N. Curtis of Kent and the high bid was $117,967. One bid was received for the de-ice truck: it was $646,368 from MB Companies of Chilton, Wisconsin. At the 4/19/2022 meeting, vote #43, a low bid of $4,827,912 was awarded to Boss Construction of Bellingham to construct (phase one) the building to hold snow removal equipment. The phase two contract is $1,434,461, change orders $848,000, CM fee $361,100 for a grand total of $5,637,525. FAA grants will cover 90 percent of the above expenses. (12820/Action Item 1) Approved 3-0
55. Reallocate $70,745 for a covered parking solar structure feasibility and design study at the Bellingham airport? In the 2023 budget, the feasibility and design of solar arrays were identified for Blaine Harbor webhouses, International Trade Building, Harbor Center Building, Marina Square and Squalicum Harbor webhouses. In early 2023, the airport was identified as a new project to evaluate. (12821/Action Item 2) Approved 3-0
56. Reallocate $230,000 apron striping a the Bellingham airport? A total of eight gates can accommodate aircraft. The current striping allows five gates to accommodate aircraft as large as the Boeing 737-900, two for Bombardier Q400 or Embraer 195 and one for Airbus A-320. The new striping will allow Boeing 737 aircraft to be enabled at all eight gates. Boeing 737 Max 7 at two gates and Boeing 737 Max 9 at six gates. The revised budget for restriping is $350,000. (12822/Action Item 3) Approved 3-0
