Compiled by Bill McCallum
Action Taken at September 19, 2023 Meeting
Shall the commission:
73. Authorize the executive director to sign a $26,928 contract (amendment #2) with DH Environmental of Seattle to continue the management of the Environmental Compliance Assessment Program? The port began the program in 1992, when it started looking more closely at the impact of tenant operations on port properties. Approximately 125 port tenants are the subject of some form of environmental regulations. Through the environmental compliance assessment program, the port provides stormwater education to tenants as well as illicit discharge detection and stormwater catch basin labeling. At the 7/10/2018 meeting, vote #97, a contact was initially approved with DH Environmental to manage the compliance program. A $35,172 amended contract was approved at the 2/21/2023 meeting, vote #18. This amendment brings the total contract to $92,100. (13026/Consent Agenda I) Approved 3-0
74. Increase the Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park budget for the site improvement project by $2,700,000? The site improvements will identify preferred design alternatives to minimize coastal flooding, infrastructure upgrades and preparing the site for future uses. The initial total project cost was estimated at $9 million; the estimate has increased to $13,600,000. The increased costs are for construction dewatering, contaminated soil management and sturdy pavement design. This vote will fully fund phase 1 construction and evaluate phase 2 design alternatives to reduce project costs. (13027/Consent Agenda J) Approved 3-0
75. Declare specified equipment as surplus and sell it at public auction? The surplus property: three HVAC roof top units, two inboard marine motors, one outboard Honda motor, one 2011 Ford truck, one 1997 Dodge flat bed truck, one Green Machines sweeper, fluorescent lamps and fixtures. (13028/Consent Agenda K) Approved 3-0
76. Authorize the executive director to sign a $47,257 contract (amendment #2) with Jacobs Engineering Group of Bellevue for wetland support at the Bellingham airport? In 1998, a survey of wetlands at the Bellingham airport was conducted. In November 2022, the port asked Jacobs Engineering to identify any wetlands that were not on the original 1998 analysis. A new wetland was identified at development area 18. This amendment will develop a wetland buffer plan addendum to support future development at the airport. A parking lot is proposed for area 18. The total amended contract is $135,758 and the completion date is 12/31/2024. (13029/Consent Agenda L) Approved 3-0
77. Authorize the executive director to sign an environmental indemnification and environmental easement agreement with the BoardMill Group? At the 8/9/2022 meeting, vote #110, the commission voted to negotiate an agreement with The BoardMill Group for a 3.43 parcel on the corner of Laurel and Granary Avenue in the Waterfront District. At the 10/18/2022 meeting, vote #122, the agreement was modified to allow more soil testing until 2/28/2023. At the 4/11/2023 meeting, vote #38, an option was approved with the BoardMill Group for 5.37 acres in the Waterfront District. This vote details the port and BoardMill responsibility related to environmental cleanup and management of contaminated materials (13030/Consent Agenda M) Approved 3-0
78. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreement with the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services to provide contract management services for energy program assistance? Building audits have identied the need for more detailed analysis and project identification. The state will sign a contract with an energy service company to perform a preliminary audit to identify facilities and and provide project options for the port consideration. The benefits of this agreement are compliance with the state Clean Buildings Performance Standard, and a reduction in energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.(13031/Consent Agenda N) Approved 3-0
79. Authorize the executive director to sign a grant agreement with Puget Sound Energy for commercial strategic energy management? PSE offers financial incentives, training and reference materials for the port to reduce energy use by making changes throughout their facilities. The port will be eligible for $70,800 in grants over three-year period. The savings target of 3 percent for the three years is 761,665 kWh. (13032/Consent Agenda O) Approved 3-0
80. Reallocate $80,000 to replace a fender pile at the Squalicum Sawtooth dock? In May, a fishing vessel’s lines came tight on a rising tide and lifted the pile out of the ground. The pile replacement will be combined with the Gillet loading zone/Gate 4 project to save time and money. (13033/Consent Agenda P) Approved 3-0
81. Authorize the executive director to sign a contract not to exceed $350,219 with Cobb, Fendley & Associates of Houston, Texas, for engineering, design and permitting for the north Lynden portion of the rural broadband fiber network? The 45-mile fiber project passes 678 homes and has a budget of $3 million. All contract tasks shall be completed by 12/31/2024. Seven proposals were received to the RFPS bid process. (13034/Consent Agenda Q) Approved 3-0
82. Adopt the port’s Climate Action Strategy? Since 2019, the port has been working on developing a roadmap and vision for its climate action strategy. The strategy serves a framework for continuing work, including implementation of projects identified to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience. It is anticipated that in the future it will be incorporated into the Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements. The 79 page strategy was prepared by Triangle Associates. 13035/Action Item 1 (Resolution 1409) Amended and approved 3-0.
83. Approve the lease with the state of Alaska (amendment #5) for ILWU Longshoremen to continue performing line-handling and ramp-tending at the cruise terminal? Amendment #2 was approved at the 7/9/2019 meeting, vote #84. Puglia Engineering shutdown operations in 2019, ILWU Local 7 took over line-handling and ramp-tending. At the 8/11/2020 meeting, vote #64, (amendment #3) labor rates were increased by nearly 3 percent; at the 7/13/2021 meeting, vote #83, (amendment #4) labor rates were increased by 6.37 percent. With amendment #5, labor rates will increase by 14.4 percent and be in effect from 8/17/2023 to 9/30/2024. (13037/Consent Agenda B) Approved 3-0
84. Authorize the executive director to accept a two-year $213,236 state grant for economic development services? The Washington State Department of Commerce (Associate Development Organization program) reimburses the port for economic development services performed in Whatcom County. The state legislature created the Associate Development Organization in 1993 to support local economic development. At the 3/6/2012 meeting, vote #44, the responsibilities as the lead economic development organization in the county was transferred from the Northwest Economic Council to the Port of Bellingham. The grant ends on 6/30/2025. (13038/Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
85. Remove $500 in change funds from Harbor Gates 12 and 3 at Squalicum Harbor? Petty cash funds are established at various locations and amounts to facilitate minor purchases and making change. Since coin machines have been removed from showers and laundry facilities at Squalicum Harbor to curb theft and vandalism, petty cash in no longer needed. At the 6/6/2023 meeting, vote #50, the total petty cash and change fund was $4,350. With this vote, petty cash in the accounting office has been increased by $20 bringing the total to $3,870. 13040/Consent Agenda E (Resolution 1362-E) Approved 3-0
86. Change the lease in Sumas from Mountain View Reload (USA) to Arrow View Reload? At the 3/2/2010 meeting, vote #47, a lease was changed from Desticon Transportion to Mountain View Reload (USA). Desticon had been storing and loading truck and railcars operating between Canada and the United States since signing a port lease in May of 1989. Mountain View Reload purchased Desticon and moved its Abbotsford, B.C. facility to Sumas. Arrow View Reload, a subsidiary of Arrow Transportation Systems is a Canadian company with headquarters in Kamloops, B.C. (13041/Consent Agenda F) Approved 3-0
87. Renew a land lease with Spring Street Towers LLC? At the August 19, 2003 meeting, vote #67, the port terminated a lease with Mary M. Bingman for property at 2696 Roeder Avenue. At the next vote, a 20-year lease was approved with Hopeton LLC for the Bingman property. At the 6/19/2018 meeting, the lease was changed from Hopeton LLC to Spring Street Towers LLC. The lease is renewed for 11 years, ending on 7/31/2034. Rent for the first year is $41,399 with 5 percent increases until July 2029. (13042/Consent Agenda G) Approved 3-0
88. Change the lease from City Cab Inc. and City Paratransit Inc. to Yellow Cab Co-op Inc.? Since 2003, City Cab/Paratransit have occupied 148 square feet of space in Fairhaven Station (train and bus depot). In 2018, dispatch offices were moved to Fairhaven Station and 10 parking spaced added to the lease. The owners are retiring and employees have purchased the business and changed the name to Yellow Cab Co-op Inc. The business will continue to operate from Fairhaven Station. (13043/Consent Agenda H) Approved 3-0
Action Taken at October 3, 2023 Meeting
Shall the commission
89. Authorize the executive director to sign a two-year service agreement with the Whatcom Working Waterfront Foundation to fund a maritime apprenticeship program? The program falls under economic development services approved at the 9/19/2023 meeting, vote #84. The port will dedicate $10,000 per year for 2023 and 2024 for the apprenticeship program in Whatcom County. (13064/Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
90. Authorize the executive director to renew the port’s liability and auto insurance coverage? The primary and excess liability includes terrorism ($50 million). The premium from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024 will be $279,216, a 4.2 percent increase over the previous year. The 2022-2023 premium was $267,850. Alliant Insurance Services of Newport Beach, California, will continue to serve as the broker of record. (13066/Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0
91. Writeoff a delinquent balance of $18,716? Michael Lovejoy was living aboard a 41-foot sailboat called the Windy City in Blaine Harbor, his account started going delinquent in January 2020. The vessel was impounded in March 2021 and the vessel auction was announced at the 7/11/2023 meeting, vote #58. Port staff attempted to contact Mr. Lovejoy nine times by email, phone and certified mail, all were unsuccessful. The sailboat was not sold at the auction and became surplus, the port will destroy it. The write-off is for moorage $13,471; leaseholder tax $1,730; electricity $814; late fee $2,693 and postage $8.53. A collection agency will not be contacted, it is unlikely they would be able to collect any of the delinquent balance. (13068/Consent agenda B) Approved 3-0
Action Taken at October 17, 2023 Meeting
Shall the commission
92. Authorize the executive director to sign a consent decree and agreed order for cleanup actions at the I&J Waterway site? Between 1900 and 1992, the property along the waterway has been a site for lumber mill operations, rock crushing and frozen food processing. An environmental site assessment was conducted in 1994 and 1995. The investigations indicate polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the soil and chromium in the groundwater. Sediment sampling detected bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, nickel, mercury and phenol contamination in waterway and berth area sediments. Benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid, dimethylphthalate, N-nitrosodiphenylamine, and dibenzofuran were detected above natural background in surface and subsurface sediment samples. At the 12/7/2004 meeting, vote #117, the commission approved a $249,470 contract with Retec Group of Seattle for the RI/FS project. At the 8/16/2005 meeting, vote #86, the executive director signed an agreed order to perform a remedial investigation/feasibility study at the I&J Waterway site. The state temporarily suspended the project pending clarification of the dredge management program in 2007 and re-started it in 2012. At the 4/3/2012 meeting, vote #63, the executive director signed amendment #2 to the agreed order. At the 2/7/2012 meeting, vote #20, the commission authorized a $274,922 contract with Anchor QEA of Seattle to finish (Retec reorganized and is not available to continue the study) remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) of the I&J Waterway. In 2015, the state approved the RI/FS to address contamination at the site. At the 2/5/2019 meeting, vote #16, the commission authorized the executive director to sign amendment #3 to the agreed order to perform remedial design at the I&J Waterway. At the 6/4/2019 meeting, vote #71, the commission authorized a $699,934 contract with Crete Consulting of Seattle to perform remedial design and permitting of the I&J Waterway cleanup project. (13084/Action Item 1) Approved 3-0
93. Authorize the expenditure of $565,000 for a new restroom building at the container village? The village is currently served by a two-stall restroom building, a portable restroom trailer and several individual portable restrooms. The facilities are difficult to clean, susceptible to breakage and insufficient for the number of visitors. The new building is a pre-cast concrete structure with the capacity of 12 additional users. It will withstand hard use and vandalism, with stainless-steel fixtures and anti-graffiti coating. (13086/Consent Agenda B)
94. Authorize the executive director to terminate a lease with Blue Ocean Canvas & Upholstery LLC and sign a new lease with Frame Studio Inc.? On 3/1/2020, Blue Ocean Canvas & Upholstery LLC entered into a lease for 600 square feet of space in suite 10 at the Harbor Mall. The lease terminated on 11/17/2023 and a new lease with Frame Studio Inc. commences for the same space on 12/1/2023 and terminates on 11/30/2024. The rent for one year is $6,600. (13087/Consent Agenda C) Approved 3-0
95. Authorize the executive director to sign a dredging agreement with the Squamish Tribe? This agreement will allow the transportation of dredging material via barge to the Seattle Waste Management Reload facility. (Other Business) Approved 3-0
