Port of Bellingham Commission

Compiled by Bill McCallum

Action Taken at July 14, 2020 Meeting

Shall the commission:
53. Small Works Roster. Contracts under $300,000 fall within the executive director’s spending authority; they only require commission notification. Blaine webhouse No. 1 demolition project, $35,056; Bellwether building exterior sealing project, $66,307. (9476/Consent Agenda J) Approved 3-0

54. Authorize the executive director to sign a lease agreement with the city of Bellingham for mutual use and ongoing maintenance of the Sehome Hill radio repeater? The lease commenced on 1/1/2002, and annual payments by the port will increase from $3,000 to $3,300. The five-year lease expires on 12/31/2025. (9477/Consent Agenda I) Approved 3-0

55. Authorize the executive director to sign a lease modification with Verizon Wireless for the Blaine Marine Industrial Area? In 2016, the port entered a lease with Verizon to maintain and operate a cellular service facility at the Blaine Marine Industrial Area. Construction of the new facility began in late 2019. Constructed is expected to be completed by the end of July. Bulkhead construction is expected to begin in August of 2020, impacting the construction. If the modification is not reached by July 31, 2020, the lease will be terminated. (9878/Consent Agenda H) Approved 3-0

56. Approve a second land lease modification with with I&J Properties and Hilton Roeder II? At the 10/3/2017 meeting, vote #125, the commission approved a land lease with I & J Properties for Lot A and Hilton Roeder II for Lot B. The original lease allowed for the construction, management and ability to sublease a building on each lot. Lot A was surveyed at 23,598 square feet and the rent is $2,228 per month. Lot B was surveyed at 32,234 square feet and the rent is $2,525 per month. (9479/Consent Agenda G) Approved 3-0

57. Authorize the executive director to sign a donation agreement with Historical Railroad Restoration, Inc. to accept a streetcar which was part of the Bellingham electric trolley system? The trolly system existed from the late 1800s until 1938. The trolley car had been on display inside a Seattle restaurant until it closed in 2016. It was purchased by Historical Railroad Restoration, Inc. If the port does not find a suitable display location, the car will be sold back to Historical Railroad Restoration, Inc. at fair market value.(9480/Consent Agenda F) Approved 3-0

58. Authorize the executive director to accept a $727,500 state grant for the Squalicum Waterway maintenance dredging project? The waterway supports over 2,000 jobs, the federal channel requires regular dredging to maintain the authorized navigation depth. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the dredging in January 2020, they presented the port with a bill for $550,806. This grant will reimburse the port for the dredging bill, the additional grant money will be used to complete the dredging project. (9481/Consent Agenda E) Approved 3-0

59. Modify lease agreements with Scotty Brown’s Restaurant (WGR Airport) and Halibut Henry’s? Through May and June of this year, passenger traffic was down 97.5 percent over last year. No rent will be required for Scotty Brown’s Restaurant and Halibut Henry’s from July through September 2020. A second period from October through December 2020 will be conditioned upon a review of passenger demand in the third quarter. The rent abatement for total monthly gross receipts, leased space and additional rent and terminal space rents over two quarters is estimated at $21,176. (9482/Consent Agenda D) Approved 3-0

60. Authorize the executive director to renew the port’s property and crime insurance coverage? The total insured value of the property is $540 million. Alliant Insurance Services of Newport Beach, California serves as port’s broker of record. Included is 50 million in earthquake, flood and terrorism insurance. The property premium is increasing from $$881,655 to $1,086,607 or 23.2 percent, crime insurance is remaining at $1,477 for the period 7/1/2020 through 7/1/2021. Major losses for property insurance carriers is a major reason premium increases. (9487/Action Item 1) Approved 3-0

61. Authorize the executive director to modify a land lease with Point Roberts Press? At the 6/7/2005 meeting, vote #72, a 40-year was signed with Point Roberts Press to demolish the existing building and build a two-story building at 225 Marine Drive in Blaine. The lease was modified at the 7/2/2009 meeting, vote #90, due to economic conditions, phase 2 to add 8,000 square feet to the building was delayed until 6/1/2014. At the 10/20/2015 meeting, vote #138, phase 2 was delayed to 7/1/2025. In this modification, parking spaces are being reduced from 32 stalls to 16 stalls. The modification extends the lease until 5/31/2015, the total rent will be $94,024. (9490/Consent Agenda K) Approved 3-0