MINUTES OF THE PORT OF BELLINGHAM COMMISSION MEETING HELD TUESDAY MARCH 19, 2019 HARBOR CENTER ROOM 1801 ROEDER AVENUE, BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON Present: Staff: Commissioners: President Vice President Secretary Rob Fix Sunil Harman Don Goldberg Brian Gouran Elizabeth Monahan Tamara Sobjack Shirley Me Fearin Brady Scott John Michener Jan Gibson Alan Birdsall Kyle Randolph Andy Peterson Frank Chmelik Diane McClain Bobby Briscoe Ken Bell Michael Shepard Executive Director Aviation Director Economic Development Director Environmental, Planning Director Human Resources Director Finance Director, Auditor Real Estate Director Senior Property Manager Economic Development Specialist Project Engineer Manager of Marinas Squalicum Harbormaster Blaine Harbormaster Port Legal Counsel Executive Secretary OPEN PUBLIC MEETING, ROLL CALL AND IMMEDIATELY RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION At approximately 3:30 PM, the regular meeting was opened, roll was taken and immediately recessed to executive session. The purpose of the executive session was to discuss potential litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1) (i). The executive session was expected last approximately 1.0 hour with no formal action taken by the Commission during the executive session. 4:30 RECONVENE PUBLIC MEETING, ROLL CALL- At approximately 4:30 p.m, Commission President Briscoe closed the executive session, reconvened the public meeting and announced that all 3 Commissioners were present. Commissioner Briscoe announced that Executive Director Rob Fix was currently in Alaska on Port business (AMHS) and joining the meeting via teleconference. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD- Doua Karlberg- voiced support for approval of the two items on the agenda pertaining to weblockers in the marinas. Les Nelson-Retired fisherman, previously had 2 weblockers, currently has 1 in Blaine, inactive fishing status, not in favor of the notice of 30 days to vacate weblockers. Lee Freeman- 40 years fishing, currently has 2 weblockers full of fishing gear, both he and son fish, have boats; wanting to keep both weblockers.
Page 2 Advisory Committee Announcements CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Approve Consent Agenda items A-D. A. Approve the minutes of the March 5, 2019, regular Commission meeting. B. Authorization to sell vessel, pursuant to Resolution No. 1349. C. Authorize the Executive Director to execute a multi-agency Letter of Understanding to document acceptance of the preferred Runway Safety Area improvement option for the Bellingham International Airport (BLI). D. Approve a Harbor Land Lease between the Port of Bellingham and Foss Maritime Co. for dockage and upland property located at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal. Discussion: None PRESENTATIONS Update- Blaine Marina Industrial Area Senior Property Manager Brady Scott introduced the team of Port staff involved in multiple aspects of the Blaine Marine Industrial Area environmental remediation, capital improvement projects, planning efforts, tenant expansion and budget considerations. Mr. Scott presented an overview and timeline of the environmental cleanup (Blaine Marina Inc., Westman Marine, Sea K Fish) site, thewalsh Marine Building project currently out to bid, the Webouse relocation project also out to bid, construction and repair of bulkheads, sawtooth dock (phase 3) and access improvements. The presentation included an update on the status of the Wharf District Master Plan Amendment and Binding Site Plan and a timeline for 2019-2021 tenant expansion improvements and public input. Update- Western Crossing Commissioner Bell (Western Crossing Board member) reported that he and Executive Director Rob Fix had attended a March 6, 2019 meeting with Western to discuss a plan moving forward regarding Western Washington University's (WWU) presence on the waterfront. This meeting was the result of the February 19, 2019, commission vote to authorize the Executive Director and Commissioner Bell to "meet and confer" with Western Washington University and Western Crossing Development Corporation, pursuant to Section 9.5 of the MOD (Memorandum of Understanding) between WWU, the Port and Western Crossing. Commissioner Bell summarized the outcome of the March 6 meeting which resulted in a draft MOU Amendment No. 2 moving the submittal date of a mutually agreed upon Development Plan for Western Crossing to October 1, 2019. The discussion of the draft MOD Amendment timeline and expectations resulted in the following motion: Motion: Authorize the Executive Director to take one of two actions by March 31, 2019:
Page3 Or 1) Subject to legal review, execute and receive a fully executed MOD amendment in substantially the form presented to the Commission 2) Issue the MOD Termination Notice. 10 Minute Break Executive Director's Report: Rob Fix provided a brief update from Juneau Alaska on his legislative visit focused on the continuation of the AMHS ferry service to and from Bellingham Washington. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD- Betsy Pernado (Jobs with Justice, Blue Green Coalition) in support of keeping the Alaska ferry service in Bellingham and urged the passing of a resolution to that effect. Doua Karlberg - Re: Western Crossing property at the waterfront: Example: Boeing Aerospace Museum currently housing a public high school that specializes in Science and Technology. Milan Slipsovich: Past Commission's decision to provide 6 acres to Western Crossing on the waterfront and intended use remains unclear. ACTION ITEMS 1. PORT OF BELLINGHAM ECONOMIC DEVELOPM ADMINISTRATION (EDA) REVOLVING LOAN FUND (RLR AND BOODA ORGANICS. INC. Motion: Authorize the Executive Director to execute documents required to close the $57,974.00 loan between the Port of Bellingham Economic Development Administration (EDA) Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) and Booda Organics Inc. This loan Discussion: Economic Development Specialist John Michener provided a brief background of the Port's EDA Revolving Loan Fund program (started in 1987) and introduced guests Shana Piccard and Steve Vincente, owners of Booda Organics, (EDA Revolving Loan Fund recipient No. 33) makers of pure handmade body care products, available in about 700 health food stores and in business for 9 years. Ms. Piccaard discussed Booda's line of products and preferred use of biodegradable packaging as opposed to single use plastics. The Commission further discussed the loan fund program's requirements, funding rates, limits, uses and suggested Port staff research the potential for increasing the amount of available grant funding opportunities. Motion approved with a 3-0 vote 2. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH RMC ARCHITECTS. INC. FOR THE 2019 ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS Motioni Authorize the Executive Director to execute a Professional Services Agreement with RMC Architects to provide design, permitting, and estimating support for the 2019
Page 4 Capital Improvement Projects in the amount of $95,085 plus a 10% contingency for a total contract amount of $104,600.00. Discussion: Project Engineer Jan Gibson presented an overview of projects linked to the proposed PSA with RMC for the security enhancements for the administrative offices at the Beliingham International Airport (BLI), exterior rehabilitation of the Harbor Center and Marina Square Buildings, restroom rehabilitation in the Bayview Center Building, domestic water line replacement in the Bella Marina & former Island Mariner location, and office building roof and storefront reconfiguration in the Teal Jones Building in Sumas. 3. RESOLUTION 1354 C ADOPTING REVISIONS ASSOCIATED WITH WEBLOCKER ADMJNISTRATIQN AND ASSIGNMENT TO HARBORS' RULES, REGULATIONS AND RATES HANDBOOK Motion: Approve Resolution No. 1354 C to adopt revisions to the Harbors' Rules, Regulations, and Rates Handbook (Rules and Regulations) associated with Weblocker administration and assignment applying to Squalicum Harbor and Blaine Harbor as presented to Commission. Discussion: Marinas Manager Alan Birdsall, Squalicum Harbormaster Kyle Randolph, and Blaine Harbormaster Andy Peterson presented an overview of the Port's Rules & Regulations and a summary of the proposed revisions to the language defined in Resolution No. 1354C pertaining to the administration and assignment of the weblockers in the Port's 8 webhouses. As directed by the commission, Port staff with the Marina Advisory Committee (MAC), Whatcom Commercial Fishermen's Association, Working Waterfront Coalition, weblocker tenants and other stakeholders have spent months working to develop the revisions proposed for approval in Resolution No. 1354C. 4. WEBLOCKER ASSIGNMENTS REQU^ Motion: Approve weblocker assignments in Squalicum Harbor and Blaine Harbor listed in Table 1 and Table 2 of Attachment A as required by the Harbor Rules, regulations, and Rates Handbook. Discussion: Following the earlier action taken in Action Item No. 3, adoption of Resolution No. 1354C (Harbor Rules, Regulations, and Rates Handbook) Marinas Manager Alan Birdsall discussed two items pertaining to the assignment and retaining of the Port owned weblockers in Squalicum and Blaine Harbor marinas as depicted on Table 1- Assignment of Unauthorized Sublets and Table 2: Assignments of Marine Commercial/Trades. The Commission questioned the justification for the assignment of weblockers to both the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Squalicum Marine Upholstery and asked that those two particular assignments be pulled for further consideration and a separate vote at a future Commission meeting.
Page 5 Revised Motion: Approve weblocker assignments in Squalicum Harbor and Blaine Harbor listed in Table 1 and Table 2 of Attachment A as required by the Harbor Rules, regulations, and Rates Handbook, with the exception of lockers 534 and 518 on Table 2 to be addressed separately. OTHER BUSINESS 1. AMENDING THE 2019 APPROVED SCHEDULE OF REGULAR PORT COMMISSION MEETINGS: REVISION TO THEMONTHOF APRIL Motion: Amend the 2019 Commission meeting schedule approved by the Port Commission in 2018, moving the two April meetings from 1st and 3rd Tuesday to the 2nd and 4th Tuesday in the month of April 2019 only. (Meetings will be held April 9 and 23) Discussion: Commissioner Shepard explained that the motion is being proposed due to recently discovered scheduling conflicts in the month of April. 2. RESOLUTION NO. 1382 IN SUPPORT OF ALASKA MARINE HIGHWAY SYSTEM (AMHS) CONTINUATION OF SERVICE, BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON. Motion: Adopt Resolution No. 1 382 in support of continued ferry service by the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) to Bellingham, Washington. Discussion: Real Estate Director Shirley McFearin reported that in addition to Executive Director Rob Fix currently visiting legislators in Alaska, staff has drafted Resolution No. 1382 in support of retaining the AMHS Bellingham Alaska ferry service. Cherry Point, Heavy Industrial Area- Past, Present, Future The Commission attended Whatcom Business Alliance presentation that morning and briefly discussed the agenda - businesses operating in the Cherry Point industrial area, providing good jobs and good wages, future of the industry, environmental impacts, economic development opportunities, property tax implications etc. ADJOURN With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:45 p.m. -9 //' ' / \;; \^-] ; ^, ^t-.^^t-'-c :< President 4y\ ^SV Secretary (^