Bobby Briscoe

The meeting commenced with adjourning the executive session to open the regular session. The agenda included the introduction of new hires: Joey Swinford, Project Engineer, and Zeke Smith, who joined the grounds crew. Commissioners discussed advisory committee schedules for the Marina Advisory Committee (MAC) and the Bellingham International Airport Advisory Committee (BYAC). Commissioner Shepard raised concerns regarding staff capacity for Broadband work following a project manager's departure and inquired about collaboration with the PUD. Economic Development Director Tyler Schroer detailed the ongoing Broadband initiatives, including COB Finley agreements for the North Ferndale and North Linden segments, and updates on federal BEAD funding requirements and applications, noting that the BEAD applications are due by the end of January. The commission voted to approve an agreement to hire an AmeriCorps fellow through the Public Health Institute Civic Spark program to assist with the Building and Infrastructure Energy Management (BUMP) program and sustainability efforts, noting the continuation of Danica Holt's work. Later, the commission moved to approve adding a third fee category to the Bellingham Dockside Market's vendor fee structure, following a review of the market's operations, including the SNAP program implementation.

The meeting commenced with public comment, though no individuals signed up to speak. The primary focus was the discussion surrounding the consent agenda, specifically item A, concerning the approval of the sale of a vessel pursuant to Resolution Number 1349. A Commissioner requested a 30-day deferral for this item due to the owner's circumstances, relating to the failure of the pink salmon run and associated economic hardship, despite the vessel's current value exceeding the outstanding debt. Following discussion regarding precedent setting, the Commission voted to grant the 30-day extension. Items B, C, and D of the consent agenda were approved. The latter part of the session included updates from the Bellingham Economic Development Specialist, who provided an overview of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program, its funding sources, core mission to stimulate economic growth, staff qualifications, and examples of ongoing client work, such as business valuations and developing go-to-market strategies for new products.

The meeting began with the reconvening of the public session after an executive session. The agenda included approving consent items A through E. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to presentations regarding the activation of the waterfront district through interim uses in 2020, aligning with the 2020 budget objective. Key discussion points included plans for the Northwest Tune-Up festival, proposing temporary mobile restroom facilities with power and water access, the construction of a 66,000 square foot lawn area, and the development of a seasonal pop-up container village for food vendors and retail. The commission also discussed initiating a series of nine smaller, focused placemaking idea sessions to generate creative concepts for temporary waterfront events.

The meeting included public commentary, with one speaker thanking a commissioner for service related to waterfront development while expressing concerns about view corridors being blocked by planned condos. Discussions on the consent agenda involved correcting a typo in the date of previously approved minutes. A significant portion of the meeting focused on approving a second payment plan for a tenant who previously defaulted but subsequently recovered financially, balancing risk against retaining an active local employer. Furthermore, the commission discussed credits related to park impact fees from a property transfer to the city for a skate park project, considering flexibility in future park footprint designations. The action items commenced with a presentation regarding the establishment of five newly drawn commissioner districts.

The regular meeting agenda included public comment periods at the start and end. Key discussions under the Consent Agenda involved approving minutes from a prior meeting, amending the Capital Budget by reallocating $126,000 among various projects (including the Terminal LED Project, Runway Safety Area, Tree Removal, and Automated Parking Lot Project), authorizing a two-year agreement with 5 Star Services Inc. for an amount of $616,540.00, and approving international travel for the Director of Environmental and Planning Services to Denmark for a student experience mentorship. Additional consent items included executing a two-year contract for janitorial services at Blaine and Squalicum Harbors. Action items included a motion to approve Resolution 1106-CC, delegating administrative powers to the Executive Director, and approving the Fourth Modification of a Commercial Lease between the Port of Bellingham and NW Explorations, LLC.