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October 2024

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We’re going big on solar, page 8

Undersheriff placed on leave, page 5

ECRWSS PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 14

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No parking signs illegally removed, page 15

Point Roberts, WA 98281 Postal Patron Local

Port responds The last days of summer ... to questions on PR campaign B y P a t G r u bb In a highly unusual process, Port of Bellingham commissioners have authorized spending $100,000 for a public relations campaign to make the public like them without a word of discussion taking place about the program. During the commission’s August 13 meeting, commissioners approved a $98,535 public relations contract between the port and Conflux Associates as part of a consent agenda. Consent agendas are typically an aggregation of regular business items that are approved by commissioners without discussion. The commissioners approved both a three-year proposal from Conflux and a one-year contract prepared by executive director Rob Fix. When asked if commissioners ever discussed the campaign, port public affairs administrator Michael Hogan told the All Point Bulletin on September 11, “The Port Commission did not publicly discuss the strategic communications campaign during a Port Commission meeting, nor was there any requirement to do so.” Hogan later wrote that the commission had not discussed the campaign in executive session, either. Fix placed the contract on the consent agenda, which was approved by commission chair Ken Bell. Bypassing Competitive Bidding? The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) mandates a formal bidding process for contracts between $50,000 and $200,000 unless the port has an alternative policy. Hogan explained that the port uses a Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) roster, allowing them to bypass the formal bid process for contracts under $100,000. Notably, the Conflux contract was priced just $604 under this threshold. While informal solicitation is allowed for smaller contracts, the law requires multiple firms be considered and the process must be documented. Hogan said Fix directly approached Conflux Associates requesting timelines and deliverables. As evidence of competition, Hogan provid(See Port, page 2) tjohnson;Seattle;Clean Air Comfort Systems;C33432;10x2-4c (24No)

s The Sunday of the Labor Day weekend featured warm water and plenty of eager Maple Beach-goers looking for a last kick at the can. Photo by Pat Grubb

First phase of drainage study presented to PRCAC B y P a t G r u bb The first phase of a Point Roberts drainage study has now been completed and a pretty picture it isn’t. Whatcom County Public Works staffers presented their initial overview at the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee meeting on September 19 at the Gulf Road community center. Project manager Eric Vavra began by describing the purpose of the study, which was to review existing information, characterize the watershed, identify surface water problems, evaluate the problems and organize by type and to rank and prioritize capital projects. Vavra said the Point was comprised of

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five separate subwatersheds, roughly corresponding to the four corners of the Point with the southwestern marina subwatershed extending into the center of the Point and the north- and south-east watersheds separated by an eastern bluff watershed extending roughly from Elizabeth Drive to Lily Point. A total of 89 distinct drainage problems were identified of which 69 resulted from inadequate conveyance (or limited ability to drain water), five from damaged infrastructure and 11 from inadequate maintenance. The single biggest driver of drainage problems is impervious surfaces, according to county consultant Alex Buescher from Tetra Tech. These include (See Drainage, page 6)

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