Port Commission meeting moved to Wednesday, July 23

VANCOUVER, Wash.-Due to a Washington Public Ports Association meeting for port commissioners across the state, the Port of Vancouver Board of Commissioners has rescheduled its regular meeting to Wednesday, July 23.

The WPPA meeting is today – which would have been the regularly scheduled time for the port commission to meet.

Commissioners Brian Wolfe, Nancy Baker and Jerry Oliver will consider a pair of action items – one relating to the port’s West Vancouver Freight Access rail project, and the other for analytical services needed by the port’s Environmental Services department – during what likely will be a brief meeting.

Rail project action

The commission will be asked to authorize Executive Director Larry Paulson to sign Task Order No. 1 for rail engineering services to be performed by Wiser Rail Engineering, for the not-to-exceed amount of $150,000.

Services provided under the task order will include support for port staff in discussions and meetings with consultants, railroad officials and outside entities; Advice to port staff on appropriate course of action relating to rail design and construction; Preparation of preliminary plans and cost estimates for rail improvement projects and more.

The negotiated amount of the task order is $150,000, expiring on December 31, 2008.

Contract awards for analytical services

Staff will request authorization for Paulson to award contracts to Columbia Analytical Services for analytical testing services through August, 1, 2011, in the amount of $300,000. Staff is also asking for authorization for testing contracts with Test America in the amount of $150,000 and with Pac Analytical for $50,000.

The port annually spends approximately $200,000 for laboratory analysis of soil, ground water and air samples, as required to support development projects, cleanup initiatives, dredging and stormwater and drinking water monitoring requirements. The port evaluated six proposals and selected three in this process.

The scope of work includes analytical testing of groundwater, stormwater, drinking water, process water, surface water, sediment and soil samples on an approved fee-for-service basis. By working with contracted laboratories, the port saves more than $25,000 annually in mark-up costs that would otherwise be charged through consulting firms.

Wednesday’s meeting will be televised live on CVTV, and will be streamed live on www.cvtv.org.

At A Glance

Who: Vancouver Port Commission: Brian Wolfe, Nancy Baker, Jerry Oliver
What: Regular meeting of the Vancouver Port Commission
When: Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 9:30 a.m.
Where: Port of Vancouver USA Commission Room
Quick Facts:The commission   will consider two action items ... the meeting will be televised live on CVTV Channel 21, and will be streaming live on www.cvtv.org.

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The Port of Vancouver, USA, created by Clark County taxpayers in 1912, is one of the major ports on the Pacific Coast. Its competitive strengths include available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a dependable labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community.

- POV -