Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/18/1993 03:40 PM Senate TRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
March 18, 1993
3:40 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Bert Sharp, Chairman
Senator Randy Phillips, Vice Chairman
Senator Tim Kelly
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Georgianna Lincoln
Senator Suzanne Kerttula
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION: Port of Bellingham
WITNESS REGISTER
Don Fleming, Executive Director
Port of Bellingham
Box 1737
Bellingham, Washington 98226
Peter Zuanich, Commissioner
Port of Bellingham
Box 1737
Bellingham, Washington 98226
Scott Walker, Commissioner
Port of Bellingham
Box 1737
Bellingham, Washington 98226
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 93-15, SIDE A
Number 001
CHAIRMAN SHARP called the Senate Transportation Committee to
order at 3:40 p.m. He announced that the committee would be
hearing a presentation by the Port of Bellingham in relation
the Alaska Marine Highway System. Present from the Port of
Bellingham were Don Fleming, Executive Director;
Commissioner Peter Zuanich; Commissioner Scott Walker; and
Commissioner Ken McAulay.
DON FLEMING was first to address the committee. He
indicated the ferry started coming to Bellingham in October,
1989, and next year will be the fifth year. He explained
that the Port of Bellingham has a twenty year contract with
five year increments. In 1989, approximately $11 million
was put into the Bellingham Ferry Terminal. It was over
built for other projects. He referred to infrastructure
around the terminal and said the mainline railroad is about
300 feet from the cruse terminal. Mr. Fleming said in 1981,
AMTRACK quit serving Bellingham but they are expected to be
back in September, 1994. He explained that they recently
received $50 thousand grant from the Department of
Transportation to study the multi-modal aspects of the
cruise terminal and the train. Greyhound and Gray Line are
also considering obtaining room in the facility. He
referred to the study and said they will be looking at the
relationships of the ferry, AMTRACK, the bus services, the
Interstate 5 corridor, and the airport. He noted the study
will conclude in June.
Mr. Fleming referred to the ferry and said the state rooms
have been filled out of Bellingham since October, 1989.
Over the last two years, the ferry system has two runs a
week during the summer. The system has contracted with the
Port of Bellingham to do ticketing in which they do 17 to 20
percent of the total ticketing for the system with the six
contracted employees.
Mr. Fleming said they are currently conducting an economic
impact study of the terminal. A Community Economic
Revitalization Board grant was given to the port for $25
thousand in which the port matched it. It will begin in
April and will last through the summer. He indicated a new
all weather float was added on the other side of the cruise
terminal. Gray Line, over the last two years, has been
operating a 300 passenger only ferry to Victoria, B.C.
There are over 400 parking spaces at the terminal, he noted.
Mr. Fleming referred to the airport and said they have spent
seven years extending the runway to 6,800 feet. The project
was complete four months ago. The airport is a controlled
airport with a tower. Next year, there will be an FAA tower
with a microwave landing system. There is currently an
instrument landing system. He discussed jet charters from
Bellingham to Reno.
Mr. Fleming said the Port of Bellingham appreciates and
commends the Alaska Marine Highway System for the business
approach they have taken.
Number 200
CHAIRMAN SHARP said the he is excited and is looking forward
to when there will be a new ferry. He said he has heard
good reports about the switching the system to the Port of
Bellingham.
Mr. Fleming informed the committee that next to the terminal
there is space for 44 - 20 foot containers. He said the
terminal is equipped to handle a substantial amount of
cargo.
PETER ZUANICH, Commissioner, Port of Bellingham, noted that
there is a charter service out of Bellingham that flies to
Las Vegas. For five days and four nights, which includes
hotel and air fare, it costs about $239.
CHAIRMAN SHARP thanked Mr. Fleming, Commissioner Zuanich,
Commissioner Walker, and Commissioner Ken McAulay for taking
the time and effort to come to Juneau to speak to the
committee.
Number 270
Chairman Sharp adjourned the Senate Transportation Committee
meeting at 3:54 p.m.
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