Port of Allen wrestles with water-system engineering, holdback funds and costly derelict-vessel removal

Commissioners, staff and members of the public spent a substantial portion of the meeting examining the port’s water-system records and engineering work, and the budgetary consequences of a derelict-vessel removal.

Jeff Carey, who identified himself as chair of the water planning committee, told the commission the holdback agreement tied to the Allen Carey sale was returned because required as-built drawings and related engineering deliverables were not completed. Carey said survey and engineering delays produced incomplete drawings and recommended the port either work with the current engineering firm to correct deficiencies or consider an alternative firm. He said he had offered to double his estimate of the remaining drawing work (from roughly $3,500 to $7,000) if the port and his group could share data, but stressed a licensed engineer must ultimately sign off on the as-builts to meet Washington Administrative Code requirements.

"We agreed to hold back $10,000 because we didn't know what the final number would be," Carey said, describing discussions with the port’s engineer and the need to reconcile his surveyor’s files with port-produced drawings.

Staff said the port will pursue a path to complete as-builts, either by working with the existing engineering firm to correct omissions or by engaging another firm; staff and Carey suggested port personnel could take field measurements to help reconcile discrepancies before any additional large invoices are paid.

Separately, staff presented the Seabear incident report and said crews are scheduled to remove the derelict vessel on the 15th. Staff warned the commission the removal and associated overtime and security costs are a major budget strain and that the port will seek state reimbursement; staff estimated prior reimbursements can take several months to process.

"That boat will no longer be there," staff said, but added repayment from the state could take months and will tighten the port’s near-term finances.

Port staff also opened five sealed bids for a separate consolidation project and said they will verify responsiveness and schedule a public meeting to review selection. The bids read into the record included a high bid of $193,500 from Roguelands General Contractors and lower bids in the $155,000–$156,500 range; Titan Mechanical submitted a $78,000 bid. Staff emphasized bid verification and responsiveness checks will occur before any award.

The discussion highlighted operational tensions: how to close out older projects and deliver the engineering products the port needs to manage water connections, while also covering unplanned removal costs. Staff urged caution on additional spending until state reimbursement is received and recommended a special meeting to resolve time-sensitive procurement and contract issues.

The commission tentatively scheduled a special meeting in late January to review bids, follow up on the holdback and the Seabear reimbursement process.