Botkin to stay with SEED through 2007

The Port of Bremerton hired consultant Tim Botkin for another seven months of work on its clean-technology business park known as SEED, but also set several new goals it expects to have met by the end of the year.

“Port staff agrees that work on SEED (Sustainable Energy Economic Development) has progressed in a satisfactory manner so far,” said port Chief Operating Officer Tim Thomson, addressing the board of commissioners last week.

Thomson recommended the commissioners approve extending Botkin’s contract through the end of the year, but only with the addition of several clearly defined goals and principles for the consultant’s future work.

“The priority overriding the next seven months of SEED project development will be to develop funding and to commence construction of the infrastructure and first building phase of ‘Pod 1’ (small business incubator) and to identify and secure tenant agreements,” the contract states.

Thomson then listed several deadlines and expectations for SEED progress, including when construction on Pod 1 should begin, when the first tenant for that building should be acquired, and how Botkin’s role will change once that first benchmark is reached.

According to the contract:

• The first construction phase of the approximately 86,000 square-foot Pod 1 is defined as “road, utilities required infrastructure and a 24,000 square-foot business incubation facility.”

• Pod 1 construction must be initiated — with completed design, permits, SEPA compliance and contract award — no later than Dec. 31, 2007.

• Consultant will “identify and conduct initial discussions with companies which would make appropriate tenants for the SEED project ... (but) nothing in this scope shall provide consultant with the actual or perceived authority to obligate the Port to any lease, contract or other offer.”

• A lease agreement for the first “SEED” tenant in the port’s Olympic View Business Park shall be executed by Aug. 1, 2007.

• A lease agreement for the first “SEED” tenant in the port’s Olympic View Industrial Park shall be executed by Dec. 31, 2007.

• Port staff and the consultant “shall work in concert to provide a consistent voice to SEED contractors,” and “shall strive to communicate regularly on matters of significance in order to reach acceptable direction internally.”

Thomson described the latest contract as a version that “tightened up the project’s priorities and put a lot of focus on construction,” and put it before commissioners Bill Mahan and Mary Ann Huntington, who both approved the contract in Commissioner Cheryl Kincer’s absence.

“The investment we’ve made so far has been really rewarding,” said Mahan. “It seems to me the project is really moving along nicely.”

For the remainder of the contract, Botkin’s compensation will be “$71,874.99, divided into seven equal payments.”

Botkin was not present at the meeting, but Thomson said he accepted the updated contract.

Also at the June 12 meeting, the commissioners approved a resolution establishing the Port’s goal “that all construction ... dedicated to the SEED project be carried out in a manner that will be certified as U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver, and that Pod 1 will eventually attain the level of LEED Platinum.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.