13 Dec Commission Meeting Minutes 11-27-23
PORT COMMISSION OF THE PORT OF EDMONDS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
(Zoom—Hybrid Meeting) November 27, 2023 7:00pm
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Steve Johnston, President (via Zoom)
Jim Orvis, Vice President
Jay Grant, Secretary
Janelle Cass
David Preston
STAFF PRESENT
Angela Harris, Executive Director
Brandon Baker, Deputy Executive Director
OTHERS PRESENT
Jordan Stephens, Port Attorney
Dave Teitzel, Edmonds City Council
Jenna Nand, Edmonds City Council
I. CALL TO ORDER
President Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. FLAG SALUTE
All those in attendance participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
COMMISSIONER GRANT MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS SUBMITTED. COMMISSIONER ORVIS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Edmonds City Councilmember Jenna Nand thanked the Commissioners for their hard work.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
COMMISSIONER ORVIS MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
A. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 13, 2023 MEETING MINUTES
B. APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $865,349.63
COMMISSIONER CASS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
VI. POSSIBLE ACTION
A. Adoption of Resolution No. 23-11, Executive Director Delegation of Authority
Port Attorney Stephens presented the updated Delegation of Authority, which reflects the direction provided at the November 6th Commission workshop.
COMMISSIONER ORVIS MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 23-11 ADOPTING THE DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEES. COMMISSIONER JOHNSTON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
VII. INFORMATION
There were no information items on the agenda.
VIII. CITY OF EDMONDS AND TOWN OF WOODWAY REPORTS
Councilmember Teitzel advised that this would be his last meeting as the City Council’s liaison to the Port. He commended the Port on the great work it is doing and shared a brief update on the status of the Unocal property cleanup. He also reported on a November 16th meeting that was attended by Executive Director Harris, Councilmember Buckshnis, himself, Joe Scordino, the Northwest Regional Director for Policy for Governor Inslee and other state representatives to discuss future ownership of the Unocal property.
Councilmember Teitzel also reported that on November 28th, the City Council will be considering a contract with a nationally-recognized expert on fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to help them sort through all of the options for providing these services in the future.
The Commissioners thanked Council Member Teitzel for his service.
IX. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
• Tsz Yan Brady has been hired as the Port’s new Director of Finance and Administration and will start in January, and the accounts payable position will repost soon.
• She advised that all of the HVAC equipment for the new Administration Building has been ordered, and she will provide a more definitive timeline as soon as possible.
X. COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Commissioner Orvis asked staff to provide an updated organizational chart to the Commissioners. In addition, he shared the Washington Public Port Association’s (WPPAs) potential list of legislative items, particularly noting several that could impact the Port of Edmonds.
• Commissioner Cass announced that Charles Wallace, City of Edmonds’ Emergency Management Coordinator, will be leaving his position on December 1st. She stressed the importance of filling the position as soon as possible. She also announced a new pedi-cab business that is operating in Edmonds.
• Commissioner Grant reported on his attendance at City of Edmonds and Town of Woodway council meetings, which have focused on budgets. He noted that renovation of the Fishing Pier Restroom has been included in the City’s 2024 budget, and the Town of Woodway is moving forward to annex the Point Wells property. He had a brief discussion with the Mayor of Woodway about potentially using a forested area within the Town of Woodway as part of the mitigation that will be required for the North Seawall Reconstruction and Portwalk Project. He reported that he attended the Edmonds Economic Development Commission, and he has been focusing on cybersecurity issues.
• Commissioner Preston reported that he attended the recent Edmonds Economic Development Commission meeting where consultants were present to answer questions about the Landmark 99 Project. He also had a conversation with one of the owners of the Freedom Boat Club about coordinating with the Port to create a promotional program to implement after the 2024 Boat Show.
• Commissioners Johnston, Preston, Cass and Grant advised that they would attend the Washington Public Port Association (WPPA) Winter Meeting on December 6, 7 and 8.
• Commissioner Johnston reported that he participated in a WPPA Investment Committee meeting.
XI. WORKSHOP
A. 2024 Commission Planning
1. Rebrand Timeline. The rebrand is currently in design of the logo, brand kit, slogan taglines, and website. Implementation will be taking place in stages.
2. Commission Internal Committee. After some discussion about the pros and cons of committees and workshop discussions, it was decided that the Finance Committee will be the only internal “standing” committee. The other committees will be stood up as needed during specific times.
3. Commission Meeting Time. The Commissioners discussed potential changes but decided to maintain the existing meeting times.
4. Shift from .org to .gov. The Commissioners discussed moving from .org to .gov. While it would be ideal to make this move at the same time as implementing the logo, Executive Director Harris advised that staff did not have the bandwidth to assess, create a plan and implement the change until at least the second quarter of 2024. Staff plans to move forward with an assessment of the cost, feasibility and timing of the change in early 2024 as staff time allows.
5. Direction for Staff Regarding Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA) and/or American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) in 2024. It was decided that the Port will join the AAPA but not the PNWA, and Executive Director Harris will start working on the application. It was noted that there will be no travel budget for conference attendance, but a lobbying trip to Washington D.C. will likely be necessary in March.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jay Grant
Port Commission Secretary