Commission Meeting Minutes 3-25-24

Commission Meeting Minutes 3-25-24

PORT COMMISSION OF THE PORT OF EDMONDS   MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
(Zoom—Hybrid Meeting)    March 25, 2024

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Jay Grant, President
David Preston, Vice President
Janelle Cass, Secretary
Steve Johnston
Selena Killin

STAFF PRESENT
Angela Harris, Executive Director
Brandon Baker, Deputy Executive Director
Brittany Williams, Manager of Properties and Economic Development
Tsz Yan Brady, Director of Finance and Administration

OTHERS PRESENT
Jordan Stephens, Port Attorney
Will Chen, Edmonds City Council
John Brock, Town of Woodway

I. CALL TO ORDER

President Grant 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 CASS MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS SUBMITTED. COMMISSIONER JOHNSTON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Annie Crawley announced that she’s been working with Deputy Executive Director Baker to schedule the next clean-up dive for April 28.

V. CONSENT AGENDA

COMMISSIONER JOHNSTON MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

APPROVAL OF MARCH 11, 2024 MEETING MINUTES
APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS

COMMISSIONER KILLIN SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

VI. CITY OF EDMONDS AND TOWN OF WOODWAY REPORTS

• Councilmember Chen provided an overview of the March 23rd City of Edmonds Comprehensive Plan City Forum public meeting and informed Commissioners that red light camera study will be discussed at the March 26 City Council meeting.

The discussion was interrupted by several remote participants taking control of the Zoom screenshare and dominating the audio. The audio and visuals were disturbing and not relevant to Port business. The participants did not acknowledge the Commission President’s attempts to call the meeting to order. Therefore, the Port Commission meeting was recessed at 7:19p.m. and the Zoom attendance was cleared. The meeting was then reconvened, in person and by Zoom (using the same Zoom link), at 7:26p.m. Members of the public were readmitted.

VII. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

• Executive Director Harris provided an overview of the City of Edmonds Waterfront Design Charette public meetings that were held at the Port earlier on this same day, as well as commented on the AAPA conference and Port congressional meetings held in DC March 18-22.

Commission President Grant asked Yacht Club representative Andor Boeck if he would like to make comments prior to Commissioner Comments. He thanked Deputy Executive Director Baker and Executive Director Harris for assistance with the reciprocal moorage and parking discussions. He also thanked Deputy Executive Director Baker and Manager of Properties and Economic Development Williams for meeting with new Yacht Club representatives to review the North Portwalk & Seawall Reconstruction project.

VIII. COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

• Commissioner Preston commented that he will be attending the Mayor’s City of Edmonds address this week and attending the Yacht Club meeting on Tuesday.
• Commissioner Johnston commented he felt that AAPA conference was a positive experience and provided brief overview of the week, including mentioning that permitting is a big issue as is ensuring funding for smaller ports like the Port of Edmonds for infrastructure projects.
• Commissioner Cass attended the City Comprehensive Plan public meeting on Saturday and provided an overview. She also attended one of the Waterfront Charet public meetings held today. She also commented that she felt the AAPA meetings were important and went well and that she hopes people remember we are a small port with a big project.
• Commissioner Killin agreed with the other commissioners that the AAPA and Capitol Hill days were helpful. She gave her appreciation to staff for doing the work of applying for grants and other funding for our projects.
• Commissioner Grant also agreed that the time in DC was effective. He also gave an overview of the Port Act, which AAPA is trying to get into legislation.

IX. WORKSHOP

Commissioners walked through the draft strategic plan and discussed detailed feedback on the goals. They agreed to send in smaller edits to the Executive Director by April 8 for consolidation and submission to the strategic plan consultants who will incorporate the feedback into the draft plan for the next discussion, planned for April 29.

X. ADJOURNMENT

The Commission meeting was adjourned at 9:26p.m.

Janelle Cass
Port Commission Secretary