Minutes Exhibit A
Port Commission Regular Meeting
of December 12, 2017
Helena Benedict
Tennent's Union
Tenant Counselor and Community Organizer
Talking Points in response to Tennent's union comments:
We want to thank you for your comments today.
We share your concern about affordable housing in our region and the
more immediate impacts to our neighbors due to the pending closure of
the Firs.
Port staff is working to arrange a meeting with representatives of the Port,
City of SeaTac and the Tenants Union.
It is our hope that the parties involved can develop a solution that allows all
families to remain in this community.
We recognize the stress this is causing to families who live in our
community.
The crisis in affordable housing has meant more hardship than prosperity
for too many people.
As a local government and partner to other local governments, we are
committed to helping solve regional problems through regional solutions.
Our recent work around the lnterlocal Agreement demonstrates how local
governments can efficiently partner on strategies to address shared
concerns, especially providing public services and expanding economic
opportunity.
We recognize the urgency of this issue for many communities and we are
eager sit down with stakeholders in SeaTac and communities near the
airport.

From: Helena Benedict [mailto:helenab@tenantsunion.org|
Sent: Wednesday, December 6, 2017 5:28 PM
To: Bowman, Stephanie
Subject: Meeting with SeaTac community groups?

Dear Commissioner Bowman,

I'm writing on behalf of the Firs Home Owners Association, a group of 52 families in SeaTac
who own manufactured homes and are ghting to save their community from being redeveloped
into hotels. Their goal is to expand affordable housing options for workers and families
throughout SeaTac. Some community members work at the airport and others at hotels nearby;
and all are threatened with the loss of their homes, the time and money they've invested in those
homes; and a wholesale displacement that threatens their health, safety, and economic future.

The families at Firs, together with a broad coalition of community members (including teachers,
school ofcials, faith communities, and residents of Burien, SeaTac, and Des Moines), have
concerns about the proposed ILA between SeaTac and the Port of Seattle. We also hope to begin

a larger conversation with the Port about what neighboring communities need to continue to be
livable places where workers and families can thrive.

Would it be possible for a few representatives from the group to meet with you?

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Sincerely,

Helena

Helena Benedict
Tenant Counselor and Community Organizer
Tenants Union of Washington State
5425 Rainier Ave S. Suite B
Seattle. WA 981 18
(206) 722-6848 ext. H4