Minutes
Commissioners Tay Yoshitani Gael Tarleton Chief Executive Officer Commission President Tom Albro P.O. Box 1209 Bill Bryant Seattle, Washington 98111 John Creighton www.portseattle.org Rob Holland 206.787.3000 Audio and video recordings of the meeting proceedings and meeting materials are available on the Port of Seattle web site www.portseattle.org. The approximate point in the video recording for each agenda item is identified by hours, minutes, and seconds; example: 00:01:30. APPROVED MINUTES COMMISSION SPECIAL JOINT MEETING MAY 22, 2012 The Port of Seattle Commission met in a special meeting Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at Port of Seattle Headquarters, Commission Chambers, 2711 Alaskan Way, Seattle, Washington. The special meeting included a joint meeting with the Washington State Transportation Commission. Port of Seattle Commissioners Albro, Bryant, Creighton, Holland, and Tarleton were present. Washington State Transportation Commissioners Tom Cowan, Richard Ford, Anne Haley, Jerry Litt, Philip Parker, and Joe Tortorelli were also present. The special meeting was called to order at 8:32 a.m. by Gael Tarleton, Port of Seattle Commission President. The Commissions observed a moment of silence in memory of two maritime workers who died in unrelated incidents on Port of Seattle premises on May 17, 2012. Following the Flag Salute, Port Commissioner Tarleton welcomed the Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) to Port of Seattle Headquarters. Transportation Commission Chair Ford commented on the opportunity for the two commissions to meet together and explained that the WSTC membership is appointed by the Governor and approved by the State Senate for six-year terms. He noted that three of the Transportation Commissioners represent eastern Washington and four represent western Washington. He stated that Transportation Commissioner Dan O'Neal was absent due to illness. Overview of Port of Seattle Seaport and Harbor. Michael Burke, Port of Seattle Seaport Leasing and Asset Management Director, presented aerial photos of several Port facilities and described the challenges associated with conducting container and cruise operations in the middle of Seattle's urban environment. He commented on collaboration with the Washington State Department of Transportation to keep Terminal 46 open during construction of the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement project and the economic impact of the Port's marine cargo, cruise, and fishing activity. Mr. Burke noted that the Port has invested over $1 billion in Port and transportation infrastructure improvements over the past 15 years. PORT COMMISSION SPECIAL JOINT MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 3 TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012 Discussion of the Century Agenda. Port Commissioners Creighton and Albro commented on the Port's Century Agenda activities, noting the Port's history of shrewd long-term strategic decisions, including early adoption of cargo containerization infrastructure and reestablishment of cruise business in Seattle; the importance of maintaining a focus on job creation over the next 25 years; the unique opportunities presented by Washington's public ports functioning under directly elected leadership; and the regional significance of the Port of Seattle. A five-minute Century Agenda video was presented, followed by discussion of the Century Agenda that highlighted goals relating to becoming a premier logistics hub, tripling air cargo, increasing tourism, fostering workforce development and small business growth, environmental stewardship, and job creation. Port Commissioner Tarleton invited further conversation on the transportation implications to the Century Agenda goals related to discussions on building a new sports arena in the SoDo industrial area, progression of the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement project, and effects of tolling on SR- 520 and I-90. Port Commissioner Bryant remarked on the need for a viable statewide system to move goods and people in and out of the city of Seattle, noting there are stakeholders affected by that transportation system throughout Washington as well as in Alaska and the Midwest. Transportation Commissioner Parker commented on the Port as more of a driver of family-wage jobs than a sports facility and the importance that building of new sports facilities not interfere with Port operations. Discussion followed on the implications of a new sports arena in SoDo to Seattle's industrial sector and the untapped potential in Washington to attract and cultivate industry, as noted by Transportation Commissioner Tortorelli, and the importance of collaboration between public agencies and business to achieve Century Agenda goals. Transportation Commission Chair Ford commented on the lack of funding for transportation projects, the historic cooperation between the WSTC and the Port of Seattle on critical projects, and the need to obtain transportation funding from the Legislature in 2013. There was further discussion on the need to foster better understanding and cooperation between the eastern and western parts of the state on transportation issues, the potential role of the Airport in promote better connection between the regions, and the risks to the quality of jobs throughout the state if the Port's goals are impeded by conflicting short-term choices. Funding sources for transportation projects were discussed with respect to likely replacement of gas tax revenue with road-user charges, such as tolls. Briefing on Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project. Linea Laird, Alaskan Way Viaduct Program Administrator, Washington Department of Transportation, presented an update on the Viaduct Replacement program and its constituent projects. She noted the South Holgate Street to South King Street project is ahead of schedule and under budget and should be open in fall of 2012 and commented on progress of the second SR-99 bridge. Ms. Laird presented information on construction related to the SR-99 tunnel project, including re-routing of traffic on surface streets, utilities relocation, and preparation for the tunnel PORT COMMISSION SPECIAL JOINT MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 3 TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012 excavation. She stated groundbreaking for the tunnel project is expected to occur on June 6, 2012. Ms. Laird commented on utilities relocation, excavation, and demolition activities on the north end of the SR-99 tunnel site, and noted viaduct reinforcement activities to strengthen the structure prior to boring the tunnel below. She reported on safety activities on the project and noted challenges related to bicyclists riding too fast through the construction site. Ms. Laird presented an example of a tunnel boring machine launch site in Madrid and stated the boring machine for the SR-99 tunnel being fabricated in Japan will be the largest in the world, is expected to be delivered by spring of 2013, and will arrive in sections by ship and be unloaded at Terminal 46 adjacent to the project site. She also commented on tunnel components being manufactured in Puyallup and transport of removed soil to Port Ludlow and other locations via truck and train. Ms. Laird provided a construction timeline for the project through 2017, including commencement of tunnel boring by spring or summer of 2013, construction of interior tunnel structures concurrent with tunnel boring, opening of the tunnel to drivers in late 2015, demolition of the viaduct in 2016, and construction of surface street improvements through 2017. She presented design views of the completed north and south tunnel portals. Port Commissioner Bryant announced that the traffic impact study for the new sports arena in SoDo due to be released on May 23, 2012, is expected to find that the arena will have no impact on operations at the Port's facilities at Terminals 30 and 46 and that the arena is scheduled to open in 2016, concurrent with key elements of the Viaduct Replacement project. Adjournment. There being no further business, the special meeting was adjourned at 10:20 a.m. Tom Albro Secretary Minutes approved: July 10, 2012.
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