PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA               Item No.      7a 
STAFF BRIEFING 
Date of Meeting    February 24, 2015 
DATE:    February 9, 2015 
TO:     Port of Seattle Commission 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:    Tom Barnard, Research and Policy Analyst 
Lindsay Wolpa, Issues and Policy Manager 
SUBJECT:  Proposed new General Delegation of Authority, replacing Resolutions No.
3605/3628, and setting up Policy Directive efforts 
SYNOPSIS 
The purpose of this briefing is to outline the content and rationale behind the new draft General
Delegation of Authority from the Commission to the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"). This will
be a replacement for the current Resolutions No. 3605/3628 (referred to as the "Master
Delegation of Authority"). After adoption of the new General Delegation of Authority ("General
Delegation"), further policy guidance will follow. This will come through a set of "Policy
Directives" which inform operational policies regarding specific functions at the port and set
appropriate limits. 

BACKGROUND 
The General Delegation of Authority 
The Port of Seattle is a public agency critical to sustaining a healthy economy for the region. The
port's mission, adopted as part of the Century Agenda on December 4, 2012, is to create jobs by
advancing trade and commerce, promote  industrial growth, and stimulate  economic
development.
The Century Agenda's strategies, objectives, and regional initiatives represented a more
proactive and  strategic approach to the coordination of the administrative programs and
operations of the Port of Seattle. The Century Agenda vision over the next 25 years is to add
100,000 jobs through economic growth, for a total of 300,000 port-related jobs in the region,
while reducing our environmental footprint.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
February 9, 2015 
Page 2 of 5 
The Commission is updating the current Master Delegation of Authority, originally adopted
through Resolution No. 3605 on August 26, 2008, to more successfully pursue the aims of the
Century Agenda.  The new General Delegation creates clarity and alignment by clearly
delineating the responsibility and authority of the Commission and the CEO as follows: 
The Commission governs the Port, leads all inter-governmental functions, and oversees
the CEO. 
Together, the Commission and CEO develop the Port's overall vision, strategies,
objectives, Policy Directives, long-range plans, major programs and budgets. 
The CEO executes the long-range plans and major programs, oversees all enterprises and
supporting functions, and advises the Commission. 

This General Delegation emphasizes long-range plans as the means of pursuing the Century
Agenda strategies and objectives (long-range plans are currently known as business plans). It
utilizes the long-range plan approval and update processes to align the Commission and the
CEO. Long-range plans will identify what work needs to be done to pursue strategies and
achieve objectives, described by: 
1.  Strategy and objective(s) being pursued; 
2.  Work plan, resources, and timeline; 
3.  Metrics that monitor progress; and 
4.  Reporting frequency to the Commission. 
Long-range plans will be developed around strategies and objectives, not around operating
divisions and budgeting periods. 
Policy Directives 
The General Delegation provides transparency and accountability through the development and
adoption of Policy Directives to guide the Port's efforts in pursuit of its strategic objectives.
Policy Directives will provide high-level guidance about how the Port does its work based on
public values and applicable laws, rules and regulations. Further, they will inform operational
policies regarding specific functions at the port. They also will deliver standards that support the
effective use of the internal audit function to verify compliance. 
Policy Directives provide principles and guidelines that steer crucial strategic choices.
Policy Directives reconcile the inherent tradeoffs between enterprise effectiveness and
commitments to social and environmental responsibility as a public agency.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
February 9, 2015 
Page 3 of 5 
Policy Directives set out the limits of delegated authority and provide auditable standards
that reinforce compliance and accountability. 
Policy Directivesempower Port staff to develop long-range plans and execute strategies 
by providing a stable and clear policy environment. 
Temporary Policy Committees will be created to oversee the development ofPolicy Directives 
called for in the new General Delegation. These groups will be a collaborative effort between
Commissioners and Port staff, led by least two Commissioners appointed by the Commission
Co-Presidents.  Internal and external subject matter experts will be engaged as needed.
Participation in these working groups will vary by topic. 
Potential focuses for suggested policy committees may include: 
Energy and Sustainability 
Project Management, Contracting, and Purchasing: Once developed and approved, the
Policy Directive from this committee will replace Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 in Resolution
No. 3605/3628. (Public Works Projects, and non-public Works Projects, Contract and
Procurement Administration, Personal and Professional, Purchased Goods contracts,
CEO Utilization of Port Crews). 
Real Property Sales, Development, and Leasing: Once developed and approved, the
Policy Directive from this committee will replace Sections 2 and 3 in Resolution No.
3605/3628. (Real Property agreements, Property Acquisitions and Sales). 
Strategic Economic Development 
Workforce Development, Social Responsibility, and Labor 
Small and Disadvantaged Business 
Steps to enact the new General Delegation 
The process behind the enactment of the new General Delegation will take several steps. These
Policy Directives will be developed over the next several months. The suggested steps include: 
1.  Amend Resolution No. 3605/3628 to include the new General Delegation and repeal
several existing sections. 
2.  Adopt a motion to create Policy Committees to develop each specific Policy Directive. 
3.  As each Policy Directive is established, enact them by resolution while at the same time
repealing the corresponding section in Resolution No. 3605/3628.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
February 9, 2015 
Page 4 of 5 
4.  Once all Policy Directives and resolutions are completed and adopted, combine them in a
full resolution with the General Delegation of Authority and officially sunset Resolution
No. 3605/3628 in its entirety.

ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING 
General Delegation of Authority 
Draft Resolution No. XXXX enacting General Delegation 
Draft Motion creating Policy Committees 
Draft Motion regarding Formulation and Establishment of Energy and Sustainability
Policy Directives 
PowerPoint presentation 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
None

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
February 9, 2015 
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