PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA                  Item No.       5c 
ACTION ITEM 
Date of Meeting        October 2, 2012 

DATE:    September 24, 2012 
TO:      Tay Yoshitani 
FROM:    Annalee Luhman, Learning and Leadership Manager, Human Resources and Development 
SUBJECT:  Interlocal Agreement with Green River Community College and the Port of Seattle  
Frontline Supervision Courses 
Amount of This Request:    $ 300,000         Source of Funds: General Fund 
Est. State and Local Taxes:   $ N/A            Est. Jobs Created:    N/A 
Est. Total Contract Cost:    $ 300,000 
ACTION REQUESTED: 
Request Commission authorization for the Chief Executive Officer to enter into and implement an
Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with Green River Community College (GRCC) for GRCC to provide
curriculum development and classroom delivery of Frontline Supervision training courses (or withincourse
modules) to Port employees at an annual cost not to exceed $60,000. The Interlocal Agreement 
includes an initial two-year term with the mutual option of three one-year extensions ending in 2016 for a
total cost of $300,000. 
SYNOPSIS: 
Frontline Supervision is a six day (twelve modules) course that is a requirement for anyone who
supervises or manages others. The highly interactive, hands-on course is a mix of theory and practice. It is
normally offered annually by HR&D and has between 16-24 participants drawn from across the
organization. The course is open to both non-represented and represented (e.g., foremen) employees and
can also be offered (on a space available basis) to individuals preparing to supervise others. Green River
Community College faculty and Port staff jointly developed the current Frontline Supervision core
curriculum content. Human Resources and Development (HR&D) staff periodically update the course
content to reflect changing Port policies, priorities, and initiatives. GRCC faculty has delivered an annual
course that is offered during the traditional workday. Port staff participates by providing short briefings
during the classes. To meet specific workgroup needs, Port staff also wish to make available additional
off-shift, customized versions of the course (or within course modules) to benefit more Port employees. 
The funding source for this request is addressed in current and future operating budgets in two ways. The
annual standard offering of the Frontline Supervision course is in the approved HR&D budget for 2012 
and the proposed budget for 2013. Any additional offerings of the course (or within course modules) will
be delivered to business units and funded by their approved operating budgets.
GRCC is an excellent partner for the Port and is known for building partnerships with local, regional,
national and international communities, businesses, governments and non-profit organizations. As a













COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
September 14, 2012 
Page 2 of 3 
result, the college has developed a world-class curriculum for its students, and built healthy long-lasting
relationships with the areas it serves. 
BACKGROUND: 
Under RCW 39.34.080, a public agency may contract with any one or more other public agencies to
perform any governmental service, activity or undertaking if each public agency entering into the contract
has legal authority to perform such service, activity or undertaking. The Port derives its legal authority to
engage in employee development and training from the implied power granted by its enabling statutes. 
To the extent that employees are critical to carrying out the functions authorized in Title 53 RCW, the
Port's enabling statutes impliedly authorize the development and training of employees. Pursuant to
RCW 39.34.080, the Port may contract with GRCC to perform such an undertaking. 
GRCC is a community college. Under RCW 28B.50.020, GRCC has legal authority to offer educational,
training and service programs, including academic transfer courses, realistic and practical courses in
occupational education, community services of an educational, cultural and recreational nature, as well as
adult education. GRCC thus has authority to perform the services that the Port needs, including delivery
of a 45 hour Frontline Supervision course or within course modules to Port employees. 
PROJECT JUSTIFICATION: 
The Frontline Supervision six-day course is required for anyone who supervises or manages others at the
Port. Indeed, the course is strongly recommended even for more experienced individuals who join the
organization mid-career, because it addresses specific expectations for leading and managing within the
guidelines of our Port values, policies, and current initiatives.
This course and the modules within it help minimize legal risk to the organization by deepening
participant understanding of the rights and responsibilities associated with leading and managing others in
ways aligned with core Port values in accomplishing its mission and vision. Moreover, managers
frequently ask for additional training follow up or for customized versions of the course modules so they
can apply the frameworks and tools in their unique work environments. Without the availability of the
course, HR&D or Workplace Integrity staff would need to guide individuals on a one-to-one basis.
Frontline Supervision course topics include: 
Module 1: Setting People up for Success 
Module 2: It's About Respect 
Module 3: Aha! Problem Solving 
Module 4: Employment Laws and Port Policies Part I 
Module 5: Employment Laws and Port Policies Part II 
Module 6: Say What? Building Feedback Skills 
Module 7: Diagnosing the Situation 
Module 8: Leadership and Motivation 
Module 9: Better Together: Building Positive Relationships 
Module 10: High Performance Workplace: Setting Goals and Expectations 
Module 11: All Ready Now: Supervisory Challenges and Opportunities 
Module 12: It's Your Life: Being an Employer and Employee of Choice

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
September 14, 2012 
Page 3 of 3 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: 
HR&D expenses $22,470 of the $60,000 in their annual budget; the remaining $37,530 is optionally
available to meet business unit needs and is funded by their approved operating budgets. 
Budget/Authorization Summary:                         Total Contract 
Original Budget                                            $300,000 
Previous Authorizations                                             $0 
Current request for authorization                                    $300,000 
Total Authorizations, including this request                             $300,000 
Remaining budget to be authorized                                    $0 
Total Estimated Project Cost                                     $300,000 
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS: 
Alternative 1: Do not provide the training. Significant risks include: ineffective supervision, potential
violation of key laws and policies, less engaged employees, and the extensive time that would be required
by Human Resources and Development, Health and Safety, Labor Relations, and Workplace Integrity
professionals to guide individuals on a one-to-one basis and /or to respond to violations of state statutes or
Port policies. This is not the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 2: Port Human Resources and Development, Health and Safety, Labor Relations, and
Workplace Integrity professionals deliver the training. These Port staff members could not then
adequately perform their core policy, strategic, and consultation work. They do not have time to routinely
customize, prepare for high-quality teaching, deliver instruction, and follow up with participants and so
on. This is not the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 3: Prepare for an RFP process and pursue a private sector firm to update and deliver a
comparable course. The private sector choice would be significantly more costly, would add several
months delay to implement, and would require orienting new providers. This is not the recommended
alternative. 
Alternative 4: Implement the Interlocal Agreement with Green River Community College. This choice
has the following benefits, among others: it is a low cost alternative consistent with the Port's
commitment to fiscal stewardship and utilization of regional resources and partnerships. Green River
Community College has experienced, diverse instructional faculty deeply committed to team-based, high
quality instruction. This is the recommended alternative. 
OTHER DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS REQUEST: 
Background Information on Green River Community College 
Interlocal Agreement (ILA) between Port of Seattle and Green River Community College 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS: 
None