P.O. Box 1209
Seattle, Washington 98111
www.portseattle.org
206.787.3000

APPROVED MINUTES
COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
MAY 23, 2023
The Port of Seattle Commission met in a special meeting Tuesday, May 23, 2023. The meeting was
held at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Conference Center, located at 17801 International
Blvd, Seattle WA, Mezzanine Level, Seattle, Washington, and virtually on Microsoft Teams.
Commissioners Calkins, Cho, Hasegawa, and Mohamed were present. Commissioner Felleman
was absent and excused from the meeting. Commissioner Cho was absent and excused from the
Executive Session and exited the Regular meeting at 12:55 p.m.
1.

CALL to ORDER

The meeting was convened at 10:35 a.m. by Commission Vice-President Toshiko Hasegawa.
2.

EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to RCW 42.30.110

The public meeting recessed into executive session to discuss one matter regarding litigation/or
potential litigation/or legal risk, per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for approximately 30 minutes, with the
intention of reconvening the public session at 12:00 p.m. Following the executive session, the public
meeting reconvened at 12:02 p.m. Commission Vice-President Hasegawa led the flag salute.
3.

APPROVAL of the AGENDA

The agenda was approved as presented without objection.
In favor: Calkins, Hasegawa, and Mohamed (3)
Opposed: (0)
4.

SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY

4a. Proclamation: Supporting SEA Workers’ Access to Quality Jobs.
Requested documents included a proclamation.
Presenter(s):
Vy Nguyen, Commission Office Strategic Advisor, Commission Office
Clerk Hart read Item 4a into the record.
Digital recordings of the meeting proceedings and meeting materials are available online – www.portseattle.org.

PORT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2023

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Interim Deputy Executive Director Stephanie Jones Stebbins introduced the item and presenters.
Vy Nguyen, Commission Strategic Advisor, read the proclamation into the record.
Members of the Commission spoke in support of access to adequate benefits including health care
and retirement benefits; investment in employees and worker retention; and making a clear
statement of the Port’s position on the issue.
The motion, made by Commissioner Mohamed, carried by the following vote:
In favor: Calkins, Cho, Hasegawa, and Mohamed (4)
Opposed: (0)
4b. Proclamation: May 2023 - Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI)
Heritage Month
Requested documents included a proclamation.
Presenter(s):
Bookda Gheisar, Senior Director, Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Faye Sripranaratanakul, ASSOC Process Improvement Program Manager, Office of Strategic
Initiative
Naomi Kalalau, Administrative Assistant, AV Project Management Group
Piikea Ryan, Administrative Assistant, Engineering Administration
Andrew Khouw, Indoor Navigation Program Manager, Airport Innovation
Clerk Hart read Item 4b into the record.
Interim Deputy Executive Director Stephanie Jones Stebbins introduced the item and presenters.
Bookda Gheisar, Senior Director of the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion spoke regarding the
significance of the AANHPI community.
Members of the Port’s HAPI employee resource group read the proclamation into the record.
Members of the Commission spoke acknowledging leaders in the AANHPI community; impacts
made through these leaders during the civil rights movement and through advocacy since; the need
to uplift communities of color; and the honor of having the first Asian American Commission President
and Vice-President in the history of the Port. Geopolitical tensions and the increase in anti-Asian
hate in our region was also addressed with the reminder that it is important to make our community
a welcoming community.
The motion, made by Commissioner Mohamed, carried by the following vote:
In favor: Calkins, Cho, Hasegawa, and Mohamed (4)
Opposed: (0)
5.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Minutes of October 27, 2020, submitted for review on November 5, 2020, and proposed for approval on November 10, 2020.

PORT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2023

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Interim Deputy Executive Director Stephanie Jones Stebbins previewed items on the day’s agenda
and made general and meeting-related announcements.
6.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Commission Strategic Advisor Erica Chung provided committee reports.
Waterfront and Industrial Lands Committee
On May 15, 2023, Commissioners Felleman and Calkins convened the Waterfront and Industrial
Lands Committee. The Committee received a briefing on the City of Seattle’s Industrial Lands Zoning,
which is under consideration at the Seattle City Council. Commissioners Felleman and Calkins plan
to testify at the City Council hearing on May 24, 2023. The Committee also received an update from
the Port’s External Relations Office regarding potential future uses of Pier 48 and the WOSCA site,
which are owned by WSDOT. It was noted that the Legislature took no action on either site during
the 2023 session.
Sustainability, Environment, and Climate Committee
On May 16, 2023, Commissioners Hasegawa and Felleman convened the Sustainable, Environment,
and Climate Committee. During the meeting, they received a briefing on the Seattle Waterfront
Clean Energy Strategy that is anticipated towards the end of this year. The strategy offers a roadmap
for clean energy infrastructure investments to deploy zero emissions technologies and in increasing
energy resilience. The Committee also received a briefing on the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to
Sustainable Liquid Fuel Study and Communication Strategy. The study with final recommendations
is anticipated at the end of June, after which time, the report findings will be communicated to the
Port Commission, King County committees, and the public.
Joint Advisory Committee
The Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) met on May 16, 2023, with Commissioners Mohamed and
Felleman participating. The JAC discussed the interlocal agreement (ILA) recommendation from
SeaTac Manager Carl Cole and Aviation Managing Director Lance Lyttle. A memo of the ILA
provisions and financial details will be sent to the Commission in support of the discussion to continue
with the current term of the ILA and not open for negotiations. Discussion centered on North SeaTac
Park. The Port expressed its support of SeaTac determining its feasibility to acquire any of the
property within its current lease with the Port. The Port shared some of the factors due to federal
obligations on the park property that will inform the evaluation by the City. The Port and SeaTac are
working on a joint statement to communicate next steps to the public.

Minutes of October 27, 2020, submitted for review on November 5, 2020, and proposed for approval on November 10, 2020.

PORT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2023
7.

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PUBLIC COMMENT

Public comment was received from the following individual(s):
•
•
•
•
•

The following people spoke in support of cruise tourism: Nick Jackal, Downtown Seattle
Association and Brad Jones, Executive Director of Visit Bellevue.
The following people spoke in support of Agenda Item 4a, supporting SEA Workers’ access to
quality jobs: Zenia Javaler; Bruce Butali, and Nancy Kibocha, representing SEIU6.
The following person spoke in support of Aviation Maintenance Technicians at SEA:
Matt Vreeman, Delta Airlines.
The following person spoke in support of Agenda Item 8b, an Interlocal Agreement with Highline
Public Schools: Bernard Koontz, Executive Director.
In lieu of spoken comment, written comment was submitted by Christine Larson, supporting the
creation of a direct and safe downtown waterfront trail on the waterside of the street that
provides a convenient, safe, and intuitive experience for everyone.
[Clerk’s Note: All written comments are combined and attached here as Exhibit A.]

8.

CONSENT AGENDA

[Clerk’s Note: Items on the Consent Agenda are not individually discussed. Commissioners may
remove items for separate discussion and vote when approving the agenda.]
8a.

Approval of Minutes of the Special Meeting of May 9, 2023.

8b.

Authorization for the Executive Director to Sign an Interlocal Agreement with Highline
Public Schools, Maritime High School, to Support the Work of Instructional Design
Plans Demonstrating a Maritime-Focused Curriculum in the Amount of $250,000.

Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum, agreement, and presentation.
8c.

Authorization for the Executive Director to Prepare Design and Construction Bid
Documents for the Boiler Room Upgrades Project; to Utilize Port of Seattle Crews to
Support Design and Pre-Construction Activities, in the Amount of $1,479,000 and an
Estimated Total Project Cost Not-to-Exceed $4,839,000. (CIP# C801230)

Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum and presentation.
8d.

Authorization for the Executive Director to Take All Steps Necessary to Complete the
3rd Floor Ground Transportation Booth Enhancements Project at Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport, in the Amount of $2,941,000 and a Total Authorization Amount
of $3,181,000. (CIP# C801128)

Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum and presentation.
8e.

Authorization for the Executive Director to Proceed with Design and Construction for
the Potable Water Box Replacement Project and to Advertise and Execute a Major
Works Construction Contract in the Amount of $2,497,000 and a Total Estimated
Project Cost Not-to-Exceed $2,547,000. (CIP# C801187).

Minutes of October 27, 2020, submitted for review on November 5, 2020, and proposed for approval on November 10, 2020.

PORT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2023

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Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum.
8f.

Authorization for the Executive Director to Execute Two Professional Services
Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity Contracts to Perform Environmental Site
Support Services (Environmental Monitoring and Hazardous Waste Support to
Construction Projects) with a Total Value of $6,000,000 and a Contract Ordering
Period of Five Years.

Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum.
8g.

Approval of Commission International Travel – Supplemental Second Quarter 2023
and Third Quarter 2023 Requests.

Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum.
8h.

Authorization for the Executive Director to Execute a New Collective Bargaining
Agreement Between the Port of Seattle and the International Brotherhood of
Teamsters, Local 763, Representing Police Commanders at the Police Department for
the Port of Seattle Covering the Period from January 1, 2022, through December 31,
2024.

Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum and agreement.
The motion for approval of consent agenda items 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g, and 8h carried by
the following vote:
In favor: Calkins, Hasegawa, and Mohamed (3)
Opposed: (0)
10. NEW BUSINESS
There were no New Business items.
11. PRESENTATIONS AND STAFF REPORTS
11a.

2023 State Legislative Session Report.

Presentation document(s) included an agenda memorandum, letter, and presentation.
Presenter(s):
Pearse Edwards, Senior Director, External Relations
Eric Ffitch, Executive Director, Washington Public Ports Association
Trent House, Trent M House Government Affairs
Brooke Davies, Trent M House Government Affairs
Janice Zahn, Director of Engineering, Engineering General Services
Commission Clerk Michelle Hart read Item 11a into the record.
Minutes of October 27, 2020, submitted for review on November 5, 2020, and proposed for approval on November 10, 2020.

PORT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2023

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Interim Deputy Executive Director Stephanie Jones Stebbins introduced the item.
The presentation overviewed:
• the three budgets adopted – transportation, operating, and capital;
• decarbonization legislation – 2:1 match, middle housing, and gun control all passed;
• Port priority items including sustainable aviation fuels, sex trafficking victims resource centers,
childcare, and middle housing; and
• additional items that need more work such as tourism funding.
Members of the Commission also heard from Eric ffitch, Executive Director of the Washington Public
Ports Association (WPPA) who addressed statewide port priorities, including a decarbonization grant
program; a clean energy siting bill; an antitrust bill and relevance to the Northwest Marine Trade
Association; sustainable aviation fuel; and a plastic pollution bill.
Discussion ensued regarding:
• attracting tourism;
• electrification dollars for competitive grants;
• community resiliency plans and emission reductions; and
• if there are active negotiations for the development of sustainable aviation fuels.
12.

QUESTIONS on REFERRAL to COMMITTEE and CLOSING COMMENTS

Members of the Commission made closing comments, including a report from Commission VicePresident Hasegawa regarding her recent Scotland study mission. Members of the Commission
recognized Interim Deputy Executive Director Stephanie Jones Stebbins for her leadership in
standing in for Executive Director Metruck during the meeting and serving in the interim position.
13.

ADJOURNMENT

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 2:13 p.m.
Prepared:

Attest:

Michelle M. Hart, Commission Clerk

Fred Felleman, Commission Secretary

Minutes approved: June 13, 2023

Minutes of October 27, 2020, submitted for review on November 5, 2020, and proposed for approval on November 10, 2020.