Minutes
Commissioners Tay Yoshitani Chief Executive Officer Bill Bryant Chair and President John Creighton P.O. Box 1209 Patricia Davis Seattle, Washington 98111 Lloyd Hara www. portseattle.org Gael Tarleton 206.728.3000 An audio of the meeting proceedings and meeting materials are available on the Port of Seattle web site - http://www.portseattle.org/about/organization/commission/commission.shtml (The approximate point in the audio recording for the specific item is identified by minutes and seconds; example: 01:30.) APPROVED MINUTES SPECIAL JOINT STUDY SESSION PORT OF SEATTLE - PORT OF TACOMA APRIL 30, 2009 The Port of Seattle Commission met in a special work session with the Port of Tacoma at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 30, 2008 in the International Conference Center, Airport Office Building, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Seattle, WA. Present were: Port of Seattle Commission President, Bill Bryant Commissioner John Creighton Commissioner Lloyd Hara Commissioner Pat Davis Commissioner Gael Tarleton Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer Port of Tacoma Commission President, Clare Petrich Commissioner Connie Bacon Commissioner Don Johnson Commissioner Richard Marzano Tim Farrell, Executive Director Port of Tacoma Commissioner Bottiger was absent from the meeting. CALL TO ORDER The special joint work session was called to order at 1:05 p.m. by Port of Tacoma Commission President Petrich. April 30 SJSS Min PORT COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT STUDY SESSION PORT OF SEATTLE / PORT OF TACOMA THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2009 P. 2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (Audio One - 00:00:42) OPENING REMARKS Commissioner Petrich made opening remarks, noting that the entire region looks toward the Ports for their leadership for economic impetus, and commented on the importance of the Ports working together. Commissioner Bryant also made opening remarks, welcoming the Port of Tacoma, and commented on the importance of working together and focusing on common objectives, common threats, and common strategies. He commented on the importance of jobs and also the need to protect investments. (Audio One - 00:04:17) REPORT FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mr. Yoshitani commented that the agenda of the meeting would be a focus on the need to keep the Ports competitive, and the importance of surviving the current economic downturn, and to thrive when the cargo returns. Mr. Farrell commented on a recent trip to Washington, DC, attended by both Mr. Yoshitani and himself, where they visited with each member of their Congressional delegation to stress the importance of the economy of the two Ports. They also discussed the use of the Harbor Maintenance Tax for environmental projects and the importance of funding of freight mobility projects. Mr. Yoshitani noted that the two Ports are working together on security issues, and noted that there would be a Maritime and Port Security Summit on May 28, 2009 and Commissioners Petrich and Tarleton would be participating. He also stated that both Ports had announced plans to focus on reducing emissions from drayage trucks. (Audio One - 00:13:13) REGIONAL PROMOTION PRESENTATION Presentation documents: Agenda memorandum dated April 24, 2009 from Phil Lutes, Deputy Director, Seaport Division, Port of Seattle and Tong Zhu, Director of Commercial Strategy, Port of Tacoma and computer slide presentation. Presenters: Mr. Lutes and Ms. Zhu Staff members provided an update on the activities of the Joint Regional Promotional Team Mr. Lutes noted that the team had three initial areas of focus, which include joint presentation and sponsorships; development of Gateway key marketing messages and outreach; and discussion among marketing groups about customer perceptions of the two Ports. April 30 SJSS Min PORT COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT STUDY SESSION PORT OF SEATTLE / PORT OF TACOMA THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2009 P. 3 Mr. Lutes addressed a survey which had been conducted with existing customers regarding their perceptions of the Ports, and stated that common perceptions include the importance of environmental consciousness and reliability, and also noted that total cost is the number one concern in port selection. Commissioner Tarleton stated that it would be helpful in the next phase of surveys to have information regarding how we compare with competitive ports in the areas of productivity and efficiency. Commissioner Davis noted that productivity and efficiency, as well as environmental issues, translate into costs, and that that information should be marketed, translating why that is better for business. Commissioner Bacon commented on the importance of increasing the perception of productivity levels, and noted the importance of going out to 'not yet' customers to find out what they need in order to consider our ports. Commissioner Marzano stated he believes it is important to talk with current stakeholders on how to address productivity before looking at future customers. Commissioner Hara commented on the importance of having benchmarks, and of learning from other ports as a result of surveys. Ms. Zhu spoke about a joint sponsorship of the annual Trans-Pacific Maritime Conference which was held in March, 2009, and noted that the team is evaluating possible future sponsorship opportunities. Ms. Zhu also addressed the importance of strengthening relationships with the Customs and Border Patrol to better understand causes of delay. Comments were made that since both ports have a lot to sell to the maritime community, they should market the strengths of each other. (Audio One - 01:00:04) TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE PRESENTATION Presentation Document: Agenda memorandum dated April 24, 2009 from Kurt Beckett and Dan Burke, Port of Seattle; Mike Reilly, Allison Smith, Stephanie Bowman, and Sean Eagan, Port of Tacoma. Also provided was a map, showing locations of possible projects along the I-5 corridor. Presenters: Mr. Burke and Mr. Reilly; and Mr. Beckett and Ms. Bowman Mr. Burke and Mr. Reilly provided background of the infrastructure issues, and reviewed the presentation given at the previous joint Port meeting in October, 2008. Also reviewed were road and rail recommendations and a report on what has taken place since January. Comments were made regarding the importance of making freight corridors work for our customers. April 30 SJSS Min PORT COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT STUDY SESSION PORT OF SEATTLE / PORT OF TACOMA THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2009 P. 4 (Audio Two 00:00:00) Mr. Beckett and Ms. Bowman provided a legislative update regarding transportation issues, and commented that the best source of funding is Federal. The history of joint work between the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma was noted. Ms. Bowman stated that the two ports have been working with the Ports of LA/Long Beach, Oakland, and Portland on the surface reauthorization act, and a also focused on work regarding the Harbor Maintenance Tax and the possibility of using it for environmental mitigation purposes. (Audio Two 00:08:42)) COMMISSION DISCUSSION ON COMPETITIVENESS Commission discussion included the following: Areas of joint security coordination to include planning, securing grants, mutual aid agreements, and promoting interjudicial agency coordination. Developing a specific comparative analysis of the two ports' advantages and disadvantages. Relationship building and infrastructure coordination with local cities and counties to develop productive systems, as opposed to individual, isolated projects. Determining which road and rail projects will increase productivity by 2014. Future joint tour of southwest Washington road and rail projects and the Port of Vancouver. Land use and tax structure. (Audio Two 00:01:07) PUBLIC COMMENT Heather Weiner, Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports. Ms. Weiner stated that her organization does not support the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, noting her belief that the plan will not do much to clean up the air. Fred Felleman, Friends of the Earth. Mr. Felleman commented that SSA Marine is looking into building a bulk commodities terminal at Cherry Point at the expense of the environment, as it is a herring spawning ground. He also noted concern about dredge standards and stated he would support use of the Harbor Maintenance Tax for environmental mitigation projects. (Audio Two 01:08:06) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the joint special study session was adjourned at 3:30 p.m. Lloyd Hara Secretary April 30 SJSS Min
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