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COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          10c 
BRIEFING ITEM                            Date of Meeting      August 10, 2021 
DATE:     August 3, 2021 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    Arlyn Purcell, Director Aviation Environment and Sustainability 
Stan Shepherd, Senior Manager Airport Noise Programs 
SUBJECT:  Sound Insulation Program Briefing 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
As part of the Port of Seattle's (Port) long-term commitment to communities surrounding the
airport, the Port offers sound insulation for eligible properties within the current Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) approved noise remedy boundary. On February 25, 2020, the Commission
adopted Motion 2020-04 to implement the acceleration of the airport's noise mitigation (sound
insulation and acquisition) programs with direction to complete prior to 2027. 
The objectives of this briefing are to: (1) inform the Commission about progress made since
the2020 Motion to accelerate the program, (2) discuss the program funding strategy, (3) inform
the Commission about ongoing work, and (4) discuss risks to the program. 
Program Status Update 
Port staff are actively structuring the Sound Insulation Program to help ensure that completion
is achieved by the end of 2026. Activities include: 
Hiring  one new  Sound  Insulation  Program Manager  and  one  new  Aviation Project
Manager to oversee the implementation has been completed 
Identifying  internal  staffing  resources  (current  and  anticipated  need)  within  other
supporting departments 
Preparing updated project estimates 
Retaining  a  specialist consulting firm  to  help  obtain  the  agreements  needed  from
homeowners has been completed 
Aligning with the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (OEDI) to enhance equitable
project implementation strategies is on-going 
Finalizing the contract with an architectural and engineering (A&E) consulting firm that
specializes in airport sound insulation implementation (Sound Insulation Program Design
Authorization 8/10/21) 
2021   program   has   been   delayed   due   to   difficulty   procuring   subordination
agreements/COVID. The team is preparing recovery schedules for all programs in an effort
to maintain the 2026 commitment. 

Template revised April 12, 2018.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. __10c__                             Page 2 of 4 
Meeting Date: August 10, 2021 

The briefing will cover these topics, as well as progress on project completion for single-family
homes, condominiums, and apartments. 
Project Funding 
The FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants for noise mitigation projects at SEA compete
nationwide with sound mitigation projects at other airports. The FAA determines annually the
availability of funds depending upon the number of applications from all airports nationwide.
Noise grants typically fund approximately 80% of eligible costs with the remaining amount being
funded through revenue bonds. The airport would be required to fund the remaining 20% plus
any ineligible costs. To manage the uncertainty of grant availability and ultimately fund the
balance of costs not grant-funded, the Port would use commercial paper as an interim funding
source  and  follow  federal  procurement  guidelines,  so  the  projects  remain eligible
for reimbursement at later dates if AIP funding becomes available. 
In the current funding plan, the Port anticipates receiving approximately total grants of $89
million from 2022-2029. The FAA may award approximately $10 million in Airport Improvement
Program (AIP) grant funding per year. The Port would continue to apply for grants to fund
retroactive spending. However, there is no guarantee of FAA future grant funding and Port sound
insulation expenditures would be made at risk. 
The Port has received the following grants for work in progress: 
Single-Family Home Sound Insulation - $1,876,800 (funds are nearly depleted) 
Highline Schools Sound Insulation  Des Moines Elementary School $3.8 million 
Highline Schools Sound Insulation  Highline High School $14.5 million 
Condominium Sound Insulation - $7.4 million 
Apartment Sound Insulation - $13.3 million (committed but not yet received) 
Remaining potentially eligible projects 
The following provides a summary of progress by main program elements. The briefing will
provide additional detail: 
Single-FamilyHome Sound Insulation  approximately 140 homes within the program
boundary are potentially eligible.  Based on historic data,  staff estimates 80 may
participate. As of July 22nd, 51 homes have applied: 
o   A minimum of 10 homes to be completed in 2021 
o   6 additional homes with subordination agreements ready for construction in 2022 
o   35 homes are either in design or pending acoustic testing status 
Condominium Sound Insulation 2complexes /88units 
o   Villa Enzian condominiums  (Des  Moines)  -  seven  units  have  subordination
agreements in-place and are moving into construction; work progressing on obtaining

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. __10c__                             Page 3 of 4 
Meeting Date: August 10, 2021 
subordination agreements for the remaining 19 units that are participating in the
program 
o   Whispering Brook Condominiums (Des Moines) - participation to be confirmed
by homeowner's association 
Apartment Sound Insulation    18  complexes  / 903  units     program  design  and
construction oversight request for Commission approval at this meeting 
Places of Worship Sound Insulation  7 structures 
Voluntary acquisition of residentialunitsin the3rdRunwaySouth Approach Transition
Zone estimated2homes and1apartment complexwith 6 units 
Program Risks 
As discussed in prior Commissioner briefings, there are several uncertainties and challenges
related to program implementation: 
The  extent  of  program participationis unknown. Staff  is  committed   to  continual
outreach 
Obtaining subordination or consent agreements continues to delay the program. The use
of the specialty consulting firm has helped achieve progress; however, the program
schedule continues to be at risk. Staff will continue to monitor the consultant's work and
adjust the schedule accordingly. 
COVID 19futurerisks, including limits on staff and contractor on-site work, areunknown 
For the Apartment Program and Places of Worship program which are over $10 million,
an airline Majority in Interest (MII) vote is required, and a negative vote could result
inconstructiondelays 
Specialty sound-rated products are not widely available and often have long lead order
times. Staff will work to incorporate lead times into project schedules. 
ATTACHMENTS TOTHISBRIEFING 
(1) Presentation slides 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
December 15, 2020  Commission briefing on sound insulation programs, acceleration, and
staff recommendations 

December 15, 2020 The Commission authorizedconsultant services IDIQ contract to
provide sound insulation program development supportfor single-family homes,
apartments, and places of worship 

February 25, 2020 Commission briefing on sound insulation programs, acceleration, and
staff recommendations. Motion 2020-04 of the Port of Seattle Commission directing the
acceleration of the sound insulation program at SEA 


Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. __10c__                             Page 4 of 4 
Meeting Date: August 10, 2021 
July 10, 2018 The Commission authorized contracting for Sound Insulation Architect and
Project Oversight Consulting for Condominiums 

October 11, 2016 The Commission authorized contracting for Sound Insulation Architect
and Project Oversight Consulting Services and Job Order Contracting (JOC) for Single-
Family Homes 

October 22, 2013 Second Reading and Final Passage of Resolution No. 3683 concluding the
Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 150 Noise and Land Use Compatibility Study
Update for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. 

October 8, 2013 First Reading of Resolution No. 3683 concluding the Federal Aviation
Regulation (FAR) Part 150 Noise and Land Use Compatibility Study Update for Seattle-
Tacoma International Airport. 

April 23, 2013 The Commission authorized contracting for Sound Insulation
ConsultingServices and Job Order Contracting (JOC) for Single-Family Homes. 











Template revised September 22, 2016.