Minutes

Approved

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

APPROVED MINUTES
COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
MAY 9, 2023
The Port of Seattle Commission met in a special meeting Tuesday, May 9, 2023. The meeting was
held at the Port of Seattle Headquarters Building, Pier 69, Commission Chambers, 2711 Alaskan
Way, Seattle Washington, and virtually on Microsoft Teams. Commissioners Calkins, Cho,
Felleman, and Mohamed were present. Commissioner Hasegawa was absent and excused from
the meeting.
1.

CALL to ORDER

The meeting was convened at 10:08 a.m. by Commission President Sam Cho.
2.

EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to RCW 42.30.110

The public meeting recessed into executive session to discuss two matters regarding litigation/or
potential litigation/or legal risk, per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for approximately 90 minutes, with the
intention of reconvening the public session at 12:00 p.m. Following the executive session, the public
meeting reconvened at 12:05 p.m. Commission President Cho led the flag salute.
3.

APPROVAL of the AGENDA

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

SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY – None.

5.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Metruck previewed items on the day’s agenda and made general and meetingrelated announcements.
6.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Commission Strategic Advisor Erica Chung provided a report regarding discussions held at the
Sustainability, Environment, and Climate Committee meeting, the Art Board meeting, and the
Aviation Committee meetings held to-date in the month of May.
Digital recordings of the meeting proceedings and meeting materials are available online – www.portseattle.org.

PORT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2023

Page 2 of 5

Sustainability, Environment, and Climate Committee
On May 3, 2023, Commissioners Hasegawa and Felleman convened the Sustainability, Environment,
and Climate Committee where they were briefed on the Maritime Climate and Air Action Plan – the
MCAAP 2022 implementation accomplishments, challenges encountered, and areas of focus for
2023. Commissioners also reviewed the draft agenda and offered feedback on the upcoming
June 13 study session focused on Aviation Environmental Carbon Reduction Strategies, including
Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Further, Commissioner Hasegawa offered an update on the Offshore
Wind Study Mission to Europe – her takeaways and opportunities for the Port.
Art Board
On May 3, 2023, Commissioners Felleman and Cho convened the portwide Arts and Culture Board
where they were briefed on the Five-Year Capital Improvement Projects at the Airport, art pool funds
for projects, and 2023 art projects at the airport and in maritime. Board members discussed art pool
funding for non-aviation and requested a briefing at the next board meeting. Board members
reviewed potential candidates for the public member position vacancy and directed the Art Manager
to follow up with the recommended candidate.
Aviation Committee
As a follow up to March 21, 2023, Aviation Committee meeting, Commissioners Mohamed and
Calkins recommended to the Aviation Director to proceed with the taxi contract, which includes the
meaning of “legitimate” transfer, aligned with the City of Seattle process and approval.
7.

PUBLIC COMMENT

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

The following people spoke in opposition to cruise operations and spoke regarding harms to
the environment: Patrick McKee.
The following person appeared for public comment: Alex Tsimerman.
The following person spoke regarding increasing harms of the cruise industry and in support of
a cruise free Salish Sea: Iris Antman (written comments submitted).
[Clerk’s Note: All written comments are combined and attached here as Exhibit A.]

4. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY – None.
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 April 18, 2023.

8b.

Approval of the Claims and Obligations for the Period April 1, 2023, through April 30,
2023, Including Accounts Payable Check Nos. 947941 through 948279 in the Amount
of $6,286,908.65; Accounts Payable ACH Nos. 054029 through 054770 in the Amount
of $52,717,023.94; Accounts Payable Wire Transfer Nos. 016031 through 016058 in the
Amount of $13,201,411.35; Payroll Check Nos. 206491 through 206875 in the Amount

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 9, 2023

Page 3 of 5

of $144,264.53; and Payroll ACH Nos. 1131011 through 1135451 in the Amount of
$14,165,413.57, for a Fund Total of $86,515,022.04.
Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum.
8c.

Executive Director Delegation Approvals Report - May 2023.

No documents requested – for information only.
8d.

Authorization for the Executive Director to Utilize Port Crews and Take all Steps
Necessary to Complete the PCS Facility Improvement Project at Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport for a Total Requested Amount of $4,930,000, and a Total
Authorization Amount of $5,100,000. (CIP# C801359)

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

Authorization for the Executive Director to Sign an Agreed Order Amendment with the
Washington State Department of Ecology to Complete Feasibility Study and Draft
Cleanup Action Plan for the Sediment at the Port’s Terminal 91 Submerged Land Area,
and Amend the Consultant Contract to Authorize Consulting Services in the Amount
of $1,900,000 to Complete the Feasibility Study and Draft Clean Up Action Plan, for a
Total Agreed Order Project Cost of $3,000,000.

Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum and an order amendment.
The motion for approval of consent agenda items 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, and 8e carried by the
following vote:
In favor: Calkins, Cho, Felleman, and Mohamed (4)
Opposed: (0)
10. NEW BUSINESS
10a.

Order No. 2023-07: An Order of the Port of Seattle Commission to Establish the Small
Business Committee as an Ad-Hoc Committee of the Port of Seattle Commission.

Request document(s) included an Order and presentation.
Presenter(s):
Vy Nguyen, Commission Office Strategic Advisor, Commission Office
Aaron Pritchard, Chief of Staff, Commission Office
Clerk Hart read Item 10a into the record.
Executive Director Metruck introduced the item and presenters.

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 9, 2023

Page 4 of 5

A presentation was provided to the Commission highlighting the formalization of the Small Business
Ad Hoc Committee, comprised of Commissioners Cho and Mohamed. The focus of the committee
is small business initiatives and topics that do not fit under the purview of the current standing
committees.
Members of the Commission and staff discussed the role of the committee; creating organization
around work already being conducted; supporting small businesses; and duration of the committee.
The motion, made by Commissioner Mohamed, carried by the following vote:
In favor: Calkins, Cho, Felleman, and Mohamed (4)
Opposed: (0)
10b.

Commission Determination that a Competitive Process is Not Appropriate or CostEffective and Exemption of the Contract from a Competitive Process Consistent with
RCW 53.19.020; and Authorization for the Executive Director to Execute a New
Project-Specific 5-Year Period Contract with Community Attributes Incorporated (CAI)
to Perform the Services of Hosting, Maintaining, Updating, and Other Services
Related to the Equity Index in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $750,000, as Part of the Port’s
Century Agenda Goals to be Resource as a National Port Industry Leader on Equity.

Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum and presentation.
Presenter(s):
Bookda Gheisar, Senior Director, Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Clerk Hart read Item 10b into the record.
Executive Director Metruck introduced the item and presenters.
The presentation addressed:
• the request to execute a contract with Community Attributes Incorporated (CAI) to perform
the services of hosting, maintaining, updating, and other services related to the Equity Index;
• the Port’s Equity Index;
• social determinants associated with the index methodology; and
• next steps including case studies, additional indicators, external and internal presentation,
and story maps.
Members of the Commission and staff discussed:
• functionality of the map and the level of data disaggregation available;
• looking for disparities in data presented;
• data as a resource for partners across the region; and
• the index as a tool for the community to guide work.
The motion, made by Commissioner Felleman, carried by the following vote:
In favor: Calkins, Cho, Felleman, and Mohamed (4)
Opposed: (0)
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 9, 2023

Page 5 of 5

11. PRESENTATIONS AND STAFF REPORTS – None.
12.

QUESTIONS on REFERRAL to COMMITTEE and CLOSING COMMENTS

Commissioner Felleman stated he is pleased to see progress on PFAS, and congratulated
Stephanie Jones Stebbins on her placement in the Interim Deputy Executive Director position.
Commissioner Calkins reported on his and Commissioner Hasegawa’s recent trip to Scotland and
Denmark to study offshore wind. He noted further that a study session on offshore wind will be held
on May 24, 2023, by the Northwest Seaport Alliance.
Executive Director Metruck thanked Debra Smith at Seattle City Light for the great partnership on
waterfront electrification.
13.

ADJOURNMENT

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 1:13 p.m.
Prepared:

Attest:

Michelle M. Hart, Commission Clerk

Fred Felleman, Commission Secretary

Minutes approved: May 23, 2023

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

Limitations of Translatable Documents

PDF files are created with text and images are placed at an exact position on a page of a fixed size.
Web pages are fluid in nature, and the exact positioning of PDF text creates presentation problems.
PDFs that are full page graphics, or scanned pages are generally unable to be made accessible, In these cases, viewing whatever plain text could be extracted is the only alternative.