31 Jan Commission Meeting Minutes 1-8-24
PORT COMMISSION OF THE PORT OF EDMONDS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
(Zoom—Hybrid Meeting) January 8, 2024
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Steve Johnston, President
Jay Grant, Secretary
Janelle Cass
David Preston
Selena Killin
STAFF PRESENT
Angela Harris, Executive Director
Brandon Baker, Deputy Executive Director
Brittany Williams, Manager of Properties and Economic Development
OTHERS PRESENT
Jordan Stephens, Port Attorney
Will Chen, Edmonds City Council
John Brock, Town of Woodway
I. CALL TO ORDER
President Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. CEREMONIAL SWEARING IN OF ELECTED COMMISSIONERS
Jim Orvis, having served the Port of Edmonds from 2004-2023 as Commissioner at Large, delivered a ceremonial swearing in of Commissioners Selena Killin and David Preston.
III. FLAG SALUTE
All those in attendance participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
COMMISSIONER CASS MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS SUBMITTED. COMMISSIONER PRESTON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
V. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Edmonds City Councilmember Will Chen welcomed new Commissioner Killin and congratulated Commissioner Preston. He also clarified the City of Edmonds relationship with South County Fire.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
COMMISSIONER GRANT MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 11, 2023 MEETING MINUTES
APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS FOR DECEMBER 29TH $283,151.14 AND JANUARY 8TH $227,418.43
APPROVAL OF WAIVER OF NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS
APPROVAL OF FIRST AMENDMENT TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
COMMISSIONER CASS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
VII. POSSIBLE ACTION
A. Approval for Harbor Square Atrium Window Repair
Executive Director Harris provided background, fiscal impact, and staff recommendation for moving forward with the Harbor Square Atrium Window repair.
COMMISSIONER PRESTON MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PROCEED WITH PLANS FOR HARBOR SQUARE ATRIUM WINDOW REPAIR. COMMISSIONER GRANT SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
B. Approval for Elevate Government Affairs Contract Amendment
Executive Director Harris provided background, fiscal impact, and staff recommendation for moving forward with the Elevate Government Affairs contract amendment.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSTON MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO AMEND ELEVATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS CONTRACT, EXTENDING THROUGH APRIL 2025 AND ADDING ADDITIONAL STATE LOBBYING SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $120,000. COMMISSIONER GRANT SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
C. Approval for Port of Edmonds to join PNWA
Executive Director Harris provided background, fiscal impact, and staff recommendation for joining Pacific Northwest Waterways Association for 2024.
COMMISSIONER KILLIN MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PROCEED WITH JOINING THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION IN 2024. COMMISSIONER PRESTON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
D. Resolution No. 24-01 Confirming Schedule & Location of Meetings
Executive Director Harris reviewed the request to confirm schedule and location of meetings.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSTON MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 24-01 RECONFIRMING THE SCHEDULE AND LOCATION OF THE PORT OF EDMONDS COMMISSION MEETINGS FOR 2024 PER THE 2024 COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE. COMMISSIONER CASS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
E. Election of Commission Officers
Commission President Johnston opened the floor for nominations for President. Commissioner Preston nominated Commissioner Grant for President. No other nominations were received. Commission President Johnston closed nominations.
COMMISSIONER PRESTON MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPOINT COMMISSIONER GRANT AS COMMISSION PRESIDENT FOR 2024, EFFECTIVE JANAUARY 9, 2024. COMMISSIONER CASS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Commission President Johnston opened the floor for nominations for Vice President. Commissioner Killin nominated Commissioner Preston for Vice President. No other nominations were received. Commission President Johnston closed nominations.
COMMISSIONER KILLIN MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPOINT COMMISSIONER PRESTON AS COMMISSION VICE PRESIDENT FOR 2024, EFFECTIVE JANAUARY 9, 2024. COMMISSIONER CASS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Commission President Johnston opened the floor for nominations for Secretary. Commissioner Grant nominated Commissioner Cass for Secretary. No other nominations were received. Commission President Johnston closed nominations.
COMMISSIONER GRANT MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPOINT COMMISSIONER CASS AS COMMISSION SECRETARY FOR 2024, EFFECTIVE JANAUARY 9, 2024. COMMISSIONER JOHNSTON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
VIII. INFORMATION
A. Oath of Office
Commission President Johnston noted that Selena Killin took her Oath of Office on December 28, 2023 at 9:00am. David Preston took his Oath of Office on January 3, 2024 at 9:30am.
B. Committee Assignments
Executive Director Harris provided brief overview of the committee’s for 2024, with incoming Commission President Grant noting he will reach out or commissioners can reach out to him with their interest in the committee’s. Committee assignments will be finalized in the January 29, 2024 meeting.
IX. CITY OF EDMONDS AND TOWN OF WOODWAY REPORTS
Councilmember Chen announced he will be the City of Edmonds liaison for the Port of Edmonds for 2024 and is looking forward to working with the Port in this role.
X. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
• Executive Director Harris thanked the Edmonds Yacht Club for participating in Holiday on the Docks – the Port and the public are very appreciative of their time and effort. She also thanked Manager Williams for her hard work and coordination for a great public event – Holiday Night at the Marina on December 14th.
• She provided an overview of the North Portwalk and Seawall Reconstruction outreach. She will send an email with the dates for easier reference for commissioners.
• She provided an update on the Administration and Maintenance Building – the four outdoor HVAC units arrived and are scheduled for install starting Wednesday, January 10th. The arrival and install dates are TBD for the remaining two indoor ceiling cassette units. Staff is planning toward a mid-February move-in.
• Provided a staffing update – Director of Finance and Administration – Director Brady starts January 16th and we are currently hiring for Maintenance Utility Worker and Accounts Payable/Administration Specialist.
XI. COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Commissioner Killin commented she is grateful to be a commissioner and looking forward to starting her service to the Port.
• Commissioner Cass reported that she has been requested to speak at Daybreakers Rotary on March 5, 2024 and is working with the Executive Director on the presentation and planning. She has asked if they can move the date to February instead of March in case there is an earlier opening so we can provide an earlier update on the North Portwalk and Seawall Reconstruction project.
• Commissioner Preston is looking forward to this year, with the new team, and commented on the positive momentum in progress. He asked Deputy Executive Director Baker about plans for the Boat Show. Director Baker will be attending, if any commissioners want to attend with him, please reach out. Manager Williams commented she will be sending out an email to commissioner and select staff on the details of the boat show.
• Commissioner Grant welcomed Councilmember Chen and reported he met with Mayor Rosen. He also mentioned some key city issues – 2024 budget and the Ebb Tide decision. He feels we have an exciting team at the City of Edmonds and is looking forward to the year. He also mentioned that it looks like Town of Woodway will be taking over the Point Wells jurisdiction in February. He will be looking over the committee assignments and connecting with commissioners.
• Commissioner Johnston reported he will be in person at the next meeting and the January 31 Strategic Planning Workshop. He brought up discussion on our response to the WPPA Port Day, February 1st and 2nd, noting that if we don’t have two commissioners attending he will try to modify plans to attend. Discussion was then held on ensuring coordinated booking with the legislators for whomever is attending. Commissioner Grant stated he plans to attend.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Janelle Cass
Port Commission Secretary