29 Aug Commission Meeting Minutes 8-11-25
PORT COMMISSION OF THE PORT OF EDMONDS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 11, 2025
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
David Preston, President
Janelle Cass, Vice President
Selena Killin, Secretary
Jay Grant
Ross Dimmick
STAFF PRESENT
Brandon Baker, Acting Executive Director
Brian Menard, Director of Facilities and Maintenance
Brittany Williams, Director of Economic Development
Tsz Yan Brady, Director of Finance and Administration
Iliana Minkov, Leasing and Administrative Specialist
OTHER PRESENT
Jordan Stephens, Port Attorney
Will Chen, City of Edmonds
John Brock, Town of Woodway
I. CALL TO ORDER
President Preston called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
II. FLAG SALUTE
All those in attendance participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
III. MISSION STATEMENT
Commission President Preston read the Port of Edmonds’ mission statement:
The mission of the Port of Edmonds is to provide value to our community through economic development, marina and commercial operations, waterfront public access, and environmental stewardship.
IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
COMMISSIONER KILLIN MOVED TO MOVE AGENDA ITEM ‘C’ TO A FUTURE MEETING. COMMISSIONER CASS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
V. PUBLIC COMMENTS (Each comment shall generally be limited to 3 minutes or less and shall be limited to Port business)
There were no public comments.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
COMMISSIONER GRANT MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED TO INCLUDE ITEMS ‘A’ AND ‘B’. COMMISSIONER CASS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A. Approval of July 29, 2025 Meeting Minutes
B. Approval of Payments in the amount of $878,441.21
C. Executive Director Position
VII. CITY OF EDMONDS AND WOODWAY REPORTS
John Brock reported that Woodway’s Annual Town Fair is taking place this Saturday, August 16. He also shared that councilmember Elizabeth Mitchell is retiring after 17 years of service.
Will Chen provided an update on the City’s Primary Election results and summarized recent City Council meetings.
VIII. POSSIBLE ACTION
A. 20-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Acting Executive Director Baker provided a brief overview of the Capital Improvement Plan, outlining its background and strategic purpose. He shared that the staff recommends adopting the 20-year Plan.
COMMISSIONER GRANT MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION ADOPT THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. COMMISSIONER DIMMICK SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
IX. INFORMATION
A. Second Quarter Financial Report: A PowerPoint presentation, summarizing and highlighting the Q2 2025 Financial Report, was given by Director of Finance and Administration Brady.
B. Second Quarter Commercial Portfolio Report: Director of Economic Development Williams provided an overview of lease activity, projects, incidents, and revenue, as related to the Port’s Commercial Properties.
X. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Acting Executive Director Baker provided the following updates:
• Commissioner walking tours of Harbor Square – August 18th and 21st
• PNWA meeting with the new NMFS Director Mr. Soler. The group discussed the environmental baseline, mitigation costs, and permit review lengths.
• Port visit from Noelle Gasper (Representative Larson’s office) on August 11th
• Port of Edmonds booth at the Woodway Fair
• Blue Heron Slough Conservation and Mitigation Bank credit purchase
• Port Electrification Grant
• Port Architect Request for Proposal (RFP)
• Sea Notes at the Marina on August 22nd will feature hot dogs, drinks, and snacks provided by the port. The Edmonds community is invited to attend.
XI. COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Commissioner Killin expressed pride in the Port and its staff.
• Commissioner Cass concurred and shared that she recently met with Edmonds local Xochitl Castaneda, Director of the Pacific Northwest & Alaska Gateway Office, who expressed interest in helping the Port with creative grant ideas.
• Commissioner Grant thanked staff for the Harbor Square Facility Condition Assessment, acknowledged Congressman Larson for the grant support, shared plans to attend the Woodway Town Fair, and provided updates on the Coast Guard’s cybersecurity efforts.
• Commissioner Dimmick thanked staff for the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
• Commissioner Preston also expressed appreciation for the CIP and noted that he will attend the WPPA Communication Committee meeting and the Marina Committee meeting next week.
XII. WORKSHOP
2026 Preliminary Budget Baseline Conditions & Tax Levy, led by Director of Finance and Administration Brady.
The Commission approved continued use of the CPI + 1% model for budgeting. The commission previously revised the rate calculation to use the average of the prior year’s second half and the current year’s first half, which equaled a CPI rate of 2.75%. A rate of 3.75% was agreed upon for budgeting the marina and dry storage rates for 2026. The Commission agreed to levy the full 1% property tax for 2026.
XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
There was no Executive Session.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 7:02 pm.
The next Commission Meeting is scheduled to take place on August 26, at 10 am.
Selena Killin,
Port Commission Secretary