11 Aug Commission Meeting Minutes 7-26-2021
PORT COMMISSION OF THE PORT OF EDMONDS
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
(In Person and Via Zoom)
July 26, 2021
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
David Preston, Vice President
Steve Johnston, Secretary
Bruce Faires
Jim Orvis
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Angela Harris, President (excused)
STAFF PRESENT
Bob McChesney, Executive Director
Brandon Baker, Marina Manager
Tina Drennan, Finance Manager
OTHERS PRESENT
Bradford Cattle, Port Attorney
CALL TO ORDER
Vice President Preston called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All those in attendance participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
CONSENT AGENDA
COMMISSIONER FAIRES MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
- APPROVAL OF AGENDA
- APPROVAL OF JUNE 28, 2021 MEETING MINUTES, AS SUBMITTED.
- APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $395,526.97 FOR JULY 12TH AND 345,027.69 FOR JULY 26TH
- HARBOR SQUARE ATHLETIC CLUB LEASE AMENDMENT
COMMISSIONER JOHNSTON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Selena Killin, Edmonds, introduced herself and reported that she has met two of the Port Commissioners and looks forward to meeting the others soon.
ASPHALT REPAIR CONTRACT REPAIR NO 2021-388
Mr. McChesney reviewed that the Commissioners were previously briefed on Harbor Square maintenance issues, one being the state of pavement disrepair in several locations throughout the complex. At that time, the Commission agreed it would be more efficient to do larger sections at a time, and $50,000 was budgeted in 2021 for this purpose. Staff identified one area of priority for repair near Building 2 and published a formal bid invitation on July 2nd. A pre-bid walkthrough of the project was conducted on July 13th with six attendees. Five qualified bids were received and reviewed on July 22nd, and the low bidder was Northwest Asphalt, Inc. for a base bid of $47,750. He referred to the bid tabulation that was attached to the Staff Report, noting that the next low bidder was Emerald Paving for a base bid of $49,465. Work will be completed by September 30th, and staff will work with the contractor to minimize the disruption to tenants during installation. He recommended the Commission authorize him to enter into a contract with Northwest Asphalt, Inc. in the amount of $47,750 plus sales tax for the base bid for the Harbor Square Asphalt Repair 2021 Contract #2021-388.
Commissioner Johnston asked the approximate square footage of the repair and whether it is consistent with past repairs. Mr. McChesney answered that it is consistent. While he doesn’t have the exact square footage, they try to do as much as an asphalt contractor can do in a day and a half. He voiced concern that it would be untenable to disrupt the parking area for a greater period of time.
Commissioner Orvis asked if the project would include the driveway or just the parking lot around Building 2, and Mr. McChesney answered just the parking lot on the east side of Building 2.
Commissioner Preston asked if the contractor has tested the subgrade of the existing surface, and Mr. McChesney answered no. However, he noted that the subgrade at the Harbor Square Athletic Club has been challenging, and they have found areas where no standard subgrade was put in. Tree roots also create a problem. The project will result in a three-inch lift of asphalt that should last for a good long while. Commissioner Orvis asked if the trees would be impacted, and Mr. McChesney answered no and explained that the trees are hardy with extensive root systems.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSTON MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH NORTHWEST ASPHALT, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $47,750 PLUS TAX FOR THE BASE BID FOR THE HARBOR SQUARE ASPHALT REPAIR CONTRACT #2021-388. COMMISSIONER FAIRES SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
RESOLUTION NO. 21-02 DESIGNATING AND RENAMING THE PUBLIC PLAZA “MARY LOU BLOCK PUBLIC PLAZA”
Mr. McChesney announced that Mary Lou Block’s family will be having a memorial celebration and life service at the Edmonds Yacht Club on August 3rd. Port staff has prepared a plaque and is recommending the Commission pass a resolution dedicating the public plaza on the west side of Anthony’s Home Port Restaurant in her honor. He read draft Resolution No. 21-02, which was attached to the Staff Report.
Commissioner Johnston said it was his great honor to fill her position, and she left big shoes to fill. Commissioner Preston recalled that he attended a Puget Sound Regional Council meeting with her and was surprised at how many people knew her. She served in so many different city and county roles and was well loved by many.
COMMISSIONER FAIRES MOVED THE COMMISSION APPROVE RESOLUTION 21-02 HONORING THE SERVICE OF PAST COMMISSIONER MARY LOU BLOCK AND DEDICATING THE MARINA PLAZA IN HER NAME, “MARY LOU BLOCK PUBLIC PLAZA” FOREVER MORE. COMMISSIONER JOHNSTON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
CONTINUATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 20-03 DECLARING LOCAL EMERGENCY AND DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY
Mr. McChesney reviewed that Resolution No. 20-03 was passed at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, as recommended by the Washington Public Port Association (WPPA). At the time, no one really knew the depth or extent of the pandemic, and expanding the authority of the Executive Director was thought to be a prudent move in case it was necessary to take emergency action. He reported that has hasn’t taken any emergency action under the temporary emergency delegation of authority.
Commissioner Preston suggested that the resolution is no longer needed, and Ms. Drennan advised staff could prepare a resolution for the next meeting’s consent agenda to close out Resolution No. 20-03.
CITY OF EDMONDS REPORT
Council Member Olsen was not present to report.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. McChesney explained that, in the past, the Commission has held just one meeting in July (at 9 a.m.), and it has typically been perfunctory to approve the accounts payable. The Commission will go back to its usual 7 p.m. meetings starting in August.
Mr. McChesney reported that staff would be undertaking an inspection of the Port’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) parking on Thursday. The goal is to ensure that all of the Port’s ADA parking is in compliance with the regulations. He expressed his belief that, in some cases, there is more than adequate ADA parking, but they need to ensure that all of the spaces meet the stringent requirements. He said he doesn’t anticipate any significance problems, but there are some minor discrepancies that will need to be remedied.
Commissioner Faires asked if a formal complaint was registered, and Mr. McChesney answered that a complaint was registered by one of the Port’s customers who has a disabled spouse. He explained that the new trash and recycling enclosures on the north side of the Edmonds Yacht Club were installed on what were previously designated as ADA- accessible parking stalls in order to get them off of the Portwalk and into a location where they would be less noticeable. The ADA stalls were replaced next to the enclosures, but some issues were raised that need to be resolved.
Commissioner Faires asked if the required changes would impact the schedule for the North Portwalk and Seawall Projects, and Mr. McChesney answered no. These projects are still in the design phase, and ADA requirements will be addressed as part of the design for the upland portion of the project.
Commissioner Preston asked if staff would be reviewing all of the Port’s ADA parking spaces, and Mr. McChesney responded that the review would only include those that were the subject of complaint.
Mr. McChesney announced that the all-staff barbecue will be August 4th, and the Commissioners are invited to attend. It will be a good opportunity for them to meet with Port staff, including the seasonal employees, and celebrate summer.
COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Commissioner Johnston reported that he attended several meetings over the past few weeks, some of which Commissioner Orvis attended, as well. He attended the Port of Everett Report, and it was a great networking opportunity. He met Garry Clark, the new Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County (EASC), who is interested in visiting the Port of Edmonds. He reported that the Port of Everett has augmented its container cargo capacity with two new cranes, and they cut the ribbon on the cleanup and future development of the Kimberly Clark site, which will be a significant project that includes new residential buildings on leased land. The Indigo Hotel is doing extremely well and booking major events.
Commissioner Johnston reported that he attended the first day of the Washington Public Port Association’s (WPPAs) Commissioner’s Seminar where there were some interesting topic items. The key takeaways included establishing strong personal relationships with your legislators, the implications of the cap-and-trade bill on ports, reducing energy consumption in new and existing buildings, reducing vehicle miles traveled, factoring in community equity considerations wherever possible, improving air quality, and partnering with tribes and tribal resources. The WPPA will be creating a work group to identify port-wide opportunities going forward.
Commissioner Johnston said he would attend Mary Lou Block’s memorial service.
Commissioner Orvis reported that he attended the EASC’s July 13th Roundtable that focused on broadband. Broadband is a big deal and there is a lot of state and federal funding available. It will particularly impact ports that have rural areas. The pandemic has made the internet essential for people who work from home and/or go to school.
Commissioner Orvis said he also attended the WPPA Commissioner’s Seminar where the following items were discussed:
• Gerry O’Keefe, Senior Director of Environmental Affairs, talked briefly about the Clean Fuel Standard. Currently, there are lawsuits against Governor Inslee’s veto, and there is no agreement on the transportation package.
• There is talk of establishing a climate investment account that addresses issues such as equity and inclusion.
• Carbon emission funds are intended to affect reductions in transportation, which could mean electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, etc.
• There will be a number of constraints to consider (tribal, union, minority, etc.).
• Moving forward, local planning must include climate consideration.
• There is a National Reserve Solution Account that has to do with stormwater, as many cities haven’t paid a lot of attention to stormwater. The Commissioners discussed how the City of Edmonds’ Public Works Director has done a good job with stormwater in recent years.
• A WPPA Working Group will be formed to discuss stormwater, alternate fuel, etc. He suggested they need to write regulations that allow ports that want to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to join together for grant application purposes. Commissioner Faires asked how many EV stations would be installed as part of the new Administration Building Project. Mr. McChesney said it hasn’t been fixed yet, but he anticipates it will be more than 3 but less than 10. Commissioner Orvis noted that EV stations will be needed in the work stations for Port vehicles, as well.
• The gas tax needs to provide the ability to tax people who drive EVs, and it will likely involve a mileage tax. As the number of EVs increases, the utility districts will be stretched, and the Snohomish County Public Utility District appears to be ahead of most other utilities in the state as far as preparation.
• There was a cyber security workshop where a representative from Enduris talked about the outcomes associated with loss of records, theft and extortion, and operational disruption. Chris Osterman has done a better job of making the Port more secure than many other ports in the state.
Commissioner Orvis reported that the WPPA’s security group offers a bi-weekly webinar that provides numerous suggestions. He suggested the Commissioners should listen to the webinar about how to appropriately handle emails. Commissioner Faires suggested the Commissioners could also benefit from a briefing on the broader scope of security at the Port. Ms. Drennan cautioned that they need to be careful about what they discuss in public meetings regarding cyber security and potential vulnerabilities. Commissioner Faires commented that the Port, as a public entity, must ensure there is sufficient security, and Commissioner Johnston suggested the presentation could be more generic, pointing out what to look for, etc. Mr. McChesney agreed that Mr. Osterman has done an excellent job of staying on top of the security issues, and he could make a presentation to the Commission in August.
Commissioner Preston said he also attended the WPPA Commissioners Seminar and particularly enjoyed the cyber security workshop. He suggested that Commissioner Orvis get a copy of the cyber security workshop for the staff and Commissioners to review. However, he cautioned that the Port cannot consider itself safe from cyber theft, even if it does everything it possible can to prevent it. It is important to have adequate backup. Commissioner Johnston advised that Mr. Osterman has helped him to be extremely cautious as to what emails he opens.
Commissioner Preston said also learned that the Port of Olympia will likely increase the number of Commissioners from three to five. If they are successful, other entities will likely consider doing the same.
Commissioner Preston also reported that he attended some Downtown Edmonds Merchant Association (DEMA) meetings over the past several weeks.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 9:46 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Johnston
Port Commission Secretary