10 Sep Commission Meeting Minutes 8-26-25
PORT COMMISSION OF THE PORT OF EDMONDS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 26, 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
John Brock, Town of Woodway
I. CALL TO ORDER
President Preston called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.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 GRANT MOVED TO MOVE AGENDA ITEM ‘C’ TO A FUTURE MEETING AND ADD A “B” ITEM TO POSSIBLE ACTION. COMMISSIONER DIMMICK 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 CASS MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED TO INCLUDE ITEMS ‘A’ AND ‘B’. COMMISSIONER GRANT SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A. Approval of August 11, 2025 Meeting Minutes
B. Approval of Payments in the amount of $566,831.24
C. Executive Director Position
VII. CITY OF EDMONDS AND WOODWAY REPORTS
John Brock, Town of Woodway councilmember, thanked the Port for having a presence at Woodway’s Annual Town Fair.
VIII. POSSIBLE ACTION
A. Architect of Record Contract
Acting Executive Director Baker provided a brief overview of the Port’s July Issued Request for Qualifications and the process’ outcome.
COMMISSIONER KILLIN MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION AUTHORIZE THE ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR ARCHITECT SERVICES WITH JESSON ARCHITECTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $75,000. COMMISSIONER CASS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
B. Environmental Committee
Commissioner Dimmick initiated a discussion on the potential formation of an Ad-Hoc Committee on the Environment. The proposal included assigning two commissioners to address environmental issues as they arise. Acting Executive Director Baker suggested that the work of the proposed committee be tailored, focused, and aligned with the Port’s Strategic Partnering Goal #2: to develop a “Port Position” on the City of Edmonds’ planned reuse of the Unocal site that harmonizes the interests of all parties.
The Commission agreed to define the committee’s purpose, make up, and duration, and to include this item in the Consent Agenda for the next meeting.
IX. INFORMATION
A. Taylor Forklift
Acting Executive Director Baker shared that staff recommends the Port retain the Taylor forklift as a permanent backup within the fleet. This decision is intended to safeguard against potential operational disruptions. Consequently, the plan to sell the machine will be abandoned.
B. 2026 Commission and Staff Travel Budget/Schedule
The Commission held a discussion to identify which events Commissioners wished to attend in 2026, consistent with the number of allowable events outlined in the Rules Governing the Transaction of Port Commission Business. A follow-up discussion was scheduled for the next meeting.
X. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Acting Executive Director Baker provided the following updates:
• Admiral Way Pipe Inspection
• E-statements transition project: 3rd Request email sent
• Harbor Square Atrium Windows Project Completion
• Dock Pressure Washing
• Clean Buildings Performance Standard
• Upcoming Port Events
o 9/6, All day – Edmonds Coho Derby at Port of Edmonds Marina
o 9/7, 5-6:15 pm – Mystical Steel Performance at Port of Edmonds Marina
o 9/11, 6:30 pm – Exploring the Port of Edmonds & Environmental Speaker Series at Edmonds Waterfront Center
o 9/19, 11 am – 12 pm – Port Public Walking Tour at 471 Admiral Way
XI. COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Commissioner Dimmick provided a brief update on the environmental meeting he attended the previous day, which included a discussion of the Edmonds Marsh and the Port’s involvement. He also congratulated Port staff on hosting an excellent Grillin’ & Groovin’ Community event on August 22nd.
• Commissioner Killin reported attending the WPPA Marina meeting, PNWA meeting, and that she recently visited Friday Harbor. Commissioner Killin expressed appreciation for the Port’s beauty and staff excellence, stating she was proud to be part of the Edmonds Port community.
• Commissioner Grant thanked staff for their good work and reported attending the Town of Woodway’s fair, describing it as a great event. Additional updates included participation in the WPPA Legislative Committee meeting and ongoing collaboration with the Coast Guard on new rules and cybersecurity efforts.
• Commissioner Cass shared that she helped place wood chips around the Marsh to improve freshwater flow, describing the experience as extremely gratifying. She praised the Grillin’ & Groovin’ event as fantastic, and conveyed compliments from a visitor from the Port of Brownsville, who spoke highly of the Port of Edmonds and its staff. Commissioner Cass also expressed pride in being part of the Edmonds Port community and appreciation for the recent tour of Harbor Square, noting the value of seeing conditions firsthand following the report.
• Commissioner Preston thanked staff for the condition report and the walking tour, noting it was very helpful. He also reported on the WPPA Marina Committee meeting and the Grillin’ & Groovin’ event.
BREAK:
At 11:16am the Commission Meeting will now take a quick break for a 7 minutes. The meeting will resume at 11:23am.
At 11:23am the commissioners returned from their break and now will return to the regular Commission meeting.
XII. WORKSHOP
A. Harbor Square Condition Study Review and Planning Session
The workshop focused on planning and budgeting for some of Harbor Square’s major maintenance and improvement projects through 2028. Staff presented recommendations for addressing building deficiencies, including a remodel of the atrium windows of Building 4, exterior painting for Buildings 1, 2, 4, and 5, and window replacements for Buildings 1, 4, and 5.
XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Port Secretary Killin announced the Port of Edmonds Commission will move into Executive Session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) in reference to RCW 42.30.140 at 12:13 pm and will last 20 minutes. The Executive Session will conclude at 12:33 pm, and at the conclusion, the Commission will return to the regular Commission meeting with potential action expected.
The Commission reconvened for the regular meeting at 12:33 p.m. and extended the meeting by 20 minutes at 12:34 p.m. The Executive Session will conclude at 12:54 pm and, at the conclusion, the Commission will return to the regular Commission meeting with potential action expected.
The Commission returned to the regular Commission meeting at 12:54 pm and adjourned the meeting without any action items or related announcements.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 1:00 pm.
The next Commission Meeting is scheduled to take place on September 8, at 6 pm.
Selena Killin,
Port Commission Secretary