15 Jan Commission Meeting Minutes
PORT COMMISSION OF THE PORT OF EDMONDS
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 8, 2025
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
David Preston, President
Janelle Cass, Vice President
Selena Killin, Secretary
Jay Grant
Ross Dimmick
STAFF PRESENT
Brandon Baker, Executive Director
Brian Menard, Director of Facilities and Maintenance
Brittany Williams, Director of Economic Development
Dennis Halpin, Marina Operations Manager
OTHER PRESENT
Emily Guildner, Port Attorney
Will Chen, City of Edmonds
Lou Billmyer, Port Finance Consultant
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
Commissioner Cass 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.
Commissioners welcomed two new key employees: Dennis Halpin, Marina Operations Manager, and Emily Guildner, Port Legal Counsel with Trusted Guidance Law.
IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
COMMISSIONER GRANT MOVED THAT THE AGENDA BE APPROVED. 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 DIMMICK MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED. COMMISSIONER KILLIN SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A. Approval of November 10, 2025 Meeting Minutes
B. Approval of Payments in the amounts of $262,644.42 for November 25, 2025 and $351,190.27 for December 8, 2025
C. YPTC Contract #2025-525
D. 2026 Marina Operations Rate: Adjustment for increased Sales Tax
VII. CITY OF EDMONDS AND WOODWAY REPORTS
Will Chen, City of Edmonds councilmember, thanked the commission for their confidence in the city government and discussed the utility tax increase.
John Brock, City of Woodway councilmember, had nothing to report.
VIII. ACTION
A. Contract Amendment #205-546 Marian Dacca
Executive Director Baker provided a brief overview of renewing and extending the contract with Marian Dacca Public Affairs for state lobbying services for 2026.
COMMISSIONER KILLIN MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO RENEW AND AMEND THE MARIAN DACCA PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTRACT 2025-546 FOR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CONSULTING SERVICES, EXTENDING THROUGH DECEMBER 2026 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $48,000. COMMISSIONER CASS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
B. Contract #2023-444 Elevate Gov. Affairs
Executive Director Baker provided a brief overview of renewing and extending the contract for federal lobbying and grant services with Elevate Government Affairs, LLC. through 2026.
COMMISSIONER KILLIN MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO RENEW AND AMEND THE ELEVATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS CONTRACT, EXTENDING THROUGH MARCH 2026 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $15,000. COMMISSIONER CASS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH A 4–1 VOTE. COMMISSIONERS CASS, DIMMICK, KILLIN, AND PRESTON VOTED IN FAVOR; COMMISSIONER GRANT VOTED AGAINST.
IX. INFORMATION
A. 3rd Quarter Financial Report
Executive Director Baker summarized and highlighted the 3rd Quarter 2025 Financial Reports, noting slightly higher-than-expected revenue for marina operations and commercial properties. Total operating expenses are 12% below budget, driven largely by unexecuted preventive maintenance placeholder projects and the timing of initiatives planned for future quarters. Additional savings were realized across supplies, professional services, office expenses, travel, and other categories. These reductions were partially offset by higher economic development and tourism costs, primarily related to the Landing assessment activities.
B. WPPA Annual Meeting Recap
The attending Commissioners shared insights and key takeaways from the WPPA Annual Meeting:
• Commissioner Dimmick attended the new commissioner seminar and enjoyed hearing about the broad approach many Ports take to drive economic development. He implored the Port to take a more proactive approach with partnering on City of Edmonds initiatives. He also discussed the proposed changes potentially coming to the Shoreline Management Act.
• Commissioner Cass also referred to the Shoreline Management Act and noted its potential impact on the Port of Edmonds. Cass provided an overview of the presentations she attended on energy, gas, and renewable resource supply chains.
• Commissioner Killin shared information about Vancouver-based startup VoltSafe Marine, developers of a magnetic shore power system. She encouraged the Port to consider integrating a similar system into future electrification planning. Killin discussed the mitigation banking session hosted by the Washington Association of Mitigation Bankers (WAMB). She shared information on the definitions of mitigation banking and advanced mitigation banking, as well as related opportunities for the Port, including support for a bill she has drafted with other Washington state stakeholders regarding the process and frequency of establishing mitigation banks.
• Commissioner Grant discussed WPPA’s legislative meetings and the upcoming WPPA Legislative Hill Day.
X. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Executive Director Baker provided updates on the following:
General Updates
• 2026 Boating Seminar Plan (February – April)
• Argosy Event Recap
• Upcoming Holiday Events
Project Updates
• Mid Marina Breakwater Schedule
• NPSR Permit Updates
Ongoing Projects – Marina
• Marina Entrance Signage
• Marina Operations Office Remodel Design
Ongoing Projects – Real Estate
• Atrium Windows – Building 4 (Planning and Design)
• Second Floor Window Replacement – Building 1 (Planning and Design)
XI. COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Commissioner Grant provided an update on recent Edmonds and Woodway Council meetings, noting the utility tax increase approved in Edmonds. He reported receiving numerous positive comments about the Port’s holiday mailer. He shared that his recent discussions with Mayor Rosen have focused on opportunities to attract a small cruise operator to Edmonds.
• Commissioner Killin shared that she attended a recent Economic Development Commission meeting where a B&O tax and parking were discussed. At the meeting, she spoke on the negative impact such implementations would have on the Port and small businesses in Edmonds. She expressed her pride in being a part of the Port of Edmonds and welcomed new staff members.
• Commissioner Cass complimented staff on the holiday decorations. She shared that she attended a meeting hosted by a community member focused on BellHop, a fully electric, on-demand shuttle service offered at no cost in Bellevue. Cass also attended the Snohomish County FIFA World Cup 2026 planning meeting.
• Commissioner Dimmick welcomed new staff members and wished everyone a happy holiday.
• Commissioner Preston complimented the Port’s holiday decorations and noted his attendance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 planning meeting. He discussed the latest Waterfront Center Environmental Speaker Series, where he helped present the President’s Environmental Youth Award to four former Hazelwood Elementary fourth- and fifth-grade students for their Salish Sea documentary.
XII. WORKSHOP
A. 2026 Commission Planning: Meetings, Elections, Committees, and Liaisons
The tentative calendar for the 2026 commission meetings was presented for discussion, as was the proposed 2026 officers. These items will appear as a resolution on the agenda at the first Commission meeting in January. The 2026 committee and liaison assignments were then presented. Commissioners agreed to send their feedback regarding the assignments to the Commission President in preparation for the first meeting in January.
XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
There was no Executive Session
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 7:52pm.
The next Commission Meeting is scheduled to take place on January 12th at 6:00pm
Selena Killin,
Port Commission Secretary