Commission Meeting Minutes 1-13-25

Commission Meeting Minutes 1-13-25

Port Commission of the Port of Edmonds  Minutes of Regular Meeting
January 13, 2025

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Jay Grant, President
David Preston, Vice President
Janelle Cass, Secretary
Steve Johnston
Selena Killin

STAFF PRESENT
Angela Harris, Executive Director
Brandon Baker, Deputy Executive Director
Tsz Yan Brady, Director of Finance and Administration
Brittany Williams, Director of Economic Development
Brian Menard, Director of Facilities and Maintenance

OTHERS PRESENT
Jordan Stephens, Port Attorney
Will Chen, City of Edmonds Councilmember

I. CALL TO ORDER
President Grant called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

II. FLAG SALUTE
All those in attendance participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

III. ROLL CALL
All Commissioners are present.

IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
COMMISSIONER CASS REQUESTED THAT AN AGENDA ITEM FOR THE COMMERCIAL SPACE BE PUT ON THE AGENDA UNDER IX B. COMMISSIONER GRANT 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)
• Emily Cline – Gave public comment discussing ideas for waterfront development.
• Andrew Cline – Gave public comment discussing ideas for waterfront development.

VI. CONSENT AGENDA
COMMISSIONER JOHNSTON MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. COMMISSIONER PRESTON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A. Approval of December 9, 2024 Meeting Minutes
B. Approval of Payments in the amounts of $1,357,965.11 for December 27, 2024 and $390,487.10 for January 13, 2025.
C. Approval of Waiver of Notice of Special Meetings
D. Approval of Executive Director Contract Amendment

VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Port Attorney Stephens announced the Port of Edmonds Commission will move into Executive Session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(b)(c) at 7:11 pm and will last 30 minutes. The Executive Session will conclude at 7:41 pm and at the conclusion, the Commission will return to regular Commission meeting with potential action.

The Commission returned to the regular Commission meeting at 7:41 pm and extended the Executive Session for 15 minutes and will return to regular Commission meeting at 7:56 pm and at the conclusion, the Commission will return to regular Commission meeting with potential action.

The Commission returned to the regular Commission meeting at 7:56 pm and extended the Executive Session for 10 minutes and will return to regular Commission meeting at 8:06 pm and at the conclusion, the Commission will return to regular Commission meeting with potential action.

The Commission returned to the regular Commission meeting at 8:06 pm with no related announcements or actions taken.

VIII. POSSIBLE ACTION
A. Resolution No. 25-01 Confirming Schedule & Location of Meetings
COMMISSIONER JOHNSTON MOVED THE COMMISSION APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 25-01 RECONFIRMING THE SCHEDULE AND LOCATION OF THE PORT OF EDMONDS COMMISSION MEETINGS FOR 2025 PER THE 2025 COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE. COMMISSIONER CASS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

B. Election of Commission Officers
Commission President Grant opened the floor for nominations for President. Commissioner Grant nominated Commissioner Preston for President. No other nominations were received. Commission President Grant closed nominations.

COMMISSIONER GRANT MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPOINT COMMISSIONER PRESTON AS COMMISSION PRESIDENT FOR 2025. COMMISSIONER KILLIN SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Commission President Grant opened the floor for nominations for Vice President. Commissioner Preston nominated Commissioner Cass for Vice President. No other nominations were received. Commission President Grant closed nominations.

COMMISSIONER PRESTON MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPOINT COMMISSIONER CASS AS COMMISSION VICE PRESIDENT FOR 2025. COMMISSIONER JOHNSTON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Commission President Grant opened the floor for nominations for Secretary. Commissioner Cass nominated Commissioner Killin for Secretary. No other nominations were received. Commission President Grant closed nominations.

COMMISSIONER CASS MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPOINT COMMISSIONER KILLIN AS COMMISSION SECRETARY FOR 2025. COMMISSIONER PRESTON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

IX. DISCUSSION
A. Review Proposed Edits to the Port Commission Delegation of Authority
The commission reviewed and discussed proposed edits to the Port Commission Delegation of Authority. Port Attorney Stephens will update the delegation and bring the updated version to the next meeting for approval.

X. CITY OF EDMONDS AND WOODWAY REPORTS
No reports were provided.

XI. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
The following updates were provided by the Executive Director and team:
A. The design work is almost complete for the Building 1 Atrium window repair and will soon be submitted for permitting.
B. Dry Storage Building Permit is in process after installation of the gutters and ADA ramp.
C. North Portwalk and Seawall Reconstruction Phase 2 – we are applying for phase 2 permits by the end of this month. The City expects permitting to take up to a year.
D. Government Affairs Update
• Working on RAISE and PROTECT grant applications, although we do expect an executive order on January 20th that may postpone the submissions.
• As far as RAISE grant expectations for this year, there will only be about $150 million left for new projects. In FY24 there was $13 billion, which means it will be an incredibly tough landscape for FY25 funding.
E. Audit Status – The auditors are finishing up in the next week or so. The final report will take a few weeks and will be shared with the Commission.
F. Staffing – We are interviewing for a Landscaper/Maintenance worker position and are posting for the Leasing and Administration Specialist role and an open Security Officer role.
G. Director Menard and Deputy Executive Director Baker provided a recap of the shooting incident along the waterfront that occurred on January 9.

XII. COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

• Killin – No additional comments.
• Cass – Commented that she will listen to the PNWA briefing on tsunami and earthquakes. She also mentioned the graffiti tagging on the landing building.
• Preston – Commented that he toured with Director Baker to visit dry storage as well as attended the PNWA session on tsunami and earthquakes.
• Johnston – No additional comments.
• Grant – Commented on parking at Harbor Square.

XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 10:05 pm.

Selena Killin,
Port Commission Secretary