20 Nov Commission Meeting Minutes 10-30-23
PORT COMMISSION OF THE PORT OF EDMONDS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
(Zoom—Hybrid Meeting)
October 30, 2023
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Steve Johnston, President
Jay Grant, Secretary
Janelle Cass
David Preston
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Jim Orvis, Vice President (excused)
STAFF PRESENT
Angela Harris, Executive Director
Brandon Baker, Deputy Executive Director
Brittany Williams, Manager of Properties and Economic Development
OTHERS PRESENT
Jordan Stephens, Port Attorney
Dave Teitzel, Edmonds City Council
Mike Quinn, Mayor, Town of Woodway
CALL TO ORDER
Commissioner Grant called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE
All those in attendance participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
COMMISSIONER PRESTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS SUBMITTED. COMMISSIONER CASS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Darrol Haug, Edmonds, sent a letter stating he was disappointed to learn that the Port’s policies no longer allow public input to be part of the public record. He also pointed out that City of Edmonds and Edmonds School District tax rate increases could impact Port operations. Executive Director Harris reported that she sent a response, noting that the Commission minutes would now be in summary form across all topics, and that public input continues to be part of the public record just in summary rather than verbatim form, and that written public comments that are received are kept verbatim as part of the Port’s official public records. Executive Director Harris also reiterated that all public comments are appreciated.
CONSENT AGENDA
COMMISSIONER CASS MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
A. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 9, 2023 MEETING MINUTES, AS SUBMITTED
B. APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,385,287.35
COMMISSIONER PRESTON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
PUBLIC HEARING – 2024 PRELIMINARY BUDGET
• Commissioner Grant opened the public hearing on the 2024 Preliminary Budget. There no public comments, and the public hearing was closed.
• Executive Director Harris briefly reviewed the changes that were made since the October 9th meeting, which were outlined in the Staff Report. She noted that formal notification of the hearing was made in the appropriate publications and posted in the appropriate locations. Staff will be recommending that the Commission approve the final budget on November 13th. No additional public hearing is scheduled before final budget approval, and the budget will be delivered to the Snohomish County Treasurer by November 30th.
• Commissioner Grant recommended increasing membership dues (Note O22) by $14,000 to allow for potential membership in the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) after the commission reviews both PNWA and AAPA further. The other Commissioners indicated support for the adjustment.
POSSIBLE ACTION
A. Authorization to approve Edmonds Yacht Club to conduct holiday on the docks in guest moorage from December 2, 2023 through January 3, 2024
Deputy Executive Director Baker summarized the Edmonds Yacht Club’s (EYC’s) request as outlined in the Staff Report, and noted that the Port’s holiday event is scheduled for December 14th.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSTON MOVED THE COMMISSION AUTHORIZE TO APPROVE EDMONDS YACHT CLUB TO CONDUCT HOLIDAY ON THE DOCKS IN GUEST MOORAGE, STARTING DECEMBER 2, 2023 THROUGH JANUARY 3, 2024. COMMISSIONER CASS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
B. Resolution Number 23-08, appointing agent to receive claims for damages (address update)
Executive Director recalled that the Commission previously approved this resolution on September 25th using the new building’s address. As they haven’t yet been able to relocate to the new building, the document needs to be updated with the current address and will be updated again once they relocate to the new building.
COMMISSIONER PRESTON MOVED THE COMMISSION ADOPT RESOLUTION 23-08, APPOINTING AGENT TO RECEIVE CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES. COMMISSIONER CASS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
INFORMATION
A. Harbor Square 3rd Quarter Report
Ms. Williams presented the Harbor Square 3rd Quarter, noting that gross projected revenue increased by 8.71% ($47,000) over 3rd quarter 2022. Occupancy at the end of the quarter was 92.8%, which is slightly higher than the occupancy rate in 2022. She also noted six lease extensions and several maintenance projects.
B. Marina Operations 3rd Quarter Report
Deputy Executive Director Baker presented the Marina Operations 3rd Quarter Report. He noted that compared to the same period in 2022, moorage waitlist applications, the turnover ratio, dry storage occupancy, forklift moves, workyard days and travelift use all decreased. Roundtrip launch and guest moorage activity both increased. The total gallons of fuel sold increased slightly and sale price per gallon was below the area average. Staff has received positive feedback about the Port’s competitive price model.
The Commission and staff discussed the process for addressing boats that are in dry storage that are in poor condition.
CITY OF EDMONDS AND TOWN OF WOODWAY REPORTS
• Edmonds Councilmember Teitzel advised that the Council is currently working on the 2024 budget. He also reported that, as per Governor Inslee’s response to a letter the Council sent regarding future ownership of the Unocal property, he and Councilmember Buckshnis, along with Joe Scordino and representatives from Washington Resource Inventory Area 8 (WRIA 8) and Puget Sound Partnership, will meet with the Director of Policy for Snohomish County on November 16th.
• Woodway Mayor Quinn also reported that the Town Council is heavy into the budget process. He provided an update on the Town’s efforts to annex the Point Wells property and announced that Dr. Steven Mitchell was appointed to serve on the Town Council on October 16th. He invited the Commissioners to a Town Council public safety discussion on November 6th at 5:00 p.m. and Coffee with the Mayor on November 18th at 1:00 p.m. Lastly, he reported on the activities of the Snohomish County Mayors for Public Safety, which focuses on lobbying and messaging the legislature on key safety issues that are important to the community. He suggested the Commission consider adding its support to the effort.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Executive Director Harris provided the following updates:
• She is currently researching how to proceed with Section 7 Endangered Species Act Mitigation, which is needed in order to keep the Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Application (JARPA) moving forward. She advised she would send the Commissioners a summary so a robust discussion can be had.
• Puget Sound Birdfest will be held in June this year instead of September.
• Interviews are scheduled for the Accounts Payable and Director of Finance and Administration positions. They have filled the Marina Operations role, as well as a temporary security role.
• Bob McChesney was selected by the Washington Public Port Association (WPPA) to be a life member, and Commissioner Orvis was recognized for his outstanding service to the industry. An awards breakfast will be held in December.
• An email was sent out asking Commissioners to respond as to their availability for strategic planning with Frank Chmelik and Jim Darling.
COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Commissioner Johnston advised that he and Executive Director Harris would meet on October 31st via Zoom.
• Commissioners Johnston, Cass, Grant and Preston shared what they learned at the WPPA Small Port’s Seminar on October 26th and 27th.
• Commissioner Cass reported that she participated in a small event sponsored by the City of Edmonds Disaster Preparedness Manager to test ham radio techniques, and she has notes to share. Deputy Director Baker shared the Port’s current system for communicating with the City of Edmonds during an emergency and said he will participate in future testing.
• Commissioner Preston shared what was discussed at the October meeting of the Edmonds Economic Development Commission.
• Commissioner Grant shared some observations about Mayor Nelson’s proposed budget, noting that it relies on significant funding from traffic camera violations. Councilmember Teitzel added that five new speed-zone cameras and six new red-light cameras have been proposed.
• Commissioner Grant shared highlights from the latest meeting of the U. S. Coast Guard’s Area Maritime Security Committee.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Grant recessed the meeting into executive session at 8:10 p.m. for 20 minutes, to conclude by 8:30 p.m. It was announced that the purpose of the executive session was pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency matters relating to potential litigation to which the agency, the governing body, or a member acting in an official capacity is or is likely to become a party. It was announced that at the conclusion of the executive session, the Commission would adjourn the regular meeting with no related announcements or action taken.
At 8:30 p.m., it was announced that the executive session was being extended for 5 minutes, concluding at 8:35 p.m.
At the conclusion of the executive session, Commissioner Grant announced that there was no action taken by the Commission and there were no related announcements.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jay Grant
Port Commission Secretary