16 Jan Commission Meeting Minutes 12-11-23
PORT COMMISSION OF THE PORT OF EDMONDS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
(Zoom—Hybrid Meeting) December 11, 2023
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Steve Johnston, President
Jim Orvis, Vice President
Jay Grant, Secretary
Janelle Cass
David Preston
STAFF PRESENT
Angela Harris, Executive Director
Brandon Baker, Deputy Executive Director
Brittany Williams, Manager of Properties and Economic Development
Roger Neumaier, Acting Finance Director
OTHERS PRESENT
Jordan Stephens, Port Attorney
Greg Ferguson, Edmonds Marsh Estuary Advocates
Bill Derry, Edmonds Marsh Estuary Advocates
Andor Boeck, Edmonds Yacht Club
I. CALL TO ORDER
President Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. FLAG SALUTE
All those in attendance participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
COMMISSIONER GRANT MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS SUBMITTED. COMMISSIONER CASS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
COMMISSIONER ORVIS MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
A. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 27, 2023 MEETING MINUTES
B. APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $351,027.46
COMMISSIONER PRESTON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
VI. PRESENTATIONS
A. Recognition of Commissioner Orvis
Commissioner Johnston announced that at the Washington Public Port Association’s winter meeting, WPPA President, Ryan Calkins, presented Commissioner Orvis with the “Outstanding Service to the Port Industry Award.” Commissioner Johnston shared the complementary citation that accompanied the award and thanked Commissioner Orvis for his nearly 20 years of service as a Port Commissioner.
Commissioner Orvis commented that, over his 20 years as a Port Commissioner, he has worked with some very dedicated, talented, hardworking people.
B. Climate Planning and Marsh Restoration – Greg Ferguson and Bill Derry
Executive Director Harris introduced Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Derry and shared details about their background and experience. Both are members of the community volunteer group, Edmonds Marsh Estuary Advocates.
Mr. Derry presented the group’s proposal for restoring the Unocal site into a marsh and/or estuary and cutting a channel through Marina Beach Park under the existing railroad bridges to restore an estuary flow in and out of the marsh. He shared a Department of Ecology (DOE) map and letter and described the status of the site cleanup and potential risk to a future owner.
Mr. Ferguson focused his presentation on the impacts of sea level rise along the Edmonds Waterfront and marsh, framing the problems and pointing out the need for adaptation planning to minimize waterfront flood risks. He briefly shared a variety of ideas for protecting coastal communities and stressed the importance of incorporating information related to sea level rise into future updates of the Port’s Strategic Plan and the City of Edmonds’ Comprehensive Plan. Executive Director Harris advised that Port staff is currently conducting outreach to other ports and stakeholders to begin discussions around planning for future sea level rise.
Mr. Derry shared details of a City project that will start in January and involve updating the hydrologic and hydraulic model and verifying flood elevations; collecting, summarizing and verifying the risks from contamination; and identifying a path forward for public planning and public involvement. Funding for the project will come from a Coastal Cities Resiliency Using Natural Solutions Grant the City recently received from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as a local match from a number of sources. In addition to the dedication of staff time by Executive Director Harris, he asked the Port Commission to consider a financial contribution of up to $25,000.
VII. POSSIBLE ACTION
There were no action items on the agenda.
VIII. INFORMATION
A. 3rd Quarter Financial Reports
Mr. Neumaier shared about his positive experiences while serving as interim Finance Director for the Port, particularly noting the phenomenal support from other staff members. He briefly presented the 3rd Quarter Financial Report, summarizing that the Port is well managed and he found no significant concerns. He also reviewed the Investing Summary and the Port’s current investment strategy.
IX. CITY OF EDMONDS, TOWN OF WOODWAY, AND EDMONDS YACHT CLUB REPORT
Andor Boeck, Edmonds Yacht Club, invited everyone to visit the marina during the Holiday on the Docks event.
X. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Executive Director Harris reported on the following items:
• New Administration Building Project. They are expecting the HVAC units for the new Administration Building to arrive by Christmas, and work will resume at that time. They anticipate moving into the building by the end of February.
• North Portwalk and Seawall Restoration Project. The Substantial Shoreline and Design Review Applications were resubmitted on December 4th, and they are aiming to have 90% design for grant application submittal by the end of February. They are working through three remaining elements of the Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Application (JARPA): water quality certification, historic resources consultation, and mitigation consultation. Mr. Menard is working with CG Engineering on a plan for monitoring the existing seawall, as he feels there has been some movement this past year. Staff is working with the project team to prepare document for grant applications. They are also continuing their advocacy plan for grant support from congressional and state delegations, the community and other key stakeholders.
• Calendar Reminders. The Staff and Commissioner Orvis Appreciation Event is scheduled for December 14th at Salish Crossing from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. The Port’s public event at the marina will follow. The Administration Office will be closed from December 22nd through December 26th.
• Strategic Planning. The first Strategic Plan Workshop will be held on January 31st, followed by a second one in March.
XI. COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Commissioner Preston reported on his attendance at the WPPA Winter Meeting. He also reported that he attended the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County’s (EASC) trustee meeting. He advised that he would attend both the Edmonds Economic Development Commission meeting and the EASC Coffee Chat on December 12th.
• On behalf of the Commission, Commissioner Grant presented Commissioner Orvis with a John Kelly Liberty Ship stereograph with an accompanying plaque honoring his years of dedication and exceptional service to the community. The intent is to display the ship in the new Commission office so people will always know the great job that Commissioner Orvis did.
• Commissioner Grant reported on his attendance at two of the City’s Comprehensive Plan public meetings. One focused on the waterfront and downtown Edmonds and the other was on Firdale. He provided a brief update on the current status of the City’s proposed Landmark Project and reported on a conversation he had with a State Auditor related to cyber management. He also reported on his attendance at the WPPA Winter Meeting, where an engineering firm shared what is available through an AutoCAD program.
• Commissioner Orvis commented that during his time on the Commission, the group has always been a healthy, supportive and respectful organization with a bright future. He encouraged them to continue this same pattern going forward. He has treasured his time on the Commission.
• Commissioner Johnston shared some of the things that were discussed at the WPPA Winter Meeting related to mitigation requirements, rising marina costs, and reallocation of Model Toxic Control Act funds.
• Commissioner Cass reported on things she learned at the City’s Downtown/Waterfront Neighborhood comprehensive planning. She also reported on her attendance at the WPPA’s New Commissioner Training Meeting, as well as the WPPA’s Winter Meeting where she learned about Tsunami modeling done by the Washington State Emergency Management Division, including a pamphlet for boaters about what to do in a Tsunami. She will be following up with a representative to discuss potential modeling of the Edmonds Waterfront.
XII. WORKSHOP
There were no workshop items on the agenda.
XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 21:02, Commissioner Johnston announced that the Commission would move into an Executive Session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) to review the performance of a public employee. He advised that the Executive Session would start at 21:03 and would last 30 minutes, concluding at 21:33, and no expected action would be taken after the session. At 21:33, Commissioner Johnston announced that the Executive Session would be extended 10 minutes to 21:43. The Executive Session concluded at 21:43, at which time the Commission returned to the regular meeting to adjourn.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 9:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jay Grant
Port Commission Secretary