14 Jan Commission Meeting Minutes 12-28-20
PORT COMMISSION OF THE PORT OF EDMONDS MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
(Via Zoom)
December 28, 2020
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Angela Harris, Vice President
David Preston, Secretary
Bruce Faires
Steve Johnston
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Jim Orvis, President – Excused
STAFF PRESENT
Bob McChesney, Executive Director
Brandon Baker, Marina Manager
Brittany Williams, Manager of Properties and Marketing
CALL TO ORDER
Vice President Harris called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All those in attendance participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
CONSENT AGENDA
COMMISSIONER PRESTON MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
B. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 14, 2020 MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED
C. APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $129,838.84
COMMISSIONER JOHNSTON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
CONTINUATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 20-03 DECLARING LOCAL EMERGENCY AND DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY
Mr. McChesney reported that he has taken no action to date under the emergency delegation of authority.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. McChesney reported that there was a flood incident last week. While there was no damage, it caused staff to wonder why the pump station the City installed over the summer didn’t perform as planned. The City Engineering Department is working to address this issue. With the high tide and storm surge, it is likely that the pump didn’t have enough capacity.
Commissioner Johnston asked how long it took for the flood water to recede to the point it was no longer threatening buildings on Port property. Mr. McChesney answered that the situation became quite precarious at about 4:30 p.m., but the water crested at about 5:30 p.m. and started to slowly recede at about 6:00 p.m. It creeped close to the doors of Harbor Square Buildings 1 and 4, and staff put out sandbags as a precaution. There were some concerned tenants, but they got through okay.
Commissioner Faires asked if there is any external way to determine if the pumps are on or not. Mr. McChesney said the City Engineer informed him that the pumps were on and working as designed. Commissioner Faires said he suspects the Port should have information on the intricacies of knowing whether the pumps come on or not. Mr. McChesney agreed. Because it wasn’t a Port project, he doesn’t have any knowledge of what the design parameters were. The new Dayton Street Pump Station was designed to handle these types of storm incidents, but that did not happen. Until the issue is resolved, he would expect a similar situation if another significant storm occurs.
Commissioner Johnston asked if there is any expanded capacity for the system, such as additional vaults where new pumps could be installed. Mr. McChesney said he doesn’t know what the design capacity is and if it took ground water and marsh water into consideration. The pump was working as designed, but there was just too much water.
Commissioner Preston observed that, if the storm had occurred during the peak king tide that occurred a week earlier, there would likely have been some wet tenants. Mr. McChesney concluded that there is something that is not quite right with the new system, and he doesn’t know if it is fixable. He will follow up with the City as they research the situation further.
Commissioner Preston asked if all of the Port’s drains that flow into the marsh were clear and flowing nicely. Mr. McChesney reminded them that silt socks and filtration canisters were installed in all the drains that are owned by the Port, and he believes they were working properly. However, the main drains in the roadways are actually part of the City’s system, and he can’t explain why they weren’t draining properly.
Commissioner Johnston said he read in My Edmonds News that man covers were being blown off at elevations near 88th Avenue and Olympic View Drive, which means there was a lot of water. He suggested that they experienced a 200-year storm, which will now likely occur about every three years. Mr. McChesney agreed and said that seems to be the City’s opinion, as well. He summarized that the experience serves as a reminder of the Port’s vulnerability to storm events. They are fortunate that there were no injuries or damage.
COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Commissioner Johnston reported that he attended the Secretary of Transportation’s presentation, which was sponsored by the Washington Public Port Association (WPPA). It was announced that transportation will be the focal point of the next legislative session. There are some monies available that could make a difference over the next biennium.
Commissioner Johnston said he reviewed the five bid proposals that were received for the North Promenade and Seawall Reconstruction Project. He found all of them to be quite responsive and not too surprising. Mr. McChesney said staff would meet with the lead engineering consultant on December 29th to further review the proposals and prepare them for Commission approval at the January 11th meeting. Commissioner Johnston indicated he would contact Mr. McChesney to share his comments prior to that meeting.
Commissioner Preston reported that he attended the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County (EASC) meeting on December 16th. The message was that they need to get back to doing things, but their approach will likely be different. People are growing weary of the pandemic.
Commissioner Preston announced that the Edmonds Yacht Club is sponsoring boater safety classes on January 13th and February 10th. He asked how the Port is advertising these two events. Ms. Williams responded that the classes were announced in the last newsletter, and the dates will be advertised on the Port’s website, as well. She also plans to advertise the events on social media as the dates draw closer. Mr. Baker added that he is waiting to hear from the Edmonds Yacht Club about how people can register for the events. He agreed to check back to see if any progress has been made on that front. Commissioner Preston asked if this would be a good class for clients of the Freedom Boat Club. Ms. Williams answered affirmatively and added that the Freedom Boat Club offers a lot of education programs to their members. Commissioner Preston also announced that the Edmonds Yacht Club is in discussions about the idea of offering club membership to Freedom Boat Club Members. Currently, yacht club members must be boat owners, but they are recognizing that this is a new type of boat ownership.
Ms. Williams announced that the Port’s food drive would end on December 31st. The drop off containers are located at Marina Operations, the Weather Center, and at Harbor Square. They have received an incredible response this year, and it helped to announce it on the holiday postcard.
ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 9:16 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David Preston, Port Commission Secretary