02 Oct Commission Meeting Minutes 9-8-25
PORT COMMISSION OF THE PORT OF EDMONDS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 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
Tsz Yan Brady, Director of Finance and Administration
Iliana Minkov, Leasing and Administrative Specialist
OTHER PRESENT
Jordan Stephens, Port Attorney
John Brock, Town of Woodway
Will Chen, City of Edmonds
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
Commission President Preston 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.
IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
COMMISSIONER KILLIN 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 CASS MOVED THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED. COMMISSIONER KILLIN SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A. Approval of August 26, 2025 Meeting Minutes
B. Approval of Payments in the amount of $567,270.04
C. CP2 Unocal Ad Hoc Committee
VII. CITY OF EDMONDS AND WOODWAY REPORTS
Will Chen, City of Edmonds councilmember, sought feedback from the commission regarding potential Cultural Access Tax and the proposed $14.5 million property tax levy scheduled for a vote in November. The board agreed to discuss the potential impact of these tax proposals with the staff and consider drafting a letter to the mayor and city council outlining their perspectives.
John Brock, Town of Woodway councilmember, announced the retirement of Position 5 Councilmember Elizabeth Mitchell, and shared that Per Odegaard has been selected to fill the resulting vacancy.
VIII. PRESENTATIONS
A. Snohomish County Marine Resources
Julie Schlenger and Phil Salditt from The Marine Resources Advisory Committee provided an overview of their organization, mission, and projects.
IX. POSSIBLE ACTION
X. INFORMATION
A. Sea Notes at the Marina Season Wrap-Up
Director of Economic Development Williams provided a summary of the 2025 Sea Notes summer music series.
Performances featured local high schools, artists, and combos at the Mary Lou Block Plaza from June through August. Thanks and appreciation were extended to:
• Pete Bennett, program coordinator
• Rachel Gardner, Songwriter’s Sundays manager
• Anthony’s Restaurants, sponsor
• Blake Ulin, collaborator
As budgeted, a $2,500 stipend will be paid to the Edmonds Woodway Music Boosters on behalf of Pete Bennett. Director Williams also announced that Argosy Cruises will return to Edmonds on December 4 with two sailings.
B. Executive Director Employment Agreement
Commissioner Grant raised concerns about the lack of an end date in the contract for the Executive Director, and proposed adding a 5-year term with an option to extend. Port Attorney noted that finite terms are uncommon in public sector contracts in Washington state. None of the other Commissioners raised objections to the open-ended term, and the proposal did not receive a second motion.
COMMISSIONER GRANT MOVED THAT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CONTRACT, AS NEGOTIATED BY THE COMMITTEE, BE ACCEPTED. COMMISSIONER CASS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
XI. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Executive Director Baker provided the following updates:
• Mid-Marina Breakwater Permitting
• Edmonds Coho Derby recap
• Parking Study Data Collection
• Upcoming Port Events
o 9/11, 6:30 pm – Edmonds Civic Roundtable in the Commission Room & Environmental Speaker Series at Edmonds Waterfront Center
o 9/19, 11 am – 12 pm – Port Public Walking Tour at 471 Admiral Way
XII. COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Commissioner Dimmick did not have any comments
• Commissioner Grant thanked staff for their good work and reported attending the Coho Derby and Mystical Steel performance, describing them as great events. Additional updates included attending a presentation on the City of Edmonds’ property tax levy.
• Commissioner Cass thanked Julie and Phil from the Marine Resource Advisory Committee for their educational presentation. She also commented on the Coho Derby, expressing pride in being a part of the organization.
• Commissioner Killin also thanked Julie and Phil, as well as the Sea Notes musicians, Pete, Rachel, Anthony’s, and Blake, and congratulated the new Executive Director, Baker. She shared excitement for the Argosy cruise and the Port’s holiday event in December. Commissioner Killin expressed appreciation for the Port’s hard-working staff, stating she was proud to be part of the community.
• Commissioner Preston commented on the great Coho Derby event, thanked the Snohomish Marine Resource Committee for the presentation, and welcomed Larry Carpenter, Immediate Past Commodore (Edmonds Yacht Club).
XIII. WORKSHOP
A. 2026 Travel Budget and Meeting Schedule
A workshop was held to discuss conferences and travel-related expenses for the 2026 Budget. The meeting focused on planning and coordinating attendance for various seminars and events.
XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION
There was no Executive Session
XV. ADJOURNMENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at 7:27 pm.
The next Commission Meeting is scheduled to take place on September 30, at 10 am.
Selena Killin,
Port Commission Secretary