Digital recordings of the meeting proceedings and meeting materials are available online – www.portseattle.org.
APPROVED MINUTES
COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING NOVEMBER 12, 2019
The Port of Seattle Commission met in a special meeting Tuesday, November 12, 2019, in the
Central Auditorium at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Seattle, Washington. Commissioners
Bowman, Calkins, Felleman, and Steinbrueck were present. Commissioner Gregoire was present
after 10:02 a.m.
1. CALL to ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 9:17 a.m. by Commission President Stephanie Bowman, who led
the flag salute.
2. EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to RCW 42.30.110 – None.
3. APPROVAL of the AGENDA
Without objection, the preliminary agenda was revised to remove agenda item 6e from the
Unanimous Consent Calendar for separate discussion and vote. Without objection, the preliminary
agenda was approved as revised.
4. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Executive Director Steve Metruck previewed items on the day’s agenda and made announcements
regarding recent election results, including election of new port commissioner Sam Cho, rejection of
Referendum 88 supporting Initiative 1000, and passage of Initiative 976 capping car registration fees.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment was received from the following individual(s) regarding new cruise facilities at
Terminal 46:
• Written materials in lieu of spoken comment from Catherine Ruha, Seattle resident,
attached as minutes Exhibit A
• Jordan Van Voast, Seattle 350
• John Persak, International Longshore Workers Union Local 19
• Jan von Lehe, 350 Seattle volunteer
• Stacy Oaks, Organizer for 350 Seattle
• Michael Foster, Seattle resident
• Mary Paterson, 350 Seattle
• Guila Muir, Seattle resident
• Jim Ace, Stand.earth, including written materials attached as minutes Exhibit B.
P.O. Box 1209
Seattle, Washington 98111
www.portseattle.org
206.787.3000
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Minutes of November 12, 2019, submitted for review on December 6, 2019, and proposed for approval on December 10, 2019.
• Dr. Elizabeth Burton, People for Climate Action - Seattle
• Margaret “Heather” McAuliffe, Seattle resident
6. UNANIMOUS CONSENT CALENDAR
[Clerk’s Note: Items on the Unanimous Consent Calendar are not individually discussed.
Commissioners may remove items for separate discussion and vote when approving the agenda.]
6a. Approval of the minutes of the special meeting of September 10 and regular meetings of
September 24 and October 8, 2019.
6b. Approval of the Claims and Obligations for the period October 1, 2019, through October
31, 2019, including accounts payable check nos. 932176-932771 in the amount of
$11,095,817.96; accounts payable ACH nos. 020843-021762 in the amount of
$79,086,041.84; accounts payable wire transfer nos. 015218-015246 in the amount of
$16,366,496.24, payroll check nos. 194513-194730 in the amount of $257,647.86; and
payroll ACH nos. 934211-938491 in the amount of $11,102,702.59 for a fund total of
$117,908,706.49.
Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum.
6c. Authorization for the Executive Director to increase the contract value for two existing
snow removal contracts by $1,200,000 to a new contract value of $2,800,000. These
contracts provide snow removal services for the Aircraft Movement Area at the Airport.
Request document(s) included an abbreviated agenda memorandum.
6d. Authorization for the Executive Director to execute a contract revision for the purchase
of liquid and solid pavement deicing agents for use at Seattle-Tacoma International
Airport. The revision will be to add $1,020,000 to the current contract of $2,200,000 for a
total estimated value of this contract of $3,220,000. There will be no change to the term
of the contract. We are one year into the contract, which was bid as a one-year agreement
with options for four additional one-year terms.
Request document(s) included an abbreviated agenda memorandum.
As noted above, agenda item 6e was temporarily postponed.
6f. Authorization for the Executive Director to execute a new collective bargaining
agreement between the Port of Seattle and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters,
Local 117, representing Police Sergeants at the Police Department for the Port of Seattle
covering the period from January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2021.
Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum and redline version of the agreement.
6g. Authorization for the Executive Director to execute a new collective bargaining
agreement between the Port of Seattle and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters,
Local 117, representing Traffic Support Specialists at the Police Department covering
the period from October 10, 2019, through December 31, 2021.
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Minutes of November 12, 2019, submitted for review on December 6, 2019, and proposed for approval on December 10, 2019.
Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum and redline version of the agreement.
6h. Authorization for the Executive Director to (1) prepare design and construction bid
documents for the Air Cargo 4 Maintenance Building Upgrades project at Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport and (2) use port crews for preconstruction activities. The amount of
this request is $879,000 for a total estimated project cost not to exceed $3,000,000
(CIP #C800924).
Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum and presentation slides.
6i. Authorization for the Executive Director to execute an interlocal agreement with the
Northwest Seaport Alliance to implement a series of support service agreements to allow
port staff to provide services to the NWSA for 2020.
Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum and interlocal agreement.
6j. Authorization for the Executive Director to advertise and execute a major works
construction contract for the replacement of damaged pavements, joint seal, and related
utilities for the 2020 Airfield Pavement portion of the 2016-2020 Airfield Pavement
Replacement Program at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The 2020 Airfield
Pavement Replacement Project is estimated to cost $18,416,000. The overall Capital
Improvement Program budget is $25,830,000. This authorization is for the remaining
$11,235,000 to perform this construction in the final year of the Capital Improvement
Project (CIP #C800483).
Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum and presentation slides.
6k. Authorization for the Executive Director to execute a collective bargaining agreement
between the Port of Seattle and the Seattle Building Trades Council at the Port of Seattle
covering the period from January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2021.
Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum and redline version of the agreement.
The motion for approval of consent items 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j, and 6k carried by the
following vote:
In favor: Bowman, Calkins, Felleman, Steinbrueck (4)
Absent for the vote: Gregoire
7. SPECIAL ORDERS of BUSINESS
The commission advanced to consideration of –
ITEMS REMOVED from CONSENT
6e. Authorization for the Executive Director to execute a sole-source personal service
contract with Bombardier Transportation for on-site technical services support for the
Satellite Transit System at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, for a five-year,
seven-month period with a total estimated cost of $2,500,000.
Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum.
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Minutes of November 12, 2019, submitted for review on December 6, 2019, and proposed for approval on December 10, 2019.
Presenter(s): Lance Lyttle, Managing Director, Aviation Division; Stuart Mathews, Director, Aviation
Maintenance; and Allen Tygeson, Manager, Aviation Maintenance.
Commissioner Gregoire was present after 10:02 a.m.
Commissioners asked about alternatives to the use of a sole-source contract for the services. Staff
described the proprietary nature of the equipment and software in question and compared the port’s
cost for these services to similar, far more costly, arrangements made by other U.S. airports with
Bombardier. It was noted that the contract provides a Bombardier employee on site to address any
issues that might arise with the shuttle system to the satellite terminals.
The motion for approval of agenda item 6e carried by the following vote:
In favor: Bowman, Calkins, Gregoire, Felleman, Steinbrueck (5)
8. AUTHORIZATIONS and FINAL ACTIONS
A single motion was offered to introduce both Resolutions No. 3763 and 3764 as follows:
8a. Introduction and public hearing of Resolution No. 3763: A resolution of the Port
Commission of the Port of Seattle adopting the final budget of the Port of Seattle for the
year 2020; making, determining, and deciding the amount of taxes to be levied upon the
current assessment roll; providing payment of bond redemptions and interest, cost of
future capital improvements and acquisitions, and for such general purposes allowed by
law which the Port deems necessary; and directing the King County Council as to the
specific sums to be levied on all of the assessed properties of the Port of Seattle District
in the Year 2020.
Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum, presentation slides, and draft resolution.
A copy of the final draft of Resolution No. 3763 will be made available upon adoption.
Presenter(s): Dan Thomas, Chief Financial Officer, and Michael Tong, Director, Corporate Budget.
Previously, presentations on the port’s 2020 capital and operating budgets and capital funding plan
were made on June 4, 11, and 25, July 9, August 13, September 24, and October 8 and 22, 2019.
8b. Introduction and public hearing of Resolution No. 3764: A resolution of the Port
Commission of the Port of Seattle specifying the dollar and percentage change in the
regular property levy from the previous year per RCW 84.55.120; providing for a three-
percent increase of the levy from $74,160,000 to $76,384,800.
Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum and draft resolution. A copy of the final draft
of Resolution No. 3764 will be made available upon adoption.
Presenter(s): Dan Thomas, Chief Financial Officer, and Michael Tong, Director, Corporate Budget.
Previously, a presentation on the port’s 2020 tax levy was made on October 22, 2019.
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Minutes of November 12, 2019, submitted for review on December 6, 2019, and proposed for approval on December 10, 2019.
PUBLIC HEARING on Resolution No. 3763 and Resolution No. 3764
Upon a motion and second for introduction of Resolution No. 3763 and Resolution No. 3764,
Commissioner Bowman declared the public hearing for the resolution open.
The goals and priorities of the port’s 2020 budget were summarized, and key features of the capital
development program were noted. The public engagement process, including public meetings and
open house sessions, was described.
Commissioners noted the growth trends reflected in the port’s budget arise not from an objective to
grow port business but from regional demand for use of port facilities.
Port investments in neighboring communities, most of which are supported by the tax levy, were
highlighted and high-level accounting features of the proposed budget were presented. Revenue in
2020 is estimated at $248 million and capital investment over five years is estimated at $3.4 billion.
Some of the new full-time-equivalent positions in the budget were noted, including at least one new
specialist in the Office of the Commission.
The strategy to increase the tax levy three percent each year through 2023 was summarized. In 2020
the impact of the increase to the average King County homeowner is estimated at $1.74.
Commissioners commented on the small size of the tax levy as a proportion of port funding, noting
that the port considers itself self-sustaining and applies the tax levy to ensure beneficial economic,
environmental, and community impacts.
Public testimony was received from the following individual(s):
• J.C. Harris, Des Moines councilmember-elect, regarding public engagement on setting the
port tax levy, the role of the levy in debt-service coverage on projects not wanted by the
public, and the use of the levy for airport noise mitigation in the Highline School District,
which he opined should come from airline revenue.
• Randy Fiertz, Alaska Airlines, regarding Alaska’s comments on the 2020 port budget,
including year-over-year increases in staffing, concerns over indirect allocation of airline
revenue to growth within the Northwest Seaport Alliance, and fees related to the
International Arrivals Facility.
Commissioners commented on use of the tax levy for projects to benefit the public and economic
opportunity and environmental stewardship for future generations. They noted the need to be
transparent with the public about the significance of the investments to which levy funding is applied.
Commissioners remarked on the need for relief from federal restrictions on the amount that can be
charged as passenger facility charges since these charges represent a way to ensure that the users
of the airport’s facilities pay their share of the associated costs. They commented on the role of the
tax levy in preserving the port’s capacity to issue indebtedness (bonds) for capital development that
benefits the region’s economy.
Following conclusion of public testimony, the public hearing on Resolution No. 3763 and Resolution
No. 3764 was closed.
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Minutes of November 12, 2019, submitted for review on December 6, 2019, and proposed for approval on December 10, 2019.
The motion for introduction of Resolution 3763 (agenda item 8a) carried by the following vote:
In favor: Bowman, Calkins, Felleman, Gregoire, Steinbrueck (5)
The motion for introduction of Resolution 3764 (agenda item 8b) carried by the following vote:
In favor: Bowman, Calkins, Felleman, Gregoire, Steinbrueck (5)
8c. Introduction of Salary and Benefits Resolution No. 3765: A resolution of the Port of
Seattle Commission amending the policy directive for salaries and benefits for
employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement established by Resolution
3739 and providing an effective date for all amendments of January 1, 2020.
Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum, presentation slides, draft resolution, and
exhibit. A copy of the final draft of Resolution No. 3765 will be made available upon adoption.
Presenter(s): Jeniann Kaelin, Total Rewards Consultant.
The changes to the port’s Salary and Benefits Policy Directive for 2020 were described. These
include a 3.5-percent adjustment to pay ranges. The adjustment will likely result in pay increases for
about 34 employees currently at the bottom of their pay ranges. The total pay increases for this
purpose should amount to about $46,000 in 2020. It was reported that all pay range minimums will
be above the current City of Seattle minimum wage rate. Paid family and medical leave provisions
will continue to exceed the benefits of the state plan; therefore, the port will again opt out in 2020.
Commissioners commented on a recent study on productivity and four-day workweeks and on
consideration for an infants-at-work program at the port.
AMENDMENT 1
The following late-filed amendment was offered:
In Resolution 3765, line 102, insert the following: In Section 5.2(C)(6), remove “as specified in
port policy HR-24 – Relocation”
The amendment was described as technical in nature, a housekeeping change accidentally omitted
from the published draft.
The motion to adopt Amendment 1 carried by the required two-thirds vote of the membership
as follows:
In favor: Bowman, Calkins, Felleman, Gregoire, Steinbrueck (5)
The question recurred on the motion for introduction of Resolution No. 3765, as amended,
(agenda item 8c) which carried by the following vote:
In favor: Bowman, Calkins, Felleman, Gregoire, Steinbrueck (5)
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Minutes of November 12, 2019, submitted for review on December 6, 2019, and proposed for approval on December 10, 2019.
8d. Authorization for the Executive Director to (1) increase the authorized funds for the
Central Terminal Infrastructure Upgrade project in the amount of $5,000,000 for a revised
total estimated project cost of $21,834,000; and (2) execute two construction change
orders in excess of $300,000 and 60-day time extensions (CIP #C800722).
Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum and presentation slides.
Presenter(s): Dawn Hunter, Senior Manager Airport Dining and Retail, and Trevor Emtman, Capital
Program Leader.
The justification for the underlying project was presented. The reasons for project cost growth were
summarized, including errors and omissions during the design phase. Staff are reviewing whether
any of the impacts are recoverable. Commissioners asked about the finished space and potential
revenue.
The motion for approval of agenda item 8d carried by the following vote:
In favor: Bowman, Calkins, Felleman, Gregoire, Steinbrueck (5)
8e. Introduction of Resolution No. 3766, a Resolution of the Port of Seattle Commission
establishing the Port-Wide Arts and Cultural Program Policy Directive, which directs the
Executive to create a strategy for art and cultural programs across all port facilities,
return art funding to one percent of capital construction projects port-wide, establish art
pools for art expenditures, and create an operational budget for art conservation,
maintenance, staffing needs, cultural programming, and public engagement.
Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum, draft resolution, and policy directive
exhibit. A copy of the final draft of Resolution No. 3766 will be made available upon adoption.
Presenter(s): Tommy Gregory, Senior Art Program Manager, and Pete Mills, Commission Specialist.
The implications of the policy, including a return to dedicating one percent of capital spending to the
port’s art program, were summarized. Commissioners asked about art program procedures and
whether art exhibits can be sold. They commented on the small percentage of the contribution to the
program and its benefits for providing wide access to art and cultural programming to the public. It
was also noted that the art program is a job creator. The composition of the Arts and Culture Board
was described.
The motion for introduction of Resolution 3766 (agenda item 8e) carried by the following vote:
In favor: Bowman, Calkins, Felleman, Gregoire, Steinbrueck (5)
9. PRESENTATIONS, REPORTS, and STAFF BRIEFINGS – None.
10. QUESTIONS on REFERRAL to COMMITTEE – None.
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Minutes of November 12, 2019, submitted for review on December 6, 2019, and proposed for approval on December 10, 2019.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There was no further business, and the meeting adjourned at 11:38 a.m.
Prepared: Attest:
Paul J. White, Commission Clerk Peter Steinbrueck, Commission Secretary
Minutes approved: December 10, 2019.
