Motion 2020-09, Guidance on Port investments post-COVID-19 Page 1 of 5
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MOTION 2020-09:
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A MOTION OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION
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to authorize short-term changes to the 2020-2024
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Capital Improvement Plan in response to the COVID-19
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pandemic; to provide direction for interim actions
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related to ongoing construction and deferred capital
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projects and readiness to aid recovery; and to delegate
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authority to the Executive Director to execute change
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orders for costs that exceed $300,000 related to
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construction and enhanced worker safety on Port
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construction sites due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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PROPOSED
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APRIL 28, 2020
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INTRODUCTION
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The COVID-19 global pandemic is an unprecedented public health emergency that impacts the
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lives of everyone in the region and state. The Port of Seattle’s top priorities during this difficult
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time are keeping employees, tenants, concessionaires, contractors, workers, customers,
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travelers and residents safe, while simultaneously strengthening our critical aviation and
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maritime infrastructure to support jobs, small and diverse businesses, and environmental
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sustainability.
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Port capital projects, as an important part of the essential transportation sector, are authorized
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to go forward under Governor Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” proclamation. The entire region
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will benefit by the Port’s continuation and acceleration of infrastructure projects despite the
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challenges of the pandemic. To implement this approach, the Port of Seattle must update its five-
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year, $3.4 billion capital improvement plan (CIP), and make these capital investments in a
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responsible, transparent manner that protects worker safety and health, while accommodating
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increased costs due to worker safety measures.
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The Commission and the Executive Director will continue to evaluate and adjust the Port’s capital
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construction efforts as new information becomes available. These immediate decisions will
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provide certainty to the Port’s partners and support regional economic recovery. Long-term
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capital decisions will be part of the Port’s annual budget process later this year.
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Item Number: _7c_motion_
Meeting Date: April 28, 2020
Motion 2020-09, Guidance on Port investments post-COVID-19 Page 2 of 5
TEXT OF THE MOTION
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The Port of Seattle Commission hereby provides the following direction to Port leadership:
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1) The Commission authorizes the implementation of the Executive Director’s proposed
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changes to the 2020-2024 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), as presented during the April
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14, 2020 study session on this topic, see Attachment A.
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The Executive Director shall present any additional changes to the CIP to the
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Commission as part of the 2021 budget process.
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2) The Executive Director shall regularly evaluate the status of deferred capital projects as
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appropriate based on funding availability, changes in health and safety guidance or
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other factors that may allow projects to proceed. The Commission shall be informed of
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decisions to revise status of projects.
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3) The Executive Director shall take steps to implement the Commission’s February 26,
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2020 action to create a strategy and determine resource needs to accelerate the sound
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insulation program and to resume progress after all phases of the Governor’s
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proclamations are lifted, pending funding availability.
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4) The Executive Director shall temporarily delay the new proposed Cruise Terminal Project
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while staff evaluates the COVID-19 Alaska cruise industry impacts, see Attachment
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B. Staff will return to the Port Commission in Q4 2020 with a report on the status of the
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industry and recommendations on resumption of the Cruise Terminal Project.
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5) The Executive Director shall work with the Northwest Seaport Alliance to consider short-
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term uses and interim options for Terminal 46 that serve the region and generate Port
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revenue. Such uses shall not preclude the option to build a new cruise terminal.
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6) The Port Commission delegates authority to the Executive Director under Section 4.2.3.8
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of the General Delegation of Authority to execute change orders on contracts related to
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enhanced worker safety on Port construction sites due to the COVID-19 pandemic for
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costs that exceed $300,000, including change orders that exceed the Commission budget
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authorized amount for a particular project.
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This delegation of authority will remain in effect no longer than 60 days following the
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expiration of all phases of the Governor’s applicable stay-at-home, social distancing, and
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similar proclamations, orders, and guidance documents that affect construction.
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The Executive Director, or delegate, shall notify the Commission via email of such change
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orders on a monthly basis. All change orders executed under the authority granted in this
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motion shall be summarized for review in public session on June 23, 2020 and on
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September 8, 2020, and once every other month thereafter as necessary.
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Motion 2020-09, Guidance on Port investments post-COVID-19 Page 3 of 5
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STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION
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In support of CIP changes
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The Port of Seattle is a major regional economic driver. It owns and operates vital infrastructure
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for trade and commerce necessary to facilitate recovery across the state.
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On April 1, 2020, the Port of Seattle Commission passed a motion to support and guide the
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Executive Director’s evaluation and prioritization of recovery actions to restore, sustain and
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maximize our aviation and maritime operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and
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ensure swift regional economic recovery.
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On April 14, 2020, the Port Commission was briefed on the Executive Director’s proposed short-
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term decisions to proceed with the CIP primarily based on:
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1. Safety, security and regulatory compliance
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2. Alignment with core operational needs
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3. Creating jobs and maintaining employment
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4. Environmental benefits
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5. Grant opportunities
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6. Consultation with other major public owners
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The list of projects in Appendix A reflect the Port’s Commission feedback received during the
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April 14 study session. The Commission will revisit additional adjustments to the CIP as part of
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its regular annual budget process, which will begin in June of this year.
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In support of worker safety
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COVID-19 is recognized as a serious health and safety issue for construction sites. To enhance
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worker safety across all projects, the Port directed contractors to provide updated jobsite health
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and safety plans to address public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Port
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temporarily suspended 20 construction projects to review the updated health and safety plans.
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The Port continues to review safety plan amendments from contractors and track evolving
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changes to public health guidance and best practices and may take additional actions if
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necessary.
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To maintain jobsite safety the Port has provided additional guidance to apply best practices to
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make Port construction sites safer. To assist contractors the Port is:
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1. Paying to help contractors stagger shifts
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2. Helping fund a full time COVID-19 safety supervisor for each project
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3. Helping cover the purchase of mobile hand washing stations
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4. Assist with the purchase of additional tools to limit tool-sharing
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5. 50% of direct costs related to COVID-19
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Change Orders
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The Port recognizes that increased health and safety requirements for jobsites will result in
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higher costs for contractors. Change orders associated with safety plans, evolving regulatory
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requirements and the dynamic economic situation are anticipated to deliver essential Port
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infrastructure and serve the Port’s mission.
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Transparency is an important value in Washington State and for the Port of Seattle Commission
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especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. The Commission will continue to receive timely
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updates on significant change orders and will continue to steward our public funds in a
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responsible and transparent manner. The public will have the opportunity to review a summary
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of the change orders in a timely fashion, while also prioritizing safety for our employees, workers,
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contractor staff, and others on our unique job-sites.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ATTACHED
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Attachment A: April 14, 2020 CIP Study Session Powerpoint
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Attachment B: Cruise Project Changes
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