Motion 2020-12 – Employment Opportunities Page 1 of 2
MOTION 2020-12:
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A MOTION OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION
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To explore short-term employment opportunities that
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enhance the mission of the Port of Seattle and support
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economic recovery for the residents of King County from
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the COVID-19 pandemic.
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PROPOSED
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MAY 26, 2020
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INTRODUCTION
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The mission of the Port of Seattle is to promote economic opportunities and quality of life in the
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region by advancing trade, travel, commerce and job creation in an equitable, accountable and
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environmentally responsible manner. The Port’s stewardship of aviation and marine
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infrastructure and environmental assets is essential to Washington State’s economy and quality
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of life and is critical to the Port’s ability to fulfill its mission.
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The Port of Seattle is well-positioned to stimulate economic recovery from the COVID-19
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pandemic by providing short-term employment opportunities through accelerated investment in
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the preservation, maintenance and enhancement of Port assets and programs. Examples include
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habitat restoration and clean-up projects that support port developments environmental
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enhancements, improvements to fence line communities’ quality of life , expansion of public art,
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and collaboration with regional partners to promote responsible travel.
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TEXT OF THE MOTION
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The Port Commission hereby directs the Executive Director to review existing Port programs and
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capital projects and identify those which may provide additional short-term employment
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opportunities that may:
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• support the Port’s mission
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• advance projects currently underway
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• commence by July 1, 2020
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• be undertaken while adhering to Governor Jay Inslee’s “Safe Start Washington”
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phased reopening
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• achieve substantial completion and / or progress within 90-120 days
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• be performed by youth 16-24 years of age without specialized skills
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The Executive Director should include in this review programs and projects performed by
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community partners that support the Port’s mission and stewardship of its assets and provide
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estimates of expenses and total employment related to each. The Executive Director shall report
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results of this review and recommendations to the Commission by June 9, 2020.
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Item Number: 7a_motion
Meeting Date: May 26, 2020
Motion 2020-12 – Employment Opportunities Page 2 of 2
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION
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The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been widespread. The likely need for
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ongoing social distancing will pose significant challenges for the creation of near-term
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employment opportunities. Such challenges can be overcome, in part, by targeting those
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activities that make use of the ability to work outside during the fair-weather conditions this
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Spring and Fall.
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While workers in nearly every sector Washington’s economy have been adversely affected by the
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Covid-19 pandemic, the loss of employment opportunities for low-skilled workers between 16-
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24 years of age is the most substantial.
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Identifying projects and programs that can advance the Port’s mission, including the creation of
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short-term employment emphasizing this age group, will provide material benefit to the Port as
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it looks to maintain, preserve and enhance the assets and programs of statewide significance that
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are necessary to Washington State’s economic recovery in 2020.
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RCW 53.08.245 states “…port districts may contract with nonprofit corporations and private and
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public entities that provide training systems … and promote workforce diversity in furtherance
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of this and other acts relating to economic development.
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Economic development programs may include: Occupational job training and placement, job
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advancement and job retention, preapprenticeship training, or occupational education programs
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associated with port tenants, customers, and local economic development related to port
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tenants or port-related economic activities that are sponsored by a port and operated by a
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nonprofit, private, or public entity…”
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Any program that is developed shall require quantitative information on program outcomes
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including: the number of workers trained, recruited, placed in jobs, and retained; the types of
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jobs and range of compensation; the number and types of businesses that are served; and any
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other tangible benefits realized by the port, the workers, businesses, and the public.”
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