Template revised April 12, 2018.
COMMISSION
CORRECTED AGENDA
MEMORANDUM
Item No.
8a
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
May 26, 2020
DATE: May 22, 2020
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Veronica Valdez, Commission Specialist, Commission Office
Marin Burnett, Strategic Planning Program Manager, Office of Strategic Initiatives
Aaron Pritchard, Senior Policy Manager, Commission Office
SUBJECT: Century Agenda Policy Directive
ACTION REQUESTED
Request introduction of Resolution No. 3775: A resolution of the Port of Seattle Commission
establishing the Century Agenda Policy Directive to codify goals that will guide the strategic
planning, budget, and resource allocation throughout the Port of Seattle.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On December 9, 2019, the Port Commission was briefed on the Century Agenda during a
Commission Retreat and discussed the need to update the Century Agenda goals to ensure they
are aligned with current policies and strategies and responsive to the changing landscape. The
Office of Strategic Initiatives has been tasked to conduct outreach to divisions and Centers of
Excellences (COEs) and received feedback on the Century Agenda and affirmed the need to
refresh the Century Agenda and the associated processes.
Following the introduction of Resolution No. 3775, staff will return to request adoption of
Resolution No. 3775 on June 9, 2020.
BACKGROUND
On December 4, 2012, the Port of Seattle Commission adopted a motion to approve the Century
Agenda, to achieve the Port’s 25-year vision of adding 100.000 jobs through economic growth,
for a total of 300,000 port-related jobs in the region, while reducing our environmental footprint.
The 2012 Century Agenda introduced a new Mission, Vision and Commitment. It also identified
four new Strategies to pursue with business partners and stakeholders:
(1) Position the Puget Sound region as a premier international logistics hub;
(2) Advance this region as a leading tourism destination and business gateway;
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Meeting Date: May 26, 2020
Template revised September 22, 2016.
(3) Use our influence as an institution to promote small business growth and workforce
development; and
(4) Be the greenest, and most energy efficient port in North America.
Each year, Port staff develop action plans that are incorporated in Port business plans and
budget, to advance progress towards achieving the Century Agenda Vision, Strategies, and
Objectives.
However, the Puget Sound region has changed since the Century Agenda was adopted in 2012
with Seattle’s population growing 18 percent from 611,000 in 2012 to 725,000 in 2019. In
addition, international passengers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has grown from
260,000 3.2 million in 2012 to 408,000 5.7 million in 2019. And regional unemployment rate was
8 percent in 2012 and at 4 percent in 2019.
In addition, Port strategies and policies have also changed since 2012. Therefore, the Century
Agenda has been amended three times to reflect the changing landscape:
(1) In April 2017, the Port of Seattle Commission adopted a motion to amend the Century
Agenda to include carbon-emission reduction goals for Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions;
(2) In December 2017, the Port Commission amended the Century Agenda to include carbon-
emission reduction goals for Scope 2 emissions; and
(3) In December 2017, the Port Commission amended the Century Agenda to include new
goals to increase participation by minority and women owned and controlled businesses
in Port contracting.
The Century Agenda needs to be agile and adaptable to the changing landscape of the region. It
must also align with current Port of Seattle policies and strategies. In addition, reporting on
progress needs to be streamlined with metrics that are meaningful, accountable, and easily
collected with the goal of reducing duplication of efforts in planning and reporting.
DETAILS
The 2020 Century Agenda Policy Directive establishes the following Century Agenda goals:
(1) Position the Puget Sound Region as a Premier International Logistics Hub;
(2) Advance this Region as a Leading Tourism Destination and Business Gateway;
(3) Responsibly Invest in the Economic Growth of the Region and all its Communities;
(4) Be the Greenest, and Most Energy Efficient Port in North America;
(5) Become a Model for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; and
(6) Be a Highly Effective Public Agency
Changes to the 2012 Century Agenda include the following:
(1) Goal 3: Responsibly Invest in the Economic Growth of the Region and all its Communities
– This is an updated version of the previous 2012 goal of: “Use our influence as an
institution to promote small business growth and workforce development.”
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Meeting Date: May 26, 2020
Template revised September 22, 2016.
Through this goal the Port of Seattle will ensure that we are creating opportunities for all
of our communities. Supporting, sustaining and advancing port-related industries and
industrial lands is essential to the region’s continued growth and prosperity. The Port will
consider the cultural, economic, and community impacts of that growth as responsible
stewards of the public trust.
(2) Goal 5: Become a Model for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – This is a new goal.
In 2019, the Port of Seattle established a new Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion to
address institutional racism and increase equity, diversity, and inclusion in Port policies,
programs, and processes.
Through this goal the Port of Seattle will ensure that equity is at the core of all our work
and the principles the Port embodies. Regional workforce development, use of and
partnership with women and minority owned businesses, and small businesses will
remain a focus of our community investment and engagement. Internal and external
programs, structures, and practices will always be viewed and reviewed through an equity
lens.
(3) Goal 6: Be a Highly Effective Public Agency – This is a new goal.
Through this goal the Port of Seattle will ensure that its function as a public agency is
marked by accountability, transparency, safety, innovation, and responsible financial
stewardship. The Port of Seattle will always strive to be a good community partner and
use our influence to ensure that all the communities we serve are healthy and safe.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Draft Resolution No. 3775
(2) Draft Resolution No. 3775 Exhibit A: Century Agenda Policy Directive
(3) Presentation slides
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
February 3, 2020 – Commission briefed on Century Agenda review at Commission Retreat
December 9, 2019 – Commission briefed on Century Agenda at Commission Retreat
December 19, 2017 – Commission adopted a motion to amend the Century Agenda to include
carbon-emissions-reduction goals for scope 2 emissions
December 19, 2017 – Commission adopted a motion to amend the Century Agenda to include
goals for contracting with women- and minority-owned business enterprises (WMBEs)
was also adopted
April 11, 2017- Commission adopted a motion to amend the Century Agenda to include carbon-
emissions-reduction goals for scope 1 and 3 emissions
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. __8a__ Page 4 of 4
Meeting Date: May 26, 2020
Template revised September 22, 2016.
December 4, 2012 – Commission adopted a motion to approve the Century Agenda
January 10, 2012, the Commission discussed and approved the Century Agenda Preliminary
Strategic Goals
January 4, 2011 – Commission adopted a motion to establish a Century Agenda Committee to
further the work of the Century Agenda
