Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
10b
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
May 24, 2022
DATE : April 19, 2022
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Sarah Ogier, Maritime Director-Environment & Sustainability
Jon Sloan, Sr. Manager, Environmental Programs, ME&S
Kathleen Hurley, Sr. Environmental Program Manager, ME&S
SUBJECT: Interlocal Agreement for the Duwamish Basin Steward
Amount of this request:
$0
Total estimated project cost:
Up to $150,000
(2022 authorized
funds plus annual
budget requests)
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to execute an Interlocal Agreement
with King County, City of Seattle, and City of Tukwila for the Duwamish Basin Steward position.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of the agreement is to deliver Basin Stewardship services and provide a mechanism
to promote, develop, and implement environmental stewardship projects within the Duwamish
Service Area.
This Interlocal Agreement (ILA) funds stewardship capacity for the Duwamish Service Area to
focus on land conservation and habitat restoration, community engagement and partner
coordination, as well as improved environmental sustainability of the Duwamish Valley industrial
complex along the river’s shorelines. Additionally, the ILA will support each entity’s development
and implementation of Chinook salmon habitat restoration projects, conservation of open space,
and collaboration with community organizations and private businesses to promote creative
solutions for stormwater management, floodplain restoration, riparian restoration, climate
adaptation, and other environmental activities within the service area.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10b Page 2 of 5
Meeting Date: May 24, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
JUSTIFICATION
The Port’s participation in this ILA supports Century Agenda goals around equity and
environment, specifically habitat restoration in areas in which the Port operates. The Duwamish
Basin Steward will play an important role in coordinating habitat restoration and stewardship
efforts for optimal impact throughout the service area. This ILA was added to the 2022 budget
per request by Commissioner Felleman and through the Commission Budget Request process.
Port support for a new Duwamish River steward is in alignment with the Duwamish Valley
Community Equity Program which was adopted by the Port Commission in 2019. The Duwamish
Valley Community Equity Program aims to harnesses the Port’s economic development mission
to promote community partnerships, healthy environments and communities, and economic
prosperity.
Diversity in Contracting
The Port will not conduct any procurement under this ILA.
DETAILS
The ILA will create a dedicated position for a Duwamish Basin Steward (hired and managed by
King County) that will support collaboration and advance restoration efforts with communities in
the Duwamish Service Area.
This ILA will also provide a mechanism for securing technical assistance and funding from federal
and state agencies and other sources to undertake habitat stewardship activities in the
Duwamish Service Area. The service area includes the Duwamish sub-watershed, as defined in
the WRIA 9 Plan, as well as two unincorporated urban areas that overlap in part with the
Duwamish sub-watershed, North Highline area (between Seattle and Burien) and the Skyway
unincorporated area, extending to Lake Washington.
The agreement will remain in effect until December 31, 2026. Should the Port decide to exit the
agreement, there are provisions within the ILA to do so, as well as options for extending the ILA
beyond the five-year time period, upon execution by each party.
Scope of Work Each party to the ILA will have one representative on the Duwamish Basin
Management Team (DBMT). The DBMT will manage the Duwamish Basin Stewardship program
(“Duwamish Program”) for carrying out the basin stewardship purposes of the ILA and define the
scope of the basin steward’s work.
The DBMT will meet at least four times per calendar year, and more frequently if the DBMT
determines it necessary, to review Duwamish Program workplan progress, as well as partnerships
that would benefit the Program, including potential funding. Each year, prior to October 1, the
DBMT shall develop a draft work program and budget for consideration by the DBMT for the
following calendar year.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10b Page 3 of 5
Meeting Date: May 24, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
King County will perform day-to-day project management and direction and communicate with
other DBMT participants as needed to conduct Duwamish Program activities. King County will
schedule, facilitate, and provide summaries of all DBMT meetings to each Party during
implementation of the Duwamish Program.
Budget
The budget is $26,000 in 2022, which represents 12% of the Duwamish Basin Steward position
cost. The term of the ILA is five years and approximately $150,000 total through December 31,
2026.Port staff will include an annual budget request to support the position in future years.
The estimated cost share by all partners is as follows:
Estimated Annual Cost Share (2022-2023)
37.5%
$ 78,000.00
37.5%
$ 78,000.00
12.5%
$ 26,000.00
12.5%
$ 26,000.00
Schedule
The ILA shall remain in effect until December 31, 2026. The Duwamish Basin Steward position
will be hosted at King County and King County will lead recruitment of the role.
Activity
Port Commission approval of the ILA
2022 2
nd
Quarter
Recruitment of the steward position (by King
County)
2022 3
rd
Quarter
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Do not participate in the ILA
Cost Implications: The annual cost of approximately $26,000 per year through 2026 would be
available to utilize on alternative projects.
Pros:
(1) Previously approved 2022 funds would not go to funding the ILA and could potentially
be applied to alternative projects.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10b Page 4 of 5
Meeting Date: May 24, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Cons:
(1) Forego the opportunity to leverage partnerships to amplify impacts of habitat restoration and
stewardship throughout the basin;
(2) Forego the opportunity to coordinate restoration and stewardship efforts on a landscape
scale to optimize Port restoration investments.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Participate in the ILA
Cost Implications: $26,000 in 2022; approximately $150,000 total through December 31, 2026
Pros:
(1) Advance Port of Seattle habitat and stewardship goals within the Duwamish Valley in
collaboration with local partners;
(2) Opportunities to leverage partnerships to amplify impacts of habitat restoration and
stewardship throughout the basin;
(3) Enhances the opportunity to coordinate restoration and stewardship efforts on a
landscape scale to optimize Port restoration investments.
Cons:
(1) Cost of $26,000, potentially up to $150,000 if the Port remains a party for five years.
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The DBMT will, based on the desired scope of work, set a budget for the upcoming year’s work
by the Basin Steward. Each party will seek authorization through appropriation, and this number
may change over time depending on the number of parties, the overall scope of work, and the
availability of outside funding sources (e.g., grants).
The Port’s cost share for funding this position is 12% of the total position cost per year. For 2022,
this 12% cost share is equal to $26,000 and is expected to escalate annually with cost of living
increases. The agreement will last until December 31, 2026 and the anticipated total cost is up to
$150,000.
The Port’s contribution of $26,000 for the first year of work (2022) is already in the budget; Port
staff will return in Fall 2022 to seek funding for 2023 and annually thereafter.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10b Page 5 of 5
Meeting Date: May 24, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary
Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate
$0
$150,000
$0
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations
0
$26,000
0
Current request for authorization
0
0
0
Total authorizations, including this request
0
$26,000
$26,000
Remaining amount to be authorized
(estimated)
$0
Up to
$124,000
Up to
$124,000
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
The $26,000 has been authorized in the 2022 budget.
Financial Analysis and Summary – N/A
Project cost for analysis
Business Unit (BU)
Effect on business performance
(NOI after depreciation)
IRR/NPV (if relevant)
CPE Impact
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership)
N/A
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
N/A
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Presentation
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
None