Digital recordings of the meeting proceedings and meeting materials are available online – www.portseattle.org.
APPROVED MINUTES
COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
October 8, 2024
The Port of Seattle Commission met in a special meeting Tuesday, October 8, 2024. The meeting
was held at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport – Conference Center, International Room,
located at 17801 International Blvd, Seattle WA, Mezzanine Level, Seattle, Washington, and virtually
on Microsoft Teams. Commissioner Cho was absent and excused from attendance.
1. CALL to ORDER
The meeting was convened at 12:12 p.m. by Commission President Hamdi Mohamed, who led the
flag salute.
2. EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to RCW 42.30.110
No Executive Session was held.
3. APPROVAL of the AGENDA
Commission President Mohamed spoke in support of Agenda Item 8d, noting that the amendments
make sense. She thanked staff for their work on the Order.
The agenda was approved as presented without objection.
4. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
4a. Proclamation Declaring the Second Monday in October as Indigenous People’s Day for
the Port of Seattle.
Requested document(s) included a proclamation.
Presenter(s):
Roxanne Murphy, Nooksack Tribe of Washington State, Senior Manager, Tribal Relations
Brian Newman, Haida and Tsimshian of Alaska, Facilities Project Manager, Waterfront Project
Management
Tonisha Simmons, Aleut of Alaska, Financial Analyst, Aviation Finance and Budget
Clerk Hart read Item 4a into the record and Executive Director Metruck introduced the item.
P.O. Box 1209
Seattle, Washington 98111
www.portseattle.org
206.787.3000
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Minutes of October 27, 2020, submitted for review on November 5, 2020, and proposed for approval on November 10, 2020.
Members of the Port’s employee resource group read the proclamation into the record in recognition
of Indigenous People’s Day.
Members of the Commission spoke in support of the proclamation and spoke regarding the deep,
meaningful impact of the proclamation, the history of Indigenous Peoples, and the ongoing equity
work at the Port. They spoke regarding celebrating the contributions of the community and the need
to continually uplift the community and the Port’s employees.
The motion, made by Commissioner Felleman, carried by the following vote:
In favor: Calkins, Felleman, Hasegawa, and Mohamed (4)
Opposed: (0)
5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Executive Director Metruck previewed items on the day’s agenda and made general and meeting-
related announcements.
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Commission Strategic Advisor Erica Chung provided committee reports.
Highline Forum
The Highline Forum met on September 25, 2024, with Community Co-Chair Des Moines
Councilmember Mahoney presiding. The City of Des Moines reported their hiring of a new City
Manager Katherine Caffrey (starting November 1), and new Police Chief Ted Boe. Updates were
also shared regarding the Marina Steps Project as a placemaking anchor, and the Des Moines Creek
Business Park – West. The Forum was then briefed on the International Public Market Study results
and next steps for interested cities by Port’s Economic Development Manager Annie Tran and King
County’s Economic Development Director Ashton Allison. Updates from WSDOT, Sound Transit
and King County Metros Link Connections included reports on: (1) Progress of both Stage 1 and the
start of Stage 2 of the Puget Sound Gateway SR 509 Extension Project. Much of Stage 1 is nearing
completion, Stage 2 has begun, and the entire project is expected to be completed in 2028.
Discussed were efforts to address safety concerns for riders, the siting of the operations and
maintenance south facility in Federal Way, the Federal Way Link Extension project; and community
outreach efforts for helping to identify transit or other mobility connections. Aviation Managing
Director Lance Lyttle reported out on the August 28, 2024, StART meeting, which included a
presentation by the FAA on the Noise Policy Review currently underway. StART members also
considered potential state policy priorities that may be pursued in 2025. An update on the Port’s
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cyberattack followed by a SAMP NTP (near term project) and anticipated NEPA publication on
October 21, 2024, were also provided.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
• The following person spoke in appreciate for Agenda Item 10a, Order No. 2024-12: Sandy Hunt;
Sarah Moore, Burien City Council Member; Rick Harwood (written comments submitted); and
Barbara McMichael.
• The following person spoke regarding the Sustainable Airport Master Plan Environmental
Review comment period and asked the Port to consider requesting an extension of the comment
period: JC Harris, Des Moines City Council Member.
[Clerk’s Note: All written comments are combined and attached here as Exhibit A.]
8. CONSENT AGENDA
[Clerk’s Note: Items on the Consent Agenda are not individually discussed. Commissioners may
remove items for separate discussion and vote when approving the agenda.]
8a. Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 24, 2024.
8b. Monthly Notification of Prior Executive Director Delegation Actions September 2024.
Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum for information only.
8c. Authorization for the Executive Director to Convey a Port-Owned K9 to its Handler.
Request document(s) included an agenda memorandum and agreement.
8d. Order No. 2024-11: An Order Amending the Deadline for the Youth Maritime Career
Launch Program, Supporting Program Updates, and Requiring a Program Evaluation.
Request document(s) included an Order and presentation.
The motion for approval of consent agenda items 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d carried by the following
vote:
In favor: Calkins, Felleman, Hasegawa, and Mohamed (4)
Opposed: (0)
10. NEW BUSINESS
10a. Order No. 2024-12: An Order to Prepare and Submit Documentation to the Federal
Aviation Administration to Designate North SeaTac Park for Recreational Uses, as
Outlined in the 2024 Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act.
Requested document(s) included an Order.
Presenter(s):
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Minutes of October 27, 2020, submitted for review on November 5, 2020, and proposed for approval on November 10, 2020.
Eric Schinfeld, Senior Manager, Federal and International Government Relations
Clerk Hart read Item 10a into the record and Executive Director Metruck introduced the item.
Eric Schinfeld, Senior Manager, Federal and International Government Relations, presented the
Order, with the requested action to prepare documentation to designate North SeaTac Park for
recreational uses, as outlined in the 2024 Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act.
The motion was made by Commissioner Calkins to adopt Order No. 2024-12.
The motion was made by Commissioner Felleman, to amend Order No. 2024-12 by substitute
(Amended Order).
Members of the Commission thanked Mr. Schinfeld for his work on the Order, and the Congressional
Delegation for the FAA Reauthorization Act, to include Section 706. Commissioners further thanked
community members, other stakeholders, and the Joint Advisory Committee for their shared vision
of the park for the highest and best use of the park.
The primary amendment, to amend Order No. 2024-12 by substitute, carried by the following
vote:
In favor: Calkins, Felleman, Hasegawa, and Mohamed (4)
Opposed: (0)
The main motion, as amended, carried by the following vote:
In favor: Calkins, Felleman, Hasegawa, and Mohamed (4)
Opposed: (0)
11. PRESENTATIONS AND STAFF REPORTS
11a. South King County Community Impact Fund Program Briefing.
Presentation document(s) included an agenda memorandum and presentation.
Presenter(s):
Bookda Gheisar, Senior Director, Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
AJ McClure, Senior Manager Community Engagement, External Relations
Clerk Hart read Item 11a into the record.
Executive Director Metruck introduced the item and presenters.
The presentation addressed:
• the South King County Community Impact Fund (SKCCIF) mission and vision;
• programs and investments of the fund;
• program outcomes;
• economic recovery;
• environmental programming;
• small business support programs;
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• community outreach regarding the program;
• process improvement based on community input 2020 – 2024;
• changes moving forward based on community input received;
• proposed funding for the next stage of the program;
• expanded geographic eligibility in King County;
• equity concerns countywide;
• program model improvements; and
• next steps.
Discussion ensued regarding:
• a potential re-branding of the fund by name;
• reviewing the driving factors of inequity scores;
• parameters for environmental program funding;
• source of the fund through the levy;
• opportunities for curriculum development and ensuring accountability and transparency; and
• application of the equity index as an evidence-based tool.
11b. Economic Development Division Operating and Capital Budgets Briefing.
Presentation document(s) included an agenda memorandum and presentation.
Presenter(s):
Kyra Lise, Director, Real Estate Development and Economic Development, Economic
Development
Kelly Zupan, Director, Maritime Finance and Budget
Clerk Hart read Item 11b into the record.
Executive Director Metruck introduced the item and presenters.
Kyra Lise, Director, Real Estate Development and Economic Development, Economic Development
and Kelly Zupan, Director, Maritime Finance and Budget presented the 2025 Economic Development
Division operating budget.
Discussion ensued regarding:
• how are we evaluating the ‘cruise and stay’ effectiveness;
• T91 bike trail improvements and remaining concerns of BNSF for approval on their land to
reduce the south pinch point;
• bifurcating the T91 bike trail project to take the north pinch point in the near-term; and
• the role of the real estate division in leaning into our charter purpose to identify opportunities
to secure assets to support our economy.
12. QUESTIONS on REFERRAL to COMMITTEE and CLOSING COMMENTS
Commissioners spoke regarding requesting an extension for the SAMP draft environmental review
period.
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Minutes of October 27, 2020, submitted for review on November 5, 2020, and proposed for approval on November 10, 2020.
Commissioner Felleman recognized the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.
Commissioner Calkins spoke regarding his recent attendance at Climate Week of the UN General
Assembly.
Executive Director Metruck spoke regarding the timeline for filling the open Economic Development
Director position at the Port.
13. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:48 p.m.
Prepared: Attest:
Michelle M. Hart, Commission Clerk
Ryan Calkins, Commission Secretary
Minutes approved: October 8, 202
4
Hello Commissioners. I am Rick Harwood, speaking on new business item 10A. I’m a
member of the Defenders of the Highline Forest, formerly known as Defenders of North
SeaTac Park. I’m speaking as an individual. I am also a retired Highline SD high school
principal, active member of the Rotary Club of SeaTac-Tukwila, and a volunteer working
with asylum seeking families at Riverton Park United Methodist Church.
I want to express my appreciation and support for the proposed order of the Port
Commission dealing with the future of North SeTac Park.
In all my experiences working, recreating, and developing relationships in the SeaTac
and Tukwila communities I have seen a great concern and commitment by residents to
the quality of life in their community, especially as they live, work, and play as neighbors
of SeaTac airport living under the flight path of aircraft that pass overhead every 3
minutes of their lives.
The order is a step in the right direction of preserving a small but important part of the
natural environment of the Highline community.
I want to highlight a few statements in the order that I hope will continue to be the true
intent of the commission.
In the introduction, the order states that “the Port Commission sees North SeaTac Park
as an important natural asset for the environment, for recreation, and for community
use.”
The order directs the Port Executive Director to develop plans that meet with the
requirements of the FAA Reauthorization Act, stating that
“The Executive Director shall also consider supporting additional environmental
restoration work in the park,” and the order claims that
“The Port and the surrounding communities both acknowledge the essential importance
of parks and open space – as a key ingredient to provide clean air, to protect against
climate change, and to allow for recreational and community uses that contribute to
human health and quality of life.”
To be consistent with these statements, the Port Commission must truly commit not just
to a park for recreational use, but to protection of and increased tree canopy,
preservation of bogs and creeks, and a full commitment to no further development for
airport related commercial use. The SAMP and the Real Estate Development plans
need to be revised to be consistent with the intent of this order.
I look forward to seeing where this order leads.
Rick Harwood
4028 34
th
Ave. S.
Seattle 98118
206-790-7650
