Resolution No. 3833, Revised Commission Code of Ethics Page 1 of 3
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PORT OF SEATTLE 4
RESOLUTION NO. 3833 5
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A RESOLUTION of the Port of Seattle Commission establishing a revised Code 7
of Ethics for Port Commissioners and repealing Resolution 8
No. 3681, as amended; and making a corresponding 9
amendment to the Commission’s Governance Committee 10
charter scope of work to include jurisdictional review of 11
written complaints alleging behavioral standards violations 12
of Commissioners when such complaints are 13
unaccompanied by a formal ethics complaint filing. 14
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WHEREAS, the voters of King County authorized and approved the formation of a port 17
district coterminous with King County to be known as the Port of Seattle in a special election on 18
September 5, 1911; and 19
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WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle Commission is the legally constituted governing body of 21
the Port of Seattle; and 22
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WHEREAS, high moral and ethical standards among public officials are essential to 24
good government; and 25
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WHEREAS, a strong and clear code of ethics for Port Commissioners promotes and 27
strengthens the faith and confidence of the people of King County in their elected Port 28
Commissioners, and assists the Commissioners in the performance of their public duties; and 29
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WHEREAS, the Port Commission believes its Commissioners should be held to the 31
highest moral and ethical standards and strongly supports organizational policies and procedures 32
that maintain the public's trust and confidence and ensure fair dealings in all Port transactions; 33
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WHEREAS, in 2023, the Port Commission amended its Bylaws and Rules of Procedure 36
to adopt its commitment to upholding and conducting respectful interactions and fostering a safe 37
and healthy work environment for all through this commitment; mandated reoccurring ethics 38
training for Commissioners; and gave the Board of Ethics the jurisdiction to review potential 39
violations of the Commission’s standards of conduct; and 40
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WHEREAS, the Port Commission last updated its ethics code through adoption of 42
Resolution No. 3681, as amended, in May 2013; and 43
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Item Number: 10b_reso
Meeting Date: January 14, 2025
Resolution No. 3833, Revised Commission Code of Ethics Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle Commission Code of Ethics has not undergone another 47
thorough analysis of defined process or procedure since the 2013 recodification; and 48
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WHEREAS, Resolution No. 3833 is the cumulation of a two-year review of the code, 50
applicable statutes, port policy, and municipal and other codes related to ethics; and 51
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WHEREAS, Resolution No. 3833 has received detailed legal review and input; and has 53
been reviewed and recommended for approval by the Board of Ethics and the Commission’s 54
Governance Committee. 55
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Port of Seattle Commission as 57
follows: 58
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SECTION 1. Policy Directive Amendment. The technical and substantive amendments 60
contained in Exhibit A of this resolution are hereby adopted, as if fully set forth herein. 61
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SECTION 2. Corresponding Amendment to Governance Committee Charter. The 63
Governance Committee Charter scope of work shall be amended to reflect the committee’s 64
oversight over written complaints of alleged Commission behavioral standards violations when 65
these allegations are unaccompanied by a formal ethics complaint filing to the board of ethics or 66
the office of workplace responsibility or have been forwarded by the Board of Ethics. 67
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SECTION 3. Scrivener’s Errors. The Commission Clerk is hereby authorized to execute 69
scrivener’s error revisions in finalizing amendments to the Port Commission Code of Ethics made 70
through adoption of this resolution, as needed, to address technical corrections. 71
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SECTION 4. Effective Date. This resolution is effective upon adoption. 73
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ADOPTED by the Port of Seattle Commission at a duly noticed public meeting thereof, 75
held this ___ day of January, 2025, and duly authenticated by the signatures of the commissioners 76
voting in favor thereof and the seal of the commission. 77
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Port of Seattle Commission 88
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EXHIBIT A to Resolution No. 3833 89
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