Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM Item No. 11b
BRIEFING
ITEM
Date of Meeting
DATE: February 4, 2025
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Sabrina Bolieu, Regional Government Relations Manager, External Relations
Dave Kaplan, Local Government Relations Manager, External Relations
Roxanne Murphy, Tribal Relations Manager, External Relations
Nate Caminos, Government Relations Director, External Relations
SUBJECT: Local, Regional and Community Engagement Policy Priorities
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission adoption on February 25, 2025 of the 2025 local and regional government policy
priorities, for staff to engage with local and regional officials and other partners in support of these
priorities.
Port of Seattle government relations staff worked with Commissioners, executive team members, internal
subject matter experts, and external stakeholders to develop local, regional and community engagement
policy priorities and partnerships to guide Port advocacy efforts to fulfill our mission to promote economic
opportunities and quality of life in the region by advancing trade, travel, commerce and job creation in an
equitable, accountable and environmentally responsible manner.
Throughout 2024, staff worked to execute the 2024 regional and local policy priorities. Progress was made
on many of the priorities, and current and future priorities will continue to be pursued over the next
several years.
For 2025, the Local and Regional Policy Priorities are organized under the Century Agenda Goals and
Objectives. The Century Agenda is the directional compass for the Port of Seattle that was introduced in
2012 and updated in 2017 and again in 2020.
These priorities are accomplished through the development of relationships with local jurisdictions and
regional organizations, by both staff and elected officials, resulting in the partnerships necessary to
successfully accomplish the Port’s goals. Regional engagement through the Puget Sound Regional Council,
the Sound Cities Association, and others are a necessity to build these relationships.
2025 LOCAL AND REGIONAL POLICY PRIORITIES
Port of Seattle Century Agenda Goals
Goal 1: Position the Puget Sound as a premier international logistics hub
Objective 1: Meet the Puget Sound region’s international trade and cargo needs in an efficient and
sustainable manner.
Support the T-5 Phase Agreements and the ongoing work to ensure vessels plug into
shore power. Continue support of ongoing T-46 Tenancy discussions and the future
WOSCA site.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 11b Page 2 of 6
Meeting Date: February 11, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Support freight improvements and the efficiency of the heavy haul network
Monitor the implementation of the Transportation Levy to ensure freight investments
are effective and efficient.
Advocate for overnight truck parking and electrification in Seattle and across the region,
including a full truck stop in North Bend to meet the current and growing demand, and
to promote driver safety.
Objective 2: Support the continued success and competitiveness of the NWSA.
Support alignment of goals with the Northwest Seaport Alliance
Continue assurance of no net loss of Industrial Lands through the Seattle
Comprehensive Plan Review process and close monitoring of the Mayor’s South of
Downtown Visioning process.
Communicate the finalized data and analysis of the regional economic impact of the
NWSA/Port of Tacoma/Port of Seattle.
Goal 2: Advance this Region as a Leading Tourism Destination and Business Gateway
Objective 3: Continuously improve the operational efficiency and customer experience at SEA.
Objective 4: Strengthen the competitiveness of SEA in the regional and global markets.
Collaborate with tourism partners to promote responsible tourism/eco-tourism that
promotes our natural assets while minimizing cultural and ecological impacts.
Promote key initiatives that connect tourists to special events and offerings throughout
the region (including Eastside events like the Bellevue Bellhop program, Woodinville
wine, and the waterfront shuttle).
Work with local and regional partners to build infrastructure and plan for service delivery
in advance of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and 2026 FIFA World Cup including
improvements at SEA and the Elliot Bay Connections effort.
Objective 5: Meet the region’s air transportation needs by delivering vital facilities and infrastructure in
a sustainable and cost-effective manner.
Follow-up on the FAA’s SAMP NTP NEPA Environmental Assessment’s expected Record of
Decision in early 2025, and engage with the local communities regarding the SAMP NTP’s
State Environmental Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement (SEPA EIS) release mid-
year, with completion anticipated by end of 2025.
Promote awareness of Upgrade SEA projects.
Goal 3: Responsibly Invest in the Economic Growth of the Region and all its Communities
Objective 6: Increase career and business opportunities for local communities in all port-related
industries.
Support equitable and inclusive programs to support small businesses like the Small
Business Export Accelerator and the Community Business Connector Initiative.
Encourage port-adjacent employers, Port tenants and other Port employer partners to
develop internships for near-port community members, (like Youth Maritime Career
Launch) and targeted hiring strategies (like Priority Hire).
Explore land acquisition, to expand industrial lands.
Objective 7: Advance maritime industries through innovation, strategic investment and capable
management of Port facilities.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 11b Page 3 of 6
Meeting Date: February 11, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Explore the Port’s involvement and use of Port facilities for alternative fuels, including
hydrogen and ammonia production, storage and distribution.
Explore the use of Port resources to support the offshore wind supply chain.
Promote development and support for the Maritime Innovation Center
Develop Terminal 106, and Terminal 91 to support industrial warehousing and
manufacturing.
Objective 8: Expand the economic, cultural and community benefits of Cruise Operations while preserving
industrial lands.
Support the continued development of a Green Corridor for cruise.
Ensure the Elliot Bay Connections project and the Alaska Way Bike Lane improve and do
not impede the cruise connection to the waterfront.
Continue to explore expanding opportunities for local and diverse businesses in supplying
goods and services to the cruise industry.
Goal 4: Be the Greenest and Most Energy-Efficient Port in North America
Objective 9: Meet all increased energy needs through conservation and renewable sources.
Objective 10: Meet or exceed agency requirements for stormwater leaving Port-owned or operated
facilities.
Objective 11: Reduce air pollutants and carbon emissions.
Support the development of a Green Corridor for Cruise.
Continue to support tactical efforts to ensure cruise vessels utilize Pier 66 shore power.
Foster the Clean Truck Collaborative Program led by the NWSA.
Continue to further the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels for use at SEA.
Support the kelp research and restoration efforts with the Seattle Aquarium.
Support decarbonization of shipping.
Initiate implementation of the Port’s Environmental Land Stewardship strategies.
Objective 12: Restore, create, and enhance 40 additional acres of habitat in the Green/Duwamish habitat.
Continue to steward Maritime Parks, especially those in the Duwamish to support port
values and better serve near port communities.
Meet our obligations for Duwamish Vision 2050, cleanup of the East Waterway.
Facilitate engagement with local agencies on the Port’s next Wetland Mitigation Bank
Project in Auburn.
Goal 5: Become a Model for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Objective 13: Increase utilization of WMBE and DBE firms and eliminate disparity of access to
opportunities.
Further WMBE and Diversity in Contracting.
Help promote PortGen Business Accelerator.
Support any next steps pursued by Burien, SeaTac, or Tukwila and explore partnerships
in the development of a South King County International Public Market.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 11b Page 4 of 6
Meeting Date: February 11, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Objective 14: Ensure that all internal and external programs, structures and practices provide equitable
opportunities for all.
Meet regularly with Tribal leaders and affiliated organizations in the state and region to
build, strengthen and sustain the government-to-government and community-to-
community relationships with the Port of Seattle.
Implementing the work plans as developed in the Muckleshoot and Suquamish Tribes
MOAs.
Further discussions and negotiations with Native American tribal governments or tribal
governments’ supported entities, such as the Northwest Indian Fish Commission, in hopes
of creating mutually beneficial agreements and partnerships between the port and those
tribal governments.
Continue to hold interjurisdictional meetings with the Beacon Hill, Georgetown, and
South Park communities and the advancement of the South Seattle Roundtable series.
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion will lead internal efforts and provide
technical support to Port divisions and departments to advance the Port’s Century
Agenda via equity best practices and environmental justice framework and principles.
Support and promote the Duwamish Valley Community Equity Program and the South
King County Community Impact Fund grant programs.
Include anti-human trafficking efforts and promote access to services for human
trafficking survivors.
Continue equitable community engagement as part of the SAMP NTP environmental
review process.
Objective 15: Advance regional workforce development in port-related industries to provide equitable
access to quality careers.
Redevelop the Tribal Engagement Internship Program, encourage Tribal employment
within the Port via advocacy and job fairs, offer Tribal youth tours of airport and
maritime facilities, create connections with apprenticeship opportunities, create job
shadowing in similar positions between the Port and the Tribes, and fulfill the requests
from the Tribes to support Education and Tribal Workforce Development.
Expand Green Jobs strategies in Port sectors, particularly in the Duwamish Valley and
support regional coordination efforts (i.e., inter-governmental, public-private
partnerships) for green jobs workforce development.
Share expanded Aviation career opportunities through employment services for those
seeking employment at SEA and educational programs such as literacy services for those
with limited English proficiency and Aviation Maintenance Technology and Ground
Service Equipment higher education programs.
Support near-Port communities to gain high-wage construction careers by investing in
pre-apprenticeship training and leadership development.
Support career connected learning programs and education institutions (Seattle Maritime
Academy, Core Plus, Maritime High School, Career and Technical Education (CTE)
programs).
Advocate and explore opportunities to expand the provision of childcare, to the benefit
of Port and airport employees.
Continue to support equitable access for BIPOC communities and women into quality jobs
in port sectors with investments in outreach training, retention, navigation.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 11b Page 5 of 6
Meeting Date: February 11, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Support stronger collaboration with regional organizations like the Soundside Alliance
and the regional workforce development boards.
Develop stronger industry relations to ensure effective placement of youth and adults
into “in-demand” jobs.
Lead conversations with public agencies and employers on developing best practices for
respectful work sites to support retention of historically underrepresented workers in
Port-related industries.
Goal 6: Be a Highly Effective Public Agency
Objective 16: Advance the Port's dedication to employee engagement, safety, innovation, and financial
stewardship.
Objective 17: Foster an environment of transparency, accountability, respect, leadership, and fairness to
give Port staff the tools to be exceptional public servants.
Objective 18: Partner and engage with external stakeholders to build healthy, safe and equitable
communities.
Engage with local and regional partners and identify opportunities for collaboration on
how to replace infrastructure, in transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Continue to advocate for regulatory approval and transition to PFAS-free fire-fighting
foams.
Consistent with Commission Order No. 2024-12, continue to engage with the City of
SeaTac and the community regarding the protection of and future of North SeaTac Park.
Continue collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to further environmental
justice and ensure meaningful community engagement for healthier communities.
Objective 19: Set the standard for high-quality, cost-effective, and timely delivery of capital programs.
Encourage the optimized use of SEA Pre-Conditioned Air Systems.
Continue to explore partnerships with local jurisdictions for SEA Bike and Pedestrian
Commuter Improvements.
Continue the work of the Sound Insulation program to meet the 2026 goal.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING
(1) Presentation slides
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
February 13, 2024 – The Commission approved amended 2024 Local and Regional Policy Priorities.
January 23, 2024 – The Commission was briefed on 2024 Local and Regional Policy Priorities
January 10, 2023 – The Commission approved amended 2023 Local and Regional Policy Priorities.
December 13, 2022 – The Commission was briefed on 2023 Local and Regional Policy Priorities
March 8, 2022 – The Commission approved the 2022 Local and Regional Policy Priorities
February 8, 2022 – The Commission was briefed on 2022 Local and Regional Policy Priorities
January 26, 2021 – The Commission approved the 2021 Local and Regional Policy Priorities.
January 12, 2021 – The Commission was briefed on 2021 Local and Regional Policy Priorities
February 25, 2020 – The Commission approved the 2020 Local and Regional Policy Priorities
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 11b Page 6 of 6
Meeting Date: February 11, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
February 11, 2020 – The Commission was briefed on 2020 Local and Regional Priorities.
January 22, 2019 – The Commission approved 2019 Local and Regional Policy Priorities.
January 8, 2019 – The Commission was briefed on 2019 Local and Regional Policy Priorities.
February 27, 2018 – The Commission approved 2018 Local and Regional Policy Priorities.
February 13, 2018 – The Commission was briefed on 2018 Local and Regional Priorities