Template revised April 12, 2018.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM Item No. 8d
ACTION ITEM Date of Meeting December 9, 2025
DATE: November 12, 2025
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Chris Wimsatt, Chief Financial Officer
Elizabeth Morrison, Director, Corporate Finance
Michael Tong, Director, Corporate Budget
SUBJECT: 2026 Interlocal Agreement for Intergroup Common Issues Among and Between the
Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) and the Port of Tacoma and the Port of Seattle
Amount of this request: $0
Total estimated project cost: $0
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to enter and execute an interlocal
agreement (ILA) agreement for intergroup common issues among and between the NWSA and
the Port of Tacoma and the Port of Seattle.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this Agreement is to allow for relatively low-cost, inter-group agreements (“IGAs”)
between either or both Homeports and the NWSA when the entities are aligned and acting jointly
without further Managing Member or Homeport commission vote.
JUSTIFICATION
The ILA covers only certain lower dollar/limited scope transactions among or between the three
entities that would otherwise require governing body approval. For example, joint procurements
for the Economic Impact Study or amendments to contracts with Quiet Sound. It requires all 3
entity Executives be notified of any transaction using this authority, even if only between two
entities. Additionally, all of these transactions will be posted on website for transparency.
DETAILS
The Port of Tacoma and the Port of Seattle have entered into an agreement to establish The
Northwest Seaport Alliance pursuant to the following federal and state authorities: (1) the
Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Discussion Agreement, (2) an interlocal agreement with
delegated powers exercised pursuant to the port joint powers statute (RCW 53.08.240) which
expressly permits joint operation and investment outside of a port’s district, (3) RCW 39.34.030,
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8d Page 2 of 2
Meeting Date: December 9, 2025
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
the state Interlocal Cooperation Act, and (4) pursuant to ESHB 1170, WA Session Laws of 2015-6,
(Title 53.XX RCW), which authorizes the Ports to create a port development authority to use,
operate and manage certain marine facilities jointly, to be known as the NWSA.
From time to time, the Parties have occasion to collaborate and work jointly on issues on which
they are fully aligned and are able to share costs and wish to do so under the Interlocal
Cooperation Act, RCW 39.34 for the limited scope, duration and cost of activities addressed
herein. Examples of scenarios for which the Parties could utilize this Agreement include where
collaboration on procurement would create efficiencies, the Parties are engaged in a joint study,
or the Parties seek to participate in a community or industry group such as Maritime Blue or
Quiet Sound.
Scope of Work
NWSA and Homeport staff may negotiate and enter into IGAs for joint efforts using the
authorization provided for in this Agreement without the need for further Commission or
Managing Member action provided all of the following are met: a) the total cost of the IGA is less
than the lowest delegated amount to the leader of any of the three entities; b) the entities seek
to embark on a joint effort where interests are aligned; c) the CEO or Executive Director(s) of all
three entities are provided a draft of the IGA by the leading agency staff member five days prior
to finalizing the agreement; d) the approved IGA references this Agreement and is filed with the
NWSA Clerk; and e) the IGA is posted on the participating Parties’ websites. This Agreement does
not authorize real estate transactions between the Parties.
Schedule
This ILA is effective January 1, 2026 through December 31,2026.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
None
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
None
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Interlocal Agreement
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
None
