MINUTES
The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA)
Managing Member Regular Meeting
Port of Seattle | Port of Tacoma Special Meeting
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
The Conference Center at SEA
17801 International Blvd. Seattle, WA
Commissioner present:
Port of Seattle: Port of Tacoma
Toshiko Hasegawa John McCarthy
Ryan Calkins Kristin Ang
Sam Cho (via Teams) Deanna Keller (via Teams)
Fred Felleman (via Teams) Dick Marzano
Hamdi Mohamed Don Meyer
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. and immediately recessed to closed session.
2. Recess to Closed Session
A closed session was held pursuant to Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) regulations and
related laws found at 46 U.S.C. § 40306, 46 C.F.R. § 535.608, 46 C.F.R. § 535.701(i)(1) and as
authorized by the Port of Seattle (POS)/Port of Tacoma (POT) Alliance Agreement, FMC
Agreement No. 201228; and an executive session held to discuss with legal counsel
representing the agency litigation or potential litigation to which the agency, the governing
body, or a member acting in an official capacity is, or is likely to become, a party, when
public knowledge regarding the discussion is likely to result in an adverse legal or financial
consequence to the agency (RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)) and to review the performance of a public
employee. RCW 42.30.110(1)(g). The closed session was extended by 15 minutes and ended
at 12:15 p.m.
3. Return to Order
The Managing Members reconvened in public at 12:18 p.m. Co-Chair, Toshiko Hasegawa,
called the regular meeting back to order and the special Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma
meetings to order.
4. Flag Salute
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
5. Chief Executive Officer’s Report
CEO, John Wolfe, provided a summary of the meeting agenda. Sr. Director of Engineering,
Thais Howard, provided a report on a March 5, 2025, emergency declaration at Washington
United Terminals.
6. Public Comment
None.
7. Work Group / Committee Reports
Co-Chair, John McCarthy, reported on the NWSA Environmental Work Group’s March 20,
2025, meeting.
8. Consent Agenda
Item 8B(2) was removed from the consent agenda.
It was then moved and seconded (McCarthy/Meyer) to approve the consent agenda as
amended including:
A. Approval of the minutes of March 7, 2025 meeting.
B. (1) Approve disbursements totaling $5,554,788.80 on checks 813 through 849 and 851
through 946 in the amount of $2,693,055.79 and electronic payments in the amount of
$2,861,733.01 issued during the period of February 24, 2025 through March 31, 2025
certified by the NWSA auditor.
C. Adopt NWSA Resolution 2025-03, the Master Benefit & Salary Resolution.
D. Homeport Action: Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma Commissions: Adopt Resolution
3835 / 2025-04-PT, a Joint Resolution of the Port of Seattle and Tacoma Commissions
regarding Water Resource Development Act (WRDA) Section 2106 and Harbor
Maintenance Tax (HMT) Donor Port Fund distribution for 2024 and Future Years.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Port of Seattle: Port of Tacoma:
(including Homeport Action 8D) (including Homeport Action 8D)
Toshiko Hasegawa - aye John McCarthy - aye
Ryan Calkins - aye Kristin Ang - aye
Sam Cho - aye Deanna Keller - aye
Fred Felleman - aye Dick Marzano - aye
Hamdi Mohamed - aye Don Meyer - aye
It was moved and seconded (Mohamed/Ang) to approve item 8B(2), disbursement totaling
$30,518.54 on check 850 issued March 5, 2025, certified by the NWSA auditor.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Port of Seattle: Port of Tacoma:
Toshiko Hasegawa - aye John McCarthy - abstain
Ryan Calkins - aye Kristin Ang - aye
Sam Cho - aye Deanna Keller - aye
Fred Felleman - aye Dick Marzano - aye
Hamdi Mohamed - aye Don Meyer - aye
9. Actions
A. Dual Action of Port of Seattle Commission and NWSA Managing Members.
Terminal 46 North (T46 N) Substation No. 1 Replacement Project Authorization Increase.
Aaron Gowin, NWSA Real Estate Manager and Arthur Kim, Port of Seattle Capital Project
Manager III gave a presentation.
The T46 N Substation No. 1 Replacement Project has been delayed over 90 days due to
factors beyond the control of the NWSA and Port of Seattle. Factors include delays in
Seattle City Light (SCL) providing the transformer, miscommunication between the
contractor and SCL regarding SCL specifications, discovery of a broken storm drainpipe
and catch basin and unexpectedly high costs for SCL’s support.
It was moved and seconded (Mohamed/Calkins) that:
(1) the Managing Members of the NWSA increase project authorization in the amount of
$500,000 for a total authorized amount of $8.5 million for the replacement of Substation
No. 1 located on Terminal 46, servicing both NWSA licensed property and property managed
by the Port of Seattle, MID No. U00671. ($1.7 million (20%)) to be reimbursed to the NWSA
by the Port of Seattle).
(2) the Port of Seattle Commission authorize an increase in the total costs not to exceed
amount from $1.6 million to $1.7 million for reimbursement to the NWSA for the
replacement of Substation No. 1 located on Terminal 46 licensed to the NWSA and the
Terminal 46 North Pier under Port of Seattle management, MID NO. U00702.
Discussion:
• Sr. Director of Engineering, Ms. Howard explained that NWSA/POS need to cover the SCL’s
increased costs because SCL (the utility) is the only provider that can do the work. The
comment was made that SCL should be liable for some of the added costs.
• The basis for charging the 80/20 split of cost between the NWSA and POS is the unlicensed
(to the NWSA) portion of Terminal 46 owned and operated by the Port of Seattle.
• T46 N Substation No. 1 would not be able to support shore power. Shore power would have
to be sourced from a different substation.
The motion carried for the Managing Members and Port of Seattle Commission by the
following vote:
Port of Seattle (Dual Action Vote): Port of Tacoma:
Toshiko Hasegawa - aye John McCarthy - aye
Ryan Calkins - aye Kristin Ang - aye
Sam Cho - aye Deanna Keller - aye
Fred Felleman - aye Dick Marzano - aye
Hamdi Mohamed - aye Don Meyer - aye
B. Dual Action Port of Seattle Commission and NWSA Managing Members.
Terminal 25 South (T-25 S) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Erin DeBroux, NWSA Sr. Real Estate Manager and Jennifer Maietta, POS Director of Real
Estate, gave a presentation.
T-25 S is owned by the POS with a portion of the total site licensed to and managed by the
NWSA. POS intends to complete a habitat restoration project (“Habitat Project”) on its portion
of the property, which includes a proposed Green Stormwater Infrastructure (“GSI”) feature to
treat runoff from future NWSA development(s), as well as a permanent vegetated buffer to
further separate the Habitat Project from NWSA industrial uses.
Approximately 0.5 acres has been identified by the POS for the GSI feature (“GSI Area”) and an
additional approximate 0.5 acres for the vegetated buffer (“Buffer Area”) (together “the
Premises”). The NWSA is in general agreement with construction of these features and has
commenced discussions with POS to identify the terms and conditions that will be included in a
future Agreement.
To move the Habitat Project forward, the POS must provide documentation to
regulatory agencies and tribes that the GSI and Vegetated Buffer Areas will be available
and included in the design. To meet this documentation requirement, this MOU is
drafted as an interim agreement with the intention of identifying the high-level terms
and conditions of which the POS and NWSA will fully negotiate and incorporate into a
future Agreement.
The proposed terms and financial implications were presented.
It was moved and seconded (Mohamed/Felleman) that the Managing Members
authorize the NWSA CEO or his delegate, and that the Port of Seattle Commission
authorize the Port of Seattle Executive Director or his delegate, to execute a
Memorandum of Understanding between the NWSA and the Port of Seattle for the
future use of a portion of Terminal 25 South, in substantially the same form as
presented, for a proposed Green Stormwater Infrastructure feature and vegetated
buffer
Discussion:
• Compensation to the NWSA related to any identified benefits received by the NWSA
from the GSI.
• The Port of Seattle would pay the NWSA market rate for the one-acre Premises in
perpetuity. Staff do not expect the appraisal value to be large as 1/3 is unleasable.
• Commissioner Felleman suggested that the project brings immediate benefit to the
NWSA and should therefore be a wash.
• The overall marketing plan for the undeveloped portion is to relocate Terminal 10
parking space to T25-S. Further analysis is needed to determine development costs
and lease rates.
• Staff reiterated that the unlicensed portion of T25-S is intended to be committed to
the project in a consent decree that POS expects to enter this summer. The MOU is
to provide confidence that the acre will be available for the project.
The motion carried for the NWSA Managing Members and the Port of Seattle
Commission by the following vote:
Port of Seattle (Dual Action Vote): Port of Tacoma:
Toshiko Hasegawa - aye John McCarthy - aye
Ryan Calkins - aye Kristin Ang - aye
Sam Cho - aye Deanna Keller - aye
Fred Felleman - aye Dick Marzano - aye
Hamdi Mohamed - aye Don Meyer – aye
C. First Amendment to Temporary Gate Extension and Pause Agreement Regarding
Terminal 30 (T30) with SSA Terminals (Seattle) LLC (SSA or Tenant).
Mr. Wolfe and NWSA General Counsel, Dana Henderson presented.
At the March 7, 2025, Managing Member meeting, the Managing Members directed
counsel to take legal action against SSA after April 1, 2025, with the intent of allowing
the parties to continue negotiations to find a resolution.
As a reminder SSA is the terminal operator under lease at T30. SSA ceased operations at
T30 beginning January 1, 2025, with 15 years remaining on their lease.
Approximately one week ago the NWSA received a written settlement offer from the
tenant, and a proposal from them to amend the prior Pause Agreement and mediate
the case. The NWSA has also received payment from the tenant, and they are current on
rent and security obligations under the lease.
Ms. Henderson provided the terms of the proposed amendment which, in addition to
extending the Pause Period through June 30, 2025, would require the NWSA to make a
written proposal within two days and require the parties to mediate. The key terms of
the amendment to the Pause Agreement were also presented.
It was moved and seconded (McCarthy/Calkins) to authorize CEO or his delegate to
execute the First Amendment to the Temporary Gate Extension and Pause Agreement
with SSA Terminals (Seattle), LLC in substantially the same form as presented, provided
that SSA shall remain current on its rent and other financial obligations under the Lease
during the Pause Period.
Discussion:
• Potential benefits of mediation were discussed.
• Commissioner Keller said she does not support extending the Pause Period for
several reasons specifically, the tenant walked away from their contract obligations,
bringing their account current just this morning to reach an 11
th
– hour agreement.
She took issue with being contacted directly by the tenant’s legal counsel.
• Commissioner Mohamed supports a pause agreement and hopes the parties
negotiate in good faith and that mediation has a positive outcome. She emphasized
the five-day gates must remain in place. She asked that all remain mindful of the
impact on the working people at both ports that will be impacted by these decisions.
• Co-Chair Hasegawa noted that if at any juncture the parties cannot come to
agreement, litigation is still a recourse. Her priority is getting cargo volume through
the gateway and jobs in the North Harbor. She noted the long relationship with SSA
and that though the parties’ goals might not be the same, there are areas of
common interest. Out of respect for the relationship between the parties and those
shared interests, she hopes the parties enter mediation in good faith to reach
meaningful resolution within 90 days, avoid litigation and move toward getting
volume through the gateway.
• Commissioner Felleman said he is dismayed that this is the point to which the
NWSA’s relationship with SSA, a long-term tenant, has devolved. He commented
that until a judge rules otherwise, the obligation for SSA is to remain current on their
lease.
• The term requiring SSA to keep current on rent would be a proviso of the Managing
Members. If the parties cannot reach agreement, NWSA legal counsel has the
directive of the Managing Members to proceed with litigation.
• Commissioner Cho opposes the motion on principle stating tenants should not be
able to simply walk away from a lease and then ‘dangle a carrot’ in the form of
money they already owe. SSA leaving T30 is costing jobs.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Port of Seattle: Port of Tacoma:
Toshiko Hasegawa - aye John McCarthy - aye
Ryan Calkins - aye Kristin Ang - aye
Sam Cho - opposed Deanna Keller - opposed
Fred Felleman - aye Dick Marzano - aye
Hamdi Mohamed - aye Don Meyer - aye
10. Briefings
None.
[Commissioner Keller was excused at 1:35 p.m.]
11. General Business
A. Cargo/Operations Update.
Tong Zhu, Chief Commercial & Strategy Officer and Jeff Bellerud, COO provided the
update.
• Ms. Zhu reported on concerns related to uncertainty surrounding tariffs proposed by
President Trump to go into effect April 2, 2025.
• Mr. Wolfe reported on discussions held in Washington D.C. before the U.S. Trade
Representative (USTR). These discussions provided an opportunity to highlight
challenges with federal policy on Harbor Maintenance Tax which has been hurting
the gateway for decades and concerns regarding unintended consequences tariffs in
general associated with loss of cargo to the United States. A similar message was
shared with the National Security Council leadership. Mr. Wolfe thanked
Commissioner Cho for testifying on behalf of the NWSA before the USTR.
• Mr. Bellerud reported that volumes in the NWSA gateway are up and operations
have improved in all three key metrics including truck turn times, rail dwell and
vessel productivity.
• Co-Chair Hasegawa commented on potential disruption to port operations due to
firing of probationary federal employees at the Federal Mediation & Conciliation
Service, the entity responsible for mediating labor disputes.
• Commissioner Marzano expressed concerns about Eastern Washington exports. He
commented that trade wars are not beneficial to anybody and that with a trade war,
comes loss of jobs.
• Commissioner Calkins commented that the benefits of global trade and the soft
power it creates for the United States are not accounted for in President Trump’s
plan adding that the U.S. will be unilaterally giving up global influence, power and
economic well-being at the expense of workers.
[Commissioner Felleman was excused at 2:00 p.m.]
• Commissioner Cho commented on tariffs and the tax levy on Chinese vessels.
• Co-Chair Hasegawa expressed her disappointment with Seattle City Council’s recent
decision regarding industrial land zoning for housing.
B. CEO Announcements.
C. Commissioner Comments.
12. Adjourn
With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2:12 p.m.
John McCarthy, NWSA Co-Chair Toshiko Hasegawa, NWSA Co-Chair
Port of Tacoma Commission President Port of Seattle Commission President
Attest:
Don Meyer, NWSA Co-Secretary Sam Cho, NWSA Co-Secretary
Port of Tacoma Commission Secretary Port of Seattle Commission Secretary
Prepared by: Juliet Campbell, NWSA Clerk
