The Northwest Seaport Alliance
P.O. Box 2985 | Tacoma, WA 98401-2985 | 800-657-9808
The Northwest Seaport Alliance is a marine-cargo operating partnership of the Port of Seattle and Port of
Tacoma.
Managing Member Regular Meeting
Port of Seattle Commission Special
Date: April 7, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: The Conference Center at SEA, 17801 International Blvd. Seattle, WA
Streamed http://www.nwseaportalliance.com/about-us/governance
MINUTES
Commissioners present:
Port of Seattle Port of Tacoma
Ryan Calkins Kristin Ang
Sam Cho Deanna Keller
Fred Felleman Dick Marzanon
Toshiko Hasegawa (joined at 9:47 a.m.) J.T. Wilcox (via Teams)
Hamdi Mohamed (joined via Teams at 12:19 p.m.)
Commissioners excused:
Port of Seattle Port of Tacoma
John McCarthy
1. Call to Order
Co-Chair Calkins called the meeting to order at 9:44 a.m.
2. Executive / Closed Session
The Managing Members immediately recessed to hold an executive session pursuant to
RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) to review the performance of a public employee. The executive
session began at 9:44 a.m. and ended at 10:43 a.m.
Following executive session, the Managing Members continued in closed session
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/Port of Tacoma Alliance Agreement (FMC No. 201228). The session lasted from
10:45 a.m. and ended at 12:05 p.m.
3. Return to Order
Co-Chair Calkins called the public meeting back to order at 12:19 p.m.
4. Flag Salute
The pledge of allegiance was recited.
Co-Chair Calkins made a statement against threatened U.S. Military action toward Iran.
5. Report by CEO
CEO, John Wolfe, summarized the agenda. He highlighted agenda item 8D for Supply
Chain Leaders in Action (SCLA) membership not budgeted. Mr. Wolfe shared concerns
expressed by Commissioner McCarthy regarding the membership budget in general and
his suggestion that The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) consider reducing other
memberships in an amount equal to the SCLA membership should it be approved.
The Port of Seattle is receiving an amount of $24.3 million and the Port of Tacoma is
receiving $28.7 million from the Donor Equity Provision of the Harbor Maintenance Tax
program along with WRDA 2106 funds. Mr. Wolfe thanked Senators Murray and Cantwell,
Port of Seattle and Tacoma Commissioners, the NWSA Government AƯairs team and
federal lobbyists Elevate for this successful eƯort.
6. Public Comment – n/a.
7. Committee / Work Group Reports
A. A report from the Audit Committee was given by Co-Chair Calkins.
B. A report from the Environmental Work Group was given by Commissioner Ang.
8. Consent Agenda
It was moved and seconded (Hasegawa/Keller) to approve the consent agenda.
A. Approve the minutes of the March 6, 2026 Managing Member meeting.
B. Approve disbursements totaling $114,168,404.08 on checks 2576 through 2700 and
2702 through 2757 in the amount of $3,959,171.89 and electronic payments in the
amount of $110,209,232.19 issued during the period February 20,2026 to March 26,
2026.
C. Approve of disbursement totaling $2,779.67 on check 2701 issued during the period
February 20, 2026 to March 26, 2026.
D. Authorize the CEO or his delegate to allow The Northwest Seaport Alliance to join a
corporate membership to Supply Chain Leaders in Action with a three-year
commitment in the amount of $45,000.00 ($15,000/year).
The motion carried by the following vote:
Port of Seattle Port of Tacoma
Ryan Calkins - aye Kristin Ang - aye
Sam Cho - aye Deanna Keller - aye
Fred Felleman - aye Dick Marzano - aye
Toshiko Hasegawa - aye J.T. Wilcox - aye
Hamdi Mohamed - aye
9. Action
A. CEO Annual Performance Review
It was moved and seconded (Marzano/Keller) that the Managing Members authorize,
per the terms of the CEO’s employment contract, a salary increase of 3.5% to
$445,050.00 plus a 1% lump sum payment of $4,300.00 eƯective April 1, 2026.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Port of Seattle Port of Tacoma
Ryan Calkins - aye Kristin Ang - aye
Sam Cho - aye Deanna Keller - aye
Fred Felleman - aye Dick Marzano - aye
Toshiko Hasegawa - aye J.T. Wilcox - aye
Hamdi Mohamed - aye
B. Terminal 5 Back Reach Electrical Removal Project
Erin Light, NWSA Sr. Real Estate Manager, and Arthur Kim, Port of Seattle Capital
Project Manager III, gave the presentation.
Electrical equipment, including two transformers, located within the back reach of
the Terminal 5 cranes impedes operations. One of the transformers provides power to
six light poles. StaƯ is requesting design and construction authorization to reroute
power to an alternate source and remove the electrical equipment from the crane
back reach.
Moved and seconded (Marzano/Keller) that the Managing Members of the Northwest
Seaport Alliance grant project authorization in the amount of $650,000, for a total
authorized amount of $750,000, for work associated with the Terminal 5 Back Reach
Electrical Removal Project – Project Identification No. N99928.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Port of Seattle Port of Tacoma
Ryan Calkins - aye Kristin Ang - aye
Sam Cho - aye Deanna Keller - aye
Fred Felleman - aye Dick Marzano - aye
Toshiko Hasegawa - aye J.T. Wilcox - aye
Hamdi Mohamed - aye
C. First Readings of Resolutions 2026-03 and 2026-04 Municipal Research Services
Center (MRSC) Rosters.
Vivien Nguyen, Sr. Legal Counsel, introduced proposed resolutions 2026-03 adopting
MRSC Rosters and 2026-04 amendments to the Delegation of Authority Master Policy
to implement the MRSC Rosters. The adoption of the Resolutions will be placed on
the May agenda for consideration by the Managing Members.
D. Terminal 25/30 Dispute Final Settlement on Terminal Damage
Dana Henderson, General Counsel, presented key terms of proposed Settlement
Agreement, Mutual Release, and Covenant Not to Sue by and between the Northwest
Seaport Alliance, SSA Terminals (Seattle), LLC, SSA Terminals, LLC, Matson
Navigation Company, Inc., and COSCO Shipping Terminals, to resolve the Terminal
Damage claim.
Moved and seconded (Ang/Keller) that the Managing Members approve the final
settlement of the Terminal 25/30 dispute with SSA Terminals (Seattle), LLC regarding
Terminal Damage, and authorize The Northwest Seaport Alliance CEO to execute a
settlement agreement is substantially the same form as presented.
Moved and seconded (Hasegawa/Cho) that the proposed settlement
agreement be amended to add a provision stating that, “for the remaining
period of the Terminal 25/30 lease term, COSCO, on behalf of itself and its
aƯiliated lines, agrees that if COSCO and its aƯiliated lines have one(2) or
more services within the Northwest Seaport Alliance’s or the Port of Seattle’s
or the Port of Tacoma’s (the “Ports”) jurisdiction, those services will call Seattle
terminals such as Terminal 5 or Terminal 18, currently operated by SSA
Terminals (Seattle Terminals), LLC.”
Commissioners debated whether the amendment requiring COSCO to call
services through Seattle set precedent out of alignment with the purpose of
the Alliance.
Commissioner Cho asserted that it is not. He also emphasized that this is not
a case where the parties are signing a lease; the other party broke an existing
lease. Part of the settlement needs to be a commitment to the harbor to which
they broke a promise. Commissioner Felleman agreed that flexibility between
the harbors that allows the party to walk away from lease obligations sets bad
precedent and does not believe adding the proposed language is contrary to
the Alliance.
It was noted by staƯ that the parties, in a previous iteration of the proposed
settlement agreement, agreed to inclusion of substantially similar language.
Co-Chair Calkins acknowledged the desire for a balance of business in both
Harbors, but stated this is not the way to achieve that.
Commissioner Cho stated that he negotiated the settlement in mediation and
that the intention was always to include the term proposed by the amendment
in the settlement.
Following discussion and debate, the motion to amend failed by the following
vote:
Port of Seattle Port of Tacoma
Ryan Calkins - nay Kristin Ang - nay
Sam Cho - aye Deanna Keller - nay
Fred Felleman - aye Dick Marzano - nay
Toshiko Hasegawa - aye J.T. Wilcox - nay
Hamdi Mohamed - aye
The motion to approve the final settlement of the Terminal 25/30 dispute with SSA
Terminals (Seattle), LLC regarding Terminal Damage, and authorize the Northwest
Seaport Alliance CEO to execute a settlement agreement is substantially the same
form as presented carried by the following vote.
Port of Seattle Port of Tacoma
Ryan Calkins - aye Kristin Ang - aye
Sam Cho - nay Deanna Keller - aye
Fred Felleman - aye Dick Marzano - aye
Toshiko Hasegawa - aye J.T. Wilcox - aye
Hamdi Mohamed - abstain
E. Maritime Access and Impact Mitigation Agreements and 2026 Port of
Seattle/Northwest Seaport Alliance Interlocal Agreement for Support Services.
Lindsay Wolpa, Northwest Seaport Alliance Sr. Manager, Strategic Projects &
Partnerships, and Jon Sloan, Port of Seattle Sr. Environmental Program Manager gave
a presentation encompassing the background, goals, benefits, and financial
implications of the following proposed agreements:
• Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Port of Seattle, and The Northwest Seaport Alliance
Maritime Access and Impact Mitigation Agreement.
• The Suquamish Indian Tribe, Port of Seattle, and The Northwest Seaport
Alliance Maritime Access Mitigation Agreement.
If the Agreements are approved, revisions to Exhibit 13 of the 2026 Interlocal
Agreement for Support Services by and between the Port of Seattle and The
Northwest Seaport Alliance to address changes in rates for the two agreements will
be needed.
Moved and seconded (Cho/Felleman) on behalf of the Managing Members of the
Alliance and on behalf of the Homeport Port of Seattle, that the Managing Members of
The Northwest Seaport Alliance and the Port of Seattle Commission grant
authorization to (1) execute Maritime Access and Impact Mitigations Agreements with
the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and the Suquamish Indian Tribe in substantially the
same form as presented and (2) substitute Exhibit 13 to the 2026 Interlocal
Agreement for Support Services by and between the Port of Seattle and The
Northwest Seaport Alliance with the First Amended Exhibit 13 in substantially the
same form as presented to reflect the new Agreements.
The motions carried by Managing Members and the Port of Seattle Commission by the
following votes:
Port of Seattle Port of Tacoma
Ryan Calkins – if favor Kristin Ang – in favor
Sam Cho – in favor Deanna Keller – in favor
Fred Felleman – in favor Dick Marzano – in favor
Toshiko Hasegawa – in favor J.T. Wilcox – in favor
Hamdi Mohamed - in favor
10. Briefings
A. Terminal 5 Modernization Program Lessons Learned
Thais Howard, Sr. Director Engineering, and Leilani Berinobis, Executive Business
Partner presented a summary of lessons learned as gathered from both NWSA and
Port of Seattle staƯ.
Commissioner Ang requested additional information be provided, including what is
considered best practice for reviewing major capital projects of this scale and does
that typically include independent external review rather than relying on internal
lessons learned. StaƯ will provide the requested information.
She also asked to be provided with information regarding Terminal 5’s current
performance relative to original expectations.
11. General Business
A. Cargo / Operations Update. None.
B. CEO Announcements
• Thanked Commissioners for their participation in customer meetings at TPM.
• Commented on market challenges due to war in the middle east.
C. Commissioner Comments
• Commissioner Mohamed stated her support for the Alliance and both Harbors.
• Co-Chair Marzano and Commissioner Ang thanked Co-Chair Calkin’s for his
earlier remarks regarding military action Iran.
• Commissioner Felleman reflected on devastating environmental impacts and
high fuel prices due to what is taking place in the middle east.
12. Adjourn
With no further business before the Managing Members, Co-Chair Calkins announced
the meeting adjourned at 2:08 PM.
Dick Marzano, NWSA Co-Chair Ryan Calkins, NWSA Co-Chair
Port of Tacoma Commission President Port of Seattle Commission President
Attest:
Kristin Ang, NWSA Co-Secretary Sam Cho, NWSA Co-Secretary
Port of Tacoma Commission Secretary Port of Seattle Commission Secretary
Prepared by: Juliet Campbell, NWSA Clerk
Minutes approved: May 5, 2026
