EVERETT — The Port of Edmonds has made better decisions since 2001, when it grew to five commissioners from three.
“After all is said and done, that’s what a commission is for — to make the right decision,” Bruce Faires, an Edmonds port commissioner, said Thursday night.
But he added that those decisions take longer and cost the agency more money.
Faires was one of only four people who spoke at a Port of Everett hearing Thursday intended to gauge public interest in changing the governing body of the port. There were more port employees at the meeting than there were members of the public.
Jeff LaLone, co-owner of Bayside Marine on the port’s waterfront, said he was “super surprised by the lack of people who are here” based on the discussion of the issue at port meetings last year.
He said he personally believes the port makes good decisions and has a good staff and he doesn’t see a need to change anything.
Pat McClain of the city of Everett said the commission might consider expanding its membership if it also wanted to expand its district to the entire county or to respond to a growing population. “As part of a strategic economic development plan, it may make a lot of sense,” he said.
Former Port Commissioner Phil Bannan, who did not run for re-election last fall, asked the existing commissioners a series of questions.
“Do you need help?” he said. “Are you really unable to establish port policy with only three of you? Is the port doing so good financially that you want to increase your costs?”
Then he answered his own questions.
“You don’t need help,” he said. “You can do it. You stood the test of the electorate. You’re doing a good job.”
Bannan said that with three members, the port commission can’t form small committees and meet in private.
“You have to talk about the port’s business in front of the public instead of the back room,” he said.
Bannan said the poor turnout at the meeting shows that the public isn’t that interested in a change. If they are, he added, they can submit a petition to voters and put the issue up for election themselves.
The previous port commission had voted not to put the issue on the ballot. But two new members were elected last fall and they agreed to revisit the issue. They are seeking comments until May 31 and expect to make a decision on whether to put potential changes to the voters at the June 8 commission meeting.
Possible changes include:
If new positions are added, electing those people from their own district or at-large.
Changing the terms to four years from six.
Port director John Mohr talked about some of the pros and cons for the changes and discussed their cost. Since commissioners get about $34,000 a year in pay, benefits and travel expenses, adding two more would cost $68,000 extra for an annual commission expense of about $170,000, Mohr said.
Adding people and reducing the terms would also add to the expense of elections, he noted.
Port governance
The Port of Everett commission will gather comments on the interest in changing its governing structure from 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 13 at the Mukilteo Water District, 7824 Mukilteo Speedway.
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