TagPort Of Seattle Commission(302)

Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman issued a formal apology on September 26, 2023, accepting an ethics ruling stemming from his repeated requests to attend meetings of the Quiet Sound Leadership Committee, a group focused on reducing ship noise affecting endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. The Ethics Board found no financial wrongdoing, but determined his conduct toward Port staff was inappropriate. Felleman pledged to improve his workplace communications while reaffirming his commitment to the Quiet Sound Program and the Port's Code of Ethics.

The Port of Seattle Commission Bylaws establish the rules governing how the five elected commissioners conduct official business, including requirements for ethical conduct, transparency pledges, conflict-of-interest recusals, and filling vacancies in office. Commissioners are bound to serve the public mission of creating jobs and economic development in King County while adhering to open-government standards under Washington State's Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act. These bylaws are proposed for amendment under Resolution No. 3754.

The Port of Seattle's SEA Sound Insulation Programs presentation, led by Sr. Manager Stan Shepherd, outlines efforts to reduce aircraft noise impacts on nearby residents. Following Commission Motion 2020-4, the Port committed to accelerating its Sound Insulation Program with a completion target of 2026, supported by newly hired staff, over 70 additional Port employees, and two consulting firms for construction services. The update also covers program status and funding considerations.

A May 2023 ethics investigation report from the Port of Seattle found that Commissioner Fred Felleman violated the Commissioner Code of Ethics by using his official position to seek special privileges and treatment for himself in connection with the Quiet Sound orca conservation program. The investigation also found evidence that he used his commissioner role to retaliate against a Port employee he believed had opposed one of his personal requests to an outside organization. The complaint's third allegation — that Felleman discriminated against an employee based on gender — was not substantiated by a preponderance of the evidence.

The Washington State Auditor's Office conducted an accountability audit of the Port of Seattle covering the period January 1 through December 31, 2021, with the report published on April 6, 2023. The audit examined the Port's compliance with applicable requirements and its safeguarding of public resources, with findings and responses documented in the report. This independent audit was intended to promote transparency and accountability in Port operations for the benefit of management, commissioners, and the public.

A 2008 investigation by the Seattle Port Commission found ten instances of fraud in Port of Seattle contracting practices, including bid manipulation, improper payments, and contract steering to preferred vendors, though no personal financial gain or embezzlement was identified. The inquiry, which reviewed over 250,000 pages of documents and conducted 75+ interviews, also found several instances where Port staff violated laws or policies without meeting the legal definition of fraud. Additionally, some findings from the State Auditor's 2007 Performance Audit were determined to be unsubstantiated by the underlying facts.

The Port of Seattle Commission adopted Resolution No. 3810(AM) in January 2023, updating the rules for how much authority and spending power the Commission delegates to the Executive Director. The revision increased purchasing thresholds that had remained largely unchanged since 2009, reflecting inflation and growing operational demands, while adding stronger reporting and transparency requirements. The new Delegation of Responsibility and Authority (DORA) policy took effect April 3, 2023, and requires periodic reviews at least every five years to ensure it continues to meet the Port's needs.