Both the Port of Centralia and Port of Chehalis held regular meetings this week and among topics discussed at both included amendments to each port’s policies.
The amendments related to procurement of materials, supplies and services, apprenticeship utilization and usage of small works rosters for smaller contract projects to align the ports’ policies with a new state law — Second Substitute Senate Bill 5268.
On Wednesday, Aug. 21, the Port of Centralia commissioners met and passed a resolution drafted in conjunction with the port’s legal counsel and staff. Port attorney Ray Liaw gave the commissioners a rundown of the changes in the amendment.
“What we’re moving from is a resolution adopted in 2004 that was about six pages, this is considerably longer,” Liaw said. “But it is actually, largely I’d say, almost entirely just putting what’s required by state law into a more organized and easy to use form for staff.”
The small works roster change was the main reason driving the amendment, she added, as the port frequently utilizes the Washington state’s Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) small works roster. Additionally, apprenticeship requirements were amended as mandated by state law.
A motion to table the resolution until the next meeting was made by Port of Centralia Commissioner Peter Lahmann, who wanted to give the public more time to review the amendments to comment.
A possible conflict of interest issue revolving around apprenticeship utilization was also brought up.
Port of Centralia Commissioner Julie Shaffley raised the conflict of interest question concerning Lahmann, who is an apprenticeship utilization coordinator for the Washington state Department of Veterans Affairs.
Liaw stated she didn’t see any immediate conflict of interest issues that would require Lahmann to recuse himself from matters involving apprenticeship but would check to make sure.
With Lahmann’s motion to table seconded by Port of Centralia Commissioner Kyle Markstrom, the meeting was opened to public comment.
Chad Campbell of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 612 raised concerns about some of the language pertaining to apprenticeship utilization, as he felt the language gave port staff too much power to change apprenticeship requirements on certain projects.
“You can correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t believe that the current bill that you’re referring to says, number five, ‘pursuant to any other criteria the port deems appropriate.’ I don’t see that in state law,” Campbell said.
Another union member, Joe Gaylor of the Sheet Metal Workers Local 66, also spoke out in support of tabling the amendment to give more time for the public to review it,and voiced support for utilizing more localized construction companies and more apprenticeship.
“It seems like there’s a little bit of a pushback on apprenticeships … When you have higher apprenticeship utilization, it brings down (the price),” Gaylor said. “Right now you have to pay a wage, for a sheet metal worker, is almost $100 an hour. But if you have an apprentice in there, at an apprentices wage which is a lower rate, and that makes a lower rate and that gives a blended rate for the whole crew which makes that project lower.”
According to Port of Centralia Executive Director Kyle Heaton, if the amendment was tabled until the next meeting, it could possibly affect certain projects awaiting contractors using the small works roster.
A pair of Chehalis residents also spoke out during public comment against tabling the motion, including resident Steve Ryan.
“Fan of the Port of Centralia. As I listen here, the citizens of Centralia elected you three to make decisions for the Port of Centralia, and it seems like this motion is going backwards,” Ryan said. “Kicking it out to the citizens of Centralia, you will never satisfy everybody’s questions, you will never satisfy everybody’s concerns. You’ll be kicking this for two more weeks until the cows come home. So please, make the decision you have been elected to make.”
The motion to table the amendment failed, and then Shaffley motioned to pass the amendment as proposed. Following more discussion around apprenticeship and how it is reported, the Port of Centralia commissioners approved the resolution by a vote of 2-1 with Lahmann opposing it.
Then, on Thursday, Aug. 22, the Port of Chehalis discussed two possible amendments to the port’s policies — one specifically for awarding small works roster contracts and one on the delegation of purchasing authority.
Following a short discussion between the port’s commissioners, staff and executive director, they determined one wasn’t currently necessary as the resolution was a first supplementary one.
Instead, since the Port of Chehalis is also currently updating its policies altogether, the commissioners elected to have any changes suggested in the amendment simply just put straight into the new port policies being drafted.
“(Port of Chehalis) Justine (Pense) will put in the minutes that we reviewed and determined it wasn’t necessary,” Port of Chehalis Executive Director Lindsey Senter said.
As for the amendment pertaining to usage of the small works roster, Senter explained since the port was small, many changes weren’t needed as they already utilize Washington state’s MRSC.
“Some larger places typically will have their own bid roster, but many use MRSC’s bid roster. This is basically clarifying, just (making it) up to date in case it just doesn’t exist exactly how we wanted in the past, this one clarifies exactly what it is we’re doing with the RCWs,” Senter said. “... This is really just housekeeping.”
The small works roster policy change was approved unanimously by the Port of Chehalis commissioners.
To view both the draft resolutions discussed and for more information, visit the Port of Chehalis’ website at https://portofchehalis.com/agenda-and-minutes/ and click on the “Next Meeting Agenda” folder.
To view the resolution passed by the Port of Centralia and for more information, visit the Port of Centralia’s website, https://portofcentralia.com/documents-center/newsletters/, and click on Resolution 2024-04 under the “More Info” tab.
