Port of Olympia Commissioners Appoint Michelle Morris

Port of Olympia Commissioners Appoint Michelle Morris

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Above: Michelle Morris was appointed this evening to Port of Olympia Commissioner Position #3. She will serve for about five months. Morris is not running for election to the position and said in her application that her goal is to provide a smooth transition from the vacancy left by former commissioner Sue Gunn. She says she will continue Gunn's conversations about agriculture, transparency, and fiscal responsibility.

By Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Port of Olympia commissioners George Barner and Bill McGregor tonight appointed Michelle Morris to fill commissioner position #3, formerly held by Sue Gunn.

“Thank you very much…I’m honored,” said Morris, who was present at tonight's port meeting. The publicly noticed meeting was held tonight rather than a usual Monday evening due to scheduling difficulties.

Morris said she will be sworn in at the Thurston County’s Auditor’s Office tomorrow afternoon. She will hold the position from June 11 to November 24, when the general election is formally certified. Morris is not one of the applicants running for election to the position.

Outside the meeting room, as well wishers congratulated her, Morris said, “I’m thrilled that they expedited this process instead of letting it drag on. I’m really excited to get business moving forward…I have a lot of homework to do!”

Her first meeting is expected to be Monday, June 22, unless she can attend a port work session meeting on Thursday, June 18.

An executive session of the commissioners started at 4:00 p.m. tonight at which Commissioners Barner and McGregor discussed the applicant’s resumes, responses to questions, and qualifications.

Barner said he was very impressed with E.J. Zita’s application, responses to questions and interview, but said it would be inappropriate to choose someone who is committed to running for election to the position.

McGregor agreed, and after saying that he was impressed with the quality of each candidate, recommended Fred Finn to fill the position.

Barner disagreed. Calling former commissioner Sue Gunn an intelligent and bright woman, Barner said he felt sensitive to the issues that have been raised by the public, and said that the position ought to be filled by a woman.

“I’m seriously interested in affirming the actions of the voters of District #3 in electing Commissioner Gunn….The issue of diversity is real, and new to this board of commissioners, but one that was said loud and clear by the electorate when they elected her to this position….” said Barner, who then promptly made a motion to appoint Michelle Morris.

McGregor quickly agreed, and seconded Barner’s motion, saying he did not want to see the decision go to the Thurston County commissioners. 

Both welcomed Morris to the position, with Barner adding that he has served the last three years with Morris on Thurston County’s solid waste advisory committee and appreciates her thoughtfulness in that capacity. McGregor earlier noted her financial and small business experience as assets for filling the position.

George Sharp, Dick Pust, and Fred Finn were in attendance at tonight’s meeting, and quickly congratulated her on her appointment. 

Port of Olympia Commission meetings are held at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month. Work sessions are held 2:30 p.m. Thursday before the fourth Monday of each month. All meetings are held at Tumwater Town Center, 7241 Cleanwater Drive SW, Tumwater. 

For more information, go to www.portolympia.com.

In other port news, a public meeting on the master planning process for development of its real estate in Tumwater will be held Thursday, June 11th, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at the Comfort Inn, 1620 74^thAvenue SW, Tumwater.

The master plan will guide future growth within the New Market Industrial Campus and Tumwater Town Center. Questions that will be discussed at the meeting: How the properties' physical and environmental characteristics will influence development and what unique economic opportunities the New Market Industrial Campus and Tumwater Town Center Port districts offer the Thurston region.

The two districts total over 500 acres which may be developed for commercial, industrial or other uses.

For past articles about the Port of Olympia, including the process to fill Position #3, go to Little Hollywood, www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com and use the search button to type in key words.

Port Citizen Advisory Committee Discusses 2015 Work Plan

Port Citizen Advisory Committee Discusses 2015 Work Plan

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Above: Members of the Port of Olympia citizen advisory committee met with port commissioners on February 17 to discuss their 2015 work plan.

 

By Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Port of Olympia commissioners George Barner and Bill McGregor met with the port’s 14 member citizen advisory committee on Tuesday, February 17 to discuss committee’s 2015 work plan.

The committee has five new members who are starting three year terms. Out of seven who applied, five new members were chosen by port executive director Ed Galligan, Commissioner McGregor, and committee chair John Hurley, based on a number of criteria.

At a November 24, 2014 commissioner meeting, the last meeting port commissioner Sue Gunn attended due to health issues, Gunn stated that she would like to change how the members are selected so that it is in open session with all three commissioners.

Committee members were asked to take on four tasks for the year: research transparency issues, refine a protocol for the naming of port facilities, help develop the port’s vision statement, and conduct a self-evaluation of their work as a committee.

Tasks for the committee are created and assigned to the Port's citizen advisory committee by the commissioners. It was made clear that the group had to accept the tasks, although many clearly had no enthusiasm to revisit protocols for naming port facilities, since they did a thorough review of the subject last year. McGregor wanted the group to essentially say to the commissioners, “do it or don’t it.”

Transparency

The commissioners said it would be of value to the port to have the committee investigate and report back on the issue of transparency.

Questions the commissioners asked the committee to explore are: What is an acceptable definition of transparency in government and, in particular, the Port of Olympia? What has the Port done to improve transparency over the past few years and what additional measures can the port do to improve transparency? What is it that citizens want to see improved as it relates to Port transparency? What is the overall feeling of citizens as it relates to transparency?

Regarding this last question, commissioners stated that a public hearing may be required by the committee as part of their information gathering effort.

Among other requests, the commissioners asked the committee to comment on the commission’s meetings and work sessions in terms of meeting frequency, time of day, length of meeting and content.

A detailed scope of work asks that the group look at commission meeting materials, compare the Port of Olympia to at least three other regional ports and at least two other local jurisdictions.

The group has a deadline for this task of September 2015.

Naming Protocols

Members were not keen on revisiting a task to examine how the port would go about naming facilities after individuals if so desired. The committee reported back to the commission and gave several recommendations in a detailed 2014 report, and committee member Clydia Cuykendall said that it was not a good use of the group’s time to revisit the issue. She noted that the port has received only one naming request in the past 10 years. The deadline for this task is June 2015.

Vision Statement

The commissioners and port staff will be working on the development of a vision statement as part of a two day strategic planning retreat currently scheduled for the end of March.

The committee was asked to choose from one of the sample vision statements that will be provided to them by the commissioners. If none of the sample vision statements are preferred, they are to suggest language changes. A deadline for this is to be determined.

Committee Self-Evaluation

The group is tasked with conducting a self-evaluation on the use of a citizen advisory committee. The group must compare and contrast its formation and work with at least four regional ports and at least three local jurisdictions and quasi-governmental entities. The deadline for this task is September 2015.

Committee members divided themselves up between committees. New members asked questions from whether or not the airport or the port really makes any money, to the status of the Mazama pocket gophers at the airport property.

Cuykendall wondered why the committee wasn’t included to comment on the Tumwater Real Estate Master Plan, and what the difference was between their past work, and the work of the new port advisory committee for the port’s properties in New Market.

Port of Olympia New Market Industrial Campus and Tumwater Town Center Real Estate Development Master Plan  

This latest study is a master plan being coordinated by the Thurston Regional Planning Commission. The Port of Olympia owns over 500 acres of real estate in Tumwater, excluding the Olympia Regional Airport. The property may be developed for commercial, industrial or other uses. In response to questions from committee members, port executive director Ed Galligan admitted that the gophers, now listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, present a serious impediment to growth on the property.

The port’s master plan group will have a public workshop about the development of this plan on Thursday, March 5, 6:00 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Comfort Inn Conference Center, 1620 74^th Avenue SW, Tumwater.

For more information about the New Market Master Plan, go to www.trpc.org/PortofOlympiaProject.

For more information about the Port of Olympia, go to www.portolympia.com.

The Making of Olympia's Newest Police Officer: Wally Noel

The Making of Olympia's Newest Police Officer: Wally Noel

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Above: City of Olympia Police Chief Ronnie Roberts, left, welcomes Wally Noel, Olympia's newest police officer, after administering Noel's oath of office.

By Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

A brief, formal swearing in ceremony yesterday marked the beginning of a new chapter for Olympia's newest police officer Wally Noel and his family.

“We're seeing a whole new generation of police officers,” said Olympia city manager Steve Hall, after the ceremony.

“We have officers who have worked at Starbucks, in banks, served in the military…it’s really exciting in terms of the diversity in background….This is the future of our force.”

Noel, who will retire in a month as a Major from the Army, lives in Tumwater with his wife, Betheny, son Deven, 14, and daughter Kiran, 10. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration and a Master of Arts in Business and Organizational Security Management.

Noel spent 20 years in active service as a military police officer. He served in the Army prison system for 10 years, went through several deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, served in detention operations at Guantanamo Bay, and was assigned to Joint Base Lewis McChord two and a half years ago.

“We love the state of Washington, and Olympia. This is where I’d like to retire. My kids and wife absolutely love it here,” said Noel.

After witnessing the ceremony, Olympia police department administrative assistant Marianne Weiland noted the longevity of officer's careers and said that Olympia went through a big hiring of officers 20 to 25 years ago.

“Many of them are now retiring...it’s been exciting to see the changes,” she said.

Noel’s Family

After the ceremony, Noel’s family was all smiles. I asked Deven what he likes best about the Olympia area.

After some reflective thought, and sighing, he said, “Finally, we don’t have to run around.” Deven, who wore a tie and a white, long sleeved shirt, plays trumpet for the Tacoma Youth Junior Symphony, and will go to Black Hills High School next year.

“We’re finally in one spot,” Kiran agreed. She says her favorite hobby is going out to eat. Asked what her favorite local restaurants are, mom Betheny mentioned Vic’s Pizza, any place with sushi, especially spicy tuna, and Lacey’s new Jimmy John’s. Kiran heartily agreed.

As relative newcomers, Betheny described her impressions and passion for the South Sound community.

“After 20 years of traveling, this definitely is our home. We’ve been a lot of places, but this is the only place we feel people have open arms. We’ve lived in Germany, Italy, Hawaii, the Midwest, and the South, and people here are very open, even the homeless people. I walk by and they say, 'Good morning!' I’m very impressed.”

A fulltime wife and mother, Betheny is busy with her children’s activities and parent teacher organizations, volunteers in their classrooms, and is active in Tumwater school issues. She says she has high expectations for quality education.

“We’ve lived in Dupont, Pierce County, Lacey, and Tumwater and I’m really impressed, overall, with how the community here supports the whole child, offering support to military families, taking the time to talk to students, and caring about their emotional well-being.  This is also a community where the arts are supported – that’s important to me. When you’ve been a transient family for so long, we need outlets. Not all kids like football.

“I believe all kids, whether they come from foster homes, the military, or are bouncing around due to divorce, need the schools and the community to work together to disseminate information, to have sources for opportunities….”

She says when Deven starts at Black Hills next year, he will have attended eleven schools.

“When children move around and change schools, they lose credits,” she said. She is already looking forward to Deven's attendance at New Market Skill Center’s free summer classes, which are available for students entering 9th through 12th grade, and later, the Running Start program.

Running Start is a program designed for eligible juniors and seniors to enroll in college level courses at South Puget Sound Community College to receive both high school and college credit.

The Training of a City of Olympia Police Officer

On July 1st, Noel will head to a five month training in the police academy, then begin Olympia’s three to six month training, and begin an 18 month probation process, all before he can go solo on the streets of Olympia as a patrol officer.

Amy Stull, senior program specialist for the Olympia police department's community programs, says an officer candidate has to be hired by a law enforcement agency in order to attend the training academy.

“Completing the academy gives them state certification. If they don’t pass, they don’t retain their employment.”

The academy, coordinated by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, is in Burien. All law enforcement officers attend that academy, except for the Washington State Patrol, which has their own version.

Stull wrote about the new officer training process for the Olympia Police Department newsletter in February, 2013:

In the 1990’s, standard training was done by field training officers. New officers would be assigned one field training officer after they completed the state Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA). In recent years, the Olympia Police Department has transitioned to the police training officer model.

One of the goals was to better mesh with the Academy’s movement towards integrating more adult learning concepts. New recruits now go through training after the Academy and during their 18 months of probation. 

Under this new model, teaching is based on four substantive topics: police tactics, criminal procedure, report writing and emergency response. Within these categories are fifteen core competencies – use of force, local procedures (laws and policy), leadership, problem solving, community-specific problems, cultural diversity, legal authority, individual rights, ethics, observations skills, multi-tasking, police vehicle operation, conflict resolution, officer safety, communication skills and lifestyle stressors.

The training period is divided into four phases with a mid-term and final evaluation. Each phase takes two to four weeks. Phase one is focused on non-emergency operations, the second on emergency response, the third on criminal procedure and the fourth on patrol activity, which encompasses everything learned during the training. After the first two phases, a different police training officer evaluates the recruit’s progress. Yet another officer takes the recruit through the next phases and a fourth police training officer does the final evaluation.

The goal of the program is to put recruits in learning situations that allow them to use their level of knowledge and problem solve. Training officers look for opportunities to create problem-based learning exercises that involve multiple core competencies. This makes it possible to carefully evaluate each new employee’s chance for a successful career at the Olympia Police Department.

Current Olympia Police Department Officer Statistics

When asked for specific statistics on current officer demographics regarding gender, race, and language diversity, Olympia police department spokesperson, Laura Wohl, provided the following information:

“We now have eight female officers. As for languages, we have one certified Spanish interpreter. We also have several bilingual or semi-bilingual people who are not certified. Certification requires a test and then allows one to interpret in court. Because they are not certified, we don’t have a formal record of these officers, so I’ll give you the best that I can remember: of those who speak a second language, we now have two officers who speak sign language and we have two or three who speak Spanish.”

After some research by the human resources department, she said that in the last 25 years, the department has employed 12 African American officers and corrections officers, three Hispanic/Latino officers and corrections officers, and four Asian/Pacific Islander officers and corrections officers.

“We have had African American police officers at different times in the last 25 years. We did have a period recently when we had no African American police officers on the force – between November 2012 and April 16, 2014, when Wally was sworn in,” said Wohl.

Above: Noel's police badge.

For more information on the Olympia Police Department or law enforcement issues, events and activities, and past statistics, go to Little Hollywood, www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com and type key words into the search button.