There are still no new membership applications for the under-filled Port of Olympia Citizens Advisory Committee (POCAC).
There are currently only four members on the committee after the terms of two members ended in December 2021, followed by the resignation of two more members in April 2022.
Since the committee needs a minimum of nine members, it cannot take any action due to its inability to form a quorum. Based on the 2021 resolution updating details about the POCAC, the committee “shall consist of up to 12 but no less than 9 members.”
The committee advises the Port Commission on matters assigned by the commission. The committee forwards written, unsolicited public input to the Port's communication manager who determines how their input will be handled.
In its meeting yesterday, committee members discussed the status of applications. They assumed that the zero sign-ups were due to the intimidating application process.
"It's like applying for a state job or a school district job and so it is pretty extensive. So for a volunteer position, it might be intimidating to people," committee chair Deborah Pattin said.
The Port’s “staff is indeed working on a strategy of outreach and recruitment, as well as looking at alternative way for potential volunteers to apply to serve,” according to Lisa Parks, the Port’s executive services director.Committee members reported that there have been at least 280 views on the job posting, implying that people know that the committee is looking for additional members.
"We've done a press release. We've done several Facebook posts and I think the fact that there are people looking at it means that the message is getting out," port executive and commission coordinator Missy Goodell said during the meeting.
Goodell said the commissioners are also talking with several people who might be interested in the committee.
“The commissioners can decide to change the process,” according to Joel Hansen, who has served on the POCAC since 2019. “They have an opportunity to fill out the ranks for the POCAC quickly , and do so with an eye toward bring on people with a diversity of backgrounds and opinions,” he told The JOLT.
“POCAC members are not paid for their time, but if they incur any expenses for items such as travel, those expenses are reimbursed,” Parks said.
The current application is available here.
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C K
Ultimately, the bureaucrats do whatever they want, regardless of what most of us think or say.
Wednesday, August 17, 2022 Report this
KimDobson
Having observed Port of Olympia politics for many years testifying during public comment opportunities at regular meetings I have seen local citizens in the past few years attempt to join the POCAC board be turned away because they did fit the description of most of the long term board members share , Business as usual attitudes with Weyerhaeuser friendly political views ,Logging is king and below market rate leases for the 24 acres occupied by timber interests to the detriment of the Citizens of Thurston County taxpayers who pay 8.9million dollars in Property taxes annually . And with the Port showing us what is most important is that hiding the losses and making long lease agreements with secret negotiations that are sweetheart deals for timber interests . None of this can be discussed by the POCAC . Suggestions of doing business in the public interest are not allowed . While supporting local Union longshore jobs are important it is given fact that Local 47 controls the discourse within the POCAC meeting agendas and no critical thinking is allowed which may be why 2 members of the board resigned and 2 retired leaving only 4 . Meetings for new members who have business experience and wisdom ,new ideas about changing current business practices are quickly shouted down and prospective members asked to leave . The POCAC is a reflection of the current climate created by general manager ,no confidence vote and the 68 percent turnover in Port employee rosters in the last 4 years . We need verifiable positive changes of Port operations not virtue signaling and music events at the Port Plaza , Yours , Kim Dobson TDC PCO 094 Frye Cove
Thursday, August 18, 2022 Report this
johnvaneenwyk
Why would anyone volunteer for the POCAC when --at best, it is not listened to and--at worst, is allowed only to rubber stamp whatever the Port wants at the moment?
Thursday, August 18, 2022 Report this
DalePutnam
I initially decided to apply for a position. First one must register with "governmentjobs.com". Then to speed things up, I updated a brief resume, uploaded it, then tried to have it entered and accepted. This got me into the regular permanent job on-line applicant process. For a volunteer, I have no idea why there is a requirement for a driver's license, full employment history, multiple references, etc., if the applicant is going to be interviewed in person anyway. Incidentally, requiring a driver's license number requires one to provide information that can be queried to obtain age information, which I believe cannot be asked for under federal law.
Bottom line is that after spending an inordinate amount of time trying to apply I gave up. I can see why there have been no applicants. If I'd known what was going to be requested, I'd have saved my time and never tried to apply.
It will be interesting to see what, if any, people are willing to go through this application process for a non-paying volunteer job.
Thursday, August 18, 2022 Report this
burneggroll
Dec 15, 2021 — Port of Olympia commission gives executive director Sam Gibboney a 3 percent raise, will make $191227.23 next year.
Saturday, August 20, 2022 Report this
TonyW33
I am going to comment in depth even thought it is all covered already by brighter minds than this one. No one with any new ideas will be welcomed and no one with an IQ above average will be admitted. At the end of the day the Port is a closed and failed business model. Better use your time to lobby the Legislature to abolish the genre. It is unique to Washington and without value to the citizens. Does everyone know that this was Weyerhaeuser's port until they figured out how to get the taxpayers to pay the maintenance costs by offloading it to our local taxpayers by state law? A cruel joke, and long past it's 'best by' date. Shutter it and move on.
Sunday, August 21, 2022 Report this