Kendall Foose

This document outlines Sustainable Northwest's strategic approach to integrated forest management, emphasizing the active management of forest systems for ecological and economic benefits. The organization focuses on expanding opportunities for sustainable fiber utilization from restorative forestry, aiming to address community health, water resources, and wildfire risk. A core strategy involves integrating goals such as wildfire reduction, creating affordable housing through mass timber, and generating local jobs, by avoiding siloed initiatives and fostering synergistic solutions for environmental and socio-economic challenges.

The meeting commenced with the approval of leave of absence for two commissioners and the approval of the minutes from the December 10, 2025, regular commission meeting. Key discussions included a presentation on safety performance, noting a record 35 months without a loss time injury on the TCOR project before a minor injury occurred, and highlighting the record number of reported hazards and near misses in calendar year 2025. The Director of Safety also discussed the upcoming safety values summit week in late January 2026, focusing on continuous learning, expert speakers, and live fire training. Significant administrative and operational updates were shared, including the successful handover of the container terminal operations at T6 to Harbor Industrial, now named Oregon Container Terminal, effective December 31, 2025, which supports approximately 1500 jobs. The PDX holiday travel period saw 2.1 million passengers, an increase over the previous year and above pre-pandemic levels. Updates were provided on the successful completion of the 2025 dredge season maintaining the Columbia River shipping channel depth. Recognition was given to staff for their work on contract negotiations, the Port Forward ERP project, and to a Director named Teresa Carr for being named a Woman of Influence by the Portland Business Journal. The departure of Commissioner Sam Johnson due to moving out of state was noted with appreciation for his service.

The meeting included administrative items such as granting leaves of absence to two commissioners and approving the minutes of the August 14th regular meeting. Key discussions involved a safety message related to National Preparedness Month, highlighting the Port's resiliency efforts and upcoming training sessions including a four-week preparation challenge and the great shakeout earthquake drill. Executive reports covered updates on the Portland Street Art Alliance collaboration to install new local art in the North tunnel, replacing the 125-year history wall. Recognition was given to the Port for being awarded the healthiest employer in Oregon. Congressional engagement on trade impacts, and plans to thank airport employees for making PDX the best airport in America for the seventh year in a row were also noted. Significant updates were provided on the PDX Next construction progress, including the communication campaign for passengers moving away from concourses A and B. A major milestone was announced for the Terminal Core Project: securing the remaining funding, bringing the total to $1.65 billion. A contract amendment request of approximately $92 million for Hoffman and Skanska was presented, covering redevelopment activities for Concourse B, which includes demolition of Concourse A and improvements to ticketing capacity and environmental efficiency. Public commentary included an appeal for the Port to adopt clean contracting standards for construction projects to reduce diesel pollution and related health risks in the region, and a presentation advocating for support for the Northern Connector study, proposing a western route to improve regional traffic flow and port access.

Discussions centered on the Commission's activities and future planning. Key topics included welcoming new employees and acknowledging the service of a departing member. Significant time was dedicated to updates on Terminal Six (T6), including the launch of a new rail shuttle partnership with BNSF connecting Portland to Puget Sound ports, and the successful re-establishment of operations after terminating a previous lease with ICTSI. Updates covered initial operational activities like staging containers and Daimler Trucks for the first Swire vessel call, and the outcome of the T6 business study conducted with industry leaders regarding a sustainable business model for container shipping. Other updates included reporting that airport passenger volume surpassed 19 million, progress on the Hillsboro Airport master plan update, and acknowledgments regarding port safety initiatives and new partnerships focused on environmental services and creating a fish consumption advisory program in conjunction with Multnomah County Public Health Department. The status of concession redevelopment at PDX, including efforts to gather wage data, was also discussed.

The meeting included granting a leave of absence to Commissioner Sam Johnson. The Executive Director's report covered acknowledgments of monthly safety champions, the unveiling of Governor Kotek's Prosperity Roadmap, updates on the transition of container and breakbulk operations at Terminal 6 to Harbor Industrial, positive traveler numbers at PDX during the Thanksgiving season, receiving the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction's Regional Award for the PDX Main Terminal Expansion project, the launch of the Green Plate Program at PDX to reduce dining waste, the celebration of a solar project launch in Northeast Portland funded by the Portland Clean Energy Fund, the departure of Antoinette Chandler, and honoring the memory of Bobbi Stedman. Action items included approving an amendment to the personal services contract with ZGF Architects LLP for construction administration services for the Terminal Core Redevelopment project, and approving a long-term ground lease and power subscription agreement with Columbia Community Solar, LLC, for a solar facility at Lot J in the Rivergate Industrial District. Public comments were received primarily opposing the use of Port-operated airports to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations, including concerns about potential detention centers.