Port of Seattle Commission #5 – Fred Felleman

Municipal/Other Questionnaire

Candidate Information

  • Candidate Name: Fred Felleman
  • Position Sought: Port of Seattle Commission #5 (Incumbent)
  • Home Legislative District: 36th
  • Democrat: yes

Campaign Information

Part I – Candidate Background

1. Please briefly describe your qualifications, education, employment, community and civic activity, union affiliation, prior political activity, and other relevant experience.

I came to the Port with over 30-years experience as a killer whale biologist and environmental consultant, working to protect the health of our marine environment and those dependent upon it. As Commission Vice President and founding Chair of the Energy and Sustainability Committee, I’ve worked hard to reduce the Port’s greenhouse gas emissions while expanding opportunities for meaningful careers in King County.

I’ve worked as an environmental consultant my entire career with clients that have included local, statewide and national environmental organizations as well as with local and tribal governments. I have a Bachelors of Science from the University of Michigan in Psychology (animal behavior) and a Masters of Science in Fisheries Biology from the University of Washington.

I had not run for office previously but followed port activities for over 20 years with a focus on reducing the environmental impacts of cruise ships. I have achieved many environmental accomplishments including the designation of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, establishment of the Neah Bay Emergency Response Tug, as well as many other enhancements to our region’s oil spill prevention and response capabilities.

See fredforport.com for a more extensive description of my background, experience and vision for the Port.

2. What prompted you to run for this office? What are your campaign’s most important themes, issues, or priorities (three to five)?

All of my efforts stem from a desire to support our quality of life by securing environmental safeguards while expanding the economic benefits of trade, tourism, fishing and recreation.

It’s been deeply rewarding to help guide major transformations at the airport and seaport. I’ve ensured that such actions be transparent and made with integrity.

I’ve significantly shaped changes in the Port’s culture, through the hiring of the new Executive Director and championing the creation of the new position, Senior Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

In my next term I will continue to:

• Be a regional leader through the reduction of the Port’s greenhouse gas emissions,

• Work with business and labor to promote green innovations, while protecting our working waterfront and industrial lands, to stimulate an economy that works for everyone.

• Expand opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses, while seeking environmental and economic justice for disproportionately impacted communities.

• Inspire youth to pursue Port-related jobs of-the-future, by championing innovation, apprenticeships and internships.

• AND be accessible, inclusive and responsive to community interests.

I will continue to champion Port policies rooted in fiscal responsibility, ecological integrity and social equity.

3. What steps are you taking to run a successful campaign?

In addition to raising money to be able to communicate with the 1.5 million potential voters in King County, I have secured the endorsements of 11 Democratic LDs to date, as well as many labor unions, environmental organization, as well as civic and elected leaders. I am now focusing on endorsements businesses. (see fredforport.com for a complete list of endorsements).

Part II – Local Issues

1. Would you support the establishment of a safe injection site in your district?

Yes

2. Would you support the administration and police force in your jurisdiction adopting a sanctuary policy, forbidding the sharing of local resources and labor with ICE?

Yes

3. Do you support raising revenue at the city level to expand transit service?

Yes

Yes for specific purposes but it should be covered primarily by the State.

4. Should transportation policy discourage the use of private automobiles and encourage the use of public-transit?

Yes

5. Do you support building a municipally owned and operated broadband system in your city or jurisdiction?

Yes

6. Do you support requiring police officers in your jurisdiction to wear body cameras?

Yes

7. Do you support repealing Tim Eyman’s I-747, which artificially limits property tax increases to 1% per year, regardless of population growth, inflation, and need?

Yes

8. Should government assist individuals, and families who are without sufficient food, shelter, or basic necessities through no fault of their own?

Yes

9. Should the wages paid to workers in Washington State be raised incrementally towards the goal of living wages?

Yes

10. Will you seek opportunities to mitigate the human activities that are contributing to disastrous climate change?

Yes

This is why I am founder and chair of the Port’s Energy and Sustainability committee

Part III – Free Response

1. Why are you requesting Democratic endorsement? What aspects of the Democratic platform most resonate with you?

I’m a lifelong Democrat. While frustrating by its lack of cohesiveness, it’s the big tent and we all need to be able to fit within it. Plus Trump has to go.

2. What important local issues have you worked on (or taken an interest in) that you feel aren’t getting enough attention from elected leaders and the media?

The Port is one of the most important governments that few pay attention to, including the media (unless the Port makes some bad decision). The are many well-paying jobs that are going unfilled in the maritime. I believe this is due, in part because the public is disconnected from the waterfront and think they are jobs of the past whereas there’s tons of innovation going on and opportunities for many types of careers.

3. Please list up to three specific, concrete actions you would support to ease the homelessness crisis.

Creating jobs, internships and apprenticeships
Using Port property for the first time to support mini houses on our Tsubota property on 15th Ave.
Collaborate with city and county jurisdictions to pool our resources for maximum benefit.

4. What are the barriers to economic prosperity faced by residents in your jurisdiction, and how do you plan to address them?

Cost of housing is a major challenge which we can help with job creation and workforce housing.
Elevate public attention to port-related job opportunities.
Continue to expand internships and work with businesses to create apprenticeships.

5. What are the transportation/transit challenges which face this jurisdiction and how would you address them? What role does rail play in your proposed solutions?

The “last mile” is one of the Port’s greatest challenges – getting goods in and out of the Port through a burgeoning city. On dock rail is one of the most important ways to alleviate this challenge. We just invested $350 million in the redevelopment of T5 due in large part to its exiting rail facilities. However, we also have to be sure that the expansion of light rail is done in such a way that does not impede port activities.

6. What are your jurisdiction’s environmental issues, which ones are urgent and what will you do to address them?

Climate change is the existential threat to all life on earth and needs to be every jurisdiction’s priority. I had the Port to join king County’s K4c – (King County Cities Climate Collaborative) to collaborate with our neighboring jurisdictions to tackle the challenge. I’ve had the first two solar arrays installed on port property, supported a “blue carbon” sequestration project, created a $million airport tree-planting fund, championed the use of sustainable aviation fuels at the airport, working to electrify the waterfront so ships can plug in at the dock, and am seeking to finalize a long term contract for renewable natural gas which will result in an 80% reduction in the GHG emissions at the airport. I’ve also supported major clean ups and restoration of the Duwamish River, removed over 2000 creosote pilings near T5 and am working on a project with the Port of Vancouver to reduce the impact of ship noise on orca and other marine species.

7. Does your district have a taxing authority or propose levies and what changes, if any, would you seek?

Yes and we raised our levy last year for the first time in a decade resulting in a median home owner paying $70/year which is approximately 1% of the taxes paid in King County. This increase allows us to leverage $100 million in job-creating port infrastructure. I have no intention to raise taxes further in the near future.

By typing my name below, I declare under penalty of perjury the foregoing is true and correct.

Printed Name: Fred Felleman

Date: 06/16/2019

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