Bill on port contracts wins praise

March 13th, 2008
The Legislature passed a measure this year to increase oversight of ports in the state following an audit that was critical of how the Port of Seattle did business.

Olympia’s feared watchdog: Brian Sonntag

March 2nd, 2008
He's got even more authority now, thanks to a voter-approved initiative that provides for evaluations of public-agency performance. The state auditor is effecting change inside institutions like the Port of Seattle.

Did port contracts go to favorites?

February 18th, 2008
A state audit reinforces perceptions that the Port of Seattle hasn't offered a level playing field in awarding small contracts, with opportunity to steer business to certain companies.

Taping of Executive Sessions (background from Attorney General's Office)

February 14th, 2008
The Attorney General's Office (AGO) has produced a background memo on the proposal to tape local government executive sessions (HB 3292). From the AGO:
The Problem The Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) allows elected officials to hold closed-door discussions regarding specific issues such as pending litigation, personnel matters and real estate transactions. However, the act requires that all votes be held in a public session. According to the State Auditor, from Jan. 1, 2004 to Nov. 13, 2007, there were 460 instances where executive sessions were an issue. These issues have varied from illegal executive sessions to improper notice. • ...

Longshore union wants inquiry into port land sale

February 13th, 2008
A union has asked the U.S. attorney to investigate the Port of Seattle's highly criticized 2004 sale of two warehouses for $18.9 million. The government has opened a criminal investigation of the port after a critical state audit.

Port decisions

February 13th, 2008
Washington state Auditor Brian Sonntag said he didn't yet know what to make of the Port of Seattle's recent decision to write off the debt of the Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center, the use of which as a wedding space and convention center has been profitable for Seattle catering business Columbia Hospitality, which gives a third of those revenues to the port.

Taking the long view, the Muni League investigates the Port of Seattle

February 13th, 2008
After the devastating state auditor's report [PDF], an ongoing Justice Department investigation, and the Port of Seattle's internal review of its own operations, the Municipal League's announcement that it, too, will study port governance may seem like overkill. But appearances can be deceiving, said Bruce Carter, a Seattle Municipal Court judge pro tem who will lead the league's works.

McKay to head Port of Seattle investigation [Seattle Business News - Local Seattle News | The Puget Sound Business Journal]

February 13th, 2008
Former U.S. Attorney Mike McKay has been hired by the Port of Seattle Commission to head an effort that will investigate past cost controls and accountability issues at the Port.

Port will hire former U.S. Attorney McKay to run fraud investigation

February 12th, 2008
The Seattle Port Commission voted Tuesday to hire former U.S. Attorney Mike McKay to run its investigation of possible fraud and wrongdoing...

Municipal League initiates Port study

February 12th, 2008
The Municipal League of King County has launched a Port of Seattle Study Committee. The study will focus on the Port's mission and governance...
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