The Port of Seattle has signed a new contract with Yellow Cab company after the Washington Supreme Court rejected an appeal on an earlier ruling by the State Appeals Court.

The new contract will not take effect until at least October 31, as the Port has extended the current agreement with the Seattle-Tacoma International Taxicab Association (STITA) two months because of the pending legal cases.

People needing to hire a cab from the airport until Nov. 1 will still use the familiar STITA cabs, STITA officials said, until the new Yellow Cab contract takes affect.

However, STITA says it has other matters to take before courts that it hopes will prevent Yellow from taking over the cab service at the airport.

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Story and photos by Michael Brunk

On Wednesday, July 14, workers and local dignitaries joined together to celebrate the “topping out” of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s new consolidated rental car facility. When the new structure opens in spring of 2012, it will house all rental car related operations for the airport.

The ceremony, which by most accounts dates back to ancient Europe, marks the completion of the building’s basic structure. After the mandatory speeches, the dignitaries and labor representatives each signed the large steel beam that acted as a back drop for the day’s ceremony.

Bedecked with a banner representing the Iron Workers Local 86, an American flag on one end and an evergreen tree on the other, the beam was lifted by one of the large tower cranes and “flown” around the job site before being maneuvered into place on top of the structure.

With the final piece of structural steel in place, the construction project is around the half way point with a lot of work remaining in order to meet the scheduled opening date in early 2012.

Speakers at the event included Dave Soike, the Deputy Managing Director of Sea-Tac Airport, Port of Seattle Commissioner John Creighton, SeaTac Mayor Terry Anderson, rental car industry spokeswoman Lorie Tallarico, King County Labor Council AFL-CIO board member Lee Newgent, and Jack Beaudoin, Vice President and General Manager for Turner Construction.

All of the speakers emphasized the degree of cooperation and coordination required across multiple agencies, including the Port of Seattle, City of SeaTac, and the construction company and labor unions, for the project to move ahead and be successful despite roadblocks along the way.

The project was paused in December 2008 when economic conditions deteriorated. Construction resumed in July 2009 after the Port approved the sale of $317 million in revenue bonds to help fund the $419 million project. Almost the entire cost of the project will be paid back by fees paid by rental customers.

In the meantime, over 3,000 family-wage jobs will be generated over the life of the project and the City of SeaTac will collect nearly $2 million in tax revenue.

Much was made of the focus on minimizing the environmental impact. Turner Construction General Manager Jack Beaudoin stated that 95% of the materials used in constructing the facility were recycled, and that nearly 99% of construction waste leaving the site is being recycled. Beaudoin also declared the structure will be “salmon safe” with 85% of the car wash water reclaimed, filtered and reused. LEED certification is also being pursued for the facility

Once the new rental car facility opens, it will bring together operations that today are located at the airport and scattered across several off-site locations. In the process it will increase the number of companies providing cars from the five available at the airport today to a total of eleven. It will also free up more than 3,200 parking spaces in the main terminal garage.

Photographer Michael Brunk attended today’s ceremony and assembled the following slideshow. Click on the images to advance.

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SeaTac Mayor Terry Anderson (3rd from left) and Councilmember Pam Fernald (2nd from left) join Julia Patterson and members of the Metropolitan King County Council after the Council recognized SeaTac on the 20th anniversary of its incorporation. Interim City Manager Todd Cutts (back row 3rd from left) also attended the Mar 1. Council meeting where the proclamation was read.

On Monday (March 1st), the King County Council recognized the City of SeaTac’s 20th birthday by presenting Mayor Terry Anderson with a commemoration from Councilmember Julia Patterson, a long-time resident of SeaTac and one of the leaders in the City’s incorporation efforts.

“In the early days of SeaTac city government, the city council built a new community center, increased police presence in our neighborhoods, created a highly-successful parks and recreation department, and developed world-class programs for our senior citizens,” said Patterson. “With all of the growth, opportunity and diversity that SeaTac now has to offer its residents, I am so proud to have been a part of the foundation that got the City of to a great start.”

According to the county council’s press release:

Known by many as the portal to the Puget Sound, the City of SeaTac is home to more than 25,000 residents who know their home as much more than a hospitality city. It has grown into a vibrant community, rich with culture and a people-oriented atmosphere.

Today, the City of SeaTac is one of the most diverse cities in King County. Approximately 42 percent of the City’s population are non-Caucasian, and represent more than 80 nationalities and 70 different languages. SeaTac is also known as a transportation-centric community, and an economic hub for the region. It is home to over 900 licensed businesses – 80 of which have been named Fortune 1000 companies. In addition, last December, SeaTac welcomed the newest extension of Sound Transit’s Link light rail to the City with the SeaTac/Airport Station.

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From the Regional Commission on Airport Affairs, we received this letter (posted also on their blog) regarding Wednesday night’s (Feb. 24th) “Part 150″ airport noise workshop put on by the Port of Seattle:

Congratulations to those who attended last night’s kick-off workshop for Sea-Tac Airport’s Part 150 study!

Despite a restrictive format, the public delivered a loud & clear message spelling out major issues that concern us all.

After an initial presentation, the attendees (estimated at about 200) crowded around the whiteboards in 15 break-out groups.

We heard over & over that the attendees do not believe that the FAA’s 65 DNL noise assessment has anything to do with noise as it is actually experienced.

We heard over & over that single-event noise –not averages — is what intrudes on people’s lives.

Sharp questions were raised about the five-year planning horizon: the study needs to look long-term.

And what will the Airport look like, what will it sound like, at its maximum?

At the concluding, wrap-up session, there was widespread spontaneous applause for comments that the region needs two more airports, & for the suggestion that if the present noise cannot be fixed, the airport should be moved.

Less-controversial comments included pleas for more noise insulation, more buy-outs, more sellers’ assistance programs.

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In the continuing saga of STITA vs the Port of Seattle, on Monday (Feb. 22nd), the Washington state Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the cab company by granting a temporary injunction against the Port of Seattle’s planned contract with Yellow Cab/Puget Sound Dispatch.

This means the Port cannot sign the planned contract “until further order of the Court” (click here to download/read the order as a PDF file), which could happen in April.

STITA’s request to expedite the appeal was granted by Commissioner Mary Neel. The Commissioner’s order states that this case will be heard by a three-judge panel “toward the end of the April 2010 term,” meaning that this ongoing SeaTac soap opera is far from over.

Members of STITA, who filed the original lawsuit against the Port of Seattle on Jan. 29, were obviously pleased with the decision.

“We are thrilled that the court stopped the Port from proceeding with an illegal contract,” said Jesse Buttar, a STITA member and spokesperson. “We’ve only ever asked for a fair process and a legal contract and now we hope the Port has finally listened and will re-do its flawed bidding process.”

Here’s more info from STITA’s press release, issued late Monday afternoon:

STITA, a non-profit co-op with one of the greenest cab fleet in the country, was created in 1989 by the Port of Seattle to exclusively serve the airport and provide reliable service to airport users. Now, after an unfair proposal process, STITA and its approximately 450 members and drivers will essentially be put out of business. They have the airport contract through August 2010.

STITA’s lawsuit claims that the Port’s bidding process violated state law by requiring bidders to commit to pay an unfair concession fee of at least 10 percent of their airport-based revenues to the Port. This revenue system violates the Airports Act, which says airport concession fees must be based upon the actual cost of operations and be reasonable and uniform. Previously, the Port had charged a per-trip fee to taxis based on the airport’s actual cost of services provided to the cabbies.

Additionally, the lawsuit contends that the Port’s new concession fees violate the King County Code and takes away from the King County Council’s authority to set “just and reasonable” taxi meter rates.

Despite protests from STITA to the Port about these glaring problems with the process and the proposed contract, the Port has so far declined to re-do its flawed contract bid.

A second lawsuit against the Port and Yellow Cab by Farwest Taxi was filed on Feb. 12.

Read our sister site The B-Town Blog’s previous coverage of this ongoing legal battle here.

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As the owner of Shuttle Express, a provider of passenger service at Sea-Tac International Airport, I have been following the Port of Seattle’s recent decision to replace STITA (Sea-Tac International Taxi Association) with Yellow Cab. How could the Port make such a poor decision and why? Even though I compete with the taxis, I feel the need to speak up. When there is such an injustice to the traveling public, questions need to be asked.

Working at Sea-Tac for 35 years, I have firsthand knowledge of airport operations and STITA Taxi. Knowing STITA’s reputation, I thought they would surely be chosen for the new contract for the taxi concession. I was astonished to hear the Port’s decision. The structure of the RFP caused a bidding war, and the Port plans to award the contract to the highest bidder, Yellow Cab. How could they base their decision purely on money and not reputation and quality of service?

Shuttle Express and STITA operate within a few feet of each other so I know their operations and service level. STITA taxi owners maintain their vehicles and have invested in a green fleet, all while making a living wage. And, STITA provides good service, much better than any other taxi service in Seattle.

As a competitor, it would be to my advantage to say nothing and compete against a lesser provider. But I can’t watch this play out without saying something about the Port’s injustice to STITA, and more importantly to you, the traveling public. I have no issue with the Port opening the concession to competitive bid, but its selection based on who will pay the most money rather than service and safety is wrong.

Jim Sherrell is the Owner of Shuttle Express.

More money for the Port may sound good, but in reality the over-inflated fees that Yellow agreed to pay the Port are way off base. There is no way Yellow can use the minuscule taxi fees to fund reservations, dispatch, accounting, marketing, safe vehicles, insurance, advertising AND also pay the Port an exorbitant fee to use the taxi curb. What expenses will the Yellow taxi drivers have to cut to still be able to put bread on the table? Will you feel safe when you climb into that taxi knowing they cannot meet their financial obligations and still make a living?

So why would the Port prioritize getting more money above safety, service and other important factors? What seems obvious is the Port wants more money. Who is eventually going to pay the Port more money? Sure, first it will be the poor taxi drivers. Next, the taxi drivers will ask regulators to allow increased fees. In the end, YOU, the traveling public will be paying the difference with higher taxi fares.

Now ask yourself, is the Port operating in the interest of the traveling public, or is it merely trying to squeeze more money from taxi drivers and you, the passengers?

Will the publicly elected Port of Seattle Commissioners recognize this flawed RFP bid for what it is and correct this radical mistake? My experience during the last thirty-plus years tells me that when the Port Commissioners know the facts and hear from their voters, they will make the correct decision to award the RFP fairly, based on service and safety for the traveling public rather than strictly money from fees.

It’s up to you, the traveling public, to let the Commissioners know your feelings on the issue to have it corrected: www.portseattle.org.

- Jim Sherrell
Owner, Shuttle Express

(Jim Sherrell is the owner of Shuttle Express, serving the Seattle region since 1979)

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Have something you'd like to say? Then email us your "Letter to the Editor" by clicking here. Be sure to include your real name and a way to contact you, and, pending our review, we'll most likely post it. Otherwise, feel free to leave a Comment below...]

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On Wednesday (Feb. 17th), STITA and Farwest taxi companies sent letters to Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag and Attorney General Rob McKenna, urging an investigation into the Port of Seattle.

This follows a recent, fast-paced rash of two lawsuits filed against the Port for its alleged mishandling of switching cab vendors over from STITA to Yellow Cab (read our previous coverage here).

The letter to the State Auditor asks him to investigate the Port’s handing of the entire on-demand taxicab RFP (Request For Proposal) process, which resulted in the two recent lawsuits.

The letter to Attorney General McKenna requests not only for an investigation of the Port, but also of lobbyist Chris Van Dyk, who is accused of collusion in the RFP process (EDITOR’S NOTE: Mr. Van Dyk appears to have made numerous Comments on this website – see the Comment section in our right sidebar).

“It’s time for the auditor and the attorney general to step in,” said STITA spokesperson Jesse Buttar in a statement. “We hope they will take a careful look at the allegations against the Port.”

We got in touch with Perry Cooper, Media Officer for the Port, who said:

“Understand we have just received this and will review our records again…but we are still emphasizing that we are confident the RFP and bidding process was fair, open and transparent.

We have reviewed our approach continually throughout a thoughtful and thorough RFP and bidding process.

We are aware of no facts that would support allegations of collusion.

At no time during the process did anyone file an official complaint.

We were not aware of these allegations until the suit was filed.”

Both letters are enclosed below, and are available also for download here (both as PDF files):

• Letter to State Auditor Sonntag (PDF File)
• Letter to Attorney General McKenna (PDF File)

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by Ralph Nichols

After beginning a condemnation process in September to seize ownership of a private parking lot on International Boulevard – for the private development of an envisioned city center – the SeaTac City Council appears ready to reverse course.

SeaTac council members entertained at their Jan. 12 meeting an ordinance, introduced by Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher, to rescind the earlier condemnation action against Park-N-Fly surface parking lot, which James and Doris Cassan have operated for almost 50 years.

Action on the ordinance to stop legal proceedings to condemn the Cassan’s property was delayed, however, when Councilman Ralph Shape, who supports condemnation, requested that it be held for consideration until the next council meeting.

Under council rules, that automatically ended discussion of Fisher’s proposed ordinance, which was moved to the agenda for the council’s Jan. 26 meeting.

John Houlihan Jr., an attorney representing the Cassans, later told The B-Town Blog that they “are hopeful that the council at its next meeting will take up the ordinance and repeal condemnation” of their property.

Meanwhile, companion bills to protect private property by restricting the use of eminent domain were introduced in the Legislature Monday – SB 6200 by Sen. Michael Carrell, R-Lakewood, and HB 2425 by Rep. Jay Rodne, R-North Bend – at the request of State Attorney General Rob McKenna.

They provide that private property may be taken by a public entity only for public use, that no public entity may take private property for economic development, and that that taking private property by a public entity for economic development or tax revenue enhancement does not constitute a public use.

SeaTac’s 2010 budget includes funding for the city’s lobbyist to oppose this proposed legislation in Olympia.

Houlihan said he believes the two bills address the use of eminent domain as applied by SeaTac in its earlier action to condemn the Park-N-Fly property. They also would amend the Community Redevelopment Act to prevent potential abuses through eminent domain to remedy “blight” through “condemnation.”

Earlier in their Jan. 12 meeting, following a public hearing, council members voted 6-1 to continue until May 15 a moratorium on development permits in the city’s proposed entertainment district.

Fisher argued for leaving in place that moratorium, which was imposed by city council in November, so a newly appointed ad hoc committee, which has yet to meet, can have time to review zoning in this area and propose changes to accommodate new development.

Initial reaction to Fisher’s proposed ordinance during the meeting indicates that on Jan. 26 the condemnation of the Cassan property may be rescinded by at least five votes. In addition to Fisher, Mayor Terry Anderson and Council members Tony Anderson, Rick Forschler and Pam Fernald indicated their support for reversing the prior action.

Shape argued that the council was bending to pressure from a public relations campaign orchestrated by the Cassans, and claimed they have taken no action to develop their Park-N-Fly property for an extended time.

But Houlihan disagreed, telling The B-Town Blog that most recently they submitted an application for a design revision in December.

The Cassans paid over $10 million in 2007 when they converted a long-term lease into ownership of the property. Before initiating the eminent domain process, the city offered them $8.6 million for the parking lot.

They have filed with the city plans for mixed use development of their property at 17400 International Blvd., including retail and a hotel.

The city, however, wants to build a parking garage on the parking lot site, and encourage private development of a city center entertainment district north of S. 176th St. and just east of Sound Transit’s airport light rail station.

Here’s a video report on this case, produced by the Evergreen Freedom Foundation:

And another one from Fox News:

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The City of SeaTac announced Monday (Jan. 4th) that it has purchased a 4.23 acre chunk of land with commercial structures on it at 15247 International Blvd. for $12.7 million.

According to a press release, the property, which is located directly across the street from the new Tukwila Sound Transit Link light rail station, will be used to “construct public roads, open space and infrastructure as set forth in the Capital Improvement Plan for the Light Rail Station Area at S. 154th Street.”

The transaction closed Thursday, December 31, 2009.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the City of SeaTac,” said Mayor Ralph Shape. “The City was able to purchase a critical piece of property for future public use at $4 million less than a recent appraised value, and more than $6.4 million less than the current tax assessed value. At the same time the community will realize significant net operating income in the coming years from the current leases at the property.”

Fifteen tenants currently occupy 61,641 square feet of space at SeaTac Center, including Monte Carlo, Refugee Women’s Alliance, Pabla India Cuisine, and Pacific Highway Chiropractic.

In December 2006 the SeaTac City Council adopted the “South 154th Street Station Area Action Plan” which called for this area to be developed as a “vibrant, mixed use residential neighborhood that connects people of various backgrounds.”

The station area was envisioned to be pedestrian-oriented, visually pleasing, easily accessible, and integrated with the new light rail station across the street.

The adopted plan provided for the city to acquire property in order to build the required infrastructure such as roads and sidewalks. In May of 2009 the property went into foreclosure proceedings, and SeaTac worked through a commercial broker to ascertain the value of the land and the current tenant lease agreements.

The City of SeaTac will retain a third-party firm to manage the property.

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by Mark Neuman

We spoke recently with Ross Hunter, candidate for King County Executive.

Ross, a Medina Democrat, managed a political miracle, if you will, seven years ago.

The 48th District (Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland) had not sent a Democrat to the House in over 100 years. Ross got himself elected.

“That was back when it wasn’t fashionable to be a Democrat on the east side. It was hard work. I raised and spent about a quarter of a million dollars. I knocked on eight thousand doors. I worked pretty hard.”

Was there a particular selling point?

“Sure. I’m competent. And I care about public education, the paramount duty of the state legislature.”

We asked Ross about one of his opponents for King County Executive, Susan Hutchison. In a recent direct mail piece Susan said she, if elected, would establish a transportation czar.

“Susan seems to be confused about the powers the King County Executive actually has.

“For her to come in and say she is going to have a czar that takes over the functions of the cities and the state is a fundamental misreading of what the King County Executive is actually allowed to do.

“The job of Executive is a complicated one with a lot of moving parts and a $5 billion budget.

“Unless we coordinate our transportation with our land use we are making the problem worse.”

Ross recently received the endorsement of the Seattle Times.

“Of course it makes you feel good that they (the Times) share your belief that you are competent to do the job.

“Next to the Seattle Times endorsement, I am most proud of the endorsement of the Eastside Business Alliance. This is a group of various chambers of commerce who know their business doesn’t succeed if they don’t have quality education for their kids, or if they don’t have roads.

“Our economy and quality of life depends on us making the wisest use of limited transportation dollars. We are one county, one region, and we should act like it.

“The solution to improving the business climate isn’t always to cut taxes. Making the system fairer and easier to comply with could have much more impact. More service, less overhead. Simplifying and regionalizing how King County does business with its businesses is one way the county can potentially save businesses thousands and thousands of dollars.

“We can simplify the permitting process for builders and contractors. Instead of making a business owner waste time traveling throughout the county to revisit city permitting offices, King County can provide a regional office where businesses can manage their permits at one location.

“Many cities in King County are already doing this and there’s no reason we can’t provide such a service countywide.”

“I propose that King County provides a simple web service for businesses to apply for licenses and calculate and pay business taxes. One tax return, one tax bill.”

Regarding recent budget cuts Ross said “I think we probably need more prosecutors. It’s not a place I would have cut. I also wouldn’t have cut into the public defenders.

“There are normal times and there are special times. This is a special time, because of the unprecedented downturn in the economy.”

Ross said he expects voters of North Highline to approve annexation on August 18.

He supports annexation because with it “There will be somebody to answer residents’ phone calls.”

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