Port of Port Townsend Commission

The district's policy making and regulatory body.

Under Title 53 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), the powers of the port district are directly vested in its board of commissioners.  Like a city council, the port commission is the district’s policy making and regulatory body.  Commissioners are responsible for making decisions concerning discretionary policies and operations of the district in both internal and external matters.  Port commissions are independent of the cities and counties in which they are located. Examples of commission responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • adoption of harbor improvement plans
  • establishing employment policies and work positions
  • real property management, purchases and sales
  • constructing and maintaining facilities and equipment
  • establishing rates, charges and regulations applicable to facility users
  • adopting periodic and supplemental budgets
  • levying taxes
  • borrowing funds when necessary.
Check it out: KPTZ radio working waterfront interviews!

Each month, Christopher Bricker of KPTZ 91.9 FM radio does “working waterfront” interviews. Check out the KPTZ blog for a list of these interviews and what they’re about, then click, listen, and enjoy!

OUR WORKING WATERFRONT for May 13, 2022

It’s time again for our monthly update on news, issues, and stories surrounding our vibrant Maritime Community. In this edition of Our Working Waterfront, KPTZ’S Chris Bricker and co-hosts Port Commissioner Pam Petranek and Port of Port Townsend’s Director Eron Berg give us a report from the boatyard.  Then, sitting in the sunshine at “C” Dock, we engage in conversation with Eric Toews, the Port’s Deputy Director, about current developments in the Quilcene community’s Port Property planning process. Later, we speak with Pete Langley, Port Townsend Marine Trades Association President and owner of the Port Townsend Foundry.  We Discuss the PTMTA board, its activities, and the role Marine Trades have in the County’s economic development.  Topping things off, Pam honors the past District 3  Commissioners, especially Herb Beck, who recently passed and will always be remembered for his long service.

Click here to listen.

Also, check out the Working Waterfront Archives for all the recordings.

Meetings

Regularly scheduled meetings of the Port Commission include:

  • the second Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. and the fourth Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. (In Person and Virtual Via Zoom until further notice)
  • public workshops are scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. & can be called on an as needed basis.
  • Here is a list of Port Commission Meetings for 2025, including intergovernmental Collaborative Group (ICG) & possible WPPA meetings.
  • For more information & meeting documents (current and archival), go to the Commission Meetings page.
  • Meetings are open to the public and public comment is welcomed at these meetings. You can also reach out to Commissioners. Meeting participants will be able to comment during the meeting for up to three minutes. You can also email comments to:  publiccomments@portofpt.com

You can find public notice of special meetings and workshops, meeting locations, and time changes on our events site, as well as at either the Peninsula Daily News, or The Leader.

Meeting documents, including agendas and minutes, are posted on our Archived Meeting Documents & Recordings site.  Please contact the Port if you wish to access documents not found there.

Commission Resolutions are viewable online. A Keyword Searchable Resolutions archive here

Commissioners

DISTRICT 1: PAM PETRANEK
pam@portofpt.com
Elected to Second Term: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027

A lifelong resident of Washington State, Pam settled in Port Townsend in 2006 along with her three children who are now young adults. Pam earned a BA in Education at Western Washington University and worked as a public and home-school teacher for 30 years, most recently as a music teacher for Port Townsend School District.

Pam earned a U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License. She has experienced a lifetime of living, working, and playing on the waters of the Pacific Northwest & beyond, including sailboat deliveries & racing, sailing instruction and commercial fishing.

Pam was nominated Citizen of the Year for co-leading the Jefferson County Maritime Trades Economic Study, which demonstrated the marine trades represent 20% of living wage jobs, a vital contributor to our culture and economy.

Pam has served on the boards of the Port Townsend Marine Trades Association, Jefferson County Marine Resource Committee, & has led several citizen advisory groups. She currently serves on the board of the JC Economic Development Council. Pam co-hosts a monthly KPTZ radio show called “Our Working Waterfront” to highlight our local people and businesses.

 

 

 

DISTRICT 2:  CAROL L. HASSE
carol@portofpt.com
Elected to Second Term: January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2029

Carol Hasse sailed into Port Townsend in 1975, helped launch the Wooden Boat Festival, and became part of the working waterfront. She was honored with the Wooden Boat Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Spirit and Culture in 2012 and chosen Jefferson County’s 2021 Citizen of the Year for her work over four decades in maritime education, on non-profit boards and in her internationally renowned sailmaking business, Port Townsend Sails.

Elected in 2021, Hasse is grateful for the opportunity to serve Jefferson County’s citizens by advocating for its marine trades and small business culture, historic beauty and natural environment.

 

 

 

 

DISTRICT 3: PETER “PETE” W. HANKE
phanke@portofpt.com
Elected to Term:  January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2017
Elected to Fourth Term: January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2029

Commissioner Hanke was elected Port Commissioner in 2013 and re-elected in 2017 and again in 2021.  Mr. Hanke owns and operates Puget Sound Express, a family-owned passenger ferry and whale watch operation located at the Point Hudson Marina.  Besides being a boat captain and a business owner, Pete is also a pilot who has enjoyed flying out of Jefferson County International Airport since 1998.