POCAC
Port of Olympia Community Advisory Committee
Overview
The Port of Olympia Community Advisory Committee (POCAC) is a committee of volunteer community members selected through an application process as determined by the Port of Olympia Commission, as outlined in Resolution 2026-04.
The purpose of the POCAC is to provide input to the Port Commission on tasks assigned by the Commission and to offer feedback that reflects a community perspective on Port operations and projects.. This feedback is important to fully understand community sentiment related to Port affairs and the areas for which improved communication and transparency may be needed.
Monthly Meetings
The Port of Olympia Community Advisory Committee meets the third Tuesday of each month from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. (unless noted otherwise) at the following location:
- Percival Plaza (Olympics Room)
626 Columbia Street Suite 1-B
Olympia, WA 98501
POCAC Meetings for 2026: January 21 (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.), February 18 (5:00 to 7:00 p.m.), March 17, April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, August NO MEETING, September 15, October 20, November 17, December NO MEETING
Terms
A full term for POCAC members is three (3) years. The POCAC members shall each serve no more than four (4) consecutive three-year terms for a total of twelve (12) years. Each year the Port Commission shall appoint or reappoint persons to fill the expiring terms. When POCAC membership falls below nine (9) members, new POCAC members shall be selected in accordance with Section eleven (11) of Resolution 2026-04. At its discretion, the Port Commission will decide when it will fill a vacancy of an unexpired term. The Port Commission also has discretion to appoint, reappoint, or extend the term of POCAC members to address extenuating circumstances.
The Commission may remove a member before the end of a term for failure to attend meetings, failure to participate in committee work, violation of committee rules, or other conduct that materially interferes with the effective functioning of the committee.
A member may resign at any time by submitting a written notice to the Commission or the Executive Director. The resignation shall take effect on the date specified in the notice or, if no date is specified, upon receipt.
Vacancies occurring before the expiration of a term shall be filled for the remainder of that term using the appointment process described in Section eleven (11) of Resolution 2026-04.
To Volunteer on the POCAC
Applicants must be Thurston County residents. The criteria for selection are as follows:
- Demonstrate interest in the work of the Port and community engagement.
- Ability to consider issues from a community-wide perspective.
- Relevant knowledge, experience, or professional expertise.
- Ability to participate constructively in collaborative deliberations.
- Commitment to regular attendance and participation.
Volunteer applications are accepted on an on-going basis.
Selection of New Members
Each Commissioner shall nominate three candidates for POCAC membership: one from within his or her district, and two “at-large” candidates from within Thurston County. The Commission as a whole shall vote on the full slate of nominations at a public meeting.
*For the first selection period following adoption of Resolution 2026-04, each Commissioner shall use one of their at-large nominations to nominate a current member of the POCAC who has chosen to submit his or her name for consideration.
| Member | District | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Deborah Pattin | 3 | 01/2018-12/2028 |
| James Thornton | 2 | 01/2023-12/2027 |
| Bob Wubbena | 1 | 01/2023-12/2027 |
| Jack Havens | 3 | 01/2024-12/2026 |
| Sheila Wilson | 1 | 01/2024-12/2026 |
| Darlene Kemery | 3 | 01/2023-12/2028 |
| Sue Patnude | 3 | 01/2023-12/2027 |
Contact
For more information, please contact the Port’s Commission Coordinator.
Subcommittees
Budd Inlet Subcommittee
Meeting Schedule: 1st Thursday of each month at 3:30 p.m. in the Olympics Room, Percival Plaza, 626 Columbia Street NW, Olympia.
Upcoming Meeting Dates:
February 5
March 5
April 2
May 7
June 4
July 2
August 6
September 3
October 1
November 5
December 3
Members:
Bob Wubbena, Chair
Jim Thornton
Sue Patnude
Jack Havens
Sheila Wilson
Jon Wolf – Staff Liaison
Destination Waterfront Subcommittee
Meeting Schedule: 3rd Thursday of each month at 4:00 p.m. in the Olympics Room, Percival Plaza, 626 Columbia Street NW, Suite 1-B, Olympia.
Upcoming Meeting Dates:
February 19
March 19
April 16
May 21
June 18
July 16
August 20
September 17
October 15
November 19
December 17
Members:
Darlene Kemery, Vice Chair
Debby Pattin, Secretary
Mike Reid – Staff Liaison
POCAC Projects
2022 Projects
2019 Project Reports
2018 Project Reports
2017 Project Reports
606 Columbia St. NW, Suite 300
Olympia, WA 98501
Resources
- Accessibility
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