Port of Port Townsend interim director to stay longer

Contract extended through June 2020

Pivarnik

Pivarnik

PORT TOWNSEND — Port of Port Townsend commissioners have unanimously extended interim Executive Director Jim Pivarnik’s employment through June 30, 2020.

Pivarnik was given a 10 percent raise — based on the consumer price index — to $148,632 annually from $132,000 with four weeks vacation. He began work Sept. 18 as interim director.

Commissioners made the decision Wednesday after an executive session.

Commissioner Pete Hanke said previous director Sam Gibboney, who left the post last September and is now the executive director of the Port of Olympia, was paid $150,000.

“Jim has come in and done an excellent job, and this gets him up closer to what she was paid,” Hanke said. “It’s fair in terms of his cost-of-living increase.”

Port Attorney Frank Chmelik said the amendment replaces the severance package that was previously negotiated.

“If you hire a new executive director, he can either become the deputy executive director or resign,” Chmelik said. “If he resigns, he gets no severance. We’ve eliminated the severance package from the contract. In a sense, the economic exposure of the Port of Port Townsend is less now.”

“Instead of waiting until September and doing an eight-month contract, I just thought we could do a year contract and extend it,” Pivarnik said. “I will be hitting the road after that.”

Pivarnik left his executive director position at the Port of Kingston, where he served for over two years beginning in 2015, to return to the port where he was deputy director for 15 years.

His contract as interim executive director was for one year.

“The commission said we’re in the middle of a lot of major projects and asked if I would consider staying a little longer,” he said.

The discussion was prompted by the Port Townsend city manager selection and “not having the port manager and the city manager going away at the same time.”

Referring to such projects as replacing the Point Hudson jetty and work on the Jefferson County International Airport runway, he said continuity was key to success.

“I’ve been talking a lot to moorage tenants and marine trades and everyone seems to be on board,” Pivarnik said. “For the most part, things are starting to turn around, and they see progress. So let’s keep this train moving.

“We are seeing year-end numbers mid-year. We are seeing black ink instead of red. People aren’t complaining. People are saying they want to pay their share and make the port a success.

“If I’m not doing my job and not working out, I don’t need a severance package, and I’ll move on,” Pivarnik said.

“My whole thing is helping the port and not helping Jim Pivarnik. I’m past retirement age. I love this job and love the port and I’m here to see it though.

“It’s going to be a fun year.”

________

Jefferson County Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Port Angeles High School twin graduates Kaylie Mast, left, and Kendall Mast, communicate with their friends by text while waiting for the start of the 2025 graduation parade on Friday. The parade began at Ediz Hook and culminated with a formal ceremony Friday evening at Port Angeles Civic Field. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Graduation parade

Port Angeles High School twin graduates Kaylie Mast, left, and Kendall Mast,… Continue reading

Suzy Ames.
College pivoting to meet deficit

School cuts more than $2 million in expenses

Pleasant Harbor Resort still seeking approval

Disagreements lead to delays and layoffs

Retiring Port Angeles School District Superintendent Marty Brewer, right, shares a career experience as his replacement, Michelle Olsen, listens during a retirement gathering on Thursday at Lincoln Center in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Olsen sworn in as PASD superintendent

Stevens Middle School name change proposed with four options

Two hospitalized following head-on collision

Two people were transported to Olympic Medical Center following… Continue reading

Royal Canadian Navy to conduct exercises

The Royal Canadian Navy’s Maritime Forces Pacific will conduct… Continue reading

Power outage scheduled in Freshwater Bay area

Clallam County Public Utility District No. 1 has scheduled power… Continue reading

Slope repair work slated for Highway 19 on Tuesday

Maintenance crews from the state Department of Transportation will… Continue reading

Mike O’Brien of Port Angeles watches as his dog, Nara, left, catches a flying disc and his other dog, Copper, waits for his turn to fetch a ball on Thursday at Erickson Playfield in Port Angeles. O’Brien said catch and fetch are favorite activities for his canine companions. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Got it!

Mike O’Brien of Port Angeles watches as his dog, Nara, left, catches… Continue reading

40-week business program under way

Advisor training part of Recompete program

Port of Port Townsend may ask voters if they should increase term lengths

Commissioners could serve six years if ballot measure is approved