Commission elects John Stedman as vice chair; creates budget work group

At its October meeting the Harbor Commission elected Commissioner John Stedman as vice chair for the remainder of fiscal year 2026 and approved updated ad hoc work-group assignments, including formation of a budget work group.

Chair Adam Stanowick nominated John Stedman to serve as vice chair to fill the vacancy left by Kate Ford’s resignation; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously with Commissioners Anderson and McCray absent. The action referenced the city charter (section 804) as the governing authority for the vice chair election.

The commission also reviewed and maintained the three existing ad hoc work groups and authorized creation of a budget work group to meet during the next budget cycle. Chair Stanowick and Commissioner Cohen were named to the budget work group; commissioners said the group will reconvene in January or February to begin budget work. The motion to maintain the current work groups and create the budget work group passed unanimously with Commissioners Anderson and McCray absent.

Both actions were recorded in the meeting minutes; the vice chair appointment and work-group assignments will guide interim commission work until the board revisits assignments in February.