Port of Moses Lake seeks HR help

MOSES LAKE - The Port of Moses Lake is temporarily hiring a human resources consultant to help gauge the office's health following allegations against the manager and employee turnover.

The port's review comes after commissioners received critical emails concerning the reportedly tense office environment and leadership issues at the port. 

A flyer detailing some of the same issues and questioning port Executive Manager Craig Baldwin's leadership skills was circulated around Moses Lake recently.

Both the emails and flyer were written by an employee's husband, Rich Bieda, of Moses Lake. He confirmed they were his work to the Columbia Basin Herald. 

His wife, Michelle Bieda, is the port's finance/administration manager. She was hired last year to fill a vacancy created by a retiring employee.

The Columbia Basin Herald was unable to reach Michelle Bieda for comment Wednesday. 

Baldwin declined to comment on the issue at the commissioners' request.

Port commissioner Brian McGowan said the human resources consultant comes from Western Washington and has no affiliation with the port. 

The consultant is paid about $5,000 for his services.

"We wanted someone from outside the port and outside Moses Lake to evaluate what we have and come back with any findings he might have to us," McGowan said.

During a period of about three days, the consultant will evaluate the port's personnel policies and procedures and address the current environment, McGowan said. The consultant is set to report any findings to the board as soon as commission President Kent Jones returns from vacation.

McGowan said the board is prepared to hear whatever concerns the consultant returns with.

He confirmed an office employee resigned last week but said he didn't know what the circumstances were. He wasn't sure if a replacement was being sought.

"The work is getting done out here," he commented. "We are running the port as we do everyday. Nothing out there has changed."

The office is working understaffed, but they are trying to even the workload for the one front office employee, he said.

At least three other office employees have quit or been fired since last year. A fourth employee retired.

Last year the port commission approved a confidential settlement agreement with former employee Tom Hayes, according to port meeting minutes. Further details were unavailable Wednesday.

Additionally two port managers died in the past two years, with one claimed by cancer in 2009 and the other by an apparent heart attack in 2010.

The port commission is aware of Rich Bieda's flyer and emails, McGowan said.

He said he is not prepared to comment on the contents of the documents.

But McGowan did say the business side of the port is doing very well. 

The port's industrial part is nearly 100 percent occupied and 95 percent occupied on the airfield side.

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OLYMPIA - Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, participated in the House Page Program in March.

Hinkle sponsored North Thurston High School freshman Melissa Shoop, 15, as a page from March 28 to April 1.

"I really enjoyed sponsoring Melissa as a page," Hinkle stated. "It's so important for our young people to learn about government and the decisions that are made in Olympia. The House Page Program is a great opportunity and I encourage parents and students to learn more about it."

Students between the ages of 14 and 16 interested in the House Page Program can visit www.leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/HousePageProgram.aspx to learn more.

- Staff report