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05/23/22 08 AM: Commissioners Hear Homeless Fears, Approve Transit Month, Update COVID Policies

Commissioners Hear Homeless Fears, Approve Transit Month, Update COVID Policies

Jefferson County Commissioners meeting covered public comments on homeless encampments, timber sales, vaccines; proclaimed Ride Transit Month; received COVID-19 and emergency updates; declined CDBG church grant; noted Habitat housing progress; workshopped homeless ordinance; discussed HR retention; adopted temporary COVID policy; deferred DNR timber letter decision.

Public Comment Period

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:34–00:34:06 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, public safety, planning, other

Summary

Public comments addressed concerns about proposed homeless encampments in Quilcene and Brinnon, support for a commissioners' letter to DNR on Beaver Valley sorts and Penny Wise timber sales, vaccine-related health claims, mask mandates in schools, a Trinity Methodist Church grant, an ordinance review, and OPMA compliance on public comment identification. Commissioners responded, clarifying no proposals for South County encampments exist, noting existing homeless presence there, supporting targeted mask use in high-transmission areas, and committing to workshops and hearings on the ordinance. Public comment closed without action taken.

Key Discussion Points

  • Debbie Lewis (Quilcene resident): Opposed encampments in Quilcene/Brinnon due to lack of transportation, medical/social services, jobs, and risks of crime/drugs; suggested comprehensive programs needed.
  • Elizabeth Dunn (Clallam County resident): Supported DNR letter on timber sales; highlighted Penny Wise forest's uniqueness and announced a June 4 community hike.
  • Steven (unidentified): Linked vaccines to cancer resurgence and criticized mask mandates on Clallam schools.
  • Dr. Patricia Jones (Olympic Forest Coalition): Supported DNR letter delay; cited DNR non-compliance with HCP older forest retention (10-15%) and lack of plans.
  • Tom Tirish (Jefferson County resident): Requested CO2 mask studies and OPMA compliance on name/residence disclosure.
  • Barbara Mori (Port Townsend resident): Raised ordinance review language changes and public comment timing for temporary housing.
  • Commissioner responses: No South County encampment proposals; existing homelessness there; targeted masks in high-transmission schools; hearing set for June 13 on ordinance; OPMA clarification.

Public Comments

  • Multiple speakers as listed above.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comment closed; responses provided; no formal action.
  • Next Steps: Ordinance workshop/hearing June 13; DNR letter discussion later.

Ride Transit Month Proclamation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:34:06–00:43:42 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, services

Summary

Commissioners read and approved a proclamation declaring June 2022 as Ride Transit Month and June 1 as Car Free Day, highlighting JTA's services, ridership stats, environmental benefits, and community support. Nicole (JTA) and Alex Hudson (Transportation Choices Coalition) thanked commissioners and emphasized transit's role in sustainability, economic mobility, and community access.

Key Discussion Points

  • Proclamation text: Noted 250M annual WA transit trips, $5B investment, JTA stats (258K trips pre-2020, 137K in 2020), CO2 reductions.
  • Nicole (JTA): Praised workforce; promoted Car Free Day alternatives (transit, bike, walk).
  • Alex Hudson: Highlighted economic justice, commute-poverty link, seamless regional transit.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • JTA: 258,956 fixed-route trips (pre-2020); 137,579 (2020); 244,409 essential rides (2020-2021).
  • WA transit: Reduces 371K metric tons CO2/year; $1M investment = 102K tons CO2 reduction.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "I move to approve the proclamation as read." Unanimous approval.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: all commissioners).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

COVID-19 Update and Emergency Management Report

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:44:18–01:28:39 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, operations, personnel

Summary

Dr. Locke reported rising national/WA case rates (BA.2/BA.2 subvariants), 848/100K in Jefferson (2 hospitalized), praised local mitigation efforts (29 deaths vs. projected 98+), and tools like vaccines/masks/antivirals. KPTZ questions addressed testing, mixing boosters, home tests, Paxlovid rebound. Willie Bens discussed severe weather shelter planning (cooling/warming/air quality), grants, and preparations.

Key Discussion Points

  • Dr. Locke: Cases up 37% WA, 27% hospitalizations; Jefferson/Clallam rates 848/817 per 100K; 318K US deaths preventable via vaccines; BA.2 30% more transmissible.
  • KPTZ Q&A: PCR vs. antigen; mix/match boosters; home test technique; Paxlovid rebound (2% in trials); incubation <14 days.
  • Willie Bens: Severe weather plan (heat/cold/smoke); NWS workshops; governor funding potential.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Jefferson County Public Health dashboard referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational updates; consent grants approved separately.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

CDBG Grant Public Hearing for Trinity United Methodist Church

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:38:04–02:20:19 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts

Summary

Public hearing on $124K CDBG application sponsorship for church renovations (roof/windows/bathroom/ADA/ boiler/kitchen/flood repair) to support community uses (childcare, AA, food bank). Staff/Deputy Prosecutor presented; public opposed on First Amendment/religious funding grounds. Commissioners declined sponsorship citing concerns over public benefit, church-state separation, competing grants, and lack of detail.

Key Discussion Points

  • Mark (staff): Pre-app approved; church provides community space 6 days/week.
  • Philip Hunsucker: Establishment Clause analysis; secular purpose (community facilities) meets Lemon test/WA cases.
  • Tom Tirish/Jim Scarantino: Fungible funds aid religion; potential compelled speech.
  • Commissioners: Preferred public health septic grant; ethical concerns; no community promotion evident.

Public Comments

  • Tom Tirish: Funds fungible; aids church; monitoring costs.
  • Jim Scarantino (text): Religious outreach; forces acceptance of conflicting views.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Agenda packet listed 7 projects; church uses (AA, hospice, etc.).

Financials

  • Grant request: $124,000.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "I will move that we withdraw our support [for the grant application]."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: all).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Habitat for Humanity Airfield Property Acquisition

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:21:50–02:32:19 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, land use

Summary

Habitat East Jefferson County/Community Foundation announced acquisition of 231 Mason St. (old airfield) for ~130 permanently affordable units; raised $3.9M for infrastructure (gap $600K). Phased with sewer completion (~3 years); community listening starts summer. Update on Landis St. (6 homes breaking ground).

Key Discussion Points

  • Shavan/Jamie: Ownership transfer; mixed-income; sewer timeline; community input.
  • Commissioners: Congratulated; discussed sewer/zoning overlaps.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Raised: $3.9M infrastructure; gap: $600K.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational update; no action.
  • Next Steps: Community engagement summer; sewer alignment.

Temporary Homeless Housing Facilities Ordinance Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:46:25–04:04:54 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, land use, planning, operations

Summary

Staff/Planning Commission briefed on interim ordinance extension/replacement (expires June 20); history (PIT counts ~130 unhoused), legal (Boise, RLUIPA, RCW 36.01.290), process. PC recommended approval with 2-year review; changes (definitions, warrants/egress/fire extinguishers). Questions on siting (essential public facility vs. public purpose), capacity (site-determined), proximity to services. Public supported with wording tweaks.

Key Discussion Points

  • Brent Butler/Joel Peterson: PIT data; GMA process; external laws; PC recs (2-yr review); use table (RR/UGA conditional); performance standards.
  • Public: Wordsmithing (opinion/judgment, cooking); ideal size 20-30; RCW 32.20 prohibits residential bans.

Public Comments

  • Barbara Mori: Terminology (judgment vs. opinion; microwaves).
  • Tom Tirish: Use table/zoning clarity; RCW harmonization.
  • Peter Bonynge/Vicki Santaas/Catherine: Supported; community size; RCW 32.20.

Supporting Materials Referenced

PC recommendation letter; PIT data; RCW/WAC citations.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Essential public facility (Type 5, sewer exception) vs. public purpose (Type 2/3).
  • Proximity to services criterion.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Briefing; hearing June 13.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps:
  • Public hearing June 13.
  • Publish notice June 1.

HR Recruiting and Retention Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: 04:05:35–04:25:34 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel, operations

Summary

HR Director reviewed vacancies (18 open), national/local trends (pandemic burnout, reevaluation), hires (62 in 2021), outreach (Indeed/Facebook/job fair). Retention via culture, onboarding/training (82% improvement). Commissioners emphasized onboarding, policy modernization.

Key Discussion Points

  • Sarah Melonson: 352 employees; 52 separations/62 hires (2021); factors (pay/housing/flexibility/respect).
  • Commissioners: Onboarding/training for 0-5 years; manual updates; HR assistant value.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational workshop; no action.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Temporary COVID Policy Updates

Metadata

  • Time Range: 04:25:49–05:13:13 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel, public safety, operations

Summary

11th temporary policy updated for rising cases: dashboard triggers (high risk=masking); departmental COVID prevention programs; return-to-work (test negative Day 5+; mask to Day 10). Removed vax definitions/public mandate; retained L&I compliance. Adopted as edited (flexibility for directors; recommend public masking).

Key Discussion Points

  • Kate/Philip/Sarah/Apple: Dept. plans for masking; no public mandate; testing/masking return-to-work.
  • Consensus: Flexibility over mandates; monitor.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

JCPH dashboard; L&I guidelines; CDC.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Pull public/employee mandates; dept. discretion.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt an 11th temporary county policy... as edited today."
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Revisit if needed; special meeting if outbreaks.

DNR Beaver Valley Sorts/Penny Wise Timber Sales Letter

Metadata

  • Time Range: 05:14:09–05:56:06 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use, planning, budgeting

Summary

Discussion on draft letter requesting BNR delay sales for options review (reconveyance/carbon offsets/TLT). Public mixed: junior districts revenue needs vs. conservation/criteria. No decision; special meeting May 31 (9AM, 3h) for input/criteria.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioners: Need nuance; revenue vs. legacy forests; DNR policy timing; criteria list.
  • Public: Revenue critical (schools/fire); conservation priority; leakage concerns.

Public Comments

  • Frank Redmond/Chief Manley: Junior districts revenue vital.
  • Frank Bowen: Law changes; no reconveyance.
  • Dr. Patricia Jones: Delay; criteria (carbon/ecology).
  • Heath Hall: Sustainable mgmt/carbon.
  • Jessica: Conservation > revenue.
  • Mary Jean Ryan: Support letter/delay.
  • Jean Ball: More time.
  • Cindy Brats: Retain older forests.
  • Bill Turner: Working forests/carbon.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Draft letter; criteria list.

Financials

  • Penny Wise: ~$1.6M timber vs. $166K carbon.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Carbon reserve/TLT/reconveyance; criteria prioritization.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action; special meeting scheduled.
  • Next Steps:
  • Special meeting May 31, 9AM (3h, public comment).

Background Materials

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