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06/13/22 08 AM: Timber Fire Concerns, COVID Update, Homeless Ordinance Adopted

Timber Fire Concerns, COVID Update, Homeless Ordinance Adopted

Jefferson County meeting: Public comments on timber sales impacting fire services, COVID plateau, Timber School recap, homeless facilities ordinance adopted as amended.

Public Comment Period: Timber Sales, Fire Services, Healthcare Recognition, and Housing Ordinance Process

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:33–00:13:59 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, planning, services

Summary

Public commenters raised concerns about county support for DNR climate offset programs halting timber sales like Beaver Valley, impacting fire district revenues and staffing amid rising call volumes. Fire Chief Bret Black highlighted under-resourced fire and EMS services reliant on timber revenue (e.g., $250,000 from Beaver Valley for District 3). Joe Kunzler inquired about a healthcare hero nomination for Dr. Barry, who declined. Tom Tier urged elevating housing code revision applications from Type 2 (administrative) to Type 3 (hearing examiner public hearing) for broader input. Commissioners responded by committing to stakeholder inclusion for predictable revenues and noting the Type 2/3 process flexibility.

Key Discussion Points

  • Justin Mathes (Brinnon Fire Commission): Opposed DNR climate offsets halting timber sales; 61.5% call volume increase since 2016; Beaver Valley halt impacts staffing and mutual aid with Quilcene Fire.
  • Bret Black (East Jefferson Fire Chief): Districts 1/3 serve 27,000 residents with antiquated equipment; deficit spending; rely on timber revenue; seek balanced environmental review and junior taxing district involvement.
  • Joe Kunzler: Status of Dr. Barry nomination; she declined out of respect for retiring staff.
  • Tom Tier: Housing code revisions as Type 2 limits public input to appeals; recommend Type 3.
  • Commissioners (Heidi, Greg, Kate): Acknowledge fire concerns; attended Timber School; commit to stakeholder process for co-management; favor Type 3/5 for housing decisions.

Public Comments

  • Justin Mathes/Brinnon Fire: Urge opposition to DNR program and rescind Beaver Valley support letter.
  • Bret Black/East Jefferson Fire Chief: Advocate inclusive process, alternate funding before halting sales.
  • Joe Kunzler: Nomination inquiry for Dr. Barry.
  • Tom Tier: Promote housing applications to Type 3 process. No additional Zoom/phone comments.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Beaver Valley timber sale: ~$250,000 revenue for Fire District 3 (cost of 2 responders or new ambulance). No other financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comments noted; no formal action; commissioners commit to stakeholder engagement on timber and housing processes.
  • Vote: None taken.
  • Next Steps:
  • Timber: Schedule DNR conversation; include junior taxing districts; review Timber School data.
  • Housing: Review Tier's emailed testimony before 10:45 hearing.

COVID-19 Update and Listener Q&A

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:40:46–01:22:37 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public health, services

Summary

Dr. Breanna Barry reported plateauing cases in Jefferson/Clallam Counties (Jefferson: 4,379 total cases, 873/100k rate, 11% positivity, 0 hospitalized, 30 deaths; Clallam: 13,160 cases, 676/100k, 12% positivity, 3 hospitalized, 113 deaths), crediting high vaccination/boosters for decoupling cases/hospitalizations. Emphasized boosters for >65; addressed endemic phase (persistent virus, not mild), isolation/quarantine updates, masking indoors, asymptomatic transmission myths, and KPTZ listener questions on church safety, family isolation, long COVID, boosters post-infection, travel, schools. No financials discussed.

Key Discussion Points

  • Dr. Barry: Cases plateauing regionally; no hospitalization surge unlike CA; vaccines prevent severe disease; endemic means persistent (e.g., malaria precautions); vaccinated less pre-symptomatic spread; stay home when sick.
  • Commissioner questions: Family isolation syncing; herd immunity/reinfection; long COVID duration/recovery.
  • KPTZ Q&A: Church/masks; 40% asymptomatic myth (mostly pre/past infections); restaurant risk (~21% chance someone infected); under-5 vaccines via JHC/JCPH; socializing safely; long COVID (5% severe, 20% mild prolonged, less in vaccinated); boosters post-COVID; over-65 death rates (unvaccinated); reinfection severity.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Isolation: Families may sync if low-risk/vaccinated; protect high-risk.
  • Endemic strategies: Vaccinate/boost/mask indoors; test post-exposure/travel. No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational update; no action taken.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Dr. Barry available Tuesday (Juneteenth holiday shifts meeting); monitor under-5 vaccines (late June).

Timber School Briefing and County Forest Management Discussion

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:15:45–00:29:22 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, planning, budgeting

Summary

Commissioners Heidi and Greg recapped 2-day WSAC Timber School (field trips to sales/mills, panels on history/economics/regulations/carbon): learned DNR processes take years; impressed by Crush timber sale; rotation cycles (60-80 optimal vs. 40-50 for revenue); carbon sequestration via longer rotations; openness to co-management. Discussed assisted migration, odd-age harvesting; committed to DNR partnership, junior taxing districts inclusion, predictable revenues. No action taken.

Key Discussion Points

  • Heidi/Greg: Field trips (Green Diamond, Sierra Pacific mill, DNR sale, Port Blakely); panels (timber history, economics, regulations, carbon); DNR planning rigorous; 60-80yr rotations efficient for carbon/wood; avoid land conversion.
  • Broad agreement on facts; efficiencies in mills; DNR fiduciary vs. community forestry "3-legged stool".
  • Takeaways: Multi-step co-management; let planned sales proceed; task force/workshop for DNR questions.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced; slide decks forthcoming.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Longer rotations (60-80yr) vs. shorter for revenue.
  • Odd-age harvesting, assisted migration. No formal alternatives; ongoing DNR talks.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational briefing; no action taken.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps:
  • Review slide decks weekly.
  • Schedule DNR meeting; outline questions/goals.
  • Form task force/work group with stakeholders.

Public Hearing and Adoption: Temporary Homeless Facilities Ordinance

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:37:36–05:57:25 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, planning, land use, services

Summary

Staff (Brent Butler, Josh Peters, Joel Peterson, Barbara Ehrlichman) presented repeal/replace of interim Ordinance 08-13-21 with permanent zoning regs for temporary homeless facilities (rural residential RR zones, Type 2 permit, 1yr+2x1yr renewals, max occupancy by site, fire/smoking rules, background checks). Planning Commission recommended after May 4 hearing. Public comments supported but flagged changes (duration, loitering/sex offender language, Type 2 process). Deliberation amended: equalized tent/tiny shelter durations to 1yr+2 renewals; revised safety plan (judgment vs. opinion, potential threat); added good neighbor policy/process with BOC review/SOPs; changed UDC administrator to "administrator". Motion to adopt as amended (O5-06-13-22).

Key Discussion Points

  • Staff: Housing crisis (low inventory, doubled median values); legal limits (Martin v. Boise, RLUIPA); Type 2 w/Type 3 option; fire setbacks, no flames/smoking in tents, microwaves OK; max occupancy by site; 2yr review.
  • Planning Commission (Joel): Recommended Type 2; addressed site/occupancy/duration.
  • Public (Vicki Sontag, Barbara Mori): Support but object to unvetted changes (shorter durations, loitering/sex offenders); distinguish tents/tiny shelters; Type 3+ process.
  • Commissioners: Favor public input; Type 5/EPF concerns (lengthy, quasi-judicial); good neighbor policy/SOPs for outreach/BOC review.

Public Comments

  • Scott Henry/Brinnon: No proposals for Brinnon encampments.
  • Edna Frey/Brinnon: Concerns rural residential/critical areas, 5ft buffers burden homeowners.
  • Vicki Sontag/Port Townsend: Support; flag duration reduction, loitering language.
  • Barbara Mori/Port Townsend: Changes ignore input; distinguish tents/tiny villages; review process needed.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Agenda packet ordinance drafts referenced; no discrepancies noted.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Type 2 vs. Type 3/5/EPF: Type 2 w/Type 3 escalation; SOPs/good neighbor policy for outreach/BOC review.
  • Durations: Equalized to 1yr+2x1yr.
  • Safety plan: "Judgment" vs. "opinion"; "presents potential threat".
  • Rejected: Explicit loitering/sex offender bans (retained checks).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Move to approve Ordinance repealing/replacing 08-13-21 and adopting zoning regs for temporary homeless facilities as amended today (O5-06-13-22)."
  • Vote: Motion (Kate), 2nd (Greg); unanimous implied (all present/agree).
  • Next Steps:
  • DCD: Finalize amended ordinance; develop good neighbor SOPs.
  • Workshop June 27: Permanent facilities ordinance; review this ordinance after 2yrs.

Background Materials

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