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08/08/22 09 AM: BOCC Approves Agenda, Updates Health, Forests, Housing, Insurance

BOCC Approves Agenda, Updates Health, Forests, Housing, Insurance

Jefferson County Board unanimously approved consent agenda on road detours and fish barriers; received COVID-19 and monkeypox updates with hybrid meeting recommendations; workshopped forest stewardship scenarios favoring DNR partnerships; reviewed stock housing plans for ADUs; briefed on 30% insurance premium hikes.

Consent Agenda Approval

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  • Time Range: 00:03:42.900–00:06:11.445 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, infrastructure, planning

Summary

The Board reviewed and unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included routine items such as road detours on Highway 101 south of Lake Leland in three spots, chip sealing delays addressed via county road detours, and fish barrier removal projects including Trout Unlimited's Cold Water Connection on Leland Creek. Commissioner Kate Dean highlighted appreciation for detours on county roads, fish barrier removals as investments in nature's infrastructure, and anticipated road construction from the bipartisan infrastructure package. No items were pulled for separate discussion.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Kate Dean: Noted detours on Highway 101 south of Lake Leland significant for South County residents; praised use of county roads like old Gardiner Road as detour; expressed gratitude for fish barrier removals including Trout Unlimited Cold Water Connection and Leland Creek project.
  • Commissioner Kate Dean: Anticipated more road construction from infrastructure package, viewing it as a "good problem" with environmental improvements.
  • Limited discussion overall; items addressed primarily through supporting materials.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Consent agenda included Public Works items on road detours, chip sealing, and fish barrier removals; no discrepancies noted as approved as presented.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda as presented."
  • Vote: Unanimous (all in favor).
  • No next steps specified.

Public Health Update: COVID-19 and Monkeypox

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  • Time Range: 00:43:24.911–01:15:20.514 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, services, other

Summary

Dr. Alison Barry provided a COVID-19 update noting national cases decreasing 8% with hospitalizations flat and deaths up 11%; Washington State and Jefferson County cases downtrending with Jefferson at 547 per 100,000 (17% positivity, ~40% ascertainment rate) and one hospitalized patient. She discussed monkeypox (MPV) with 166 state cases, no local cases yet but high-risk contacts anticipated; described symptoms, transmission via skin contact (often sexual), low general risk, and vaccine access for exposures/high-risk groups. The Board discussed hybrid meetings, with Dr. Barry recommending in-person with masks, ventilation, capacity limits, and remote options.

Key Discussion Points

  • Dr. Alison Barry: Jefferson County cases 5,365 total, rate 547/100k (17% positivity, 40% ascertainment); one hospitalized (unvaccinated, ventilated); Clallam 14,866 cases (900/100k, 14% positivity, 30% ascertainment, 2 hospitalized, 119 deaths).
  • Dr. Alison Barry: Monkeypox rash starts as bumps/scabs, spread via skin contact (esp. sexual); disproportionate in gay/bisexual men; JYNNEOS vaccine short supply, post-exposure available; advise limiting partners, check rashes/flu symptoms.
  • Commissioner Greg Jenson: Thanked for case ascertainment rates; noted national deaths up.
  • Dr. Alison Barry: Rebounds not caused by Paxlovid (1-2% rate same as controls); 90% severe disease reduction in high-risk, 52% in vaccinated (less significant); recommend for unvaccinated/immunosuppressed.
  • Commissioner Kate Dean: Asked on hybrid meetings; Dr. Barry recommended in-person with high-quality masks, mics, remote option, ventilation, 50% capacity.
  • KPZ questions addressed on outdoor events, trains, Paxlovid rebound, Evusheld, Novavax ingredients, treatments, boosters.

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

  • No action taken; item was informational.
  • Next Steps: Discuss hybrid meetings next week; Dr. Barry to return.
  • No next steps specified for COVID/monkeypox.

Forest Stewardship Workshop

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  • Time Range: 01:19:49.270–02:46:19.510 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use, planning, operations, infrastructure

Summary

Mallory Weinheimer (Chickadee Forestry) presented with advisors on managing county-owned forestlands and potential DNR trust lands reconveyance, analyzing three scenarios: county lands only, mixed ownership, full reconveyance. Discussion focused on financial/ecological trade-offs, longer rotations/carbon offsets, strategic parcels via updated "Forest for the Future" report criteria (recreation, ecology, habitat), DNR partnership over full takeover due to startup costs/staffing. Board directed refined scope with commissioner liaison, broader advisory input (timber, DNR), public process, quarterly updates; no reconveyance decision.

Key Discussion Points

  • Mallory Weinheimer: Analyzed scenarios for county/DNR lands: financials, harvest/ecology; advisors (Cronin, Goodwin, Latham, Prayer, Copass) concur county lacks capacity for full 15k acres DNR reconveyance (startup costs, efficiency loss to junior districts).
  • Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour: Strategic reconveyance for high recreation/ecology; update Forest for the Future; carbon offsets via longer rotations.
  • Mike Cronin (advisor): DNR manages efficiently; reconveyance risks revenue loss; involve DNR/junior districts.
  • Ross Goodwin (DNR advisor): State Supreme Court upholds trust mandate; high startup/staff costs.
  • Peter (commenter): Update Forest for the Future map (high conservation vs. harvest); add rare forests layer.
  • Commissioner Kate Dean: Process unclear; need BoCC input on scope/questions; political; broader stakeholders (timber).
  • Board: Heidi liaison; refine scope; technical advisory (Mallory's group); broader policy group; public outreach; end-2022 analysis.

Public Comments

  • Al Latham: Concerned added process cumbersome, slows work.
  • Cindy: Add carbon sequestration criterion.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Forest for the Future report (2011, needs update); prior harvests (e.g., Gibbs Lake); Chickadee contract/scope (scenarios, advisors); no divergences noted.

Financials

Past harvests netted $85,776.55 over 188 acres (~$590/acre); full DNR reconveyance risks revenue loss/junior districts; carbon offsets discussed as augmentation.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Scenarios: County-only; mixed; full reconveyance (not favored); DNR partnership/longer rotations preferred.
  • Kitsap model: DNR exchange to parks + concessions.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • No action taken; workshop informational.
  • Next Steps: Heidi/Mallory refine scope (criteria: ecology, recreation, carbon, fire); commissioner liaison; broader advisors (timber, Peter); quarterly BoCC updates; public workshops; one-on-one commissioner meetings.

Stock Housing Plans Workshop

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  • Time Range: 02:46:41.177–03:56:14.981 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, permits, housing/services

Summary

DCD (Brent Butler, Jodi Adams, Phil Cecere) presented four Seattle stock plans (Artisans, Shape Arch garage/ADU, Urban Cottage modular, Yes Arch split-level) recommended by Planning Commission subcommittee (Allen, Coker, Sircely) for ADUs/primary units under 1,250 sq ft; discussed pathways (Clallam basic unit unavailable, HSN local plans, Port Angeles duplexes). Fee structure: initial 100% plan check, subsequent 20% (savings); 2021 ICC adoption July 2023 limits 2018 plans to ~11 months unless updated. Board supported Seattle plans/review (est. $30-32k), local/HSN focus, outreach/polling; ideas: yurts, tiny-on-wheels (L&I), financing, STR nexus.

Key Discussion Points

  • Brent Butler: 4 pathways; Seattle plans (2018 ICC); recommend all 4; code cycle limits; fees save 45%.
  • Planning Commissioners (Allen, Coker, Sircely): Selected for livability, scalability, garage/marketability, universal access; local designs preferred.
  • Phil Cecere: Clallam 392 sq ft basic unit (code mismatch, IP issue).
  • Commissioner Kate Dean: Poll community; STR nexus; tier incentives; marketing key.
  • Commissioner Greg Jenson: Uptake low elsewhere; finance paths; solar/charger add-ons; yurt/tiny-on-wheels/L&I.
  • Board: Support Seattle plans/funding; HSN meeting tomorrow; diverse options (yurts, boarding houses).

Public Comments

  • Jane Ball: Density/ADUs/yurts/tiny; caution STR restrictions (economy/mortgages).

Supporting Materials Referenced

Seattle OPCD plans (reviewed); Clallam basic unit (unavailable); HSN collaboration; Port Angeles grant duplexes/ADUs.

Financials

Review est. $3k/plan x4=~$12k + purchase ~$3k/plan=~$32k total; initial 100% plan check, subsequent 20% base fee.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Pathways: Seattle (recommended), HSN local, Port Angeles, Clallam (off-table).
  • 2021 ICC update or postpone.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • No action taken; workshop informational.
  • Next Steps: HSN meeting; poll/outreach (chamber, ICG, flyers); scope local plans (universal access, <1,250 sq ft); funding request; STR nexus.

Insurance Premium Increases Briefing

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  • Time Range: 03:56:30.978–04:09:15.797 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting

Summary

County Administrator Mark McCauley briefed on 2022 Washington Counties Risk Pool (WCRP) premiums rising 30% ($258k) to $1.1M, driven by liability (40%, nuclear verdicts), property (12%, climate/inflation), cyber (17%), crime (7%); SIR rising to $3M. Trends: fewer providers, high claims ($84M incurred vs. $65M); county deductible review needed. Board noted budget impacts, non-discretionary need.

Key Discussion Points

  • Mark McCauley: Liability +40% ($778k); property +12%; cyber +17%; terrorism +9-12.5%; social inflation, claims surge (28>$1M).
  • Mark McCauley: Raise county $25k deductible? 3rd qtr supplemental needed.
  • Phil (staff): Carriers demand higher SIR for bids.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

WCRP conference data; no discrepancies.

Financials

2022 total $1,104,457 (+$258,011/30%); liability $778,578 (+$222k/40%); property $298,642 (+$32k/12%); cyber $23,951 (+$3.5k/17%).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • No action taken; item was informational.
  • Next Steps: Review county deductible; 3rd qtr supplemental; expect future doubles-digit rises.

Background Materials

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