PACKET: Commissioners Meeting at Mon, Aug 08, 09:00 AM

County Sources

AVCapture Page

Documents

AI Information

ANALYSIS SUMMARY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY BOCC MEETING PACKET (August 8, 2022)

Amendment No. 5 for Dosewallips River Powerlines Acquisition and Design

Topic Summary

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is seeking approval for Amendment No. 5 to a grant agreement for the Dosewallips River Powerlines Acquisition and Design project. This amendment provides an additional $99,955 in PSAR funds to cover previously inadequately budgeted costs associated with developing conceptual and preliminary designs for salmon habitat restoration. The project aims to improve floodplain function for Hood Canal Summer Chum and Puget Sound Chinook salmon in the Powerlines Reach (RM 1.3-2.5).

Key Points

  • The purpose of the amendment is to fund the next stage of conceptual and preliminary designs for salmon habitat restoration in the Dosewallips River Powerlines Acquisition and Design project (Project Number: 18-1228C).
  • The project focuses on improving floodplain connectivity, diversity, and structure, primarily benefiting the Dosewallips subpopulations of Hood Canal Summer Chum and Puget Sound Chinook salmon.
  • The cost increase is due to inadequate budgeting for preliminary design expenses and an increase in project complexity.
  • The project's strategy aligns with addressing climate change effects by protecting existing core habitats and restoring normative in-channel, floodplain, sediment supply and transport, and flow regime characteristics.
  • The original project scope included acquiring shoreline properties in the lower Lazy C and securing access agreements/easements to support implementation.
  • The initial period of performance was July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2021, and the overall agreement has been extended to June 30, 2023.

Financials

  • Additional amount requested in Amendment No. 5: $99,955
  • Initial Total Project Cost (prior to Amendment 5): $271,219.00
  • New Project Total Cost (with Amendment 5): $371,174.00
  • Funding Source for the additional $99,955: PSAR 17-19 return funds, approved by the Puget Sound Partnership (PSP).
  • Pending Funds: An additional $121,453 is pending through the regular Lead Entity funding cycle, expected in September.
  • The project sponsor (Jefferson County Public Health) has a $0.00 matching share commitment for the project's new total.
Funding Source Old Amount New Amount (Per Amendment 5)
RCO - ORCA Projects $100,690.00 $100,690.00 (27.13%)
RCO - PSAR $170,529.00 $270,484.00 (72.87%)
Project Sponsor $0.00 $0.00 (0.00%)
Total Project Cost $271,219.00 $371,174.00

Alternatives

None specified.

Community Input

  • Landowner willingness inventory included outreach to 30 landowners in the Lazy C and Brinnon communities to gauge willingness and garner public support for restoration.

Timeline

  • July 1, 2019: Project start date (Original)
  • June 30, 2021: Project end date (Original)
  • July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2023: Revised period of performance (Implied by current request)
  • September (unspecified year): Anticipated availability of $121,453 in pending funds.

Next Steps

JCPH Management recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approve and sign Amendment No. 5.

Sources

  • Pinky Mingo - Environmental Health and Water Quality Director
  • Tami Pokorny - Natural Resources Program Coordinator (Project Contact)
  • Mark McCauley - County Administrator
  • Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO)
  • Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO)
  • Puget Sound Partnership (PSP)

Interagency Agreement re: Family and Juvenile Court Improvement Plan (FJCIP)

Topic Summary

Jefferson County Superior Court seeks approval for an Interagency Agreement (ICA 23863) with the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) regarding the Family and Juvenile Court Improvement Plan (FJCIP). The agreement secures $31,000 to support efforts focused on improving dependency and other civil matters in court functioning, specifically by funding half of the 40-hour Family Court Program Assistant position (Meagan Ryan).

Key Points

  • The agreement's purpose is to engage the Court's services to support family and juvenile court operations, pursuant to the FJCIP legislation (RCW 2.56.220-230).
  • The $31,000 funding amount is a doubling of what the county received in the past for this program, justifying the increase in hours for the designated staff person.
  • The funds must supplement, not supplant, other local, state, or federal funds intended for the Court.
  • Required Court commitments include assigning a Chief Judge for family/juvenile court for a minimum two-year term, hiring a trained FJCIP Coordinator, and documenting that judges/commissioners serving the FJCIP project complete a minimum of 30 hours of specialized training in dependency and family law (as required by RCW 2.56.230).
  • The Court must implement the principle of having one judicial team hear all proceedings in a case involving one family, especially dependency cases.
  • The Court must submit a local improvement plan identifying specific staffing, facility, case management, or operational improvements targeting Unified Family Court (UFC) principles, including a plan to identify children who have been in foster care for at least 15 of the past 22 months.

Financials

  • Maximum agreement compensation: $31,000 for FJCIP coordinator salary and benefits costs.
  • Funding source: Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).
  • The revenue will be included in the 2023 budget, with associated expenditures and planned fourth-quarter adjustments for 2022 if required.
  • AOC may reallocate funding among FJCIP recipients and reduce the maximum agreement amount if the Court is unlikely to expend the full amount.

Alternatives

None specified.

Community Input

None specified.

Timeline

  • July 1, 2022: Period of performance commencement.
  • August 31, 2022: Deadline for submitting a spending plan and a finalized local improvement plan to AOC.
  • September 30, 2022: Due date for semi-annual report of activities and progress.
  • March 31, 2023: Due date for second semi-annual report.
  • June 30, 2023: Period of performance end date.
  • June 30, 2023: Deadline for submitting a report comparing actual expenditures with the spending plan to AOC.

Next Steps

The Board is recommended to sign three original copies of the Interagency Agreement with the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Sources

  • Barbara Carr - Juvenile Court Administrator
  • Meagan Ryan - Family Court Program Assistant
  • Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)
  • RCW 2.56.220-230 (FJCIP legislation)
  • Mark McCauley - County Administrator

Jefferson County Forest Stewardship Workshop & Planning

Topic Summary

The workshop addresses the creation of a comprehensive management strategy for county-owned forestlands and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) managed State Forest Transfer (Forest Board) trust lands. This initiative seeks to integrate fiduciary responsibilities with multiple benefits, including forest health, climate change adaptation, fire risk mitigation, recreation, and local economic development. The county needs to hire a project manager to conduct financial and ecological analyses to inform future reconveyance and management decisions.

Key Points

  • The county is broadening its focus from county-owned lands to include DNR-managed State Forest Transfer trust lands (originally owned by the county, transferred about 100 years ago).
  • DNR trust lands generate revenue for Junior Tax Districts (schools, fire, library) and the county through timber harvest activities.
  • The management approach seeks multiple benefits: fiduciary (revenue), forest health, climate change adaptation, fire risk reduction, local jobs, recreation, and conservation.
  • Alternative management approaches being considered include selective thinning and longer rotations for key forest stands, as well as conservation of critical habitats.
  • The initiative anticipates resulting in the reconveyance of some State Forest Transfer trust lands back to Jefferson County for management.
  • Past pilot projects (2020-2021) involved selective thinning for forest health improvement at Gibbs Lake, Chimacum Park, and Trailhead Park, and planting over 500 trees.
  • The workshop reviews the 2022 Scope of Work, which focuses on financial analysis comparing county vs. DNR management, and developing short- and long-term management scenarios.
  • Criteria used for analysis include: forest health and native habitat, increased carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, climate change adaptation, and fire risk reduction.
  • Future management scenarios analyze: (1) no change in ownership/management (Jeff Co lands only), (2) DNR full reconveyance (Jeff Co manages all DNR lands), and (3) partial DNR reconveyance (identifying key lands). Projections are developed for 5 years and roughly 100 years.

Financials

  • Total net revenue from harvests across 188 acres to date (Chimacum Park, Beausite, CG Gravel, Trailhead): $85,776.55.
  • Chickadee Forestry contract total for 2019-2021 was $56,000, resulting in a rough profit margin of $29,000 for restoration efforts to the County to date.
  • Fiscal Impact of Project Manager/Consultant: TBD (To be determined).
Site Acres Harvested JC Total Revenue JC Revenue/Acre
Chimacum Park 38 $86,026.49 $2,263.86
Beausite 100 $28,374.05 $283.74
CG Gravel 14 $13,933.81 $995.27
Trailhead 36 $(42,557.80) $(1,182.16)
Totals 188 $85,776.55 $590.18

Alternatives

  • Long-term management options to be analyzed include: Conservation (no harvest, carbon), selective thinning, recreation, or a mix of approaches.

Community Input

  • Outreach and education are identified as areas for improvement based on lessons learned.
  • Focus areas with the biggest community interest include: Fire risk, climate change adaptation, carbon, and recreation.

Timeline

  • 2019: Feasibility Study conducted.
  • 2020-2021: Pilot Project undertaken.
  • August 8, 2022: Workshop on current status and 2022 Scope of Work.
  • October/November (2022): Proposed public workshop(s) for management scenarios.
  • End of 2022: Analysis and recommendations to be completed.

Next Steps

Discuss and develop next steps toward securing a project manager and progressing with the development of a management plan for county forestlands.

Sources

  • Heidi Eisenhour - Commissioner
  • Malloree Weinheimer - Chickadee Forestry
  • Mark McCauley - County Administrator
  • Arno Bergstrom - Forester, Kitsap County Forest Stewardship (Advisor)
  • Dr. Catharine Copass - Ecologist, Olympic National Park Service (Advisor)
  • Mike Cronin - retired Forester, DNR and Cronin Forestry (Advisor)
  • Ross Goodwin - Forest Practices, Washington DNR (Advisor)
  • Al Latham - Jefferson County Conservation District Supervisor (Advisor)

Supplement #1, Environmental Science Associates (ESA) for Port Hadlock Wastewater Project

Topic Summary

Jefferson County Public Works seeks approval for Supplement #1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Environmental Science Associates (ESA) for the Port Hadlock Wastewater Project. This supplement adds time and an additional $68,742.50 to the contract to finalize environmental documentation, complete permitting, and ensure compliance with Executive Order 21-02 regarding Cultural and Historic Resources.

Key Points

  • The scope addition is necessary to complete state and local permitting, and comply with Executive Order 21-02 (Cultural and Historic Resources).
  • Additional effort was required for SEPA compliance, including fully detailing the collection system, critical areas, and mitigation measures in the Environmental Checklist, which was originally prepared in October 2013 and needed updating.
  • Additional local permits needed include a Critical Areas Stewardship Plan (CASP) and a Floodplain Development Permit from Jefferson County DCD.
  • Revisions to the 2013 Critical Areas Report were more extensive than planned due to Jefferson County code updates, resulting in increased buffer widths and subsequent project design changes to reduce wetland buffer impacts.
  • Direct wetland impacts have been avoided in the current design, eliminating the need for federal wetland permits.
  • Federal NEPA crosscutter review documentation associated with grant funding requirements must be prepared.
  • Compliance with Executive Order 21-02 requires consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO/DAHP) and Affected Tribal governments, due to the use of state capital funds.
  • Cultural resource tasks include regulatory assistance, a Phase 1 Cultural Resources Assessment and Inadvertent Discovery Plan (IDP), and a Phase 2 sub-surface survey in high-probability areas (east of Irondale Road along Curtis, Alley, Matheson, and S Water Streets). Contingency tasks for archaeological site documentation and an Archaeological Resources Monitoring and Inadvertent Discovery Plan (ARM-IDP) are also scoped.

Financials

  • Additional payment requested in Supplement #1: $68,742.50
  • Original Maximum Amount Payable (executed June 21, 2021): $45,791.00 (Calculated as $114,533.50 - $68,742.50)
  • New Maximum Amount Payable: $114,533.50
  • Funding Source: County ARPA revenue dedicated to this project.
  • Consultant estimated costs include: $46,660.00 for Cultural Resources EO 21-02 task, $11,670.00 for Additional State and Local Permitting, $1,300.00 for Project Management, and $7,440.00 for Contingency Tasks.

Alternatives

None specified.

Community Input

None specified.

Timeline

  • June 21, 2021: Original Agreement Execution Date.
  • December 31, 2022: Anticipated completion date for expanded scope of work.
  • June 30, 2023: Incidental follow-up work may extend out to this date.

Next Steps

Public Works recommends that the Board sign Supplement #1 and return the three originals to Public Works for further processing.

Sources

  • Monte Reinders, P.E. - Public Works Director/County Engineer
  • Mark McCauley - County Administrator
  • Environmental Science Associates (ESA) - Consultant
  • Jefferson County Department of Community Development (DCD)
  • Executive Order 21-02 (Cultural and Historic Resources)
  • Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce)
  • State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO/DAHP)

Supplement No. 1 for Little Quilcene River Bridge Replacement (WSDOT LA10280)

Topic Summary

Jefferson County Public Works requests approval for Local Agency Agreement Supplement No. 1 with WSDOT to secure an additional $230,314 in federal funding for the Preliminary Engineering (PE) phase of the Little Quilcene River Bridge Replacement project. The increase is needed because consultant design and permitting fees exceeded the original estimate, primarily due to updated requirements regarding Pollution Generating Impervious Surfaces (PGIS) in permitting and stormwater design implemented after the original grant obligation.

Key Points

  • The existing Little Quilcene River Bridge (at Center Road MP 14.62) is classified as structurally deficient, functionally obsolete, and has load restrictions for single unit trucks.
  • Replacement is crucial as Center Road is the main north-south route for freight mobility and the public.
  • The project's Preliminary Engineering (PE) phase costs increased significantly after the initial funding award due to regulatory changes related to Pollution Generating Impervious Surfaces (PGIS) affecting permitting and stormwater design.
  • The WSDOT agreement number is LA10280, and the Federal Aid Project Number is BRS-Q161(010).
  • The PE phase, including the consultant fees, is funded 100% by the Federal Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation (BRR) Program.

Financials

  • Additional funding requested in Supplement No. 1: $230,314.00
  • Original funding for Consultant PE: $292,000.00
  • New total funding for Consultant PE: $522,314.00
  • Total PE Cost Estimate, including all costs (Agency, Consultant, State Services): $596,814.00 (Increase from $366,500.00)
  • Funding Source: Federal Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation (BRR) Program, administered by WSDOT, covering 100% of the PE cost estimate.
  • Total Project Cost Estimate (PE only): $596,814.00.
Type of Work Previous Agreement/Suppl. Supplement Estimated Total Project Funds Estimated Federal Funds (100%)
PE - Agency $64,500.00 $0.00 $64,500.00 $64,500.00
PE - Consultant $292,000.00 $230,314.00 $522,314.00 $522,314.00
PE - State Services $10,000.00 $0.00 $10,000.00 $10,000.00
Total PE Cost Estimate $366,500.00 $230,314.00 $596,814.00 $596,814.00

Alternatives

None specified.

Community Input

None specified.

Timeline

  • Project Agreement End Date: December 31, 2026.

Next Steps

The Board is requested to sign the original of the Local Agency Agreement Supplement No. 1 and return it to Public Works.

Sources

  • Monte Reinders, P.E. - Public Works Director/County Engineer
  • Mark Thurston, P.E. - Project Manager (County)
  • Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
  • Federal Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation (BRR) Program

Local Agency Haul Road/Detour Agreement for Leland Creek Fish Barrier Removal

Topic Summary

Jefferson County Public Works requests approval of a WSDOT Local Agency Haul Road/Detour Agreement (HR3 0162) to formally allow Center Road to be used as a detour route for US 101 traffic. This is necessary during WSDOT's Leland Creek and Tributaries Fish Barrier Removal Project, which requires a full closure of US 101 through traffic.

Key Points

  • Center Road will be used as a detour for US 101 traffic during WSDOT's Leland Creek and Tributaries Fish Barrier Removal Project (SR 101 MP 290.25 to 292.68).
  • The US 101 closure is required for the installation of the MP 290.35 North Trib and MP 291.79 South Trib Culverts.
  • The detour route is the segment of Center Road from the city of Quilcene to the SR 104 intersection.
  • WSDOT is coordinating three separate 2023 construction projects that propose using the SR 104/Center Road intersection for detouring traffic.
  • To maintain sufficient capacity, WSDOT has agreed to utilize the detour intersection for only one project at a time. No overlaps are considered an option.
  • WSDOT will operate temporary traffic signals at the Center Road and SR 104 intersection to manage traffic flows and prevent queuing onto Center Road.
  • Vehicle restrictions apply on Center Road due to the Little Quilcene Bridge: maximum limits range from 23 tons (3 axles or less) to 36 tons (7 axles) for single-unit vehicles, though combination-type trucks (tractor-trailer rigs) are not affected by this load posting.

Financials

  • The detour is for a WSDOT-funded construction project.
  • WSDOT agrees to reimburse Jefferson County for the cost of additional routine maintenance and repairs made necessary by the detour use, excluding administrative and overhead costs.
  • County funds will be limited to Public Works staff time associated with processing and administering the agreement.

Alternatives

None specified.

Community Input

None specified.

Timeline

  • Proposed Full Closure of US 101 (Leland Creek project): Tentatively scheduled for July 16 to August 18 (with contingency to August 26).
  • The contractor has the choice to utilize the detour in either 2023 or 2024.
  • Other WSDOT projects utilizing the Center Road detour in 2023/2024: "East Jefferson County Remove Fish Barriers" (north Center Road detour in September) and "SR 104/SR 19 Intersection – Safety Improvements" (north Center Road detour in April – June).

Next Steps

The Board is requested to sign the WSDOT Local Agency Haul Road/Detour Agreement to allow Center Road to be used as a detour, and return the agreement to Public Works for execution by WSDOT.

Sources

  • Monte Reinders, P.E. - Public Works Director/County Engineer
  • Bruce Patterson - Engineer III (County Contact)
  • Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)

Support Letter for Trout Unlimited's Hoh Watershed Fish Passage Projects

Topic Summary

Jefferson County Public Works requests the Board sign a Letter of Support for Trout Unlimited's Olympic Peninsula Coldwater Connection Campaign – Hoh Watershed Fish Passage Project funding proposal. The proposal seeks federal grants under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to fund 100% of the design and construction for five high-priority fish passage barrier removal projects on County roads.

Key Points

  • Trout Unlimited identified five fish passage barrier removal projects in west Jefferson County: three on Upper Hoh Road and two on Oil City Road.
  • The projects involve replacing existing culverts with new, fish-passable culverts or bridges.
  • These replacements fulfill two goals: correcting high-priority fish passage barriers and alleviating road maintenance issues for the County.
  • Jefferson County Public Works owns the roads and the fish barrier culvert sites proposed for correction.
  • The County supports the proposal, noting the long-standing collaboration with Trout Unlimited and Coldwater Connection Campaign partners.

Financials

  • Total grant amount: To be determined (TBD).
  • Funding source: NOAA’s Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Notice of Funding Opportunity under the IIJA.
  • If awarded, the grant will fund 100% of design and construction costs.
  • Jefferson County Public Works will provide an in-kind donation of Public Works staff time for design review, coordination, and construction oversight.

Alternatives

None specified.

Community Input

None specified.

Timeline

None specified.

Next Steps

The Board is requested to sign the Letter of Support and return it to Public Works.

Sources

  • Monte Reinders, P.E. - Public Works Director/County Engineer
  • Mark Thurston, P.E. - Project Manager (County Contact)
  • Trout Unlimited - Grant applicant/Partner
  • NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation – Restoration Center - Grant funder
  • IIJA (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) - Funding source

Amendment 1 for Accessible Community Advisory Committee (ACAC) Agreement

Topic Summary

Jefferson County Public Health, Developmental Disabilities Division, requests approval for Amendment 1 to Interagency Agreement #K7241 with the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD). The amendment is a no-cost time extension to continue implementing the Stigma Reduction Project, which aims to increase awareness and remove barriers for county residents with disabilities by increasing public knowledge of mental illness.

Key Points

  • The agreement funds the work of the Jefferson County Accessible Community Advisory Committee (ACAC).
  • The project is called the "Stigma Reduction Project" and aims to increase public knowledge and understanding of mental illness to reduce stigma.
  • This is a multi-prong and sustainable program intended to meet the objectives of the Accessible Communities Act.
  • Project goals include supporting residents to understand mental illness as a disability, reducing suicide rates, encouraging treatment, increasing community support for mental health, and reducing criminal justice involvement for people with mental illness.
  • Key project activities include producing a video ($3,000), developing brochures/posters/PSAs ($1,500), and running newspaper advertisements ($750).
  • The estimated timeline for completion is approximately one year from the time materials are ordered.

Financials

  • Total Contract Amount (No Change): $5,250.00 (NTE)
  • Fiscal Impact of Amendment: $0.00 (Time extension only).
  • Funding Source: Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD).
  • County in-kind contributions include volunteer time by committee members, use of Zoom, and staff time (ADA Coordinator, Public Health Director, Deputy Director) attending ACAC meetings.
  • Public Health is charging 15% for indirect costs, which is lower than the actual 2021/2022 rate of 33.85%; the difference is contributed as in-kind.

Alternatives

None specified.

Community Input

None specified.

Timeline

  • Original Contract Start Date: August 3, 2021
  • Amendment Start Date: August 4, 2022
  • Extended Contract End Date: August 2, 2023
  • Timeline for project milestones: Video (six months), brochures/posters/ads (four months), presentations/run ads/implement evaluation (launch in four months and ongoing), develop evaluation tool (two months).

Next Steps

JCPH management requests approval of Amendment 1.

Sources

  • Apple Martine - Director (JCPH)
  • Anna McEnery - DD & BH Coordinator (County Contact)
  • Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD)
  • Jefferson County Accessible Community Advisory Committee (ACAC)

Briefing: 2022 Washington Counties Risk Pool (WCRP) Insurance Premium Increases

Topic Summary

The County Administrator is briefing the Board on significant anticipated increases in insurance premiums for 2022, covering liability, property, cyber, and crime coverage provided through the Washington Counties Risk Pool (WCRP). The rising costs are attributed to global factors including "Social Inflation" resulting in high jury awards, geopolitical risks, and economic inflation driving up property and repair costs.

Key Points

  • The insurance market has become increasingly difficult, leading to significant premium rate increases for the County.
  • Total estimated insurance expense for 2022 is $1,104,457, an increase of $258,011 (30.48%) from 2021 ($846,446).
  • The largest cost increase is in Liability, projected to rise by 40% ($222,451 increment) to $778,578.
  • The reason provided for escalating Liability costs is "Social Inflation"—including high jury awards ("Nuclear Verdicts"), aggressive plaintiff attorneys, and COVID-19 related delays.
  • WCRP claims data shows a recent surge in incurred costs: Total incurred value increased from $65,324,950 (a year ago) to $83,940,555 (current).
  • Claims valued over $1 million increased from 20 to 28 over the last policy term; claims over $2 million increased from 7 to 10.
  • Property premium is expected to increase by 12% ($31,997 increment) due to global storm activity (wildfires, hurricanes, etc.), escalating property values, and increased cost of repairs/labor due to inflation and supply chain delays.
  • Cyber premium is projected to increase by 17% ($3,480 increment) due to increased underwriting discipline and higher security control requirements.

Financials

  • Total calculated Premium Increase (2022 vs. 2021): $258,011
  • Total 2022 Estimated Premium: $1,104,457
  • The premium increases will be paid initially out of the General Fund Non-departmental account, and the County Auditor will subsequently allocate the costs to benefiting departments.
Category 2021 Premium % Increase Cost Increase 2022 Premium
Liability $556,127 40% $222,451 $778,578
Property $266,645 12% $31,997 $298,642
Cyber $20,471 17% $3,480 $23,951
Crime $1,181 7% $83 $1,264
Total $846,445 $258,011 $1,104,457

Alternatives

None specified.

Community Input

None specified.

Timeline

  • March (unspecified year): Prior Board meeting where market conditions were presented.
  • 2022: Expected due date for WCRP invoices.

Next Steps

The Board is requested to listen to the briefing and then ask questions or provide comment.

Sources

  • Mark McCauley - County Administrator
  • Washington Counties Risk Pool (WCRP)

Workshop on Stock Plans, Housing Program Policy, and Implementation Strategy

Topic Summary

The Department of Community Development (DCD) is seeking direction and funding appropriation from the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) to proceed with three initiatives related to developing "stock plans" (pre-approved designs) for residential and commercial structures, particularly for affordable housing. The DCD needs to secure financing for the upfront plan review costs, or alternatively, postpone the initiative until after the County adopts the 2021 International Codes in 2023.

Key Points

  • Stock plans are designs created by a licensed professional (or accepted from an unlicensed designer) that are reviewed and approved by DCD for use on multiple sites, reducing redundant plan reviews and expediting the permit process.
  • The use of stock plans grants legal immunity to the municipality under RCW 51.24.035 if licensed design professionals are used. If unlicensed designers are used, DCD concerns include increased exposure which may necessitate mitigation measures like hold harmless agreements or reliance on standard insurance.
  • To use stock plans, the application must pay an initial stock plan fee to recover archiving costs; subsequent submittals benefit from fee savings. DCD anticipates charging 65% of the ICC base building fee plus 35% for administrative storage initially; subsequent submittals would be charged 20% of the base fee (a 45% savings).
  • Three current stock plan initiatives:
    1. Clallam County Basic Unit Plan: DCD is reviewing the plan but needs clarification on designer liability, suitability for various county snow depths, and code conformance (conflicting information states 2015 IRC vs. 2018 IRC).
    2. HSN & Jefferson County/Port Townsend Collaboration: Working to identify design professionals locally. Questions remain about accepting unlicensed designs, the focus if local plans are delayed past the 2023 code adoption, and specific building standards (e.g., ADU size limits: County requires less than 1,250 sq ft; City requires less than 800 sq ft).
    3. City of Seattle OPCD Plans: DCD and the Planning Commission Subcommittee (Commissioners Coker, Sircely, and Alen) reviewed 10 plans and recommended four: Artisans Group (good universal access), Shape Arch (features a garage base), Urban Cottage (modular, SIP construction), and Yes Architecture (multi split level).
  • Stock Plans cannot be used in a critical area (e.g., wetland, steep slope, flood hazard, shoreline buffer).
  • For Affordable Housing Stock Plans, the county or a partner must pay the substantial plan review costs in advance.
  • Structural calculations for wind, seismic, and gravity loads must be stamped by a Washington State licensed engineer or architect.

Financials

  • DCD anticipates that the cost of plan review for each plan set, including variations, will be "substantial" and must be paid in advance of use.
  • Fee Structure:
    • Initial submittal: 65% of ICC base building fee + 35% (for administrative storage and reuse costs).
    • Subsequent submittals: 20% of the building base fee (45% savings from DCD's projected initial fee).
    • The fee does NOT include site-specific land use, public works, or environmental health reviews.

Alternatives

  • Alternative 1 (Recommended Action): BoCC identifies if DCD should move ahead and, if so, appropriates sufficient funds for the upfront plan review costs.
  • Alternative 2: Postpone the initiative until after Jefferson County’s 2023 adoption of the 2021 International Codes.

Community Input

  • Planning Commission members Arlene Alen, Matt Sircely, and Kevin Coker joined the discussion.
  • One public comment was received.

Timeline

  • May 2021: BoCC identified "stock plans" as an innovative approach warranting consideration.
  • July 11, 2022: DCD listed 'affordable housing' stock plans as an innovative program underway.
  • July 1, 2023: Proposed date for Jefferson County's adoption of the 2021 International Codes, which could significantly impact current plans.

Next Steps

DCD requests the BoCC identify whether to proceed and, if so, appropriate sufficient funds to cover the cost of the plan review.

Sources

  • Brent A. Butler, AICP - Director of Community Development (DCD)
  • Jodi Adams - Permit and Administrative Manager (DCD)
  • Phil Cecere - Plans Examiner II (DCD)
  • Mark McCauley - County Administrator
  • RCW 51.24.035 (Licensed design professional immunity)
  • RCW 82.02.020 (Reasonable fee recovery)
  • Commissioners Arlene Alen, Kevin Coker, Matt Sircely (Planning Commission Stock Plan Subcommittee)
  • City of Seattle’s Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD)
  • Clallam County DCD Director

Generated On: 2025-11-06 17:01:23.110580-08:00 By: google/gemini-2.5-flash-preview-09-2025 running on https://openrouter.ai/api/v1/