Skip to content

08/15/22 08 AM: County Approves Budgets, Contracts, Health Updates, Housing, Trails

County Approves Budgets, Contracts, Health Updates, Housing, Trails

Jefferson County Commissioners approved consent agenda with modifications, portable building lease, opioid settlement allocation ($800k), CHIP grant application, $500k ARPA for Evans Vista housing, proclaimed support for transgender community/YMCA; updates on COVID/MPV decline, Olympic Discovery Trail progress. Unanimous votes on actions; informational workshops.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:06:19–00:12:34 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, personnel, services

Summary

The Board reviewed and approved the consent agenda with modifications, including pulling item 9 for further discussion on purchasing a portable building instead of leasing and correcting item 2's recommendation to reference "Gateway to Freedom" instead of outdated text. Items included supplemental VHAC funds for jail substance use services via Public Health, engineering contract for Little Clallam Bridge, DCD shoreline/sea level rise contract, counseling contract with Andrea Kunson for school clinics, substance use evaluations in jail, Jump Playground contract amendment, Parks and Recreation board reappointment for Mallory, new board appointment, and preceptor services contract for Baylor students in public health nursing.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner noted process question on item 2 VHAC funds to Gateway to Freedom jail services, confirmed as additional allocation via Public Health; supported but sought clarification. Commissioner (unnamed)
  • Highlighted engineering contract for Little Clallam Bridge and DCD shoreline contract as good progress. Commissioner
  • Praised counseling contract with Andrea Kunson for school clinics and jail substance use evaluations as key services. Commissioner
  • Noted Jump Playground contract amendment and volunteer participation; grateful for Mallory's Parks reappointment. Commissioner
  • Confusion on "preceptor services" for Baylor students; assumed oversight role. Commissioners
  • Item 2 recommendation error flagged as holdover referencing prior contract. Commissioner

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Consent agenda items referenced but not provided for analysis.

Financials

  • Supplemental VHAC funds to Gateway to Freedom (amount unclear; additional allocation).
  • No specific figures discussed for other items.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Pulled item 9 (portable lease) for discussion on purchase vs. lease; staff noted capital fund capacity post-adjustments, planned workshop.
  • Modified item 2 recommendation to match agenda subject.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Move to approve and adopt the consent agenda minus item number 9... with the mentioned modifications."
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Item 9 deferred; return later in meeting.

Portable Building Lease (Pulled Consent Item 9)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:10:42–00:12:41 (PART 1)
  • Time Range: 02:08:25–02:09:00 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, infrastructure

Summary

Item 9 from consent agenda pulled for discussion on leasing vs. purchasing a portable building for Public Health; staff noted 3.5 years of rent approximates purchase cost, capital fund capacity available post-2023 adjustments.

Key Discussion Points

  • Urged advancing capital plan to buy instead of leasing portable. Commissioner
  • Confirmed capacity in capital fund; planned discussion with owner. Staff
  • Later approved continued lease pending capital planning. Public Works

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Rent over 3.5 years approximates purchase cost (no figures given).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Purchase vs. continued lease discussed; opted to continue lease.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Move to approve number 9 on the consent agenda."
  • Vote: Aye (Lisa, Monty); unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Continue lease until capital planning; workshop on capital/ARPA soon.

COVID-19, MPV, and Emergency Management Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:44:40–01:12:23 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, services, health

Summary

Dr. Barry reported national/state COVID cases/hospitalizations downtrending (17% national drop), Jefferson County at 5,435 cases (457/100k, 14% positivity), 3 hospitalized; new CDC guidelines emphasize testing/isolation/masking/vaccination over contact tracing. MPV (formerly Monkeypox) at 265 WA cases; Clallam allocated JYNNEOS vaccine starting this week, prioritized for high-risk groups. Wastewater monitoring shows 75% COVID reduction in Port Townsend; discussed case ascertainment modeling, polio concerns, Evusheld clarification.

Key Discussion Points

  • Jefferson cases downtrending; 3 hospitalized (1 severe, 2 exacerbated comorbidities). Dr. Barry
  • CDC shifted from contact tracing due to high circulation; focus testing, isolation, masking, ventilation, vaccines. Dr. Barry
  • MPV spreads via skin-to-skin; prioritizing gay/bisexual/trans MSM with risk factors; Clallam gets 20 JYNNEOS doses (~100 intradermal). Dr. Barry
  • Case ascertainment via IHME modeling (fatality, positivity, home tests, severity bias). Dr. Barry
  • Wastewater: 75% COVID reduction Port Townsend since July. Dr. Barry
  • Plan hybrid meetings post-Labor Day with masks. Commissioners/Dr. Barry

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; informational.
  • Next Steps: Revisit in-person/hybrid meetings post-Labor Day (after Aug 29 no-meeting week); update policy next week.

Opioid Distributors Settlement Allocation Agreement

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:14:33–02:07:28 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, public safety

Summary

Board approved allocation agreement for WA's $518M settlement ($430M net) with McKesson, Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen; Jefferson County's share ~$800,231 over 17 years (double first year) via Salish Behavioral Health ASO for abatement. Requires 100% litigating locals/90% non-litigating primary subdivisions participation; releases claims against these 3 distributors only. Funds for Exhibit 4 abatement (e.g., treatment, prevention); 15% attorney fees.

Key Discussion Points

  • Background: County hired Keller Rohrback 2018; MDL process via Judge Polster; state litigated for higher amount. Philip Hunsucker
  • Jefferson share 0.45% per MDL (~$800k); distributed via Salish BHA SO; admin funds separate. Philip Hunsucker
  • Conditions: 100% litigating locals (incl. Jefferson), 90% primary subdivisions; court approval. Philip Hunsucker
  • Not releasing manufacturers/other distributors (e.g., CVS, Walgreens liable in cases). Philip Hunsucker
  • Funds for abatement (Exhibit 4, p93+); supports fentanyl harm reduction. Commissioners/Philip

Public Comments

  • Julia Ball: $50k/year inadequate vs. costs; pursue manufacturers.
  • Tom Tears: Inadequate; justice requires jail time (e.g., Sacklers), not settlements.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Agenda packet: Allocation agreement, Exhibit 4 abatement categories (p93); MOU Exhibit A similar.

Financials

  • WA settlement: $518M ($430M+ net); locals 50% ($215M post-15% fees = $182.75M).
  • Jefferson: $800,231 (~$100k yr1, ~$50k subsequent 16 yrs); via Salish BHA SO.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve the allocation agreement... including the subdivision settlement participation form."
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) Grant Application

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:08:25–02:16:24 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, infrastructure, planning

Summary

Board approved application to Commerce CHIP grant (<$150k) as fiscal agent; pass-through loan to OlyCap for 7 Haven soft costs/infrastructure amid construction cost increases (used $465k developer fees). Avoids prevailing wage via government loan; minimal county staff burden (OlyCap applies).

Key Discussion Points

  • CHIP newer grant for housing infrastructure; co-locates with city water pipe. Cathy
  • County fiscal agent/loan avoids prevailing wage; OlyCap handles application. Staff
  • No other known applicants; aligns with inflation mitigation. Commissioners

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • <$150k grant; OlyCap used $465k developer fees.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Jefferson County applies for the... program grant... and passes any award through to OlyCap as a loan."
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified; budget authority Q3.

Proclamation Supporting Transgender Community and YMCA

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:18:11–02:26:46 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other

Summary

Board proclaimed support for transgender residents/visitors, YMCA, and City of Port Townsend upholding WA law on public accommodations; denounced harmful rhetoric/misrepresentations amid national attention on YMCA pool/changing rooms issue. Cites stats on trans victimization; urges respect/kindness, rejects discrimination.

Key Discussion Points

  • YMCA following state law; support trans community amid hate mail/threats. Commissioner Dean
  • Stressful for trans community/Y/families; kids feel unsafe. Beau (trans support facilitator)

Public Comments

  • Julia Cochrane (earlier): Thanks for support; views as proxy war, unrelated to local reality.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Adapted from City Council proclamation.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve the proclamation as read."
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • No next steps specified.

Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) Status Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:26:50–03:36:06 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, planning, land use

Summary

27 miles planned in Jefferson County (135 total); 2/3 complete (9mi roads, 9mi existing trail, 9mi new). Key segments: Larry Scott to Anderson Lake SP (3mi new; design 30% Sept 2022, construct 2024); Anderson Lake SP (parks mgt, 2024-25); Anderson Lake Rd-Eagle Mount Rd (co-locate city water pipe); Eagle Mount-Fairmount (SR20 ROW); Fairmount-101 (trailhead w/partners); Broders Rd-Discovery Bay (SR101 ROW study $8.5M). Hall-Bates viewpoint/parking progressing.

Key Discussion Points

  • Right-of-way acquisition limiting; focus larger chunks (e.g., Pope 35ac). John F.
  • Piecemeal vs. chunks: ROW hardest; improve later. John F.
  • Hood Canal-ODT connections conceptual (4 nodes). Jeff B.
  • RAiSE grant prep (~$150k consultant) for GAR-T Winslow-Push (3 nonprofits lead, PRTPO apply?). Jeff B.
  • Mile Post 0: Integrate JTA park/ride, signage. Jeff S.

Public Comments

  • Jeff Chapman: Working Hood Canal-Discovery Bay route; state statute/cross-state trail; mtg w/Gov office/WSDOT.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Larry Scott-Anderson: Majority funding (RCO, STBG, capital).
  • Broders-Discovery: $8.5M est.
  • Hall-Bates: ~$150k (private/PTC).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • SR20 vs. old Woodman-Fairmount ROW. John F./Jeff S.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • No action taken; informational workshop.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified; pursue RAiSE/gaps; assess PW capacity.

Evans Vista Workforce Housing Infrastructure

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:36:30–04:12:14 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, infrastructure, planning, land use

Summary

City purchased 14.4ac Evans Vista property (8ac developable) for 50-150 workforce/affordable units (50-120% AMI mix, live/work); aligns w/subarea plan (work district, 1-3 story). $3.1M state ($1.37M purchase, $1.7M utils), $2.5M anticipated federal sewer; seeks $500k county ARPA revenue share (>1.5M total) for studies/PE/entitlements/outreach to shovel-ready. Sewer lift station strategic for future growth; cultural survey clear.

Key Discussion Points

  • Site: Flat/gentle slope; MC zoning (multi-family/townhomes); stormwater/fire benefits. Steve K.
  • Developer interest via RFP/planning post-infra; city ownership/PUD controls mix/phasing. John M./Emma B.
  • Constellation partners (e.g., local providers); subarea sets density/aesthetics. Emma B.

Public Comments

  • Deborah: Exciting opportunity; apply unexpected funds to need.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • State: $1.37M purchase, $1.7M utils.
  • Anticipated federal: $2.5M sewer.
  • Request: $500k county ARPA revenue share (studies/PE).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Commit $500,000 from... revenue sharing... if over $1.5 million."
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Background Materials

Contents

AI Information