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09/12/22 08 AM: Consent OK'd; Lot Ordinance Hearing Set; Security In-House

Consent OK'd; Lot Ordinance Hearing Set; Security In-House

Jefferson County Commissioners approved consent agenda (ADA compliance, Fairgrounds lease), COVID-19 update with boosters, Legal Lot Ordinance public hearing (Sept 26), Chickadee Forestry amendment, and in-house Sheriff's courthouse security. Public comments on websites, forestry.

Public Comments

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:02:52–00:28:17 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, other

Summary

Public comment opened at the start of the meeting and remained open until 9:30 AM. Comments focused on Consent Agenda Item 6 (ADA compliance for Public Health website) and forestry issues ahead of an afternoon workshop. No further comments received after initial speakers.

Key Discussion Points

  • Tom Tiers criticized $5,000 expenditure for ADA compliance on Public Health website alone, noting proliferation of county websites (e.g., main county, sheriff, solid waste) and inefficiency; urged consolidation into one platform.
  • Commissioner responses (Mark): Noted common statewide practice of separate departmental sites; tension between unified complex site vs. simpler individual sites; plans to address via new general fund-funded Communications Officer reporting to Board (0.75–1.0 FTE, including website coordination).
  • Dr. Patricia Jones (Olympic Forest Coalition): Praised progress on forestry contract; advocated balanced approach with conservation, no revenue drop for services/junior taxing districts, timber volume; criticized timber industry mailers misrepresenting conservation groups; emphasized public employees represent public interest.
  • Commissioner responses: Shared constituent concerns on diversifying forestry funding beyond industrial model; rejected mailer misrepresentations; invited stakeholders to workshops (e.g., 11:30 AM that day).
  • Jean: Praised Commissioners for seeing through "misinformation"; supported website consolidation.

Public Comments

  • Tom Tiers: Opposed piecemeal ADA spending; urged website unification.
  • Dr. Patricia Jones (Olympic Forest Coalition): Supported forestry progress; countered mailer misinformation.
  • Jean: Thanked for addressing misinformation; supported website improvements.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Consent Item 6: $5,000 for Public Health ADA website compliance (first year; assumes diminished work after setup).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comment closed; issues noted for response.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: New Communications Officer to handle website consolidation (3–6 months); forestry workshop at 11:30 AM.

Consent Agenda

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:24:00–00:28:25 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, operations

Summary

Consent Agenda approved unanimously without items pulled for separate discussion, despite public comment on Item 6. Major items included Public Health ADA compliance ($5,000), Fairgrounds lease extension with escalator clause (rejected 7.7% request, settled lower), PIC grant continuation, Parks/Open Space/Trails Plan, and audio/visual upgrades.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Greg: Positive on Fairgrounds contract (Item 4); confirmed accelerated for Jefferson Healthcare talks; noted 1.5% departmental escalator applied.
  • Commissioner Mark: Clarified PIC grant dates (July 2022–July 2023); questioned audio/visual expansion costs/sharing.
  • Hired WSU Extension coordinator Sophie (starts October); no update on WSU Extension Director hiring.
  • Minor notes: Typo in Item 7 (Han and Farm); Item 3 axis coordinator hired.

Public Comments

Limited discussion; Item 6 addressed in general public comment (Tom Tiers).

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials provided; items referenced via agenda (e.g., Exhibits for grants/contracts).

Financials

  • Item 6: $5,000 Public Health ADA compliance (first year).
  • Item 4: Fairgrounds contract extension; escalator <7.7% (aligned with 1.5% county rate).
  • Audio/visual: $700–$5,000 (setup/subscriptions).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Motion to approve and adopt the consent agenda" (verbatim).
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: all Commissioners).
  • No next steps specified.

COVID-19 and Public Health Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:43:57–01:17:50 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, services

Summary

Dr. Barry provided COVID-19 update: national/state/county trends down (cases -28%/-20%/-flat; hospitalizations -9%/-19%; deaths -20%/-24%); Jefferson County: 5,699 cases (rate 324/100k, positivity 8.5%); Clallam: 15,449 cases (241/100k); new deaths in both counties (vaccinated but not up-to-date). Promoted bivalent Omicron booster (eligible >2 months post-primary; prioritize >65/immunosuppressed; clinics filling/expanding). State emergency ends Oct 3; masks persist in healthcare. MPV: 497 WA cases; expanding JYNNEOS eligibility. KPU questions addressed (e.g., boosters, masking, transmission).

Key Discussion Points

  • Dr. Barry: Wastewater downtrending; no COVID hospitalizations (149 total); booster targets BA.4/5 for infection prevention; shortage prioritizes high-risk; flu vaccine analogy for no new trials.
  • Commissioners: Booster timing (wait 4 months optimal; prioritize elders); service worker risks (high-quality masks); schools no transmission.
  • KPU Q&A: Retest false positives; Novavax not booster; no food transmission; hospital protocols; unvaccinated not "hazard" (mitigate via masks/ventilation).

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 update; clinics announced (Chimacum Sept 24, Port Townsend Oct 1, Quilcene Oct 8; waitlist via public health site).
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Expand booster clinics; pharmacies (e.g., Safeway) vaccinating.

Legal Lot of Record Ordinance

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:30:35–02:28:56 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use, permits, planning, ordinances

Summary

DCD briefed proposed UDC Chapter 18.12 (Legal Lot of Record Determination), amendments to Chapters 18.10/18.35/18.40; post-1969 plats presumed legal; exceptions for substandard lots; new Site Development Review process prior to permits. DNS issued; conforms to Comp Plan (e.g., LU-P-20.3). Board approved public hearing notice for Sept 26 (potential continuance to Oct 3); workshop Sept 19.

Key Discussion Points

  • Josh Peters/Brian Benjamin: Pre-1971 moratorium ends; post-Aug 11, 1969 compliant; lot vs. legal lot definitions; exceptions (e.g., post-1969 plats, LMRR/RVC/Irondale/Port Hadlock EGAs, aggregation); Reasonable Economic Use process (site conditions, public safety); require determination pre-permits.
  • Questions: Process flow (REU includes Site Review); upfront review saves time; vesting (permanent but not vested; changes risk); pre-1937 plats challenging (no prior review).
  • Barbara Harichman: AG opinions on pre-1937/1969 subdivisions.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Proposed ordinances (Ch. 18.12 new; amendments to 18.10/18.35/18.40); 2018 Comp Plan; Story Map analysis. Supporting materials not provided for analysis.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Track changes requested for workshop docs.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Motion to set the public hearing for September 26, 2022 for consideration of 2 ordinances amending the UDC to adopt a new chapter 18.12 Legal Lot of Record Determination, new Article 8 to chapter 18.40, and changes to 18.35.60, .70, and .80, and any other changes that may come between now and then" (verbatim).
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: all).
  • Next Steps: Publish notice in Leader; Planning Commission hearing continuance Sept 15; Board workshop Sept 19 (1:30 PM); public hearing Sept 26; potential action Oct 3 (moratorium expiry).

Chickadee Forestry Contract Amendment 3

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:29:14–02:33:45 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, planning

Summary

Amendment 3 to Chickadee Forestry professional services agreement for sustainable forestry program analysis approved unanimously. Scope clarified: properties analysis by Nov 14, 2023; external review Jan 2023; potential task force post-analysis for DNR proposal.

Key Discussion Points

  • Revisions to scope/timeline reviewed/approved by Chickadee (Mallory); added task force/next steps clarity.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Amendment 3 document referenced. Supporting materials not provided.

Financials

No new financials discussed (existing contract).

Alternatives & Amendments

Scope changes incorporated.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Motion to approve the amendment Number 3 as presented the professional services agreement with Chickadee Forestry LLC" (verbatim).
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: all).
  • Next Steps: Analysis by Nov 14, 2022; external review by end-Jan 2023; potential task force with Chickadee/DNR proposal development.

Courthouse Security

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:57:53–03:24:37 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, public safety, personnel

Summary

Workshop on options post-PPC Solutions contract expiry (Dec 2022): RFP vs. in-house Sheriff's deputies. Recommended in-house (2 deputies; ~$30–40k more than $135k budget; armed/trained; reduced liability/flexibility). Board supported; Chiefs/Judges endorse.

Key Discussion Points

  • Mark Bardsley: Private firms cheaper but higher liability/less training/flexibility; Sheriff's: better response/situational awareness.
  • Uniforms: Explore "softer" options (e.g., civilian-like) for public interaction while maintaining deterrence/security.
  • X-ray machine relocation studied (space/fire marshal).

Public Comments

  • Jeff Chaplin (Court Administrator): Supports; easier coordination under Sheriff's; current firm pleasant.
  • Stacy: Supports; Sheriff's approachable/de-escalating.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Current: $135k budgeted (~$125k actual).
  • In-house: +$30–40k (salaries/benefits; one-time firearms/uniforms).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • RFP (inviting Sheriff) vs. in-house.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Board authorized proceeding with in-house Sheriff's security (thumbs up; unanimous support).
  • Vote: N/A (workshop guidance).
  • Next Steps: Develop job description (Civil Service approval); budget items (salaries, one-time costs); candidate interviews (2 retired Port Townsend PD).

Background Materials

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