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10/17/22 08 AM: Commissioners Discuss Comments, COVID, Waste Hours, Policy Extensions

Commissioners Discuss Comments, COVID, Waste Hours, Policy Extensions

Jefferson County Commissioners meeting featured public comments on Enchanted Valley Chalet, emergency orders, trails, and Laserfiche issues; unanimous consent agenda approval including septic grants; COVID-19 update with case trends and boosters; solid waste hours adjusted for staffing shortages; 13th COVID emergency policy extension planned; interim social media posting strategy adopted.

Public Comment Period

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:30–00:33:23 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other

Summary

Public comment opened at the start of the meeting, with speakers addressing multiple topics including preservation of the Enchanted Valley Chalet in Olympic National Park, removal of a social media policy item from the agenda, Laserfiche website access issues, extension of county emergency orders beyond the state's October 31 end date, and scoping for the Pacific Northwest Trail comprehensive plan. Commissioners responded by noting prior discussions, committing to follow up on the chalet with park officials, explaining the social media policy pull due to incomplete research and platform limitations, addressing Laserfiche technical problems, and affirming plans to discuss emergency orders further that afternoon. No formal actions taken during comments.

Key Discussion Points

  • LED Bowen (landowner): Requested county position to oppose Olympic National Park's preferred alternative to demolish the historic Enchanted Valley Chalet (built 1922-1929, on National Register, predates park); Commissioners Eisenhower, Dean, Brotherson: Recall prior talks, commit to workshop with new park superintendent and define county position.
  • Tom Teers: Expressed disappointment over social media policy removal from agenda; recommended one-way posting, web forms/email for public input, avoid two-way engagement to prevent misinformation; noted Laserfiche PDF "out of disk space" errors. Commissioners: Policy pulled after research showed Facebook limits on disabling comments for government pages; legal advice allows it but platform favors two-way interaction; no staff for moderation post-departure of manager.
  • Steve Schumacher: Urged against extending emergency orders past October 31 like other counties; cited emerging data on vaccines (Pfizer transmission testing, v-safe data, Florida analysis); Commissioners Brotherson, Dean, Eisenhower: Share concerns on "crying wolf" but follow staff recommendation for administrative tools (e.g., extra pay, restart capacity); no lockdowns, trust data/process.
  • Jeff Chapman: Alerted to Pacific Northwest Trail comp plan scoping (ends end-October, land use/management document overlaying local trails; landowner concerns); Commissioner Eisenhower: County input needed on interagency agreements, e-bikes; suggest extending scoping period.

Public Comments

  • LED Bowen (landowner): Request county action/position to save historic chalet threatened by park demolition plan.
  • Tom Teers: Social media policy should prohibit two-way engagement; Laserfiche malfunctioning.
  • Steve Schumacher: Oppose emergency order extension; cite vaccine data shifts.
  • Jeff Chapman (landowner rep): Urgent scoping notice for trail comp plan; county involvement needed.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comment closed; commissioners committed to chalet workshop/presentation, social media review (hiring PIO), Laserfiche notification to IT, trail scoping review (extend period?), emergency orders discussion later that day.
  • Next Steps:
  • Contact Olympic NP superintendent on chalet (Commissioners Dean/Brotherson).
  • Review Pacific NW Trail scoping docs (Commissioner Eisenhower lead; draft comments).

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:33:23–00:36:27 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, services

Summary

Consent agenda approved unanimously without items pulled for discussion; included OSS cost-sharing grant award (~$500k for low-income septic repairs), HIV/AIDS education contract, Family Partnership Program, and advisory board appointments (e.g., Parks & Rec: Susie perfect fit per interview). Commissioners highlighted septic grant as "huge safety valve," prior slow uptake but improved outreach expected; praised public health efforts and volunteer service.

Key Discussion Points

  • Limited discussion; item addressed primarily through supporting materials.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Consent agenda items referenced (OSS grant for countywide low-income septic repairs; prior grant focused on canal; income-qualified).

Financials

  • OSS cost-sharing grant: ~$500k (nearly half-million) for individual homeowner septic repairs (countywide, income-qualified).
  • Other: HIV/AIDS education, Family Partnership contracts (no figures stated).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve consent agenda." (Verbatim motion by Commissioner Brotherson, seconded by Eisenhower.)
  • Vote: Unanimous (all Aye).

COVID-19 Update and Health Officer Briefing

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:46:48–01:22:50 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, services, personnel

Summary

Dr. Barry reported Jefferson County at 355 cases/100k (6,074 total; 40% ascertainment vs. state's 7%, national 4%); no current hospitalizations, 1 new death (80s female, vaccinated/not up-to-date, comorbidities); Clallam similar trends. Emphasized bivalent boosters (5+), masking indoors/crowded spaces/healthcare, flu shots; masking required in healthcare via state order (post-emergency authority). Commissioners queried ascertainment, emergency declaration utility (admin flexibility/funding); announced monthly updates starting November; Q&A on long COVID (6% severe rate, vaccine reduces risk), flu/COVID distinction (test needed), exposures (mask 10 days).

Key Discussion Points

  • Jefferson: 11% positivity, 32 deaths total; high seniors/vulnerable; Dr. Barry: Boosters critical, sentinel surveillance shift planned.
  • Trends: State down 30%, flat hospitalizations/deaths; Europe uptick precedes local.
  • Policies: Healthcare masking via Sec. of Health order (ongoing); emergency declaration aids funding/response, not health officer powers.
  • Long COVID: 6% severe (tracks illness severity; vaccines reduce 60%).
  • Commissioners: Test expiration signs; air quality/sensitive groups.

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; monthly COVID briefings from November (3rd Monday proposed).
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps:
  • Child booster clinic Oct. 22 (5-11yo, space available).
  • Shakeout test Oct. 20, 10:20am (alerts/sirens).

Solid Waste Transfer Station Operating Hours Adjustment

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:24:45–02:12:25 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, budgeting, personnel

Summary

Solid Waste Manager Al presented staffing shortages (retirements, medical leaves, unfilled positions; 408 OT hours vs. roads' 512 across more staff), burnout, safety/training delays, OT costs up; proposed hours revision: residential/commercial Tue-Sat 9am-4:30pm (Mon Waste Connections only), close Fri post-Thanksgiving; future extend Tue-Sat by 30min. Compares favorably to peers (e.g., Kitsap min fee rising $32→$41); Waste Connections supportive (shift 40% loads to Mon). Commissioners supported as interim to aid retention/recruitment amid housing costs.

Key Discussion Points

  • Impacts: 2 L&I claims/30 days, delayed projects (scales Nov 4, software); no roads borrowing long-term.
  • Metrics: Still high service hours/population vs. Clallam/Kitsap/Stevens.
  • Commissioners: Housing crisis (median home $600k, wages lag); evaluate in 12mo; promote curbside (saves ~$90/yr fuel).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • OT Jan-Sep: 408hrs (4 staff) vs. roads 512hrs (20+ staff); tipping fee increase anticipated 2023; min fee revision eyed ($10/pillow proposed).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Temporary closures if understaffed (suboptimal, short notice rejected).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Board concurs with proposal (no formal motion needed; Public Works authority per SWMP); implement by Nov 14 (4wk notice); close Fri post-Thanksgiving.
  • Vote: None (informational concurrence).
  • Next Steps:
  • Advertise changes; Waste Connections shift loads (2-3mo); revisit 12mo workshop w/ customer feedback/fees.
  • Evaluate HHW remote events success.

13th Temporary COVID-19 Emergency Policy Extension

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:53:07–03:50:25 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, personnel, operations

Summary

Staff presented revised 13th policy draft extending to Nov 1 (or immediate), updating whereas clauses (Omicron dominant, Europe uptick, federal extension to Jan 11 2023); retains OPMA hybrid limits (50% capacity), masking recommendation, Appendix I personnel policies (paid leave, close contact guidance). Discussion clarified emergency powers (procurement/budget flexibility beyond HR); revised Appendix I (encourage masking/WFH 5 days post-close contact per flowchart; delete quarantine; excise dated vax/booster language). Public comment urged against extension (endemic, other counties ending Oct 31); commissioners cited admin tools/retention.

Key Discussion Points

  • Utility: HR paid leave (40h admin), restart capacity, funding; not redundant w/ state L&I/health orders.
  • Revisions: Soften language; define close contact (15min/6ft); frequent handwashing "shall"; excise dated sections.
  • Public (Steve Schumacher): Not emergency (cases down, 80s death w/comorbidities); avoid "crying wolf"; high vax/boost rates.

Public Comments

  • Steve Schumacher: Oppose extension; endemic phase, disingenuous, follow other counties/staff recs.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Up to 40h admin paid leave per employee (COVID-specific).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Integrate into permanent HR policy (time needed); crash amendments if no extension.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Forward draft to Friday COVID coordination meeting for dept input; agenda 10/24 for adoption.
  • Vote: None (directional).
  • Next Steps:
  • Redline edits (Philip); COVID team Friday; adopt pre-expiration (10/31).

Social Media Policy and Interim Posting Plan

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:58:02–04:19:26 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, other

Summary

Impromptu discussion on pulled social media policy (agenda item removed post-research: Facebook limits comment disable for gov't pages; add-ons risky; 2-way expectation per legal/platform); no staff post-manager departure. Interim: Post time-sensitive info (jobs, taxes, elections) via commissioner staff (Carolyn/Kate lead, Ken train; rotating commissioners moderate); Central Services Dir (Monty interim) appoints agents per policy. Public urged free speech, clear guidelines/judgment.

Key Discussion Points

  • Challenges: Moderation liability, controversy fuels algorithm; Mr. Teers suggested auto-block words/symbols (declined as overreach).
  • Public (Tom Teers): Free speech absolutist; enforce guidelines, adapt; avoid censorship/misinfo fears.

Public Comments

  • Tom Teers: Encourage open dialogue w/guidelines; judgment calls needed; avoid govt/FB censorship collusion.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Policy 30-21 referenced (Central Services Dir appoints agents/moderator; weekly archive).

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Hire PIO (job desc drafting; timeline mismatch); purchase FB tools (declined).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Interim team (Carolyn/Kate + commissioners) posts/moderates time-sensitive info; Monty appoints per policy (no action needed).
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps:
  • Ken train team; evaluate w/PIO hire; potential policy revisit post-PIO.

Background Materials

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