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10/24/22 09 AM: Commissioners Extend COVID Policy, Adopt OPMA, Health Updates

Commissioners Extend COVID Policy, Adopt OPMA, Health Updates

Jefferson County Commissioners handled public comments opposing COVID emergency extension, approved consent agenda and Pro Bono Law Week proclamation, received COVID-19 and emergency management updates, adopted 13th temporary COVID policy (Resolution 49-22) and OPMA guidelines (Resolution 50-22), and approved comments on Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail plan.

Public Comments on COVID Emergency Extension, Campaign Ads, Masks, and DNR Carbon Project

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:43–00:26:56 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, other, planning

Summary

Public comments were received on opposing extension of the COVID emergency declaration, negative political ads, mask efficacy in health settings and stores, and a request for a DNR briefing on phase 2 of the carbon project involving East Jefferson County parcels. Commissioners responded acknowledging concerns, defending mask use in healthcare based on personal experience, emphasizing trust in health experts, and confirming a scheduled DNR presentation on November 7 at 3 PM with project lead Chinka Fabrini and others. Public comment remained open until 9:30 AM.

Key Discussion Points

  • Annette opposed extending COVID emergency, citing negative vaccine efficacy and over-testing amid high cases.
  • George criticized negative campaign ads as unprecedented and troubling, urging focus on merits.
  • Steven criticized mask science, CDC/FDA capture by pharma, store mask policies for employees, and requested emergency discussion opportunity.
  • Patricia Jones (Olympic Forest Coalition) requested DNR briefing on carbon project parcels, selection process, high conservation value analysis, stakeholder engagement, and November 18 comment deadline.
  • Commissioner Greg responds to George on disliking attack politics but noting free speech; to Steven defends masks in surgery, trusts health officer, notes crisis of distrusting experts, and explains emergency maintains flexibility.
  • Commissioner Kate notes case counts not key metric, vaccines reduce severe disease, supports testing; responds to Patricia confirming November 7 DNR briefing and forestry partnership work.
  • Chair Heidi echoes concerns on negativity/divisiveness, defends masks via husband's experiment, confirms DNR briefing.

Public Comments

  • Annette: Opposed COVID emergency extension due to vaccine inefficacy, high cases despite vaccination.
  • George: Troubled by negative campaign ads unseen in 50 years in Port Townsend.
  • Steven: Masks ineffective against viruses, poor science; store employees masked unfairly; regulatory confusion; CDC/FDA capture.
  • Patricia Jones/Olympic Forest Coalition: Request DNR briefing on carbon project phase 2 parcels, process, criteria, conservation analysis, engagement, timeline (November 18 deadline).

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comments noted; DNR briefing confirmed for November 7 at 3 PM.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: DNR carbon project briefing November 7, 3 PM; emergency policy discussion at 1:30 PM.

Consent Agenda Approval and Property Valuation Discussion

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:03:07–00:06:54 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel, budgeting, other

Summary

The short consent agenda, including reappointment of Margaret Taylor to the Board of Equalization (BOE), was approved unanimously without items pulled for discussion. Extended discussion clarified recent property valuations mailed last week do not equate to tax bill increases, as county portion limited to 1% annual rise divided proportionally among properties; state sales tax and voter levies drive larger variations; values based on January 1 market likely to decline in cooler market.

Key Discussion Points

  • Chair notes short agenda, thanks Margaret for BOE service.
  • [Commissioner Greg]: Valuations not tax bills; county tax up 1% total, proportional; state/voter levies vary more; some school levies retiring for decreases.
  • [Commissioner Kate]: Learned proportional from Assessor; relative to other properties; market-based, 1/5 inspected yearly; high due to peak market, likely to drop.
  • Assessor Chapman confirms.

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: "Move to approve the consent agenda." (Unanimous approval.)
  • Vote: Unanimous (all aye).
  • No next steps specified.

Pro Bono Law Week Proclamation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:40:16–00:45:21 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other

Summary

The Board adopted a proclamation declaring October 23-29, 2022, as Pro Bono Law Week, honoring volunteer attorneys providing free services to low-income residents facing civil legal issues. Rafael Urquia, Clallam-Jefferson Pro Bono President, highlighted 920 hours donated last year aiding 630 people via 45 attorneys; goal to increase services as attorneys' duty.

Key Discussion Points

  • Chair notes annual proclamation, gratitude for pro bono aiding vulnerable.
  • Rafael Urquia reads proclamation: 3/4 Washingtonians face civil issues yearly (<25% aided); improves security/safety; 2021: WA attorneys aided 20,000+; Clallam-Jefferson: 920 hours.
  • Urquia: 3-4 issues/person yearly affect children/home/job; 920 hours (underreported), aided 630, 45 attorneys; duty to provide pro bono.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • 2021 Clallam-Jefferson Pro Bono: 920 hours donated.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Move to approve the proclamation as read." Unanimous.
  • Vote: Unanimous (all aye).
  • No next steps specified.

COVID-19 and Public Health Update (Dr. Tom Locke)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:45:21–01:28:26 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, personnel, services

Summary

Dr. Tom Locke provided the final weekly COVID update: international cases rising, US hospitalizations/deaths down slightly, WA/Jefferson low but declining; new variants BQ.1.1/XBB immune evasive/resistant to monoclonals; forecast: cases up by Thanksgiving (twin/demic with flu/RSV); wastewater low but rising northeast. Emphasized boosters, ventilation (80% school infections preventable), antivirals; pandemic Act 2 ongoing, prepare for Act 3 via surveillance/PPE/ventilation/response. Transition to monthly updates third Mondays.

Key Discussion Points

  • International decline reversed September; Europe/Asia up; US cases down (poor metric), hospitalizations/deaths low (361/day); wastewater low but rising NE states.
  • WA 36th lowest; Jefferson 243/100k (declining), 2 hospitalized; Clallam 136/100k, 1 hospitalized; MPox declining (600 WA cases).
  • Forecast: Omicron Act 2; seasonality/immunity key; BQ.1/1.1/XBB evasive; bivalent boosters ASAP; severe flu/RSV expected (southern hemisphere clue).
  • Tools: vaccines (T-cells prevent severe), masking high-risk, ventilation, Paxlovid; pandemic preparedness gaps (data/PPE/ventilation/response).
  • Q&A: antibody tests research-only; mRNA fast production; wait 3-6 months post-infection for booster; wastewater not flu; flu smolders year-round.
  • KPTZ Q: Surgical masks sufficient hospital (60% filtration vs N95 95%), hospitals low-risk; Novavax booster available (monovalent, post-mRNA ok after 6 months).

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: Updates received; schedule changed to monthly third Mondays starting November.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Monthly updates third Mondays on KPTZ.

Emergency Management Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:15:53–01:23:48 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, operations

Summary

Willie Bence reported final mass vaccination clinic (150 vaccinated, 60 walk-ins); equipment stored for quick deployment; local stockpiles (masks/N95s/supplies); ShakeOut drill success (150+ Port Ludlow, Wall St., VCOM ham radio); vaccine available pharmacies/providers/DOH mobile (Oct 30 Quimper 1-4 PM); fatigue noted but bivalent urged pre-winter.

Key Discussion Points

  • Final clinic success despite low 5-18 registration (opened adults); inventory stored.
  • Local readiness superior federally; ShakeOut shoutouts.
  • Vaccine fatigue/low bivalent uptake; availability pharmacies/DOH mobile; call PH for help.

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: Updates received.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • No next steps specified.

Adoption of 13th Temporary COVID Policy (Resolution 49-22)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:45:00–04:28:26 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel, public safety, operations

Summary

After workshops/input from COVID coordination, Board adopted Resolution 49-22 extending 13th temporary policy (Appendix I) effective Nov 1 post-state emergency end; retains flexibility for hybrid meetings, visitor/employee masking recommendations, isolation (5-10 days), PAL (40h isolation/childcare +40h non-remote +8h vax), handwashing/sanitation; removes outdated (contact tracing plans, vax logs); references L&I/state defs.

Key Discussion Points

  • Revisions: remove contact tracing plans/log (not required); PAL total/employment; hygiene focus airborne; definitions state-referenced.
  • County coordination consensus/support; tools for staff safety/service levels amid staffing/burnout.
  • Public: oppose extension (unpredictable/costly/loss trust); support (flexibility/winter surge/low rates due caution).

Public Comments

  • Steven: Masks ineffective; emergency creates business uncertainty/loss integrity.
  • Tom Tier: Retain for quick response; lowest rates due approach.
  • Annette: Anti-vax/mask; drop as other counties.
  • Jane Ball: Support; foolish to fix unbroken.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

PAL: 40h isolation/child +40h non-remote +8h vax/booster (per employment, pay code 223/COVAX).

Alternatives & Amendments

Revisions from coordination (e.g., hygiene airborne focus, PAL clarifications).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Resolution 49-22 adopted (repeals 41-22).
  • Vote: KD move, GB second, unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Effective Nov 1, 12:01 AM; revisit fall/winter.

Adoption of OPMA Guidelines (Resolution 50-22)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:29:16–04:42:53 (PART 1, split morning/afternoon)
  • Categories: ordinances, personnel, operations

Summary

After workshops/revisions (public comment/testimony distinction for hearings, late comments handling, motions/public comment, training), Board adopted Resolution 50-22/Appendix A guidelines standardizing OPMA compliance (RCW 42.30) for boards/committees: agendas 24h online, physical location unless emergency, public comment pre-decision, minutes, no quorum email, disruptions, training schedule.

Key Discussion Points

  • Changes: testimony/hearings only; late written testimony not hearing record but next packet; motions: 1 pending, public comment pre-decision (agenda item prior suffices); chair discretion time limits; anonymous comments except hearings (name/residence).
  • Training: state video + county (video/acknowledge?); effective immediately, staff schedule.

Public Comments

  • Tom Tier: Testimony/hearings only (2 spots); late testimony not record but next packet; training > reading (AG video gold standard).
  • Bill Dean: Testimony formal/hearings vs public comment; clarify oral/written.
  • Afternoon: Tier on "motion on table" (use "pending").

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

Revisions per workshops/public/staff (e.g., testimony distinction, motions language "under consideration").

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Resolution 50-22 adopted as amended.
  • Vote: GB move, KD second, unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Staff (Philip/Carolyn/Sarah) prepare/implement training schedule; notify boards/depts.

Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Draft Plan Comments

Metadata

  • Time Range: 05:26:56–05:37:26 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, land use, infrastructure

Summary

Board approved/signed draft scoping comments on PNNST Comprehensive Plan: support no non-federal acquisition sans consent (16 USC 1244(a)(30)); note route/non-federal lands (ODT/LSMT); request inclusion in federal discussions, landowner cooperation, tribal consultation; clarify 1-mile ROW concerns.

Key Discussion Points

  • [Heidi]: Constituent concern ROW on private lands; overlaps ODT/LSMT (500 daily/135k annual users); county leads ODT.
  • Assessor Chapman: Past advisory council discontinued; route private lands (e.g., West Uncas/Salmon Creek/Snow Creek); notify owners; half-mile FGZ federal-only.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

Minor reword (concern ROW/private).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Chair authorized amendments/signature/send.
  • Vote: GB move, KD second, unanimous.
  • No next steps specified.

Background Materials

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