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11/21/22 09 AM: Board Approves Consent, Taxes, TIP, Roads; Health Update

Board Approves Consent, Taxes, TIP, Roads; Health Update

Jefferson County Commissioners approved consent agenda with ARPA grants, corrections incentives; public health update on COVID/flu/RSV; unanimous votes on 1% property tax increases, Six-Year TIP ($38.5M), road standards update, lodging tax allocations ($954k), personnel gift exception; deferred housing funds.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:19–00:12:36 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, personnel, operations, infrastructure, services

Summary

The Board approved the consent agenda as presented after public comments on specific items, including a $65,000 ARPA grant for KPTZ's Morgan Hill transmitter, nearly $13,000 (noted as ~$10,000) for COVID-19 vaccination videos under a grant, hiring and retention incentives for corrections officers, ARPA grant agreements, WSDOT detour agreements, and appointments to advisory boards. No items were pulled for separate discussion. Supporting materials detailed substantive items like the KPTZ grant for emergency broadcasting resiliency, corrections incentives amid staffing shortages (6 vacancies out of 15), and various ARPA-funded projects including childcare shift to YMCA and Port Townsend health/wellness planning.

Key Discussion Points

  • Public comment criticized COVID videos as late and wasteful (~$13,000 grant-funded) and questioned KPTZ transmitter generator backup ($65,000 grant).
  • Commissioners highlighted ARPA grants (Chicago Confluence, mental health), corrections incentives as critical (365-person jail operation), property tax appeals notice, and value of citizen volunteers on boards (parks, conservation futures, solid waste).
  • Staff noted KPTZ studio has battery backup (80-100k, weeks of power); Morgan Hill likely has generators; COVID videos support local filmmakers despite limited impact.
  • Consent included EnergyGov change order (+$20,700), corrections MOA ($10-15k incentives), road standards update, special facility for IT room, emergency load limits, Teamsters opt-out amendment, BOE convening, NACCHO grant ($35k), Whaleheart videos ($9,830), mental health counseling amendment (+$16,800), interlocal for workforce consortium.

Public Comments

  • Tom Tears: Opposed COVID videos (Consent 13, ~$13k grant) as untimely/wasteful; questioned KPTZ transmitter (Consent 6, $65k) for generators/studio backup amid outages.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • KPTZ: $65k ARPA for Morgan Hill tower/equipment enhancing EOC/KPTZ/KROH relay.
  • Corrections: MOA for $10k entry/$15k lateral hiring, $15k retention incentives due to 6 vacancies, 2600 OT hours.
  • ARPA: PT Evans Vista ($500k), PT Health Center ($100k), childcare shift to YMCA.
  • WSDOT detours: Center Rd for SR19/104, Chimacum/Irondale for SR116 bridge.
  • Videos: $9,830 Whaleheart for 5 COVID/service videos (NACCHO grant).
  • Road standards, IT room special facility, load limits, etc., as detailed.

Financials

  • KPTZ transmitter: $65,000 ARPA grant.
  • COVID videos: ~$10,000-$13,000 grant-funded.
  • Corrections incentives: $10k/$15k hiring, $15k retention.
  • EnergyGov change order: +$20,700 capital fund.
  • Mental health amendment: +$16,800 grant.
  • NACCHO grant: $35,000 federal.
  • Whaleheart videos: $9,830 grant.
  • Various ARPA: $500k Evans Vista, $100k health center.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • No alternatives discussed. Consent approved without amendments.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Consent agenda approved as presented.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Commissioners Eisenhour, Brotherton; Dean sporadically present).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Public Health Update

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  • Time Range: 00:44:58–01:17:01 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, services, health (other)

Summary

Dr. Barry provided a monthly update on COVID-19 (flat national cases/hospitalizations, 1 new local death, BQ.1.1 variant rising, bivalent boosters effective), influenza (6% positive tests rising), and RSV (30% positive regionally, overwhelming pediatric care in Seattle/Tacoma). Recommended masking indoors, staying home when sick, bivalent boosters over flu shots if choosing one, and potential school mask mandates if pediatric crisis worsens. Discussion included KPTZ update frequency, Novavax/J&J boosters, senior housing protocols.

Key Discussion Points

  • COVID: 6,240 cases locally (184/100k rate, 20% ascertainment), 162 hospitalizations, 33 deaths; 40% bivalent boosted (top regionally); BQ.1.1 immune evasive.
  • Flu/RSV: Flu 6% positive (up from 2%); RSV 30% positive, tripling Seattle Children's beds needed; mask indoors to protect kids.
  • No at-home RSV/flu tests; test high-risk for treatments (Paxlovid works).
  • KPTZ: Consider twice-monthly updates; staff available daily via Facebook/email.
  • Protocols: Novavax not for second booster; senior housing bivalent+2wks for meals, 5-day isolation/mask to day 10.

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; consider more frequent KPTZ slots (twice-monthly?); mask indoors/school mandate possible.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

2023 Ad Valorem Property Tax Levies

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:30:26–02:00:17 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, ordinances

Summary

The Board held a public hearing on proposed 1% increases (plus new construction) for General ($8.856M), Road ($4.959M, $620k diversion to traffic enforcement), and Conservation Futures ($270k) levies, well below statutory caps ($1.80/$1k). Assessor explained rising values lower rates (e.g., General to $1.02/$1k from $1.56); diversion reduced to $620k from $670k/$720k prior years to aid roads. Approved all resolutions unanimously; noted appeals to BOE.

Key Discussion Points

  • Assessor Chapman: 50 levies managed; values up (ratio 90.1% from 91.3%); 1% resolutions bank capacity; lid lifts expected elsewhere.
  • Road diversion down to boost PW grants (1:10 match); General supplements sheriff.
  • Public: More info/infographics needed; support approval.
  • Commissioners: 1% < inflation; BOE appeals PSA; connects to services/housing.

Public Comments

  • Jean Valjean: High-level info hard for public; needs simplification/infographics.
  • George Yan: Support approval; can't "dumb down" assessor.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Proposed: General $8.856M (+$86k 1%, +$116k new const.); Road $4.959M (+$48k, $620k diversion); CF $270k (+$2.6k).
  • Rates drop due to values; statutory cap $1.80/$1k General.

Financials

  • General: $8,856,000 (Current Expense $8.7M; Veterans $51k, MH/DD $51k each).
  • Road: $4,959,000 ($620k diversion, $4.34M roads).
  • CF: $270,300.
  • 1% + new const./refunds.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved 4 resolutions (General/Road/CF increases, road diversion) + letter to assessor.
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

2023-2028 Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

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  • Time Range: 02:01:18–02:44:54 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, planning, budgeting

Summary

Public Works presented the TIP with 32 projects ($38.5M total, 95% grants, $4.5M 2023), prioritizing bridges (Little Quilcene, Yarr), culverts (Snow Creek), resurfacing (Center Rd), trails (ODT), and flats (Upper Hoh, Undy bypass). Road fund forecast shows reserves eroding (~$700k deficit 2024+ due to costs > revenues, lost federal timber). Approved unanimously after hearing; public praised roads.

Key Discussion Points

  • Top projects: Quilcene streets/ph1, Upper Hoh ph2 ($19M), Snow Creek culvert ($1M FEMA), Little Quilcene bridge ($5.7M), ODT connection ($5M).
  • Road fund: Negative cash by 2024 without adjustments; costs up 8%, revenues ~2%; lost $1.1M fed timber.
  • Gravel chip seal (Van Trojan): Low priority, decades payback.
  • Gardners boat ramp: Local $50k+ to match port elevation.
  • Sight lines: Noted (Hastings/Jacob Miller, Cape George/Discovery).

Public Comments

  • Tom Tears: Praise roads; prioritize sight lines (Hastings/Jacob Miller, Cape George/Discovery).
  • Jean Bulk: Thanks for excellent county roads vs. PT.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • 32 projects, $38.5M total ($6.3M local over 6yrs); e.g., Quilcene ph1 $796k, Center resurface $2.2M, ODT $5.1M.
  • Fund forecast: Reserves to $0 by 2024+.

Financials

  • Total: $38.5M (95% grants, $1.8M local 6yrs); 2023: $4.5M.
  • Local annual ~$300k; road fund deficit risks.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved TIP resolution.
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Updating County Road Standards

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:47:21–03:03:39 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, ordinances, planning

Summary

Public Works proposed formalizing existing JCC road standards (widths, surfacing, approaches) via resolution for CRAB compliance, adding paved approaches requirement for high-ADT roads/new driveways/shared roads/SFR off major roads (15ft min). Standards reference WSDOT/AASHTO; engineer discretion allowed. Approved unanimously; public supported paving.

Key Discussion Points

  • Existing in JCC 18.30/12.05/13.56; new: paved approaches ADT>1000 or commercial>30 trips/day.
  • Prevents gravel tracking/road damage; Kitsap requires all paved.
  • UGA: Sidewalks via SEPA case-by-case.
  • Gravel in sewer boundary (Alley St): Low vol., no grants.

Public Comments

  • Tom Tears: Support paving approaches; suggest group grants for volume discounts.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Exhibit A: Typical sections (14-40ft roadway by ADT/DHV), paved approaches criteria/sight distances.

Financials

  • Developer cost: few $k/driveway.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved resolution.
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Exception to Personnel Manual: OlyCAP Gifts

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  • Time Range: 03:04:54–03:08:54 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel

Summary

Board approved exception to manual Sec.4 ($25 non-nominal gift limit) for OlyCAP $35 gift cards ($25 BBQ + $10 coffee) to Castle Hill staff enduring 7th Haven construction (parking/noise/dust/safety). Pending manual update to RCW $50/inflation link; no conflict as gratitude gesture.

Key Discussion Points

  • Manual outdated; similar sheriff issue last year.
  • Donation-funded, not taxpayer; no influence intent.

Public Comments

  • No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Manual Sec.4.1: >$25 non-nominal.

Financials

  • $35/employee gift cards.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved resolution.
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Update manual to RCW link.

2023 Housing Fund Board Recommendations

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  • Time Range: 03:09:15–03:13:15 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, services

Summary

HFB recommended 75% funding ($557k from 148/149) for 7 projects, balance via 1590; legal requires new 1590 RFP, so deferred. Funds available Jan 2023; special HFB mtg Nov30 for RFP/refine recs.

Key Discussion Points

  • 9 apps > funds; 75% for most, 0 for 2 (Dove/OWL via 1590).
  • Legal: 1590 needs RFP.

Public Comments

  • No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Recs: $557k (148 $92k/149 $465k); e.g., OlyCAP Caswell $83k, Bayside Tiny $132k.

Financials

  • 148 avail $102k (fund $92k); 149 $519k (fund $465k).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Deferred; no action.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: HFB Nov30 RFP/refine; re-present.

2023 Lodging Tax Funding Recommendations

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:21:40–03:30:40 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, services

Summary

LTAC recommended $954k across 16 orgs ($950k rev, slight over), prioritizing visitor services (full fund JCHS, chambers, TCC); reduced/zeroed events (ShrimpFest half, Farmers Mkt half, some 0). Approved unanimously; wish full funding possible.

Key Discussion Points

  • $1.2M reqs > $950k; full visitor ctrs, cuts to events/one-offs.
  • New: Trails counters, TREAD app.

Public Comments

  • No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Recs: e.g., JCHS $135k full, ShrimpFest $17.5k (half), Chambers full/partial.

Financials

  • $953k grants + $10k contingency + fees = $968k total.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Affirmed LTAC recs.
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Process 2023 agreements.

Background Materials

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