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12/05/22 09 AM: Jefferson Commissioners Tackle Shine Road Safety, Budget, Forestry

Jefferson Commissioners Tackle Shine Road Safety, Budget, Forestry

Commissioners addressed Shine Road erosion/speeding hazards, committed engineer responses; discussed resuming frequent COVID radio updates; planned forestry carbon/reconveyance workshops; held mid-biennium budget hearing praising fiscal restraint, no changes; promoted United Good Neighbors giving campaign; approved consent agenda.

Shine Road Safety and Traffic Concerns

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:36.251–00:28:05.538 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, operations, public safety, planning

Summary

Public commenters raised safety issues on Shine Road, including narrowing to one lane due to bluff erosion, speeding despite 25 mph limit, pedestrian hazards for ~100 families, increased traffic rerouting via Google Maps during SR 104 canal bridge closures and upcoming roundabout construction, and poor visibility at intersections with SR 104 and Teal Lake Road. Commissioners acknowledged the issues as long-known, noted the road shift project (TIP #15, ~4,000 ft, secured FEMA funding, est. $220k+, right-of-way August 2023), recent speed limit reduction, failed attempts to adjust Google routing, and plans for WSDOT coordination on roundabout impacts including potential east-end closure during construction; they committed to emailing commenters via county engineer Monty for details and timelines.

Key Discussion Points

  • Road narrowed for 2 years; waiting for full collapse to declare emergency and avoid permitting (e.g., environmental for "Ka Kavians" [Transcript unclear at 00:04:25.915]); increased risks from families walking with children/strollers, ignored speed limits, Google rerouting, and impending roundabout traffic.
  • Ron Hildebrandt (Shine Plat HOA President): No mitigation plan for roundabout delays; concerns over left turns from Paradise/Shine onto SR 104 at 55-70 mph speeds, one-way blocks dumping traffic into neighborhood dead-ends like Meredith; requests contact for ongoing coordination beyond state.
  • Speed limit lowered few years ago after community input; roundabout data supports safety gains despite opposition; county controls two TIP intersections.
  • Jean Paul: WSDOT reportedly scrapped west-end Hood Canal Bridge roundabout due to truck momentum complaints (commissioners unaware, will seek clarification).

Public Comments

  • Dean Crawford (in-room, Port Ludlow area resident): Existing hazards worsened by roundabout; requests prioritization transcending departmental politics, budget revisions for fixes.
  • Ron Hildebrandt (Zoom, Shine Plat HOA President): Echoes need for traffic mitigation, resident access during construction.
  • Jean Paul (in-room): WSDOT scrapped roundabout per Portland event info.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials provided; TIP #15 referenced in discussion (road shift post-2021 storm, "secure status" interpreted as funding secured, FEMA noted).

Financials

  • TIP #15: est. $220,000+ (noted as low given current costs); FEMA funding secured this year.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Commit to email response from county engineer (Monty) to Dean Crawford and Ron Hildebrandt; public works to address fully (in writing or future meeting); vocal stakeholder role in WSDOT coordination.
  • Vote: None taken.
  • Next Steps:
  • Email contact info collection for direct response (faster than next board meeting).
  • Clarify roundabout status with WSDOT.

Frequency of Dr. Barry's COVID-19 Updates

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:17:33.763–00:21:33.354 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public health, services

Summary

Commissioners discussed resuming more frequent KPTZ radio updates from Jefferson County Public Health Officer Dr. Barry amid rising case counts and community requests, after a reduction due to repetition; options included weekly, bi-weekly, or aligning with Board of Health meetings (first week Monday here, third Thursday there), weighing her workload and value.

Key Discussion Points

  • Community emails missing weekly "dose"; KPTZ open to Monday slot; Dr. Barry available.
  • Concerns: Repetitive, performative, pulls from other work; Board of Health reports as alternative.
  • Bi-weekly compromise proposed; conversation with Dr. Barry needed on cost-benefit.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Bi-weekly updates.
  • Align with Board of Health (broadcast option).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Commissioner to discuss with Dr. Barry (agenda planning Wednesday); assess frequency/timing.
  • Vote: None taken.
  • Next Steps: Conversation this week; potential adjustment for fall/winter.

Forestry Workshop Debrief and Follow-Up Planning

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:21:33.354–00:24:17.839; 02:43:15.997–03:09:41.632 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, land use, other

Summary

Commissioners debriefed recent forestry workshop (engaging, reconveyance viable), planned follow-up on DNR carbon payments (flexible deadline end-2022, finite carbon pulled), communication to DNR on carbon program public comment, and general forestry issues; proposed back-to-back workshops this month (carbon calculations first, then debrief/comms), potentially afternoon post-consent; later detailed parcel-specific carbon analysis, reconveyance/tools (e.g., trust land transfer), collaborative DNR management north of SR 104.

Key Discussion Points

  • Workshop highlights: Community forestry update, reconveyance viable; DNR changes (finite carbon out).
  • Need: Carbon valuation workshop (Peter Bales, Heath Takala); DNR feedback letter; parcel options (e.g., north of SR 104 for county mgmt/reconveyance, Quilcene for timber).
  • Tools: Reconveyance (county forest board lands), trust land transfer (common school); inter-trust exchange ideas; longer rotations/collaborative harvest.
  • Junior taxing districts revenue concerns; library prefers steady carbon revenue.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials provided; prior workshop, DNR trust outreach specialist, Forest for the Future report (2011/12) referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Mosaic management vs. uniform carbon; own carbon sales/reconveyance.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Schedule carbon workshop Dec 12 PM (1:30, w/ Peter Bales, Heath Takala/AFRC, Mallory, DNR?); subsequent on options/reconveyance (Dec 19?); Heidi draft DNR letter post-workshop.
  • Vote: None taken.
  • Next Steps:
  • Afternoon debrief today (post-9:45 hearing).
  • Workshop Mon Dec 12 1:30 PM (parcel focus, hypotheticals).
  • DNR letter on participation/concerns.

2022-2023 Mid-Biennium Budget Review and Modification Public Hearing

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:24:07.162–01:28:36.474 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, personnel, contracts, operations

Summary

Staff presented the mid-biennium review (biennial budgeting's 2nd year, status quo w/ minor increases from prior board decisions: retro pay, corrections bonuses/deputies, positions); revenues up ~4% (conservative, sales tax <9% growth), expenditures down -3.3% GF (vacancies save), up 11% other funds; ARPA ~$10M total windfall praised; challenges: 7.5% inflation (construction higher), recession likely, employee competition, road funding gaps (diversion to $620k); 5-year projections rosier; 3 new GF requests ($6k clerk error, treasurer asst step-up, parks FTE/supplies); public tied to Shine Road funding. Board commended process, no changes needed pre-Dec 12 adoption.

Key Discussion Points

  • 99% changes from prior decisions (e.g., 2 courthouse deputies offset PPC cut); 2023 GF lower than 2022 Q3; reserves met; staffing +7 FTE total (PH epidemiologist); revenues lag expenditures due to vacancies (15 now, 26 peak 2022, underspend ~$23-24M vs $25.7M budget).
  • Sales tax softening noted, but full-year solid (construction bumps: Hadlock sewer, SR104/Hwy19, Landis/Rainier apts, Habitat Hadlock); interest/CDs high.
  • Debt capacity for facilities (Castle Hill/Public Works); capital committee 2024.
  • Challenges: Inflation erodes 1% tax limit, ARPA remaining, ICG extension, sustainable forestry potential, road SRS decline ($1M loss), diversion cuts.

Public Comments

  • Steve Dittmar (Zoom, Port Ludlow): Budget for Shine Rd speed bumps/tables, Google shutdown, SR104/Shine striping/do-not-block for left turns.
  • Dean Crawford (in-room): Leftover budget for ~50-person email concerns; if SR104 roundabout abandoned, react to save lives.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet details 4Q supps ($5.8M one-time/$237k ongoing, e.g., Auditor retiree payout, Elections pamphlet, Sheriff RSAT/jail upgrades, ARPA LATCF $1.7M, Hadlock error -$250k); tax levies certified (1% increases, e.g., PUD $600k, Port $1.1M+IDD $2.6M, fire/schools); ICG extension to 12/31/23; parks LT $50k campgrounds; JUMP! CO#5 $4.7k bollards; Baughman deed salmon habitat; ODT cultural assess $10k; staff commended restraint.

Financials

  • GF 2022 Q3: $26.6M exp / 2023 rec: $25.7M (-3%); Other Funds +11%; ending GF balance $6.9M / $6.1M; sales tax ~$5.1M budgeted (near target); ARPA ~$7.5M+$1.7M=~$9.2M (total ~$11.8M w/CARES); road diversion $620k 2023; new GF: clerk $6k, treas asst step, parks mntce; supps detailed in packet.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No changes; effective process praised; Shine not budget venue (via TIP).
  • Vote: None taken (hearing closed; adoption Dec 12).
  • Next Steps: Final adoption Dec 12 (or by 19); 4Q supp hearing Dec 19 10:30AM.

United Good Neighbors Give Jefferson 2023 Workplace Giving Campaign

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:28:59.153–01:40:48.290 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, other

Summary

Shavon (United Good Neighbors/Jefferson Community Foundation) presented the 2023 campaign (Nov11-Dec31 payroll, goal $375k up from prior, ~$75k early), thanking county's 60yr partnership; funds support 33 vetted nonprofits (food banks, SVdP aid, JC Match health van, Benji youth MH) amid inflation/poverty/youth MH crises; most gifts $10-50; monthly payroll deductions encouraged (contact payroll/Alita); commissioners promoted, shared personal giving stories.

Key Discussion Points

  • 10% poverty, 80%+ youth free/reduced lunch some areas; connects villages/classes; systemic (housing/wages) + immediate aid.
  • Vetting: 20-person community team; partners listed on givejefferson.org (flyers in offices).
  • ECHO: Gear/rides; monthly small gifts empower orgs.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced; givejefferson.org, 33 partners listed.

Financials

  • Goal: $375,000 (75k early).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Promote campaign/payroll deductions.
  • Vote: None taken.
  • Next Steps: Pledges via site/payroll; county employees contact Sarah/Mark.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:28:40.014–00:30:08.508 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, personnel, planning

Summary

Consent agenda approved unanimously without items pulled; included perfunctory approvals (e.g., Roger Hall PAB resignation, Marianne Walters reappt, ICG extension, tax levy cert, 4Q budget notice) and substantive hidden items per materials: parks LT $50k campgrounds, ROV kelp survey $25k, JUMP! CO#5 $4.7k, Baughman salmon deed, ODT cultural $10k.

Key Discussion Points

Limited discussion; excitement for ROV kelp footage, Roger Hall's long service/institutional knowledge, cultural assess for ODT.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet details: LT parks $50k, ROV-Seattle Aquarium $24.8k WDFW grant, PAB appts, ICG res to 12/31/23, tax levies (1% incr), 4Q supp notice/hearing 12/19.

Financials

Aggregated via packet: e.g., parks $50k LT, ROV $24.8k grant, cultural $10k (RCO $7.4k/CIF $2.8k), JUMP CO $4.7k; tax levies ~$30M+ total (e.g., fires $10M+, schools $20M+).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda as presented."
  • Vote: Unanimous (motion/second, all aye).
  • Next Steps: Execute agreements/resolutions (e.g., record deeds, 4Q hearing 12/19).

Background Materials

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