Skip to content

02/06/23 09 AM: Jefferson Commissioners Approve Consent Amid JAVS Security Forest Concerns

Jefferson Commissioners Approve Consent Amid JAVS Security Forest Concerns

Commissioners unanimously approved consent agenda with housing grants (~$800k), JAVS maintenance ($8k), and security ordinance hearing despite public criticisms on tech quality, employee exemptions. Additional: human rights proclamation; declining COVID/flu rates; trails RAISE grant support; forest management workshop (PCT, DNR transfers, $1M revenue); noxious weed MOUs ($50k).

Public Comments on Consent Agenda Items

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:42–00:22:40 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, contracts, operations, other

Summary

Public commenters raised concerns on two consent agenda items: the JAVS courtroom recording system maintenance agreement (Item 4) and the proposed uncodified ordinance setting a public hearing on courthouse security standards (Item 1). Mr. Tish criticized JAVS as inadequate and costly, urging upgrade to existing county systems like EV Capture or Zoom. He opposed the security ordinance's exemptions for employees and armed personnel, citing workplace violence statistics and enforcement issues. Commissioners responded that JAVS serves evidentiary needs distinct from public viewing, courts operate independently on budgets, and security proposals continue prior practices but welcome input at the hearing.

Key Discussion Points

  • Mr. Tish: JAVS produces unwatchable audio/video at "absurdly high" annual cost; county controls budget and should push courts to upgrade.
  • Mr. Tish: Security ordinance exempts employees (26% of workplace violence perpetrators) and armed staff (deputies, prosecutors); recommends workshop before hearing.
  • Commissioner Dean: JAVS hearing first noted; public comment planned for forestry workshop; map updated for Forest for the Future report.
  • Commissioner Brotherton: JAVS upgraded recently with judicial satisfaction; will review with new Judge Mac; proceed with consent but prepare for future review.
  • Mr. Macaulay (Court Administrator): Courts contract directly with JAVS; new Superior Court judge has tech concerns.
  • Commissioners: Security is draft ordinance replacing 2018 policy; exemptions address prior issues; hearing for changes.

Public Comments

  • Mr. Tish: JAVS inadequate/unwatchable; security exemptions dangerous/unenforceable; suggest workshop.
  • Jean Valjean (Miss Paul): Echoed security concerns; reported 4+ downed leave trees on DNR lands near Pennsylvania; requested updates on logging/mapping.
  • No further comments on these items.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced in discussion; JAVS maintenance and security ordinance in consent packet.

Financials

  • JAVS annual maintenance: "Absurdly high" per Mr. Tish (packet: $8,167 for Superior Court).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Consent agenda approved as presented, including JAVS maintenance and security hearing setting.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes from all commissioners).
  • Next Steps: JAVS review with Judge Mac; security public hearing February 21; forestry workshop public comment added.

Courthouse Security Ordinance Public Hearing Setting

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:47–00:16:51 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, ordinances

Summary

Consent Item 1 sets public hearing February 21 on uncodified ordinance updating Resolution 78-99 for courthouse security screening/weapons policy. Public raised safety concerns on employee exemptions and armed exceptions; board clarified as draft continuing 2018 practices, open to hearing changes.

Key Discussion Points

  • Mr. Tish: Exemptions risky (26% workplace violence by employees); armed deputies/prosecutors contradict interior weapons ban.
  • Commissioners: Draft (uncodified) for hearing; prior workshop unusual; changes possible post-testimony.

Public Comments

  • Mr. Tish: Exemptions "plain old dangerous"; needs "tweaking" for realism.
  • Jean Valjean: All staff should be screened ("going postal").

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet: Ordinance repeals 78-99; mandates screening but waives for employees/judges/law enforcement; weapons prohibited inside; hearing Feb 21.

Financials

No financials discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

Workshop before hearing suggested.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Consent approval sets hearing.
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Public hearing February 21, 10:30 a.m.

JAVS Courtroom Recording Maintenance Agreement

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:09:22–00:16:01 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, operations

Summary

Consent Item 4 renews $8,167 JAVS maintenance for Superior Court recording system. Public criticized poor public-view quality/cost; board noted evidentiary purpose, judicial satisfaction post-upgrades, courts' independence.

Key Discussion Points

  • Ongoing complaints; courts upgraded hardware/software recently (Judges Landis/Bick/Nordstrom/Harper satisfied).
  • New Judge Mac has concerns; virtual tech improved but courtroom needs differ.

Public Comments

  • Mr. Tish: "Unwatchable" audio; high cost despite county EV/Zoom licenses.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet: $8,167 for Centro CX/Mobile Cart; help desk/on-site support; excludes video conferencing/network.

Financials

  • $8,167 (Fund 001-240); prior upgrades ~$50k+ (Trial Improvement/General Fund).

Alternatives & Amendments

Upgrade to county systems suggested.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved in consent.
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Review with Judge Mac; potential future substantial review.

Consent Agenda Approval (Housing, Parks, NOLA, Other)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:22:40–00:25:18 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, services, personnel, planning

Summary

Meaty consent agenda approved unanimously without pulls despite public comments. Major items: Multiple housing grants (Funds 148/149/1590 totaling ~$800k+ across OlyCAP/Bayside/Habitat/Dove/OWL); park caretaker renewals (Gibbs Lake $18,887); NOLA lobbying ($13,183 share); Rice Lake pit license ($5,500); other (security hearing, JAVS).

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioners praised housing (Funds 148/149/1590), park caretakers (volunteer-managed parks), NOLA (relieves EDC pressure).
  • Noted Quilcene Complete Streets delays.

Public Comments

No direct comments post-discussion.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet details multiple grants/contracts for housing/shelter/parks/infrastructure; all approved.

Financials

  • Housing: ~$800k+ across 10+ items (e.g., Bayside $244.5k, OlyCAP $369k+, Dove $192k, etc.).
  • Parks: Gibbs Lake $18,887 (non-monetary: housing/utilities).
  • NOLA: $13,183 (1/3 of $39,548).
  • Rice Lake: $5,500 revenue.

Alternatives & Amendments

None.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve the consent agenda for February sixth, 2023."
  • Vote: Unanimous Ayes.
  • No next steps specified.

Human Rights Proclamation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:25:41–00:32:56 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other

Summary

Proclamation read by elected officials (Auditor Brenda Huntingford, Treasurer Stacey Prada, Sheriff Joe Nole, others); affirms commitment to human rights/dignity/equality regardless of protected classes; agencies withhold no services based on status. Approved unanimously.

Key Discussion Points

  • General proclamation; aligns with council values.

Public Comments

No public comment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet: Full text commits to Constitution, reports discrimination, vigilance against hate.

Financials

No financials discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

None.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Move to approve the proclamation as read."
  • Vote: Unanimous Ayes.
  • Next Steps: Signed by elects; distribute.

COVID-19 and Public Health Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:44:11–01:28:12 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, services, other

Summary

Dr. Barry reported declining national/state COVID rates (Jefferson: 158/100k, 1/13 ascertainment); low flu/RSV; XBB.1.5 dominant but bivalent boosters protective. Wastewater uptick monitored. Discussed emergency end (May), masking, boosters, wastewater/deaths backlog explanation, bird flu (no human cases). Q&A on masks, vaccines, disposal.

Key Discussion Points

  • COVID: No surge; bivalent effective; case rate ~2,000/100k adjusted.
  • Flu low (<1% ED visits).
  • Masks: High-risk/crowded; reusable N95 up to 100h if fit good.
  • Bird flu: No human cases; monitor backyard flocks.
  • Vaccine privatization: Follow ACIP; annual boosters likely.

Public Comments

None.

Supporting Materials Referenced

None.

Financials

No financials discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

None.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational.
  • No next steps specified.

Peninsula Trails Coalition RAISE Grant Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:28:17–01:57:06 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, planning, other

Summary

Peninsula Trails Coalition seeks co-applicant letter for $10M RAISE planning grant (due Feb 28) connecting 200mi trails (ODT/Sound-to-Olympics/GART). Focus: 5 Jefferson segments (Old Hwy 9, Discovery Bay, Eaglemont, etc.). No match; reimburses planning. Board supportive; Public Works limited capacity (phone calls/letter).

Key Discussion Points

  • $1.15B rural pot (no min/max changed); 8yr spend.
  • Lead applicant needed (cash flow); Jefferson co-applicant.
  • Public Works: Minor input; no lead/staffing.

Public Comments

None.

Supporting Materials Referenced

None; prior ODT studies.

Financials

Request ~$10M (planning); Jefferson share TBD (staff reimbursed).

Alternatives & Amendments

None.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational; draft support letter by Feb 18.
  • No vote.
  • Next Steps: Commissioner Eisenhower/Public Works refine letter.

Jefferson County Forest Lands Management Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:45:46–04:05:36 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use, planning, operations

Summary

Chickadee Forestry report on 1,800ac county forests (300 parcels <10ac); recommends PCT (Cape George/Beausite -$39k), selective harvest offsetting via DNR reconveyance/TLT (e.g., Cape George 243ac, Teal/Anderson Lakes ~1,700ac). Strategy: County manage N of SR104 (pop dense/slow growth); DNR S of 104 timber. Net $1M+ revenue 2023-30. Public urged older forest protection/diverse replanting.

Key Discussion Points

  • Small parcels inefficient; ecological forestry (30% removal, 80yr rotations).
  • DNR Carbon Project: Include pre-1920s forests.
  • Revenue: County lighter touch vs DNR efficiency trade-off.

Public Comments

  • Broth Probe (CRF): Reconveyance to parks; align harvest w/parks?
  • Dr. Jones (OFC): Halt legacy harvests; ecological guidelines; annual reports.
  • Jessica: Clark Co parks model; protect carbon/high-conservation areas.
  • Jean Paul: Thanks; diverse replanting/mosaic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Report: Scenarios/revenue; map (older forests/carbon/DNR harvest); Forest for Future update.

Financials

PCT: -$39k; selective harvest net $1M+ (309ac).

Alternatives & Amendments

Status quo (net loss); expand via transfers.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational workshop.
  • No vote.
  • Next Steps: Policy guidance on DNR collaboration/transfers; Paulus Swedeen workshop; legislative updates.

Noxious Weed Control Program Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 04:05:36–04:41:01 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, services, planning

Summary

New Coordinator Sophie de Groot outlined MOUs ($50k+): Public Works roads/landfill ($25k?), PUD corridor ($25k Scotch broom), City PT ($?), Fort Warden ($?). Crews (WCC/EarthCorps/Column): 12-15wks. Outreach: Brochures/presentations/kids. Board recruitment (3 seats: ag/primary producers). Early detection key.

Key Discussion Points

  • Priorities: Wild parsnip, hemlock, knotweed, broom.
  • Vectors: Landfills/roads/gravel pits.
  • Education: IPM guide, weed wrench rentals.

Public Comments

None.

Supporting Materials Referenced

MOUs/maps; brochures/IPM guide.

Financials

$50k+ MOUs (roads/PUD/City/Fort Warden); tax fund builds reserves.

Alternatives & Amendments

Gravel pit certification (w/Column).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational.
  • No vote.
  • Next Steps: Board recruitment; MOUs/Column crew; dump day.

Background Materials

Contents

AI Information