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02/21/23 09 AM: Public Pushes Pump Track Funds, Vaccine Opposition, Security Exemptions

Public Pushes Pump Track Funds, Vaccine Opposition, Security Exemptions

Jefferson County Commissioners meeting included diverse public comments requesting ARPA funds for a pump track project, opposing vaccine equity training, supporting warming centers, and debating courthouse security exceptions for attorneys. Consent agenda unanimously approved, covering road levy certification ($4.95M), grants for tiny shelters and training, and infrastructure items. COVID-19 update noted flat trends and booster recommendations. Emergency management reported paused trainings resuming spring amid cold weather. Extensive hearing on courthouse security ordinance debated universal screening vs. ID-based exemptions; continued to Feb 27.

Public Comments

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  • Time Range: 00:40:15.605–01:03:06.520 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, public safety, planning, other

Summary

Public comments addressed multiple topics including a request for ARPA funding for a pump track project near Port Townsend Middle School, opposition to a consent agenda item on vaccine equity training with anti-racist literacy components, support for exempting licensed attorneys from courthouse security screening, announcements of warming center operations, and debate on courthouse security exceptions for attorneys. Commissioners responded after all comments, expressing support for the pump track, defending the equity training as improving public health access, noting appreciation for warming center volunteers, and deferring courthouse security comments to the scheduled hearing. Public comment remained open until 9:30 a.m., with additional speakers on courthouse security.

Key Discussion Points

  • Doug (Port Townsend group, Pump Track): Requested $50,000 ARPA for planning and $50,000 for build; emphasized mental health benefits, all-ages use, community fundraising, and fairgrounds partnerships. Heidi, Kate, Greg: Expressed excitement for youth activities and fairgrounds use.
  • Mr. Schumacher: Opposed Partnership for Vaccine Equity consent item as unnecessary propaganda using tax dollars for low-risk youth; cited vaccine risks and historical mistrust. Heidi, Kate, Greg: Supported as improving equity and public health responsiveness.
  • Margaret Taylor (Jefferson County Bar Assoc.): Supported attorney screening exception due to vetting and frequent courthouse business. Chuck Henry: Supported exception based on experience, noted risks but favored armed deputies waving familiar attorneys through.
  • Mr. Tiersch: Opposed attorney exception as favoritism; argued all should be screened equally.
  • Julia Cochrane: Announced warming center hours at Pope Marine Building and American Legion.

Public Comments

  • Doug (Pump Track group): Supported ARPA funding for mental health/outdoor activity facility.
  • Mr. Schumacher: Opposed vaccine equity training funding.
  • Margaret Taylor/Jefferson County Bar Assoc.: Supported attorney courthouse screening exception.
  • Julia Cochrane: Warming center PSA.
  • Chuck Henry: Supported attorney exception, armed deputies.
  • Mr. Tiersch: Opposed attorney exception.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Pump track: $50,000 ARPA planning, $50,000 build requested.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • No action taken; informational.
  • Commissioners deferred formal responses on courthouse security to 10:30 a.m. hearing.
  • No next steps specified.

Consent Agenda Approval

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  • Time Range: 01:04:08.726–01:09:49.296 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, personnel, infrastructure, planning

Summary

The consent agenda was approved unanimously without items pulled for discussion. Major items included certification of the 2023 road levy ($4.95M total, $5M noted in discussion), additional funding for tiny shelters at Caswell-Brown, appointments to advisory boards, Corrections Center lower parking lot improvements ($10,000), Olympic Discovery Trail grant amendment, surplus copiers declaration, new Therapeutic Courts department, Usawa Consulting anti-racist training contract ($23,779 from grant), and $20,000 housing grant to Community Build. Commissioners noted road levy's importance amid potential canal bridge closure and excitement for Caswell-Brown progress.

Key Discussion Points

  • Heidi: Praised road levy ($5M), tiny shelters Caswell-Brown, advisory board appointments.
  • Kate: Questioned Corrections grading permits (exempt, small area); noted ODT grant progress, corrections incentives effective.
  • Greg: Welcomed Bob Hoyle to Parks Board.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Road levy certification to CRAB ($4,946,804 total).
  • Tiny shelters for Caswell-Brown ($20,000 grant to Community Build).
  • Corrections parking lot ($10,000 contract).
  • ODT Anderson Lake Connection RCO grant amendment.
  • Surplus copiers resolution.
  • Therapeutic Courts Dept 245 establishment.
  • Usawa Consulting contract ($23,779 PAVE grant).
  • Housing/homelessness grant.

Financials

  • Road levy: $4,946,804 total ($620,000 traffic enforcement, $4,326,804 roads).
  • Tiny shelters: $20,000 (1590 funds).
  • Corrections parking: $10,000.
  • Usawa contract: $23,779 (grant-funded).
  • ODT grant: $3,810,720 RCO award.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Consent agenda approved as presented.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: Heidi, Kate, Greg).
  • No next steps specified.

COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Update

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  • Time Range: 01:22:57.769–01:39:45.710 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, services

Summary

Dr. Berry reported national, state, and local COVID-19 trends as flat with Jefferson County at 243 cases per 100,000 (2 hospitalized); emphasized bivalent booster efficacy for high-risk groups. Flu and RSV positivity low regionally; Clallam County stats provided (100/100k, 3 hospitalized). Listener questions addressed vaccine proof, natural immunity studies, boosters, masking efficacy, pets/COVID, avian flu in coyote.

Key Discussion Points

  • Dr. Berry: National cases flat, WA deaths down (~400/day); Jefferson 243/100k, 2 hospitalized (unvaccinated/high-risk); half county bivalent-updated; Clallam 100/100k, 3 hospitalized.
  • Heidi: Tested positive post-NACo; Paxlovid process praised; pet transmission query.
  • Kate: UW study on natural immunity/boosters; population vaccine math.
  • Greg: Bivalent uptake, social contract shift post-Omicron.

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

  • No action taken; informational.
  • No next steps specified.

Emergency Management Update

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  • Time Range: 01:56:53.789–02:06:41.122 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, operations

Summary

Willie Vince reported FEMA cost recoupment ongoing, CERT training paused due to COVID (to resume spring), volunteer event postponed; quiet period with cold snap expected (mid-20s, monitor unsheltered). Responded to queries on windstorm (minimal outages), seismic outreach (Map Your Neighborhood revamp, neighborhood hubs summer rollout).

Key Discussion Points

  • Willie Vince: CERT academy paused (finish 2020 cohort spring); volunteer event spring; quiet, cold snap/possible snow.
  • Heidi: Syria/Turkey earthquakes prompted seismic prep query; neighborhood outreach.
  • Kate: Community gathering nodes (e.g., Quilcene, Port Ludlow).

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

  • No action taken; informational.
  • Next Steps: Spring CERT training, volunteer event; summer neighborhood hubs rollout.

Courthouse Security Ordinance Hearing

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  • Time Range: 02:07:48.325–03:38:18.798 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, public safety, operations

Summary

Staff (Sheriff Noel, DPA Hunsucker) presented draft ordinance repealing 1999 resolution, formalizing screening (metal detectors, bag checks, wanding) for all entrants at basement level per GR 36/RCW 9.41.300; weapons prohibited building-wide. Public testimony debated attorney/employee/volunteer exceptions (ID waiver vs. universal screening to avoid favoritism); knives/pocketknives; ballots/packages. Deliberations considered prox cards/valid ID for exemptions, armed deputies/security, on-duty phrasing, flagging risks (retaliation concerns); continued to 02-27.

Key Discussion Points

  • Sheriff Noel/Hunsucker: Codify procedures; sheriff discretion on exceptions (employees/volunteers/ID, attorneys/bar card, on-duty LE/military, inmates); armed deputies exempt; no attorney weapons.
  • Schumacher: Abbreviated screening for frequent visitors; small knives exception; screening near courtrooms.
  • Prada/Huntingford (Treasurer/Auditor): Support basement screening (reduced incidents); employee/volunteer ID waiver (ballots/mail logistics).
  • Taylor/Henry (Bar Assoc.): Attorney exception (vetted, efficiency); no weapons carried.
  • Tiersch/Yount: Universal screening (no favoritism, "going postal" risk).
  • Commissioners: Valid ID phrasing; prox cards; on-duty employees?; knife discretion; LE/military armed on-duty.

Public Comments

  • Steven Schumacher (Port Townsend): Abbreviated screening, small knives, courtroom-only screening.
  • Stacie Prada (Treasurer, Port Townsend): Support screening, employee waiver, kitchen knives exception.
  • Brenda Huntingford (Auditor, Port Ludlow): Support screening, employee waiver for ballots.
  • Margaret Taylor (Bar Assoc., Port Townsend): Attorney exception, no weapons.
  • Chuck Henry (Port Townsend): Attorney exception, armed deputies discretion.
  • Tom Tiersch (Jefferson County): Universal screening, no exceptions.
  • George Yount (Port Townsend): Universal screening, employee risks.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Draft ordinance (repeal Res. 78-99); GR 36; RCW 9.41.300; written testimony noted.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Universal screening vs. ID waivers/prox cards.
  • Small knives exception.
  • On-duty phrasing for employees/volunteers.
  • Remove off-duty LE/military; armed on-duty only.
  • Ballot/package screening logistics.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • No action taken; hearing continued.
  • Oral testimony closed; written until 02-24 4:30 p.m.
  • Next Steps: Deliberations 02-27 (time TBD); codify post-testimony.

Background Materials

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