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04/21/23 11 AM: BOCC Rescinds COVID Emergency, Strategic Plan Update, Dept Reports

BOCC Rescinds COVID Emergency, Strategic Plan Update, Dept Reports

Jefferson County BOCC meeting: rescinded COVID-19 emergency declaration ending mandates; strategic plan environmental scan progress with strong community input; extensive department head roundtable on staffing, projects, safety, legislation, and initiatives including building codes, assessor safety, IT cybersecurity, childcare funding, and sewer expansion.

Rescission of COVID-19 State of Emergency

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:22.247–00:05:18.767 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, personnel, public safety

Summary

The Board of County Commissioners rescinded Resolution 49-22 and 1210 on April 10, ending the county's internal declaration of emergency related to COVID-19. This action eliminated temporary administrative paid leave enhancements and vaccination mandates or recommendations. Modifications to the personnel policy now include suggestions to stay home when sick, wash hands, and note that wearing masks can be an effective mitigation for infectious disease, while maintaining a culture where masking remains acceptable and not questioned.

Key Discussion Points

  • Chair Greg Brotherton stated the BOCC rescinded the resolutions, removing paid admin leave enhancements and mandates/recommendations on vaccinations.
  • Personnel policy changes emphasize suggestions like staying home when sick and handwashing; masks are optional but should not be called out as unusual.
  • COVID-19 persists, with concerns about MIS-C in children; one child hospitalized in Clallam County.
  • Meetings at Chambers Creek are at full capacity; some departments like Public Health retain masking in clinical care.
  • Jefferson Healthcare and hospitals apply masking for clinical staff, voluntary otherwise, with requirements in some units like ICU.
  • Grace for masking choices encouraged, as it has been cultural in other places for decades.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

County State of Emergency – COVID-19 packet summary confirms rescission of emergency declaration, return to full capacity meetings, and personnel policy adjustments on masking; aligns with discussion.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational update; emergency declaration rescinded on April 10.
  • Vote: No vote taken.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Strategic Plan Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:05:18.767–00:13:52.938 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, operations

Summary

County Administrator Mark McCauley updated on progress with consultant Barry Dunn and the Strategic Planning Leadership Committee, currently in environmental scan phase with stakeholder outreach, interviews, employee panels, and online input via Social Pinpoint site. Employee survey had 169 responses (45.7% participation rate, described as exceptional). Upcoming meetings include BOCC special meeting on May 11 at Camp Beausite, strategic planning on May 26 with electeds and directors (excluding commissioners), and June 22 review of draft plan.

Key Discussion Points

  • Mark McCauley: Consultant conducting stakeholder interviews/surveys; employee panels on March 24; elected officials group (5 attended); Social Pinpoint site has ideas wall (6 areas), survey, Envision dialogue; word cloud highlights "housing" prominently.
  • Wendy Davis: Dashboard stats: 4,127 visits, 1,504 unique users, 280 unique stakeholders, 111 comments, 232 survey responses; push to schools for youth input.
  • Committee member noted strong response rates; housing and community key themes.
  • Upcoming dates to be calendared for all; May 11 at ropes course site; June 22 (not 20s as initially stated).
  • Valuable input from community/stakeholders emphasized.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Strategic Plan Update packet summary confirms progress with Berry Dunn, online post-it notes site, survey responses, and scheduled meetings on May 11, May 26, and June 22; aligns with transcript.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational update on progress.
  • Vote: No vote taken.
  • Next Steps:
  • May 11, 2023: BOCC special meeting at Camp Beausite (10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) for environmental scan report and priorities.
  • May 26, 2023: Strategic planning meeting with electeds/department directors (commissioners excluded).
  • June 22, 2023: Meeting with electeds/department directors to review draft plan, then to full BOCC.

Department Head Round Table Updates

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:13:52.938–01:04:04.345 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel, operations, planning, infrastructure, services, contracts, budgeting, other

Summary

Department heads and elected officials provided round table updates on staffing changes, hiring, legislative impacts, projects, safety concerns, court backlogs, IT/cybersecurity enhancements, and community initiatives during the coordination meeting. Key highlights included new WSU Extension director interviews, DCD preparations for significant 2023 building code changes including Wildland Urban Interface code, assessor appraiser safety issues, Blake case backlog processing, IT server relocation and cybersecurity measures like auto-locking and ticketing, and commissioner reports on childcare center funding, Port Hadlock sewer expansion, and solid waste planning. Updates were informational with Q&A on select items.

Key Discussion Points

  • Bridget (Extension): New WSU Extension director interviews April 26–28 (candidates: Rebecca Minercheck, Amit Sharma, Rachel Cardone); 4H coordinator Sarah transitioning to remote through summer.
  • Stacy Prada (Treasurer): Chief Deputy Sabrina Hathaway retiring July 5 after 31 years; new hire starts May 1 with management/accounting experience; property taxes due May 1 (extra day).
  • Brett (DCD): Positions open (code compliance, planners); advancing C-PAPER program, stock plans for streamlined permitting; major 2023 building code changes effective July 1, including new Wildland Urban Interface code for fire-resilient buildings.
  • Andy (Sheriff): Front lobby opened; back parking lot work completed; down 5 jail officers.
  • Jeff (Assessor): Legislative session updates—HB 1355 senior exemption thresholds rising (Jefferson ~$50k+ based on median income); SB 5104 for biennial shoreline obliques by 2024; appraiser safety concerns from driveway inspections amid public distrust/news stories; exploring alternatives like video, drones, aerials.
  • Brandon (Superior Court): Reevaluating local court rules; Color of Justice event for youth; child welfare law changes retreat June 9; courtroom updates for trauma-responsive environment (benches, art, plants).
  • Mindy Walker (District Court): Blake backlog processing with Ruth; down one staff; fourth grade tour next Friday.
  • Jen Moore (Security): 4,982 visitors last month; no major incidents; fingerprinting available for certain staff.
  • Barbara (Prosecutor): Busy criminal/civil; Court of Appeals decision on firearm restoration; handling coroner duties.
  • Shannon (Juvenile Services): New dependency laws (HB 1227) retreat; parent reunification navigator; fully staffed but 7.5/7 new <6 months; seeking courthouse therapy dog.
  • Brenda (Auditor): Filing week for 56 offices; new election bills (automatic voter reg via enhanced DL); recording fees up $100 (July 1 or Jan 1); map fees up July 1; staffing changes; ESS self-serve payroll.
  • Chris (Central Services/IT): Server relocation to jail for power outage resilience; moving to Exchange Online; cybersecurity enhancements including auto-lock (10 min standard), ticketing system, new database specialist; community wildfire protection plan contract awarded to SWCA.
  • Amanda (Clerk): Fully staffed; Blake refunds issued, recoding for state transition July 1.
  • Kate (Commissioner): Federal funding for Port Townsend childcare center (42 slots, YMCA); aquatic center exploration; Port Hadlock sewer ($35M over 2 years, new manager); PIF funds extended; solid waste task force site review.
  • Mark McCauley: Gateway Visitor Center transition; procurement code work.
  • Q&A on IT ticketing/auto-lock (email/web interface, 10 min with exemptions, video/Zoom unaffected); appraiser safety alternatives; Rody Days parade entry; Mill Road roundabout coordination.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No additional supporting materials referenced beyond general packet context.

Financials

  • Treasurer: Property taxes due May 1.
  • DCD: No figures.
  • Port Hadlock sewer: $35M over next 2 years.
  • Recording fees: Up $100 (possibly July 1 or Jan 1).
  • Map fees: Increase July 1.
  • Senior exemption threshold: Currently $40k, rising to over $50k for Jefferson County.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Assessor property inspections: Considered car cameras, drones, helicopters, oblique aerials vs. physical inspections.
  • IT auto-lock: 10 min standard after feedback (between 5 min and none); exemptions for public safety/control systems.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational round table updates; no formal actions.
  • Vote: No vote taken.
  • Next Steps:
  • WSU Extension director presentations: April 26–28 (links on website).
  • DCD: Discussions with BOCC on new building codes.
  • Assessor: Process senior exemptions later 2023; first half taxes due.
  • Courts: Blake backlog to District Court; child welfare retreat June 9; fourth grade tour next Friday.
  • IT: Rollout ticketing, cybersecurity enhancements, database meetings; server relocation underway.
  • Commissioner projects: Childcare groundbreaking later 2023; solid waste site reviews starting April 22; aquatic center public input opportunities.
  • Rody Days parade: County entry led by Sheriff's old car (voluntary, no overtime).

Background Materials

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