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08/28/23 09 AM: Board Approves Consent Agenda, Proclamations; Briefs Fires, Shelter, Land

Board Approves Consent Agenda, Proclamations; Briefs Fires, Shelter, Land

Jefferson County Board unanimously approved a comprehensive consent agenda covering RFPs for infrastructure and housing funds, contracts, road amendments, and personnel changes. Passed proclamations for Eat Local Month and Overdose Awareness Day. Received briefings on elevated wildfire risks and evacuation prep, Humane Society facility/funding needs amid growth and shortfalls, solid waste fee schedule delay due to IT issues, and applications for DNR trust land transfers for conservation and recreation.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:33.389–00:09:18.707 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, personnel, planning, operations, infrastructure

Summary

The Board reviewed and unanimously approved a "beefy" consent agenda including RFPs for Public Infrastructure Fund ($800,189 max) and Housing Funds ($1,185,000 total: $220,000 Homeless Housing, $965,000 Affordable Housing), professional services agreements (Atwell LLC for $100,000 community planning; Hearing Examiner Gary N. McLean extension through 2024 at $175/hour, expected >$25,000), Center Road overlay amendment (+$233,300 RATA funds), Quilcene Complete Streets and Sims Way/Boatyard grant extensions to Oct 31, 2025, Vehicle Licensing amendment (name change), Humane Society appointment (Grey Schad to Board of Health), and resignations (Lorna Smith from Planning Commission; Solenne Walker from MRC). Supporting materials detailed these as substantive financial commitments and personnel actions, with no items pulled for discussion despite board comments on hearing examiner backlog, planning vacancies, and project delays.

Key Discussion Points

  • Board noted progress on RFPs, permit review contracts to address DCD backlog, PIF projects (Quilcene streets, Center Road overlay), planning commission leadership vacancy due to state board conflict, hearing examiner serves multiple governments with variable case complexity/backlog, and gratitude for public feedback on DCD changes.
  • Commissioner Eisenhour: Positive on communication via press release.
  • County Administrator McCauley: Hearing examiner meticulous but backlog due to multi-jurisdiction service.
  • Limited discussion overall; items addressed primarily through supporting materials.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • PIF RFP: Max $800,189 for economic development projects (PIF Board approved 8/24/23).
  • Housing RFP: $220k Homeless, $965k Affordable (Housing Fund Board approved 8/23/23); notes recording fee changes via SSB 5386 affecting splits.
  • Atwell LLC: $100k for planning/development review to backlog (down 3 staff); term 8/28/23–6/30/25.
  • Hearing Examiner: Extend to 12/31/24; $175/hr, prior increases to $40k.
  • Center Road: +$233,300 RATA (total $1,700,700); last paved 1994/1999.
  • Quilcene/Sims Way amendments: Time extensions only to 10/31/25 (PIF Board approved 8/24/23).
  • Vehicle Licensing: Admin name change to Brenda Huntingford.
  • Appointments/Resignations: Grey Schad (BoH); Lorna Smith (Planning Comm. Dist 2); Solenne Walker (MRC Dist 1). Board decision aligned with staff recommendations; no divergences noted.

Financials

  • PIF RFP: ≤$800,189 (Public Infrastructure Fund).
  • Housing RFP: ≤$1,185,000 ($220k Homeless Housing Fund #149; $965k Affordable Housing Fund #148/Sales Tax 5090).
  • Atwell: $100k ($50k revenue, $50k expenditure; permit fees/DCD balance/general fund).
  • Hearing Examiner: $25k base (expected increase; General Fund non-dept).
  • Center Road: +$233,300 RATA (2025-27 biennium borrow; Road Fund #180 match). No other financials discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Motion to approve and adopt the consent agenda as presented." (Verbatim).
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: 3; opposed: none).
  • Next Steps: RFPs issuance 2024; contracts effective immediately/extensions as noted; appointments/resignations processed; planning commission vacancy advertising.

Proclamations: Eat Local Month and Overdose Awareness Day

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:40:12.664–00:51:15.849 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other

Summary

The Board read and unanimously approved two proclamations: September 2023 as Olympic Peninsula Eat Local First Month (promoting local food economy, farm tour 9/16-17) and August 31, 2023, as Overdose Awareness Day (addressing high overdose deaths, naloxone distribution, recovery helpline). Commissioners shared personal stories of loss to overdoses and praised local farmers' hard work.

Key Discussion Points

  • Eat Local: Highlights Salish Sea bounty, farms since 19th century, Jefferson LandWorks Collaborative (17 years), access for all incomes.
  • Overdose: ~3,000 WA deaths last year (11 Jefferson Mar 2022-23); supports education/prevention/treatment; Intl. Overdose Awareness Day.
  • Commissioner Dean: Naloxone at festivals; refined proclamation with staff.
  • Commissioner Eisenhour: Uncle's 1988 fentanyl OD; compassion needed.
  • County Administrator McCauley: Friend's 2005 OD; different landscape now.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Proclamations as read; no additional documents.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved both "as read" (verbatim motions).
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: 4; no opposed).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Wildfire Risk Awareness and Evacuation Briefing

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:51:52.276–01:37:02.033 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, planning, operations

Summary

EJFR Chief Bret Black briefed on elevated wildfire risks through October (above-normal potential per NIFC), recent local fires (Beaver Valley, Port Ludlow, Cape Trails), human causes (90%), extreme behaviors (torching/spotting), national resource strain (18k firefighters deployed), and evacuation levels (1-3 via Nixle). Urged go-bags, early evacuation, home hardening (e.g., hardscaping), CWPP survey; noted sirens/LRAD limitations.

Key Discussion Points

  • Situation: 78 fires >600k acres (14 states); MAFFS military activated early; local fires meticulous containment (e.g., Beaver Valley evacuations, helicopter aid).
  • Outlook: Lightning/dry fuels; burn ban likely extended.
  • Evacuations: Don't wait for Level 3; drive opposite fire; apps/ZoneHaven limited by cell coverage.
  • Prep: Go-bag in car; defensible space (no juniper near home); house survived via hardscaping/metal roof.
  • Chief Black: Holes in Swiss cheese nearly aligned; no injuries/property loss win.
  • Commissioner Dean: Peninsula evac challenges (one road).
  • Board noted Lahaina lessons (grasses, decisions).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

NIFC reports, fire maps; no documents provided.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational briefing; promote CWPP survey/resources on county/EJFR sites.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps:
  • Link EJFR resources on county webpage.
  • Spring exercise (Nixle polygon evacuations).
  • No next steps specified.

Humane Society Operations and Facilities Briefing

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:49:48.629–02:47:30.902 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, budgeting, services, personnel

Summary

HSJC Director Tammy Hanks briefed on outdated 1995 shelter (2,000 sq ft, 10 kennels; built as "pound"), serving 650 animals/year amid 64% population growth (1990-2021), housing crisis surrenders, state mandate limiting spay/neuter to low-income (RCW 18.92.260), $500+/animal costs, $494k 2023 budget shortfall ($360k needed). Volunteers (74, 5,070 hours/$101k value); seeks county partnership (e.g., Clallam $452k, $125k ops; Kitsap $6.8M building), surplus/40-year lease for expansion (cat remodel + dog barn), ops funding ($130k like Clallam), maintenance relief ($38k since 2017).

Key Discussion Points

  • Facilities: Leaks, escapes, multi-use laundry (surgery/laundry/dishes); no storage.
  • Finances: $500k budget; low licensing revenue (<$30k); grants deny "too small"; vet costs high (e.g., $1,100 spay/neuter).
  • Staff/volunteers (5 staff, 75 vols, 2 vet vols); no benefits.
  • Hanks: History (1950s 600 intakes/500 euth); open admission; Quilcene cat influx.
  • Public/volunteers: Need new building; compare favorably to neighbors; serve middle-income.

Public Comments

  • Volunteers/Public: Overcrowding, parvo isolation, feral control success; ethical imperative; county-wide benefit (prevent overpopulation/nuisances).

Supporting Materials Referenced

RCW 18.92.260 (low-income limit/reporting); no packet docs; Leader article (2005: too small).

Financials

  • 2023 shortfall: $359,630.
  • Per animal: >$500 (special diets/vet).
  • Repairs (2017+): $38k; recent $375 faucet/$4,800 septic.
  • Neighbors: Clallam $452k+$125k CPI; Kitsap $6.8M building.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Surplus building/land for cat remodel + dog barn (capital campaign).
  • 40-year lease.
  • Per-animal reimbursement (Clark Co. model).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational; staff to analyze options (capital/ops support, lease/maintenance).
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Staff report with pros/cons/models; partnership on funding/facilities.

Solid Waste Fee Schedule Delay

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:50:42.524–03:06:07.116 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, budgeting

Summary

Public Works requested delaying new fee schedule (min. loads, yard waste, low-income discounts) from 9/4/23 to 10/3/23 due to IT delays in scale software rollout (servers/printers/readers, firewall/permissions). Includes 50% min. wage discount ($10 garbage/yard/refrig.), Provider One/Apple Health ID; recycling now costs $13/ton (tin/alum/plastic).

Key Discussion Points

  • Software needed for discounts/min. weights; city min. illogical.
  • Public pushback (yard waste); fees average regionally; unchanged 9 years.
  • Recycling: $55k loss; contamination unchanged despite education ($60k spent).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Fee resolution; Sept 2022 tonnages ($8k lost revenue).

Financials

  • Delay revenue loss: $8,321 (1 month).
  • Recycling: $5k/yr tin/alum/plastic ($13/ton; $120k receipts).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Briefing; notices updated; possible resolution amendment.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Rollout 10/3/23; review recycling program.

Trust Land Transfer Applications

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:07:06.679–03:58:57.750 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use, planning, operations

Summary

Staff sought board support to apply (due 9/30/23) for 4 DNR parcels (~1,400 acres north of SR104: Anderson Lake 472ac, Cape George 160ac, Jacob Miller West 80ac, Beaver Valley 523ac) under revised TLT (HB1460); county management for conservation/education/recreation/forest health/thinning (not reconveyance). DNR constraints (neighbors/residential); continuity to parks/trails (ODT/PNT); low timber value; potential revenue offset (thinning/carbon?).

Key Discussion Points

  • Parcels: Diverse stands (young/recent harvest/old growth); fire-prone; public use (equestrian/trails).
  • Mgmt: Selective thinning (e.g., Anderson 50ac ~$350k), PCT ~2040; recreation continuity.
  • Weinheimer: Low-hanging fruit; demonstrate diversified forestry.
  • Public (Jeff Croy): Preserve existing passive rec (trails/equestrian); clarify uses.
  • Risks: Liability/nuisance (passive rec protection?); staffing/budget.

Public Comments

  • Jeff Croy: Support if rec uses continue; trails/roads maintained; query A&I parcel.

Supporting Materials Referenced

DNR reports; stand data (harvest ages, vol/ac); maps (adjacencies).

Financials

  • Appraisals/fair market value (timber/land); portion to county if state forest trust (not full; <junior tax districts impact).
  • Revenue: Thinning potential (e.g., $7k/ac); PCT costs offset.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Reconvoyance (parks only).
  • Tee Lake (add'l timber bank).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Board supports proceeding with applications.
  • Vote: N/A (informational).
  • Next Steps: Submit 9/30/23; DNR review/ranking/legislative (2025-27); mgmt plans; forestry integration.

Background Materials

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