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09/05/23 09 AM: Board Approves Consent Agenda; Briefs on Housing, Health, Fires, Workforce

Board Approves Consent Agenda; Briefs on Housing, Health, Fires, Workforce

Jefferson County Board approved consent agenda with grants, easements, and vouchers; received stock plan housing update; discussed recycling funding; heard respiratory virus surge briefing; reviewed wildland fire response and alerts; proclaimed Workforce Development Professionals Month.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:42.239–00:16:36.714 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, planning, infrastructure, services

Summary

The Board reviewed the consent agenda, pulling the stock plan status update for brief discussion before approving the full agenda as presented. Items included agreements for solid waste recycling funding from the Department of Ecology, a grant of easement for the percolation pond to Shold Excavating, an RCO Local Parks Maintenance Grant resolution, a WSDOT supplement for road safety improvements, a Gonzaga University clinical education MOA, stock plan briefing, and payment of vouchers totaling $184,824.39. The agenda passed unanimously after questions on recycling subsidies, parks grants, and sewer easements.

Key Discussion Points

  • Board member noted surprise at stock plan briefing inclusion due to title changes; Brent Butler (Chief Strategy Officer) provided update on 34 plans under review for community support [00:01:57–00:05:21].
  • Discussion on Ecology grant covering ~30% ($245,540.50) of biennial recycling costs ($1.2M total); Monte Reinders (Acting Deputy County Administrator) explained administrative ease and long-term sustainability options like fees or assessments [00:05:42–00:09:26].
  • Parks updates included HJ Carroll parking improvements, gate maintenance, shade structures, and new RCO maintenance grant application ($99,736, no match required) [00:12:33–00:15:25].
  • Brief notes on sewer easement return to Shold for vehicle access and percolation pond progress [00:10:05–00:12:24].

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Ecology grant agreement (SWMLSWFA-2023-JCPWSW-000192): $245,540.50 grant for recycling (75% of $327,387.33 total); County match $81,846.83 from solid waste budget.
  • Easement to Shold Excavating: 14,200 sq ft for $16,100 + $2,500 admin; supports business operations without impacting wastewater project.
  • RCO Local Parks Maintenance Grant: $99,736 for ADA tables, basketball courts, field restoration, pressure washer; no match; aligns with 2022 PROS Plan ($3.868M deferred needs).
  • WSDOT Supplement #2: Additional $145,275 HSIP funds for road departure safety (guardrails, signing); total $852,275 federal-funded.
  • Gonzaga MOA: Non-monetary preceptor services for nursing students.
  • Vouchers: $184,824.39 (Check Run 230828CM). No divergences from staff recommendations noted.

Financials

  • Ecology grant: $245,540.50 state (MTCOA); County match $81,846.83 (budgeted).
  • Easement revenue: $18,600 total.
  • RCO grant request: $99,736 (no match).
  • WSDOT supplement: $145,275 federal HSIP.
  • Vouchers: $184,824.39.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Motion to approve the consent agenda for September fifth, 2023."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes recorded).
  • Next Steps: Items executed per resolutions/agreements; staff to process (e.g., Ecology agreement signing, easement recording).

Stock Plan Program Status Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:57.196–00:05:21.126 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, land use, permits

Summary

Brent Butler provided a status update on the joint County-City stock plan program for pre-approved housing designs (primary homes, ADUs, multifamily) to reduce costs/timelines. 34 plans received (4 from Planning Commission recommendation of 140 Seattle submissions, 3 new local architect submissions); community outreach underway to identify supported designs. City Council discussing same night; plans viewable via Google search "Jefferson County Washington stock plans"; reduced fees apply (County plan review to 20%, City site adaptation $192-242).

Key Discussion Points

  • Brent Butler (Chief Strategy Officer): Process used Seattle call (140 to 10, Commission picked 4); opened to locals (busy architects submitted 3 firms total 34 plans); outreach for support tonight at City Council; Google-searchable on DCD site [00:02:45–00:04:55].
  • Board welcomed collaboration with City; inquired on website visibility [Chair, 00:04:38].
  • Pulled from consent as informational/no action.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • 34 plans online (GreenPOD 5, Cascadia 11, Ross Chapin 15, 3 legacy Seattle); state code delay to Oct 29 aids outreach.
  • Joint committee Oct (efficiency, cost, design criteria); County fee reduction (65% to 20% plan review); City reduced adaptation fees, low-income deferrals/SDC exemptions. Board decision aligned with staff.

Financials

Design savings $8,600-$45,000/project; BoCC to fund selected reviews; Chief Strategy Officer needs 40 more hours.

Alternatives & Amendments

Original 4 Seattle plans (3 viable: Artisan Group, Shape Arch, Urban Cottage); vs. manufactured homes.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Returned to consent as briefing; acknowledged.
  • No Vote.
  • Next Steps: Outreach via Housing Network; joint committee early Oct; recommendations late Oct.

Solid Waste Recycling Program Sustainability

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:05:42.212–00:09:26.394 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, services, operations

Summary

Board questioned Ecology grant covering ~30% ($245k biennial) of recycling costs amid rising expenses; Monte Reinders explained state consistency, admin ease vs. MRW, subsidies' history, and models like assessments/fees-for-service to reduce tipping fee burden. Discussion on contamination, plastics proliferation, and evolving realization recycling isn't "free." Item approved in consent.

Key Discussion Points

  • Board member: Noted ~$600k/year program, Ecology ~30%; state variability? [Unidentified, 00:05:51].
  • Monte Reinders: Easier admin (12 Skookum invoices vs. MRW tracking); historical subsidies for adoption; potential solid waste district/fee models; contamination drops with payment; plastics industry intent [00:05:59–00:08:40].
  • Personal anecdote on avoiding single-use plastics [Chair?, 00:09:11].

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Ecology LSWFA agreement: $245,540.50 (75%) for 1,488 tons recycling via Skookum at 6 sites; County match budgeted. No divergence.

Financials

Biennial: $1.2M total (~$600k/year); Ecology $245k (30% shown, packet 75%).

Alternatives & Amendments

MRW facility (harder admin); fee-for-service, district assessment vs. tipping subsidies.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved in consent.
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • No next steps specified.

Health Update: Respiratory Viruses (COVID, RSV)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:44:22.297–01:13:17.556 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, services, personnel

Summary

Dr. Barry reported rising COVID cases/hospitalizations (10 local last month, all >70yo/unvaccinated except one; 41st death, unvaccinated 80s); milder than prior surges due to immunity/vaccines; upcoming XBB booster mid-Sept (prioritize high-risk). RSV vaccines for >60yo/pregnant; Nirsevimab monoclonal for infants. Emphasized precautions, testing, masking in schools/crowds; wastewater up in PT.

Key Discussion Points

  • Dr. Barry: National/state/local surge; hospitalizations short/no intubation; protect >70/underlying (hypertension, cardiac, lung, immune, neuro, cancer); variants XBB (booster match); wastewater PT rise (tourist factor); schools: test/stay home 5 days/mask 5 [00:44:29–01:02:48].
  • Qs: Boosters (wait for new, high-risk first); underlying defined; vaccines saved 3.2M US lives; base rate fallacy on vax/death stats [Board/Listeners, 00:49:51–01:02:48].
  • Flu/COVID/RSV combinable; pharmacies/doctors primary now.

Public Comments

Listener Qs via KPTZ: Boosters, underlying conditions, Yale study (3.2M lives/18.5M hosp saved), base rate fallacy.

Supporting Materials Referenced

None referenced; data from state dashboard, wastewater PT.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

Masking/source control; keep sick kids home/test; vaccines prioritized.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational update.
  • No Vote.
  • Next Steps: Booster mid-Sept (high-risk); Nirsevimab Oct; monthly updates Oct 2.

Emergency Services Update: Wildland Fires and Alert Systems

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:13:29.692–01:23:23.437 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, infrastructure, operations

Summary

Willie Bence explained wildland firefighting: fuel removal (lines), tankers (1-5k gal), helicopters (lakes not wells); recent Lord's Lake/Beaver Valley fires. Maui sirens controversy (tsunami evac wrong direction); local sirens for outdoor tsunami only, wildfires use IPAWS/Nixle/radio/neighbor checks. InPrep neighborhood lists promoted.

Key Discussion Points

  • Willie Bence: Fuel cut lines contain fires; water secondary (tankers/helicopters from Leland); no wells (low flow); Maui sirens not for wildfires (local tsunami-specific); IPAWS/Nixle for evac [01:14:01–01:19:42].
  • Commissioner Eisenhower: Neighborhood block party built 20-household InPrep list; strategies? Bence: Creep outward, persistence [01:19:56–01:22:12].

Public Comments

KPTZ listener: Firefighting sans hydrants?

Supporting Materials Referenced

None.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational.
  • No Vote.
  • Next Steps: InPrep growth; monthly Oct 2.

Workforce Development Professionals Month Proclamation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:23:36.809–01:48:23.180 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel, planning, services

Summary

Board proclaimed September 2023 Workforce Development Professionals Month, honoring Olympic Workforce (3-county) efforts amid recruitment challenges. Bill Dowling highlighted successes (e.g., $15-$70k jobs), barriers (housing/childcare), Recompete involvement, skills-based hiring, flexibility. Discussion on equity, remote work, childcare pipeline.

Key Discussion Points

  • Bill Dowling (Exec Dir): 25yrs experience; recruitment hard (pod delivery/libraries); success stories; barriers housing/childcare/benefits; skills hiring (50% wage reimbursement); tribal/disability/substance focus [01:27:14–01:48:23].
  • Commissioners: Recompete (1,200 prime-age); childcare wages; remote tension; housing innovations (land swaps) [01:30:37–01:48:23].

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Proclamation text read verbatim: Recognizes skilled workforce needs, equity, collaboration.

Financials

Wage reimbursement programs; no County specifics.

Alternatives & Amendments

Skills vs. degrees; part-time pods; vanpools; on-site childcare.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Move to approve the proclamation as read."
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Dowling: Future briefing; Recompete participation.

Background Materials

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