Skip to content

10/23/23 09 AM: County Honors Deceased Employee, Approves Budgets, Codes, Appointments

County Honors Deceased Employee, Approves Budgets, Codes, Appointments

Jefferson County Commissioners mourned employee Chris Boy with flag lowering, heard aquatic center criticisms, approved consent agenda with LTAC grants and contracts, emergency roads budget supplement, 2021 building codes ordinance, and Planning Commission appointments.

Memorial for Deceased County Employee Chris Boy and Flag Lowering

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:18.287–00:07:41.981 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel, other

Summary

The Board acknowledged the passing of county employee Chris Boy, described as a young, dynamic contributor to projects like community wildfire protection planning and strategic planning. Commissioners expressed grief, noting his recent hiring and impact on the county team. A motion to lower county flags to half-staff through next Monday was approved unanimously, with a proclamation to be drafted for later review.

Key Discussion Points

  • Chair Brotherton: "The best of us and taken too soon... I would move that we lower the flag to half staff for this week."
  • Commissioner Jane: Praised Boy's energy, fresh perspective, and quick transition from co-worker to friend; grieving for his family and husband.
  • Commissioner Dean: On hiring team, highlighted Boy's contributions to wildfire planning and strategic processes; considered him future of the county.
  • Moment of silence observed.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

Proclamation deferred to next Monday for review; flag lowering approved through next Monday.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Motion to lower flags to half-staff through next Monday (proclamation to follow).
  • Vote: Unanimous (all in favor).
  • Next Steps: Draft proclamation for review/approval next Monday; celebration of life planned with county family.

Public Comments on Proposed Aquatic Center Project

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:07:41.981–00:27:36.043 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, budgeting, services

Summary

Public commenters criticized the proposed regional aquatic center in Port Townsend as overbuilt, financially unviable, and inequitable to county residents outside the city, urging return to city control and alternatives like rehabilitating the existing facility. Commissioners defended the project as essential infrastructure for families, seniors, and health, noting YMCA as operator, ongoing refinements to costs, and that it would go to a countywide vote via sales tax or PFD. Discussion highlighted challenges like distance for rural users, debt authority of PFD, and need for voter approval.

Key Discussion Points

  • Mr. Santino: Project a "fantasy" with massive losses, unnecessary features competing with private facilities; unfair to county non-users; consultant budget ignores management costs (~$100k/year overrun).
  • Mr. Trish: Requires countywide PFD sales tax; PFD can issue $40M+ debt without vote; inequitable to west end; rehab existing facility cheaper, city-funded.
  • Chair Brotherton: Supportive of amenities for families/young people; let voters decide; YMCA positive; Jefferson oldest county, elders need pool.
  • Commissioner Jane: Refined design, YMCA operator; based on Sequim Y numbers; cost of money rising; common in other communities; $10-40/year/person.
  • Commissioner Dean: Prefers MPD funding first; will go to vote; group TBD.

Public Comments

  • Mr. Santino (in-person): Opposed project scale/costs; prioritize infrastructure; send back to city.
  • Mr. Trish (in-person): Inequitable taxation/debt; rehab existing cheaper.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced; steering committee updates noted (YMCA operator decision).

Financials

  • Projected cost: $40M+.
  • Annual per person: $10-40.
  • Sales tax: 0.2%.
  • Management: $50k/year current, ~$100k expanded.
  • Rehab estimate pending (2-3 weeks).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Rehab existing facility (city estimate pending; "throwing good money after bad" per Jane).
  • MPD funding first (Dean).
  • No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action; informational discussion during public comment.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Voter ballot TBD; steering committee refining; cost analysis for existing facility in 2-3 weeks.

Consent Agenda Approval Including LTAC Grants and Other Contracts

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:36:30.402–00:45:36.313 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, other

Summary

The Board approved a large consent agenda including routine items and major Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) grants totaling $743,400 to 13 organizations for 2024 tourism promotion in unincorporated areas. Discussion focused on LTAC partial funding due to low grant dollars available, contract scopes referencing full requests despite partial awards, and a request for a workshop on grant processes across county funds. Other items included warrant cancellations ($2,268), C-PACER fees, tax levy hearing notice, MRC support ($40k), road contracts ($702k HSIP, $97k Oak Bay electric), change order (+$3.3k Snow Creek), and emergency roads budget.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Dean: LTAC funded partial requests; scopes reference full; fund only printing for Chamber map.
  • Commissioner Jane: Workshop on grant processes (LTAC, housing, etc.) for transparency/consistency.
  • Brief notes on MRC appointments; property tax hearing Nov 13.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • LTAC grants: 13 awards totaling $743,400 (e.g., TCC $275k, Gateway $110k, Historical Society $50k).
  • Roads emergency supplement: +$493k from fund balance for materials (Fund 501).
  • Contracts: KT Contracting $702k HSIP road safety; Henden Electric $78k Oak Bay campsites; Bruch change order +$3.3k.
  • Other: Warrants $2,268 cancel; C-PACER fees; tax levy notice (101% limit factor).

Financials

  • LTAC total: $743,400 (partial due to low funds; e.g., TCC $275k, Forks $50k).
  • Roads supplement: Revenue +$425k, expense +$918k, fund balance $493k (Fund 501).
  • Contracts: KT $702k (100% federal); Henden $78k (capital funds); Snow Creek +$3.3k (FEMA/PWB).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • LTAC: Partial funding; future contracts to specify funded items. No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda of October 23, 2023."
  • Vote: Unanimous (all aye).
  • Next Steps: Workshop on grant processes Q1 2024; roads supplement reports afternoon; property tax hearing Nov 13.

Emergency Supplemental 2023 Budget for Roads (Fund 501)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:45:36.313–00:55:23.542 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, infrastructure

Summary

Central Services requested and approved an emergency supplemental appropriation of $493,000 from unencumbered fund balance in ER&R Fund 501 to cover additional road materials for 2023 projects beyond original budget, due to staffing shortages (fleet manager retirement, Boy's passing). Public hearing held with no testimony; questions on procurement (state contract/bid), overruns (more miles chipped, wider widths, stockpiled aggregate, cost increases). Afternoon update confirmed more chip seal miles (28.56 vs 14 prior), aggregate stockpile ($96k), fuel/emulsion rises.

Key Discussion Points

  • Judy Shepherd: Staffing issues led to oversight; materials from ER&R fund passed to Public Works.
  • Commissioner Dean: Curious on bids, overruns (80%+ increase).
  • More miles chipped, wider roads, stockpile for 2024 Brennan, cost rises.

Public Comments

No public comment; hearing opened/closed.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Agenda packet: Revenue +$425k (pit sales $200k, emulsion $225k); expense +$918k; balance $493k.

Financials

  • Revenue increase: $425,000.
  • Expenditure increase: $918,000.
  • From fund balance: $493,000 (Fund 501).

Alternatives & Amendments

None discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approving a resolution regarding emergency supplemental 2023 budget appropriation extension for additional road maintenance projects." (Resolution 47-23)
  • Vote: Unanimous (all aye).
  • Next Steps: Judy to provide update afternoon (delivered: chip seal details).

Adoption of 2021 International Building Codes and Amendments

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:08:11.210–03:20:52.034 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, permits, planning, public safety

Summary

The Board continued deliberations and adopted an ordinance amending JCC Titles 2/15 to adopt 2021 IBCs by reference (as amended by state), clarify Fire Marshal role/commercial fire inspections (fees authorized), and refine agricultural building exemptions (greenhouses included; plumbing/heat limits; no public use without permit; vehicle storage restrictions). Minor work exemption set at $3k/12mo (R3/U occupancies; excludes life-safety). Title amended to remove specific "2021" reference due to state delay; effective upon state adoption.

Key Discussion Points

  • Phil Cecere: $3k minor exemption (excludes water heater/roof/mech/fire); ag bldg: freestanding 10ft (unless attached ag), livestock/horticulture plumbing only, mech permit for heat, no private vehicles.
  • Josh Peters/Barbara Ehrlichman: Reference RCW for minor threshold; risk mgmt limits higher $5k; ag aligns zoning.
  • Public (Trish/Ball): List all exemptions or none; RCW update; 10ft clarity; ag outreach.

Public Comments

  • Mr. Trish: Enumerate exemptions fully; lobby RCW change; fees separate process.
  • Ms. Ball: Skeleton crew outreach; 10ft phrasing; specify other permits.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet: Ordinance 05-1023-23; WAC/RCW citations; fire program JCC 15.05.046.

Financials

Commercial fire fees (TBD via JCC 3.80); no county impact noted.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Minor exemption: $5k considered, adopted $3k.
  • Title/effective date: Remove "2021" specificity.
  • Ag plumbing: Simplified to "livestock/horticulture use, no septic required."

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Adopt ordinance as amended. (Ordinance 05-1023-23)
  • Vote: Unanimous (all aye).
  • Next Steps: Effective on state adoption; brochure for clarity; fees separate.

Planning Commission Appointments

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:21:12.060–03:36:08.374 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel, planning

Summary

The Board appointed Mike Shultz to District 2 seat (term to 3/17/2026) and Ahren Stroming to District 1 seat (term to 3/17/2024), filling vacancies after interviews. Shultz praised for professional background; Stroming for policy expertise, housing/renter perspective. PC liaison role emphasized; upcoming comp plan update, SMP finalization (Nov 1 PC hearing).

Key Discussion Points

  • Josh Peters: Dist 1 (2 applicants post-withdrawal), Dist 2 (1 applicant); terms noted.
  • Commissioner Dean (Dist 2): Shultz strong experience.
  • Commissioner Brotherton (Dist 1): Stroming balances interests, housing focus; encourage others.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Applications reviewed; interviews by dist commissioners/staff.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

Other Dist 1 applicants encouraged for future/committees.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Appoint Mike Shultz (Dist 2), Ahren Stroming (Dist 1).
  • Vote: Unanimous (both motions).
  • Next Steps: Joint BOCC/PC mtg Jan 28, 2024; comp plan 2025 update; SMP to BOCC mid-Nov.

Background Materials

Contents

AI Information