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11/06/23 09 AM: Commissioners Address Grants, Proclamations, Health, Land Transfer

Commissioners Address Grants, Proclamations, Health, Land Transfer

Jefferson County Commissioners handled public comments on church grant denial and SMP aquaculture, approved consent agenda contracts/warrants, issued proclamations for Family Caregiver Month and Operation Green Light for Veterans, received Public Health (COVID/RSV/flu) and Emergency Management updates, and authorized support letter for Dabob Bay Natural Area trust land transfer/inter-trust exchange.

Public Comment Period and Board Responses

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:20.000–00:22:51.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other, planning

Summary

Public comments addressed a denied accessibility grant to Trinity United Methodist Church due to concerns over public benefit and prior funding use, as well as issues with the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) aquaculture section. Board members responded by clarifying SMP update status with the Planning Commission, noting delays for further review, and explaining grant concerns focused on public vs. congregational benefit ratios rather than church-state separation, encouraging reapplication. Commissioners expressed regret over misunderstandings and emphasized due diligence for public funds.

Key Discussion Points

  • Dr. Sarah Heiner (Trinity United Methodist Church): Withdrew grant request after September 11 meeting due to public opposition citing church-state separation; church provides community services like homeless cooking and childcare; offered updated user list.
  • Pastor Tony Brown (Trinity United Methodist Church): Cited state and federal precedents for church grants; requested apology for alleged defamation by board member claiming church manipulated prior grant; highlighted church donations over $100,000 locally.
  • Gordon King: Criticized SMP aquaculture section as poorly written, borrowed from Kitsap County, confusing, and duplicative; urged fact-based, precise regulations.
  • Commissioner Kate Dean: SMP draft with Planning Commission; delayed for further review including aquaculture; Marine Resources Committee provided prior input.
  • Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour: Not church-state issue; concerns on prior grant completion, user list currency, public benefit ratio.
  • Commissioner Greg Brotherton: Echoed public benefit concerns from prior ARPA grant; questioned ratio as constitutional issue.
  • Commissioner Mark McCauley: Supported reapplication; due diligence required for public funds.

Public Comments

  • Dr. Sarah Heiner/Trinity United Methodist Church: Opposed perceived implication of deceit; state and county ACAC approved grant; withdrew to avoid conflict.
  • Pastor Tony Brown/Trinity United Methodist Church: Sought apology for defamation; emphasized community services without evangelizing.
  • Gordon King/Port Townsend resident: SMP aquaculture regulations ineffective, not tailored to Jefferson County shellfish industry.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Prior ARPA grant to Trinity: $20,000.
  • Withdrawn ACAC grant: Small amount, unspecified.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No formal action; board clarified positions and encouraged future applications.
  • No next steps specified.

Consent Agenda Approval (Minus Item 1)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:23:14.000–00:27:19.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, personnel, budgeting

Summary

The board approved the consent agenda excluding Item 1 (MOU for Sheriff's West End Lead Deputy) due to pending legal/contract review; other items included Auditor agreements (scanning, VoteWA), Public Health services contracts/amendments (totaling ~$305k for disabilities/employment/mental health/vaccines), and warrants. Item 1 approved later after review.

Key Discussion Points

  • County Administrator Mark McCauley: Item 1 in contract review; simple matter but formal process incomplete.
  • Chief Civil Deputy Philip Hunsucker: No issue; approved for afternoon.
  • Items from packet: Auditor scanning (no cost), VoteWA data sharing (no cost), Community Inclusion ($173k), Group Employment ($58k), School mental health amendment (+$2.5k to $73k), PAVE grant (+$25k to $175k).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Digitally Scanning Fee and Cash Books: No cost to county.
  • VoteWA Data Sharing: Complies with RCW 39.34.240; Category 3 data.
  • Community Inclusion Services: $173,286 max; DDA funds.
  • Group Supported Employment: $58,000 max; DDA funds.
  • School Mental Health Amendment No. 5: +$2,525 to $73,438.
  • PAVE Grant Amendment No. 1: +$25,000 to $175,000; NACCHO/CDC.
  • Warrant Report 10/23/2023: $476,829.54 total.

Financials

  • Various contracts/amendments: ~$305k total (DDA, NACCHO, etc.; no general fund).
  • Warrants: $476,829.54 across funds (e.g., 001: $146k, 405: $165k).
  • MOU Lead Deputy: 10% above regular pay.

Alternatives & Amendments

Pulled Item 1 for later approval.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve the consent agenda minus item number one."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: all three commissioners).
  • Next Steps: Item 1 approved post-lunch (~01:17:00): "Approve the memorandum of understanding between Jefferson County and Teamsters Local No. 589"; unanimous.

National Family Caregiver Month Proclamation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:28:00.000–00:40:51.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other

Summary

The board proclaimed November 2023 as National Family Caregiver Month, recognizing caregivers' sacrifices; Apple Martin and Anna McEnery provided comments on resources and challenges. Commissioners shared personal experiences and emphasized community support needs.

Key Discussion Points

  • Apple Martin/Public Health Director: Honored caregivers for diverse roles; noted Public Health's work with affected families.
  • Anna McEnery: Cited national stats on care costs/worker turnover; promoted caregiveraction.org, local resources (O3A, DDA); theme "Caregivers Can Act."
  • Commissioner Kate Dean: Personal caregiving leave supported by county/community; urged flexibility, especially for women.
  • Commissioner Greg Brotherton: Grief post-loss profound; reflects society.
  • Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour: Shared spousal caregiving; collective support essential.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Proclamation text read verbatim.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve the proclamation as read."
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • No next steps specified.

Operation Green Light for Veterans Proclamation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:10:00.000–01:16:00.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other

Summary

The board proclaimed November 6-12, 2023, as Operation Green Light in Jefferson County, honoring veterans by encouraging green lights in windows. Commissioner McCauley shared transition challenges.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Mark McCauley: Personal military transition struggles; praised military diversity/structure.
  • Tower lighting to green until November 12.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Proclamation text read verbatim.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve the proclamation as read."
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • No next steps specified.

Monthly Public Health Update (COVID, RSV, Flu)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:41:26.000–01:09:21.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, services

Summary

Dr. Allison Berry reported COVID-19 downtrends locally/state/nationally but ongoing hospitalizations/deaths among unvaccinated; RSV uptick with vaccine shortages; minimal flu expected soon. Emphasized vaccines/masking; answered queries on testing, Paxlovid access, expired tests.

Key Discussion Points

  • Dr. Allison Berry: 3 weekly COVID hospitalizations (40s-90s, unvaccinated); 2 deaths (60s/80s); RSV rise (high risk: infants/elderly); flu incoming; no RSV test/treatment; Paxlovid shortages resolved; expired tests risky but control line indicative; vaccines interchangeable.
  • Listener Q&A: Booster timing (2 months post-COVID); annual vaccine due to variant persistence/fatigue.

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; item was informational.
  • Next Steps: Next update first December meeting.

Emergency Management Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:05:11.000–01:09:00.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, infrastructure

Summary

Willie Bence reported on Great Washington Shakeout: ~100 trained, radio exercise, evacuation hub demo (40 attendees), tsunami siren tests at three sites. Sirens (AHAB) for outdoor tsunami alerts near inundation zones; other systems (Nixle, WEA, KPTZ) for broader use.

Key Discussion Points

  • Sirens not for indoor/distant use; pre-recorded tsunami messages.

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; item was informational.
  • No next steps specified.

Dabob Bay Natural Area Trust Land Transfer and Inter-Trust Exchange

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:28:22.000–02:14:43.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use, planning, budgeting

Summary

DNR's Bob Winslow presented Option A: Inter-Trust Exchange (SFL to Common School for TLT parcels A-H, ~787 acres, $10M value) using CS-1-10/12-15 (~1,660 acres); TLT funded by $10.2M (legislative/RCO/timber). Public overwhelmingly supported full transfer; board authorized support letter. Closes by Dec 30 or RCO funds ($1.7M) lost.

Key Discussion Points

  • Bob Winslow/DNR: Exchange balances values; rare plants encumber parcels (no harvest); benefits trusts/junior districts via operable land/revenue; outreach to districts needed.
  • Public: Overwhelming support for max transfer (200+ prior testimonies).
  • Commissioners: Net gain for county; aligns with harvest shift south of Hwy 104; letter authorized.

Public Comments

  • Peter Dales/Northwest Watershed Institute: Great deal; gains acres/timber value excluding encumbered parcels.
  • Mary Gene (resident): Benefits taxing districts; unanimous prior support; act before funds expire.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet details: $10.2M funding breakdown; appraisals; rare plant polygons; prior hearings (2021).

Financials

  • TLT: $10,095k (timber $4.6M paid; reapprop $1.66M; new $2.25M; RCO $1.74M).
  • Exchange cash balance: $941k from $2.5M encumbered funds.

Alternatives & Amendments

Option A (full transfer) preferred over smaller.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Authorize Commissioner Eisenhour to draft a letter of support."
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Outreach to junior taxing districts; BNR vote Dec 5; close by Dec 30.

Background Materials

Contents

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