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11/27/23 09 AM: BOCC Hears Gaza Ceasefire, Health Critiques; Approves Fees, Fair Funding

BOCC Hears Gaza Ceasefire, Health Critiques; Approves Fees, Fair Funding

Public comments urged Gaza ceasefire, criticized masks/HEPA, questioned Aquatic Center funding. Commissioners responded personally; approved consent agenda, fee ordinances/resolutions, discussed Aquatic structure and fairgrounds funding increase to $100k. No votes on major debates; next steps set.

Public Comments on Gaza Ceasefire, Masks/HEPA Filters, and Aquatic Center Funding

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:05:25–00:33:45 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other, operations, budgeting

Summary

Public commenters urged the BOCC to sign solidarity statements calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and peace in Israel/Palestine, citing majority American support and local relevance. One speaker shared a study claiming HEPA filters in schools doubled COVID cases and criticized mask efficacy in health department settings. Another raised concerns about the Aquatic Center's funding viability, questioning county backstop for bonds and sales tax volatility.

Key Discussion Points

  • Hendrik (Port Townsend): Requested BOCC endorse ceasefire call from Palestinians and letter to senators; noted democratic base opposition.
  • Greg (unidentified): Supported ceasefire statement as uncontroversial.
  • Stephen Schumacher (Port Townsend): Cited study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showing HEPA filters doubled COVID cases in kindergartens; criticized health department mask policies.
  • Rich Render (Port Hadlock): Urged signing solidarity statement for peace in Israel/Palestine.
  • Julia Cochrane: Asked about delay in Housing Fund Board recommendations on agenda.

Public Comments

  • Hendrik (Port Townsend): Call for ceasefire and endorse letters.
  • Greg (unidentified): Ceasefire minimum; list as non-endorsing entity.
  • Stephen Schumacher (Port Townsend): HEPA filters ineffective; masks redirect air; health department policies outdated.
  • Rich Render (Port Hadlock): Support ceasefire for future generations.
  • Julia Cochrane: Question on Housing Fund Board recommendations timing.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Aquatic Center: References to $20 million debt service; sales tax backstop questioned; BFD volatility noted from May 2022 and July 2023 discussions.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No formal action; commissioners responded individually.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Heidi to sign solidarity statements personally; revisit resolution next week if consensus; Housing Fund Board changes explained (consolidations, L360 funding adjustment to 60%).

Commissioners' Responses to Public Comments

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:18:44–00:33:45 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other, operations, budgeting

Summary

Commissioners expressed personal stances on Gaza without formal BOCC position, citing study and history; Heidi signed statements. On masks/HEPA, mixed views with Greg believing masks work in trials, Kate approaching scientifically. Aquatic Center funding backstop discussed as ongoing, with surplus potentially covering.

Key Discussion Points

  • Greg: Deeply impacted by Israel study tour; studying democracy history; takes positions seriously but no formal stance yet.
  • Kate: Signed statements due to personal experience and grief over deaths; supports masks for elders; analyzing Aquatic Center scientifically.
  • Craig: Signed Seattle resolution analog; would support unanimous BOCC resolution; first do no harm.
  • Heidi: Signed statements for less grief, especially children.

Public Comments

No additional public comment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Aquatic Center: 35-cent sales tax projected surplus to service backstop.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Personal actions taken; Aquatic Center conversations continue.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Revisit Gaza resolution next week; review Schumacher's study.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:33:51–00:35:34 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel, other

Summary

The consent agenda was approved unanimously without items pulled for discussion, including advisory board resignations and appointments. Supporting materials detail resignation of Dennis Cowan (Civil Service Commission, served since 2005), David Steele not renewing (Clean Water District Advisory Council), and recommendation of Lee Steele as replacement.

Key Discussion Points

  • Noted David (advisory board) passed away.
  • Housing Fund Board changes previously discussed (consolidations from funds 1590/5386, L360 to 60% pending budget).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Resignations: Cowan (10/24/2023), Steele non-renewal (11/13/2023).
  • Appointment: Lee Steele (Commercial Shellfish Grower, 4-year term unexpiring 04/11/2024).
  • Advertisement for Civil Service vacancy 11/29/2023.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda as presented."
  • Vote: Unanimous (all aye).
  • Next Steps: Send thanks letter to Cowan; approve Steele appointment.

Aquatic Center Funding and Structure Discussion

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:40:05–00:52:54; 01:11:11–01:11:25 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, infrastructure, planning

Summary

Commissioners debated PFD vs. MPD for Aquatic Center funding, location (Mountain View Commons vs. mid-county/District 2), board composition for equity, and county backstop needs. Concerns included sales tax viability, bond ratings, city vs. county-wide tax equity (2/3 population outside city), and starting over for new site. Meeting with Commerce scheduled for PFD review timeline.

Key Discussion Points

  • Craig: Prefers MPD (more portable); PFD board composition for geographic equity (e.g., 2 per district + city rep).
  • Heidi: Less excited about current proposal; prefers District 2 location; needs complete picture.
  • Kate: Mid-county restarts process (design, costs, infrastructure); imperfect funding options; supports current plan as feasible.
  • Greg: Issues: location, PFD/MPD, board composition.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced; prior public comments noted.

Financials

No new financials; references to prior $20M debt, sales tax, bonds.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • MPD over PFD for portability/geographic equity.
  • District 2/mid-county site vs. Mountain View Commons.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action; defer to next week workshop/discussion.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Process Commerce meeting output; steering committee to review feedback; discussion next week (12/04 post-budget hearing).

Public Hearing and Approval of Department Fee Ordinances and Resolutions

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:14:42–01:46:37 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, budgeting, operations

Summary

Joint BOCC/BOH hearing on fee restructurings to resolutions per JCC 3.80: Auditor (minor clarifications, e.g., copies $1/additional page), Sheriff/alarms (no changes), Public Records (no changes, waive <$2), Clerk (obsolete ECRMS repeal, no changes), Environmental Public Health (6.01% increase for wages, extend permit expiration to 02/28). No public testimony; all approved unanimously.

Key Discussion Points

  • Philip Hunsucker: Explained JCC 3.80 process (ordinance repeals code fees, resolution adopts new schedule).
  • Brenda (Auditor): Clarified no new fees; maps like surveys; removed confusing $1/additional owner; copies actually $1/additional.
  • Pinky (Public Health): 6.01% increase (3.56% CPI + 2.45% wages since 2020); no post-COVID increases.
  • Amanda (Clerk): 14 pages statutory fees unchanged.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Auditor: Record of Survey/Maps $25 first page/$5 add'l; copies $5 first/$1 add'l; monument $1/page.
  • Public Health: 6.01% avg increase (e.g., new septic $763.25); Clean Water $25/parcel.
  • Sheriff: Summons $30; alarms $20.
  • Public Records: $0.15/page photocopy; waive <$2.
  • Clerk: Adoption $260; civil $240.

Financials

  • Public Health: Wages +19% since 2020; prior CPI +14.99%; examples: tech review $115.47/hr, Category 3 food $729.17.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved all ordinances/resolutions as presented (BOH first on EH, then BOCC all).
  • Vote: Unanimous on each (all aye: Auditor ordinance/resolution, Sheriff, Public Records, Clerk, EH).
  • Next Steps: Effective 01/01/2024 or immediate; annual budgeting review.

Fairgrounds Operating Agreement and Funding Increase

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:00:23–02:09:20 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, operations, contracts

Summary

Discussion on increased county support for fairgrounds to $100k/year (1 FTE equiv., ~salary/benefits) due to added admin from liability edits (e.g., PRA compliance, contract review). Aligns with other counties; current $50k unpaid pending agreement; flexibility for staffing/capital.

Key Discussion Points

  • Heidi: Phil Hunsucker's edits add work (PRA not OPMA, contract reviews); fairgrounds requests $100k FTE; outliers vs. other counties (2-3 staff).
  • Past half-time manager/volunteers shifting to professional model.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Statute requires county fair facility.

Financials

  • Proposed: $100k/year (1 FTE) vs. prior $10k+escalator, $50k 2023 (unpaid).

Alternatives & Amendments

Flexibility: admin vs. beef up manager; county funds staffing, grants capital.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: General support; include in budget.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Fair board edits to agreement; draft next week; budget 12/04.

Background Materials

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