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12/04/23 09 AM: Commissioners Approve Consent, TIP; Budget Hearing, Public Comments

Commissioners Approve Consent, TIP; Budget Hearing, Public Comments

Jefferson County Board approved consent agenda minus tax item, surplus property sale at 80% value, middle housing grant letter, and 2024-2029 TIP unanimously. Public comments addressed Aquatic Center outreach, permits, website issues; board responded. Held 2024-2025 biennial budget public hearing with strong revenues noted, adoption Dec 11. Housing funds rejiggered, skate park contract finalized.

Consent Agenda Approval (Minus Item 2)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:29.947–00:04:57.241 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, planning

Summary

The Board approved the consent agenda minus Item 2 (tax title property certification) following brief discussion of its contents, including Housing Fund Board recommendations for rejiggered awards totaling the available funds, a final ARPA contract for the Quilcene skate park, and an oyster shell distribution adjustment. Treasurer Prada requested pulling Item 2 due to lack of a specified price for the surplus property. The motion to approve the consent agenda as presented minus Item 2 passed unanimously.

Key Discussion Points

  • Housing Fund Board recommendations approved as expected, with rejiggered awards for three projects at the same amount and L360 adjusted down; unallocated ~$190,000 to be addressed via special meeting and new RFP.
  • Noted concerns over insufficient funding for operations, declining recording fees impacting emergency shelter.
  • Positive notes on skate park progress and oyster shell distribution.
  • Upcoming: Conservation Futures on January 2; Q4 budget appropriations hearing on December 18.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Consent agenda included Housing Fund Board recommendations ($965,000 Affordable Housing Fund 148; $220,000 Homeless Housing Fund 149), allocating $990,869.91 across projects for Bayside Housing, Dove House, Habitat for Humanity, Jefferson Interfaith, OlyCAP, and Owl 360 (Olympic Housing Trust deferred); Quilcene Skate Park ARPA grant ($20,000 to Stronger Towns for design); Oyster Shell Distribution Amendment (Hood Canal Oyster Co., +$910.80 to $10,810.80 for taxes). No divergences from staff recommendations noted.

Financials

No specific new figures discussed beyond consent items; Housing Fund allocations total $990,869.91 from $1,185,000 available; Skate Park ARPA $20,000; Oyster amendment +$910.80 (grant-funded).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda for December 4, 2023 minus item number 2."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: 3).
  • Next Steps: Housing Fund unallocated $190,000 via special meeting/RFP; Conservation Futures January 2; Q4 appropriations hearing December 18.

Public Comment Period and Board Responses

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:45.517–00:31:58.110 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, permits, operations, other

Summary

Public comment opened until 9:30 with speakers criticizing the Aquatic Center steering committee process for lacking South County outreach and openness, permit system/website access issues, and a Port Townsend RV park expansion permit process. Board acknowledged outreach shortcomings but defended the process as standard stakeholder work brought to public review, committed to follow port permit, and noted ongoing Aquatic Center discussions without timeline pressure.

Key Discussion Points

  • Jane Ball: Steering committee hand-picked for Port Townsend interests; no expansion for countywide tax; no public input until mid-September; only 321 survey respondents.
  • Ray Canberra: Port Townsend RV park at Hemplo Marina is material expansion (new sewer hookups, impervious surfaces); misleading application; fast-tracked.
  • Mr. Cheers: Permit system outdated (public needs records requests vs. commissioners' access); Aquatic Center "sausage-making" lacks iteration/public openness.
  • Gordon King: County website agendas/minutes hard to access (AVCapture issues, Laserfiche login).
  • Board: Agreed more South County outreach needed; process now public; steering committee meets this week; followed port permit with interest (Josh: shoreline exemption, Type 1 permit); website/AV fixes noted; Aquatic Center questions persist, no vote readiness.

Public Comments

  • Jane Ball: Steering committee excludes rest of county; no public process for tax ballot.
  • Ray Canberra (Port Townsend): RV park changes use (sewer, impervious); non-compliant with code/shoreline; fast-tracked.
  • Mr. Cheers: Permit access unequal; Aquatic Center lacks iteration/openness.
  • Gordon King: Website navigation faults (agendas/minutes, Laserfiche login).

Supporting Materials Referenced

Port RV park referenced but no materials provided.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comment closed at 9:30; responses noted; steering committee meets this week; port permit update requested from Greg Ballard.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Aquatic Center discussion next week; website/permit access updates; port permit follow-up.

Tax Title Property Surplus Certification and Sale

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:32:18.005–00:43:54.430 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use, budgeting

Summary

The Board declared tax-title parcel APN 986-70-2702 (triangular ~2,300 sq ft adjacent to Larry Scott Trail) surplus and unbuildable due to setbacks, authorizing its sale to adjacent owners James/Laurel Brauneis at 80% of assessed value ($3,780 from $4,725 appraisal). Property reverted in 1944; no county need per Public Works/Assessor; proceeds distributed per levy rates. Motion passed unanimously after staff presentation by Michelle Parque.

Key Discussion Points

  • Stacie Prada/Michelle Parque: Case-by-case without policy; adjacent to Brauneis' parcel 986-702-802; right-of-way vacation likely; unbuildable (setbacks encumber); Kitsap policy suggests 80-100% assessed value; applicant offered $1,000.
  • Board: Confirmed no appraisal needed (cost > value); 80% reasonable; deed restrictions unnecessary (as-is sale); protects tax rolls.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Parcel assessed $4,725 (County Assessor value); RCW 36.35.150 allows private negotiation for unbuildable surplus; no divergence from staff 80% recommendation.

Financials

  • Assessed value: $4,725.
  • Sale price: $3,780 (80%).
  • Proceeds distributed per tax area levy rates (not all to county).

Alternatives & Amendments

100% assessed value ($4,725); policy development considered (Kitsap reworking theirs).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve a resolution... declare certain tax title property as surplus and authorized sale... Parcel number 986-70-2702... for 80% of the assessed value being $4,725... equals $3,780."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: 4).
  • No next steps specified.

Middle Housing Grant Commitment Letter

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:44:00.804–00:54:21.270 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, housing

Summary

DCD Director Josh Peters presented the Middle Housing Grant application to Commerce for Port Hadlock UGA planning work under HB 1110 (duplexes/triplexes/etc.), eligible at low priority but with second-round funds available ($35-50k requested). Board approved commitment letter unanimously after Peters clarified eligibility, no joint PT application, and fit with 2025 GMA update.

Key Discussion Points

  • Josh Peters: HB 1110 urban-focused; county eligible via UGA; $50k requested (pop-based); complements Commerce periodic/climate funds; middle housing = duplex-6plex/townhomes.
  • Board: Low priority but funds remain; exciting for UGA/sewer; no max award info but commerce welcoming.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Letter commits DCD to apply; Commerce webpage/FAQ referenced; no staff recommendation divergence.

Financials

$35,000-$50,000 requested (pop-based); reimburses deliverables, supplements periodic update.

Alternatives & Amendments

Joint PT application abandoned (complicated theirs).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve the letter to the Department of Commerce authorizing Department of Community Development to request grant funding for the middle housing grant."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: 3).
  • No next steps specified.

2024-2025 Biennial Budget Public Hearing

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:09:42.436–02:55:38.331 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, personnel, infrastructure

Summary

County Administrator Mark McCauley and Finance Manager Judy Shepherd presented the recommended 2024-2025 biennial budget ($109.8M 2024 expenditures; $91.3M 2025; GF healthy at $27M+ revenues) with investments in compensation (12% over 3yrs), DCD backlog ($300k), elections/prosecutor/court staffing, despite 1% levy limit vs. 21.5% inflation. No public testimony; hearing closed; adoption set for Dec 11.

Key Discussion Points

  • Strong revenues (timber/sales tax/investments/new construction); GF ending balance $7.67M 2024/$7.26M 2025 (15% reserves met).
  • UFCW CBA: 12% raise/3% steps/PTO; enhancements pending other units.
  • Additions: DCD $300k; Elections $231k; Prosecutor paralegal; Sheriff Hoh Tribe; Fire Marshal inspections (revenue-neutral).
  • Road fund cliff persists (chip seal halved); inflation hits services/roads.
  • Healthy 5-year outlook; $1M GF liquidity to sewer returns soon.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Detailed budget docs (all funds/GF/roads/sewer); meets Res 30-23 objectives (1.5% salaries); UFCW CBA ratified; board-approved additions ($1M+ base/one-time).

Financials

  • All funds: 2024 exp $109.8M/rev $101.5M; 2025 exp $91.3M/rev $84.4M.
  • GF: 2024 exp $29.5M/rev $27M; unreserved $3.25M; reserves 15%.
  • Transfers static except DCD +$300k, parks/health etc.

Alternatives & Amendments

Board open to changes pre-Dec 11 adoption.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Hearing closed; deliberations noted capital/facility needs, zero-emission vehicles, PFD impacts.
  • Vote: None (adoption Dec 11).
  • Next Steps: Final budget Dec 11; mid-biennium review summer 2024.

2024-2029 Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Adoption

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:55:46.047–03:22:49.409 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, planning

Summary

Public Works presented the 2024-2029 TIP (34 projects, $41.3M total; grant-heavy) with board-prioritized criteria (grants/ADT highest); highlights: Center Rd overlay, ODT/Naylor, Little Quilcene bridge. Road fund cliff managed via halved chip seals/smaller crew; costs rising (signs $1k+, striping $350k/yr). No public testimony; unanimously adopted.

Key Discussion Points

  • 37 bridges (2 deficient: Little Quilcene/Yarr funded); 4 load-posted.
  • Busy 2024: HSIP signs, Center overlay, ODT potential.
  • Criteria: Grants top; safety/schools/non-motorized high.
  • Challenges: Fed overhead (apprenticeship/DBE); fund exchange pilot unhelpful (1yr).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

TIP doc/bridge report; board-weighted criteria; RCW 36.81.121/WAC 136-15; no divergences.

Financials

Total $41.3M (fed $27.6M/state $11.6M/local $1.7M/other); roads: steady $4M balance via cuts.

Alternatives & Amendments

Fund exchange extension lobbied (state > fed for small projects).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Adoption of the 2024 to 29 6 year transportation improvement program."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: 3).
  • No next steps specified.

Background Materials

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