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01/16/24 09 AM: Commissioners Thank Storm Teams, Approve Consent, Discuss Water Shoreline

Commissioners Thank Storm Teams, Approve Consent, Discuss Water Shoreline

Jefferson County Commissioners meeting featured shoutouts to storm response crews, extended public comments on geoducks, housing, and weather impacts. Approved consent agenda excluding fee waiver policy revisions. Discussed homelessness needs, Coordinated Water System Plan updates with WUCC reform, and Shoreline Master Program workshop with amendment directions.

Public Forum and Weather Response Shoutouts

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:40.753–00:04:18.884 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, public safety, services

Summary

Commissioners called the meeting to order amid technical issues with the agenda and AV system, noted the recent severe weather event, and thanked road crews, public works, police department, and community volunteers for managing roads, shelters, and assistance during the storm. Discussion highlighted the unusual rapid freezing of water on roads limiting sand/salt effectiveness, community generosity, and resources like community centers and energy assistance programs.

Key Discussion Points

  • Chair Dean thanked road crew, PD, shelter operators, and community for storm response efforts. [Chair Dean]
  • Commissioner Eisenhardt noted negative public comments on roads but defended public works' efforts given weather conditions. [Commissioner Eisenhardt]
  • Explanation of weather: heavy wet snow compacted during rush hour, froze into ice; too cold for salt, sand ineffective. [Multiple commissioners]

Public Comments

  • No public comments during this segment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informal shoutouts and resource reminders provided; no formal action.
  • No next steps specified.

General Public Comments

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:04:38.574–00:34:08.941 (PART 1, extended due to tech issues)
  • Categories: land use, planning, services, ordinances, public safety

Summary

Public comment period extended due to Zoom/AV access issues; speakers addressed geoduck aquaculture studies, decision-making based on facts, gentrification/taxes, weather hardships, and homelessness/warming center needs. Commissioners responded on roads, shoreline program, and housing challenges.

Key Discussion Points

  • Tech issues delayed access; recess taken to resolve. [Chair Dean]
  • Written comments received on roads, shoreline/geoduck farming. [Multiple]

Public Comments

  • Marilyn Show Walter (Shine Road resident): Sea Grant studies site-specific, limited to South Sound plots; irrelevant to Jefferson County/Hood Canal; urged standard CUP process for geoduck farms. [00:05:28.569–00:08:02.729]
  • Jean (Miss Ball, phone): Base decisions on facts/truth, not emotions; gentrification/taxes impacting residents; serve all people; weather hardships; kittens need homes. [00:15:51.773–00:18:06.717]
  • Julie Cochran (warming center): Pope Marine building sheltered 50+ daily; diverse vulnerable populations; community donations; called for government priority on housing/shelter. [00:31:33.320–00:34:08.941]

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; shoreline/geoduck to be addressed later; homelessness noted for future discussion.
  • Next Steps: Shoreline Master Program discussion later that day; deliberations next week. [Commissioners]

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:25:27.149–00:52:04.966 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, budgeting, personnel, ordinances, operations

Summary

Consent agenda approved minus Item 2 (fee waiver policy revision, pulled for discussion); included wastewater plant contract, solid waste MOU, tax cancellations, hiring incentives, MOUs/amendments for behavioral health/opioid funds/mental health services, Port Ludlow election ILA, and others. Auditor briefed on in-person election process.

Key Discussion Points

  • Port Ludlow Drainage District election: In-person on Feb 6; Auditor supervises, District conducts; notices in Leader/newsletters. [Auditor Huntingford]
  • Fee waiver policy pulled for revisions (cap, partial waivers, controls). [Commissioners, Barbara Ehrlichman]
  • Corrections incentive used for Gordon Tamura ($15k); net gain from retiree replacement. [Commissioners]
  • Wastewater contract ($10M) and mental health therapy noted positively. [Commissioners]

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Phase 2 MBR Wastewater Treatment Plant contract ($10M, SLFRF-funded). [Public Works]
  • Solid Waste Fee Schedule MOU (Jefferson Healthcare debris, ~$9k revenue). [Public Works]
  • Fee Waiver Delegation Policy Revision (pulled). [County Administrator]
  • Cancellation of Uncollectible Taxes ($101.98). [Treasurer]
  • Corrections Officer Incentive MOA ($15k). [HR/County Administrator]
  • Behavioral Health Sales Tax MOU Amendment ($10k). [Juvenile Court]
  • Port Ludlow Drainage District Election ILA. [Auditor]
  • Opioid Settlement Funds MOU Amendment. [Finance]
  • Mental Health Therapy Services Agreement Amendment ($191k). [Public Health]

Financials

  • Wastewater contract: $10,020,835 (SLFRF). [Packet]
  • Solid Waste MOU: ~$9,672 revenue. [Packet]
  • Corrections incentive: $15,000. [Packet]
  • Mental health contract: $191,260. [Packet]
  • Others minor/uncollectible taxes $101.98 cancellation.

Alternatives & Amendments

Fee waiver: Add cap ($500), partial waivers, director-only approval; return Jan 30. [Commissioners]

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved as consent minus Item 2. "Motion to adopt consent agenda minus Item 2... Aye." Unanimous.
  • Vote: Aye (unanimous, 3-0).
  • Next Steps: Fee waiver revisions for Jan 30.

Homelessness and Warming Center Response

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:34:08.941–00:39:48.822 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, operations, budgeting, planning

Summary

Public comment on warming center operations highlighted needs; commissioners discussed emergency response, housing affordability, funding gaps, and future planning like after-action review.

Key Discussion Points

  • Warming center saw 50+/day, diverse needs; called for housing priority. [Julie Cochran]
  • Noted Caswell building/fairgrounds efforts insufficient; need clear emergency plan. [Commissioners]
  • Affordability: AMI decoupling, housing ladder underfunded; new shelter planned. [Commissioners]

Public Comments

  • Julie Cochran: Described shelter users, community support; urged government action on housing. [Repeated above]

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

Jefferson Interfaith Action underfunded; donations encouraged.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • No action taken; workshop/after-action suggested.
  • No next steps specified.

Fee Waiver Delegation Policy Revision

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:39:48.822–00:48:17.442 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, budgeting, operations

Summary

Pulled from consent; policy revises Resolution 74-95 to delegate waivers to directors; commissioners sought guardrails like $500 cap, partial waivers, director-only approval, public benefit determination by staff.

Key Discussion Points

  • Low volume/trivial amounts justify delegation. [Mark McCauley, Barbara Ehrlichman]
  • Add cap ($500), partial waivers, indigency declaration; move public benefit to director signature. [Commissioners]

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Proposed resolution repeals 74-95; criteria unchanged (public benefit/indigency, similar treatment, fund coverage). [Packet]

Financials

No specific figures; cap proposed at $500 max per waiver.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Cap $100-500; partial waivers; no designees; return Jan 30. [Agreed]

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Pulled; revisions for return.
  • Next Steps: Bring back Jan 30 with edits.

Coordinated Water System Plan (CWSP) and Water Utility Coordinating Committee (WUCC) Briefing

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:14:50.176–02:11:10.789 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, infrastructure, operations, budgeting

Summary

Brent Butler briefed on updating 1997 CWSP for critical water supply areas; established 1983 due to uncoordinated planning/poor service; Group B systems struggling; WUCC reformed with 7 voting members. Board directed minimal scope first, scope alternatives, publish RFP, position 7 as Group B rep (BOCC appointment), all voting.

Key Discussion Points

  • CWSP required for Group A/B systems; county last resort if PUD unable. [Brent Butler]
  • History: 1983 boundaries, 1997 plan; update scope includes WRIA 17 consistency. [Butler, Bill Graham (PUD)]
  • Funding models: Shared, taxing district (not recommended). [Butler]
  • WUCC: 7 members (health, planning, large purveyors, Group B rep); all voting. [Board direction]

Public Comments

  • Miss Ball (Colson area): Timeline for water extension. PUD: Not in service area; long process. [Bill Graham]

Supporting Materials Referenced

1983 meeting, 1997 plan, RCW/WAC; scope of work outlined (mandatory elements). [Butler packet]

Financials

Costs unknown pending RFP; examples $100k+; PUD to contribute.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Phased: Minimum first, then expansions (stormwater/ag). [Board/PUD]
  • Thresholds for scope/funding.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Publish stakeholder notice; reform WUCC (resolution next week); RFP scope with alternatives.
  • No vote.
  • Next Steps: Consent resolution Jan 22; RFP via DJC.

Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Periodic Review Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:57:42.114–04:50:16.486 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, land use, planning, permits

Summary

Workshop on SMP amendments; clarified exemptions ($8,504 threshold), modest home (2,500 sq ft on nonconforming lots), designations/maps, geoduck CUP (new/expansion/conversion); board discussed use table (C vs Cd), thresholds (acreage/% for expansions), gear/plastics impacts; directed minimal changes for ordinance.

Key Discussion Points

  • Exemptions comply but need SDP if over threshold. [Lisa]
  • Modest home from existing code/reasonable use. [Lisa]
  • Geoduck: CUP per WAC; Cd in some SEDs; threshold ideas (25-50% expansion). [Josh/Lisa]
  • No net loss applies; gear derelict addressed in regs. [Josh]

Public Comments

No public comment (workshop).

Supporting Materials Referenced

Draft SMP; use table p64; exemptions/buffers; 2009 geoduck report; WAC visuals/no net loss. [DCD packet]

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Use table: Cd to C in residential/conservancy/priority aquatic; D in aquatic/natural/high intensity; combine new/expansion/conversion or threshold (%/acre). [Board]
  • Gear: Enhance derelict gear regs p150.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • No action/vote; direction for draft ordinance.
  • Next Steps: Deliberations Jan 22 (3:30pm); ordinance Feb 12 (10:30am); notice as needed. [Board/Josh/Barbara]

Background Materials

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