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01/22/24 09 AM: Board Responds to Public on Towing, Pools, SMP; Advances Planning

Board Responds to Public on Towing, Pools, SMP; Advances Planning

Jefferson County Commissioners addressed public concerns on homeless vehicle towing, public pool with showers, short-term rentals, unhoused services, and SMP geoduck aquaculture. Approved consent agenda including pool study and IT hire. Re-established Growth Management Steering Committee. Workshopped EPL software, HR workplan with mental health focus, DNR forest set-asides, and deferred SMP decision to February.

Public Comment Period

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:39–00:48:07 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, other

Summary

The Board opened the public comment period, limiting speakers to 3 minutes each, with responses deferred until all comments concluded. Comments addressed towing of homeless vehicles during a cold snap/emergency declaration, support for a public swimming pool, concerns over a consent agenda item for a pool feasibility study lacking explicit public showers language, opposition to short-term rentals in rural areas like Quilcene, challenges for unhoused individuals using shelter addresses for voting/devices/mail, and Shoreline Master Program (SMP) revisions on geoduck aquaculture permitting (advocating standard conditional use permits over discretionary). Additional comments supported the warming center, requested quarterly reporting on fee waivers and a website for pool study documents, and clarified SMP draft history. The Board responded collectively, noting towing as a city issue but exploring emergency towing bans, supporting pool development with independent review including showers, pursuing address solutions for unhoused, committing to SMP workshop, agreeing to fee waiver tracking, and considering pool documents transparency.

Key Discussion Points

  • Multiple speakers (Harold Homesby, Maggie, Julia Cochran) described towing of vehicles during emergency declaration despite assurances, prioritizing tows over missing newborn search; Board suggested city navigator/REALTOR involvement, towing bans during emergencies, Ninth Circuit protections.
  • Bruce Cohen/Kelly advocated public pool as essential life skill, citing history and Healthier Together Committee; Board affirmed support via independent review.
  • Deborah Peterson urged pulling consent item for Commerce pool agreement to ensure public showers inclusion; Board confirmed showers in MOA, to be emphasized.
  • Zachary opposed short-term rentals in Quilcene reducing housing; Board noted STR regulation efforts (543 listings, 76 permitted).
  • Ariel Schulzer Miho detailed shelter address policy barriers for voting/devices; Board committed to solutions like PO boxes/general delivery.
  • Janet Welsh, Marilyn Shaw Walter advocated SMP reverting to standard CUPs for geoduck; Gordon King defended current draft; Board to deliberate afternoon.
  • Tom Teersch requested fee waiver quarterly reports, pool documents website; Board agreed to tracking/website for transparency.
  • Board: Explored emergency towing bans, pool review/showers/address solutions, SMP input, fee tracking/website.

Public Comments

  • Harold Homesby: Demanded return of towed van during cold snap.
  • Maggie: Accused police of lying about towing during emergency; criticized priorities vs. missing baby.
  • Bruce Cohen/Kelly: Urged public pool construction, essential skill.
  • Deborah Peterson: Consent pool agreement lacks public showers; instruct McCauley.
  • Zachary: Rural Airbnbs reduce housing in Quilcene.
  • Ariel Schulzer Miho: Shelter address policy blocks voting/devices/mail.
  • Janet Welsh: SMP aquaculture: revert to standard CUPs.
  • Marilyn Shaw Walter: Mason County requires CUPs for new geoduck; PVC/HDPE issues via CUP; avoid % expansion.
  • Tom Teersch: Fee waivers need quarterly reports; pool documents website.
  • Julia Cochran: Warming center stats; towing ban; address needs.
  • Gordon King: SMP draft more CUPs than original; Mason conversions no CUP.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comments heard; Board responses noted towing review, pool/showers/address/SMP/fee commitments.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: SMP workshop afternoon; fee reports/website; explore towing/address policies.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:57:06–01:03:43 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, personnel, planning

Summary

The Board reviewed and unanimously approved the consent agenda without pulls after brief discussion on key items: reduced pool feasibility contract ($11k vs. prior $18-19k), IT FTE addition ($90-100k est.), JABS maintenance, housing grants. Commerce pool contract noted for public showers/transparency; IT salary questioned (may need study); housing funds urged for capital projects.

Key Discussion Points

  • Pool contract with Commerce: Price down to $11k; website for documents requested/agreed.
  • IT FTE: Concern over $100k salary realism; leverage JeffCom study; service desk need.
  • JABS maintenance: Separate court contracts; explore economies.
  • Housing grants: Grateful for quick contracts; prefer capital over operations.
  • Fee waivers: Quarterly reports agreed.
  • Board: Excited for pool progress, IT support, housing; no pulls.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Consent items: Naylors Creek culverts ($1.7M federal), parks proclamation (4,809 volunteer hours/$152k value), fee waiver policy ($500 limit), housing grants ($885k total), district court AV ($5.6k), Chimacum ESA amendment ($2.6k add'l), unallocated housing ($95k), IT FTE ($90-100k), pool IFFR ($11k).

Financials

  • Pool IFFR: $11,000 (General Fund, City match).
  • IT FTE: $90,000–$100,000 annually (cost allocation).
  • Housing grants: ~$885,869 (Funds 148/149).
  • Other: Culverts $1.7M federal; AV $5,615; ESA +$2,600.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Consent agenda approved as presented.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: 3).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Re-establishing Growth Management Steering Committee

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:04:20–01:32:16 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, land use

Summary

The Board adopted Resolution re-establishing the Growth Management Steering Committee (GMSC) for 2025 Comprehensive Plan update, adjusting membership to include 3 Port Townsend Council reps (per City request) and 1 Brinnon LAMIRD rep. Scope: population projections/allocation to 2045, Countywide Planning Policies update, tribal participation per new law; first meeting Feb 8.

Key Discussion Points

  • Josh Peters/Emma Bolin: Committee as discussion forum (not voting); focus population/employment allocation, CPPs; PT requests 3 reps.
  • Board: Add Brinnon (growth area); generalize Port rep; UGA/Hadlock rep needed.
  • Heidi: Interface with City comp plan; housing bands/coordination.
  • Board: Advisory to BOCC; ICG input; streamline vs. add reps.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Resolution template; prior resolutions (107-91, etc.); GMA statutes.

Financials

Budgeted for staff/consultants.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Original: 2 PT Council reps → 3.
  • Added: Brinnon LAMIRD rep (friendly amendment).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Adopt Resolution 09-24 re-establishing GMSC with amendments.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: 3).
  • Next Steps: Notify partners; first meeting Feb 8; ICG report.

Enterprise Permit and Licensing (EPL) Implementation Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:32:17–02:32:08 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, infrastructure, other

Summary

Staff detailed EPL (EnerGov) progress since 2018: upgrades complete, processes documented, 40 issues fixed (98 remain), iPads/Laserfiche working. Challenges: IT turnover (down to 2 staff), training gaps, 3rd-party integrations fragile, no testing env. CSS Portal Phase 1 (search) by Jul 1; Phase 2 (forms/pay) 2025. Strategy: hosted env, Tyler Content Manager, consultants; Tyler investment assessment proposed.

Key Discussion Points

  • Sherry Moulin: Accomplishments (upgrades, docs, iPads); challenges (staffing, complexity); CSS phases; simplify/host.
  • Phil Cecier: Building/fire inspections via iPads real-time.
  • Board: GIS integration; reports for metrics; future fire module; STR integration.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Stoplight matrix (DCD/PH green in inspections/fees, red in intake/reports); Boulder CSS example.

Financials

Future costs for hosting/consultants; tech fee adjustment possible.

Alternatives & Amendments

Hosted vs. on-prem; Tyler Content vs. Laserfiche.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Workshop; update when colors change/funding needed.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: CSS Phase 1 Jul 1; hosted assessment; Q3 update.

2024 Human Resources Workplan

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:00:37–03:28:11 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel, services

Summary

HR presented 2024 plan: recruit analyst, 5 union contracts, strategic plan, manual updates, exempt pay analysis; ties to County Strategic Plan (training, recognition, engagement). 2023: 87 hires/71 separations, 2 contracts, travel policy, +30% mandatory training. Discussion added mental health awareness subcommittee (EAP, supervisor training, policy) post-employee death.

Key Discussion Points

  • Sarah Melancon: 339 employees; 2023 milestones; 2024 goals (bargaining, training, recognition).
  • Board: Mental health formal plan/training (Jenny); partner PH (Apple: MH first aid).
  • HR: Normalize conversations, EAP, supervisor vulnerability; add to plan/subcommittee.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

HR workplan slides; Strategic Plan alignment.

Financials

Secure staffing/training budget 2024-25.

Alternatives & Amendments

Added mental health subcommittee.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Workshop; HR to add mental health subcommittee.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: HR convene subcommittee (w/ PH/Jenny); interview analyst.

DNR Natural Climate Solutions Allocation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:28:47–04:15:52 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use, planning, other

Summary

DNR presented 952 acres (Dabob 671ac, Mt Walker/Notch Pass 281ac) for NCS set-aside (carbon-dense/structurally complex forests); criteria: 60mt C/ac, canopy layers, large trees; co-benefits (habitat adjacency). Board authorized concurrence letter for all, suggesting Notch Pass trade for Clallam Lake Sutherland (stronger forest). Replacement lands prioritized same taxing districts.

Key Discussion Points

  • Dwayne Emmons: Proviso $70M buy replacement lands; county concurrence needed by Jan 31; Dabob adj. preserve; Walker/Notch adj. NF.
  • Board: Junior districts (Quilcene/Brinnon low common school); trade Notch (weaker forest) for Sutherland; north of 104 priority.
  • Public: Ground-truth Notch; Dabob expansion; replacement in-district.

Public Comments

  • Peter Bales: Dabob expansion timeline; ground-truth Notch; JLT/NWI private buys.
  • Gene (Zoom): Gratitude; trade Notch; taxing districts.
  • Mary Jane Ryan (Zoom): Thanks; refine for best acres.

Supporting Materials Referenced

DNR maps/methodology; proviso.

Financials

$70M state for replacements (Wakayama buy held).

Alternatives & Amendments

Trade Notch Pass for Clallam Sutherland.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Authorize Chair sign concurrence letter (Dabob/Walker/Notch; suggest Clallam trade).
  • Vote: Unanimous motion.
  • Next Steps: Draft letter; DNR appraise/BNR approve; Dabob expansion process.

Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Geoduck Aquaculture Regulations

Metadata

  • Time Range: 04:28:39–end (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, permits, land use, planning

Summary

Board deliberated 5 geoduck permit options in Aquatic/Priority Aquatic: PC rec (mixed std/disc CUPs); expansions= new; threshold-based; all std CUP; all CAP. No consensus; favored PC rec/option 2 (expansions=new, std CUP priority/natural). Enhance gear/debris language; reference other permits/BMPs. Continue Feb 5/12.

Key Discussion Points

  • Lisa/Amy: Options matrix; 58% priority aquatic (ESA salmon/shellfish); comparisons (Kitsap/Clallam/Mason CUPs/hearings).
  • Greg: Option 1/2; regulatory reform, preferred use, tribes/PC.
  • Heidi: Option 2 (expansions=new); threshold slippery.
  • Kate: PC rec; <25%/10ac discretionary; BMPs/gear ref; industry key.
  • Eelgrass: Avoid impacts per code.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Use table; WAC policies; county comparisons; matrix.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

5 options + all CAP; threshold (25%/X ac); gear/BMP refs.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Direction: Draft option 2 (expansions=new); enhance gear/BMPs; Feb 5/12 deliberations/ordinance.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Draft ordinance Feb 12 (adj if needed); open hearing.

Background Materials

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