MEETING: Commissioners Meeting at Tue, Feb 20, 09:00 AM

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JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING SUMMARY

Meeting Date: 2024-02-20

Public Comment on Media Bias, Homelessness, and Shoreline Management

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:01.368–00:16:56.904
  • Agenda Item: Open Public Comment
  • Categories: public safety, land use, ordinances, services, other

Topic Summary

The public comment section covered three main areas: alleged media bias in local reporting, the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case regarding criminalization of homelessness, and critical commentary on proposed Shoreline Master Program (SMP) updates, particularly concerning aquaculture permitting. Commissioners acknowledged the comments, noting that the SMP discussion would continue the following week, and highlighted the complexity of balancing economic livelihood with environmental and aesthetic concerns.

Key Discussion Points

  • Maggie alleged media bias in a KPTZ report by Eric Forensi concerning Harold’s towed van, specifically bias by exclusion (failing to interview Harold) and misrepresentation (incorrectly locating the van away from Katai Park near trees, when it was in the middle of the transit lot near a portable disabled bathroom) (00:02:00.322–00:03:55.529).
  • Maggie also brought attention to the U.S. Supreme Court’s April 20th hearing of the Grants Pass case, concerning whether jailing and fining unhoused people for sleeping on public property constitutes cruel and unusual punishment (00:04:14.260–00:04:27.794).
  • Commissioner Brotherton noted he appreciates additional facts from Maggie each week and will look into the Supreme Court case (00:13:32.216–00:13:57.542).
  • Marilyn Schowalter addressed the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) update, arguing that requiring shellfish operators to submit federal permit information should be mandatory for all, irrespective of requiring a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), because compliance is a condition of federal permitting (00:06:26.893–00:07:33.794).
  • Schowalter further argued that non-GUI duck shellfishers should no longer be allowed to expand by 25% or convert equipment without a permit, particularly if introducing mechanical equipment, rebar, iron, metal, or plastic (00:07:51.212–00:08:29.272).
  • Gordon King criticized the draft SMP update, stating it reserves the "special kind of hell" of full CUPs solely for most forms of GUI duck aquaculture, while nearshore activities like docks, marinas, and shoreline armoring only require a straight permit (00:09:27.041–00:09:53.930).
  • King argued the Board of County Commissioners’ proposed permitting regulations for GUI duck are twice as restrictive as the moderately restrictive version settled on by the Planning Commission in late 2021 (00:10:21.292–00:10:29.287).
  • King stated the restrictions act as a financial barrier that will prevent young shellfish farmers from expanding, consolidating the industry to large companies (00:11:15.797–01:11:37.137).
  • Commissioner Eisenhour noted it is "confounding that GUI Duck is getting such a magnifying glass on it" when shoreline armoring and other listed uses do not require a conditional use permit (00:14:16.363–00:14:45.271).
  • Commissioner Brotherton summarized the conflict: it is a "Small, small business livelihood to some folks" and "An environmental risk to others," requiring the Board to parcel out where the line should be drawn (01:16:30.739–01:16:43.801).

Public Comments

  • - Maggie: Alleges media bias (exclusion, misrepresentation) in local reporting on Harold’s van towing and raised awareness of the upcoming Grants Pass Supreme Court case on homelessness.
  • - Marilyn Schowalter: Requested that federal permit information be required of all shellfishers and asked that the 25% expansion/conversion rule for non-permitted shellfishers be removed.
  • - Gordon King: Criticized the draft SMP for imposing overly severe, non-science-based restrictions (full CUPs) on GUI duck aquaculture which will hurt small businesses, while traditional heavy shoreline activities face less scrutiny.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced for public comments.

Financials

No financial information discussed during public comment, except references to the "financial barrier" created by permitting costs (00:11:15.797).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Marilyn Schowalter argued for an alternative: eliminating the ability of existing non-permitted shellfishers to expand or convert equipment (00:07:51.212).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action taken; item was informational.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps:
  • - Commissioner Brotherton: Will look into the Grants Pass Supreme Court case.
  • - Board of County Commissioners: Will hold an additional discussion on the SMP next week.

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:17:21.438–00:20:29.714
  • Agenda Item: Consent Agenda
  • Categories: contracts, infrastructure, budgeting, operations

Topic Summary

The Board reviewed and approved the consent agenda, which included several significant financial and contractual items. Discussion focused briefly on the high cost of the Snow Creek Road culvert replacement and community outreach plans related to the Port Hadlock Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) as Phase I sewer system activations approach.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Eisenhour noted the Snow Creek Road culvert replacement for $1.33 million and contrasted its cost with its importance, mentioning its potential relation to fish passage and current design challenges (00:18:00.029–00:18:53.911).
  • Commissioner Eisenhour highlighted that the consent agenda included a supplement for the Port Hadlock WWTP SCADA system (additional $5,000 for a $35,000 total contract), noting that the amounts "feel small" compared to the overall project (00:19:02.518–00:19:04.272).
  • Commissioner Eisenhour announced upcoming public outreach meetings regarding the Port Hadlock WWTP for interested landowners and developers to discuss what will be allowed once Phase One sewers are turned on, including looking at the UGA overlay (00:19:38.228–00:19:56.492).
  • Supporting Materials Analysis (Consent Agenda Items):
    • Port Hadlock WWTP SCADA Design: Approved an agreement with Technical Services Inc. for a total maximum of $221,700 for SCADA design/installation, covered 100% by a Washington State Department of Commerce ARPA grant.
    • Snow Creek Road Culvert: Approved a Signature Authorization Form to enable the Public Works Director to sign a new Hazard Mitigation Grant Agreement to receive the remaining $1.33 million project reimbursements (FEMA/State).
    • Noxious Weed ILA: Approved a 3-year interlocal agreement with the City of Port Townsend, with both County (Fund 109) and City contributing up to $5,000 annually for services.
    • Van Aller Surveying Amendment: Approved an additional $5,000 to Van Aller surveying for Phase I Port Hadlock sewer staking, bringing the total contract to $35,000.
    • WSU Employee Salaries MOA: Approved Amendment No. 1 correcting the non-federal fund contribution to $183,577 (from $158,428) for the shared WSU extension salaries, keeping the Total Funds unchanged at $188,677.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Port Hadlock Wastewater Treatment Plant SCADA Design and Installation Contract.
  • Snow Creek Road MP 0.84 Culvert Replacement Grant Agreement.
  • Supplement No. 1: Port Hadlock Wastewater Phase I Surveying.
  • Noxious Weed Control Interlocal Agreement with City of Port Townsend.
  • Amendment No. 1 to WSU Employee Salaries MOA (Correction).

Financials

  • Snow Creek Culvert: $1,333,000 project cost.
  • Port Hadlock SCADA: $221,700 (100% ARPA grant funded).
  • Port Hadlock Surveying Supplement: Additional $5,000; Total $35,000.
  • Noxious Weed ILA: Up to $5,000 annual contribution from County (Fund 109).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Motion to approve the February 2024 consent agenda was carried.
  • Vote: Unanimous (2-0, Dean absent).
  • Ayes: Brotherton, Eisenhour.
  • Nays: 0.
  • Next Steps: Public outreach meetings will be scheduled for Port Hadlock WWTP Phase 1 activation.

2024 Emergency Management Department (DEM) Work Plan

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:21:40.779–00:59:00.579
  • Agenda Item: Emergency Management Workplan
  • Categories: public safety, operations, planning, services

Topic Summary

Willie Bence, DEM Director, presented the 2024 work plan, focusing on the theme of "Planning and Organization" using the POETE model (Planning, Organization, Equipment, Training, Exercise). Key initiatives include a critical overhaul of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) to meet raised state standards and the formal establishment of a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) to address hazardous materials. Organizational efforts are focused on improving the capacity and coordination of the extensive network of volunteer programs (NPREP, CERT, DART, etc.).

Key Discussion Points

  • Organizational Structure: DEM operates on the Incident Command System (ICS) model. The office has 3.6 FTEs (two full-time, plus part-timers/grant-funded staff) and the Admin and Grant Coordinator position is currently vacant and accepting applications (00:23:02.036–00:24:09.411).
  • 2023 Accomplishments: Included implementing a modern volunteer management database, gaining FEMA approval for the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), holding CERT training (the first since COVID), and an EOC activation for the Beaver Valley Fire that utilized the Wireless Emergency Alert system (00:25:04.002–00:27:11.547).
  • CEMP Overhaul: The overarching Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan requires updating; the 2018 plan scored 66% but now meets only 44% of new state legal requirements. Final plan adoption is targeted for the end of 2024, involving outreach to all 21 Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) and specific focus on improving city-county coordination (00:27:48.893–00:30:46.587).
  • Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC): DEM is targeting Q2 to establish the LEPC, mandated by WAC for hazardous materials review and response planning. This is the County’s first LEPC, and public participation will be broad, as it relates to the community's right to know what hazardous materials are stored locally (00:31:03.453–00:32:09.237).
  • Volunteer Reorganization: Efforts will streamline the administration, recruitment, and training across disparate volunteer groups (VCOM, MRC, CERT, NPREP). A new NPREP 'Emergency Hub' concept is being introduced (00:32:35.296–00:34:25.604).
  • Willie Bence confirmed that NPREP leadership is working to build capacity and organize the All County Picnic (August); NPREP leadership is open to any motivated neighborhood member (00:38:38.382–00:39:03.813).
  • King Tides and Flooding: Bence confirmed that abnormal weather events, including King Tides, are addressed during the pre-winter storm response discussion in early November with the National Weather Service (00:44:03.207–00:45:02.958).
  • Future Focus: 2025 will focus on Training, and 2026 will focus on Exercise, including preparation for the regional Cascadia Rising exercise (00:49:05.514–00:50:57.958).
  • Commissioner Eisenhour asked about aligning NPREP (Neighborhood Preparedness) with neighborhood watch concepts to address rising rural property crime, which Bence agreed has strong philosophical nexus and is a manageable topic for NPREP (00:56:06.599–00:57:57.267).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • 2024 Emergency Management Department Workplan (full details are in the agenda packet summary).

Financials

  • The Medical Reserve Corps secured its second $10,000 grant for supply caches (00:35:49.484–00:36:03.582).
  • Grant applications are ongoing to replace outdated EOC equipment (00:35:06.758–00:35:19.559).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Alternatives from Discussion: Considering aligning the NPREP program's community-building goals with neighborhood watch programs to increase engagement (00:56:06.599).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action taken; item was informational.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps:
  • - Willie Bence: To add Commissioner Eisenhour to the Incident Management Team (IMT) monthly meeting contact list (00:46:16.650).
  • - DEM Staff: Continue work on key 2024 initiatives (CEMP, LEPC, Volunteer Reorg).

Annual Inventory Certification of Capitalized Assets

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:59:54.719–01:01:42.124
  • Agenda Item: Capitalized Assets Certification
  • Categories: budgeting, operations

Topic Summary

The Board of County Commissioners fulfilled the annual requirement to certify the inventory of all capitalized assets as of December 31, 2023, by taking an oath. Commissioners noted the size of the accompanying inventory book and attested to their reliance on the certifications made by individual department heads.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Brotherton administered the "Verification on Oath" to Commissioners Eisenhour and Brotherton (acting chair) (01:00:27.273).
  • Commissioner Brotherton noted that the inventory binder is the "heaviest document we review each year" and that he relies on the certifications made by each department head (01:00:54.719–01:01:13.488).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Annual Inventory Certification of Capitalized Assets (as of 12/31/2023) provided as a physical binder.

Financials

No financial information discussed besides the verification of capital assets.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: The Commissioners took the oath to certify the accuracy of the county's capitalized assets inventory for 2023.
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Carolyn Gallaway (Clerk of the Board) will notarize the document, and it will be filed with the County Auditor.

WSU Extension Services 2024 Work Plan Discussion

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:26:15.206–01:52:36.638
  • Agenda Item: WSU Extension Workplan
  • Categories: services, operations, planning

Topic Summary

Amit Sharma, WSU Extension Director, presented the 2024 Work Plan, emphasizing a strategic shift from merely reporting outputs (people reached) to tracking impacts and long-term improvements. The Extension faces a critical challenge of single-person programs, leading to significant risk when staff leave, recently exemplified by the Water Quality coordinator's departure to Kitsap County. Director Sharma outlined a four-step process prioritizing organizational capacity, strengthening internal processes, and strategic community engagement to ensure program sustainability.

Key Discussion Points

  • Director Sharma acknowledged that current performance indicators are primarily output-based and stated the strategic planning process will focus on adding process and outcome indicators to measure long-term improvements (01:27:16.469–01:27:40.324).
  • The Small Farms program is projecting depressed output metrics (22 down to 15 workshops; 400 down to 250 participants), which Sharma attributed to the 2023 projections being "too ambitious" (01:28:48.522–01:29:30.980).
  • Core Challenge (Program Sustainability): Most Extension programs (4H, Master Gardener, Small Farms, Water Quality) are single-person programs. The departure of one person, such as the Water Quality coordinator, causes the entire program to effectively "collapse," resulting in institutional knowledge loss (01:31:46.259–01:36:12.046). Sharma stated the long-term pragmatic solution is to have at least two people involved in running each program (01:32:05.429).
  • Mitigation Efforts: Immediate steps include internal documentation, recruitment for the vacant Water Quality position, and trying to secure an intern for an interim position to review existing documentation (01:36:12.046–01:36:57.976).
  • Financial/Admin Vacancy: The Finance and Operations coordinator position is currently vacant, and attempts to hire have failed due to candidates being overwhelmed. Sharma stated this position is his highest Q1 priority (01:43:39.333–01:44:04.243).
  • Financial/Admin Recruitment Strategy: If the current recruitment for the full-time role fails, Sharma will explore splitting the position into two roles, potentially allowing one to be remote to attract candidates from denser areas like Seattle (01:48:35.502–01:49:35.493).
  • Strategic Focus: Sharma’s plan centers on a four-step alignment process: (1) Organizational Capacity (Q1 focus on recruitment), (2) Internal Processes, (3) Community Engagement/Partnerships, leading to (4) Program Goals and Financial Sustainability (01:41:53.662–01:43:03.579).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • WSU Extension 2024 Work Plan Discussion (included output indicators and a four-step strategic diagram).

Financials

  • The salary MOA corrects the Non-federal Funds to $183,577.
  • Financial limitations prevent the immediate hiring of multiple staff members per program (01:32:05.429).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Recruitment Alternative: Splitting the vacant finance/operations position into two part-time roles, one potentially remote-eligible (01:49:15.297).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action taken; item was informational/workshop.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps:
  • - Amit Sharma: Will continue recruitment efforts and develop a detailed, objective plan with his staff, to be presented at a later date, mapping out measures and implementation (01:48:06.544).

Quilcene Community Park Site Plan Briefing and Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:53:25.173–02:09:41.097
  • Agenda Item: Quilcene Community Park Site Plan Briefing and Workshop
  • Categories: leisure, planning, infrastructure, services

Topic Summary

Matt Tyler (Parks & Recreation Manager) and Asa Isaac Clifford (Volunteer Advocate) presented a conceptual site plan for the Quilcene Community Park, centered on adding a proposed 7,500 sq. ft. skate park designed by local volunteers. The plan also incorporates infrastructure improvements, including a new restroom/shower facility, a larger commercial septic field, and a caretaker's campsite. The immediate focus is securing fiscal sponsorship from the YMCA before the March 8 RCO grant deadline. The Board expressed full support for the project.

Key Discussion Points

  • The Quilcene Skate Park Project, driven by local volunteers (including Asa Clifford), received official recommendation from the Parks and Rec Advisory Board (01:54:06.940).
  • The volunteers are working to secure fiscal sponsorship, likely from the YMCA, to apply for the RCO Community Outdoor Facility Grant (01:54:44.115–01:55:05.085).
  • Asa Clifford/Brady McDonald reported that they are currently awaiting financial committee approval from the YMCA, hoping for clarity by Friday (01:59:58.883–02:00:17.611).
  • Commissioner Brotherton offered to draft a letter of support to the YMCA for fiscal sponsorship (02:01:25.754–02:01:38.298).
  • The site plan also includes: a new restroom with showers (funded by an ARPA grant for design), and a new, larger commercial septic field needed to support the restrooms and potential future commercial kitchen use in the community center (02:03:48.800–02:04:11.224).
  • The conceptual skate park location could be "flip-flopped" with the septic field location without issue if required by final site engineering (01:57:02.481).
  • The skate park design includes an accessible pump track around the outside, allowing use by wheelchairs and other non-skateboard rollers (02:02:23.342).
  • Marianne (District 2 Parks and Rec Advisory Board Member) offered public comment expressing excitement and enthusiasm, noting the skate park is a great opportunity for an "underdeveloped, underserved area" (02:09:07.874–02:09:28.292).

Public Comments

  • - Marianne (Parks and Rec Advisory Board Member): Fully supportive, noting the project will serve an underserved area and praising the enthusiasm of the volunteers.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Quilcene Community Park Site Plan Briefing materials (conceptual map).

Financials

  • The design of the new restrooms is funded by an ARPA grant (02:03:48.800).
  • Capital funding is anticipated for the new septic system construction (02:03:54.288).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Site Plan Adjustment: The skate park and septic field locations are conceptually interchangeable (01:57:02.481).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: The Board signaled full support for the project and conceptual site plan.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps:
  • - Commissioner Brotherton: Will draft a letter of support for Brady McDonald/Asa and the Skate Park Project's pursuit of YMCA fiscal sponsorship.
  • - Volunteers: Must secure fiscal sponsorship immediately to meet the forthcoming March 8 RCO Grant deadline.
  • - Matt Tyler: Will share the finalized design (expected on the 29th) with the Board.

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