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02/20/24 09 AM: County Meeting: SMP Comments, Consent Agenda, Plans, Skate Park

County Meeting: SMP Comments, Consent Agenda, Plans, Skate Park

Jefferson County Commissioners addressed public comments on Shoreline Master Program updates, media bias, and homelessness; approved consent agenda including culvert and wastewater projects; reviewed 2024 DEM and WSU Extension work plans; certified assets inventory; supported Quilcene skate park development.

Public Comments

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:01–00:17:21 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, other

Summary

The meeting opened with public comments on media bias in local reporting, a Supreme Court case on criminalizing homelessness, shellfish permitting requirements under the Shoreline Master Program (SMP), and geoduck aquaculture permitting in the Draft Shoreline Master Program (DCMP) update. Commissioners responded by appreciating the input, noting upcoming SMP discussions, and committing to review referenced issues like the Supreme Court case and media reporting on a towed van.

Key Discussion Points

  • Maggie raised media bias in a KPTZ/Herald story on Harold's towed van, claiming exclusion of interviews and misrepresentation of its location near a disabled-accessible bathroom in a transit lot; also noted April 20 Supreme Court case on jailing/fining homeless individuals sleeping on public property.
  • Show Walter advocated requiring federal shellfish permit information for all operators in SMP updates, addressing enforcement via federal permit conditions; opposed 25% expansion without permits for non-geoduck shellfishers.
  • Gordon King criticized DCMP permitting for geoduck farms as overly restrictive compared to other nearshore activities (e.g., docks, dredging), claiming it favors shoreline property owners over young farmers.
  • Chair Greg Eisenhour: Noted upcoming SMP discussion next week; aquaculture scrutiny stems from aesthetics conflicting with small business livelihoods.
  • Commissioner Heidi Brotherton: Found geoduck permitting confounding given less scrutiny for shoreline armoring; committed to review Supreme Court case and van issue updates.

Public Comments

  • Maggie: Media exclusion/misrepresentation on Harold's van towing; Supreme Court case on homelessness as cruel/unusual punishment.
  • Show Walter (Shine Road): Require federal permits in SMP; end 25% expansion exemption for non-geoduck shellfish.
  • Gordon King (Port Townsend): DCMP geoduck permitting twice as restrictive as prior drafts, favoring retirees/property owners over food production.

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 received; commissioners to review issues and continue SMP conversation next week.
  • No next steps specified.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:17:21–00:20:30 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, contracts, budgeting

Summary

The consent agenda was approved unanimously without items pulled for discussion. Notable items included Snow Creek Road culvert replacement (grant closeout) and Port Hadlock wastewater treatment additions; commissioners noted high culvert costs often tied to fish passage/health-safety and upcoming public outreach on Port Hadlock project phases/UGA overlay.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Heidi Brotherton: Astounded by $1.3M culvert cost but acknowledged importance (drainage/fish passage issues).
  • Snow Creek culvert addressed health/safety/drainage failures.
  • Port Hadlock wastewater: $5,000 addition to $35,000 total contract; future meetings on project details and UGA overlay for development.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Snow Creek Road MP 0.84 Culvert Replacement: $1,333,000 total (FEMA $997,500/state $166,250); new grant agreement needed for remaining reimbursements post-2023 completion.
  • Port Hadlock WWTP SCADA: $221,700 PSA with Technical Services Inc. (ARPA-funded); Supplement No. 1 to Van Aller Surveying (+$5,000 to $35,000 total for staking).
  • Noxious Weed Control Interlocal with Port Townsend: $5,000 annual shared cost through 2026.
  • Other items: WSU MOA amendment (salary correction), surplus printers disposal, conflict attorney delegation, annual inventory.

Financials

  • Snow Creek culvert: ~$1.3M total project.
  • Port Hadlock wastewater: $5,000 addition ($35,000 total contract); full SCADA $221,700 (ARPA grant).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Motion to approve the February 2024 consent agenda."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes by Greg Eisenhour, Heidi Brotherton).
  • Next Steps: Port Hadlock public meetings on project/UGA overlay.

2024 Department of Emergency Management Work Plan

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:21:51–01:00:00 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, planning, operations, personnel

Summary

DEM Director Willie Bence presented the 2024 work plan themed on POETE (Planning, Organization, Equipment, Training, Exercise), building on 2023's "Back to Basics." Key initiatives include CEMP overhaul (target Q4 adoption), establishing LEPC (Q4 hazmat plan), volunteer reorganization (Q2 rollout), and events like Great Shakeout; Q&A covered Idaho's Cascadia role, hazmat landscape, NPREP structure, and neighborhood watch alignment.

Key Discussion Points

  • Organizational structure: 3.6 FTEs (4 grant-funded), volunteers key (450 in COVID response).
  • 2023 accomplishments: Badging/database updates, MRC FEMA approval, first CERT post-COVID, EOC activation/Beaver Valley fire.
  • CEMP: 44% state compliance score; outreach to 21 ESFs, city coordination by Q3.
  • LEPC: First committee Q3-Q4 for hazmat inventories/response under Community Right-to-Know Act.
  • Volunteers: CERT (24 recruits), MRC (grants/training), VECOM (radio expansion), NPREP (hubs/picnic), DART exercise.
  • Events: Pre-summer/winter summits, Shakeout (Oct 17), Thunder Run (Jul 14).
  • Commissioner Heidi Brotherton: Idaho in Cascadia staging; hazmat at Indian Island/hospital; NPREP/neighborhood watch nexus; king tides in pre-winter.
  • NPREP: Monthly leadership (Deb Stenson), 100+ neighborhoods.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

2024 DEM Work Plan: CEMP/LEPC details, POETE focus, volunteer tasks; Nixle alerts, IMT monthly meetings.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational presentation; commissioners expressed support.
  • No next steps specified.

Annual Capitalized Assets Inventory Certification

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:59:54–01:01:54 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, budgeting

Summary

Commissioners certified under oath the 2023 capitalized assets inventory (as of Dec 31, 2023) per RCW 36.32.210, verifying department heads' confirmations; noted as heaviest annual document with spot-checks.

Key Discussion Points

  • Chair Greg Eisenhour: Spot-checked departments; noted tools volume.
  • Largest document reviewed yearly.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Annual Inventory Certification: Departmental verifications for filing with Auditor.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Certification under oath by commissioners.
  • No next steps specified.

2024 WSU Extension Work Plan

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:26:15–01:52:36 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, planning, personnel

Summary

WSU Extension Director Amit Sharma presented the 2024 work plan for 4H, Master Gardener, Small Farms, Noxious Weeds, Water Quality programs, emphasizing depth over breadth, partnerships, and capacity (e.g., 2 staff/program). Challenges included staffing vacancies (water quality coordinator departed, finance/ops role hard to fill); Q&A focused on small farms dip, single-person programs, hiring strategies.

Key Discussion Points

  • Performance indicators: 4H/MG/NOW up; Small Farms workshops down (overambitious prior projection, Tilth conflict).
  • New: Bokashi composting, 2 new 4H clubs (Llamas/Reptiles), mental health trainings.
  • Challenges: Single-staff programs risk collapse; aim for 2 staff/program long-term.
  • Strategic: Needs assessment, monthly learning events, align with county plan.
  • Chair Greg Eisenhour: Small Farms decline concern.
  • Hiring: Finance/ops/receptionist struggles; consider split/remote.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

WSU Extension 2024 Work Plan: Indicators by program; MOA Amendment No. 1 (salary correction to $183,577 non-federal).

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational workshop.
  • No next steps specified.

Quilcene Community Park Skate Park Site Plan

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:53:21–02:09:41 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, planning, services

Summary

Parks Manager Matt Tyler and volunteers Asa Clifford/Brady McDonald presented conceptual site plan for skate park (~7,500 sq ft) at Quilcene Community Park, funded via RCO grant (Mar 8 deadline); includes potential septic/restroom flip, camp host, kitchen/showers. Commissioners expressed support, offered fiscal sponsorship letters (YMCA pending); septic tests ongoing.

Key Discussion Points

  • Site: Skate park near highway; flip septic/skate if needed; restroom w/showers, parking, pathway to campground.
  • Fiscal sponsor: YMCA discussions ongoing (clarity by Friday).
  • Accessibility: Pump track for all abilities.
  • Parks Advisory Board Marianne: Enthusiasm from tour/site visit.
  • Coordination: Facilities/Parks; topo map done.

Public Comments

  • Brady McDonald: YMCA sponsorship near final; optimistic.
  • Marianne (Parks Board Dist. 2): Community excitement, underserved area.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Quilcene Park Site Plan: Skate park, septic, restroom, food bank building reuse.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

Septic/skate areas interchangeable.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Commissioners supportive; letters for YMCA sponsorship.
  • Next Steps: Design complete Feb 29; RCO app Mar 8; Tracy Coleman/Van site review.

Background Materials

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