Skip to content

04/15/24 09 AM: Commissioners Tackle Security, Rentals, Housing, EV, PUD Land

Commissioners Tackle Security, Rentals, Housing, EV, PUD Land

Jefferson County Commissioners discussed resort security deputy options, affirmed STR moratorium, advanced housing/pool task force, approved consent agenda minus EV chargers (tabled for updates), and authorized PUD parcel negotiations for Glencove substation.

Public Forum: Pleasant Harbor Resort Security and South County Deputy

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:18–00:08:15 (PART 1); 00:12:17–00:12:39 (PART 1); responses 00:13:45–00:16:17 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, operations

Summary

John Hulbert, project manager for Statesman/Pleasant Harbor master planned resort, requested guidance on security options for the Brinnon area, including whether to fund private security or a dedicated Sheriff's deputy stationed locally but available county-wide for emergencies. He noted community concerns about deputy response times and recent positive recovery of stolen property by deputies. Commissioners expressed support for pursuing a dedicated South County deputy, citing prior budget discussions and community interest, and committed to coordinating with the Sheriff's Office.

Key Discussion Points

  • Hulbert highlighted monthly town halls at Vernon Community Center where public safety, particularly deputy presence off-resort property, is a recurring theme; invited Commissioner Greg to Friday's meeting.
  • Recent stolen property recovery praised but underscored infrequent deputy presence in Brinnon.
  • Commissioner Greg: Plans to attend town hall; supports dedicated deputy beneficial for security and emergencies.
  • Commissioner Kate: Sheriff prioritizes South County deputy; examples from Mason County HOA contracts noted.
  • Commissioner John: Confirmed budget priority; reach out to Sheriff Noel.

Public Comments

  • John Hulbert (Statesman Project Manager, Brinnon): Seeks guidance on Sheriff's deputy vs. private security; timeline tied to construction starting in 1-1.5 months, staff housing by year-end.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No formal action; commissioners to pursue discussions with Sheriff's Office and Hulbert.
  • Next Steps:
  • Commissioner Greg to attend Friday town hall.
  • Coordinate funding mechanisms and contract with Sheriff.

Public Forum: Short-Term Rental Moratorium

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:08:15–00:11:42 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, land use

Summary

Mr. Cheers supported the recent short-term rental (STR) moratorium but criticized lack of prior notice preventing informed comment and Commissioner Brotherton's statement that "nothing will change," arguing existing code requires enforcement including septic inspections. Commissioners defended prioritization of health/safety complaints over administrative permit issues due to code compliance backlog, noted poor visibility of permitting process, and affirmed moratorium enables iterative regulation development with public input.

Key Discussion Points

  • Cheers contested claim of no current STR code; unpermitted operations bypass septic checks.
  • Commissioner (unnamed, likely Brotherton defense): Health/safety (e.g., sewage) prioritized; administrative complaints lower due to 100+ active cases.
  • Public unaware of permitting; moratorium pauses applications during reevaluation.

Public Comments

  • Mr. Cheers (Zoom): Supports moratorium but urges code enforcement; questions priority for septic/environmental issues.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action; affirmed moratorium purpose.
  • Next Steps: Public input on new regulations; iterative improvements expected.

Public Forum: Pool Facilities and Housing Priorities

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:12:46–00:13:32 (PART 1); responses 00:18:22–00:19:18 (PART 1); 00:20:12–00:20:51 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, planning

Summary

Shelley Arnold opposed a megapool prioritizing HB 1220 affordable housing needs over recreation amid city/county funding constraints. Commissioners noted no megapool plans currently, emphasized pool task force formation for location options, housing as top but not sole priority, and separate funding streams.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Greg: Task force delayed but now diverse; excited for progress.
  • Commissioner Kate: Housing number one priority but not only; wary of past opposition overlaps.
  • Commissioner John: Heartened by task force geography/diversity; glad for options beyond Port Townsend.

Public Comments

  • Shelley Arnold (Zoom): Housing priority trumps megapool; cities/counties financially strapped.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action; task force to proceed.
  • Vote: Unanimous support implied.
  • Next Steps: Task force starts in weeks after member travel; no specific deadlines.

Consent Agenda Approvals (Minus Item 3)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:29:14–00:47:21 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, budgeting, planning, personnel, infrastructure, services

Summary

The consent agenda was approved excluding Item 3 (EV charging stations, pulled for amendments); included middle housing grant agreement, SR 19 Rhody Drive ped-bike surveying PSA, Naylors Creek culvert contract, ILA for Recompete grant services, jail lab services, Accessible Communities Act renewal, hearing notices for supplemental budget and ordinance rules, conservation futures appointment, and agenda amendments. Commissioners highlighted excitement for middle housing in Port Hadlock/Irondale UGA, ped-bike safety improvements, and regional Recompete collaboration.

Key Discussion Points

  • Limited discussion; items addressed primarily through supporting materials.
  • Commissioner Kate: Praised middle housing grant work with DCD in Port Hadlock/Irondale sewer boundary; ped-bike improvements near HJ Carroll school.
  • Commissioner John: Noted Thomas Bachmann's strong background for conservation futures; ILA aids Recompete "final stretch."
  • Time discrepancies in hearing notices clarified as correct in actual notices.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Middle Housing Grant: $50k from Commerce for Port Hadlock/Irondale UGA ordinance (HB 1110); deliverables through June 2025.
  • SR 19 Rhody Drive PSA: $34k Clark Land Office surveying, WSDOT-funded.
  • Naylors Creek Culvert: $1.7M Nordland contract, federal PROTECT-funded.
  • Recompete ILA: Up to $15k from Clallam for grant services.
  • Jail Lab: Quest Diagnostics as-needed.
  • Accessible Communities: Letter renewal/ACAC membership.
  • Hearings: Q1 Supplemental Budget ($3.35M adjustments); Ordinance rules.
  • Board diverged none from staff recommendations.

Financials

  • Multiple: Middle Housing $50k grant; Rhody $34k grant-funded; Culvert $1.7M federal; Recompete $15k reimbursement; others no new costs.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve April 15 consent agenda minus item 3."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes).
  • Next Steps: EV item to next week; hearings May 6.

EV Charging Stations Site Host Agreement (Port Townsend Community Center)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:29:14–00:41:26 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, contracts

Summary

Item 3 pulled for discussion on specs including NACS (Tesla/North American Charging Standard) capability alongside CCS, higher kW Level 2 chargers, amid rapid EV tech changes and local older vehicles; public comments noted Stellantis commitment to NACS and need for 300kW chargers. Agreement with EVCS for 4x150kW DCFC and 1x7.6kW Level 2, WSDOT ZEVIP-funded; pulled for explicit NACS upgrade language and Level 2 increase.

Key Discussion Points

  • Public input influenced shift from CCS-specific to "or equal"; concerns outdated tech, adapters, 97% uptime.
  • Commissioner Greg: Comfortable but prefers NACS contract language.
  • Commissioner Kate: Add NACS capability; increase Level 2; rapid chargers primary value.
  • Kevin (PUD?): Level 2 low value (7-10 miles/hour); free Level 2 elsewhere underused.

Public Comments

No public comment during discussion; prior comments by Mr. Cheers noted.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • EVCS agreement: 10-year term, County revenue $0.05/kWh DCFC/$0.03 Level 2; EVCS covers all costs/maintenance.
  • Tabled to April 22; staff/EVCS to amend for NACS/CCS/ChAdeMO, upgrade Level 2.

Financials

  • No County cost (ZEVIP grant); revenue share quarterly.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Amendments: Add NACS when available; increase Level 2 kW; 30-day cancel option noted.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Pulled; return next week amended.
  • Next Steps: EVCS/staff amend Exhibit A specs; tabled to April 22.

PUD Request for County Parcels for Glencove Substation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:59:26–01:27:14 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use, infrastructure, contracts

Summary

Jefferson PUD requested purchase of County parcels 001-16-2001 (1.33ac triangular) and 001-16-2002 (2.45ac) near Port Townsend Paper Mill for new substation to relieve Hastings/Dana Roberts capacity, support Glencove growth, and reconfigure grid; ideal due to existing lines/access. Parcels ARPA-acquired for Caswell-Brown Village housing; concerns housing impacts, noise/EMF (minimal per PUD), tax roll removal. Authorized administrator to negotiate sale of 2001 and part of 2002, possible boundary line adjustment.

Key Discussion Points

  • PUD: 2ac ideal; new gear quiet; no higher cancer rates; supports EV/car chargers.
  • Commissioner Kate: Housing potential on parcels; environmental concerns near mill.
  • Commissioner Greg: Infrastructure enables development.
  • Commissioner John: Shared use/lease?; PUD prefers ownership ($10M build).

Public Comments

No public comment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Workshop packet: Parcels for Caswell-Brown; PUD prefers over mill land.

Financials

No sale price discussed; PUD $10M substation cost.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Lease/sub-boundary adjustment; approach mill for Block 103; smaller station on 2001.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Authorize Mark McCauley to negotiate workable solution for selling 001161001 and part of 001162002."
  • Vote: Unanimous (motion carried).
  • Next Steps: Negotiate sale/boundary; return for approval.

Background Materials

Contents

AI Information