MEETING: Commissioners Meeting at Mon, Apr 15, 09:00 AM

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Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Meeting Summary

Public Comment and Commissioner Response

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:32–01:27:14
  • Agenda Item: Not Stated (General Public Comment)
  • Categories: public safety, housing, contracts, infrastructure, planning, operations, land use

Topic Summary

The public comment period encompassed three main themes: the need for dedicated law enforcement in South County (Brennan) due to the Staceman resort development, concerns regarding the enforcement of the recent short-term rental (STR) moratorium, and technical feedback on a proposed electric vehicle (EV) charging contract. Commissioners responded with support for pursuing a South County deputy, a defense of code enforcement prioritization regarding the STR moratorium, and an agreement to further scrutinize the EV charging contract specifications. Public safety and housing were reiterated as top priorities, though commissioners stressed that recreation (like the pool) could not be ignored.

Key Discussion Points

  • John Hulbert, Project Manager for Staceman Master Plan Resort, asked for guidance on a decision: utilizing private security for the resort or contracting for a Sheriff's Deputy, noting community preference for a dedicated Sheriff's Deputy who could provide public safety off-resort in the Brennan area (John Hulbert 00:03:03).
  • Hulbert requested clarification on whether a contracted deputy would be a "local resource" for the Brennan area or merely another deputy pulled out for emergencies (00:04:27).
  • Commissioner Dean committed to trying to attend Hulbert’s town hall meeting on Friday and would initiate conversations with the Sheriff regarding funding mechanisms for a dedicated South County deputy (00:14:01). Commissioner brotherton noted he will reach out to the Sheriff, as the Sheriff's Department has policy authority (00:23:48).
  • Mr. Teersch (online commenter) expressed general support for the STR moratorium but criticized the lack of informed public comment during its passage and contested Commissioner brotherton's comment that "nothing will change" regarding enforcement (00:08:25).
  • Mr. Teersch argued that ignoring unpermitted rentals for a year "sends a very, very bad message" and asked how the County can ensure adequate septic without inspecting unpermitted facilities (00:10:04).
  • Commissioner brotherton defended the code compliance department's need to prioritize health and safety issues (like septic running onto the ground) as high priority over administrative issues (like a lack of proper forms) (00:17:31).
  • Mr. Teersch criticized the EVCS expert, stating their comment that Stellantis has not committed to the North American Charging System (NACS/Tesla connector) is false, and refuted the notion that "nobody needs a 300 kilowatt charger," predicting rapid charging technology will make high-capacity chargers necessary soon (00:11:04).
  • Shelley Arnold (online commenter) supported pushing ahead on the officer in Brennan and emphasized that housing is the number one priority, over projects like the pool (00:13:30).
  • Commissioner Dean agreed that housing is the number one priority but stated it "cannot be our only priority," defending the ongoing work to update pool facilities (00:19:06).
  • Commissioner brotherton expressed frustration that discussion of the pool is often contrasted with housing in a way that recalls the failure of the pool bond in 2017/2018; he noted funding for housing and recreation are generally separate (00:26:14).

Public Comments

  • John Hulbert (Project Manager, Staceman): Requested guidance on providing security for the Staceman resort, preferring a dedicated Sheriff's Deputy based in Brennan to serve the wider community.
  • Mr. Teersch: Supported the STR moratorium in principle but criticized the enforcement priorities and challenged the technical expertise of the EVCS representative regarding charging standards and capacity.
  • Shelley Arnold: Supported dedicated public safety attention in Brennan and stated housing must be the number one priority over other projects like the mega-pool.
  • Gordon King (Chair, Marine Resource Committee): Issued an invitation for volunteers to spread 2 cubic yards of coach shell for Olympia oyster restoration at Discovery Bay at 2 pm that afternoon (00:28:06).

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • No supporting materials referenced specifically during public comment.

Financials

  • No financial information discussed, aside from general budget constraints mentioned by Shelley Arnold, and a brief discussion about the potential cost of contracting a Sheriff's Deputy (funding unclear).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Staceman Security: Choose between a private security concern or paying for a Deputy Sheriff (00:03:33).
  • Pool Location: Commissioner brotherton noted he was glad the Pool Task Force was re-evaluating options, having previously been criticized for slowing down the initial project by asking for options beyond the Port Townsend location (00:20:21).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Commissioners generally supported seeking a path toward a dedicated South County deputy and committed to addressing STR enforcement and EV charging contract issues in subsequent meetings/conversations.
  • Vote: No vote taken.
  • Next Steps:
  • - Commissioner Dean: Will try to attend the Staceman town hall meeting on Friday and reach out to law enforcement to discuss a funding mechanism for a dedicated South County deputy.
  • - Commissioner brotherton: Will reach out to the Sheriff to discuss the South County deputy request.
  • - Board/Staff: Will pursue changes to the EV charging contract (Item 3, Consent Agenda).

Consent Agenda Approval (Excluding Item 3)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:29:10-00:47:14
  • Agenda Item: Consent Agenda (Items 1, 2, 4-15)
  • Categories: ordinances, infrastructure, planning, budgeting, contracts, services

Topic Summary

The Board proceeded to approve the Consent Agenda, excluding Item 3 (EV Car Charging Site Host Agreement) which was pulled for discussion and later deferred. Commissioners highlighted several items for their positive impact, including the Middle Housing Grant Agreement (commending its focus on the Port Hadlock/Irondale UGA), the SR 19 Rhody Drive Pedestrian-Bike Improvements, the appointment of Thomas Bachmann to the Conservation Futures Committee, and the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) for Grant writing, which Commissioner Dean described as fostering a "positive coalition" in the regional recompete process.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner brotherton expressed gratitude for the Middle Housing Grant agreement with Commerce, noting the work by DCD on parcels within the Page 1 sewer boundary to plan housing outreach (00:41:35).
  • Commissioner brotherton praised the pedestrian-bike improvements on SR 19 Rhody Drive, especially around HJ Carroll, calling the current stretch "a super scary stretch of road" (00:42:24).
  • Commissioner Dean appreciated the appointment of Thomas Bachmann of Brennan to the Conservation Futures Committee (00:43:32).
  • Commissioner Dean commended Item 10, the ILA for grant writing services, noting the development into a "positive coalition" among the EDC, DCD, and Clallam County (00:44:19).
  • Commissioner Dean called out the Jail Medical Laboratory Services agreement (Quest Diagnostics), linking the need for laboratory services to the ongoing "behavioral health crises" and the opioid/fentanyl epidemic, recommending the KW podcast "Lost Patience" (00:45:30).
  • Commissioner brotherton reminded the Deputy Clerk that there were discrepancies regarding hearing notice times listed on the agenda, but confirmed the times were correct in the actual hearing notice (00:43:12).

Public Comments

  • No public comment on the approved consent agenda items.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Middle Housing Grant Agreement: (Item) Commits $50,000 from the Dept. of Commerce for DCD to develop a Middle Housing Ordinance for the Port Hadlock/Irondale UGA by June 2025.
  • SR 19 Rhody Drive Improvements: (Item) Approves a PSA for $34,083 in surveying services, fully funded by a WSDOT grant, for a pedestrian/bike bridge and improvements near Chimacum Creek.
  • ILA: Grant Services for Recompete Coalition: (Item 10) Formalizes a Not-to-exceed $15,000 reimbursement from Clallam County for the Jefferson County Grants Administrator’s work on the North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Coalition’s Phase II application.
  • Opioid Settlement/Jail Lab Services: (Item) The Jail Lab contract for services is "billed on an as-needed basis" using the Premier GPO Agreement (Tier 7 pricing).

Financials

  • The approval includes authorizing several budget/grant actions, including:
  • The Middle Housing Grant ($50,000, no match required).
  • The SR 19 Ped-Bike PSA ($34,083, fully WSDOT grant-funded).
  • The Naylors Creek Culvert Replacement Construction Contract ($1,696,325.00, 100% Federal PROTECT funds).
  • The Grant Writing ILA ($15,000 revenue to Jefferson County).
  • The Laboratory Services Agreement: Billings based on Premier GPO Agreement (Tier 7).
  • The J. Tillman Training Contract ($5,500, funded by CDC COVID-19 Public Health Workforce Development funds).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Item 3 (EV Car Charging Site Host Agreement) was pulled for separate discussion, but no alternatives were proposed for the remaining items.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Motion to approve the April 15th Consent Agenda, minus Item 3.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: 3).
  • Next Steps: Staff will proceed with the approved contract executions and grant compliance.

EV Car Charging Site Host Agreement (Deferred)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:29:10–00:40:01
  • Agenda Item: Item 3 (from Consent Agenda)
  • Categories: contracts, infrastructure, services, technology

Topic Summary

The Board deferred a decision on the Site Host Agreement with EV Charging Solutions, Inc. (EVCS) to install charging stations at the Port Townsend Community Center, pulling it from the Consent Agenda for further negotiation. The discussion centered on future-proofing the contract against rapidly changing EV charging technology, specifically the transition to the North American Charging System (NACS) connector (Tesla standard) and the efficacy of the proposed Level 2 charger. Commissioners decided to authorize the County Administrator to negotiate language requiring flexibility for NACS adoption and possibly an upgrade to the Level 2 charger before final approval.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Dean noted the contract was silent on the connector type, but expressed a preference for requiring the ability to upgrade to NACS when it becomes available, possibly in 2025 (00:31:15).
  • Commissioner brotherton noted he did not want to fully switch to NACS, as the community tends to keep used cars for a long time, suggesting there will be "a lot of CCS" (00:30:56).
  • Commissioner brotherton suggested modifying the contract language on page 19 of Exhibit A (Equipment Specifications) to include capability for CCS, CHAdeMO, and NACS "when it becomes commercially available" (00:36:31).
  • Commissioner brotherton expressed concern over the value of the proposed 7.6 kilowatt Level 2 charging station, stating they have "had 0 value" for him, as they provide an estimated 10 miles of charge per hour (00:38:27).
  • Kevin Street (PUD) confirmed via a public comment that "the rapid chargers [Level 3]...that's the necessity. The others throughout our system aren't used very much" (00:39:01).
  • Commissioner brotherton acknowledged the essential nature of the grant funding for the contract to "pencil" financially in a rural community (00:33:05).
  • Commissioner Dean pointed out that chargers in Port Angeles are often non-functional, emphasizing the necessity of contracting for reliability, which EVCS staff claimed to assure with a 97% uptime commitment to WSDOT (00:32:04).

Public Comments

  • Mr. Teersch (during general comment) criticized the EVCS expert's technical statements on NACS adoption and high-capacity chargers (00:11:04).
  • Mr. Kevin Street (PUD) provided technical input on the value of Level 2 chargers, stating the Level 3 (rapid chargers) are the necessity and Level 2s are not used heavily in their system (00:39:01).

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • EV Car Charging Site Host Agreement: Item details an agreement with EVCS to install 4 DCFC (150kW) and 1 Level 2 (7.6kW) charger at the Port Townsend Community Center, funded by a WSDOT ZEVIP grant.
  • Exhibit A (Specifications): Referenced by Commissioners as the section needing amendment (00:32:17).

Financials

  • The project's installation is entirely funded by a WSDOT ZEVIP grant, requiring no county general fund expenditure (from supporting materials).
  • Commissioners acknowledged that the project relies heavily on this grant funding (00:33:05).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • The Board moved to authorize negotiation to pursue increased flexibility on NACS capability and an upgrade on the Level 2 charger (00:41:03).
  • Alternative (Informally Discussed): Delay the project until NACS is more widely available (likely 2025), but this may conflict with grant deadlines (00:31:32).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Motion to authorize the County Administrator (Mark McCauley) and staff to negotiate with EVCS for increased flexibility/capability regarding NACS and to inquire about upgrading the Level 2 charging station.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: 3) (01:21:49).
  • Next Steps:
  • - County Administrator/Staff: Negotiate the contract revisions with EVCS staff.
  • - Board: The item will be brought back for final approval.

PUD Request to Purchase County Property for Substation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:59:25–01:21:50
  • Agenda Item: Workshop (Not formally numbered)
  • Categories: infrastructure, land use, utilities, planning

Topic Summary

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