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05/20/24 09 AM: Commissioners Tackle Food Bank, Homelessness, Permits, Shelter Issues

Commissioners Tackle Food Bank, Homelessness, Permits, Shelter Issues

Jefferson County Commissioners addressed public concerns on food bank mismanagement, rat infestations, and shortages; homelessness and shelter conditions at Kaswel Brown; approved consent agenda including Quilcene extension and weed control; planned response to tribal council on DNR land transfers emphasizing consultation; reviewed DCD permit backlogs and software transition; discussed American Legion shelter management transition from OlyCAP; approved letter supporting Community Wellness Project grant.

Public Comment on Jefferson County Food Bank Issues

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 00:01:20–00:13:55
  • Categories: services, other

Summary

Multiple members of the public raised concerns about the Jefferson County Food Bank, citing a cultural shift under new management, food safety issues including rat infestations, insufficient food supplies for clients, volunteer mistreatment and retention problems, and a February health department complaint. Speakers noted Jefferson County's high food insecurity rate (11.3% vs. 8.9% statewide in 2021 per USU survey, with 84% benefiting from assistance programs). Commissioners responded that the county lacks direct oversight as it is a nonprofit but committed to designating a liaison ("bird dog") to engage with the board and executive director Patricia, touch base with Steve Darringer, and investigate issues like the halted Quilcene food bank construction and WSDA grant concerns at Kelsey Food Bank.

Key Discussion Points

  • Penny Condle (former volunteer): Detailed emails/letters to food bank board, volunteer texts on rats/low food/volunteer management, health complaint; offered volunteers for direct input.
  • Jeanette (client): Treated poorly, insufficient food (no potatoes/bread, little meat/milk/cheese).
  • Janet Hammond (volunteer): "Unfriendly takeover," untrained executive director, no water for volunteers, volunteers asked to order food untrained, rat photos; called for investigation.
  • Commissioner Eisenhower: Lacks specifics, suggested liaison for support check.
  • Commissioner Dean: No direct oversight, has ex-officio on board; happy to bird dog, concerns on Quilcene build halt/sunk costs, Kelsey trespass issues; spoke with Steve Darringer.
  • Commissioner Burton: Heidi to bird dog and touch base with Darringer.

Public Comments

  • Penny Condle: Urgent food insecurity, safety, volunteer issues; requests investigation.
  • Jeanette: Poor treatment, inadequate food.
  • Janet Hammond: Management failures, safety risks, volunteer dissatisfaction.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Commissioners designate liaison (Heidi Dean volunteered, Commissioner Burton supportive) to monitor food bank issues, attend board meetings, contact executive director Patricia and Steve Darringer.
  • Vote: None recorded.
  • Next Steps: Heidi Dean to bird dog; attend board meeting for unfiltered input.

Public Comment on Homelessness and Shelter Conditions

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 00:04:51–00:08:30
  • Categories: services, public safety

Summary

Public commenter Maggie raised homelessness growth (20% unsheltered 2016-2020, 12% annual), criticized funding priorities ($129M to affordable housing/provider services, none to subsidized), cited 87-year-old at Kaswel Brown lacking ADA bathroom and peeing in bottles, and proposed land trusts. Commissioners agreed on advocacy, committed to improving Kaswel Brown (e.g., ADA shower gap), confirmed no sheriff amicus brief in Grants Pass case, and planned site visit.

Key Discussion Points

  • Maggie: Sheriff's amicus in Grants Pass v. Johnson; Patty Murray funding ignores subsidized housing; 87yo at Kaswel Brown lacks ADA facilities; land trust unfeasible due to monetization.
  • Commissioner Burton: Clarified 24th LD (not Senate), will check sheriff brief; continue Kaswel Brown improvements; permitting not main housing barrier.
  • Commissioner Dean: Plans Kaswel Brown visit, check showers.
  • Commissioner Eisenhower: Appreciates advocacy.

Public Comments

  • Maggie: Funding contributes to homelessness growth; Kaswel Brown lacks ADA; land trusts blocked.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Commissioners to investigate sheriff brief; improve Kaswel Brown services/ADA.
  • Vote: None recorded.
  • Next Steps: Commissioner Dean to inspect Kaswel Brown shelter/showers at lunchtime.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 00:38:25–00:42:00
  • Categories: contracts, personnel, operations

Summary

The light consent agenda was approved unanimously, including: Supplemental Agreement No. 6 extending Quilcene Complete Streets engineering contract (no cost change); acceptance of Veterans Advisory Board resignations (Paul Cahill, Cindy Okinczyc) and bylaw amendments for recruitment; Amendment No. 1 to Noxious Weed Control with State Parks (+$6,000 to $42,203 for poison hemlock at Fort Worden). No items pulled; noted veterans quorum issues, need for workshop/policy updates.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Dean: Excited then disappointed on Quilcene extension ("albatross"); sad on VAB resignations (Paul/Cindy yeoman work), quorum challenge, bylaws need change (5 members for quorum, appoint any veteran).
  • Commissioner Burton: VAB separate from weekly vet fund meetings (John Hamilton helping); workshop on bylaws/veterans groups.
  • Commissioner Eisenhower: State Parks investing in Fort Worden weed control.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Supplemental Agreement No. 6: Quilcene Complete Streets (extends to 12/31/24, $111,838 max, WSDOT-funded).
  • VAB Resignations: Paul Cahill (4/29/24), Cindy Okinczyc (4/28/24); bylaws amend for broader recruitment.
  • Noxious Weed Amendment No. 1: +$6k ($42,203 total, Fund 109).

Financials

  • Weed Control Amendment: +$6,000 ($3k each 2024/2025, Fund 109).
  • Quilcene: No change to $111,838. No other financials discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Move to approve and adopt the consent agenda as presented."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: all).
  • Next Steps: VAB bylaws/policy updates/workshop proposed.

Trust Land Transfer Program - Response to Point No Point Treaty Council Letter

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 01:38:49–01:58:50 (PART 2 equivalent)
  • Categories: land use, planning

Summary

Jefferson County received a letter from Point No Point Treaty Council objecting to four DNR trust land transfer proposals due to lack of prior tribal consultation on potential treaty rights impacts (hunting/gathering). Commissioners attributed issues to compressed DNR timeline/process failures; committed to government-to-government consultation, explicit treaty rights preservation in instruments, and recommended DNR extension to 8/24/24. Motion authorized chair to draft/sign response letter.

Key Discussion Points

  • Parcels: Beaver Valley, Jacob Miller, Anderson Lake, Complex Wilderness (near residential, hard for DNR timber).
  • Process fail: No joint DNR/county tribal outreach despite manual; all proposals cleared "best interest" unexpectedly.
  • Commissioner Dean: Contact DNR (Kenny/Patrick), respond to PNPTC Randy Harder; tribes emphasized in TLT; offer staff/gov-to-gov.
  • Others: Letter to PNPTC committing collaboration/explicit rights; recommend DNR extension.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

PNPTC letter (5/13/24): Requests 8/24 extension, explicit rights preservation or objection.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Our chair, Commissioner Dean, draft a letter to the Point No Point Treaty Council covering the items we just outlined... and signed by her."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: all).
  • Next Steps: Dean drafts/signs letter (sorry oversight, commit collaboration/rights, process with DNR); report back next week; contact DNR staff/Patrick.

DCD Permit Process Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 02:25:53–03:49:10 (PART 2 continued)
  • Categories: permits, operations, personnel

Summary

DCD presented on permit backlogs amid staff exodus (13 departures 2022-23), software transition (EnerGov/CSS July 1), code changes/surge (49 RBLDs pre-3/15/24 deadline), SDR/LLOR implementation; average review 16 weeks (comparable to neighbors). JCHA concerns addressed (timelines/transparency/CAMs/hybrid schedules); staff recommends "stay the course," focus SB 5290 compliance/continuous improvement. Public urged beta testing, SDR reevaluation, transparency.

Key Discussion Points

  • Surge/backlogs: 647 SDRs (266 consultant, 53 in-house Apr-May avg 11-24w); 105 permits in queue.
  • Staffing: New team (9/21 <7mo exp); hybrid/Friday policy aids retention/burnout.
  • CAMs: Scheduled vs self (no-shows); 4k calls/1.3k emails Jan-May.
  • EPL/CSS: July 1 public portal for tracking/inspections.
  • Public: Triage pro permits; reevaluate SDR under building permit; PR/transparency issues; numbers inconsistent (647-64=583?).

Public Comments

  • Mark Grant (builder): Praise new staff; triage "substantially complete" pro apps.
  • Liz (JCHA?): Reexamine SDR; workshop dialogue lacking; beta testers offered.
  • Mr. Teersh: Public records transparency.
  • Shelley: PR problem, workshop not interactive.

Supporting Materials Referenced

JCHA concerns letter; fee study complete (workshop pending); SB 5290 timelines.

Financials

No new financials; fee study shows 200% recovery shortfall.

Alternatives & Amendments

JCHA: Self-CAMs, lobby hours, no hybrid, less training, more consultants (staff rebutted).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Stay course; continuous improvement/CSS beta (incl JCHA).
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Monthly JCHA mtgs; targeted mtg (Mark); EPL July 1; fee study workshop.

American Legion Emergency Shelter Management Transition

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 03:49:23–end (PART 2 continued)
  • Categories: services, budgeting, personnel

Summary

County to assume OlyCAP shelter management post-6/30/24; coalition (Dove/Bayside/etc.) planning ops/budget ($7.5-18k/mo gap vs Fund 149). American Legion radio silence on lease/MOU; staffing (mgr/monitors/custodial) models vary; CUP mod via city CAM/fire inspect. Commissioners seek clarity on ops/volunteers/funding (Housing Fund Board?), timeline to Kaswel Brown (12-18mo post-funding).

Key Discussion Points

  • OlyCAP ends 6/30; year-round need (Martin v. Boise risk).
  • Budgets: Judy ($7.5k gap), Sarah (higher staffing).
  • Ops: 14 beds, 1-2 monitors, volunteer food, no custodial; HMIS offsite.
  • Risks: Legion silence, unknowns (staffing/ops); explore Dove/Bayside partnership.
  • Showers/hot water confirmed.

Public Comments

  • Barbara Mori: Phased approach, include lived exp/advocates/volunteers.
  • Sarah: Willing mgr candidate, volunteers available; Legion evaluating.

Supporting Materials Referenced

OlyCAP contract/guest rules; budgets (Judy/Sarah spreadsheets).

Financials

  • Monthly: $7.5-18k gap (Fund 149 subsidy?); utilities ~$350; utilities/IT/repairs low.

Alternatives & Amendments

Partner w/Dove/Bayside; volunteer-heavy; delay to fall.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Continue planning; explicit ask providers re: partnership.
  • Vote: None (workshop).
  • Next Steps: Legion response; Housing Fund Board on Fund 149; coalition 6/11; post mgr job; standing agenda.

Letter of Support for Community Wellness Project Comp Plan Outreach Grant

Metadata

  • Time Range: End of PART 1/PART 2 ~01:01+
  • Categories: planning

Summary

BOCC approved letter supporting Community Wellness Project's Commerce grant ($35-100k) for comp plan outreach to underserved (Chimacum/rural); works w/schools/Berk; aligns climate/food/land use. Not exclusive.

Key Discussion Points

  • Grant: Outreach underserved for comp plan (w/Berk/IRA/BLM?).
  • CWP: Chimacum focus, prior resilience/climate work.

Public Comments

No public comment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Draft letter; Commerce RFP (9 counties, $2M).

Financials

Grant: $35k-$101k.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approve letter as amended.
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Sign/send (Dean/Burton/Eisenhower).

Background Materials

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