Skip to content

07/01/24 09 AM: BOCC Approves CWPP, Consent Agenda, Pleasant Harbor Amendment, Park Update

BOCC Approves CWPP, Consent Agenda, Pleasant Harbor Amendment, Park Update

Jefferson County BOCC meeting featured Olympic National Park operations update by Superintendent Jacobs on weather responses, wildfires, cabin demolitions, and projects; unanimous consent agenda approval for grants/contracts; adoption of first Community Wildfire Protection Plan; First Amendment to Pleasant Harbor agreement enabling demolition permits; staff briefings on transit, aquatics, food bank, opioid efforts. No major public comments or financial debates; informational with key approvals.

Olympic National Park Operations Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:00–00:21:12 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, infrastructure, planning, public safety

Summary

Superintendent Sula Jacobs provided an update on Olympic National Park operations, highlighting quick responses to weather-related closures like Hurricane Ridge, ongoing wildfire monitoring with duty officers shared with the Forest Service, erosion issues leading to demolition of several cabins at Claylock (approximately 7), and planned projects including utility corridor improvements for tsunami evacuation, sewage rehabilitation at South Beach, housing improvements, road repairs at Hoh, trail work post-fire damage, and assessment of Enchanted Valley bridge. Commissioners inquired about camping reservation systems, road access to Dosewallips, Hurricane Ridge visitor center rebuilding (funded but not in NPS green book budget), winter gate openings, and public comments on reservations. Jacobs noted positive feedback on hybrid reservation systems, a public comment portal for Enchanted Valley pilot, and support from Senator Murray.

Key Discussion Points

  • Jacobs credited parks team and contractors for rapid salting of Hurricane Ridge road after snow event (Sula Jacobs).
  • Wildfire response includes duty officers and shared team with Forest Service; recent fires noted at 8 Bridge, below lodge, Obstruction Point (Sula Jacobs).
  • Claylock cabins: Several demolished due to erosion; one pad was hanging over edge; long-term planning needed considering land constraints, North Beach, Camp Hayden (Sula Jacobs).
  • Projects: Utility corridor as tsunami route (Jefferson County/Gray's Harbor), South Beach sewage/comfort station/housing, Hoh road repairs (permanent after temp fixes), Finley Creek bridge rehab, extensive trail work including Deer Park post-fire (Sula Jacobs).
  • Enchanted Valley: Site visit in September; bridge assessment ongoing amid competing priorities (Sula Jacobs).
  • Hurricane Ridge: Congressional appropriation for lodge replacement; summer water available; limited winter facilities (Sula Jacobs).
  • Reservations: Hybrid system feedback positive; public comments sought via portal (Sula Jacobs).
  • Dosewallips road: Deferred to USFS (Sula Jacobs).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced in discussion; packet notes scheduled update on normal operations and summer projects by Superintendent Sula Jacobs.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational update; no formal action taken.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:21:12–00:22:20 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, personnel, operations

Summary

The consent agenda was approved unanimously without items pulled for discussion. Supporting materials detail multiple contracts and grants including Homeland Security Grant Program (E24-130, $27,539 for DEM clerks/outreach), First Amendment to Pleasant Harbor agreement (baseline water quality established, BMP list), Amendment 1 to Quilcene SAP ILA ($25,450 added), Remote Dietitian Services ($64,200 over 2 years), Environmental Grant Amendment 1 for MRC ($249,000 total unchanged, shifts to satellite kelp monitoring/crab pot assessment), and Emergency Management Performance Grant (E24-236, $28,025 federal + match). Brief comment noted excitement on MRC scope shift to satellite/bulk health monitoring.

Key Discussion Points

  • Limited discussion; item addressed primarily through supporting materials.
  • MRC adjustment shifts budget (not addition) for satellite and bulk health monitoring (unidentified speaker).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Multiple contracts/grants detailed: HSGP sustaining DEM operations/volunteers ($27,539); EMPG sustaining clerks/planning ($28,025 federal); MRC amendment (kelp monitoring via satellite, crab pot assessment, no Year 1 removal); Quilcene SAP extension ($25,450); WIC Dietitian ($64,200); budget hearing notice. No divergences from staff recommendations.

Financials

  • HSGP: $27,539 (federal/state, personnel/outreach).
  • EMPG: $28,025 federal + $28,025 match (DEM director salary).
  • MRC: $249,000 total unchanged (Task 2 +$18,862.64 to $33,622.64; Task 3 -$18,862.64 to $23,891.36).
  • Quilcene SAP: +$25,450 (FPHS).
  • WIC: $64,200 (state WIC federal grant).
  • No other financials discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: all present).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Community Wildfire Protection Plan Adoption and Signing

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:50:45–01:03:01 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, public safety, operations

Summary

Jefferson County's first Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), developed since April 2023 by CWPP Advisory Group and SWCA consultants via community engagement and sub-community surveys, was approved and adopted unanimously following a signing ceremony. The plan enables access to state/federal grants for wildfire resiliency; implementation contract with SWCA already signed, draft tool developed. Speakers emphasized community effort (40-50 attendees at meetings), gap-filling post-state WUI failure, national fire context (Level 3 preparedness, 2.5M acres burned YTD), early signage adoption in communities.

Key Discussion Points

  • Intensive process with community meetings, 40-50 participants reviewing details (Heidi Eisenhour).
  • Fills WUI interface gap not adopted by state (unidentified speaker).
  • National context: Level 3 preparedness early; 12 WA fires (5 uncontrolled); assets from Jefferson County mobilized (Fire Chief).
  • City collaboration appreciated; educates property owners on risks/mitigation (Emma, City).
  • Valuable public document for firewise actions (unidentified).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

CWPP developed by SWCA; funded by Secure Rural Schools Act Title III; requires annual updates/5-year revisions. Matches discussion; no divergences.

Financials

No immediate fiscal impact; enables future grants.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the community wildfire protection plan as presented... and all the appendix."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: all).
  • Next Steps:
  • Signatures collected from BOCC, Advisory Group, partners (e.g., Forest Service).
  • Reach out for implementation tool engagement.
  • City Council to sign at public meeting.

First Amendment to Future Staffing and Consulting Agreement (Pleasant Harbor Master Planned Resort)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:03:01–01:13:29 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, permits, land use, planning

Summary

The First Amendment to the June 2023 agreement with Pleasant Harbor Master Planned Resort deletes/replaces Section 2.10, acknowledging established surface water baseline (per May 21, 2024 report, County consultant concurs) and adopting Appendix 1 BMP list (pre-construction/construction/operation phases, exceeding WQMP water quality needs). Removes 60-day pre-permit review, resolving billing dispute, enabling immediate demolition permit applications for obsolete 1970s campground structures. Approved unanimously after public comment; does not allow new construction.

Key Discussion Points

  • BMPs consolidated checklist with sources; facilitates annual WQMP review (Phil Hunsucker).
  • Baseline established; covers stormwater, cultural/wildlife/marina (Phil Hunsucker).
  • Timely reporting enforceable via dev regs/code compliance (Phil Hunsucker).
  • Better outcome without barriers; refocuses on other requirements (Commissioner).

Public Comments

  • Shelley: Supportive; glad for progress on Brinnon-area project.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Appendix 1 BMPs (June 11, 2024; Krazan report June 5, 2024); WQMP Appendix N; JCC citations. Matches presentation; staff recommends approval.

Financials

No direct financials; projected tax base/economic boost upon completion.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and sign the 1st amendment to the future staffing and consultant agreement."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: all).
  • Next Steps: Obtain signatures (including remote); enables demolition permits.

Staff Weekly Briefings and Updates

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:24:00–01:03:00; 01:13:42–01:46:41 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, personnel, budgeting, contracts, planning, services

Summary

Staff provided extended updates on transit (32-hour week pilot for hiring, shelter transition to Bayside, housing fund), aquatics (Healthier Together task force: lessons from Whidbey pool bond success, value engineering, Myrtha pools, surveys rejecting therapeutic pool, septic delays), food bank (volunteer management issues, board tensions, policy needs), opioid settlement (summit priorities: housing/transport; BHC expansion), NOLA lobbying, wildfire plan signing, encumbered lands. No formal actions; informational with Q&A.

Key Discussion Points

  • Transit: 32h week (24.5% comp equivalent) to aid hiring amid 28% CBA asks (Greg).
  • Shelter: Bayside contract ratified; zoning letter pending; emergencies addressed (multiple).
  • Aquatics: Whidbey 24k sq ft pool ($27M bond, 96% recovery via programming); Myrtha pools fast/durable; surveys cut therapeutic pool ($300/sq ft savings); septic 3-year delay (Greg).
  • Food Bank: Volunteer mgmt gaps, board storming phase, policy/capital needs (Kate).
  • Opioid: Housing/transport top summit priorities; add community services seat to BHC (unidentified).
  • Supreme Court Purdue ruling: No impact on current funds (Phil).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

None directly; aligns with consent items (e.g., shelter, grants).

Financials

  • Transit cash balance robust for staffing changes.
  • Whidbey: $27M bond (14M issued), 1¢/$1000 millage savings; septic $1.7M.
  • No County-specific financials discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Pool: Myrtha vs. conventional; removed therapeutic pool.
  • No formal alternatives.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action taken; item was informational.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps:
  • BHC: Appoint community services seat (Nicole Transit/Opal alternate).
  • Food Bank: Board to develop volunteer forum.
  • Aquatics: Additional Healthier Together meetings (e.g., July 11).

Background Materials

Contents

AI Information