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07/22/24 09 AM: Shelter Complaints, Fire Escalation, Apex Funding Approved

Shelter Complaints, Fire Escalation, Apex Funding Approved

Jefferson County Commissioners addressed public concerns on shelter coercion and evictions, approved consent agenda with corrections, escalated fire danger to Very High banning charcoal, funded Apex Accelerator $10k match, and shared roundtable updates on pools, budgets, and infrastructure.

Public Comments on Shelter Care, Housing, and Governance Issues

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:18.966–00:28:31.252 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, planning, other

Summary

Public commenters raised concerns about shelter operations, including mandatory release of information forms at Bayside shelters allegedly violating RCW 36.01.030 sections 14-15, coercion of disabled/elderly residents, and mismanagement leading to evictions despite payments and agreements. Michael described eviction issues at Pat's Place despite stability program participation and payments. Shelley highlighted delays in Pleasant Harbor Master Plan Resort permitting, including rescinded permits, bus stop grading refusals, and stalled demolitions. Brian questioned removing the entire Port Hadlock city council without referendum. Commissioners responded by committing to investigate with Bayside, attend Shelter Coalition meeting (July 23 at Recovery Cafe, hybrid), and follow up on resort issues via District 3 Commissioner.

Key Discussion Points

  • Maggie cited RCW violations on compelling shelter occupants to sign ROIs, naming Gary/Heather coercing Elizabeth/Florence at American Legion; called it felony coercion punishable by 5 years/$10k fine; urged agencies to enforce contracts.
  • Brian proposed dissolving Port Hadlock council en masse for competence/integrity, suggesting state oversight or new regime.
  • Michael detailed Bayside/Pat's Place eviction despite payments, case manager firing, and sheriff notices; at Pat's Place.
  • Shelley noted Statesmen signed agreement for Pleasant Harbor work per prior counsel advice; permit rescinded as "clerical error"; Jefferson Transit bus broke on potholed turnaround; county blocked grading/demolition as unpermitted.
  • Commissioner Eisenhower (lead on issues) noted ROI like prior Only Cap form, added American Legion notification; investigating pace slowed by Heather's vacation; invited to Shelter Coalition.
  • Commissioners committed District 3 update on Pleasant Harbor by next week; no direct city council control.

Public Comments

  • Maggie (room): ROI compulsion illegal under RCW; coercion felony; agencies fail consumers.
  • Brian (room): Remove Port Hadlock council entirely for integrity.
  • Michael (room, Pat's Place): Evicted despite payments/stability program.
  • Shelley (Zoom): Pleasant Harbor delays; permit rescission; bus stop/blocked fixes.

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 Bayside issues; Shelter Coalition meeting July 23 (Dove House/Recovery Cafe, hybrid, Eisenhower hosting online).
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: District 3 update on Pleasant Harbor next week; public invited to Coalition.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:29:18.321–00:31:09.477 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, personnel, budgeting

Summary

Consent agenda approved with correction to Item 5 (Jefferson County Historical Society contract from 90% to 100% funds). Items included appointments to Lodging Tax Advisory Council (Kevin/Tara), Marine Resources Committee (Brian Gordon/Jeff), epidemiologist assistance to other counties, opioid funding planning (Brad Banks). Supporting materials detailed culvert engineering ($30,991, WSDOT grant), Rhody Drive funding supplement ($394k PE, TAP/CCPP grants), mid-biennium budget objectives (balanced, 2% COLA non-union), Port Ludlow Drainage District ordinance review, Port Hadlock plant change order ($37k, Commerce-funded), sewer code workshop.

Key Discussion Points

  • Item 5 correction: 90% to 100% Historical Society funds per agenda request.
  • Noted appointees' value; no items pulled for discussion.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Item 5: Historical Society contract correction to 100%.
  • Other items per packet: Culverts (infrastructure, $30k grant); Rhody funding (grants); Budget objectives (budgeting); Drainage ordinance (ordinances); Plant change order (contracts, $37k); Sewer code (ordinances).

Financials

  • Historical Society: Correction to 100% (amount unspecified).
  • Packet: Culverts $30,991 (grant); Rhody $394k PE (grants); Plant CO $37k (Commerce).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Amendment to Item 5 approved.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve the consent agenda... minus... correction to item 5 historical documentation contract... to a hundred percent."
  • Vote: Unanimous (all Aye).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Escalation of Fire Danger Rating to Very High

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:31:09.477–00:43:39.250 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, operations

Summary

Fire Marshal Phil escalated county fire danger from High to Very High on July 17, following DNR, aligning with Mason County (preparedness level 5). Bans charcoal at residences; allows propane BBQs/pellet grills/smokers. Discussion cited lightning risks, low fuel moistures (1000-hr fuels 14%, woody 149%), DNR dashboards/red flags elsewhere. Forecast cooler/marine layer; may downgrade but avoid yo-yo for public clarity.

Key Discussion Points

  • Phil/Brian Tracy: No residential charcoal; state dashboard shows red flags elsewhere; 70% fire potential lightning warning; DNR Lowland Central very high (recreational fires banned).
  • Commissioners: Lightning fear; 7-day forecast cooler; sustain levels to avoid fluctuations.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Escalation approved informally.
  • Vote: N/A (informational).
  • Next Steps: Monitor daily; potential downgrade if sustained lower risk; Phil avoids weekly yo-yo.

Apex Accelerator Program Funding Match

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:43:39.250–01:11:00.848 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, budgeting, personnel

Summary

EDC's Rebecca (with Justine Wagner) presented Apex Accelerator (formerly PTAC) for government contracting assistance; 94 Jefferson clients, $346k federal awards. Requested $10k county match (15% local, 85% DoD-funded). Services: registrations (SAM.gov), certifications (HubZone/8(a)/women-owned), bid matching, proposals. Helped nonprofits/small businesses; summer camp trainings planned. Board approved match matching prior year.

Key Discussion Points

  • Nationwide 40+ years; Jefferson HUBZone-eligible; local successes (Goodman Ink, Coyote Camp Fireline, etc.); seeks EDC space.
  • Commissioners: Advocacy for local bids (e.g., sewer breakdown); connect with Community Foundation/Jen King-Fisher.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Request: $10k match (prior year level); DoD 85%, local 15%.
  • Jefferson impact: 94 clients; $346k federal contracts (plus local).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve supporting the Apex accelerator program to the same 10,000 limit."
  • Vote: Unanimous (motion/seconded, no nays).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified; connect with EDC/Cindy for space; summer trainings.

Commissioners' Roundtable Updates

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:11:00.848–end (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, personnel, operations, budgeting, infrastructure

Summary

Commissioners shared weekly activities: pool task force (need new pool, location debate MPD/PFD); EDC/Transit/Healthier Coalition; OnlyCap ED hire (Holly Morgan); budget windfall (REET); sewer intern; fairgrounds process; legal/strategic plan; fire ILA updates. Quarterly coordination covered strategic plan (Barry Dunn contract), climate summit, legislative priorities (revenue, permitting, BH accountability).

Key Discussion Points

  • Eisenhower: Pool needs community decision (PT/MPD vs. Tri/PFD); funding math ($25M MPD possible).
  • Dean: Transit plan; trust land transfers; fairgrounds transparency.
  • Others: Housing Congress visit ($250k secured); AI; food bank rats.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Strategic plan implementation contract approved.

Financials

  • Pool MPD estimate: $25M (10¢/1000 assessed value).
  • REET windfall noted.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Background Materials

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