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09/03/24 09 AM: Commissioners Update Fires, Health, Approve Contracts, Proclaim Eat Local

Commissioners Update Fires, Health, Approve Contracts, Proclaim Eat Local

Jefferson County Commissioners meeting covered Brennan Fire containment and transition, fire danger downgrade to High, COVID-19 vaccine updates, approval of consent agenda items including developmental disabilities contract amendments, housing/lodging tax RFPs, Eat Local Month proclamation, and various other contracts. No major controversies; unanimous votes where applicable.

Brennan Fire Update

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  • Time Range: 00:01:17–00:04:10 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, operations

Summary

Chief Manly provided an update on the Brennan Fire, stating it is 100% contained with 20 firefighters addressing hotspots inside the containment area. The fire is transitioning to Type 4 status tomorrow with the incident commander departing at noon, then handing over to the local fire department and DNR for patrol status. He thanked the commissioners for their support and acknowledged Carolyn Galloway's assistance.

Key Discussion Points

  • Fire is 100% contained but hotspots require ongoing work; last 2 miles of 14 miles of hose being picked up (Chief Manly).
  • Transition to patrol status is normal for wildland fires (Chief Manly).
  • Community pulling together effectively; leadership commended (Commissioners).

Public Comments

  • No additional 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: Informational update provided.
  • No next steps specified.

Public Comment on EFT Policy and COVID Vaccine

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  • Time Range: 00:04:14–00:07:45 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other, services

Summary

Mr. Tears inquired about consent agenda Item 14, an updated EFT policy, seeking assurance that electronic property tax payments remain unchanged. He also asked Dr. Barry about availability of the latest COVID-19 vaccine. County Administrator Mark McCauley clarified the policy relates to county payments to banks, not resident payments via ACH.

Key Discussion Points

  • EFT policy on consent agenda does not affect resident electronic property tax payments (Mark McCauley).
  • Interest in latest COVID vaccine availability; some reports of it being received locally (Commissioners).

Public Comments

  • Mr. Tears: Requested confirmation EFT policy changes do not impact electronic property tax payments; inquired about COVID vaccine availability.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Consent agenda Item 14: Approval of Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Policy, developed by internal workgroup to enhance controls and mitigate fraud risks; no direct fiscal impact.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Questions noted; responses provided verbally; policy approved as part of consent agenda.
  • No next steps specified.

Fire Danger Level Downgrade to High

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  • Time Range: 00:09:19–00:18:53 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, operations

Summary

Fire Marshal Phil Soir reported downgrading the fire danger level from Very High to High on August 27 due to weather pattern changes and alignment with DNR central lowlands and Mason County levels. Compliance is good with social media outreach addressing violations; code publishing lag noted for Title 8 Chapter 8.72. Discussion covered DNR communication issues and ongoing vigilance needed through September.

Key Discussion Points

  • Downgrade based on weather outlook to upper 80s, moisture received, but warmer weather expected; no campfires allowed, charcoal ok at residences only (Phil Soir).
  • DNR lowered central lowlands without notification to county; state proclamation for high burn on state lands until end of September (Phil Soir).
  • Good compliance; built fake bonfire for event; increased public awareness post-Brennan fire (Commissioners, Phil Soir).
  • Code not updated on county site; current info on fire page (Phil Soir).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Change in Fire Danger Level and Burn Restrictions (August 27, 2024): Formal reduction from Very High (Orange) to High (Yellow); prohibits campfires, fireworks; allows gas/propane appliances and charcoal at residences; aligns with DNR; per JCC 8.72.040(1).

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Level change acknowledged; no action taken.
  • No next steps specified.

Eat Local Month Proclamation

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  • Time Range: 00:19:27–00:24:47 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other

Summary

Commissioner read and approved proclamation for September 2024 as Eat Local Month, recognizing local food production, farms, shellfish, Jefferson Landworks efforts, and 22nd annual farm tour on September 14-15. Emphasized community benefits like resilience, food security, rural landscape preservation.

Key Discussion Points

  • Salish Sea bounty stewarded by tribes; fertile valleys support diverse foods; local eating aids nutrition, sustainability, economy (Proclamation text).
  • Challenges from weather fluctuations noted; personal stories of local meals (Commissioners).

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: "Moved that we approve the proclamation as read." Seconded.
  • Vote: Unanimous (all in favor: Aye).
  • No next steps specified.

Developmental Disabilities Contract Amendments with Cascade Connections (Consent Items 7-11)

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  • Time Range: 00:25:20–00:28:35; 01:20:48–01:24:22 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, budgeting, services

Summary

Consent agenda items 7-11 pulled for discussion due to apparent doubling of amounts without explanation; Anna McEnery explained as second-year DDA funding increases under Large County program, with cleanup of unused prior funds. Items approved after clarification; misspelling of commissioner name on Item 5 (BHC Consultants) noted for correction.

Key Discussion Points

  • Increases due to second fiscal year DDA funding; funding can only be expended in 2024-25 (Anna McEnery, Mark McCauley).
  • Need better justification in agenda requests (Commissioners).
  • Item 5 name misspelled (Commissioner).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Amendment No. 2 Group Employment: +$60k to $123k; Amendment No. 2 ISE: -$55k to $392k (FY23/24); Amendment No. 3 ISE: +$409k to $801k (FY24/25); Amendment No. 2 CI: +$10k to $296k (FY23/24); Amendment No. 3 CI/PASRR: +$238k to $535k (FY24/25). All DDA/DSHS Fund #127; terms to 6/30/25.

Financials

  • Total amendments involve increases/decreases netting significant FY24/25 funding: e.g., ISE $400k services +$9k Job Foundations; CI $225k +$13k PASRR.
  • Funding: DDA Large County program; FY-specific expenditure.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Consent agenda approved minus 7-11 initially; Items 7-11 approved: "Motion to approve Items 7 through 11... related to amendments to our contract with Cascade Connections." Seconded.
  • Vote: Unanimous (all Aye).
  • Next Steps: Correct Item 5 spelling; staff to provide further amendments if needed.

Public Health and Emergency Management Update

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  • Time Range: 00:44:44–01:08:45 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, services, health

Summary

Dr. Barry reported elevated COVID-19 transmission (KP.3 variant), increased ER/hospitalizations among unvaccinated; new vaccine (targeting KP.2) arriving at pharmacies/clinics for 6mo+; recommend flu/RSv vaccines too; free tests at health dept/libraries/fire stations. Willy Bence updated Brennan Fire (100% contained, 398 acres; monitoring phase); noted second wildfire order in 2 years; drought abnormally dry; monitor burn scars for flooding.

Key Discussion Points

  • COVID high but down from July peak; wastewater elevated; waning prior vaccines; get updated shot, wait 2mo post-infection; mask post-day 5 isolation (Dr. Barry).
  • Vaccine availability starting; check pharmacies/PCPs; kids via health dept (Dr. Barry).
  • Fire levels: Level 1 get ready, 2 get set, 3 go; evacuate early if vulnerable/livestock (Willy Bence).
  • Post-fire flood risk; average fire danger next 2mo (Willy Bence).

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: Monthly updates to continue first meeting of month.
  • No next steps specified.

Housing and Lodging Tax RFPs (Consent Agenda)

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  • Time Range: 00:28:41–00:31:45 (PART 1, referenced in discussion/calendaring)
  • Categories: budgeting, planning

Summary

Consent agenda approved RFPs for 2025 Homeless/Affordable Housing ($1.565M total) and Lodging Tax ($900k); unchanged from prior year per LTAC/HFB recommendations. Strategic updates for LTAC forthcoming.

Key Discussion Points

  • Housing RFP published today ($1.4M); LTAC RFP unchanged, presentation next week (Staff).
  • LTAC needs $400k general fund for PFDART or redirect (Staff).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Homeless Housing RFP: $165k; Affordable: $1.4M (HFB 8/28/24).
  • Lodging Tax RFP: $900k max (LTAC 8/29/24); reserve $275k.

Financials

  • Housing: $1.565M total (Funds 148/149).
  • Lodging: $900k (Lodging Tax Fund).

Alternatives & Amendments

LTAC strategic options like San Juan model discussed informally.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved as part of consent agenda.
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Publish RFPs; LTAC presentation next week.

Other Consent Agenda Contracts and Approvals

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  • Time Range: 00:31:36–00:31:59 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, budgeting, infrastructure

Summary

Consent agenda approved excluding pulled items: aggregate supply ($555k), ARPA food ($11k), MRC ($10k), EFT policy, on-call inspections (+$30k), permit database ($15k).

Key Discussion Points

  • Limited discussion; addressed via supporting materials.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Aggregate: Bruch & Bruch $555k (Road Ops budget).
  • ARPA Food: WSDA $11k shelter meals to 6/30/25.
  • MRC: NACCHO $10k to 9/29/24.
  • EFT Policy: New uniform policy.
  • On-call: BHC +$30k to $60k to 8/31/28.
  • Database: Little River $15k sole source to 6/30/25.

Financials

  • Aggregate: $555k + tax (Road budget).
  • Food: $11k revenue.
  • MRC: $10k revenue.
  • Others no direct impact.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Adopt the consent agenda minus item 7 through 11."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Aye).
  • Next Steps: Execute agreements.

Background Materials

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