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09/09/24 09 AM: Public Comments, Approvals, 9/11 Proc, OlyCAP Intro, Tourism Reorg

Public Comments, Approvals, 9/11 Proc, OlyCAP Intro, Tourism Reorg

Jefferson County Commissioners addressed public comments on shelters, schools, lands, enforcement, centers; approved consent agenda (grinder pumps, school health); proclaimed 9/11 remembrance; introduced OlyCAP ED Holly Morgan; workshopped LTAC/TCC realignment for pool PFD seed, internal staffing.

Public Comment Period and Commissioner Responses

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 2 00:01:33–00:28:41 (call for comments through responses)
  • Categories: other

Summary

Public comments addressed the homeless shelter ROI and American Legion, scripture in schools, trust land transfers, South County law enforcement funding, and community center projects. Commissioners responded collectively after all comments, clarifying no diversion of law enforcement funds (noting road funds support sheriff instead), defending shelter transparency changes, supporting diverse spiritual beliefs without endorsing one in schools, praising trust land process improvements despite timing issues, and updating on community center roof/septic projects delayed by staff vacancies but now advancing under new Central Services Director.

Key Discussion Points

  • Maggie (anonymous): Criticized American Legion for embezzlement and alleged illegal ROI demands at shelter.
  • Bo: Advocated scripture in schools and forgiveness for homelessness.
  • Ed Bowen: Raised trust land transfer transparency issues, misinformation on land status.
  • Shelley Arnold: Questioned South County deputy funding diversion and community center project transparency.
  • Commissioners noted BHAC ROI changes protect privacy; defended trust process modeled on robust scoring; confirmed no diversions (budget process ongoing); updated on community center roofs/septics prioritized post-vacancies.

Public Comments

  • Maggie: American Legion unfit for ROI due to embezzlement; government hypocrisy on rights.
  • Bo: Bring scripture to schools; forgive sins for housing crisis.
  • Ed Bowen: Trust lands lack transparency, misinformation on park/forest status.
  • Shelley Arnold: Clarify deputy funding; seek community center project updates post-FOIA engineering report.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comments closed; commissioners responded without formal action.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Budget process to address law enforcement asks; Central Services Director to advance community center projects.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 2 00:28:56–00:32:48
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, infrastructure, services, personnel

Summary

Consent agenda approved unanimously without items pulled, including $2.5M grinder pump installation (Phase 4 Hadlock sewer hookups subsidized for 33 properties), school-based health/mental health contract amendments, NPCMRC reappointment of Jill Silver, and data management contracts. Noted progress on grinder pumps reducing property owner costs vs. typical $30-40K; school contracts expand public health capacity.

Key Discussion Points

  • Item 3: $2.5M grinder pumps active, subsidizing hookups (vs. $30-40K typical).
  • School mental health contracts/amendments highlighted for ongoing issues.
  • Item 11: Data management modernization needed beyond contractors.
  • Item 12: Jefferson Healthcare funds school clinics (not solely mental health).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Consent items from packet: grinder pumps ($2.5M, low-cost hookups); school contracts (e.g., Jefferson Healthcare $73K); NPCMRC reappointment; VillageReach data ($18K amendment, grant-funded).

Financials

  • Grinder pumps: $2.5M (funded, subsidizes 33 properties).
  • School clinics: Jefferson Healthcare $73K (2024-25). No overall financial summary discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda for September 9, 2024."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: 3).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

National Day of Service and Remembrance Proclamation (9/11)

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 2 00:32:49–00:46:23
  • Categories: other

Summary

Proclamation read and approved for September 11, 2024, honoring 9/11 victims/first responders; multiple county events planned (bell ringing, moments of silence at fire stations/courthouse). Sheriff and fire chief emphasized community unity/learning from tragedy; commissioners shared personal 9/11 memories and recent Brinnon fire solidarity.

Key Discussion Points

  • Events: 8:46AM bell tower/courthouse silence; fire stations half-staff/moments of silence.
  • Sheriff: Focus on lessons of unity over division.
  • Chief Manley: Stations honor locally due to coverage needs.
  • Commissioners: Personal stories; link to recent fire response.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Proclamation text read verbatim (honoring 2,977 lives lost, first responders).

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve the proclamation as read."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: 3).
  • Next Steps: Events 9/11/2024; open to public.

Introduction of OlyCAP Executive Director Holly Morgan

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 2 01:12:58–01:42:11
  • Categories: personnel, services

Summary

Holly Morgan introduced as new OlyCAP ED (COO Easter Seals WA prior); priorities: fill vacancies, outsource fiscal (Cla firm), develop 2025 budget, emphasize partnerships. Discussed programs (Encore seniors, LIHEAP, weatherization, UBI pilot, community centers, nutrition, ECE challenges); housing (Caswell Round 3 gap, Viola leadership); staffing shortages. Commissioners stressed partnership role.

Key Discussion Points

  • Background: 20yrs human services; North Sound BH org prior.
  • Priorities: Fiscal stability, staffing, partnerships (e.g., ECE workforce dev).
  • Programs: Encore (replicate PT), UBI (food focus), weatherization, child justice center.
  • Challenges: ECE credentialing, universal pre-K competition; housing Phase 3 funding gap.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

OlyCAP budget ~$14M (100 staff, post-COVID); Caswell Phase 3 gap ~$1M.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational introduction; no vote.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Community needs assessment focus groups (Oct); ongoing partnerships.

Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)/Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) Realignment Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 00:00:00–00:13:27 (memo discussion/motion); PART 2 01:47:59–end (workshop, slide deck, edited memo)
  • Categories: budgeting, planning, operations

Summary

Workshop on LTAC/TCC realignment: Commissioner Brotherton proposed internalizing TCC staffing (0.5 FTE ~$110K vs. contractor), prioritizing LTAC funds for mid-county pool PFD seed (~$200K, market study), reducing TCC marketing ($126K) for analysis. Public comments (Shelley, Tom) questioned authority/pool priority. Edited memo approved/sent to TCC directing county staffing for alignment/transparency; LTAC application/PFD next week. Pool as tourist draw via programming (slides/sauna); drive-time favors Tri-area (28K residents <20min).

Key Discussion Points

  • Brotherton: Internal staff for TCC/LTAC synergy; pool PFD seed via LTAC (Commerce req ~$200K); outdated marketing, visitor center scrutiny.
  • Concerns: LTAC authority, pool tourism fit, 1yr test insufficient.
  • Pool: Programming precedes design; Tri-area optimal (28K<20min drive vs. PT 20K); tourist via slides/sauna/pickleball.
  • Edited memo: Staff TCC/LTAC for alignment/equity; prioritize 2025 LTAC for PFD.

Public Comments

  • Shelley: TCC change controls LTAC for pool/PFD; info to public first.
  • Tom Tears: "Sausage-making"; questions LTAC direction authority.

Supporting Materials Referenced

TCC 2024 budget $300K (marketing $126K, staffing $45K); prior LTAC ~$900K; Commerce PFD report (seed needed).

Financials

  • LTAC ~$900K avail.; TCC $300K request ($126K ads, $45K staffing, $110K visitor ctr).
  • PFD seed: ~$200K (staff $110K, study/ballot $90K); frees ~$175K from TCC.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Iterative: Market study first (PFD-led); housing LTAC eligibility.
  • Maintain TCC ads/membership; 1yr baseline test.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approve edited TCC memo (staffing/alignment); LTAC/PFD app next wk.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes on memo).
  • Next Steps: Brotherton drafts LTAC app (PFD seed) for 9/16 city mtg; TCC bylaws update; 9/10 TCC mtg.

Authorization of Memo to Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC)

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 00:05:41–00:12:05
  • Categories: planning, budgeting

Summary

Board workshopped/revised memo to TCC on 2025 LTAC priorities: internal 0.5 FTE staffing ($110K salary/benefits via LTAC app), PFD seed for pool market study/outreach. Public comment raised authority/pool timing concerns; response clarified RCW allows staffing via LTAC app, enables PFD pre-vote. Revised wording: "paid with TCC's LTAC application"; approved/signed/sent.

Key Discussion Points

  • Memo revisions: Prioritize LTAC for PFD/pool; staff TCC internally; retain OPTC/WTA ($65K).
  • Public: Shelley (pool public first); Tom (LTAC direction authority).
  • Response: More TCC work via staff/PFD outreach; RCW/contract precedent.

Public Comments

  • Shelley: Dissolve TCC for LTAC pool control; public info first.
  • Tom Tears: Directing LTAC questions authority.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Memo draft; RCW (staff via LTAC app/contract or internal).

Financials

  • 0.5 FTE: Salary/benefits via 2025 LTAC (~$110K freed from TCC contract).
  • LTAC retain: OPTC/WTA $65K; digital mktg $30K.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Link PFD/staff; retain $600-700K regular LTAC apps.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Send this memo to TCC" (revised).
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes).
  • Next Steps: Sign/send (9/10); LTAC app wk of 9/16; TCC bylaws change.

Background Materials

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