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10/14/24 09 AM: Mobile Park Closures, Rent Hikes Spark Intervention Pleas

Mobile Park Closures, Rent Hikes Spark Intervention Pleas

Residents urged action on mobile home park closures and rent increases risking homelessness. Board proclaimed Indigenous Peoples Day, approved consent agenda, and financial stress procedures.

Public Comments on Mobile Home Park Closures and Rent Increases

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:45–00:46:00 (PART 1)
  • Categories: housing, planning, services, other

Summary

Residents from Olympic Village Mobile Home Park and Olympic Park Mobile Home Park provided extensive public comment on proposed sales of the parks to developers, resulting in notices of potential closure within six months under Washington law, alongside significant rent increases (e.g., from $300–$500 to $790/month). Speakers described economic eviction, inability to relocate older trailers, septic system neglect, lack of maintenance, and fears of homelessness among low-income, elderly, disabled, and essential workers, urging moratoriums, injunctions, or county acquisition. Approximately 20 in-person and online speakers reiterated shock, financial ruin, and calls for intervention; the Board responded sympathetically, noting limited legal levers but committing to explore policies like zoning overlays for mobile home preservation, state advocacy, and coordination with ROC (Resident Owned Communities).

Key Discussion Points

  • Residents reported knocking on doors to inform neighbors, witnessing distress including grown men tearing up; 120 households at risk.
  • Chris Olson (Space 12, 6062 Hwy 20): Trailer immovable after 13 years; rent hikes disappointing but eviction worse.
  • River Ward (Olympic Village): Knocked on every door; homes devalued from $180k to zero; no land options.
  • Kim Danner (Space 108, 70yo retired nurse): Lost fortune in CA; requests injunction/moratorium on sales/development; rents up 25%; economic eviction.
  • Carol Ferguson (Olympic Park #28): Septic non-compliant (5+ years overdue); poor maintenance despite rent hikes for "maintenance."
  • Rita O'Brien (Olympic Park Village, WA State Ferry worker): Essential worker housing critical; septic issues skirt regulations.
  • Therese Triscoe (6062 Space 102): SS-dependent since 2016; fears homelessness with pets.
  • Multiple speakers: Fixed incomes, disabled/elderly, no relocation options; park owner rejected tenant buyout at list price, raised rents post-offer.
  • Board Response (Commissioners Brotherton, Greeninger, Dean): Acknowledge crisis as market-driven; explore zoning overlays (e.g., Bellingham model), ROC challenges (still rent hikes), legal review, state policy advocacy; direct future contact person.

Public Comments

  • Chris Olson: 13-year resident; trailer immovable.
  • River Ward: Door-to-door outreach revealed widespread shock/fear.
  • Kim Danner: Requests moratorium; economic eviction.
  • Carol Ferguson: Septic overdue; no maintenance.
  • Rita O'Brien: Essential workers displaced; septic non-compliant.
  • Therese Triscoe: SS-dependent; homelessness fears.
  • Unnamed (eviction survivor): References William O. Douglas; opposes criminalizing homelessness.
  • Camille Turner: Youngest homeowner; others lack options.
  • Regina Sharp: Invested $100k; septic breach.
  • Sandy May: Recent $200 rent hike; lies about sale.
  • Victor Sontag: Urges comp plan policy preserving parks (Bellingham example).
  • Heidi Holberg: Immoral rejection of tenant offer.
  • James Brinkerhoff: Father's fixed income unsustainable.
  • Lee Christensen: ROC rejected; rent to $900.
  • Judith Kate Friedman: Wedge issue on affordable housing.
  • Samantha Miranda (online): Family in BNR; owner tears down for profit.
  • Shelly (online): Two parks affected; GMA requires supportive housing.
  • Will Young: Rents tripled; park models immovable.
  • 15+ speakers total; themes: homelessness risk, septic neglect, developer favoritism.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced in discussion.

Financials

  • Rents: $300→$500→$790 (25% hike); homes devalued $180k→$0; park models $40k→$150k resale.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Moratorium/injunction on park sales/development: Multiple requests.
  • Tenant acquisition/ROC: Rejected by owner Tucker; higher price demanded.
  • Zoning overlay (Bellingham model): Retain as mobile parks.
  • No formal motions; board to explore.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comment closed; board commits to legal review, policy exploration (zoning, state advocacy), ROC coordination; appoint contact person.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps:
  • Legal team consultation on interventions.
  • Comprehensive plan policy review for park preservation.
  • State-level policy advocacy.
  • No deadlines specified.

Indigenous Peoples Day Proclamation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:46:00–01:07:25 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other

Summary

The Board read and unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing October 14, 2024, as Indigenous Peoples Day, honoring treaty rights, cultures, and contributions while acknowledging historical harms and ongoing challenges like resource depletion. Vice Chair Lonnie Granninger (Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe) shared a gratitude song and praised year-round indigenous appreciation. Commissioner Dean performed an adapted "This Land is Your Land" song emphasizing coexistence.

Key Discussion Points

  • Proclamation Text: Recognizes ancestral lands of Jamestown S'Klallam, Lower Elwha Klallam, etc.; honors treaties; notes resource declines (salmon/shellfish); joins growing counties in observance.
  • Lonnie Granninger: Gratitude song (sun, earth, friends/relatives); praises govt-to-govt relations, 365-day appreciation.
  • Commissioner Dean: Adapted Woody Guthrie song acknowledging indigenous stewardship, no vacancy signs.
  • Commissioner Greeninger: Nuance of shared land; coexistence mindset.

Public Comments

No public comment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "I move we witness through this proclamation." Seconded.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: All commissioners).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:07:25–01:09:50 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, operations, other

Summary

The consent agenda was approved unanimously without items pulled for discussion. Callouts included scheduling a hearing opposing Initiative 2117 (CCA repeal) on October 28, opioid funding process progress with Bradley Banks, and Lords Lake Loop Road staking initiation.

Key Discussion Points

  • Limited discussion: Approved as presented.
  • Hearing on I-2117 (10/28, 11am).
  • Opioid funds: Bradley Banks drafting distribution process.
  • Lords Lake Loop Road: Staking for two-lane restoration.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Consent agenda items including opioid process, road work, I-2117 hearing notice; no major hidden items noted.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda as presented."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes).
  • Next Steps: Opioid update upon draft process; no others specified.

Resolution Establishing Financial Stress Procedures

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:09:50–01:20:39 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, operations

Summary

County Administrator McCauley presented a resolution outlining methods (e.g., furloughs, hiring freezes) and procedures for managing recessions/severe financial stress, prompted by declining revenues (investment income, DNR timber) and indicators signaling recession. The Board approved unanimously after discussion emphasizing incremental, measured application to avoid past harms like DCD staffing cuts.

Key Discussion Points

  • Mark McCauley: Recession signal flashing; 2025 revenues shrinking; examples from Clallam ($4M→$400k cut), Vancouver ($47M deficit); involves core staff (Treasurer, Finance, Auditor, HR).
  • Commissioner Dean: Prudent; measured to shield departments (e.g., DCD post-2008).
  • Commissioner Brotherton: Incremental via budget committee.
  • Judy Shepherd: Prudent for 2025-27 challenges.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Resolution details methods/procedures; Conference Board indicators; 2025 revenue projections.

Financials

  • Projected 2025 shortfall: $500k+ (investment/DNR timber); target reserves 15% GF expenditures.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approving a resolution... establishing methods and procedures..."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Background Materials

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