Skip to content

11/12/24 09 AM: Commissioners Adopt TIP, Code Rules; Approve Consent; Workshops Waste Permits

Commissioners Adopt TIP, Code Rules; Approve Consent; Workshops Waste Permits

County commissioners meeting featured public comments on playground improvements, solid waste changes, and more. Consent agenda approved unanimously with minor edits. 2025-2030 TIP adopted after public hearing on road safety projects. Code compliance rules adopted, repealing prior resolution. Workshops covered SB 5290 permit timelines and solid waste recycling revisions due to glass market collapse, planning curbside transition.

Public Comment Period

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:00–00:21:09 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other

Summary

Public comment opened on any topic, with speakers addressing the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) hearing, Jump Playground improvements, Housing Fund Board proposals, Winter Welcoming Center, and solid waste/recycling program changes. Commissioners responded to comments on playground shade structures ("freeing the orcas"), solid waste self-hauling incentives, low-income options, illegal dumping, and transfer station access. No action taken; comments noted for future agenda items including TIP hearing at 10:30 and solid waste workshop.

Key Discussion Points

  • Transportation plan comment deferred to 10:30 hearing (00:00:44–00:01:39).
  • Julia Cochran supported Jump Playground funding, requested central shaded area for parents (00:02:15–00:04:05); noted Housing Fund proposals and Winter Welcoming Center usage.
  • Tom Tirsch criticized solid waste proposals for favoring commercial hauler Waste Connections, lacking data on tipping fee reductions, and discouraging self-hauling (00:04:40–00:07:11).
  • Commissioners endorsed playground shade, noted orca whale sightings; defended solid waste analysis, incentivizing curbside, low-income options, and policy for behavior change (00:07:44–00:15:01).
  • Craig Durgin hoped transfer station remains open for self-haulers (00:15:08–00:16:10).
  • Shelly Yarnell opposed curbside mandates for low-income/rural residents, predicting dumping increase (00:16:16–00:17:09).
  • Jean Ball, self-hauler, opposed mandatory curbside, noted illegal dumping concerns (00:17:14–00:18:58).
  • Commissioners clarified no transfer station closure planned, inefficiencies in remote recycling, contamination issues (00:19:02–00:21:09).

Public Comments

  • Julia Cochran: Supported Jump Playground shade; excited for Housing Fund; Winter Welcoming Center had 19 visitors first day.
  • Tom Tirsch: Solid waste proposals promote Waste Connections, lack data, dishonest for rural self-haulers.
  • Craig Durgin: Hopes transfer station stays open for self-hauling, debris.
  • Shelly Yarnell: Removing self-hauling like "let them eat cake"; predicts dumping increase.
  • Jean Ball: Self-hauler opposes curbside; notes illegal dumping.

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 received; no action taken.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: TIP hearing at 10:30; solid waste workshop afternoon.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:21:09–00:28:34 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, infrastructure, planning, other

Summary

Consent agenda approved unanimously with edits to LTAC minutes (Item 11: "public testimony" vs. "public comment"). Pulled items discussed: emergency load limits resolution (permanent authority for low-volume roads in winter); Quilcene Complete Streets PIF award (right-of-way acquired, funding secured); Hartford bond (annual renewal for electeds, $1,387). Other items included Jump Playground Phase 2, multiple PIF grants (Port Townsend Lawrence St., Port Townsend Airport Eco-Industrial Park, Quilcene Complete Streets), and routine approvals.

Key Discussion Points

  • Emergency load limits: Permanent resolution for winter road protection on low-volume roads; rarely used (00:21:32–00:25:59).
  • Quilcene Complete Streets: PIF award progress; right-of-way challenges resolved (00:24:01–00:25:27).
  • Hartford bond: Annual invoice for public officials; first contract review; covers malfeasance (00:26:20–00:27:57).
  • Limited discussion on other items; strong consent agenda noted.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Emergency load limits: RCW authority; protects rural gravel roads from heavy loads post-freeze/thaw.
  • PIF awards: Quilcene Complete Streets (right-of-way acquired); playground Phase 2 ($351k grant-funded).
  • Hartford bond: $379k aggregate for 11 positions; $1,387 premium.

Financials

  • Hartford bond: $1,387 annual.
  • No other financials discussed; PIF grants/materials noted (e.g., playground $351k, Quilcene PIF).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • LTAC minutes edited ("public testimony"). No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve the consent agenda for November 12th... with the edits to number 11."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

2025-2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Adoption

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:12:38–01:56:38 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, planning, budgeting

Summary

Public hearing held on draft 2025-2030 TIP; staff presented story map and documents. Public testified on East Quilcene Road improvements/safety, Chimicum-Old Hadlock intersections/trails, Brennan US 101 crosswalk/speed reduction. Staff responded on funding constraints (1.4% local funds), grant reliance, state jurisdiction (Brennan/WSDOT), prioritization (accidents like Jacob Miller). TIP adopted unanimously by resolution.

Key Discussion Points

  • TIP required annually (RCW 36.81.121); 38 projects, $94.7M total (76.7% federal).
  • Public: Linda Herzog (East Quilcene safety/road stability); Craig Durgin (Chimicum intersections, road vacation/roundabout); Amanda Christopherson (Brennan crosswalk); Tom Tirsch (non-motorized priority, PT Gateway); Jean/Shelly (Brennan crosswalk).
  • Staff: Limited local funds; grant-leveraged; state roads (Brennan/WSDOT); catch-all projects for minor safety; Grace Harbor model.
  • Commissioners: Prioritize accidents (Jacob Miller); non-motorized leverage.

Public Comments

  • Linda Herzog (Quilcene): Prioritize projects 135/11/31; East Quilcene Road stability/speed signs.
  • Craig Durgin (Port Ludlow): Chimicum-Old Hadlock vacation/roundabout; dangerous intersections.
  • Amanda Christopherson (Port Townsend): Brennan Hwy 101 crosswalk/speed limit.
  • Tom Tirsch: Prioritize roads over non-motorized; support PT Gateway.
  • Jean Ball (Quilcene): Senator Chapman/DOT on Brennan crosswalk ($450k).
  • Shelly Yarnell (Brennan): Brennan crosswalk critical (coffee stand, market).

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • TIP story map (38 projects, $94.7M); roads/bridges/non-motorized; grant-heavy (federal 76.7%).
  • Engineer's estimate aligns; no major divergences.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve a resolution... adoption of the 2025-2030 TIP as presented."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes).
  • No next steps specified.

Code Compliance Rules of Procedure Adoption

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:24:23–02:57:25 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, planning, other

Summary

Staff presented history (Title 19 JCC 2020 preempted Res. 42-03); new rules emphasize voluntary compliance, settlements, Enforcement Fund, vouchers. Public commented on enforcement frustrations (longstanding violations). Rules adopted unanimously, repealing Res. 42-03.

Key Discussion Points

  • Title 19 authorizes rules; voluntary first, escalation tools (NOV, abatement, penalties).
  • Settlements/deferrals; Enforcement Fund for abatements/training; vouchers ($250 max, 1/household/3yrs).
  • Public: Frustrations with inaction (junk cars, dumping).
  • Staff: High caseloads (100+); tiered priorities; incremental progress; EPL tracking.

Public Comments

  • Tom Tirsch: Frustrated with inaction (2007 junk cars case).
  • Shelly Yarnell: Brennan violations persist; voluntary insufficient.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Title 19 JCC (2020); Res. 42-03 (2003, moot).

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Repealing resolution number 42-3 and adding a resolution adopting code compliance rules of procedure."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes).
  • No next steps specified.

Permit Process Compliance with SB 5290

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:00:34–03:33:27 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, planning

Summary

Workshop on SB 5290 (2023): new timelines (45/70/120 days), refunds if missed unless 3+ measures adopted. DCD proposes ordinance/resolution selecting 6 measures (expedited Type I, consultants, hearings only statutory, optional pre-apps, etc.); targets Dec 16 hearing. Informational; no action.

Key Discussion Points

  • Timelines: Type I (45-65 days), Type II (70-100), Type III (120-170).
  • Measures: Expedited simple; consultants; statutory hearings only (e.g., SDP Type II); optional pre-apps/SDR.
  • EPL tracking; consistent with 2019 regulatory reform.

Public Comments

  • Sally (Homebuilders): Clarified SDP to Type II.

Supporting Materials Referenced

SB 5290; Commerce FAQ; RCW 36.70B.

Financials

Fee refunds up to 20% if timelines missed.

Alternatives & Amendments

Adopt measures or defaults apply.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action; workshop.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Consent agenda ~11/25; hearing 12/16.

Solid Waste Recycling Program Revisions

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:33:38–04:07:10 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, budgeting, services

Summary

Glass market collapse: landfilling since Oct 1 ($10k/mo); discontinue collection Dec 1, remove bins. Long-term: End $300k/yr subsidy (tipping fee/Ecology grants); transition to subscription curbside (dual/single stream) by 1/1/26 per SWMP priorities (waste reduction/reuse first). LOS ordinance draft; UTC rate-setting.

Key Discussion Points

  • Glass: No market; ship to landfill.
  • Source-separated outdated (last county); high contamination/cost.
  • Curbside: Relieve transfer station; realign funds to food rescue.
  • Low-income: UTC exploring rates.

Public Comments

No public comment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

SWMP (waste reduction priority); Clallam/Whatcom models.

Financials

Glass: $10k/mo landfill. Recycling subsidy: $300k/yr. Tipping fee savings possible.

Alternatives & Amendments

Charge recycling at transfer station (infeasible site constraints).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action; workshop/informational.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Letter of intent to Waste Connections; LOS ordinance (late Dec/Jan).

Background Materials

Contents

AI Information