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11/25/24 09 AM: Meeting Addresses Shelter Gaps, Audio Woes, Consent Agenda, Briefings

Meeting Addresses Shelter Gaps, Audio Woes, Consent Agenda, Briefings

Jefferson County Commissioners handled public comments on shelter meals, homeless sanitation, and service issues; resolved audio and website problems; approved consent agenda with grants/contracts totaling millions; shared briefings and look-ahead.

Public Comments

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:02:48–00:31:04 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, operations, other

Summary

Public comments addressed gaps in shelter meal coverage, kitchen usage at the shelter, audio quality issues during meetings, new website navigation challenges, homeless encampment sanitation needs, and service provider interactions at Recovery Cafe. Julia highlighted unscheduled meal times on Thanksgiving (11/28), 12/10-12/15, and 12/25-12/29, urging civic groups to volunteer and noting kitchen approval status. Maggie raised concerns about city volunteers clearing camps without providing porta potties or waste management, and issues with Recovery Cafe providers escalating non-crises.

Key Discussion Points

  • Julia: Gaps in shelter meals leading to inadequate dinners like oatmeal; purchased protein snacks; new website functional; kitchen assumed approved but using QUF donor kitchen; bought utensils for shelter.
  • Tom Pierce: Audio echoey due to non-use of mics; lectern mic poor; room acoustics bad; new website visually good but cookie errors and untested; no fallback to old site.
  • Maggie: Disabled homeless woman in camp cleared without sanitation; city excuses for no porta potties; need recycling; Recovery Cafe providers mishandling non-illegal behaviors, escalating minor issues.
  • Jane: Audio echoey/hollow; inquired about LTAC Zoom link.
  • Board/staff responded on shelter kitchen, audio testing, website calendar for agendas.

Public Comments

  • Julia (Zoom): Urged meal sign-ups for shelter; positive on website.
  • Tom Pierce (Zoom): Criticized audio and website implementation.
  • Maggie (in room): Homeless sanitation and Recovery Cafe provider conduct.
  • Jane (Zoom): Audio quality and LTAC info.
  • Lori, Gordon, Jean, Shelly (Zoom): Additional audio feedback (echoey, hollow, tinny).

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; board noted feedback on audio/website/shelter.
  • Next Steps:
  • Test audio systems, contact IT for mic adjustments.
  • Improve website agenda links/calendar visibility.
  • Explore shelter kitchen use and volunteer coordination.

Meeting Audio and Technology Issues

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:07:15–00:31:04; 00:44:00–01:31:17 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, infrastructure

Summary

Extended discussion on poor audio quality (echoey, hollow, tinny) picked up by OWL mics, interference from amplified room mics affecting Zoom, and AV Capture system failures. Public and board tested live; considered unplugging mics, new OWL upgrades/extenders ($2,000), expansion mics, daisy-chaining for podium/administrator. Noted pre-Zoom mics unsuitable; Port Townsend upgrade cost $70k; hybrid room needs for first-floor conference.

Key Discussion Points

  • Tom Pierce, Jane, Lori, Gordon, Jean, Shelly: Echo from non-mic use; lectern poor; room acoustics; worse today; hollow vs. echoey; Zoom participants clearer.
  • Commissioner Dean/Eisenhower: Mic sound check; IT adjusted volume; compared clarity; project voices toward OWL.
  • Staff (Carolyn): AV Capture down; testing new vendors/equipment; mics for in-room, not Zoom; two systems conflict.
  • Benefits for hard-of-hearing via virtual; can't force virtual attendance.

Public Comments

  • Multiple Zoom/in-room speakers provided real-time audio critiques.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Potential new OWL L4: $2,000; Port Townsend upgrade: $70,000 (historical reference).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Upgrade to charcoal OWL with extender; expansion mics (one max?); dedicated hybrid systems for rooms; new vendor replacing equipment.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Continue testing; IT to adjust; research OWL upgrades/specs for budget.
  • Next Steps:
  • Listen to recordings for comparison.
  • Amazon cart for OWL/expansion; Mark to review budget.
  • Fix AV Capture or switch vendors.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:31:37–00:37:23 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, planning, personnel, infrastructure, services

Summary

Consent agenda approved unanimously with amendment correcting 2020 to 2024 on mid-biennium review hearing notice. Items included MRC oyster shell contract ($16k), MRC grant extension ($118.8k), JAVS maintenance ($11.8k), road renaming hearing notice, corrections hiring incentive ($10k), Hoh River design amendment ($835k total), PUD noxious weed control ($90k/3yrs), USDA childcare grant ratification ($1.375M), RAISE trail grant ($2.08M Jefferson share), Port Hadlock sewer change order (+$166k), DOH contract amendment (net -$822k), Medicaid provider agreement (revenue), budget/development code hearing notices, WDFW MRC amendment (+$1.5k). No items pulled; substantive financial/policy items bypassed discussion.

Key Discussion Points

  • Noted 2023 minutes added; agenda links not live (use Laserfiche); hearing notice date error.
  • Ratification of USDA letter for childcare grant (no obligation yet).
  • Oyster shells effective for restoration; scotch broom removal positive.
  • Limited discussion; items addressed primarily through supporting materials.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • MRC oyster contract: $16k for 1,500 bags shell delivery/distribution at Discovery Bay site; grant-funded.
  • MRC grant extension: $118.8k to 12/31/24 for oyster/rain gardens due to contractor delays.
  • JAVS: $11.8k maintenance for court AV systems.
  • Road renaming: Hearing 12/9 for Mt. Walker View Dr. options.
  • Corrections MOA: $10k incentive for Acea Such (3-yr retention).
  • Hoh River Amend 1: Shift to Fletcher Ranch ($835k total).
  • PUD weeds: $30k/yr for scotch broom removal.
  • USDA ratification: $1.375M grant toward $4.715M childcare facility.
  • RAISE: $2.08M Jefferson share for ODT planning/design.
  • Sewer CO4: +$166k for LPS lines.
  • DOH Amend 22: Net -$822k (COVID cuts, opioid +$24.5k).
  • WDFW Amend 2: +$1.5k for MRC summit.

Financials

  • Multiple: $16k (oyster), $11.8k (JAVS), $10k (hiring), $835k (Hoh), $90k (PUD 3yrs), $1.375M (USDA), $2.08M (RAISE), +$166k (sewer), net -$822k (DOH), +$1.5k (WDFW).
  • Funding: Grants (state/fed), PUD revenue, dept funds; no general fund noted.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Consent amendment: Correct hearing notice date.
  • No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve the consent agenda for November 25th, 2024, with the change to item number one."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: Dean, Eisenhower).
  • Next Steps: Items executed; hearings 12/9 (budget/road), 12/16 (dev code).

Commissioner Briefings and Look Ahead

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:37:23–01:13:38 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, operations, budgeting

Summary

Commissioners recapped prior week: WASAC conference (Kate's last as co-chair), transit/budget/BOH/ICG meetings, Brennan flood ordinance passage (no land use changes; work group interest), MRC retreat (oyster success, derelict vessels), LTAC, lodging tax advisory. Look ahead: LTAC deliberations, shelter meetings, budget hearing 12/9, childcare, parks, Navy reception 12/7, election certification. Noted website/agenda access issues; election canceled.

Key Discussion Points

  • Heidi Eisenhower: Timber caucus, wildfire grant pursuit, MRC (oyster, derelict vessels program via state).
  • Kate Dean: Brennan flood ordinance (NFIP eligibility; South County projects listed); WASAC agenda (indigent defense, housing, levies); septic meetings 12/10/16; ICG MOU.
  • Mark McCauley: Senior mgmt/budget, wildfire, Jeffcom negotiations near done, LTAC.
  • Conflicts: Parks 12/5, Navy 12/7; childcare progress.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

Lodging tax advisory funding requests discussed (decisions 11/26).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational briefing; no action.
  • Next Steps:
  • LTAC 11/26 8:30am.
  • Budget hearing 12/9.
  • Septic meetings 12/10 (PT evening), 12/16 (Brinnon).

Background Materials

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