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12/02/24 09 AM: Board Approves Consent Agenda, Public Comments, Health Update

Board Approves Consent Agenda, Public Comments, Health Update

Jefferson County Board unanimously approved a substantial consent agenda including contracts, grants, and EV charger amendments. Public comments addressed glass recycling discontinuation, homelessness, trash issues. Public Health update covered rising respiratory viruses and stable avian flu.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:26:00–00:28:48 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, budgeting, personnel, permits, planning

Summary

The Board approved the December 2, 2024 consent agenda unanimously without any items pulled for separate discussion. The agenda included multiple substantive items such as the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Commissioned Deputies (2025-2027), Amendment 2 to the Chimacum Creek Toxics Cleanup Grant, Amendment to Tyler Technologies Enterprise Permit and Licensing (EPL) Business Module, EV Charging Station Grant Amendment with EVCS, Public Hearing Notices for Coroner Ordinance and Transportation Benefit District, and Contracted Plate Search Data Sharing Agreement with DOL. Public comment referenced the EVCS contract positively, noting the cap on electricity charges at 18 cents per kWh markup over PUD rate and connector specifications.

Key Discussion Points

  • Consent agenda described as "beefy" with items including collective bargaining contracts, EPL improvements, EVCS chargers, and hearing notices.
  • Tom Tarris: Praised EVCS contract for capping electricity profit at 18 cents per kWh over PUD base rate, inclusion of vehicle connector choices, but raised concerns about controlling access at public sites like QFC and courthouse parking.
  • Board noted responsiveness to prior concerns, EVCS covering $102,000 grant match, and plans for gated or controlled lots at Public Works, Public Health/DCD, and Sheriff sites.
  • Upcoming hearings referenced: biannual budget, 2024 comp plan amendment docket, Transportation Benefit District, coroner ordinance (December 16).

Public Comments

  • Tom Tarris: Supported EVCS contract with electricity cap and connectors; questioned access control at QFC and courthouse; commented on glass recycling ending and lack of tipping fee revenue gain.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Sheriff's CBA: 12% wage increase over 3 years (8% in 2025), longevity pay up to $3,400, uniform allowances increased, Juneteenth holiday added; ratified November 15, 2024.
  • Chimacum Creek Toxics Cleanup Amendment 2: No change to $200,000 total; redistributes funds for blackberry removal to enable sampling; site contaminated with gas, diesel, lead, zinc, arsenic.
  • Tyler EPL Business Module Amendment: $47,600 add-on (funded by Commerce grant) for annual inspections, recurring permits, licensing; includes 10 user licenses.
  • EVCS Amendment: Adds 40 Level 2 ports + 6 stub-outs at 5 sites (Courthouse, Public Works, DCD/PH, Sheriff/Jail, PW Shop); EVCS covers $102,000 match; County pays $0.29/kWh (18¢ markup over PUD $0.11/kWh).
  • Coroner Ordinance Hearing Notice: December 16 public hearing; establishes separate Office of Coroner per RCW 36.16.030 changes effective Jan 1, 2025; $18,000 minimum 2025 budget increase.
  • TBD Hearing Notice: December 16 public hearing; for unincorporated areas; potential $20 vehicle fee ($527k) + 0.1% sales tax ($600k) to address $883k 2025 road deficit.
  • DOL Plate Search Agreement: No-cost 5-year renewal for junk vehicle enforcement; $0.04/search fee.

Financials

  • Sheriff's CBA: 12% wage increase (2025: 8% + scale restructure; 2026/27: 2% each); longevity $800–$3,400; uniforms to $1,400/deputy; County pays 85% health contributions.
  • Chimacum: $200k unchanged; Task 1 admin +$13k to $20k; Task 4 -$13k to $37k.
  • EPL: $47,600 total ($43,400 one-time + $4,200 maintenance Yr1); Commerce grant-funded.
  • EVCS: $306k grants; County pays $0.29/kWh fleet use; EVCS match relieves County $102k.
  • Coroner: +$18k 2025 budget.
  • TBD: Potential $1.1M annual revenue.
  • DOL: $0 total; $0.04/search.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • No alternatives discussed.
  • EVCS: Prior concerns addressed (cap, connectors); amendment adds 5 sites vs. original DCFC at Visitor Center.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve the December 2nd, 2024 consent agenda."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes from all three commissioners).
  • Next Steps: Items effective per documents (e.g., Sheriff's CBA Jan 1, 2025; hearings Dec 16); EVCS sites require surveys/final locations.

Public Comments and Board Responses: Glass Recycling, Homelessness, Trash, and Encampments

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:19–00:25:56 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, operations, other

Summary

Public commenters raised concerns about ending glass recycling, illegal dumping/trash, homelessness encampments, and support services; board responded noting systemic changes, potential future opportunities, trash pickup vouchers, and appreciation for advocacy/exhibits. Glass recycling ended last week per statewide changes; no immediate revenue boost from tipping fees expected for minimum-fee users. Trash removal relies on public reports/vouchers due to 400 miles of roads and limited capacity.

Key Discussion Points

  • Tom Tarris: Glass now trash; Public Works transports at cost, no tipping revenue gain for minimum-fee loads.
  • Julia: DSHS encampments need winter support (tents/canopies); trash/mattress between Beckett Point/Cape George.
  • Shelley Yarnell Brennan: Interest in glass recycling alternatives like tumbled glass beaches; regulatory barriers may hinder.
  • Maggie: Homelessness exhibit Dec 6 at Public Health (stats, photos); Jefferson #1 per capita in WA; praises blankets program, Peggy (OleCap), housing fixes.
  • Board: Glass changes statewide; scale/contamination issues; SWAC discussions ongoing with new facility/recycling contract; potential bottle bill/RAP Act. Vouchers/dumpsters cover tipping for road trash. Exhibit praised; Peggy on Housing Authority board, new Coswell Brown Phase 3 plan.

Public Comments

  • Tom Tarris: EVCS and glass recycling.
  • Julia (now rural, Heidi's district): Encampments freezing risk; road trash/mattress.
  • Shelley Yarnell Brennan: Glass recycling creative solutions (glass beaches).
  • Maggie: Homelessness stats/exhibit Dec 6; housing inventory focus; blankets for vulnerable.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No specific documents; glass tied to recent end of curbside recycling and contract changes.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Glass: Potential entrepreneurial solutions, glass dust for concrete (limited use), bottle bill; regulatory barriers queried.
  • No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • No action taken; item was informational.
  • Next Steps: Check mattress location; SWAC/new facility planning; exhibit open house Dec 6; trash vouchers available.

Public Health Update: Respiratory Viruses and Avian Flu

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:45:25–01:00:51 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, services, other

Summary

Dr. Berry reported low local COVID-19 in wastewater but rising regional ED/hospitalizations; similar flu uptick, RSV expected later December. Avian flu stable in wild birds/poultry/cattle, no local outbreaks or human-human transmission. Vaccine uptake low but RSV improved in kids; emphasized preparation, masking in crowds, state independence from federal messaging changes.

Key Discussion Points

  • Dr. Berry: COVID low locally but rising regionally; flu starting, RSV soon; avian flu in CA wastewater but no WA spread beyond eastern poultry; protect poultry/cattle with PPE.
  • Low COVID booster uptake due to fatigue, access loss (no Medicare/homebound via PH); good variant match.
  • Federal changes: Possible disinformation/funding cuts, but state/county independent; WA legislators committed to science-based services.
  • Board: Avian flu in San Juan? (No); booster efficacy/access.

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

  • No action taken; item was informational.
  • Next Steps: Vaccines at pharmacies; monitor RSV/avian flu; Board of Health meeting Dec 16.

Background Materials

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