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01/21/25 09 AM: BOCC Tackles Roads, JAC Survey, Consent Agenda, Updates

BOCC Tackles Roads, JAC Survey, Consent Agenda, Updates

Jefferson County Commissioners addressed public comments on SMP updates, West End road closures, JAC survey concerns; approved consent agenda including housing grants; received informational updates on OlyCAP services/budget, HR work plan/PAM, Prosecuting Attorney civil priorities, and Sustainable Forestry progress. No major actions beyond consent approval.

Public Comment Period

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:47–00:33:06 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, services, infrastructure

Summary

The Board opened public comment, receiving remarks from five speakers on the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) update, West End road closures, Jefferson Aquatic Center (JAC) survey, and consent agenda items. Commissioners responded after all comments, addressing aquaculture permitting challenges in the SMP, updates on South Shore Road and Upper Ho Road meetings with agencies, survey design for JAC, and consent agenda contract processes. No action was taken during this period.

Key Discussion Points

  • Gordon King urged simplification of aquaculture permitting in SMP to avoid full Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) with public hearings, citing high costs ($1M+ for geoduck farms) that disadvantage small operators; Chair Eisenhour confirmed February timeline from Prosecuting Attorney.
  • Ed Bowen requested updates on South Shore Road/National Park meeting and next steps, suggested pursuing federal disaster funds via Senator Murray; Commissioner Eisenhour detailed recent agency meeting yielding no new funding ideas but permit access for landowners.
  • Shelley Yarnell Brennan criticized JAC survey for lacking upfront funding/cost details and regressive tax impacts; Commissioner McCauley defended survey as unbiased for gauging facility needs first.
  • Jean Ball supported road repairs, criticized survey bias noted at Chamber meeting; Commissioner Eisenhour committed to reviewing Chamber feedback.
  • Julia Cochran questioned consent agenda repetition and Winter Welcoming Center funding status; staff clarified post-November approvals now formalizing contracts.

Public Comments

  • Gordon King: SMP aquaculture permitting too burdensome for small farms.
  • Ed Bowen, West Jefferson: West End roads update, pursue federal funding.
  • Shelley Yarnell Brennan: JAC survey lacks cost transparency.
  • Jean Ball: Road repairs urgency, survey bias.
  • Julia Cochran, Winter Welcoming Center: Consent agenda confusion.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comment closed; responses provided.
  • No Vote.
  • Next Steps: Follow-ups on roads (Commissioner Eisenhour), SMP (Prosecuting Attorney February), JAC survey review (Chamber notes).

West End Road Closures (South Shore Road and Upper Ho Road)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:05:09–00:19:23; 00:46:02–00:18:58 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, planning

Summary

Ed Bowen raised concerns on South Shore Road closure post-National Park meeting and sought next steps; commissioners reported a recent multi-agency meeting yielded no new funding but explored reallocating $650K from $5M FLAP funds for Upper Ho Road and confirmed no county road funds available ($1-1.25M needed). Permit access exists for South Shore landowners; Upper Ho washout worsening. Commissioners pursuing Senator Murray's office and disaster declaration options.

Key Discussion Points

  • Recent NPS/WSDOT/Public Works meeting frustrating, no agency funding ideas; Commissioner Eisenhour: viable option to reallocate FLAP flat funds.
  • County lacks road fund capacity; external funding essential; Chair Eisenhour: communicate findings to Monty Reinders.
  • Pursuing Senator Murray via Daniel Perlethorp; disaster declaration queried (state/federal unclear); Commissioner McCauley: communicate via Mark.

Public Comments

  • Ed Bowen: Update on NPS meeting, next steps, emergency management input, federal disaster funds via Sen. Murray.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Upper Ho Road repair: ~$650K (part of $5M FLAP project).
  • South Shore/Upper Ho repairs: $1-1.25M total.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Reallocate FLAP funds; logging road detours discussed. No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • No action taken.
  • Next Steps: Follow-up with Public Works (Eric Kuzma/Monty Reinders); Senator Murray office; disaster declaration inquiry.

Jefferson Aquatic Center (JAC) Survey

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:06:55–00:28:32 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, services

Summary

Shelley Yarnell Brennan and Jean Ball criticized the JAC survey draft for bias and lack of upfront cost/funding details (e.g., PFD overhead, sales tax regressivity); commissioners defended it as unbiased for gauging facility/program needs first, with statistics review confirming neutrality. Chamber reviewed and suggested improvements; tourism aspect added. Survey not yet sent to Chamber due to timing.

Key Discussion Points

  • Survey purpose: determine facility type/programming/usage before costs; Commissioner McCauley: leading with costs biases against project.
  • Unbiased per statistics professor; geographical questions enable regional analysis; Chair Eisenhour: consider funding info dissemination outside survey.
  • Chamber notes pending; encourage survey completion despite perceived bias.

Public Comments

  • Shelley Yarnell Brennan: Survey lacks cost/funding transparency, regressive tax.
  • Jean Ball: Chamber found survey biased, suggestions made.

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.
  • Next Steps: Review Chamber feedback; finalize/send survey (deadline 1/24); consider funding info outreach.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:33:06–00:38:28 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, personnel

Summary

The consent agenda was approved unanimously with a noted scrivener's error correction on item 9 (Bayside Tiny Village contract scope: change "Dove House" to "recipient"). Items included accounts payable warrants ($2.75M total), multiple housing grants (e.g., OWL360 $100K, Dove House $30K/$145K, Bayside $55K/$50K, OlyCAP $95K, Habitat $45K, JIAC $10K), ADA Transition Plan, Indirect Cost Allocation Plan (19.18% rate), reappointments (Julia Cochrane to HFB, Rebecca Jewell to SWAC), APEX Accelerator ($10K), MOUD/MAUD jail contracts/amendments, juvenile detention ILA ($234/day), and PAM updates briefing. No items pulled for discussion; routine procedural with housing grants substantive but previously HFB-approved.

Key Discussion Points

  • Correction: Item 9 Bayside Tiny Village recipient (not Dove House); Philip (staff) flagged.
  • Questions on accounts payable (two runs due to 13th month/auditor backdating); consent items routine/non-controversial.
  • Housing contracts post-November HFB slate approval.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Housing grants from HFB recommendations (Funds 148/149); warrants detailed by fund; ADA/Indirect plans; appointments.

Financials

  • Warrants: $2,749,583.22 total (two dates).
  • Housing grants: OWL360 $100K, Dove House $175K total, Bayside $105K total, etc. (Funds 148/149).
  • Indirect rate: 19.18%; APEX $10K; detention $234/day.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Item 9 correction; signature page housekeeping (date once).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda with the change noted in number nine as presented."
  • Vote: Unanimous (3 Ayes).
  • No next steps specified.

Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP) Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:01:10–01:59:51 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, budgeting, personnel

Summary

OlyCAP Executive Director Holly Morgan presented 2024 services (energy assistance 4,559 to 2,500 households, housing 847/369, nutrition 817/188, etc.), demographics, programs (GBI research, weatherization 28 homes/$1M, Head Start 205 slots/37K meals), youth homelessness functional zero, volunteer impact (52K hours/$2M value), and draft 2025 budget ($9.7M total, 10% admin). New dashboard for metrics (by county/program) discussed; commissioners requested Jefferson/Clallam breakdowns, staff ratios, per-participant costs. OlyCAP committed to monthly reporting, strategic plan for efficiencies.

Key Discussion Points

  • Services duplicated counts; nutrition via pantries/mobile (7M lbs); GBI: 20 families/$500/mo (2-yr research, donor-funded); weatherization income-eligible; Head Start gains in screenings/social-emotional.
  • Housing: $698K rental/223 people; functional zero youth homelessness; Holly Morgan: enough resources for demand.
  • Budget caveats: 80+ contracts, fiscal cleanup (CLA outsourcing), new GL/system by Sep 2025; CHG cut 20%.
  • Dashboard: monthly refresh, by-county/program, households vs individuals; Justin: metrics like cost/participant.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

2025 draft budget (totals by program, e.g., salaries $5M); service stats (Jefferson/Clallam combined).

Financials

  • 2024 spending: subrecipients $500K, direct $3.3M, operations $1.4M?, salaries $5M (10% admin).
  • 2025 draft: ~$7.7M revenue (e.g., ECS $3.9M); monthly ~$645K (divided by 12).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • No action taken; informational.
  • Next Steps: Refined budget/program breakouts; dashboard (by-county/staff ratios); quarterly updates.

Human Resources Work Plan and Personnel Administration Manual (PAM) Briefing

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:00:22–02:38:42 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel, operations

Summary

HR Director Sarah Melancon presented 2024 milestones (HR dept/cost center established, 5 CBAs ratified, mental health policy, travel policy updates) and 2025 plan (strategic priorities: org health, management training, cross-dept collaboration, employee recognition, NeoGov, PAM updates). PAM first reading highlighted language/clarity, leave (trial period use, donations/catastrophic bank), Juneteenth holiday, 3% promotion min. Turnover reduced (82 hires/51 separations vs prior highs); commissioners credited HR/team approach.

Key Discussion Points

  • 371 employees/20 depts; 4.5 vacancies (down from 26); Sarah Melancon: CBA negotiations collaborative.
  • 2025: empower mid-mgmt, lunch/learns/meet-greets, recruit admin; PAM: PFML quals, PTO donation, breastfeeding pod.
  • Trends: AI/upskilling, hybrid limits (lean/rural/visibility); empower service focus vs risk-only.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

PAM redline/summary; values (respect/courtesy).

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • No action taken; first reading.
  • Next Steps: Finalize/review PAM (2 wks); legal/risk review.

Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Civil Division 2025 Work Plan

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:00:35–03:46:38 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, planning, ordinances, personnel

Summary

PA James Kennedy outlined statutory duties (RCW 36.27), org (criminal/civil/child support), criminal ops (prosecution phases, diversions, therapeutic courts). Civil Division (3 attorneys) advises on legislation/compliance/contracts/elections/HR/open gov't, handles litigation (civil rights, land use, PRA), child support (50% family income). 2025 priorities: OSS code, Pleasant Harbor, sewer ordinance/ILA, SMP/Comp Plan, BOCC legislation, litigation.

Key Discussion Points

  • Civil: advisor only, confidential (AGO 2017); risk pool pre-defense; litigation types (LUPA, ITA, ERP).
  • Criminal: team approach, victim rights, DV enhancer; diversions (DLS3, therapeutic courts); CAC accreditation 2027.
  • James Kennedy: special deputies for conflicts/risk.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

PAO org chart; RCW 36.27; AGO 2017 No. 5.

Financials

Child support 80% state grant.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • No action taken; workshop.
  • Next Steps: None specified.

Sustainable Forestry Program Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:50:35–04:29:39 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, land use, operations

Summary

Chickadee Forestry's Mallory Weinheimer reviewed 2024 (strategic plan, outreach 70+ attendees, DNR TLT apps for 4 parcels: Cape George/Beaver Valley/Anderson Lake/Jacob Miller), weak points (chain of custody, log truck sale), partnerships. 2025 goals: 3 harvests (25% local wood), SOPs, Jefferson Timber Collaborative ops, firewood, grants; quarterly commissioner meets. Commissioners praised innovation/scalability/fire risk/insurance links.

Key Discussion Points

  • 5-yr plan met most Yr1 goals; DNR focus N of Hwy 104; modular equip (tractor/winch/loader) for small parcels.
  • Self-loader truck ~$150-200K; co-op/county ownership ideas; firewood vouchers via Olympic Housing.
  • Mallory Weinheimer: 25% local sales target; documentation for exportability.

Public Comments

  • Anna (Timberdoodle): Modular equip for small parcels; co-op ownership.
  • Cindy Brooks (PT): Tie to GHG sequestration goals.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Strategic plan; DNR TLT list; website/resources.

Financials

Log truck $150-200K; no 2024 revenue (harvesting shortfall).

Alternatives & Amendments

County fleet for truck/equip; DNR strategies.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • No action taken; workshop.
  • Next Steps: 3 harvests; grants 2026 biennium; quarterly commissioner meets; stakeholder event.

Background Materials

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