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01/27/25 09 AM: County Tackles Waste, Pool, LTAC Issues; Greenlights Chimacum Site

County Tackles Waste, Pool, LTAC Issues; Greenlights Chimacum Site

Jefferson County Commissioners addressed public concerns on solid waste, community pool site selection, LTAC reforms, roads, and shelter funding. Approved consent agenda minus LTAC (deferred to Feb 3), fiscal sponsorship for Habitat for Humanity grant, Chimacum Creek Primary School as aquatic facility site for LCP grant, CSO CWSP grants. Roundtable updates on budgets, projects, operations.

Public Comment Period and Commissioners' Responses

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:00–01:02:24 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, services, planning, public safety, other

Summary

The meeting opened with an extended public comment period where residents raised concerns about solid waste management policies, the community pool process and survey, Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) changes, road repairs on Upper Hoh Road and South Shore Road at Lake Quinault, Winter Welcoming Center septic issues and loss of state shelter funding, and personal criticisms of commissioners' responses to prior comments. Commissioners responded collectively, addressing each comment: expressing disappointment in solid waste manager's recorded remarks but confirming continued meeting recordings, supporting the pool survey and mid-county location data, agreeing to pull LTAC item 17 from consent for discussion, providing road repair funding updates, noting shelter funding shortfalls, and emphasizing transparency and respect in public processes. No formal actions were taken during responses; discussions deferred to agenda items.

Key Discussion Points

  • Jim Friedman criticized solid waste policies, drop box changes, fee failures, and played a recording of a manager joking about callers; Chair Eisenhour: disappointed in tone, supports continuing recordings; Commissioner Brotherton: disturbing but uses transfer station personally, favors recordings; Commissioner Dudley-Nollette: appreciates education, stresses transparency.
  • Jean (pool process): accused opacity and hostility; Chair Eisenhour: data supports mid-county; Commissioner Brotherton: defends transparent process.
  • Diana Smelland (LTAC): urged pulling item 17; Chair Eisenhour: agreed to remove from consent.
  • Ed Bowen (roads): requested updates; Chair Eisenhour: detailed funding pursuits, meetings with NPS/Senator Murray.
  • Julia Cochran (shelter): reported septic failure, lost state funds; Commissioner Brotherton: coordinating response.
  • Shelley Yarnell (pool): objected to process, not pool; Commissioner Brotherton: apologized for mischaracterization.
  • Tom Tiers (solid waste): reiterated concerns; supported by commissioners.
  • Diane McDade (aquatics): survey update, supported PFD; praised by all.

Public Comments

  • Jim Friedman (Colson resident): Solid waste drop box changes, fee failures, manager's recording; called for review.
  • Jean (unnamed): Pool process sloppy, dishonest; demanded apology to Shelley.
  • Diana Smelland (LTAC/TCC Chair, Resort at Port Ludlow): Pull LTAC item 17, respect timeline.
  • Ed Bowen (West Jefferson): Road updates.
  • Julia Cochran (Winter Welcoming): Septic, lost shelter funds.
  • Shelley Yarnell Brennan: Pool process objections, criticized Brotherton's response.
  • Tom Tiers: Solid waste committee issues, data on curbside use.
  • Diane McDade (Jeffco Aquatic Coalition): Survey launch, PFD support.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced in discussion.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No formal action; responses noted continued recordings for solid waste meetings, LTAC pulled from consent, road updates shared.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: LTAC discussion February 3 at 3:00 PM; pool survey ongoing.

Consent Agenda Approval (Minus Item 17)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:57:36–01:07:29 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, personnel, contracts, planning, operations

Summary

The Board approved the consent agenda excluding item 17 (LTAC), after brief questions on emergency warrants, Board of Health consumer rep stipend, ADO designation for Team Jefferson, Nurse Family Partnership subcontract, and pass-throughs for document recording fees to OlyCAP. Items included health contracts, housing funds, personnel appointments, and economic development designation. Discussion noted substantive elements like performance monitoring for housing funds and ADO's collaborative history.

Key Discussion Points

  • Chair Eisenhour: Questions on emergency warrants (late 2024 invoices), Board of Health stipend, ADO nonprofit box, Nurse Family Partnership history, pass-throughs ($111,566) with performance tracking via Housing Fund Board.
  • Commissioner Brotherton: Praised health/epidemiology capacity, AV improvements.
  • Commissioner Dudley-Nollette: Supported health rep addition.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Emergency warrants: Two listed, larger $119,000 added post-printing.
  • Board of Health: Added consumer/public health rep stipend.
  • ADO (item 16): Team Jefferson designation; multi-agency collaboration.
  • Nurse Family Partnership (item 5): Subcontract via Clallam.
  • Pass-throughs (item 3/4): $111,566 DRF to OlyCAP for homeless housing; performance monitoring required.

Financials

  • Pass-throughs: $111,566 DRF to OlyCAP.
  • Emergency warrants: Two plus $119,000 (2024 fund closeout).
  • Other contracts/personnel: Various, e.g., Production Alliance event partner.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve the consent agenda for 27 2025 minus number 17."
  • Vote: Unanimous (motion Brotherton, second Eisenhour).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) Reforms (Item 17 Pulled from Consent)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:08:15–01:28:52 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, planning, other

Summary

Item 17 was pulled from consent per public request for discussion on aligning LTAC with county legislative priorities, noting current members' disagreement and lack of bylaws. Commissioners debated revising the letter's tone to encourage reapplications, adding residency requirements, and interviewing members; decided to revise and agendize for February 3 at 3:00 PM with public comment. Discussion highlighted LTAC funding decisions leaving $150,000 unspent, tourism data discrepancies, and need for staff capacity.

Key Discussion Points

  • Chair Eisenhour: Problematic tone, no bylaws, seek LTAC input before changes.
  • Commissioner Brotherton: Unanimous December decision; LTAC left funds unspent opposing staffing; interviewing members; tourism data issues ($69.9M includes second homes).
  • Public input referenced (Diana Smelland earlier).

Public Comments

No new public comment; prior from Diana Smelland.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • December 23 memo on priorities; LTAC RFP process rejected staffing; state tourism data ($69.9M direct lodging questioned).

Financials

  • LTAC left $150,000 unspent (staffing proposal rejected); prior TCC funding $140,000.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Revise letter to encourage reapplications; consider residency requirement (disqualifies half current LTAC).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Revise letter; agendize discussion/public comment February 3 at 3:00 PM.
  • Vote: Consensus, no formal vote.
  • Next Steps: February 3 discussion; develop bylaws with prosecutor's office.

Fiscal Sponsorship for Habitat for Humanity Mason Street Grant

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:29:24–01:40:25 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, infrastructure, planning

Summary

Habitat for Humanity requested county fiscal sponsorship for a $3M federal grant for Mason Street infrastructure (136 affordable homes). Board approved sponsorship if required, noting prior YMCA precedent and county capacity; timeline: applications end 2025, homes occupied 2027.

Key Discussion Points

  • Jamie Maciejewski (Habitat): $3M infrastructure; sponsorship boosts approval odds; groundbreak 2026, first homes 2027.
  • Chair Eisenhour: Capacity confirmed; align lobbyist.
  • Supporting materials: Pre-app with planning, outreach event.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Mason Street: 17 acres, sewer in; 136 homes permanently affordable; prior congressional support failed.

Financials

  • Grant: $3M federal (infrastructure); county admin fee from grant if awarded.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Jefferson County acts as fiscal sponsor... should it be necessary."
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Align lobbyist; Jamie meeting on campus integration.

Aquatic Recreational Facility Site Selection

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:40:36–02:18:54 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, infrastructure, operations

Summary

Staff recommended Chimacum Creek Primary School site for LCP design grant application (deadline 2/21); Board unanimously approved partnership/ILA with school district after public comments favoring accessibility/equity but noting operational deficits, 15-year control. Site offers sewer, walkability near library/park; alternatives like Chinicum Park faced septic/road costs.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Brotherton: History, two sites; Chimacum advantages (sewer, partners); ILA with school/PFD.
  • Financial modeling: 0.2% sales tax yields $340K post-debt for ops.
  • Public: Site viability, deficits, survey confusion.

Public Comments

  • Tom Tiers: Presentation not in packet; cart-before-horse; ops deficit.
  • Diane McDade: Supports site for traffic/campus.
  • Jean: 15-year limit concern.
  • Amanda Christopherson: Equitable mid-county.
  • Shelley Yarnell: Small site vs. survey amenities.
  • Dan Ventura: Process improvements; ppp lodging.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • HTTF report: Two sites; LCP requires control; drive-time data favors mid-county.

Financials

  • LCP design grant; ops: 0.2% tax ~$1.86M/yr, $1.52M debt leaves $340K.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Chinicum Park: Septic/road costs; Timicum Creek Elementary: Land swap declined.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "BOCC apply for LCP... Chimacum Creek Primary site."
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: Draft ILA with school; form PFD via resolution/ordinance; survey analysis.

Chief Strategy Officer Projects Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:19:19–02:51:00 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, land use, operations, infrastructure, contracts

Summary

CSO Brent Butler updated on six core projects (STR ordinance PC hearing 2/5; Port Hadlock UGA zoning; stock plans HOME Show rollout; FEMA CAV compliance; C-PACER complete; CWSP contract 2/5) and ancillary grants (CHIP, infrastructure for CWSP). Board authorized CWSP grant applications; noted strategic plan alignment.

Key Discussion Points

  • Butler: Progress, grants secured (Commerce stock plans); CWSP RFP/contract.
  • STR: 3% cap by zip; PC 2/5.
  • Port Hadlock: Reach for-profit developers.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Workplan: STR moratorium ends 4/7; stock plans approved.

Financials

  • Various grants: Commerce stock plans; proposed DOH for CWSP.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Authorize CSO to apply for CWSP grants.
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: PC hearings 2/5; HOME Show rollout.

Electeds/Directors Roundtable Updates

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:52:01–04:10:23 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, personnel, budgeting, contracts, public safety, planning

Summary

Electeds/directors provided updates: budget processes, road valuations/legislation, CAC opening, WSU extension hiring/newsletters, central services EVCS/core IT, public health CHA/dashboard/shelter funds/firearm events, auditor elections/passports, court trials/restorative justice, treasurer surpluses/community meetings, district court bills. Limited actions; noted deadlines, grants.

Key Discussion Points

  • Various: Health contracts (packet), shelter gap response, firearm storage 2/8, etc.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Public health contracts (multiple amendments summarized).

Financials

Various: Health contracts $2.6M+; shelter interim funds.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Authorized CSO CWSP grants (earlier); community meetings 2025.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Various departmental (e.g., PC 2/5 STR).

Background Materials

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