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02/10/25 09 AM: Commissioners Tackle Homeless Aid, Resort Delays, Fed Funding Woes

Commissioners Tackle Homeless Aid, Resort Delays, Fed Funding Woes

Jefferson County Commissioners addressed public concerns on homeless shelters and hypothermia response, Pleasant Harbor Resort permitting delays, road access issues; approved consent agenda, connectivity summit letter, federal funding concerns letter, Transportation Benefit District assumption; workshopped finance plan and sheriff vacancy process.

Public Comment Period: Homeless Shelters, Hypothermia Response, and Four-Season Tents

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:41.000–00:04:24.000, 00:14:26.000–00:16:00.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, public safety, other

Summary

Public commenters raised concerns about inadequate shelter responses to cold weather, including the need for higher temperature thresholds for activation under "preponderance of need" standards, provision of four-season tents for unhoused individuals, maintenance issues at the American Legion shelter (e.g., taped-off toilet, legionella risks), and laundry voucher acceptance at local laundromats. Commissioners acknowledged the issues, noted ongoing efforts to adjust blue flag policies for flexibility below 32-33 degrees, outreach for resources like tents from companies (e.g., North Face), and support for shelter operators like Bayside.

Key Discussion Points

  • Maggie Mitchell cited King County hypothermia deaths and argued for higher activation temperatures and better tents beyond "t-shirts in 23-degree weather."
  • Julia (online) urged support for shelter plumbing and meals, noted Mom's Laundromat rejecting vouchers costing Winter Welcoming Center $2,000.
  • Commissioners Heather Eisenhour and Greg Brotherton referenced public health's 32-degree threshold but emphasized staff discretion for earlier openings; plans to outreach for four-season tents and check plumbing/laundry issues.

Public Comments

  • Maggie Mitchell: Preponderance of need requires better shelter activation, four-season tents, and addressing legionella/noise/toilet issues at American Legion.
  • Julia (online): Support Bayside for toilets/plumbing; laundromat voucher issues cost $2,000; need warmer tents.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No formal action; commissioners committed to outreach for tents (North Face/Outward Bound surplus), plumbing support for Bayside, and blue flag policy adjustments.
  • Next Steps:
  • Contact companies for four-season tents (Heather Eisenhour/Maggie Mitchell).
  • Check Mom's Laundromat voucher issues.
  • Reach out to Bayside for support needs.

Public Comment Period: Pleasant Harbor Master Planned Resort Delays and DCD Process Issues

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:04:42.000–00:14:00.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: permits, land use, planning, contracts

Summary

Multiple commenters expressed frustration over 18-year delays in the Pleasant Harbor Master Planned Resort project, citing DCD permitting inefficiencies, substitution of staff opinions over licensed engineers, consultant conflicts (e.g., Jefferson County, Colorado code errors, advising opponents), excessive costs ($170,000 for $10,377 preliminary plat vs. $700,000+ paid), lost revenue ($47 million property tax over 18 years, 150+ jobs, housing), and calls for weekly DCD updates, process reforms, and board intervention. Commissioners acknowledged frustrations, defended administrative process complexities (tribal interests, opposition, lawsuits), committed to DCD review/workshop.

Key Discussion Points

  • John Holbert (project manager): Structural DCD issues, engineer work ignored, $500k spent, calls for job description changes and liability review.
  • Shelley (Kelly Darnell Brandon): Excessive litigation sessions, unqualified consultants, conflicts (Colorado code, advising opponents), billing delays.
  • Jean: $700k paid to DCD, $1M palletized building since 2021, lost jobs/housing/taxes/recreation; requests weekly DCD updates.
  • Commissioners: Complex project with opposition; pursuing administrative process defensibly; open to workshop/DCD sit-down; not politicizing.

Public Comments

  • John Holbert (Pleasant Harbor Project Manager): 18-month hire unsuccessful; DCD substitutes opinions for engineers; $170k charged vs. $10k plat; project viability questioned.
  • Shelley (Kelly Darnell Brandon): Excessive executive sessions; consultant errors/conflicts; 6 years post-lawsuit delays.
  • Jean: Lost $2.6M annual property tax ($47M over 18 years), 150+ jobs, housing/recreation; requests weekly DCD reports.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Letter from Pleasant Harbor chairman referenced but not provided.

Financials

  • Developer paid $700k to DCD; $170k for $10k preliminary plat; $500k consultants; $1M palletized building sales tax $30k; lost $2.6M annual property tax.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No formal action; explore DCD workshop/review of comments.
  • Next Steps:
  • Review chairman's letter.
  • Commissioners to meet with DCD on concerns/opposition.

Public Comment Period: South Shore/Upper Hoe Roads Access to Olympic National Park

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:16:09.000–00:18:16.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, operations

Summary

Ed Bowen requested updates on South Shore Road repairs post-washout, suggested North Shore Road detour, criticized park's East Fork Quinault Trail planning as inadequate. Commissioners reported snow delayed site visits, OPTIC deadlines (April 14/15 permit buybacks), tourism impacts, pursuing FHWA emergency funds despite finger-pointing; park absent due to snow.

Key Discussion Points

  • Ed Bowen: No update last week; detour suggestion; park's trail survey sunsets Feb 28 without addressing roads.
  • Commissioners: Snow delayed photos; tourism impacts; FHWA best option; push park on North Shore detour.

Public Comments

  • Ed Bowen (West Jefferson County): Update on South Shore Road; detour via North Shore; criticize park planning.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

North Shore Road detour proposed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No formal action; continue pursuing funding/options.
  • Next Steps:
  • Share concrete ETA with OPTIC/stakeholders.
  • Interface with park (Sula) on North Shore.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:37:56.000–00:45:11.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, personnel, ordinances, planning

Summary

The consent agenda was approved unanimously with minor clerical edits (typos in resignation letter, reappointment expiration dates). Substantive items included interlocal agreement and conflict waiver for Chimacum aquatic facility grant (site control for Feb 21 deadline, graceful exit clause), noxious weed partnership ($5k with Clallam), advisory board appointments/reappointments (e.g., Robert Simmons to Conservation Futures, Holly Morgan to IDDAB, Cheri Van Hoover reappointment), cash drawer/petty cash/revolving funds resolution ($27,650 total), Nurse Family Partnership amendment ($5,270 additional, total $197k). No items pulled for discussion.

Key Discussion Points

  • Aquatic ILA: Shared resources/legal for grant; site control required; PFD future operations.
  • Noxious weeds: $5k Clallam partnership for wild chervil along roads.
  • Appointments: Highlighted qualifications (e.g., Simmons' WSU expertise).
  • Edits: Resignation name (Mary/Mark), reappointment dates.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Cash funds resolution: $27,650 total (General $16k, Special $8k, Enterprise $3k).
  • Noxious weeds: $5k contract, Fund 109.
  • Aquatic ILA: Chimacum Creek Primary site; PAO conflict waiver.
  • NFP Amendment 5: $5,270 add'l, DCYF-funded.
  • Appointments: Simmons (CFFCOC), Morgan (IDDAB), Van Hoover (Library).

Financials

  • Noxious weeds: $5,000 (Fund 109).
  • NFP: +$5,270 (total $197,138, Fund 127, DCYF).
  • Cash funds: $27,650 total.

Alternatives & Amendments

Edits to items 7/10 (typos/dates).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Motion to approve consent agenda with edits; unanimous (Ayes).
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Connectivity Summit Invitation Letter

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:46:03.000–00:51:03.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other

Summary

Board approved a letter on county letterhead inviting community to the Production Alliance Connectivity Summit/Fair (name updated), with minor edit to "community's" possessive. No public comment.

Key Discussion Points

  • Letter drafted by Production Alliance; board involvement options discussed (TED talks, youth summit).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Letter displayed/shared.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

Edit: "community's pressing issues" possessive.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approve letter for outreach; motion/seconded, unanimous.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes).
  • Next Steps: Print/sign/send.

Finance Director 2025 Work Plan

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:03:36.000–01:30:01.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, operations, personnel

Summary

Finance Director Judy Shepherd reviewed 2024 accomplishments (2025 budget amendment, Munis contract management rollout, Gravity Budget Book, no audit findings, hires) and outlined 2025 goals: countywide financial team/mentorship growth, annual budget transition, Munis expansions (job cost/asset mgmt, training videos), process streamlining. Board praised progress, human approach, succession planning.

Key Discussion Points

  • 2024: Salary projections in Munis, grants admin growth (Amanda Christopherson), digital pay stubs.
  • 2025: Accounting pros peer group/mentorship; GFOA standards; economic indicators for 2026 budget.
  • Board: Succession/systems emphasis; fiscal impact consultations.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Gravity Budget Book (2023); work plan slides.

Financials

No new financials; focuses on processes (e.g., Munis modules).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational workshop; no action.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Federal Funding Freeze Concerns Letter

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:30:50.000–02:01:08.000, 03:01:18.000–03:03:20.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, services

Summary

Board discussed/edited/approved letter to congressional delegation (Murray, Cantwell, Randall) expressing concerns over Trump executive orders/memo causing funding uncertainty (e.g., WIC, RECOMPETE, OlyCAP housing, fire/rescue $1M GEMT/OCH, roads FHWA, CDC data erasure). Edits added examples (fire rescue $1M loss, roads 330k annual users), "reckless" actions, rule of law/checks-balances. Public comment supportive.

Key Discussion Points

  • Impacts: Fire rescue $1M (GEMT/OCH), roads (Upper Hoe 330k users), RECOMPETE jobs.
  • Edits: Add examples/sampling; "reckless/knee-jerk"; organized approach for vulnerable.

Public Comments

  • Jean Ball: Supportive of letter/specificity.
  • Ruth (online): Thanks for letter.
  • Elijah (PDN): Audio issues noted.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Draft letter edited live.

Financials

  • East Jefferson Fire/Rescue: $1M potential loss (GEMT/OCH via DOH/Medicaid).

Alternatives & Amendments

Edits: Add fire/roads examples; "reckless actions"; checks/balances.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approve/send edited letter.
  • Vote: Motion/seconded; unanimous (Ayes).
  • Next Steps: Send to delegation.

Transportation Benefit District Assumption

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:02:13.000–02:13:00.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, ordinances

Summary

Public hearing on assuming JCTBD rights/powers (coterminous with unincorporated county); benefits: efficient govt, eliminate separate board/MOU. Approved ordinance unanimously; abolishes JCTBD board, amends JCC 3.90. Taxes imposed: 0.1% sales/use, vehicle fee.

Key Discussion Points

  • RCW 36.74 authority; public interest via efficiencies (85% cities assume TBDs).
  • Tom Tierce: Support; suggest sales tax increase if fed funds cut.

Public Comments

  • Tom Tierce: Supports; link to fed funding risks, suggest +0.2% sales tax ballot.
  • Jean Ball (Quilcene): Full support.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Ordinance; RCW 36.74; notices published Jan 29/Feb 5.

Financials

Minimal impact; no funds collected yet; sales tax/vehicle fee imposed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approve ordinance assuming JCTBD.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Sheriff Vacancy Appointment Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:17:32.000–04:08:30.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel, public safety

Summary

Workshop on process to appoint sheriff from Democrats' 3 nominees by March 4 (RCW Const. Art II §15); all eligible. Discussed materials (letter/resume/recommendations/training proof), written/oral questions (stability/integrity/trust/priorities), public interviews vs. individual (settled on public speed-dating style Feb 24), PRA notes, exec session deliberation. Criteria: stability, integrity, community/dept trust.

Key Discussion Points

  • Process: Materials by Feb 14 due Feb 21; public interviews Feb 24 (2-4:30pm); public comment after; exec deliberation/vote.
  • Individual vs public: Public for transparency/efficiency.
  • Sheriff input: Confidential dept survey considered.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Democrats' nominee packet; RCW quals/duties.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

Individual interviews considered/rejected for public process.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public interviews Feb 24; materials request by Feb 14 (resume/letter/recommendations/training).
  • Next Steps:
  • Draft/send materials/questions (Carolyn by EOD Feb 13).
  • Schedule Feb 24 interviews/public comment.

Background Materials

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