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03/10/25 09 AM: Hoh Road Funds Secured Amid Public Comments, Consent Approvals

Hoh Road Funds Secured Amid Public Comments, Consent Approvals

Meeting covered diverse public comments on juror pay, roads, housing, park access; Upper Hoh Road repair funding confirmed ($600k+ state, $15k+ pledges); consent agenda approved with bridge naming update; Fire Marshal 2025 plans including inspections and fees reviewed.

Public Comment Period

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 00:01:14–00:39:02
  • Categories: other, personnel, public safety, planning, services

Summary

The meeting opened with public comment from in-person and online participants addressing multiple issues including jury compensation rates, Upper Hoh Road access and repairs, national park road closures, veterans benefits, transportation funding, short-term rental regulations, bridge naming, connectivity summit outcomes, and affordable housing challenges. Speakers urged increases in juror pay from $15/day citing Pierce County's $100/day rate, transparency on road repair funding efforts including GoFundMe backlash, and federal takeover of certain park access roads. Commissioners responded by providing updates on road funding secured from Governor Ferguson requiring a $5,000–$20,000 private match with pledges exceeding the minimum, noted juror pay review, and committed to bridge naming revisions.

Key Discussion Points

  • John Austin urged raising juror pay to at least $50/day and federal transfer of rainforest access road to National Park Service similar to Race Road.
  • Maggie connected connectivity summit to environmental/social justice initiatives and critiqued federal loan banks for low-income housing failures due to private equity diversion.
  • Lynn Shad emphasized youth need for nature access via High Divide and Rainforest Trails impacted by Upper Hoh Road closure and described GoFundMe backlash for repairs.
  • Anonymous speaker recounted Hoh history and local road-building efforts, criticizing GoFundMe failure and urging local action.
  • Chair Heidi Eisenhour announced Governor Ferguson's $600,000+ pledge via State Dept. of Commerce requiring private match of $5k–$20k, with pledges including $500 from herself and others totaling over $15k; Public Works ready with contractors.
  • Anna Peterson reported $4k pledges but confusion from $5k vs. $20k range, urged transparency.
  • Lizzie Andros reported $12k Forks pledges.
  • Ed Bowen urged attention to VA veterans benefits briefing.
  • Shelley Urinelle Brennan criticized inequity of impacted residents fundraising most, noted donated equipment offer, called for transparency.
  • Jean Bob criticized lack of info push on funding news, offered to raise $20k.
  • Tom Tirsch urged Transportation Benefit District sales tax increase to 0.2% and criticized DCD capacity excuses for short-term rentals.
  • Patricia Ernest requested bridge naming revision to "Passage Through Bridge" with tribal name underneath.
  • Nels Peterson sought repair timelines and visitor center staffing info.
  • Elijah (Peninsula Daily News) requested GoFundMe link.

Public Comments

  • John Austin: Jury pay increase and park road federalization.
  • Maggie: Housing/banking critique, environmental justice.
  • Lynn Shad: Nature access, GoFundMe reaction.
  • Anonymous: Hoh road history, fundraising frustration.
  • Anna Peterson: Pledges, transparency needs.
  • Lizzie Andros: Forks pledges.
  • Ed Bowen: Veterans benefits.
  • Shelley Urinelle Brennan: Resident burden, transparency.
  • Jean Bob: Info dissemination, fundraising offer.
  • Tom Tirsch: Sales tax increase, STR enforcement.
  • Patricia Ernest: Bridge naming with tribal language.
  • Nels Peterson: Repair schedule, visitor center.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Juror pay: Current $15/day; Pierce County $100/day.
  • Upper Hoh Road: Governor $600k+ public funds; private match $5k–$20k (pledges ~$15k+ including $4k Anna, $12k Forks, $500 Chair).
  • Transportation tax: 0.1% increase enacted; suggest 0.2% for ~$2M/year.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Commissioners clarified road funding details, committed to bridge letter update with tribal name, juror pay review; no formal actions.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Public Works to bid Upper Hoh repair this week (3-4 weeks work); National Park workshop at 10am; workshop next Monday on timelines.

Upper Hoh Road Repair Funding and National Park Access

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 00:14:35–01:40:20
  • Categories: infrastructure, budgeting, planning, operations

Summary

Commissioners updated on securing over $600k from Governor Ferguson via State Dept. of Commerce for Upper Hoh Road repair requiring $5k–$20k private match (pledges exceed $15k), with Public Works ready to contract imminently. Public commenters expressed frustration over transparency, conflicting match figures, GoFundMe backlash, and economic/tourism impacts, while praising efforts. Olympic National Park Deputy Superintendent Kevin Killian confirmed Hoh operations turnkey upon road access (3-4 week repair), detailed North Shore Road hard closure July 7–Sept 3 at Big Creek MP 10.2 for federal-funded log jam/road rebuild (no further delay possible), Graves Creek bridge reinstall April, and South Shore fully inaccessible without funding; park committed to visitor messaging via website.

Key Discussion Points

  • Chair Eisenhour: Governor pledged funds post-federal denial; private match needed; pledges from 10 at $100+, herself $500; Public Works has materials/contractors ready.
  • Commissioner responses: Optimistic on imminent repair; South Shore next; transparency ongoing despite real-time developments.
  • Kevin Killian: Hoh turnkey; North Shore Big Creek closure July 7–Sept 3 (riprap temporary); Graves Creek bridge April; no South Shore shoofly; visitor parking limited at ranger station.
  • Public: Confusion on match ($5k vs $20k), GoFundMe scam accusations, donated equipment ignored, staffing/permits/timelines queried.

Public Comments

  • Anna Peterson: Grateful for progress, $4k pledges, transparency plea.
  • Lynn Shad/others: GoFundMe failure, resident burden.
  • Nels Peterson: Cabins impacted, repair schedule/visitor center query.
  • Shelley Brennan: Donated equipment, transparency.
  • Jean Bob: Raise $20k offer, park staffing.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • State funds: $600k+ via Commerce (private match $5k–$20k; pledges $15k+).
  • Past: Federal Highway Admin emergency funds denied.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Donated equipment discussed but liability/permitting issues.
  • Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) for long-term maintenance.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Pledges suffice; Public Works to bid repair this week; North Shore closure confirmed.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Collect pledges to PO Box 1220 PT WA 98368; workshop next Monday on timelines; park website alerts.

Consent Agenda Review

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 01:58:31–03:03:14
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, infrastructure, personnel, planning

Summary

Commissioners reviewed 22+ consent items, pulling #5 (Courthouse clock repair discrepancy $9,846 vs $12,096 clarified as staff costs), #13 (OSS Action Plan amendment to <10% records digitization confirmed as original intent error). Approved remainder subject to bridge naming letter update (add tribal name/font); reappointments/road log praised; Quilcene projects (Jamestown Tribe logs/bridge staging) noted for community outreach; EV charger relocation, energy audits, EV charging amendment approved. Clock repair pulled pending verification; sewage amendment approved post-clarification.

Key Discussion Points

  • Clock repair: $9,846 contract + $2,250 staff costs = $12,096.
  • OSS amendment: "All records" error; <10% actual scope.
  • Bridge naming: Add tribal name underneath "Passage Through Bridge."
  • Road log: Mt. Wilder Way/McCartney Peak Lane added per prior policy.
  • Quilcene: Tribe projects need outreach (Rogers St. detour).
  • Energy audit: Courthouse only (Tier 1); timeline feasible.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet items: Clock repair (Exhibit F), energy audit (Courthouse sq ft), OSS amendment (remove "all"), road log (plat OT2), Quilcene licenses ($500/mo staging).

Financials

  • Clock: $12,096 ($9,846 + staff).
  • OSS: No change.
  • Licenses: Quilcene staging $7,500 lump sum.
  • EV: No county cost (grant-funded).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Bridge letter: Add tribal name.
  • Clock: Verified staff costs.
  • OSS: Amendment confirmed error.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Pulled #5/#13 initially; approved #13 post-clarification (unanimous); #5 approved post-verification (unanimous); remainder approved subject to letter update (unanimous).
  • Vote: Unanimous on approvals.
  • Next Steps: Letter update over lunch; PAO verify clock.

Fire Marshal Program and 2025 Workplan Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 03:58:58–04:56:54
  • Categories: public safety, operations, planning

Summary

Fire Marshal Phil Cecere and Deputy Brian Tracer presented 2024 accomplishments (444 plan reviews, 3,904 inspections, new certifications/vehicle/tablets) and 2025 goals including commercial fire life-safety inspections (phased by ZIP from south, $294/2hr fee), STR annuals, stock plans, ILAs with districts, WUI/CWPP integration, private road standards. Program enterprise-funded for cost recovery; started south due to business density/data gaps; self-inspections off-years; food trucks now IFC-required (previously exempt). Commissioners suggested grants/loans for corrections, reduced food truck fees.

Key Discussion Points

  • Phil Cecere: 2025 goals - commercial inspections (every other year realistic), ILAs, C-PACER promo, WUI code, hydro spacing/fire flow update via NFPA 1142.
  • Brian Tracer: Combination inspections reduce site visits; cross-training for STR surge.
  • Fees: $294 (2hr); insurance rebates possible.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

JCC 15.05.046 (commercial inspections), WSRB ratings, IFC 2021 (food trucks).

Financials

  • Commercial/STR: $294/inspection (2hr).
  • Surface tablets: Commerce grant.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Food trucks: Pilot form reciprocity; potential reduced fee.
  • Corrections: Grants/loans (USDA/FEMA); revolving fund like Main Street.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Direction on resolution for program; explore grants/food truck fees.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Resolution for program; ILAs Q1 2025; ordinance proposals (roads/hydrants).

Background Materials

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