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05/05/25 09 AM: County Meeting: Veterans Tribute, Shelter Woes, Roads Fix, Fireworks Debate

County Meeting: Veterans Tribute, Shelter Woes, Roads Fix, Fireworks Debate

Jefferson County Commissioners addressed veterans resignation and bylaws, shelter bed bug complaints, road washouts with Grays Harbor, Nurses Week proclamation, consent agenda including sheriff incentives and contracts, public health updates on diseases and FEMA, and fireworks regulations workshop amid enforcement challenges.

Public Comments: Veterans Services

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:22–00:04:52 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, personnel

Summary

John Hamilton, Chair of the Jefferson County Veterans Service Officers Association, addressed the resignation of longtime member Gary Lane after 15 years of service distributing funds to needy veterans via a property tax line item (two to three dollars per household). He presented updated bylaws reducing quorum from 100% to allow Zoom meetings (with chair in-person) to facilitate operations amid travel difficulties. Commissioners and staff noted forthcoming CPI-adjusted funding increases since 1994 and praised staff support.

Key Discussion Points

  • Gary Lane volunteered weekly to distribute Relief Funds; search ongoing for replacements, including West End services.
  • Bylaws changes enable simple majority quorum, virtual meetings; supporting materials (bylaws) referenced in consent agenda.
  • John Hamilton: Praised county staff (Adil, Carolyn, Windy, Mark); future interlocal agreement updates pending.
  • Commissioners: Expressed gratitude for Lane, interest in volunteers from American Legion/VFW/DAV.

Public Comments

  • John Hamilton (Chair, Veterans Service Officers Association): Announced Lane resignation, presented bylaws, noted funding updates.

Supporting Materials Referenced

VAB bylaws approval in consent agenda aligns with discussion; no discrepancies.

Financials

Veterans Relief Fund: $2-3 per household property tax; CPI adjustment proposed (unchanged since 1994).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Bylaws approval pulled for consent agenda discussion; Lane resignation noted.
  • Vote: N/A (informational).
  • Next Steps: Special VAB meeting 2025-05-06; staff to recruit volunteers (Liz Anderson outreach); interlocal agreement updates forthcoming.

Public Comments: Housing/Shelter Issues (Bed Bugs, Retaliation)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:06:13–00:09:15; 00:15:45–00:21:50 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, operations

Summary

Maggie reported bed bug bites on a shelter resident (six confirmed), alleged retaliation by subcontractor after speaking at Housing Coalition, and criticized interruption by Commissioner Eisenhower. Commissioners clarified meeting focus, encouraged direct operator contact (Bayside), and affirmed vigilance on bed bugs. No action taken.

Key Discussion Points

  • Maggie: Eyewitness bed bug bites (4+2 on forearms), histamine reaction treated with Benadryl; retaliation real, suggested EPA resources.
  • Commissioner Eisenhower: Meeting for general operations; redirected to appropriate venue.
  • Commissioner Dudley-Nowled: Appreciated advocacy; operators vigilant, confident in Bayside response.

Public Comments

  • Maggie (Room): Detailed bed bugs, retaliation at Housing Coalition; urged empathy for lived experience.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No specific documents; aligns with ongoing shelter discussions.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action; feedback noted for operations.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • No next steps specified.

Public Comments: Roads, Grays Harbor Letter, Solid Waste, Fireworks, County Admin

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:09:42–00:15:02; 00:16:17–00:28:55 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, contracts, operations, public safety, personnel

Summary

Ed Bowen urged letter to Grays Harbor PUD on North Shore Road, federal delegation inclusion, roads update, veterans. Tom Tirsch proposed fireworks ban post-2026 (tariffs/short supply), criticized county admin process/public involvement, solid waste dropbox recycling end (expensive, tax-like). Commissioners responded on tours, roads progress (Upper Hoh, Oil City reopened), fireworks discussion pending, admin process (Josh Peters appointed), SWAC recommendation not final.

Key Discussion Points

  • Ed Bowen: Support Grays Harbor letter (add NPS/federal); roads update; Gary Lane missed; West End veterans limited.
  • Tom Tirsch: Fireworks ban July 6, 2026; admin process lacked public input; SWAC ends free recycling (half subscribe to garbage, $400+/yr +$100 recycling).
  • Commissioners: Tours private; roads progress; fireworks iterative (high danger); Peters great; SWAC not final.

Public Comments

  • Ed Bowen (Online, West End): Grays Harbor letter, roads, veterans.
  • Tom Tirsch (Online): Fireworks ban, admin process, solid waste.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Grays Harbor discussion aligns with G2G later; SWAC joint meeting referenced.

Financials

Solid waste: Garbage $400/yr, recycling +$100; half county subscribes.

Alternatives & Amendments

Fireworks: Ban post-2026 (Tirsch); no action.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Notes for G2G, fireworks workshop, SWAC pending.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Fireworks discussion today; roads ribbon cutting.

Nurses Week Proclamation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:29:56–00:36:16 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other

Summary

Board proclaimed May 6-12, 2025, as Nurses Week, recognizing 4.3 million registered nurses' role in public health, crisis response, and community care. Denise (Public Health) emphasized rural nursing amid funding cuts, immunizations, education.

Key Discussion Points

  • Proclamation read, highlighting nurses in JCPH, Jefferson Healthcare, long-term care.
  • Denise (Public Health): Rural nursing critical; commended training programs; immunizations key amid misinformation.

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

  • Decision: "Approve this proclamation as read."
  • Vote: Unanimous (motion Brotherton, second Eisenhower).
  • No next steps specified.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:36:16–00:42:54 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, personnel, land use, planning, services

Summary

Consent agenda approved unanimously after call-outs on CWSP MOA (City/PUD funding, HB 1947), sheriff hiring incentive ($10K entry-level), IDD contract decrease ($9K virtual summit), VAB bylaws (quorum/Zoom), housing task force appointments (lived experience), salmon deeds (Quilcene), floodplain Quilcene, MRC crab pot removal ($20.6K), marine resources. No items pulled.

Key Discussion Points

  • CWSP MOA: City/PUD largest purveyors fund balance; HB 1947 (Class B) noted.
  • Sheriff incentive: Retention key amid recruitment challenges.
  • IDD: Virtual saved $9K.
  • VAB: Simple majority quorum, Zoom.
  • Housing: Lived experience appointees exciting.
  • Deeds/floodplain: Quilcene outreach positive (HCSG/Jamestown Tribe).
  • Crab pots: HS robotics partnership.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Matches packet: CWSP MOA ($207K project), salmon deeds (3 properties), housing appointments (Allen/Fetherolf), IDD amendment (-$9K), crab pot contract ($20.6K), floodplain license (JST Quilcene), VAB bylaws. No divergences.

Financials

  • CWSP: $207K ($151K mandatory fee; PUD $42K, City $58K).
  • IDD: -$9K (total $25K).
  • Sheriff: $10K incentive.
  • Crab pot: $20.6K grant.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda as presented."
  • Vote: Unanimous.
  • No next steps specified.

Public Health and Emergency Management Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:44:00–01:15:36 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, services

Summary

Dr. Allison Berry reported low COVID/flu/RSV, ongoing pertussis (14 cases, vaccine gaps), measles risk (935 US cases), vaccine misinformation correction. Willie Bentz detailed FEMA changes (higher thresholds, 75% cap, limited reimbursements), grants uncertainty, events (preparedness day June 28). Dr. Berry maternity leave; summer focus emergencies.

Key Discussion Points

  • Pertussis: School-aged clusters; Tdap/DTaP urged.
  • Measles: 5 WA cases; vaccine safe, no fetal cells/autism link.
  • KPTZ Q&A: Mask bans unethical, data privacy, placebo trials unethical.
  • FEMA: Thresholds x4 ($6M county/$60M state); bomb cyclone denied; grants fund clerks/outreach/Nixle.
  • Events: Preparedness talks (water/food May 15, heat/smoke June).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No documents; aligns with prior reports.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational; summer KPTZ on emergencies (Willie/others).
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Dr. Berry leave mid-Aug return; Willie summer briefings (fire/heat/smoke).

Government-to-Government: South Shore Road Washout

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:15:36–01:44:26 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure

Summary

Jefferson and Grays Harbor Commissioners discussed South Shore Road washout (MP 1.3, Jefferson section gravel); ~$500-650K repair akin to Upper Hoh (governor-funded). FHWA ER unresponsive (maintenance?); FLAP non-emergency. Joint letter to FHWA/WSDOT/NPS/federal delegation urged; North Shore closed July (park culvert). No funding yet.

Key Discussion Points

  • Monty Reinders/Eric Kuzma: Scour hole; DDIR submitted; governor funds Upper Hoh thru July.
  • Grays Harbor (Vicki Raines et al.): Support joint letter; limited constituent impact (alt access).
  • Park bridge/culvert closes loop summer/winter.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No packet item; aligns with public comment (Ed Bowen).

Financials

Repair: $500-650K (rock trucking higher sans local quarry).

Alternatives & Amendments

FLAP (long-term, 10-13 yrs); mitigation deferred (ELJs/tribe).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Draft joint letter (Mark/Sam); amplify (press, governor).
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Letter to FHWA/WSDOT/NPS/federal; governor mention Thursday.

Fireworks Regulations Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: 04:07:52–04:53:37 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, ordinances

Summary

Fire Marshal Phil Cecere/Brian Tracer reviewed JCC 8.75 (high danger ban, cleanup); 2023 enacted (stands shut), 2024 proactive letter. RCW limits local bans (1-yr notice). Conditions dry/cool; moderate June 1 (no burns/weed torches). Enforcement challenges (staffing, chain custody). Public urged total ban (PTSD/animals/pollution/fire), pro-displays.

Key Discussion Points

  • 2023: Citations issued but messy (volume/calls).
  • Trends: Drier; NOAA limited, DNR calls.
  • Enforcement: JCSO limited deputies; signage/PSAs.
  • Public (Jean Ball/Tom Tirsch): Ban backyard, pro-displays; enforcement front-load deputies.

Public Comments

  • Jean Ball: Ban recreational; pro insured displays, enforcement, education.
  • Tom Tirsch: Ban fine; Port Townsend thrives sans fireworks.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No packet; ordinance JCC 8.75.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

Total ban 2026-07-06 (post-250th); liberalize displays/safe havens.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Workshop enforcement w/JCSO soon; designate Fire Marshal.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: JCSO session; iterative (2026 effect).

Background Materials

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