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05/19/25 09 AM: Commissioners Address Public Concerns, Fire Danger, Conservation, Preparedness

Commissioners Address Public Concerns, Fire Danger, Conservation, Preparedness

Jefferson County Commissioners meeting featured public comments on permit delays, shelter closure, roads, fees, and fire safety; announcements on elevated fire danger; consent agenda approval including budgets and infrastructure; Conservation Futures funding recommendations; Historical Society heritage series proposal; support for salmon enhancement property; COOP planning endorsement; All-County Preparedness Day briefing.

Public Comment Period

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:26.000–00:51:47.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, operations, services, public safety, other

Summary

Public comment opened at 9:00 a.m. with speakers addressing delays in the Pleasant Harbor building permit process, shelter operations and impending closure, South Shore Road repairs and state funding concerns, solid waste fee adoption process, fire danger notifications, and economic impacts of permit issues. Commissioners responded by defending county staff efforts on permits, expressing sympathy for shelter challenges, thanking road advocates, committing to review fee processes, confirming fire outreach efforts, and noting ongoing housing discussions.

Key Discussion Points

  • John Holbert (Brinnon resident) criticized delays in Pleasant Harbor agri-building permit, citing layoffs of 22 workers ($120,000/month payroll loss), moving targets, 4-month delay on desk of Phil Cecir, promotion of "technical antagonist," and contract violations. Heather Dudley-Nalette: Defended DCD responses as prompt and documented, noted pending applicant materials, committed to investigate claims.
  • Maggie (shelter resident) alleged misogyny, theft accusations for accessing kitchen juices while ill, miscegenation, and fetishization issues at shelter. Heather Dudley-Nalette: Expressed sympathy, noted follow-up on operations.
  • Ed Bowen (West End) thanked for South Shore Road map, requested firm North Shore Road closure date from Federal Highways, noted state budget delays, asked for West Jefferson meetings posting. Heather Dudley-Nalette: Thanked for advocacy, confirmed letter sent with adjustments.
  • Tom Tiersch criticized solid waste fee adoption via consent agenda as broken promise for public hearing, SWAC representative from Waste Connections voting on privatization-profiting measure as improper/corrupt. Heather Dudley-Nalette: Noted future attention to fees off-consent, shared recusal concerns.
  • Julia noted shelter closure in 42 days affecting 34 people. Heather Dudley-Nalette: Referenced Housing Fund Board discussion on May 28.
  • Jean Ball echoed Pleasant Harbor concerns (150 jobs at risk), fire danger outreach needs, recent Beckett Point fires. Heather Dudley-Nalette: Noted expanded social media push.

Public Comments

  • John Holbert (Brinnon resident): Permit delays caused layoffs, endless red tape, moving targets, requested successful application example (given Jefferson sewer project), 4-month desk delay critical.
  • Maggie (shelter resident): Accused misogyny in kitchen access, theft for juice while ill, miscegenation, fetishization of transgender interactions.
  • Ed Bowen (West End): South Shore Road map thanks, North Shore closure concerns (July 9–Sept 15), state budget delays, West Jefferson meetings posting.
  • Tom Tiersch: Solid waste fees via consent broke public hearing promise, Waste Connections rep voted on profiting privatization (corrupt), commissioners silent.
  • Julia: Shelter closes in 42 days, 34 residents homeless, will protest daily asking "who's responsible?"
  • Jean Ball: Rattled by Pleasant Harbor layoffs/economic impact, fire notifications inadequate (push to groups), recent rain insufficient, Beckett Point fires (8?).

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Pleasant Harbor: $120,000/month payroll loss mentioned.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comment closed; commissioners responded without formal action.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Follow-ups on Pleasant Harbor (DCD review), shelter (Housing Fund Board May 28), roads (federal letter), solid waste fees (off-consent future), fire outreach (Liz Anderson email to groups).

Fire Danger Level Increase to Moderate Effective June 1

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:14:45.000–00:23:44.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, operations

Summary

Fire Marshal Phil Cecir announced transition to moderate fire danger level effective June 1, a month early due to dry conditions, prohibiting brush/large burning but allowing recreational fires (3x3 ft). Clarifications included charcoal grills/weed burners prohibited at moderate (high risk), emphasizing public outreach via social media, website, radio. Commissioners thanked for proactive measures amid recent fires and dry understory.

Key Discussion Points

  • Phil Cecir: Moderate level June 1 (vs. usual July 1–Sept 30), prohibits brush/large burning (10x10 max recreational allowed until then), no charcoal/weed burners; social media/radio/website campaigns launched. Commissioners: Clarified charcoal at high, weed burners at moderate, stressed dry duff/thatch fueling fires.
  • Jean Ball: Notification inadequate (not in groups), push to communities; recent rain insufficient, Beckett Point fires scary.

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: Informational announcement; no action.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Ongoing outreach (Liz Anderson to community pages); monitor for escalation to high (fireworks ban).

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:51:47.000–01:03:02.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, infrastructure, services, ordinances, personnel, contracts, planning

Summary

Consent agenda approved unanimously without items pulled; included courthouse elevator modernization bid call ($450k budgeted), Brinnon Run Club ($1k youth prevention grant), Kitsap HHW ILA amendment ($27.5k cap), advisory appointments/resignations, PHUGA grinder pump change order (+$179k), biennial-to-annual budgeting ordinance hearing notice, sewer project updates. Brief highlights noted elevator seismic importance, Run Club value, HHW efficiency, committee changes.

Key Discussion Points

  • Heather Dudley-Nalette: Courthouse elevator budgeted December, seismic critical; Run Club ($1k) promotes healthy youth behaviors; Kitsap HHW successful partnership.
  • Carolyn Brotherton: Grinder pump changes (explosion-proof for gas sites, tank sizes) due to site discoveries.
  • Budget revert: Committee voted after biennial trial; larger depts preferred annual.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Elevator: $450k budgeted, seismic compliance.
  • Run Club: $1k YCCTPP grant.
  • HHW ILA: Extend to 2026, $27.5k cap.
  • Appointments: Friedman/Shively to TCC; Hull/Bebout resignations.
  • Grinder Pumps: +$179k CO2, explosion-proof.
  • Budgeting: Repeal biennial ordinance.

Financials

  • Elevator: $450k budgeted.
  • Run Club: $1k.
  • HHW: $27.5k cap.
  • Grinder: +$179,742 (tax incl.).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda as presented."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: all).
  • Next Steps: Implement items; budgeting public hearing June 2.

Conservation Futures 2025 Funding Recommendations

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:03:08.000–01:18:53.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use, planning, budgeting

Summary

CFF Committee unanimously recommended funding all three projects ($230.5k total vs. $323.2k available): Deerfoot Forest easement ($110k JLT), Toandos Forest acquisition/restoration ($94.5k NWI), Upper Yarr Creek protection ($26k NWI). Projects protect forests, riparian habitat, salmon corridors despite two below 70% score threshold; public hearing requested for June. Commissioners praised committee expertise, queried locations/details/human impacts.

Key Discussion Points

  • Ron Rempel (Vice Chair): Detailed sites (Yarr Creek 1+ acre riparian, Toandos 6.5-acre inholding w/trailer/debris, Deerfoot 37-acre easement along Center Rd); scores 60-75%, all recommended; tweaks to scoring sheet needed. Tami Pokorny: Map server shows past projects.
  • Heather Dudley-Nalette: Queried Deerfoot location/human transition (to relative).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Deerfoot: $110k ($98k easement +$12k O&M), 51% match.
  • Toandos: $94.5k ($76k acq +$18.5k O&M), 50% match.
  • Yarr Creek: $26k acq, 50% match.
  • Total avail: $323.2k.

Financials

  • Total request: $230.5k; avail: $323.2k.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Briefing; public hearing June.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Public hearing requested next month.

Jefferson County Historical Society Culture + Heritage Series Proposal

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:19:11.000–01:39:52.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, other

Summary

JCHS proposed monthly 10-minute BoCC presentations starting June through December on county diversity/heritage resources (photos, oral histories, programs) to fulfill Strategic Plan Objective 6A. JCHS operates museum, Rothschild House, research center (open Fridays); examples: Italian/Chinese photo collections, tribal programs, oral histories (Japanese incarceration, Quileute/Hoh). Commissioners enthusiastic, suggested amplification (press/social/schools/KPDZ), simple agreement next.

Key Discussion Points

  • Tara McCauley (Exec Dir): 500k objects, focus access (photos 50k digitized, Vimeo programs, SoundCloud oral histories); previews: DeLeo/Sopie families, Black Mariners, Chinese history. Mark McCauley: Aligns w/Strategic Plan 6A.
  • Commissioners: Amplify via Liz/press/schools; school field trips impactful.

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: Positive reception; craft simple agreement.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Agreement for consideration; evolve post-Dec.

Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group Property Support

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:59:15.000–03:02:11.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use, planning

Summary

Post-executive session, motion authorized Chair email supporting HCSEG purchase of 331 Rogers St property (APN 991-200101) for floodplain levy if unable to acquire other four floodplain parcels via reasonable efforts. Property across from county parks used for fishing access; levy for safety/flood mitigation tied to Big Quilcene Bridge project.

Key Discussion Points

No discussion; motion read post-exec.

Public Comments

No public comment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Supporting materials (e.g., "Exhibit A") were referenced but not provided for analysis.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Authorizing the Board Chair... to send an email to HCSEG in favor of purchasing... provided HCSEG provides documentation unable to purchase remaining four properties."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: all).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:02:26.000–03:38:01.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, public safety, planning

Summary

DEM/Central Services briefed 8-step COOP process to maintain essential functions during disruptions; sought Board endorsement for countywide effort starting w/HVA, essential functions ID, lines of succession. Builds on dept efforts (cloud backups, food storage); prioritizes remote ops given infrastructure fragility. Board endorsed, urged 12-month timeline tied to budgets, food/water/essential staff emphasis, remote focus.

Key Discussion Points

  • Willie Bence/Sean Frederick: 8 steps (HVA, essential fns, resources, succession, strategy, review, training, update); risks (winds/quake/wildfire); remote/cloud critical. Commissioners: Endorse; 12-mo timeline; food/water/behavioral health; remote priority; tie to budgets.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

HVA from CEMP/HMP (winds 56%, quake 47%).

Financials

In-house; gaps TBD (staffing/facilities/funding).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Board endorsed process.
  • Vote: N/A (workshop).
  • Next Steps: Electeds/directors mtg (post-27th); data collection/training by EOY; gap analysis 12 mos.

All-County Preparedness Day Event Briefing

Metadata

  • Time Range: 04:01:46.000–04:21:54.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, services, planning

Summary

TPA briefed June 28 Finnriver event (9am-4pm): AM workshops (neighborhood/wildfire/first aid/simulation), PM booths/games/food/water talks. Successor to picnic/field day; partners DEM/fire/PD/PUD/health. Board suggested fire chiefs/schools/grocery/behavioral health inclusion, food/water in scenario.

Key Discussion Points

  • Danny Milholland: 9-12 workshops/simulation, noon+ booths/obstacle course/transit/games; transit access. Commissioners: Invite S.Cty chiefs/schools/grocery; food/water/looting in scenario; behavioral health support.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Event plan: Finnriver, free, 3-day prep goal.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Guidance provided.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Incorporate feedback; outreach chiefs/etc.

Background Materials

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