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06/16/25 09 AM: BOCC Tackles Shelters, Roads, Cooling, Approves Consent Agenda

BOCC Tackles Shelters, Roads, Cooling, Approves Consent Agenda

Jefferson County Commissioners addressed public concerns on shelter contractors, cooling centers, fire dangers, and road bridges; approved consent agenda with contracts for Oil City culverts, Historical Society, Legion shelter, Bayside, and cooling funds; proclaimed Juneteenth; reviewed DNR Q1 income and sustainable forestry updates; recognized WSACE awards; opened courthouse elevator bid.

Public Comments

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:32–00:32:26 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, public safety, operations, other

Summary

Public comments were opened at the start of the meeting, with speakers addressing concerns about shelter contractors, cooling and warming center funding and infrastructure, South Shore Road bridge issues, Oil City Road projects, Trust Land Transfer updates, American Legion shelter contract, Shrimp Fest invitation, and fire danger from dry conditions and fireworks. Commissioners responded to comments, clarifying shelter operations, community center maintenance, fire restrictions, road priorities, and cooling center plans, scheduling a workshop for June 23 on cooling centers.

Key Discussion Points

  • Maggie raised concerns about Bayside Housing Services as a "far-right religious subcontractor" promoting violence via religious freedom claims, linked to Freedom Faith Coalition and Alliance Defending Freedom lawsuits.
  • Shelly Yarno criticized $15,000 cooling/warming center funding allocation, noting Brinnon Community Center infrastructure deficiencies and calling for fire danger prioritization.
  • Ed Bowen reported South Shore Road bridge removal by Olympic National Park, requested county intervention, noted Oil City Road agenda items, and sought Trust Land Transfer Group report.
  • Julia supported American Legion contract, questioned cooling center scope beyond rec centers (e.g., QUUF), emphasizing paid staff needs.
  • Jean invited attendees to Brinnon Shrimp Fest, thanked Mason PUD and volunteers.
  • Heather (Commissioner): Committed to follow up on shelter contractor claims, noted Brinnon center investments, fire leaders meeting June 18, South Shore coordination.
  • Greg (Commissioner, remote): Confirmed cooling contracts series including QUUF/Library, noted Brinnon deferred maintenance, South Shore limited county influence.
  • Heidi (Commissioner): Explained fireworks restrictions under high fire danger, noted year lead time for bans.

Public Comments

  • Maggie: Alleged shelter subcontractor promotes violence under religious freedom, linked to lawsuits stripping equal protection.
  • Shelly Yarno: $15k cooling/warming inadequate for Brinnon center; prioritize fire danger.
  • Ed Bowen, West End: South Shore Road bridge removal imminent; request county advocacy; Oil City items positive; Trust Land Transfer report needed.
  • Julia: Supported Legion contract; cooling centers need broader scope, paid staff.
  • Jean: Invited to Shrimp Fest; thanked Mason PUD, volunteers, Justin Matheson.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Cooling/warming centers: $15,000 (mostly wages, $3,000 supplies; from foundational public health funds via state general fund).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comment closed; responses noted; cooling centers workshop scheduled for June 23 at 10:30 AM; fire leaders meet June 18.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps:
  • Follow up on shelter claims (Heather).
  • Cooling centers briefing June 23 (Public Health: Apple, Laura).
  • South Shore Road team approach discussion.
  • West End meeting (Brotherton).

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:32:44–00:45:11 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, budgeting, operations, infrastructure, planning

Summary

The consent agenda was approved unanimously after pulling the cooling/clean air centers contract for discussion due to questions on Port Townsend inclusion, Brennan center viability, and broader sites like QUUF/Library. Items included Oil City Road culvert replacements (fish passage barriers, Trout Unlimited-funded), Historical Society lecture series ($1,200), American Legion shelter lease/contract extensions, Auditor-DOL agreement extension, and $15,000 cooling centers contract. Public Works praised for project pipeline; workshop set for cooling centers.

Key Discussion Points

  • Oil City Road culverts (MP 5.96/6.73): Resolutions to create projects (TIP Items 26/27); fish barrier removal; Trout Unlimited manages/funds construction ($1.4M/$3.82M); county $2k each for ROW.
  • Historical Society lectures: $1,200 for 6 monthly 10-min BOCC presentations (Jul-Dec 2025) on diverse histories (Strategic Plan 6.A).
  • American Legion shelter: Lease extension to Dec 2025/month-to-month to Jun 2026; $1,750/mo rent; verification system for non-sexual predator clients.
  • Bayside Housing amendment: +$150k to $450k total; extend to Dec 2025 (+6 mo option); $25k/mo payments.
  • Auditor-DOL agreement: Extend to Jun 2030 (non-financial).
  • Cooling centers ($15k): OliCat operator for 3 rec centers; wages for extended hours; other sites (QUUF, libraries, Legion) via separate contracts; FEMA funds cut Jan 2025; state public health dollars; Port Townsend sites use volunteers.
  • Limited discussion on most; cooling centers flagged for Brennan viability, Port Townsend gaps.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Oil City culverts: Resolutions; TIP Items 26/27; Trout Unlimited/Coast Salmon/NOAA funding; county Road Fund $2k each ROW.
  • Historical Society: $1,200 ($200/presentation); General Fund 001-270.
  • Legion/Bayside: Amendments/extensions; Homeless Fund 149; community/housing input.
  • Auditor-DOL: Amendment #2 to Jun 2030; RCW 46.01.
  • Cooling: $15k (wages/supplies); state general fund via public health; other contracts pending.

Financials

  • Oil City MP 6.73: County $9,559 (Trout $7,559 PE/CE; Road Fund $2k ROW); const. $1.4M (Trout).
  • Oil City MP 5.96: County $13,644 (Trout $11,644; Road Fund $2k); const. $3.82M (Trout).
  • Historical Society: $1,200 (General Fund).
  • Legion: $1,750/mo rent (Non-Dept Fund 270).
  • Bayside: +$150k ($450k total; Homeless Fund 149).
  • Cooling: $15k (public health state funds).
  • Auditor: $0.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Cooling: Workshop Jun 23; potential urban rest stop integration.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda from today's June 16th Board of County Commissioners meeting."
  • Vote: Unanimous (motion Brotherton, second unidentified; all in favor).
  • Next Steps:
  • Cooling workshop Jun 23 10:30 AM (Public Health).
  • Bid processes for Oil City.

Juneteenth Proclamation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:45:11–01:00:12 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other

Summary

Commissioners read and unanimously approved a proclamation declaring June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth in Jefferson County, commemorating emancipation, acknowledging slavery's history and ongoing racism legacies, and committing to honor contributions, learn history, confront racism, and recommit to equality.

Key Discussion Points

  • Read collaboratively: Historical context (Galveston 1865, 13th Amendment 1865), generational trauma, systemic discrimination, county racism history tied to Indigenous colonization (Sklallam etc.), current biases.
  • Calls to: Honor African American culture; acknowledge racism; recognize confronting racism as American; identify racism's perpetuation of poverty/violence; call out privilege/bias; recommit to equality ("until Black Lives Matter").
  • Heather: Praised call-to-action for reflection in policies like homeless/housing plans.
  • Heidi: Emphasized marginalized communities leading; suggested community input.
  • Brotherton: Noted erasure/revisionism; need to acknowledge fraught history.
  • Linked to protests, anti-immigration actions.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Proclamation text detailing history, racism legacy, county commitments.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the resolution as read."
  • Vote: Unanimous (motion unidentified, second; Ayes: all).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

DNR 1st Quarter County Income Report

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:58:14–01:23:22 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, planning

Summary

DNR Olympic Region (Bill Wells, Drew Rosanbalm) presented Q1 2025 income report: $18,592 distributed (non-timber sites lease); $19,128 accrued; $1.3M timber under contract (e.g., Maladjusted $1.04M county share). Sales updates: Last Crocker partial disbursement ~$335k pending; AC Alder sold $123k; others progressing amid litigation. DNR manages 15,616 acres Jefferson (25% fee); no exports.

Key Discussion Points

  • Q1 revenue: $18,600 comm sites lease.
  • Upcoming: Last Crocker $335k (partial); AC Alder $123k (Pa Hardwoods).
  • Sales: Maladjusted (roads summer, harvest next; $1.76M total, 2.44% county); Center 21 thinning overrun positive; Mt Jupiter paid off despite fire/extensions.
  • Litigation: Last Crocker court win (May 19), appeal window ends week; Maladjusted ongoing (LFDC).
  • Local mills: Interfor (PA/Shelton), SPI (Shelton), Alta (Quinault), Harbor (Aberdeen).
  • EFI acquisition: Opens lands recreationally, eases access strain.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Q1 report: Revenues, sales details (e.g., Last Crocker $1.9M county of $2.6M total); RCW 79.64.110.

Financials

  • Q1 distributed: $18,592 (non-timber).
  • Accrued CY2025: $19,128.
  • Timber under contract: $1.3M net county (25% DNR fee).
  • Projected Q1-Q4: $535k (listed sales).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational update; no action.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

WSACE Awards Recognition

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:51:37–02:03:50 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel

Summary

Public Works Director Monte Reinders named County Engineer of the Year; Assistant Director Eric Kuzma named Project Manager of the Year by WSACE (Jun 11 Everett). Nominations by Mark McCauley; surprise presentation; praised for experience, collaboration, projects (e.g., Upper Hoe Road, Hadlock sewer).

Key Discussion Points

  • Reinders: 30+ years; infrastructure, sustainability, collaboration.
  • Kuzma: 20+ years; capital projects, stakeholder communication.
  • "Clean sweep" by Jefferson; independent committees unaware both from same county.
  • Reinders: Praised Kuzma's skills, partnership.
  • Kuzma: Praised Reinders' knowledge.
  • Greg: Congratulated; noted recognition culture.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

WSACE awards; nomination details.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Formal recognition; photos.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Courthouse Elevator Replacement Bid Opening

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:42:57–02:49:30 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, contracts

Summary

One bid received from Apex Mechanical (Battle Ground, WA): $811,593 vs. $450k estimate. Staff to review for accuracy, recommend award or rebid.

Key Discussion Points

  • Estimate: $450k + tax.
  • Bid due May 19 opening; single bidder hand-delivered.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Bid: $811,593.
  • Estimate: $450k.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Potential rebid/expand pool if high.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Review bid; return with recommendation.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Staff review (Sean).

South Shore Road Bridge

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:50:43–03:20:37 (PART 1); additional ~00:07:31–00:09:12 public comment
  • Categories: infrastructure, operations

Summary

Ed Bowen reported Olympic National Park plans North Shore Road closure Jul-mid Sep, temporary bridge pull Oct (no priority/plan); requested county advocacy. Staff/Eric Kuzma: Passed to Brotherton; prior WSDOT/WHA funding pursuit failed; governor funded Upper Hoe; check governor reimbursement/FHWA ER eligibility amid litigation/delays. Commissioners to follow up governor's office (Megan Cotton), FHWA (letters to J. Dry/R. Brizzo).

Key Discussion Points

  • Park: No bridge plan; low priority.
  • County: WSDOT Local Programs liaison; FHWA ER needs $700k+ threshold; bomb cyclone declaration revision included county but FEMA denied; governor funds Upper Hoe, reimbursement unclear.
  • Eric Kuzma: Governor guidance pending; FHWA logjam; litigation (Last Crocker win, Maladjusted LFDC).

Public Comments

  • Ed Bowen: Bridge pull; county intervene; park communicates with county.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Brotherton follow governor/FHWA; Kuzma contact Megan Cotton (cc Brotherton).
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps:
  • Brotherton contact FHWA (Dry/Brizzo letters).
  • Kuzma/Megan Cotton on reimbursement/declaration.
  • West End meeting (Brotherton).

Sustainable Forestry Program Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:33:35–04:54:19 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, operations, budgeting

Summary

Chickadee Forestry (Mallory Weinheimer) presented Forest Practices Application (FPA) for ~200 acres East County thinning/harvest (3-yr permit; not mandatory): Elmira (18ac), Chimacum (40ac), Fire Station, Hadlock (2 sites), Irondale Park (2ac), Quilcene (40ac+). Aims: health/resiliency, local sales (20% JTC), firewood pre-sales/veterans, small operators. Pre-commercial: Cape George/Bohm (130ac). Events: Field Day Jul31-Aug1, Women Sustainability Jun26, Build Local Tour Jun27.

Key Discussion Points

  • FPA: Permission only; low-impact; variable density; sales DF/cedar logs/pulp/firewood/coal.
  • Sites: Overstocked; fire risk; wildlife corridors (Quimper).
  • Wood: Local mills/JTC; firewood pre-sell (CSA-style) for low-value/veterans.
  • Pre-commercial: DNR funding uncertain (budget cuts).
  • Outreach: Tours, workshops; coppicing potential.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

FPA package (10pgs); sites maps/stand data (e.g., Elmira 14" DBH, 15ft spacing, 6k bf/ac).

Financials

No specific figures; past Cape George Trailhead $40k ($1k/ac); firewood offsets low-value.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Smaller harvests vs. prior large (North Hills).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational/workshop; approve FPA implied.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps:
  • Submit FPA (add Quilcene sites).
  • Firewood logistics (next wk).
  • Events: Field Day Jul31-Aug1; tours Jun26/27.

Background Materials

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