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07/07/25 09 AM: Commissioners Approve Youth Panel, Review Fire Danger, Note Comments

Commissioners Approve Youth Panel, Review Fire Danger, Note Comments

Jefferson County Commissioners addressed public comments on youth engagement, aquaculture permits, federal lands, shelters; passed Youth Commission resolution emphasizing partnerships; deferred federal lands resolution; reviewed successful July 4th fireworks restrictions and fire safety; approved consent agenda.

Public Comments on Youth Commission

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:04:44.000–00:08:16.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, services, other

Summary

Jale from OWL360 expressed appreciation for the proposed youth commission as an opportunity for civic engagement amid youth hunger for community involvement and distrust in systems, but raised concerns about siloed efforts and requested collaboration, surveying youth, and partnership with OWL360's YAC (ages 14-24), Jefferson Teen Center, and Washington Youth Alliance for a local chapter.

Key Discussion Points

  • OWL360 started in 2021 responding to youth housing crisis during pandemic; grown to four houses, workforce program, Nest Community Coffee House, centered on YAC.
  • YAC evolving based on youth interests in civic engagement; exploring state-level infrastructure via Washington Youth Alliance.
  • Request for partnership before proceeding with county youth commission to avoid duplication and ensure youth-driven design.

Public Comments

  • Jale/OWL360 Assistant Director: Appreciation for youth commission idea; concern over silos; request collaboration, youth surveys, partnership with OWL360 YAC, Teen Center, Washington Youth Alliance.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comment noted; no action taken during comments.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Commissioners responded positively, committing to outreach to OWL360 and others (00:21:11.000–00:23:27.000, PART 1).

Public Comments on Geoduck Aquaculture Permitting in Shoreline Master Program Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:08:29.000–00:11:24.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: permits, land use, planning

Summary

Gordon King opposed proposed Shoreline Master Program (SMP) updates requiring conditional use permits (CUPs) for geoduck aquaculture changes, arguing they favor large operations over small farmers, increase costs, enable NIMBY opposition, and harm local food production amid trends favoring retirees over families.

Key Discussion Points

  • Original 2020 DCD proposal allowed 25% expansion without CUP; CUP only for new or >25% expansion.
  • 2021 Planning Commission: Inserted Kitsap SMP language requiring CUPs for any geoduck change, making it expensive/difficult for small farms.
  • Larger firms prevail but at high cost; favors waterfront owners' hearings; restricts young farmers.

Public Comments

  • Gordon King/Port Townsend: Opposed SMP geoduck changes; urged discretionary CUPs to support small farms, local food.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Retain discretionary CUP option for DCD staff flexibility.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comment noted; no action taken.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Commissioners committed to deeper SMP review, talk with DCD (00:23:34.000–00:24:19.000, 00:29:47.000–00:38:28.000, PART 1); Prosecutor's Office still reviewing with Ecology.

Public Comments on Federal Lands Resolution and Roads

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:11:31.000–00:16:31.000, 00:12:07.000–00:14:09.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use, infrastructure, budgeting

Summary

Ed Bowen opposed agenda item 4 (federal lands resolution) for lacking data/resolution number, urged focus on full PILT/SRS funding; raised South Shore/North Shore Road closures by National Park Service impacting private properties, requested updates and West End meeting. Tom Tierche suggested grammar fix in resolution Section 2 sentence 4. Julia supported resolution, urged focused opioid settlement use.

Key Discussion Points

  • Ed Bowen: No data on lands; prioritize PILT/SRS; South Shore Rd closing July 9 to late Sept, no October assurance; NPS prioritizes visitors over properties; request 3rd Dist Commissioner partner state legislator for West End town hall.
  • Tom Tierche: Reword resolution Section 2 sentence 4 grammar.
  • Julia: Support federal lands resolution; opioid funds for coordinated health/welcoming center project.

Public Comments

  • Ed Bowen/West Jefferson: Cannot support resolution sans data; focus PILT/SRS; road closure updates needed.
  • Tom Tierche: Grammar fix in resolution.
  • Julia: Supports resolution; opioid funds for unified project.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Comments noted; resolution pulled for grammar fix, PILT/SRS addition, workshop (00:24:25.000–00:27:22.000, 00:31:32.000–00:34:24.000, PART 1).
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Revise resolution, schedule PILT/SRS workshop; continue South Shore Rd advocacy.

Public Comments on Shelter Conditions and Health Reporting

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:16:45.000–00:20:19.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, public safety, operations

Summary

Maggie reported state DOH inspector found no cleaning supply issues at shelter despite infections; cited disabled woman hospitalized after month there; referenced Denver study on shelter violence/infections/deaths; alleged local health/hospital refuse infection reporting violating codes, denoting corruption.

Key Discussion Points

  • State DOH inspector emailed re shelter cleaning, infections; woman hospitalized post-shelter.
  • Denver: Council withheld $20M Salvation Army contract over infections/violence; coroners misattribute deaths to drugs for insurance.
  • Local health refuses reporting despite RCW codes.

Public Comments

  • Maggie/Jefferson County: Shelter infections unaddressed; DOH flippant; violations of codes denote corruption.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Comment noted; commit to follow-up.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Commissioners to investigate/take action (00:27:37.000–00:28:27.000, PART 1).

Approval of Hearing Notices (Consent Items 1-3)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:40:32.000–00:40:49.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public hearings, contracts, land use

Summary

Board approved Consent Agenda items 1-3: hearing notices for Conservation Futures 2025 applications, Mason County PUD 1 telecom franchise, boat ramp/road project; later rescheduled due to IT migration.

Key Discussion Points

  • Item 1: Conservation Futures public hearing.
  • Item 2: Mason PUD franchise.
  • Item 3: Boat ramp (Port Townsend, floods yearly; joint Public Works funding).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet: Hearing notices for CFF apps (rescheduled 07/21), PUD franchise (rescheduled 07/21), boat ramp closure.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt items 1, 2, and 3 of Consent Agenda."
  • Vote: Unanimous (motion/seconded/all in favor).
  • Next Steps: Notices issued; hearings rescheduled to 07/21 (PART 1, 01:19:51.000).

Youth Commission Resolution

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:21:11.000–00:23:27.000, 00:28:37.000–00:29:47.000, 01:29:47.000–01:43:59.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, services, personnel

Summary

Board discussed partnering existing youth efforts (OWL360 YAC, Teen Center, Washington Youth Alliance) before formalizing county Youth Commission; reviewed resolution for inclusivity (schools, Port Townsend, youth orgs); passed resolution establishing commission, directing administrator to develop docs with partners.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Eisenhour offered outreach to OWL360/partners; avoid diluting existing civic efforts.
  • Support YAC expansion vs new county entity; youth ages 14-24 distrust systems.
  • Resolution inclusive: school districts, Port Townsend, youth orgs (homeschool, juvenile services).

Public Comments

No additional public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet: Resolution establishing Youth Commission, aligning Strategic Plan Thriving People Objective 2.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Amend "whereas" for partnerships; recognize existing YAC; rotate county seats on YAC.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Pass a resolution... establishing a Jefferson County Youth Commission as presented."
  • Vote: Motion by Eisenhour, seconded, all in favor (01:43:59.000).
  • Next Steps: Administrator develops bylaws/structure inclusively; no advertising until docs ready.

Federal Public Lands Resolution

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:24:25.000–00:27:22.000, 00:31:32.000–00:34:24.000, 00:38:45.000–00:40:11.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: land use, budgeting

Summary

Resolution supports federal lands (>75% county area), opposes sales/reductions; public comments noted grammar, PILT/SRS focus, roads; board pulled for revisions (grammar Section 2.4, add PILT/SRS, workshop).

Key Discussion Points

  • 75% federal lands; $2M+ PILT; tourism/economy reliant.
  • Pull for clarity, PILT/SRS advocacy amid defunding/staff shortages.
  • South Shore Rd closure example.

Public Comments

See prior topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet: Resolution opposing sales, urging funding.

Financials

PILT >$2M/year.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Fix grammar; add PILT/SRS; workshop.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Pulled from consent for revision/next week.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Revise, workshop PILT/SRS.

Fire Danger Rating and July 4th Fireworks Restrictions Review (KPTZ Segment)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:44:48.000–01:19:17.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, operations

Summary

Fire Marshal Phil Cecere and DEM Director Willie Bentz reviewed High Fire Danger declaration, July 4th fireworks ban impacts (fewer beach crowds early, concentrated late-night; 163 sheriff calls/38 complaints; 2-3 fires including Glen Cove structure); successes in messaging/presence; apps/stations for monitoring; future Fire Safety Summit 08/07. No injuries; praised partnerships.

Key Discussion Points

  • Restrictions reduced early crowds/traffic; late displays contained; polite compliance; Glen Cove structure fire fireworks-related despite prep.
  • Fuel moisture low, no rain; apps: weather.gov Quilcene RAWS, Wildfire Aware, Watch Duty.
  • Preparedness Day success; library talks 07/17 hazards; ham radio Field Day.
  • Summit 08/07 PM Station 6: fireworks, wildfire ready, burn restrictions, inspections.

Public Comments

No public comment during segment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet: Fire danger review post-holiday.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

Watch lists/letters for repeat violators; permanent ban enforcement discussion.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational; praised efforts.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Fire Safety Summit 08/07 5-8PM Station 6.

Consent Agenda Approval (Items 6-19)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:30:18.000–01:30:46.000, 01:43:59.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, personnel, planning

Summary

Pulled substantive items (youth resolution passed, federal lands pulled); approved remaining 6-19 including appointments (Civil Service, O3A), amendments/contracts (BerryDunn, NEOGOV, mental health, family preservation), warrants, change orders (PHUGA), CFF hearings (pulled), etc.

Key Discussion Points

  • Items: O3A reappoints, Civil Service (McCauley), NEOGOV recruitment, mental health reallocations, family preservation, NFP supervisor, subrecipient JTC, road closure, resignations, etc.
  • PHUGA acronyms joked (PAHOOGA/FRUGGA).

Public Comments

Limited discussion; no comment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet: Warrants $1.5M, appointments, amendments/contracts, change orders, CFF hearings rescheduled, resignations.

Financials

Warrants $1,509,347.98 across funds; various contracts/amendments <$30k each.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Consent agenda... Item 6 through 19."
  • Vote: Motion/seconded, all in favor (01:30:46.000).
  • Next Steps: Items executed; hearings rescheduled 07/21.

Background Materials

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