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08/18/25 09 AM: Road Updates, Contracts OK'd, Timber Revenue, Sewer Ordinance Passed

Road Updates, Contracts OK'd, Timber Revenue, Sewer Ordinance Passed

Jefferson County Commissioners addressed road closures from rain, approved consent agenda with retroactive contracts and grants like Memorial Field RCO, received DNR Q2 timber update ($1-1.5M/yr projection), and unanimously passed Port Hadlock UGA sewer code amendments clarifying hookups and zoning.

Public Comment and Road Status Updates

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:25–00:12:43 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, infrastructure, public safety

Summary

Public comment opened with Ed Bowen raising concerns about limited information on Upper Hoe Road and South Shore Road closures due to recent rain impacting construction sites, criticizing emergency management notifications via Nixle and lack of website updates, and inquiring about DNR briefing public comment and future timber sales. Commissioners responded with details on the Upper Hoe Road fish passage project washout by Interwest, quick repairs by contractors, Park Service involvement, and South Shore Road status pending Olympic National Park approval; they defended Nixle as the primary real-time alert system while agreeing to enhance website visibility for emergency alerts under "Stay Informed." Further discussion noted communications specialist Liz Anderson's efforts on social media, part-time staffing limitations, and plans to check with Emergency Management Director Willie Benz and others for improvements.

Key Discussion Points

  • Ed Bowen requested updates on Upper Hoe Road closure (fish barrier construction washout from Friday rain) and South Shore Road condition post-rain, noting only Park Service notices and poor emergency info dissemination (Ed Bowen).
  • Deputy Public Works Director Eric reported Interwest's quick bypass road repairs; water levels dropped; no major impacts on other roads; Olympic National Park to approve South Shore reopening post-repairs (Commissioner).
  • Nixle defended as best real-time system (cell/email alerts, sign-up via 88877 or website); website updates inconsistent; part-time comms staff limits after-hours response; multiple modes additive but resource-constrained (Commissioners, staff).
  • Suggestion to front-and-center Nixle sign-up on homepage under "Stay Informed/Notify Me" (Commissioners).

Public Comments

  • Ed Bowen (West End resident): Criticized lack of website/emergency notices on roads; requested DNR public comment and info on future sales/Sustainable Harvest Calculation.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No formal action; updates provided; public comment on DNR added; website improvements to be checked with Willie Benz, Liz Anderson, and IT (Sean's team).
  • No next steps specified.

Consent Agenda Approval and Retroactive Contracts Discussion

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:13:39–00:40:21 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, budgeting, personnel, services, public safety

Summary

The consent agenda was approved unanimously after extended discussion on retroactive contracts (e.g., Item 12 with Pinky Mingo, Public Health), highlighting a pattern across departments including Public Health's state/federal funding delays and local vendors; commissioners expressed discomfort with work starting pre-signature, preferring staff-level operational review before broader policy changes, with training planned via Laserfiche. Substantive items noted included fully staffed corrections/sheriff teams via incentives, $112/night jail incarceration cost increase (noted as costliest unhoused support), 71% BECCA juvenile funding cut impacting truancy/ARY/CHINS services (Shannon Burns to report impacts), Peninsula Trails Coalition ODT MOU, and positive Memorial Field RCO grant for fence/goalposts/scoreboard upgrades. Jean thanked for KPTZ TBD radio spot; no "against" committee noted.

Key Discussion Points

  • Item 12 retroactive Public Health contract error confirmed; work completed; broader issue of ~4 retroactive contracts/month across departments, grant timelines justify some but local ones concerning (Commissioners).
  • Staff explained state/fed delays, sole-source locals; propose fiscal year-end extensions/grace periods but concerns noted; training refresh planned (Staff: Apple, Bonnie).
  • Corrections fully staffed via incentives; $112/night jail cost highest unhoused aid; BECCA cut 71% by Legislature (Jefferson lost $22k, shifted to open-door/1/10th funds) (Commissioners, Shannon Burns via message).
  • Memorial Field grant excitement (fence removal improves visibility; goalposts unsafe/non-competitive) (Commissioners).
  • AV capture issues noted; documents via Laserfiche (Commissioners).

Public Comments

  • Jean (Zoom): Thanked Commissioner Eisenhour for KPTZ TBD invitation; appreciated normalizing conversation.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Consent items included Corrections incentives ($15k lateral/$10k entry for Clerici/Frantz, full staffing), Port Hadlock wastewater Change Order #4 ($4,050 pH analyzer), DNR timber update, Cynthia Langston Amendment #3 ($22,200 counseling), Benji Project ($23,126 Mindful Self-Compassion), Little River sole source ($10k database), PTC ODT MOU ($0), RCO Memorial Field grant ($345k, match $148k), BECCA ($8,871, 71% cut), CASA/GAL ($41,530), road vacation resolution.
  • Board decision aligned with staff recommendations; no divergences noted.

Financials

  • Jail: $112/night (costliest unhoused aid).
  • BECCA: $8,871 (71% cut statewide; Jefferson $22k loss).
  • Memorial Field: RCO $345,560 grant (total $493,727; county match $148,167 Capital Fund #175).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Retroactive contracts: Staff-level review/training first; potential digital/electronic signing; fiscal extensions considered but concerns (Staff, Commissioners).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Consent agenda approved as presented.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes).
  • Next Steps: Contracts training via Laserfiche; Public Health/DAO follow-up; Shannon Burns report on BECCA impacts; Jamie Bodden/WASAC connect on juvenile/childcare funding advocacy.

DNR Quarterly Timber Harvest and Revenue Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:00:32–01:27:52 (PART 1)
  • Categories: planning, budgeting, other

Summary

DNR Olympic Region provided Q2 2025 update: partial payments received ($375k Last Crocker Scots resale, $123k AC Alder sale); future sales Skidder Lane (Dec 2025, ~$723k 100% county), Disco Swords (early 2026); projections steady at $1-1.5M/year. Staffing changes noted (retirements: Mark Benner 37yrs, Brian Turner 35yrs; new district manager interviews; biologist/ecologist hires amid 200yrs experience loss). No Jefferson litigation; Bear Gulch fire (Mason Co., 8,200 acres, managed with lines/helicopters despite steep terrain); positive recruitment trends.

Key Discussion Points

  • Q2 revenue: Timber $375k partial, non-timber/com sites minor; Maladjusted partial Q3 ~$35k; AC Alder $123k (Drew Rosanbalm).
  • Future: Skidder Lane 100% county ~$723k; revenue avg $1-1.5M/yr (Drew Rosanbalm).
  • % to county based on ownership (State Forest Transfer 100%, Common School low) (Drew Rosanbalm).
  • Staffing: Retirements, new hires (biologist 40 candidates, ecologist 100, forester 120); criteria timber/people mgmt/public engagement (Bill Wells).
  • Bear Gulch: Managed (lines, heli); steep/no access limits ground crews (Bill Wells).
  • Invite to Sept 24 fire prevention summit (Commissioner).

Public Comments

  • Ed Bowen: No sales except Maladjusted O1; pause effect unclear; request regional sales info; BNR public comment barriers.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • FY2026 planned/sold harvest maps; 2024 projections (total $6.38M, county $3.5M); Q1-Q2 2025 actuals $305k (confirmed in briefing).

Financials

  • Q2 2025: Timber $375k partial (Last Crocker), $123k AC Alder; projections steady.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational briefing; no action.
  • No next steps specified.

Port Hadlock UGA Sewer Utility Code Amendments Public Hearing

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:45:58–02:37:14 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, infrastructure, land use, planning

Summary

Public hearing on amendments to JCC 13.02.010/13.04.010 clarifying Port Hadlock UGA sewer availability (200ft rule), transitional rural zoning removal (Sept 8, 2025 for properties within 200ft of lines), and hookup requirements (table for structures/uses, adequate OSS exception). Staff (Phil Hunsucker) detailed history (1998 comp plan, 2005 GMHB invalidation, 2008 plan/overlay), maps showing zoning flip (core phase +200ft), examples (3rd St, Carl's Design); Monty Reinders noted grant-funded connections for required hookups. No public testimony; approved unanimously.

Key Discussion Points

  • Sept 8, 2025: UGA zoning applies within 200ft; some hookups required (table: new structures yes, existing SFR/duplex no if adequate OSS) (Phil Hunsucker).
  • History: 2005 GMHB required urban services; transitional overlay removes on availability (Phil Hunsucker).
  • Maps: Colored areas UGA (sewer available), gray transitional; retains 40ft ROW (Phil Hunsucker).
  • Grant funds cover initial required connections; extensions possible via latecomers (Monty Reinders).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • 2021 sewer plan/core maps; hookup table (minor clarifications); adequate OSS/WAC defs; aligns with prior ordinances.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Ordinance amending JCC 13.02.010/13.04.010 approved as presented.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes).
  • Next Steps: Final ordinance; website/GIS updates; messaging on DCD/Public Works pages.

Background Materials

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