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08/25/25 09 AM: County Board Approves Consents, Proclamations; Debates Sanctuary, Policies

County Board Approves Consents, Proclamations; Debates Sanctuary, Policies

Jefferson County Commissioners addressed immigration sanctuary resolution, approved consent agenda with housing grants and loan forgiveness, issued Overdose Awareness proclamation, adopted veterans fund policy, discussed WSAC priorities, hosted historical presentation, and workshopped court access acts.

Public Comment on Immigration Policy and Sanctuary Resolution

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:07–00:13:22 (PART 1)
  • Categories: public safety, other

Summary

A public commenter urged the Board to adopt or update a sanctuary resolution similar to Port Townsend's 2017 Resolution 17-014, citing Glendale's recent termination of its ICE contract and the need to protect Hispanic agricultural workers and others from federal immigration enforcement amid concerns over constitutional representation. Commissioners acknowledged the importance of the issue, noted compliance with state laws providing protections, recalled the 2017 resolution, and committed to revisiting it, including adding public comment to the afternoon workshop on Ports Open to All and Keep Washington Working Acts. They encouraged involvement from by-and-for organizations like Jasira and emphasized community vulnerabilities at courts.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commenter presented Resolution 17-014, highlighting Point A limiting Port Townsend Police detentions absent a federal criminal warrant, and urged questioning federal warrants given current conditions; supported comprehensive reform and pathway to citizenship.
  • Commissioner (unidentified): Appreciated persistence, noted Hispanic contributions across economy and culture, recalled 2017 resolution, suggested revisiting/adjusting policy.
  • Another Commissioner: Referenced afternoon presentation by judges and prosecutor on Ports Open to All/Keep Washington Working Acts requiring ID from law enforcement at courthouse; agreed to reexamine resolution stanza.
  • Sheriff (referenced): Complies with state laws providing protections.
  • Commissioner: Encouraged return at 3:30 p.m., added public comment; confirmed sheriff upholds state law.
  • Second commenter (Julia Cochran online): Asked if Jasira/Equity Access Rights Advisory Board involved; noted meeting conflicts.

Public Comments

  • [Unnamed speaker]: Urged sanctuary resolution update to protect locals from ICE, referenced Glendale/Port Townsend resolutions.
  • Julia Cochran: Recommended collaborating with Jasira on welcoming resolution.

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; committed to afternoon workshop with public comment on related acts.
  • Vote: None taken.
  • Next Steps: Public comment added to 3:30 p.m. presentation; encouraged media outreach.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:13:31–00:24:09 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, personnel, contracts, infrastructure, planning, operations

Summary

The Board approved the consent agenda after substantive discussion on multiple items, including housing grant completions for Hugging Tree Legacy (Casa Colina) and Olympic Housing Trust (Dundee Hill), Noxious Weed Control Board appointment and recruitment, Undie Road loan forgiveness, robotic field marker rental, Little Quilcene River estuary license, B-Schedule fee increase, and others. Items highlighted included prosecutorial review enabling housing funds release after statutory compliance confirmation, weed board progress, road loan match forgiveness amid fiscal challenges, and field marker efficiencies. Public interruptions on field marker sharing were noted; agenda approved unanimously.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioners: Praised housing projects (Haguchi Legacy/Casa Colina, Dundee Hill) completion after prosecutorial review confirming HB 1590 compliance; excited for small organizations receiving funds.
  • Unidentified: Noxious Weed Board recruiting, noted qualified candidate for District 2.
  • Commissioners: Undie Road loan forgiveness ($390k remaining) saves Public Works funds amid fiscal cliff; predates current board, lobbied by prior commissioner.
  • Public (Tom Tierce): Suggested sharing robotic field marker with Port Townsend School District fields.
  • Commissioner: B-Schedule fee increase justified by efficient team work.
  • Limited discussion on other items like Roomba for HJ Carroll, Little Quilcene estuary project.

Public Comments

  • Tom Tierce: Praised robotic field striper, suggested cost-sharing with Port Townsend School District (Blue Heron/HS fields).

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Housing: Legal opinion confirmed eligibility; caveats removed from contracts; projects funded via RFP.
  • Noxious Weed: Recruitment for vacancies.
  • Undie Road: Loan forgiveness per agenda request.
  • Robotic Marker: $11k/year for 3 years, saves staff time.
  • Little Quilcene: HCSEG estuary project (not Quilcene brand project).
  • B-Schedule: Fee increase due diligence.

Financials

  • Housing grants: Completed processes (amounts per packet).
  • Undie Road: Forgive $390k loan principal.
  • Robotic Marker: $11,000/year x 3 years; saves > paint/staff costs.
  • No other financials discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Robotic marker: Consider school district sharing (Commissioner to follow up). No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda as presented."
  • Vote: Unanimous (all Aye).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Overdose Awareness Day Proclamation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:24:09–00:33:40 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, public safety

Summary

The Board read and adopted a proclamation declaring August 31, 2025, as Overdose Awareness Day, recognizing statewide overdose deaths (641 last year), disproportionate impacts on marginalized groups, naloxone distribution efforts, and county commitments to harm reduction, stigma reduction, and recovery support. Commissioners shared personal stories of loss to fentanyl/heroin, praised local organizations (e.g., Discovery Behavioral Health, Public Health harm reduction), highlighted recovery contributions, and noted flag at half-staff on August 29. A minor date typo (2024 to 2025) was corrected before signing.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioners: Shouted out organizations (Get Us Advocacy, Recovery Cafe, Public Health teams, Discovery Behavioral Health); noted opioid funds implementation; personal losses (uncle to fentanyl 1980s, friend Carl Trebek to overdose).
  • Emphasized naloxone access/training, recovery value (75% conference attendees in recovery), stigma reduction.

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: "Motion to approve and adopt this Proclamation." Typo corrected (2024 to 2025, half-staff Friday August 29).
  • Vote: Unanimous (all Aye).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

New Policy and Bylaws for Veterans Assistance Funds Distribution

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:33:40–00:53:12 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, budgeting, personnel

Summary

John Hamilton, JCVAB Chair, presented a new policy replacing the expired 2009 agreement and updated bylaws, incorporating first COLA since mid-1990s (food from $150 to $225, death benefit $500 to $800), formalizing RCW 73.08 distributions for indigent veterans/dependents (<200% poverty, JC residents 6+ months). Fund generates ~$53k/year from ~$2-3 property tax levy, has >$200k balance; quarterly reports planned. Board ratified post-2019 payments, approved unanimously after questions on history, increases, fund status, board composition.

Key Discussion Points

  • John Hamilton: Detailed process since Jan (with ADL, Treasurer Prada, legal Ariel Spicer); eligibility, limits (annual $2,390, food/medical/utility specifics); fund healthy, outreach needed; chapter service officers declining.
  • Commissioners: First COLA since 1990s; fund not fully expended; comfortable post-legal review; excited for projects.
  • Noted typo ("Mard veteran" to "Married veteran").

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Policy/bylaws per packet; expired 2009 agreement; RCW 73.08.

Financials

  • Levy: ~$53k/year ($2-3/parcel).
  • Balance: >$200k.
  • Increases: Food $150→$225; death $500→$800 (income-independent).
  • Annual max: $2,390/person.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve a resolution... adopting a new policy... and revised bylaws... as presented."
  • Vote: Unanimous (all Aye).
  • Next Steps: Implement September; quarterly budget reports; outreach/review utilization.

WSAC 2026 Legislative Priorities Discussion

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:53:21–01:20:08 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, planning, other

Summary

Commissioners reviewed WSAC's five priorities (revenue, indigent defense, rural coroners, housing affordability, road maintenance) ahead of September 4 submission deadline, suggesting additions like Lammerts flexibility (housing/infrastructure/revenue), pre-development costs, .25% REET for housing, empty house tax, childcare under housing/livability. Discussed RFP for 2026-27 lobbyist (state focus, biennial cycle), NOLA value, federal via NACo/EDC. No formal action; exploration/delegation to staff/Commissioner Eisenhour.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioner Eisenhour: Lammerts flexibility fits housing/revenue; HB 1480 REET, pre-dev costs, empty house tax, childcare.
  • Commissioners: Tools/dollars for affordability (0-80%+ workforce); state advocacy in 5-year plan.
  • RFP: Biennial for 2026-27 sessions, state focus; review contracts/workshops.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

WSAC email with five priorities/criteria.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action; exploration/feedback to WSAC.
  • Vote: None taken.
  • Next Steps: Submit by Sept 4; RFP recraft (Eisenhour/Peters); ICG/electives Sept 18/22.

Jefferson County Historical Society Oral History Presentation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:04:20–03:47:03 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other

Summary

JCHS Director Tara McCauley and Collections Director Ellie presented their 800+ oral history collection (recordings since 1970s), highlighting full-life/event-specific interviews (e.g., Bobby Gao on Chinese community/canneries, Josephine Yard on Chimacum dairy, William Matheson Sr. on Port Hadlock, Pansy Hahdohl Hudson on West End Highway impacts). Emphasized access via online collections/SoundCloud, transcripts/indexing, grant-funded projects (e.g., centennial/diversity), AI transcription limits; invited research center visits (Fridays 11-4). Board praised resource, suggested commissioner history project.

Key Discussion Points

  • Ellie: 800 recordings; examples from centennial project; access/metadata; transcription/indexing (6-8 hrs/hour); AI aids but imperfect.
  • Tara: 1918 flu parallels to COVID; new exhibits (housing insecurity, Filipinos waterfront, noticing practice).
  • Board: Research center hours; commissioner history; AI thematic analysis.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

JCHS website/SoundCloud; online collections.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational presentation.
  • Vote: None taken.
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Workshop on Keep Washington Working Act and Courts Open to All Act

Metadata

  • Time Range: 03:51:16–04:31:28 (PART 1)
  • Categories: ordinances, public safety

Summary

Prosecutor Philip Hunsucker presented draft policy compliant with KWW (2019, RCW 43.17.420) and COTA (2020, RCW 2.28.310-.330), requiring info collection from on-duty law enforcement entering courthouse (except case participants), civil arrest limits absent judicial warrant, data/contract reviews, training; excludes JCSD deputies. Judges Mack/Walker emphasized public safety/access, warrant distinctions; provided samples/checklists. Board planned consent adoption next week post-edits; public comment urged warrant verification/database, identity checks; separate aspirational resolution suggested.

Key Discussion Points

  • Philip Hunsucker: Tracked AGO model; sheriff exclusion/transmittal; civil arrest exceptions (judicial warrant/safety); training.
  • Judge Mack: Public safety (witnesses/defendants report); state law compliance; ICE memo targets courthouses discreetly.
  • Judge Walker: Warrants samples; training/guides; monthly AOC reports.
  • Public (Jane): Warrant validation/database, identity confirmation, executive order vs. law.

Public Comments

  • Jane: Verification of warrant validity/database, identity accuracy amid vigilantism; executive order not law.

Supporting Materials Referenced

AGO model policy; AOC reports; warrant samples; Immigrant Rights Advocates guides.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Pencil edits (typos, "accessible"); aspirational resolution separate.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Finalize edits; consent next Tuesday.
  • Vote: None taken.
  • Next Steps: Edits/public hearing if needed; training/staff guidance.

Background Materials

Contents

AI Information