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09/02/25 09 AM: BOCC Tackles ICE Cooperation, Health Updates, Recycling Privatization

BOCC Tackles ICE Cooperation, Health Updates, Recycling Privatization

Jefferson County BOCC addressed public concerns on ICE-law enforcement cooperation and firefighter arrests, approved consent agenda with contracts and ordinances, issued Eat Local and Workforce proclamations, received COVID/pertussis/fentanyl health updates and Bear Gulch fire report, and directed privatization of recycling program via Waste Connections agreement and LOS ordinance hearing.

Public Comment on Federal Immigration Enforcement and Local Law Enforcement Cooperation

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 00:01:25–00:15:00
  • Categories: public safety, other

Summary

Public commenters raised concerns about Jefferson County law enforcement cooperation with federal ICE agents, particularly arrests of wildfire firefighters at Bear Gulch fire and broader calls to prohibit such participation. Commissioners acknowledged the comments, noted the COTA item on consent agenda complies with state law, affirmed the Sheriff's conscientious approach, and committed to exploring further actions and messaging in partnership with affected communities and advocates like Jasira.

Key Discussion Points

  • Tom Touche: Approved COTA rules but urged broader policy prohibiting Jefferson County law enforcement participation in "illegal federal acts" by ICE, citing arrests and harassment.
  • Ed Bowen: Questioned "proper messaging" on Bear Gulch arrests, sought full truth including Forest Service/BLM contract issues and Staircase infrastructure status.
  • Julia: Noted consent agenda typo (corrected to "not exceed"); raised attacks on immigrants and unsheltered populations.
  • Commissioners' Response: Brad affirmed threat real (Bear Gulch arrests near county), noted Sheriff's independence but conscientiousness under WA law; working with Jasira on resolution; all expressed horror at targeting firefighters/farmworkers.

Public Comments

  • Tom Touche: Urged prohibiting law enforcement cooperation with ICE; "resistance is essential."
  • Ed Bowen West: Concerned about messaging transparency on Bear Gulch; called for West End meeting on South Shore Road.
  • Julia: Consent Item 8 typo; attacks on immigrants and unsheltered.

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 closed; commissioners committed to further exploration of policy/messaging.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Continue working with Jasira and advocates; District 3 Commissioner to convene South Shore Road meeting.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 00:16:05–00:23:14
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, ordinances, personnel, planning

Summary

The consent agenda was approved unanimously without items pulled for discussion, including hearing notice for REET ordinance repeal/replace (Chapter 3.05 JCC), 3-year Mental Health Navigator contract renewal with Discovery Behavioral Health, Housing Fund Board RFP authorization ($1.46M max), Conservation Futures resignation acceptance, and others. Discussion clarified REET hearing details (no tax rate change, state law compliance) and highlighted MH Navigator value, Housing RFP details ($1.46M for 2026 projects including shelter set-aside), and Conservation Futures service recognition.

Key Discussion Points

  • REET hearing notice title clarified as real estate excise tax Chapter 3.05; no tax change, state law compliance (SHB effective July 27, 2025).
  • MH Navigator: First 3-year contract ($113,788 total); proven program reducing administrative burden.
  • Housing RFP: $1.46M max ($1.3M 1590 affordable housing, $168k shelter overage set-aside); recommendation from HFB/Judy Shepard.
  • Conservation Futures: Accept Richard Jahnke resignation after ~15 years.
  • Limited discussion; items addressed primarily through supporting materials.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Consent packet items: REET ordinance (hearing notice, no rate change); MH Navigator (3yr $113k); Housing RFP ($1.46M); Conservation resignation.

Financials

  • MH Navigator: $113,788 (3 years); FY26 $37,991, FY27 $39,890, FY28 $41,815.
  • Housing RFP: $1,460,000 max ($160k homeless ops, $780k affordable dev/ops, $520k affordable ops). No other financials discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Consent agenda is adopted as presented."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: all).
  • Next Steps: REET public hearing September 15; Housing RFP issuance; Conservation resignation acceptance and thank-you letter.

Proclamations: Eat Local Month and Workforce Development Professionals Month

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 00:23:42–00:38:53
  • Categories: services, other

Summary

The BOCC issued proclamations for September 2025 as Eat Local Month (4th/5th year; promotes local food via Eat Local First campaign, Jefferson Land Works Collaborative, Farm Tour Sept 13-14) and Workforce Development Professionals Month (recognizes Olympic Workforce Development Council contributions to skilled workforce, equity, training alignment).

Key Discussion Points

  • Eat Local: Kelly Henwood (WSU Extension) introduced; state proclamation first year; celebrates local farms/food security.
  • Workforce: Alyssa (OWDC) introduced; services for job seekers/employers (hiring fairs, tuition support e.g. Boat School, Jefferson Healthcare); no JC office post-pandemic.
  • Limited discussion; ceremonial.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Proclamation texts read verbatim.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Both proclamations approved unanimously.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: all).
  • No next steps specified.

Public Health Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 00:40:30–01:17:40
  • Categories: public safety, services, other

Summary

Dr. Allison Berry reported local/national COVID surge (wastewater/ED/hospitalizations up; pediatric case), pertussis outbreak (30 Clallam cases, 2 JC; vaccinate), measles national downtrend (1,400+ cases), fentanyl prevalence (mass event South County; naloxone/test strips available). Recommended updated vaccines (COVID/flu/RSV challenges from federal changes), masking indoors crowded/sick, stay home sick. Federal public health infrastructure concerns noted; Vaccine Integrity Project endorsed.

Key Discussion Points

  • COVID: End-summer surge; high-risk groups (elderly, <4yo, immunocompromised); recent pediatric hospitalization; vaccinate/mask indoors crowded/stay home sick.
  • Pertussis: Clallam 30 cases (unvax families); JC 2 cases; vaccinate (Tdap protects adults).
  • Measles: 1,400 US cases downtrending; 97% vax effective; WA sporadic.
  • Fentanyl: Contamination common; naloxone at health dept; test strips available; not skin-absorbed.
  • Vaccines: RSV/flu unchanged; COVID safe/effective but federal chaos limits access (<65/underlying only per FDA); state standing order explored.
  • Tests: No free public tests; buy or symptom-based isolation/mask.

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 update.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: Monitor vaccine access; monthly updates continue; Naloxone/Diaper Need Awareness Month Sept 19 event.

Emergency Management Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 01:11:10–01:17:40
  • Categories: public safety, infrastructure, planning

Summary

Willie Bence reported Bear Gulch fire at 9,400 acres (10% contained; growth expected); air quality green-yellow; National Preparedness Month promotion (Nixle, Think Plan Do guide, library trainings Sept 18 first aid). Echoed commissioners on firefighter arrests undermining safety.

Key Discussion Points

  • Bear Gulch: 9,400 acres/14.5 sq mi; containment 10%; normal Sept weather; monitor air quality (smoke smell = indoors).
  • Preparedness: Nixle signup, Think Plan Do guide, library 3rd Thu (Sept 18 first aid/disaster medical 3:30/5:30pm).
  • Firefighters arrests: "Horrific... undermining public safety."

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 update.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • No next steps specified.

Recycling Program Privatization

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 01:26:34–04:31:27
  • Categories: operations, contracts, budgeting, infrastructure

Summary

Public Works presented proposed Level of Service Ordinance (JCC 8.10.045) and Operating Agreement with Waste Connections for privatized curbside mixed-material recycling (end free drop-offs, subsidies; WUTC rates/low-income discount; glass 2 drop-offs). SWAC recommended; addresses high contamination (30% drop-offs), $326k annual net cost, illegal dumping. BOCC directed notice to current contractor (Tessera/Skookum, caveat re Oct 6 hearing), Operating Agreement finalization for consent, Oct 6 public hearing.

Key Discussion Points

  • Current issues: 30% drop-off contamination, $326k net cost (subsidized via tipping fees), illegal dumping up, CROP ineffective.
  • Proposal: Curbside-only (WUTC hauler direct pay); glass 2 sites (TS/Quilcene); County retains oversight/reporting; efficiencies via Waste Connections (Clallam recyclables routing).
  • Fees: TS scale $20 min (incl $15 garbage+recycle); low-income discount.
  • Public comment (Tom Touche): Questioned whereas clauses (dumping 1.5%, contamination comparison absent), no financial projection; suggested tipping fee increase for "free" recycling.
  • Response: Subsidies illusionary; efficiencies may lower rates; 5yr projection for hearing; cleaner stream/higher participation.

Public Comments

  • Tom Touche: Challenged ordinance whereas (dumping minor, contamination uncompared, CROP irrelevant); no projections; raise tipping fee for free recycling.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • LOS Ordinance draft (min service, reporting, glass 2 sites); Operating Agreement (to 2036, Waste Connections ops/equip/costs); customer survey ($31/mo switch); audit (5-7% curbside vs 30% drop-off contam); budget forecasts.

Financials

  • Current net cost: $326k/yr (20% grants, 26% sales offset).
  • TS min fee: $20 (up from $15 garbage, incl recycle).
  • Fund balance low; equip reserve $3.6M short.
  • Efficiencies may lower rates.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Continue: Raise tipping fee/reduce services.
  • Rejected: Unstaffed drop-offs (high contam/dumping).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Direct hearing Oct 6 on LOS Ordinance; Chair sign notice to Tessera (caveat re hearing); finalize Waste Connections Operating Agreement for consent.
  • Vote: Unanimous on motions (amended for caveat).
  • Next Steps: Revise notice; publish hearing; 5yr projections; education campaign; notify Tessera re non-renewal post-Mar 31 2026.

Background Materials

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