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09/15/25 09 AM: Board Fields Comments, Approves Proclamations, Hears Weed Rates

Board Fields Comments, Approves Proclamations, Hears Weed Rates

Jefferson County Board addressed public comments on community centers, waste fees, roads; approved consent agenda, Septic Smart and Diaper Need proclamations; held hearing on noxious weed assessment rate increase, continued to Sept 22.

Public Comment Period

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:36–00:34:42 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, services, public safety, other

Summary

The Board opened public comment, hearing from in-person and online speakers on community center management, document recording fees and porta-potty services, solid waste fees and recycling policies, road access and fire management, and Solid Waste Advisory Committee effectiveness. Speakers urged support for current community center leadership, investigation of fund misappropriation, rollback of minimum weight fees at transfer stations, consultation on road bridges, upfront FEMA reimbursements, and enhanced advisory committee roles with tipping fee adjustments. Commissioners responded, clarifying processes, defending policies, and committing to follow-ups including RFPs, advisory applications, and staff advocacy.

Key Discussion Points

  • Linda (Gelsing): Praised Quilcene Community Center successes under OLICAP director Richard Fitzgerald, including emergency response certification, online courses, ECHO branch, pancake breakfasts, Halloween party, classes, and events; requested continued contract and community input.
  • Maggie: Alleged misappropriation of document recording fees (30% returned to county) for essential services like porta-potties, laundry vouchers; claimed city workers idle, costing $43,000/year; called for judicial review.
  • Jim Friedman (Quilcene): Requested rollback of 2023 Resolution 2823 minimum weight fee doubling at Port Townsend Transfer Station and Quilcene Dropbox, citing increased customer burden, operating deficits, lack of SWAC majority support, and staff admission of failure.
  • Ed Bowen (West End): Urged South Shore Road involvement, consultation with Olympic National Park on temporary bridge; supported FEMA letter if addressing upfront payments; raised Tunnel Creek Fire "let it burn" concerns.
  • Tom Gears/Tiersch: Criticized SWAC as ineffective/rubber-stamping privatization; suggested tipping fee increase to cover $14/ton recycling costs, avoiding dropbox closures/lines.
  • Julia Cochran: Thanked for encampment meeting, suggested notice to participants for Shelter Coalition follow-up.
  • Commissioner responses: Community center RFP planned with local control preference; recording fees properly allocated via Housing Fund RFP; solid waste structural issues addressed via managed recycling/charging; staff advocacy on roads/fires; clarification on porta-potties (city-paid, not free post-COVID); SWAC openness to changes/applications.

Public Comments

  • All listed above; no additional online/in-room comments after responses.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Document fees: Fluctuate yearly, ~30% returned; alleged $43,000/year misappropriation (city workers), $12,000 garbage, $12-13,000 porta-potties ($250-268/trip).
  • Solid waste: Minimum weight doubled 2023; recycling $14/ton; curbside ~$400/year.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comment closed; commissioners responded without formal action.
  • No next steps specified.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:34:49–00:39:04 (PART 1)
  • Categories: operations, personnel, contracts, planning, budgeting

Summary

The Board approved the consent agenda without items pulled, including Gibbs Lake Park caretaker agreement, Ollele Point hearing notice, Mason Street Family Home support letter, and letters supporting FEMA reforms and Mason Street project. Discussion highlighted excitement for new Gibbs Lake caretaker setup enhancing public access/housing sustainability, family expansion at Ollele Point, strengthened Mason Street application with Habitat partnership, and FEMA letter focus despite length; separate advocacy planned for specific roads like Upper Hoh/South Shore.

Key Discussion Points

  • Gibbs Lake: New caretaker team/setup exciting for housing/RV hookups, public lake access, reduced infrastructure.
  • Ollele Point: Hearing notice for family infrastructure expansion.
  • Mason Street: Support letter for Housing Trust Fund; strengthened application/partnership.
  • FEMA letter: Support for reforms (reimbursement to grants); concerns on length, arrears payments, road omissions; separate advocacy preferred.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Gibbs Lake Caretaker Agreement: 31-week trial with Aletia Bennett/Jonathan McMullen; $10,354 RV site compensation; duties include maintenance/supervision.
  • Ollele Point Hearing Notice: Water line franchise renewal.
  • Mason Street Support Letter: Housing Trust Fund application.
  • FEMA Letter: H.R. 4669 support; addresses delays (e.g., $500k owed since 2015 Oil City Road).

Financials

No financial information discussed beyond consent items (e.g., Gibbs Lake $10,354 in-kind).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda as presented today." Unanimous (Ayes).
  • No next steps specified.

Septic Smart Week Proclamation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:39:11–00:45:08 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, other

Summary

The Board proclaimed September 15-19, 2025, as Septic Smart Week, recognizing 11,397 septic systems in the county and the need for proper maintenance to protect public health and waterways. Carter Erickson (Environmental Health Manager) presented on National SepticSmart Week events, including recent Chimicum class and upcoming Quilcene (Sept 25)/Chimicum (Oct 2) sessions via JCPH website.

Key Discussion Points

  • Events: Homeowner education classes; social media tips; no diapers/wipes in systems.
  • Personal stories: Commissioners shared septic inspections/classes.

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: Proclamation approved unanimously.
  • No next steps specified.

National Diaper Need Awareness Week Proclamation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:45:08–00:52:42 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, other

Summary

The Board proclaimed September 15-21, 2025, as National Diaper Need Awareness Week, highlighting diaper need affecting 1 in 2 families, child care barriers, health risks, and work absences. Alicia Anderson (First Step Family Support Center) presented on 830,000+ annual gap, 226,000 diapers provided (30% of need), state funding cuts >50%, diaper depots, and Sept 19 "Stuff the Van" drive.

Key Discussion Points

  • Diaper banks: Brennan Community Center, Sheridan Clinic, YMCA Port Townsend, monthly pop-ups.
  • Impacts: 48% delay changes; 5 workdays/month missed.

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: Proclamation approved unanimously (minor addition: "support those organizations").
  • No next steps specified.

Noxious Weed Control Board Assessment Rate Public Hearing

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:00:18–01:56:30 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, operations, planning

Summary

Sophie DeGroot (Noxious Weed Coordinator) presented the Noxious Weed Board's recommendation to increase assessment rates (non-forest: $4/parcel + $0.30/acre to $5.50 + $0.45; forest 1/10th) first since 2015, citing 34% inflation, staffing needs, cost-share program, amid healthy reserves but rising expenses/revenue plateau. Public testified (Ed Bowen opposed inflation indexing/District 4 vacancy/exemptions; Tom Tiersch supported, suggested eradication study). Board deliberated exemptions (e.g., national park inholdings), forest rates, continued hearing to Sept 22 for ordinance tweaks.

Key Discussion Points

  • Sophie DeGroot: Invasive weeds threaten agriculture/ecosystems; 2016 assessment stagnant; 2024 revenue $147k, projected $215k; inflation/labor up; graphs showed expenses rising/revenue plateauing; enables staffing/cost-share ($10k)/vehicle/outreach; compared favorably to neighbors; Weed Board Aug 11 hearing unanimous support.
  • Ed Bowen: Opposed indexing/lack of metrics/due process; flagged exemption omission (RCW 37.08.210 national park); District 4 unrepresented.
  • Tom Tiersch: Supported; suggested Scotch broom eradication projection.
  • Board: Corrected forest rate state mandate; noted gravel spread; healthy reserves for projects; cost-share like Lewis County (60-70% coverage); enforcement via letters (85% compliance); compared counties.

Public Comments

  • Ed Bowen (West Jefferson, Parcel 36780): Opposed indexing; exemption flaw; assessments vs taxes; District 4 vacancy.
  • Tom Tiersch (Jefferson County resident): Supported; Scotch broom control projection.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Noxious Weed Amendment Ordinance: Proposed rates/indexing; land classifications/exemptions; SEPA exempt; Aug 11 Weed Board hearing.

Financials

  • Current non-forest: $4/parcel + $0.30/acre; forest $0.40 + $0.03.
  • Proposed: $5.50 + $0.45; forest $0.55 + $0.045.
  • 2024 revenue: $147,717; projected $215,543.
  • Examples: 2-acre $4.60→$6.40 (+$1.80); 5-acre $7.50→$10.75 (+$3.25).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Inflation-only ($5.39 + $0.41) insufficient for growth.
  • Forest rates: Questioned equity/post-clearcut; state law limits.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Hearing closed; deliberation continued to Sept 22, 10am (no new testimony).
  • Next Steps: Amend ordinance for exemptions (e.g., RCW 37.08.210); review forest rates/RCW.

Background Materials

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