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10/06/25 09 AM: Board Approves Proclamations, Budgets Amid Public Input

Board Approves Proclamations, Budgets Amid Public Input

Jefferson County Board meeting featured public comments on permits, waste, contracts; consent agenda approval; proclamations for Resilience, Mental Illness, Disability Employment Awareness; budget workshops for DEM, emergency appropriations, DCD fees, community center RFP. Unanimous votes on proclamations and appropriations; no actions on workshops.

Public Comment Period

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:46–00:28:01 (PART 1)
  • Categories: other, planning, operations, contracts, personnel

Summary

The Board opened the meeting with public comment, hearing from five in-person and online speakers on topics including shellfish farm permits, solid waste tipping fees and recycling privatization, the Prothman executive search contract amendment, Olympic National Park bridge removal plans, Trust Land Transfer letter, and fire summit information. Commissioners responded after closing comments, appreciating detailed information provided and committing to follow up on specific concerns like verifying public claims, scheduling discussions, reviewing contracts, and clarifying recycling practices. Fire Marshal Phil Cecier then provided an update on burn regulations post-Fire Safety Summit.

Key Discussion Points

  • Gordon King supported shellfish farm permits on Shine Hook Clout, citing data from US Army Corps 2015 Biological Assessment and Moraine Fisheries 2024 report showing no acreage increase in shellfish farming and disputing claims linking it to salmon declines.
  • Jim Friedman (Quilcene) thanked for speed signs and urged increasing tipping fees to $240/ton (citing Clallam County rates and local data) to fund solutions for contamination and long lines at transfer stations.
  • Jean Ball opposed $3,000 Prothman amendment, criticizing the DCD director search as incompetent, overpriced at $150,000, and suggesting in-house alternatives.
  • Ed Bowen (West Jefferson) requested Olympic National Park plans for temporary bridge removal at South Shore Road, fire summit updates, and opposed Trust Land Transfer letter due to lack of public information on applications.
  • Tom Tierche criticized recycling privatization tariff details (e.g., small bins inadequate for cardboard, rejecting loads if placed aside), urging review of full 30-page tariff vs. hearing excerpt.
  • Commissioners noted Gordon's data useful for permit discussions; messaged Friedman; defended Prothman as within contract and multi-year value; committed to follow up on bridge and TLT; agreed to review Clallam recycling contract.

Public Comments

  • Gordon King: Supported shellfish permits, provided acreage data refuting opposition claims.
  • Jim Friedman (Quilcene): Praised speed signs; advocated tipping fee increase for waste solutions.
  • Jean Ball: Opposed Prothman amendment as bait-and-switch, incompetent DCD search.
  • Ed Bowen (West Jefferson): Urged bridge removal info, fire updates, opposed TLT letter.
  • Tom Tierche: Warned on recycling privatization details, small bins, cardboard rejection.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • Tipping fees: Jefferson ~$187/ton (60% customers pay more via minimums); Clallam $240/ton; South County $300/ton.
  • Prothman: $147,499 paid + $3,000 requested.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Public comment closed; commissioners responded without formal action.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Follow up on bridge info, TLT letter review, recycling contract comparison, Prothman budget scrutiny.

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:28:36–00:35:15 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, personnel, services

Summary

The Board approved the consent agenda after brief discussion clarifying two items: CPACER contract (typo "Community Action Committee" is Climate Action Committee; involves CAC in applicant decisions) and public health consolidated contract (agenda request typo $77,556 vs. contract $71,556). Other items noted positively included skate park grant amendments (additional funding), Nurse Family Partnership collaboration, and no items pulled for separate discussion. Motion to approve passed unanimously.

Key Discussion Points

  • CPACER Contract (Item 9): Clarified scope refers to Climate Action Committee (CAC) for decisions on eligible structures; grant funds promote program/education.
  • Public Health Consolidated Contract (Item 15): Typo in agenda request ($77,556) vs. contract ($71,556); contract numbers control.
  • Positive notes: Skate park grants (additional agency funding); Nurse Family Partnership (vital family program).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • CPACER Exhibit A (scope of work); grant award (typo origin).
  • Public Health contract review form ($71,556).

Financials

  • Public Health: $71,556 (contract) vs. $77,556 (agenda request typo).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Motion to approve and accept the consent agenda."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: 2; Commissioner Brotherton absent).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

Resilience Awareness Month Proclamation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:35:22–00:43:54 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, other

Summary

The Board proclaimed October 2025 as Resilience Awareness Month, recognizing resilience-building through social connections, trauma-informed care, and community-led strategies. Guests from Resilience Project, Olympic Peninsula YMCA, and Jefferson County Public Health presented events (e.g., art/music meditation, keynote), resilience kits, and partnership impacts (95% partners report greater impact via collaboration). Motion to approve with minor correction passed unanimously.

Key Discussion Points

  • Proclamation read emphasizing healing/prevention via early intervention, protective factors.
  • Guests invited participation in events (Oct 11 Recovery Cafe, Oct 23 art/meditation/keynote); distributed kits/totes.
  • Commissioners noted relevance amid chaotic times, importance for decisions.

Public Comments

  • Minnie Whalen (Resilience Project), Anne Dean (YMCA), Denise Banker (Public Health): Highlighted consortium of 50+ partners, events, kits, collaboration benefits.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Minor correction to proclamation text.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Motion to approve this proclamation for Resilience Awareness Month."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: 2; Brotherton absent).
  • No next steps specified.

Mental Illness Awareness Week Proclamation and Public Health Update

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:44:36–01:15:26 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, public safety, budgeting

Summary

The Board proclaimed October 5-11, 2025, as Mental Illness Awareness Week and October 10 as World Mental Health Day, citing statistics on mental health prevalence and suicide. NAMI representative detailed free services (support groups, classes, CIT training). Dr. Berry updated on infectious diseases (elevated COVID, low flu/RSV; vaccine access issues for children due to federal hold; WIC shutdown risk; debunked Tylenol-autism link), KPTZ Q&A, and West Coast Health Alliance. DEM Director promoted Shakeout drill. Motion approved unanimously.

Key Discussion Points

  • Proclamation highlighted 1 in 5 adults/youth affected, early intervention importance.
  • Val Phimister (NAMI): Free support/education/advocacy; events (suicide prevention Nov 6, family-to-family Jan); partners with behavioral health court.
  • Dr. Berry: COVID hospitalizations down (1 recent); flu/RSV vaccines effective/recommended; pediatric COVID vaccine withheld federally; WIC at risk post-2 weeks shutdown; Tylenol-pregnancy autism link associative not causal; research funding cuts.
  • KPTZ Q&A: Vaccines available (adults/pharmacy); kids delayed; insurance covers most; CDC/NIH cuts shift research abroad; boosters after 2 months.
  • Willie Bentz (DEM): Shakeout drill Oct 16 10:16am; Nixle/AHAB test; Fire/Rescue Fest Sat.

Public Comments

  • Val Phimister (NAMI): Detailed programs, brochure.

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 this proclamation for Mental Illness Awareness Week."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: 2; Brotherton absent).
  • Next Steps: No next steps specified.

2026 Emergency Management Budget Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:17:54–01:34:19 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, personnel, operations

Summary

DEM presented its 2026 budget request of $353k (~$57k from FEMA grants), seeking $10,131 add for travel/training (current $2,500 insufficient for 6 staff/volunteers credentialing). DEM (2 FTE + 4 PT grant-funded) maintains EOC, alerts, planning/outreach; activated 4x summer. Grants volatile: SHSP cut 25% ($37k to ~$28k), 1-year performance period, immigration data demands, shutdown delays. Local instructor cert mitigates some needs. No action taken.

Key Discussion Points

  • DEM Role: EOC readiness, Nixle/IPAWS alerts, planning (CEMP/HMP approved), outreach (Preparedness Day).
  • Add: $10k credentials 4 staff (from similar counties); hasn't attended state conf since 2018.
  • Grants: SHSP/EMPG fund 1.6 FTE/outreach; 95% WA projects rejected; 1-yr term; DHS immigration req violates WA law.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • 2026 Request: $353k total; $10,131 add (travel/training).
  • Grants: SHSP ~$37k (cut to $28k); EMPG uncertain.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Local training via Brad Brooks cert.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational workshop; no action.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: CA/Finance recommend on adds later.

Emergency Budget Appropriations Hearing

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:36:45–02:07:02 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, contracts, services

Summary

Public hearing on $307,920 emergency appropriations: Law Library ($5,937 RCW hardbound update for access/redundancy); Homeless Housing ($261,983 shelter/DRF to OlyCAP); Affordable Housing ($40,000 Dove House). Funded by fees/grants/donations (COAST $52k). Public testified opposing RCW books (digital sufficient). Board approved after clarifications (books for outages/trials; caught up subscription). Motion passed unanimously.

Key Discussion Points

  • Law Library: Superior Court needs paper RCWs (18% tidelands aquaculture; digital outages, public/trial access); $8,336 total, $5,937 new.
  • Housing Funds: HFB-approved shelter extensions; DRF to OlyCAP; COAST donation.
  • Public: Digital at libraries/clerk; unnecessary expense.

Public Comments

  • Tom Tierche: Opposed RCW books; digital more current/accessible.
  • Jean Ball (Quilcene): Digital available at libraries.

Supporting Materials Referenced

  • Agenda requests; contracts; HFB minutes (May 28 shelter funding).

Financials

  • Total: $307,920 expense/$179,803 revenue.
  • Law Library Fund 140: $5,937.
  • Affordable 148: $40k Dove House.
  • Homeless 149: $175.5k shelter, $86.5k DRF, $40k Dove.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Explore digital partnerships/library kiosks/courtroom remodel (deferred).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved resolution.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: 2).
  • Next Steps: Note for staff to correct agenda pages; review RCW need for 2026.

DCD Fee Schedule Workshop: Repetitive Build Program & EPL Technology Fee

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:07:24–02:42:36 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, permits, planning, operations

Summary

DCD workshop on repetitive build program (modeled on Kitsap "Basics"; 80% plan check to establish, 2-hr min subsequent, savings ~$2k/home) for large-scale/affordable housing; EPL tech fee increase (5% to 8%) for maintenance/upgrades (API, servers, cloud). Habitat rep supported. Board sought clarifications on fees, discretion, EPL progress. No action; direction for ordinance.

Key Discussion Points

  • Repetitive: Establishes master plans (1 cycle/3-4 yrs); discretion for official; voluntary/incentive.
  • EPL: 5% insufficient; funds integration/upgrades; functioning but improvements needed.
  • Example: 2,674sf home normal $6,523 plan check; establish $7,068; subsequent $4,424 (save $2k).

Public Comments

  • Bob (Habitat): Supports repetitive builds/tech fees for smoother process.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Fee spreadsheets; Kitsap program.

Financials

  • Repetitive example: +$545 establish, -$2,099 subsequent vs normal.
  • EPL: 5% to 8%.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Workshop; codify via ordinance/hearing.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Separate EPL workshop; stock plans hybrid.

Community Center Management RFP Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:42:46–02:53:34 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, services, operations

Summary

Workshop on RFP draft for Tri-Area/Quilcene/Brinnon centers (OlyCap ends Dec 31); expanded scope (youth/senior support, WSU space/tools, Red Cross shelter, utilities, custodial details). Board suggested consistency (shorten #11 WSU, combine youth/senior), "and/or" for funding pursuits, 1-5yr terms. Aim release today.

Key Discussion Points

  • Scope: Youth/senior aid, WSU coordination (weed wrenches), emergencies, Brinnon network, Quilcene foodbank.
  • Custodial: Detailed duties (Attachment A).

Public Comments

No public comment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Draft RFP (11 priorities, Attachment A custodial).

Financials

Current OlyCap: $184k (2025).

Alternatives & Amendments

1-5yr terms w/extensions.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Revise/release RFP.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps: Revise (shorten #11, consistency); release; deadlines Oct 27/Nov 11; interviews Dec 1; contracts Dec 31.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month Proclamation

Metadata

  • Time Range: 02:55:05–03:10:57 (PART 1)
  • Categories: personnel, services

Summary

Board proclaimed October 2025 National Disability Employment Awareness Month, recognizing 26 local employers. Guests from Cascade Connections/Public Health shared successes (15 summer student jobs; staff cohesion/inclusivity). Motion approved unanimously.

Key Discussion Points

  • List: Anchor, ACI Boats, etc. (26 total).
  • Guests: Employer thanks; student programs; staff benefits.

Public Comments

  • Sam2J (Cascade): Thanked employers; 15 summer jobs.
  • Veronica/Public Health: Custodial student success w/facility support.
  • Bonnie: Opportunities from age 14; reach out.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Employer list.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Approved proclamation.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: 2).
  • No next steps specified.

Background Materials

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