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Home My WebLink About050525M A, oN co ilko 4 { staNdC MINUTES Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting — May 5, 2025, 9:00 a.m. Jefferson County Courthouse—Commissioners' Chambers 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA (Hybrid) CALL TO ORDER: Chair Heidi Eisenhour, Commissioner Greg Brotherton and Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette participated in the meeting. Chair Eisenhour called the meeting to order at the appointed time. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Chair Eisenhour called for public comments, and four comments were received. The Commissioners addressed the comments. PROCLAMATION re: Proclaiming the Week of May 5-12,2025 as Nurses Week: Chair Eisenhour provided brief comments regarding the importance of nurses, and all three Commissioners read aloud the proclamation. Community Health Director Denise Banker provided information on the history and importance of rural nursing. Commissioner Brotherton moved to approve a proclamation proclaiming the week of May 5-12, 2025 as Nurses Week. Commissioner Dudley- Nollette seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Brotherton moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. 1. RESOLUTION NO. 28-0505-25R re: Construct a road on a portion of public Right-of-Way known as Foster Street 2. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT re: Coordinated Water System Plan; In the amount of $207,000; Community Development; City of Port Townsend; Jefferson County PUD 1 3. DEED OF RIGHT re: Salmon recovery purposes; Public Health; Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office; Parcel #702243019 Holt Property 4. DEED OF RIGHT re: Salmon recovery purposes; Public Health; Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office; Parcel #991200504 James Property 5. DEED OF RIGHT re: Salmon recovery purposes; Public Health; Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office; Parcel#991200301 Henderson Property 6. AGREEMENT re: Crab pot removal; In the amount of$20,600; WSU Extension; Coastal Sensing and Survey 7. AGREEEMENT re: Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and Jefferson County Sheriffs Office Uniformed Support Services (JCSOUSS) Hiring incentive; In the amount of$10,000; Sheriffs Office; Stephanie Hersch 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of May 5, 2025 8. AGREEMENT re: License to support floodplain project;No cost; County Administrator; Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe 9. AGREEMENT,Amendment No. 2 re: Support staff for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD); In the amount of$24,999.29; Public Health; Wise 10. ADVISORY BOARD RESIGNATION re: Veterans Advisory Board: Gary Lane, Vice Chair 11. APPROVAL OF BY-LAWS re: Veterans Advisory Board 12. HOUSING TASK FORCE APPOINTMENTS (2): 1)Tammara Allen—Lived experience; and 2) Leta Fetherolf; Lived experience PUBLIC HEALTH and EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT UPDATE: Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry reported that COVID-19, flu, and RSV activity remain low, avian flu has not spread to livestock, but pertussis cases are increasing due to declining vaccination rates, with measles also resurging nationwide. Emergency Management Director Willie Bence stated that FEMA is planning significant changes that will raise the disaster cost threshold fourfold and limit eligibility for reimbursements and grants, making it harder for smaller jurisdictions like Jefferson County to qualify for federal aid following mid-scale disasters. Locally, emergency management efforts such as grant-funded outreach, alerts, and events like All County Preparedness Day and public resilience talks continue, but their long-term funding remains uncertain amid these federal shifts. GOVERNMENT to GOVERNMENT discussion with Grays Harbor County re: Quinault South Shore Road condition: The Jefferson County Commissioners, Grays Harbor County (GHC) Commissioners and staff, and Jefferson County Public Works staff participated in discussion. The following individuals were present: GHC Commissioner Georgia Miller, GHC Commissioner Rick Hole, GHC Commissioner Viki Raines, GHC County Administrator Sam Kim, GHC Clerk of the Board Wendy Chatham, GHC Engineer John Becker, and GHC Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Beltrans, JC Public Works Director Monte Reinders, and JC Assistant Public Works Director Eric Kuzma. Jefferson and Grays Harbor County Commissioners discussed the ongoing struggle to secure funding for repairs to the South Shore Quinault Road following storm damage, with FEMA and FHWA Emergency Relief(ER) funds proving difficult to access due to new, higher disaster thresholds and shifting agency priorities. Historically, FHWA ER funds have covered repairs to federal-access roads like Upper Hoh and South Shore, but current political and budgetary constraints have hindered timely support. While the Upper Hoh Road was reopened with state funding and private donations, the South Shore Quinault Road remains unfunded, and permitting and logistical hurdles make emergency repairs challenging. The counties emphasized that Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) funds are not suitable for emergency use, as they require long application timelines, often over a decade. With both North and South Shore roads facing closures this summer,the area will be effectively cut off, impacting park access and local economies. Commissioners from both counties agreed to collaborate on a joint letter to FHWA, WSDOT, and possibly federal legislators to advocate for immediate support, stressing the regional and economic consequences of continued inaction. COMMISSIONERS' BRIEFING SESSION: The Commissioners and County Administrator discussed recent meetings they attended, miscellaneous topics, and reviewed their meeting schedules. 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of May 5, 2025 The meeting was recessed at 11:52 a.m. and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. with all three Commissioners present. PROCLAMATION re: Mental Health Awareness Month: After all three Commissioners read aloud the proclamation, Commissioner Dudley-Nollette moved to approve the proclamation proclaiming May 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month. Commissioner Brotherton seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. NAMI of Jefferson County President Patrick Johnson, and CEO of Discovery Behavioral Health Jim Novelli were present to provide some information on NAMI and other programs that assist those experiencing mental health issues in Jefferson County. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ITEMS: The Commissioners and County Administrator reviewed the following: • BOCC meeting packets; materials WORKSHOP re: Jefferson County Community Recreation Program: Jefferson County Public Works Director Monte Reinders, Parks Manager Matt Tyler, Assistant Recreation Manager Chris Macklin, and Lead Recreation Supervisor Sam Miller were present for discussion. Manager Tyler introduced Parks and Rec staff, and Manager Macklin provided an overview of their programs and activities. Staff answered questions posed by the Board. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ITEMS - Continued: The Commissioners and County Administrator reviewed the following: • Mental Health; information • Community Outreach meeting; logistics and topics WORKSHOP re: Fireworks and possible regulations models: Fire Marshal Phil Cecere, Deputy Fire Marshal Brian Tracer, and Fire Inspector Vince Maniaci were present to brief the board on fireworks, potential regulation models, wildfire threat levels, and reviewed previous fireworks information for the benefit of Commissioner Dudley-Nollette and the public. Fire Marshal Cecere shared a presentation and staff answered questions posed by the Board. The purpose of the workshop was to review and discuss current fireworks regulations in Jefferson County, prompted by concerns over safety, enforcement, and community impact. The conversation centered on whether existing rules -particularly those triggered by declarations of high fire danger- are enforceable and effective, with several commissioners and public commenters voicing support for a future county-wide ban on personal fireworks, and pivot to regulated, professional displays. The Commissioners indicated that they will revisit the issue soon, focusing specifically on enforcement logistics and stakeholder coordination, before proposing any new legislation. After discussion, Chair Eisenhour opened the floor to allow for public comments, and two comments were received. 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of May 5, 2025 EXECUTIVE SESSION: An Executive Session was scheduled from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Chair Eisenhour announced that the Executive Session will be held from 3:31 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. regarding Attorney-Client Privilege, Potential Litigation under exemption RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)as outlined in the Open Public Meetings Act. Staff present: County Administrator, Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney (DPA), and Civil DPA. The Board resumed the regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. Chair Eisenhour announced that the Board will be extending the Executive Session from 4:01 p.m. to 4:25 p.m. The Board concluded the Executive Session and resumed the regular meeting at 4:25 p.m. Commissioner Brotherton moved that Jefferson County pay the title reports for the properties that we are interested in transferring to the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, and the cost will range somewhere between $10,000 and $21,500. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion. Commissioner Brotherton added that this is in partnership with the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe regarding the Quilcene floodplain project. Chair Eisenhour called for public comments on the motion, and no comments were received. She called for vote on the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Eisenhour adjourned the meeting at 4:28 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. JE ERSON COUNTY "'"%%%% FERS, •.�b� B ' / P COMMISSIONERS •al' 1�F �y / SEAL: c ....... NiiN �CI%=� - ell i Eise o air ATTEST: y `tiq ........ -c�.•'` :ems'+: �'1 erton, Member yV�4�HuN�Gu�````` *fa /Nib. (?,401 Gallaway, C •udley-Nollette, Member Cle f the Board 4