HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit 52 Signed Monte Reinders Declaration
Declaration of Monte Reinders in Response
to Hearing Examiner’s Status Conference
Order dated September 4, 2025
Page 1 of 3
Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney
1820 Jefferson Street/P.O. Box 1220
Port Townsend, WA 98368
360-385-9180
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BEFORE THE JEFFERSON COUTNY
HEARING EXAMINER
In the Matter of the Unit Lot Subdivision
Application Submitted by,
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF EAST
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Parcel No. 901-023-007 (Port Hadlock)
Case No.:
DECLARATION OF MONTE
REINDERS IN RESPONSE TO
HEARING EXAMINER’S STATUS
CONFERENCE ORDER DATED
SEPTEMBER 4, 2025
I, MONTE REINDERS, hereby declare as follows:
1. I am over the age of 18 years, competent to be a witness herein, and make this
declaration based upon my personal knowledge.
2. I am the Public Works Director and County Engineer for Jefferson County, Washington.
3. I have been employed with Jefferson County for over 27 years since April, 1998.
4. Before joining Jefferson County, I worked for geotechnical engineering companies in
the greater Seattle area.
5. Overall, I have a total of about 34 years of experience in the engineering field and have
been a Licensed Engineer since 1997.
6. I have reviewed the Hearing Examiner’s Status Conference Order in the above
referenced matter, dated September 4, 2025.
7. In particular, I carefully reviewed Section III, Hearing Examiner Request for Live
Testimony, (C) Request for Testimony from Jefferson County Road Engineer (page 11).
8. I spoke with Counsel for Jefferson County, Ariel Speser, Civil Deputy Prosecuting
Declaration of Monte Reinders in Response
to Hearing Examiner’s Status Conference
Order dated September 4, 2025
Page 2 of 3
Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney
1820 Jefferson Street/P.O. Box 1220
Port Townsend, WA 98368
360-385-9180
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Attorney regarding this request, as I have some concerns regarding the limitations of my
testimony. This declaration is intended to help explain the limitations of my testimony, and
respectfully request to be excused from testifying.
9. I want to make clear that I do appreciate the Hearing Examiner’s questions, inquiry, and
due diligence in seeking out relevant information.
10. Additionally, I wish to make clear that Jefferson County respects and values the Hearing
Examiner process, and strives to be as helpful as possible.
11. That said, it is important to recognize that my position as County Engineer does not
require me to have the level of traffic engineering expertise to thoroughly comment on state
highways. WSDOT is in a better position, and it is their responsibility, to address questions
regarding state highways.
12. Jefferson County Public Works has submitted comments into the record, and has
consulted with Habitat regarding their designs for frontage requirements along Mason Street for
pedestrians and stormwater.
13. Beyond this involvement, though, Public Works is not able to comment on WSDOT’s
plans regarding their state highways adjacent to this project. Furthermore, Public Works does
not have the jurisdiction to make formal recommendations for state highways.
14. Additionally, as the Director of Public Works, I manage a tight schedule and it would
admittedly take me significant time to refresh my familiarity with highways of statewide
significance.
15. Highways of statewide significance are notably exempt from GMA concurrency
requirements. I can point out that SR-19 is a highway of statewide significance, and I am aware
that both the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan from 2018, as well as the 2025 Proposed
Update, reflect concurrency applies to county roads as well as intersections in the Tri-Area, but
does not apply to highways of statewide significance.
16. Finally, Jefferson County Public Works understands that Habitat’s traffic engineering
consultant (Parametrix) has suggested that an all-way stop at the intersection of SR-19 and SR-
Declaration of Monte Reinders in Response
to Hearing Examiner’s Status Conference
Order dated September 4, 2025
Page 3 of 3
Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney
1820 Jefferson Street/P.O. Box 1220
Port Townsend, WA 98368
360-385-9180
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116 may be a change that WSDOT should consider, which the County would support.
Additionally, there have been some indications that WSDOT may be considering a future
roundabout in the project area, which would be a significant project and is likely cost
prohibitive without significant WSDOT investment. Habitat or the County should not be
responsible for the cost of putting in a new roundabout on a state highway when Habitat’s
project is only contributing a very small percentage to the overall traffic at this intersection.
Anecdotally, it is our understanding that none of the small to very large developments occurring
in the City of Port Townsend are contributing to future improvements at this intersection or
other intersections along this route, such as at Mill Road and SR-20 where WSDOT is also
considering installing a roundabout.
17. In conclusion, Jefferson County Public Works has reviewed Habitat’s proposal in the
above referenced matter and supports its approval, with or without improvements at the SR-
19/SR-116 intersection. At this time, I do not believe my testimony would provide further
assistance in answering the Hearing Examiner’s outstanding questions. However, if my
testimony is still requested, I can be available, understanding the limitations around state
highway expertise that have been described herein.
I hereby declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington that
the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
EXECUTED at Port Townsend, Washington, this ____ day of September, 2025.
MONTE REINDERS
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS