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HomeMy WebLinkAbout022025MS r u OF YORT TOk, tio� , lif, ON , ,s-40. i ,i1.40-. Y © nd !T! !P_ rar.tea. 1III\(is MINUTES Special Meeting of the Intergovernmental Collaborative Group (ICG) Thursday, February 20, 2025 Hybrid Meeting: 355 Hudson St. Port Townsend, WA 98368 CALL TO ORDER: Jefferson County Commissioner/Rotating ICG Chair Heidi Eisenhour called the meeting to order after establishing a quorum of the ICG. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The ICG members listened to a member of the public addressing food security and farmland designation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of November 21, 2024 were approved, but not included in the packet. They will be included on a future agenda for approval. PRESENTATION re: EDC Team Jefferson update and plans for the future: EDC Director Cindy Brooks was present to discuss EDC's scope, mandates, and role as the Jefferson County's Associate Development Organization(ADO). Other items addressed were: • Current services • Business advising, startups,workforce development connections, export education, and data sourcing. • Collaboration with partners(SBDC, Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship, Apex Accelerator, local chambers, farmer's market, extension office). • Metrics: July-Dec 2024: • 50 business retention/expansion consults (goal: 70 annually). • 14 startups supported. EDC guest speakers shared the following: Success story - growth from startup to $1.2M revenue and 10 employees with EDC support, highlighted need for light industrial space, working with microenterprises (75%of county businesses), emphasizing challenges around housing affordability for entrepreneurs and importance of technical assistance for small food businesses. • Future initiatives include: • Implementation of$1.2M workforce development funding via the Recompete Grant(hiring a workforce coordinator, supporting training programs). • Focus on retaining staff, strengthening microenterprise support, and expanding services to South County. • Succession: Executive Director Cindy Brooks stepping down in June 2025; search underway for replacement. • 18 businesses engaged in federal contracting assistance. DISCUSSION re: Legislative update: Discussed during updates. Z The meeting recessed at 6:23 p.m. and reconvened at 6:26 p.m. et 0 f w Intergovernmental Collaborative Group Meeting Minutes of February 20, 2025 Page 2 of 2 AGENCY ROUNDTABLE: The ICG members listened to jurisdiction updates: • City of Port Townsend • Comprehensive Plan update underway;joint council—planning commission meeting scheduled. • Infrastructure concerns: Aging 1928-era water main; ongoing repairs. • Legislative activity: Deputy Mayor lobbying in Olympia. • Port of Port Townsend • Report on major infrastructure projects("Magnificent Seven") including boatyard stormwater improvements, breakwater rehabilitation, housing at Point Hudson, Gardner boat launch replacement, airport fueling system upgrades. • Jefferson Timber Cooperative lease in progress; strong partnership with PUD. • PUD • Workforce expansion underway (target—100 employees). • New$5M federal loan fund secured to provide low-interest loans for efficiency upgrades(heat pumps, windows, insulation). • Jefferson County • County Administrator recruitment launched. • Sewer construction in Port Hadlock ongoing; road failures on West End require funding. • Legislative priorities: o Housing flexibility bills. o Funding requests for Hadlock sewer, Mill Road roundabout, and Aquatic Center planning. o Public defense funding (HB 1529). o Behavioral health&children's services sales tax proposal (HB 1805). o Aquatic Center survey: 1,600+responses so far; target 3,000 by March. o Climate Action Committee working on food systems resilience. o Engagement expected on marine carbon dioxide removal projects (public forums scheduled later in 2025). o Future workshop planned on use of opioid settlement funds. o Emergency Management to update elected officials on commissioner roles during disasters. NEXT STEPS and FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Marine carbon dioxide removal project, and emergency planning with elected officials. NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Rotating Chair Eisenhour allowed one more comment from the public and then adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly not'ced. d ea i W-k 6fa v lit 77(g/i5- Carolyn Gallaway } Date Jefferson County Clerk of the Board