HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRAFT Minutes 091825MS ICG
MINUTES
Special Meeting of the Intergovernmental Collaborative Group (ICG)
Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
Hybrid Meeting: 355 Hudson St. Port Townsend, WA 98368
ICG Members and staff present:
Jefferson County Board of Commissioners:
Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour, Commissioner Greg Brotherton,
Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette
Staff present: County Administrator Josh Peters
Port Townsend City Council:
Mayor/Councilmember David Faber, Councilmember Ben Thomas, Councilmember
Owen Rowe, Councilmember Libby Wennstrom, and Councilmember Neil Nelson
Staff present: City Manager John Mauro
Jefferson County Public Utility District (PUD) No. 1:
Commissioner Jeff Randall, and Commissioner Kenneth Collins
Staff present: General Manager Joe Wilson
Port of Port Townsend Board of Commissioners:
Commissioner Pam Petranek, and Commissioner Carol Hasse
Staff present: Executive Director Eron Berg
CALL TO ORDER: PUD Commissioner/ICG Rotating Chair Jeff Randall attended the meeting
virtually and called the meeting to order after establishing a quorum. He then passed Chairing duties to
PUD Commissioner Kenneth Collins who was present in-person.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: ICG members listened to one comment from the public.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Member Faber moved to approve the May 23, 2024, October 10, 2024,
November 21, 2024, February 20, 2025 and May 12, 2025 meeting minutes as presented. Member
Thomas seconded the motion. The motion carried.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (EDC) Team Jefferson: Introduction of the new
Director and program updates: EDC Director David Ballif was present and reported strong recent
progress, including securing major grants, supporting tribal businesses, advising nearly 100 local
businesses, helping launch 51 new businesses, creating 73 jobs, and facilitating over $1 million in
loans.
Director Ballif outlined major commitments under the $1.2 million Recompete subaward and described
plans to position the EDC as a regional economic hub, build an online “knowledge hub,” expand
leadership programs, and focus on strategic areas like Fort Worden and Port Hadlock. ICG members
praised his leadership, emphasized sustainable economic development, and discussed funding
challenges, options to support or replace the Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship, and continued
regional collaboration.
DISCUSSION re: 2026 work program and strategic objectives: ICG members held a focused
discussion on the ICG’s 2026 work program and strategic objectives, emphasizing the need to revive
earlier efforts to establish a shared countywide economic development framework. Administrators from
all four entities agreed that developing a unified strategy is both overdue and necessary, and suggested
hiring a consultant - funded jointly by each agency - to guide the work and help the ICG produce an
actionable strategy by the end of 2026. They also highlighted the value of integrating the EDC more
formally into this process, aligning the effort with Recompete initiatives, and improving regional
coordination.
AGENCY ROUNDTABLE: ICG members listened to jurisdiction updates:
• City of Port Townsend
o Working to make the City budget more accessible, including a “budget roadshow”
o Significant road improvements; chip sealing praised
o Ongoing challenges with homeless encampment, seeking collaborative solutions
o Comprehensive Plan update due this year
• Jefferson County
o Major milestone: Port Hadlock sewer system activated and customer hookups underway
o Moving forward on Port Hadlock urban growth vision, including potential aquatic center
o Reactivating the Chimacum Drainage District (dormant since 1974)
o Upcoming Wildfire Safety Summit
o Early Learning & Family Support Center faces increased costs; working to close a $3M
funding gap
• PUD No. 1
o New General Manager Joe Wilson presented first report
o Several unexpected crises: substation failure, well pump issues
o Broadband construction proceeding in phases
(Discovery Bay → Marrowstone → Cape George)
o Sewer plant operations more complex than expected due to design differences
o Sims Gateway project (undergrounding lines at port) facing huge cost overrun - $6.2M
estimate vs. ~$600k original budget; exploring alternatives
• Port of Port Townsend
o Numerous capital projects:
Point Hudson building restorations
Mariners Memorial project moving ahead
Stormwater upgrades in the boatyard
Discovery Bay boat launch nearing completion
o Airport fuel tank replacement underway
o Planning for manufacturer convening to strengthen industry networking
• Jefferson Transit
o Jefferson Transit rolling out service changes Sept. 29:
Simplified and more frequent downtown shuttle (every 20 minutes)
Expanded Route 4 coverage
New midday South County run
o Planning long-term adjustments, including possible microtransit
o Climate Action Plan guiding shift to electric buses; third electric bus coming soon
Member Dudley-Nollette noted that the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall, the “Wall that Heals,” will
be in Port Townsend at the Jefferson County Airport between September 9-14, 2025.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: ICG members listened to three members from the public.
NEXT STEPS and FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: ICG members stated that at an upcoming meeting
they would like a Recompete report presentation and showed interest in re-engaging on a shared
economic development strategy for 2026.
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Rotating Chair Collins adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m. until the
next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed.
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Jefferson County Clerk of the Board Date