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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM112210 DistrId No.1 Commissioner: Phll Johnson Distrid No.2 Commissioner: David W. Snllivan District No.3 Commissioner: John Anstin County Administrator: Philip Morley Clerk of the Board: Lorna Delaney MINUTES Week of November 22, 2010 Chairman David Sullivan called the meeting to order at the appointed time in the presence of Commissioner Phil Johnson and Commissioner John Austin. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following comments were made by citizens in attendance at the meeting and reflect their personal opinions: A lost dog was found and returned to its owner by efforts of many government and non-profit organizations; the Shoreline Management Program final draft responsiveness document does not include the comments made by the public and Jefferson County will be put to the test as to whether its done its homework; there will be many power outages with the snow and many people will need to use alternative heating sources and they should be cautioned to use them carefully because many cannot be used indoors; an offer was made to anyone to use ruFFCO 101 to get a message out on the web; why aren't all County e-mails published on-line?; and government is judged by what is given to the people and after many years of involvement with Jefferson County government where County staffhas done nothing illegal, citizens should be proud of County staff. COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION: The Commissioners each provided updates on the following items: Commission Austin KPTZ radio will begin preliminary work today. It will be good to have a radio to get out local information in emergencies; and Jefferson County and the Olympic Peninsula are areas of national significance. Commissioner Johnson noted that the Chirnacum High School Principal's husband died in an automobile accident on Friday and he will be missed by his family and the community; Saturday he spent time working with the Port Townsend School of Wooden Boat Building; he serves on the Fort Worden Advisory Board and will continue to work on that Board as his schedule allows. Commissioner Sullivan noted that he is trying to arrange a tour of Fort Worden for the Board; the Board members have many committee assignments that interact in different ways and the Commissioners are appointed to regional boards and work on issues that are broader than just Jefferson County. APPROV ALAND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Johnson moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented with the exception of #1. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a n"R"imous vote. 1. DELETED: Hearing Notice: 2011 Jefferson Connty Budget; Hearing Scheduled for Monday, Decemher 6, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. in the Commissioners Chamhers (Approved Later in Minutes) 2. AGREEMENT, Supplement No.2: Upper Hoh Road MP 7.7 to MP 8.0 Emergency Repair; An Additional Amount of $98,000.00 for a Total Amount of $233,000.00; Jefferson County Public Works; Washington State Department of Transportation Page I Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of November 22,2010 3. AGREEMENT, Supplement No.1: Upper Hoh Road MP 9.7 to MP 9.8 Emergency Repair; An Additional Amount of$41,000.00 for a Total Amount of$196,000.00; Jefferson County Public Works; Washington State Department of Transportation 4. AGREEMENT, Amendment No.8: Quilcene-Snow Watershed Implementation Phase 4; July 1,2010 to June30, 2011; An Additional Amount of $54,999.99 for a Total Amount of $421.237.00; Jefferson County Public Health; Washington State Department of Ecology 5. AGREEMENT, Amendment No.2, Interlocal: Regional Service for Municipal Court and Jail Services; Revenue in the Amount of$199,570.00 Plus Jail Reimbursement; Jefferson County Administrator; City of Port Townsend 6. Advisory Board Reappointment; Jefferson County Parks Advisory Board; Two (2) Year Term Expiring December 8, 2012; Garth McHattie, Representing District No.2 7. Advisory Board Reappointment; Conservation Futures Advisory Board; Four (4) Year Term Expiring December 4,2014; Jerry Gorsline, Representing District No.2 8. Payment of Jefferson County AlP Warrants Done by Payroll Dated November 6, 2010 Totaling $111,847.60 Proposed Consolidation Resolution Merging the Jefferson and Chdlam County Housing Authorities; Jefferson County, City of Port Townsend and Chdlam County: David Rymph, Jefferson County Housing Authority reported that 5 years ago the Jefferson County Housing Authority was label by HUD as a troubled agency because oflack of oversight. Since that time new Commissioners were appointed and a contract with the Bremerton Housing Authority has moved the agency from a poor one to a highly performing agency. The main program was the Section 8 voucher program and the Bremerton Housing Authority was better able to manage this program but they couldn't continue so another agency had to be found to manaee this program. After looking to Mason, and C1allam counties it was decided that Clallam County could manae;e the program much better than any other Housing Authority. The Section 8 vouchers are assigned to Jefferson County but they are run through the Clallam County Housing Authority. The movement for consolidation is mirroring the structure of OlyCap which covers both counties. Pam Tietz of the C1a1lam County Housing Authority is a recognized expert statewide in housing and she is willing to handle this merger. The City of Port Townsend has already signed off on this consolidation and now the approval from Jefferson and Clallam Counties are needed before the merger to the Peninsula Housing Authority can be completed. The consolidation, Mr. Rymph noted, will include the program to upgrade the Garden Court Apartments in Port Hadlock. The Jefferson County Housing Authority Board supports this merger. County Administrator Phillip Morley stated that a potential benefit of this merger is closing the gap in creating new affordable housing in the County and may open up additional options for supporting affordable housing. The Jefferson County Housing Authority is too small to move forward with new programs in an efficient and effective manner. He said that he appreciates the work done by the Jefferson County Housing Authority but this merger is needed and it is appreciated that the Clal1am County Housing Authority is willing to step forward in this way. David Rymph added that the Jefferson County Housing Authority has been working hard but it takes expertise in housing finance to start and carry projects forward. The Clallam County Housing Authority has professional staff that is experienced in this type of planning and funding and they will bring that expertise to Jefferson County's housing needs. Philip Morley added that under the proposed by-laws of Page 2 Commissioners Meetin~ Minutes: Week of November 22, 2010 .'.... ::..\,... ~.~ " the Peninsula Housing Authority the Jefferson County Commissioners would appoint 3 members and the C1a1lam County Board would appoint 5 members for a total of 8 Board members. Pam Tietz has stated that the County may want to appoint their 3 members from the existing Housing Authority Board for continuity in the start up of the new Peuinsu1a Housing Authority. David Rymph said that he feels it would be useful to have the continuity of the current members. Commissioner Sullivan stated that he appreciates that the C1a1lam County Housing Authority is willing to do this consolidation since we benefit more than they do. Commissioner Austin noted that the Jefferson County Housing Authority has the asset of the Garden Court Apartments and the Authority Board. David Rymph reported that the Housing Authority has $14,000 in the bank from the Garden Court project. He then explained more about the project and how it will proceed. Commissioner Austin moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 48-10 anthorizing the merger of the Cla1lam and Jefferson Housing Authorities into the Peninsula Housing Authority as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion. Commissioner Johnson asked about the "resident" commissioner and if that will always be appointed by Cla1lam County? David Rymph reported that will be addressed in the by-laws but will be dependent on travel ability and the availability of a "directly assisted" board member. Philip Morley noted that to change that provision would mean a change in the resolution. Commissioner Johnson asked that the newly appointed Board address this issue. The Chair called for a vote on the motion. The vote was unanimously in favor of the motion. Proposed Ordinance; Moratorium on New Mooring Buoys in Mystery Bay: AI Scalf, Director of the Department of Commuuity Development reported that the department is requesting that the Board pass the moratorium today and have a hearing in 60 days. The moratorium can be extended 3 times and this is the last time. The Department feels that the Shoreline Management Program will be adopted by the State Department of Ecology within the next 6 months and the County could then rescind this moratorium. Commissioner Austin moved to approve ORDINANCE NO. 07-1122-10 extending the moratorium on mooring buoys in Mystery Bay for an additional six months. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. HEARING: Setting the 2011 Ad Valorem Tax Levies for Jefferson County Levy in 2010 and Collection in 2011: Jack Westerman, Assessor, was present when County Administrator Philip Morley explained that this hearing is for setting the ad valorem tax levies for 2010, with collection in 2011. The final budget is adopted in December. The proposal is to do a 1 % statutory limit increase for the General Fund, Road Fund and Conservation Futures Fund. Jack Westerman compared the proposed 2011 property tax levy information against the previous years' levies which shows the 1 % increase. The discussion turned to the impact of the lack of new construction on sales taxes and how the tourism industry in the County has helped offset some of the loss of sales tax. The County is not close to its statutory levy rate so a reduction in property values will not impact the County budget yet. He then reviewed the levies being proposed to be set for 2011. The proposed resolutions are the process required to get the 1 % increase in property taxes. Every taxing district has to go before the public each year to get the 1 % increase. The resolution figures are just 1% over last year while the levy requests are 1% plus refunds and new construction. He then explained how the refunds impact the levy rate from one year to the next Page 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of November 22, 2010 @"' ;, 't .. ,J-"-< I"'~ Commissioner Sullivan noted that the County can ask for less than the 1% and when that is done that is what creates "banked capacity," The Chair opened the public hearing. Tom Thiersch.. Jefferson County, said that there is a typo to be corrected on the Resolution on the Road levy - change ''pervious'' to "previous." He also pointed out that the figures presented by Mr. Morley in budget documents have referred to a $216,000 levy shift which he does not see reflected in these documents. The notice for the public hearing on the budget does not refer to the fact that the 2011 proposed budget is on-line on the County website. Hearing no further public testimony for or against the ad valorem tax levies, the Chair closed the public hearing. Commissioner Austin moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 49-10 the General Fund Levy for 2011 taxes as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Commissioner Johnson moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 51-10 setting the Road Fund Levy for 2011 taxes and authorizing the levy shift as corrected. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Commissioner Austin moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 50-10 setting the Conservation Futures Fund Levy for 2011 taxes as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a nnanimous vote. Commissioner Johnson moved to approve the letter to the Jefferson County Assessor outlining the 2011 Real and Personal Property Levy Amounts. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. HEARING NOTICE: Proposed 2011 Jefferson County Budget (Item 1 on the Consent Agenda): Commissioner Johnson moved to rescind approval of item No.1 on the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a nnanimous vote. Commissioner Austin moved that wording be included in the notice of hearing for the 2011 budget that the document is available to the public on the County's website and that the amended hearing notice be approved. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Final Draft Responsiveness Summary: Michelle McConnell, Associate Planner, reported that the finaI draft of this document reflects the edits provided by Philip Morley and under each topic there are responses to issues of public comment. She then reviewed comments and responses made and how the local Shoreline Management Plan dea1s with the topic. The ''Frequently Asked Questions" (F AQ) handout from May 2010 is attached and includes the matrix on non-conforrning single family residential structures. She reviewed where specific items of interest to the Board have been addressed in the document. The DOE has indicated that this document Page 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of November 22,2010 does not have to be signed by the Board and there are no requirements for the format of this document. The staff asked for feedback from the Board, the Prosecuting Attorney and the County Admini5<\rator. Commissioner Johnson stated that article 6 addresses setbacks and he wants to know if the setback is only for non-conforming uses. Al Scalf replied that the document addtesses setbacks in Article 6( e) for non-conforming lots and on pages 6 and 7 for conforming lots. The discussion turned to how the buffers on non-conforming and conforming lots will be implemented. Al Sca1fnoted that the F AQs on pages 12 through IS include examples of how the requirements will be applied for both non-conforming and conforming lots and use of the common line buffer. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney David Alvarez suggested that staff include wording on page 25 that the attached documents are incOlpomted by reference. A1 Scalf stated that page 17 needs more wording about the issue of the buffers on conforming and non-conforming lots. Philip Morley noted that this is the Board's opportunity to ask questions and to suggest any refinements So that the Department can submit this document before the deadline. The Board members had no further comments or suggestions for this document. The meeting was recessed at the conclusion of the moming business and reconvened at Noon for the quarterly Elected Officia1lDepartment Head brown bag lunch meeting. All three Commissioners were present as well as the Clerk, Treasurer, Assessor, and the County Administmtor. Curtailment of County Operations Due to Worsening Weather Conditions: The County Administrator reported on the worsening weather conditions that started at 8 am. this moming. There are currently bands of snowy conditions across the County with areas in the south part of the County having higher accumulations than Port Townsend. The roads are hazardous for driving and some roads are being closed to traffic. Schools in the County have just closed and many businesses are sending their employees hmne. After further discussion of what operations could be curtailed for the balance of the day and when and if operations should be started later tomorrow, the Superior Court Judge advised that he has closed the Courtroom and that the Court could wait to start until I 0 am. tomorrow. The District Court Office was contacted and they advised that they have to do some video arraignments today, but they can reschedule the balance of their court cases. The Elected Officials present agreed that offices should be closed to allow employees to get home safely. Commissioner Austin moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 52-10 curtailing county operations as provided in the Jefferson County Personnel Administration Manual (Chapter II, Section 17) for the Courthouse, Castle Hill Offices, and all administrative staff in other facilities from 12:30 p.m. on November 22,2010 through 10:00 am. on November 23,2010 and to give the County Administrator the anthority to extend the closure on Tuesday to 5 p.m. ifhe feels it is necessary for public safety. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Page 5 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of November 22, 2010 .ce, , ,.;~< NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: The Chair adjourned the meeting at 12:30 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting or properly noticed special meeting. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD! COMMISSIONERS ,~ . Davia S an. Chair P~~ J:t~~ " Page 6