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Home My WebLink AboutWORKSHOP re Code Compliance update 615 Sheridan Street �� Port Townsend, WA 98368 de!ehson www.JeffersonCountyPublicHealth.org Regular Agenda Public Health JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of County Commissioners Josh Peters, County Administrator FROM: Pinky Feria Mingo, Environmental Health and Water Quality Director Jeremy Williammee, Community Development Director DATE: eebatt, v►, . Z 3r L'026 SUBJECT: Environmental Health and DCD Code Compliance Update STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Update the BoCC on code compliance and enforcement proceedings by Jefferson County's Departments of Environmental Health and Community Development. ANALYSIS/STRATEGIC GOALS/PROS and CONS: The BoCC requested this workshop as part its 2026 strategic priorities review. JCEPH and DCD staff will present 2025 code compliance achievements and discuss strategies for 2026 that balance compliance efforts with budget and human resource constraints. Staff will provide updates and feedback on implementation successes and challenges in implementing county code compliance and enforcement proceedings under Title 19 and Code Compliance Rules of Procedure. FISCAL IMPACT/COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS: None at this time. RECOMMENDATION: None at this time. REVIEWED BY: � 7t�i \ 3� (3/1q Jo eters, County Administrator Date Community Health Environmental Pubic Health Developmental Disabilities 360-385-9444 360-385-9400 (f) 360-379-4487 360-385-9401 (f) Always working for a safer and healthier community Code Compliance Update to BoCC EH & DCD •Enforcement Team •PAO Mentoring •Policies and Procedures •Lean Process Mapping •Title 19 •Partnerships •Standardized Templates •EPL Enhancements •Alternative Enforcement Program •Staff Training Since 2021 Grown and Strengthened the Code Compliance Program Lean Principles: Process Mapping and Standardizing EPL Enhancements Partnerships •Jefferson County Human Services Collaborators •Jefferson County Trash Task Force •Jefferson County Public Works Enforcement Fund •Abatements •Vouchers/Deposit Fee for Dumpsters •Staff Training (WASC Conference) •Filing Liens Provides Tools and Resources to do our job Title 19 ~$80.000 lien forgiven in lie u o f a c o nse rva tio n easement to protect Chimacum Creek. Value provided to the community over g e ne ra tio ns is inva lua b le . Settlements Settlements allow creative p ro b le m so lving . EPA needed the property owner to consent to cleanup of a mobile home that had a sbe stos a nd wa s thre a te ning c ritic a l sa lm o n ha b ita t in Chimacum Creek. No rth O lym p ic Sa lm o n Coalition estimated that if the mobile fell into the creek it could wipe out decades of sa lmon re cove ry e fforts. JCPH agreed to settle penalty if prope rty owne r ga ve EPA a cce ss. •Enforcement takes resources ⚬Sta ff ⚬PAOs •Complex Socio-Economic Issue s •No One -Size Fits All 3-4 High Priority Enforcement Cases All other cases Challenges Key Changes & Constraints •Coordinator Departure: Dedicated Code Compliance Coordinator left in December; position not backfilled due to budget constraints. •Budget & Staffing: Limited resources require a new operational approach. New Team -Based Model •Intake Process : Complaints received via website and code compliance email. •Review & Distribution : Cases categorized and routed to appropriate staff (Land Use, Building, Fire) Operational Priorities •Backlog Management : Working to bring all cases into the EPL system. •Tiered Approach : Apply priority tiers to cases and distribute accordingly. •Moving Forward : Log all complaints and address per established tiers. DCD Update PAO’s Office Philip & Ariel Rock •Reduces Risk to County •Mentor Staff •Monthly Meeting with all staff •Weekly Meeting with Code Compliance Staff •Provides Invaluable Staff OJT •Behavioral Health Partnership Success: Partnered with DBH to connect an individual to treatment and o ng o ing sup p o rt se rvic e s, using a b e ha vio r -focused compliance model similar to drug court. Individuals are now engaged in services and making measurable progress. •Septic & Housing Support Leveraged: Secured a $35,000 cost-sha re gra nt to insta ll a ne w se ptic syste m for a household of nine. REPAH covered permit application costs. Next phase includes coordination with housing partners to replace a dilapidated residence. •Major Cleanup for Vulnerable Resident: Coordinated removal of approximately 45 tons of solid waste and eliminated direct sewage discharge for an elderly resident. REPAH funded the dumpster, and volunteers from the owner’s faith community completed the cleanup in partnership with Environmental Health. •Complex Case Stabilized (In Progress): Addressing an open seepage pit, animal hoarding, and solid waste at a property where the owner has serious health limitations. Multi-agency response with DBH REAL Team and Fire CARES. Pit temporarily abated of attractive nuisance, owner now in treatment and counseling, VCA in place, and septic funding applications underway. If everything is accomplished we will settle outstanding penalties and lien placed on the property. Alternative Enforcement Success Stories Balancing compliance and compassion •How we achieve compliance matters, not just the outcome. •Our primary goal is partnership with property owners whenever possible. •Enforcement tools are used when necessary to protect public health and safety, not as punishment. •Escalated actions may include penalties, liens, and legal orders. •Property owners are still given opportunities to come into compliance at any stage of enforcement. •Cases can be resolved through corrective action, even after formal enforcement has begun. After Before•Each case contributes to better outcomes, whether it resolves easily or proves complex •Successful cases show what outreach, education, and partnership strategies work. •Difficult cases reveal system gaps, barriers to compliance, and where earlier intervention helps. •We apply lessons learned to refine our approach, tools, and timelines. •Patterns across cases help us better identify high -risk situations earlier. •Continuous improvement strengthens both voluntary compliance and enforcement effectiveness. •Connecting clients to treatment ⚬4 Clients in treatment programs a s a dire ct re sult of working w ith DBH Even this case which is long standing going on 30 years is now seeing progress with persistence, multi -disiplinary coordination, and the right kind of intervention we are beginning to see progress. Total in Progress High Priority Violations On -Site •Septic system failing – sewage on ground •Septic system failing – sewage backing up into structure •RV, tiny house, or park model on property with water hose connected and sewage discharging on ground or to surface waters •Unpermitted on -site septic (OSS) installation in progress •Unsecured tank risers Solid Waste •Illegal dumping •Illegal burning •Putrescible items (raw garbage) •Hazardous substances or materials Building •Habitable structures currently under construction without a permit •Existing, observably unsafe structure •Unpermitted accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or residential remodel •Unpermitted commercial/industrial business occupied by public •Tree removal/logging of enough trees to require a Forest Practices Application (FPA) through DNR for conversion of forested land to non -forestry use (i.e., Class IV-General) •Site development (clearing, grading, filling) in or near any Critical Area (e.g., wetlands, streams, shorelines, landslide hazard areas) # without permits •Site development (clearing, grading, filling) greater than 7,000 ft2 •Unpermitted new use or development within shoreline jurisdiction that is in -water (e.g., aquaculture, dock/pier), bank stabilization (e.g., rock bulkhead) at or near Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM), or major/large -scale 2025 Statistics DCD Update DCD Update – Tier 1 Cases Thank you! jeffersoncountypublichealth.org main clinic: 360 -385-9400 facebook.com/jeffersoncountypublichealth @jeffcopublichealth_wa