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MINUTES
Special Meeting of the Intergovernmental Collaborative Group (ICG)
Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Hybrid Meeting: 355 Hudson St. Port Townsend, WA 98368
ICG Members and staffpresent:
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:
Councilmember David Faber, Councilmember Amy Howard, Councilmember Owen
Rowe, Councilmember Libby Wennstrom, Councilmember Neil Nelson and Councilmember Fred Obee
Staff present: Planning Manager Emma Bolin
Jefferson County Public Utility District (PUD) No. 1:
Commissioner JeffRandall, Commissioner Dan Toepper, 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: County Commissioner/ICG Rotating Chair Greg Brotherton called the meeting to
order after establishing a quorum. Other agencies present also called their respective meetings to order.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: ICG members listened to one comment from the public.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Member Dudley-Nollette moved to approve the December 4 and 11,
2026 meeting minutes as presented. Member Rowe seconded the motion. The motion carried.
DISCUSSION re: ICG economic development framework — facilitated discussion of desired
outcomes: North Olympic Development Council Director Karen Affeld and staff members Angela
Glore and Teagan Darmody were present to facilitate discussion.
The meeting focused on aligning stakeholders around a shared approach to economic development in
Jefferson County. Facilitators emphasized inclusive participation and introduced a "frame and focus"
concept to guide thinking. Economic data showed modest income and wage growth alongside sharply
rising housing costs, declining workforce participation due to an aging population, and a widening
affordability gap --highlighting challenges like workforce shortages and housing constraints.
Participants also reviewed various definitions of economic development, revealing common themes
around quality of life, sustainability, and collaboration.
In interactive exercises, participants identified shared priorities and actions, with recurring themes
including housing, infrastructure, land use, workforce development, and business support. Suggested
next steps included creating a shared vision, identifying barriers to development, assessing infrastructure
and workforce needs, and improving coordination across agencies. The outputs will be compiled,
themed, and used to develop a structured set of priorities and early actions for ongoing collaboration.
NEST STEPS and FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: The ICG members reviewed 2026 sche u R1,
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conflicts. After discussion, Member Eisenhour moved to approve the following meeting schedule for
2026: April 23 (Special Meeting), June 18 (Special Meeting), August 20 (Special Meeting), October 15
(Special Meeting), and December 17 (Regular Meeting), and to cancel the May 21 and September 17
regular meetings. Member Rowe seconded the motion. Rotating Chair Brotherton called for public
comment on the motion, and no comments were received. He called for a vote on the motion. The
motion carried.
AGENCY UPDATES:
Port of Port Townsend - Multiple infrastructure and capital projects underway, including: boatyard
expansion and stormwater improvements, airport master plan completion, seeking PIF funding, trail and
estuary restoration project, boat launch development, continued focus on industrial land use and
supporting marine trades and agriculture, Short's Farm — looking at next steps, Quilcene Boat launch
project, short term rental units becoming available, and emphasis on long-term economic and
environmental projects tied to port assets.
Jefferson PUD No. 1 - Finalized grant agreement for a fiber pathway, set water and wastewater rates for
the next 5 years, and expanding broadband service capacity significantly.
Jefferson County - Ongoing infrastructure and development projects: Sewer funding, request for
regular bridge openings for marine vessels during World Cup, upcoming PIF meeting, Critical Areas
Ordinance hearing coming soon, with Comprehensive Plan being delayed, moving forward with
relocation of the Solid Waste Facility, Mason Street Project — 136 units planned, advocating for the
Mosquito Fleet Act, Shoreline Master Program update coming, and upcoming Connectivity Summit
City of Port Townsend - Received Department of Ecology (DOE) funding for outfall project and
funding for the Lawrence sewer separation from storm and street rebuild Harrison to Monroe, and Evans
Vista is ramping up request for developer interest in the RFP process.
Jefferson Transit (Invited_to"rovideupdate) -_Launching a public survey for new Sunday service,
getting feedback on recent service changes, and they are hiring.
CLOSING REMARKS: North Olympic Development Council staff will compile the information
received today from all the agencies, and develop structured priorities and action framework, with a
strong emphasis on collaboration and strategic alignment across the entities.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Rotating Chair Brotherton opened the floor to allow for public
comments, and one comment was received.
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Rotating Chair Brotherton adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m. until
the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed.
Jefferson County Clerk of the Board Date