Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout040826MS - Joint PIF m i ''''''-'',-1:-_, � o, SRINGC MINUTE S Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners Special Meeting — April 8, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Jefferson County Courthouse— Commissioners' Chambers 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA (Hybrid) CALL TO ORDER: Chair Greg Brotherton, Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour and Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette participated in the meeting. Chair Brotherton called the meeting to order at the appointed time. The purpose of the meeting was for the Commissioners to participate in discussion with the Public Infrastructure Fund (PIF) Board. All action was taken by PIF members, and Chairing duties were handed over to PIF Chair Heidi Eisenhour PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Chair Brotherton called for public comments, and no comments were received. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: PIF members took-action to approve their meeting minutes of October 3, 2025 and November 13, 2025 as presented. DISCUSSION re: Jefferson County Partner Support for APEX Accelerator Program: EDC Team Jefferson Director David Ballif spoke about the program. PIF members took-action to approve the $10,000 request to the EDC for the Apex Accelerator Program. DISCUSSION re: Scope, Schedule& Budget Updates for Current PIF Projects: Staff reviewed the current PIF funding spreadsheet and discussed challenges in addressing emergent projects that do not align with existing RFP timelines. Project updates included: the Simms Gateway project is delayed until approximately 2027 due to Tribal consultation related to cultural resource impacts; the Quilcene Complete Streets project remains active but continues to face challenges, with approval given to purchase speed radar signs; and the JCIA Park project has expended roughly 75% of its funds, with additional road work anticipated and coordination with the PUD ongoing, though timelines remain uncertain. The Glen Cove project is still in development, with ongoing coordination needed to determine project leadership and use of allocated funds, while the Quilcene water kiosk project was withdrawn, returning funds to the PIF balance. The Lawrence Street project has been fully expended and successfully leveraged additional external funding. DISCUSSION re: PIF Availability Projection and Process for Project Selection and Fund Distribution: The group discussed PIF fund availability projections and potential changes to the project selection and distribution process. Staff will work to update the current fund balance. A proposal was made by Commissioner Brotherton which introduced moving from a reactive RFP-based model toward a more strategic and collaborative approach, such as developing a rolling six-year project list with defined criteria to guide funding decisions and support long-term infrastructure,public-private 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2026 partnerships, and workforce housing. PIF members generally supported adding a more strategic framework, while emphasizing the need to maintain flexibility to act on emergent,job-creating opportunities. Discussion highlighted the importance of balancing long-term planning with nimbleness, aligning efforts with existing plans such as SEDS, and potentially incorporating dedicated time for strategic planning within regular PIF meetings. The idea will be further developed for future consideration. DISCUSSION re: Emergent Projects and Opportunities -Process for Consideration of Current and Future Proposals: The group discussed an emergent funding opportunity to support infrastructure improvements at the Jefferson County International Airport tied to a timber cooperative project, which would leverage grant funding, expand operations, and create local jobs. After discussion, PIF members took-action to approving funding to the Port of Port Townsend for$285,000 to support the Jefferson Timber Cooperative Project. Scott Freeman of Leopold Freeman Forest LLC and Jefferson Timber Cooperative Board member thanked the PIF members for supporting their project. Discussion continued around the need for a more flexible process to address future emergent opportunities, including maintaining reserve funds and potentially convening special meetings to respond to time-sensitive projects while aligning decisions with broader economic development goals. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Follow-up topics for future PIF meetings included: Review PIF balance, strategic framework discussion, aligning broader plans, project selection process, revenue timing clarification, meeting cadence and process. CLOSING REMARKS: PIF Chair Eisenhour noted that she was happy that the Timber Cooperative project was moving forward. NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Brotherton adjourned the meeting at 5:56 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. JEFFERSON COUNTY \\\\\\!\91111111/I//� ``.,,,� FFERS�%, Bt�'iD O• ISSIONERS 4.SEAL: ..GOMMI •. c��'' AVM y? m':Z= . -U :"r therton, Chair `` ATTEST: °'�� gSIN ��\.��`'��`` eid. 3seI our, Member „IIIII,,,►,,,,, ! �� aro Gallaway, CNI1V . - o udley Nollette, Member Cler f the Board 2