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Home My WebLink About051126M °t. rt l,sfrr\ MINUTE S Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting — May 11, 2026, 9:00 a.m. Jefferson County Courthouse—Commissioners' Chambers 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA (Hybrid) AI use acknowledgment: Portions of the meeting transcript were summarized using AI and incorporated into this document. All AI-assisted content was reviewed and edited by staff before publication. 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 and played a tune on a mando banjo. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Chair Brotherton called for public comments, and five comments were received. The Commissioners addressed the comments. UPDATE re: Moderate Fire Risk Declaration: Department of Community Development(DCD) Director/Fire Marshal Jeremy Williammee and Deputy Fire Marshal Brian Tracer were present to brief the Board on the move from a moderate fire danger level earlier than usual due to unusually dry conditions, low snowpack, and forecasts of 45 days without measurable rain. The moderate fire danger level bans yard debris burning while warning that high fire danger restrictions - which will include bans on campfires and fireworks—may arrive before July 1, 2026. PROCLAMATION re: Proclaiming May 2026 as Building Safety Month: After all three Commissioners read aloud the proclamation, Commissioner Dudley-Nollette moved to approve the proclamation. Commissioner Eisenhour seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. DCD Administrative Services Manager Chelsea Pronovost and Building Inspector Brandon Brown were present and thanked the Commissioners for their support. They commented on the work their department does for the community. County Administrator Josh Peters and the Commissioners elaborated on the great work done by the building team over at DCD. PROCLAMATION re: Declaring the Week of May 10-16,2026 as National Police Week and Observe May 15,2026 as Peace Officer's Memorial Day: After all three Commissioners read aloud the proclamation, Commissioner Dudley-Nollette moved to approve the proclamation. Commissioner Eisenhour seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Sheriff Andy Pemsteiner and Port Townsend Police,Department Detective Jason Greenspane were present for the proclamation and thanked the Commissioners for the acknowledgment. The Commissioners thanked law enforcement for the services they provide in the City of Port Townsend and the County. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Eisenhour moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette highlighted an 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of May 11, 2026 excerpt from the Transportation Benefit District report(Consent Agenda Item No. 5). 1. AGREEMENT re: Thriving Communities Small Grants Program; Community Opportunity Fair; $500; Port Ludlow Village Council (PLVC) 2. AGREEMENT,Amendment No. 1 re: Landes Terrace Project; Change in scope; County Administrator's Office; Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County 3. AGREEMENT,Amendment No. 13 re: Consolidated Contracts; Additional $101,206 for a total of$6,280,284; Public Health; Washington State Department of Health 4. AGREEMENT,Change Order No. 16 re: Phase 2 Water Reclamation Plant for the PHUGA, Project No. 405-2114-0, Commerce Project No. 22-96515-026; Increase of$10,712,377.70 to $10,733,767.64; Public Works; Washington State Department of Commerce 5. APPROVAL OF REPORT re: 2025 Transportation Benefit District Annual Report 6. APPROVAL OF LICENSE re: Public Right-of-Way along Upper Hoh Road; Public Works; Washington Coast Sustainable Salmon Foundation 7. ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTMENT re: Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters (LEOFF)-I Disability Retirement Board; Law enforcement representative— Sheriff Andy Pernsteiner 8. ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTMENT (3) re: Jefferson County Tourism Coordinating Council(TCC); Diane Smeland, Port Ludlow Representative; Marsha Massey, Regional Marketing DMO Representative; Amy Neil, West End Representative 9. ADVISORY COMMITTEE RESIGNATION re: Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee; District 2 NWSC Representative—Jeff Taylor 10. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL WARRANTS: Dated May 5, 2026 and totaling $2,565,959.05, Dated May 5, 2026 and totaling $186,889.20 (Sound Health),and Dated May 7, 2026 and totaling $285.44 11. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANTS: Dated May 5, 2026 and totaling $6,500 COMMISSIONERS' BRIEFING SESSION: Commissioner Dudley-Nollette started discussing recent meetings she attended, which turned into a broader discussion about the Tourism Coordinating Committee. HEARING re: Additional 2026 Budget Appropriations; Various County Departments: Finance Director Judy Shepherd reviewed the Budget appropriation requests which included: 1) Elections Department: ballot boxes, installation, and Microsoft 365 license renewal; and 2) Public Works: Salaries and benefits, insurance and utilities to keep Parks and Recreation programs funded through the end of the year. Chair Brotherton opened the floor to allow for hearing testimony, and the following individual provided testimony: Tom Thiersch—Jefferson County. After deliberations, Commissioner Dudley-Nollette moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 26-0511- 26R re: Approving 2026 Additional Budget Appropriations for various County Departments. Commissioner Eisenhour seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. COMMISSIONERS' BRIEFING SESSION-Continued: Finance Director Judy Shepherd reviewed responsibilities of the County—through LTAC—approving an electronic sign as you 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of May 11, 2026 come into Jefferson County. LTAC Chair Dudley-Nollette stated that they will add this as an agenda item at their upcoming May 19, 2026 Special Meeting. WORKSHOP re: Connectivity Summit debrief: The Production Alliance (TPA) Director Daniel Milholland was present to review the recent Connectivity Summit. He explained that it was an ambitious and largely successful three-day community event that brought together students, nonprofits, artists, civic leaders, and residents through workshops, networking,youth engagement, art- making, and collaborative activities. Feedback received highlighted the welcoming atmosphere, meaningful partnerships formed, and strong youth participation, including internships and cross- community connections. He acknowledged challenges with communication, parking logistics, limited organization table space, and balancing accessibility across districts. The event generated lasting resources such as community directories, workshop recordings, a community cookbook, and plans for future follow-up engagement. The discussion focused on how to improve and evolve future summits, including ideas for rotating events through different districts, hosting more district-specific conversations and workshops, and creating clearer themes around resilience,preparedness, and collaborative problem-solving. The Commissioners emphasized that the summit supports the County's strategic goals around civic engagement and community resilience, and they expressed interest in refining rather than abandoning the model, with plans already underway for future events such as the Rhododendron Festival Family Reunion and All-County Preparedness Day. WORKSHOP re: Surveys Design and Frequency update: This item was tabled for a future meeting. The meeting was recessed at 12:02 p.m. and reconvened at 1:32 p.m. with Commissioner Eisenhour and Commissioner Dudley-Nollette present. Chair Brotherton joined the Executive Session when it began. EXECUTIVE SESSION: An Executive Session was scheduled from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Commissioner Eisenhour announced that the Executive Session will be held from 1:32 p.m. to 2:02 p.m. regarding Attorney-Client Privilege, Potential/Actual Litigation under exemption RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) as outlined in the Open Public Meetings Act. Staff present: County Administrator, Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney (DPA), and Prosecuting Attorney. The Board resumed the regular meeting at 2:03 p.m. Chair Brotherton resumed Chairing and announced that the Board will be extending the Executive Session from 2:03 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. The Board concluded the Executive Session and resumed the regular meeting at 2:28 p.m. There was no proposed action, and therefore no public comment taken on this topic. DISCUSSION re: Opportunity Zone Letters of Support(2): 1) Port Townsend Tract; and 2)Brinnon/West End: Economic Development Council (EDC) Team Jefferson Director David Ballif was present to update the Board on the highly competitive Opportunity Zone 2.0 application process,which seeks federal tax-incentivized investment in distressed areas through two proposed Jefferson County census tracts: Port Townsend and the Brinnon/West End region. Discussion focused on the potential economic benefits of attracting private investment for workforce housing, healthcare,tribal partnerships, resiliency projects, and community development, as well as the 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of May 11, 2026 collaborative regional effort with Clallam County through the Emerald Coast Opportunity Zone. After discussion, Commissioner Eisenhour moved to send the 2 letters to Governor Ferguson re: Opportunity zone proposals for Port Townsend tract and the Brinnon/West End tract, as amended today. Commissioner Dudley-Ndllette seconded the motion. Chair Brotherton called for public comments on the motion, and ii Y Comments were received. He called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ITEMS: The Commissioners and County Administrator reviewed the following: • Miscellaneous topics • Commissioners' Briefing Session • Calendar Coordination • EV car rental The meeting was recessed at 3:39 p.m. and reconvened at 3:44 p.m. with all three Commissioners present. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS: EXECUTIVE SESSION: An Executive Session was added to the meeting agenda. Chair Brotherton announced that the Executive Session will be held from 3:45 p.m. to 3:55 p.m. regarding Attorney-Client Privilege, Potential/Actual Litigation under exemption RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)as outlined in the Open Public Meetings Act. Staff present: County Administrator, and Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney (DPA). The Board resumed the regular meeting at 3:55 p.m. Chair Brotherton announced that the Board will be extending the Executive Session from 3:57 p.m. to 4:07 p.m. The Board concluded the Executive Session and resumed the regular meeting at 4:07 p.m. There was no proposed action, and therefore no public comment taken on this topic. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ITEMS: The Commissioners and County Administrator reviewed the following: • Calendar Coordination- continued ADDITIONAL BUSINESS re: Letter of Support re: Evergreen Manufacturing Grants: The PT Foundry LLC, has requested that the Commissioners approve a letter of support for their$175,000-$200,000 Evergreen Manufacturing Grant application through the Washington State Department of Commerce. After review of the letter, Commissioner Dudley-Nollette moved that the BOCC sign and deliver the letter of support for the PT Foundry's application to the Washington State Department of Commerce for their evergreen manufacturing grants. Commissioner Eisenhour seconded the motion. Chair Brotherton opened the floor to allow for public comments, and one comment was received. He called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ITEMS: The Commissioners and County Administrator reviewed the following: • Port of Port Townsend; supporting grant for a 250-ton self-propelled boat transporter • Social media; outreach/comments 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of May 11, 2026 NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Brotherton adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. ,`,�,,,��$,,,,,,,,,,,��,�, JEFFERSON COUNTY �FERSON,S,,� BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SEAL: �� '�•t,M,sSiO .GZ.• 4��v cn S�_'`'i[,�! .rotherton, Chair i A• ••4 I 0 t ATTES • ��''•�Z.�iNgSN1NG+�''� ' 4 i enhour, Member ly Gallaway, CM die g u• o ette, Member Cl k f the Board 5