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Home My WebLink About070626M (0 MINUTES Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting — July 6, 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. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Chair Brotherton opened the floor for public comments, and three comments were received. The Commissioners addressed the comments. ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: The Commissioners reviewed Consent Agenda items and reviewed scrivener errors. Approval of the Consent Agenda was tabled for later in the meeting. MONTHLY PUBLIC HEALTH AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT UPDATE: Emergency Management Director Willie Bence reported on individuals that receive the SNAP benefit will need to provide proof of volunteer hours to continue receiving them. Department of Emergency Management(DEM)has a list of volunteer locations as well as the Washington State University (WSU) Extension. He noted that this summer will be a warmer and dryer year with limited snowpack, limited rain, and moderate fire danger. He thanked Preparedness Day participants for contributing to a good turnout. Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry provided information regarding public health in Jefferson County and the United States and answered KPTZ questions. Covid-19 and Flu are currently at low levels, and tracking is primarily limited to emergency visits and hospitalizations. An influenza outbreak was reported at a military facility, but not significantly local. Cases of Pertussis(Whooping Cough) are being reported in Kitsap with no reports locally. The Covid-19 booster is not being aggressively pushed at this time but she recommended that elders and long term care residents get it. Dr. Berry also commented on the recent legislative changes restricting SNAP funding due to a new requirement for adults without young children or verified disabilities, to document 80 hours of work or volunteer hours monthly. Medicaid recipients will also have to report work or volunteer requirements by the end of this year. She also noted that ticks and mosquitoes are on the rise. 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of July 6, 2026 ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA - CONTINUED: The Commissioners reviewed consent items. After discussion of Commissioner Eisenhour moved to approve the Consent Agenda, as updated. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion with a friendly amendment to pull Consent Agenda Item No. 27 re; Public Defense Improvement Funds. The friendly amendment was agreeable to Commissioner Eisenhour. Chair Brotherton called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. 1. AWARD OF CONTRACT re: Phase 4—Northwest School of Wooden Boats (NWSWB) and Star Marine On-site Grinder Pump Installation for Port Hadlock UGA; Public Works; Russ Construction, LLC 2. INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT re: Issuance of Food Worker Cards for Jefferson County; $6.50 revenue per card issued; Public Health; Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department 3. AGREEMENT re: Ballot drop box in Port Ludlow;No cost; Auditor's Office; Port Ludlow Associates, LLC 4. AGREEMENT re: Data sharing—child deaths; No fiscal impact; Public Health; Washington State Department of Health 5. AGREEMENT re: Economic Development services through APEX Accelerator Program; $10,000; County Administrator; EDC Team Jefferson 6. AGREEMENT re: Public Infrastructure Fund (PIF)—Jefferson Timber Cooperative Project; $285,000; County Administrator; Port of Port Townsend 7. AGREEMENT re: Office construction for District Court Victim Coordinator Office; $15,921.55; Central Services; Loves Construction 8. AGREEMENT re: Port Townsend Community Center walk-in refrigerator repair; $15,500; Central Services; Jack Frost Company 9. AGREEMENT re: Port Townsend Community Center gymnasium stair replacement; $8,236.22; Central Services; CKS Builders 10. AGREEMENT re: Clearwater Sheriff's Office HVAC replacement; $8,521.29; Central Services; Jack Frost Co. 11. AGREEMENT re: Chetzemoka Park ADA playground equipment; $4,749.49; Public Health; City of Port Townsend 12. AGREEMENT re: Developmental Disabilities Community Services (DDCS); $974,829; Public Health; Washington State Development of Social and Health Services 13. AGREEMENT re: School-to-Work program; $9,430.40 per student; Public Health; Cascade Community Connections 14. AGREEMENT re: E911 County Basic Service Operations; $399,421.85; JeffCom; Washington State Military Department 15. AGREEMENT,Amendment No. 1 re: Mental health prevention program; Additional $11,563, for a total of$34,689.39; Public Health; The Benji Project 16. AGREEMENT,Amendment No. 1 re: Chimacum School District mental health services; Additional amount of$18,032, for a total of$54,096.55; Public Health; Jumping Mouse Children's Center 17. AGREEMENT, Amendment No. 1 re: Brinnon School District mental health services; Additional amount of$17,511, for a total of$52,533.79; Public Health; Jumping Mouse Children's Center 18. AGREEMENT,Amendment No. 1 re: School-to-Work direct service; Change to Exhibit C; Public Health; Washington State Department of Social and Health Services—Division of Vocational Rehabilitation 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of July 6, 2026 19. AGREEMENT,Amendment No. 1 re: School-based mental health counseling; Additional amount of$77,150, for a total of$231,540.41; Public Health; Olympic Educational Service District#114 20. AGREEMENT,Amendment No. 1 re: Social support services for staff working with the Alternative Enforcement Program; Extension to June 30, 2027 and additional $4,400; Public Health; MCS Counseling 21. AGREEMENT,Amendment No. 2 re: Case management for clients in the Alternative Enforcement Program; Extension to June 30, 2027 and additional $4,000; Public Health; Discovery Behavioral Healthcare 22. AGREEMENT,Amendment No. 2 re: School to work start-up; Additional amount of $1,775.63, for a total of$44,775.63; Public Health; Washington Department of Social & Health Services 23. AGREEMENT,Amendment No. 2 re: Community inclusion services; Additional amount of $15,859, for a total of$470,322.70; Public Health; Cascade Community Connections 24. AGREEMENT,Amendment No. 3 re: Residential substance abuse treatment in prisons and jails; $392,803.87; Public Health; Believe in Recovery, LLC—July 1, 2025 25. AGREEMENT,Amendment No. 15 re: Consolidated contracts; Additional amount of $1,916,986, for a total of$8,209,503; Public Health; State of Washington Department of Health 26. SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT,Amendment No. 1 re: Between Jefferson County, Shold Excavating, Inc., and Suzanne Martin, an independent septic designer; Future sharing of additional costs 27. MOTION TO DELEGATE SIGNING AUTHORITY to the Grants Administrator re: AGREEMENT re: Public Defense Improvement Funds; $63,854.27; Auditor's Office; Office of Public Defense—REMOVED 28. CONSERVATION FUTURES FUND CITIZEN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (CFFCOC) APPOINTMENT: Open interest—Anadromous Fish; Michael Donald 29. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting Minutes of May 4, 2026, June 8, and 15, 2026 and Special Meeting Minutes of June 9, 2026 (Joint Port) 30. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL WARRANTS: Dated July 2, 2026 totaling $2,516,876.39 31. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANTS: Dated June 22, 2026 and totaling $841,516.95 WORKSHOP re: OMB proposes major overhaul of Federal Grant rules: The Commissioners received an Action Alert from the National Association of Counties regarding a proposed federal rule budget which would rewrite 2 CFR Part 200 of the Uniform Guidance. This proposed rewrite would represent the largest overhaul of federal grant rules since 2013. The rule governs every federal grant Jefferson County receives, which includes public safety,transportation, housing, public health, emergency management and more. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette and Acorn Consulting Federal Lobbyist Crystal Ellerbe shared a letter outlining their comments to the Office of Management and Budget(OMB). The Commissioners discussed edits to the letter. After discussion, Commissioner Eisenhour moved to send a letter to the Office of Management and Budget regarding the overhauling of the Federal Grant rules, as amended. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of July 6, 2026 HEARING re: Proposed 2nd Quarter Budget Appropriations/Extensions; Various County Departments Finance Director Judy Shepherd shared the appropriations: Finance Director Judy Shepherd presented the various budget appropriations from County departments, and answered questions posed by the Board. Emergency Shelter Fund 149 appropriation was addressed, and Director Shepherd noted that the Housing Fund Board(HFB)has not approved the expense yet. After discussion, Chair Brotherton opened the floor to allow for public testimony, and the following individuals provided testimony: Tom Thiersch—Jefferson County and Shelly Yarnell—Brinnon. Hearing no further testimony, Chair Brotherton closed the public hearing. He stated that deliberations will continue in the afternoon. HEARING re: 2025-2045 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update and Associated Unified Development Code (UDC) Amendments: County Administrator Josh Peters, DCD Director Jeremy Williammee, and Development Code Administrator Greg Ballard were present to provide an update on the Comprehensive Plan for 2025-2045, and to answer questions posed by the Board. After discussion, Chair Brotherton opened the floor to allow for public testimony, and the following individual provided testimony: Eric Jones - Port Townsend. Hearing no further testimony, Chair Brotherton closed the public hearing and entered deliberations. The deliberations centered on mid-class housing and planning. The Commissioners addressed recent testimony regarding specific policy adjustment, and the 70-foot building height allowance within the Urban Growth Area(UGA). DCD staff shared feedback from East Jefferson Fire and Rescue and the Fire Marshal confirming that local fire apparatus can service 70-foot structures. Additionally, the conversation touched on feedback from Department of Ecology, which recommended removing specific setback numbers from the comprehensive plan to maintain consistency and defer directly to the Shoreline Master Program(SMP). Focused on proposed high-density residential upzones intended to meet state mandates for affordable housing at or below 80%of the Area Median Income (AMI),the Commissioners had objections to the parcels selected by the data analysis, pointing out that one major targeted area is a wetland heavily constrained by Chimacum Creek, while another lacked proper neighborhood notification, and deferred the upzone evaluation to a further annual amendment cycle to allow for more site-specific analysis and genuine community engagement. Chair Brotherton stated they would extend deliberations to the afternoon, if time permitted. Monday,July 13, 2026, was also reserved for further discussion, if needed. The meeting was recessed at 12:04 p.m. and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. with all three Commissioners present. EXECUTIVE SESSION An Executive Session was scheduled from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Chair Brotherton announced that the Executive Session will be held from 1:31 p.m. to 2:16 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), Community Development Director, Water Quality Manager, and Natural Resources Program Coordinator. The Board resumed the regular meeting at 2:16 p.m. Chair Brotherton announced that the Board will be extending the Executive Session from 2:20 p.m. to 2:34 p.m. The Board resumed the regular meeting at 2:34 p.m. Chair Brotherton announced that the Board will be extending the Executive Session from 2:34 to 2:46 p.m. The Board concluded the Executive Session and resumed the regular meeting at 2:46 p.m. There was no proposed action, and therefore no public comment taken on this topic. 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of July 6, 2026 The meeting recessed at 2:49 due to technical difficulty and reconvened at 2:54 p.m. with all three Commissioners present. WORKSHOP re: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Annual Report: Parks & Recreation Manager Matt Tyler, Jefferson County Parks& Recreation Board (JPRAB) Chair Bob Doyle and Vice Chair Karen Nyrop were present to share their report on campgrounds and parks in Jefferson County. They expressed the need to keep them maintained and were opposed to implementing additional fees to access parks. JPRAB Chair Doyle referenced the levy lid lift and noted if passed, it would fully fund Parks and Rec, community centers,4H, and the Fairgrounds. They answered questions posed by the Commissioners. WORKSHOP re: Jefferson Land Trust Jurisdictional (JLT) Conferral RCO Grant Application #26-1308 and 26-1311: JLT Director of Conservation Sarah Spaeth and JLT Conservation Coordinator Marlowe Moser were present to share their request for support of two RCO grants. JTL would like to acquire property located within the City of Port Townsend. If awarded the grant,the JTL will be able to acquire about 26.4 additional acres in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor, including approximately 15.7 acres of Rights of Way for which the City indicated support. The acquisitions would conserve connected wildlife habitat and popular public trail corridors within the area which is commonly referred to as Cappy's Trails. This area has also been defined as a future park in the City of Port Townsend's 2025 Comprehensive Plan. The second grant, through the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) Farmland Preservation account, is to permanently protect property located in the Center Valley area of Chimacum. If awarded, the grant funding would allow acquisition of a conservation easement on a 61-acre farm property. JLT seeks to protect the West Valley Farm to ensure its availability for agricultural productivity in the county, in perpetuity. They will bring forward draft letters of support for board approval at a later date. WORKSHOP re: U.S. Forest Service—Forest election form: County Administrator Josh Peters, Treasurer Stacie Prada, Eric Kuzma, and Assessor Jeff Chapman discussed a proposal to rebalance its funding allocations under the Secure Rural Schools (SRS)Act, which would tentatively move toward 10% for Title II and 5% for Title III funds, while keeping Title I funding unchanged to protect the roads budget. While Title II funding strictly requires that at least 50%go toward road,trail and watershed maintenance, concerns were that reducing these funds might inadvertently harm the local Noxious Weeds Program. Title III funds are used to Federal Forests. After discussion, Commissioner Eisenhour moved to change the County's distribution percentages for Title I, II, and III monies made under the Secure Rules Schools and Community Self-determination Act, maintaining 85% for Title I, which half will go to Fund 180 for county roads, and half will go to local school districts, 10% for Title II, which will go to the US Forest Service Atlantic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee for funding special projects on Federal Lands, and 5% for Title III Fund 147, which will fund federal forests. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. HEARING—Continued deliberations re: Proposed 2nd Quarter Budget Appropriations/ Extensions; Various County Departments: During deliberations, Commissioners sought clarification on the Emergency Shelter appropriation. Director Shepherd stated that the contract has been amended and there is a need for more budget. 5 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of July 6, 2026 After deliberations, Director Shepherd recommended approving $301,345 in appropriations, and going to the Housing Fund Board(HFB) for a recommendation of$70,000. After deliberations, Commissioner Eisenhour moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 34-0706-26R re: Second quarter budget appropriations for 2026, with one amendment under Fund 149, the line that says Bayside Emergency Shelter, will be changed to $132,384, the remaining list of appropriations stands, and the conversation will continue with the Housing Fund Board. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: The Commissioners requested that the Shelter Coalition members be invited to attend a future meeting. Chair Brotherton adjourned the meeting at 4:33 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. 0"` 17..4% JEFFERS•, COUNTY ,cleSEAL: 4MMtJ c'b BOARD 0 COMMISSIONERS _ >1a yam:? : P, 1.4• 0_ i 'I . erton, air 0 •.. . 1 r EST: I •.4,, a[ i't.-/--- *„,:4SHINL.,,s,„0our, Member / / 0/' A l McKnight, ? C fir- Audley-Nollette, Member Deputy Clerk of I :oard 6