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HomeMy WebLinkAbout090826M 2_,AO N (. J'Sft1NOL MINUTES Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting — September 8, 2026, 9:00 a.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. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Chair Brotherton called for public comments, and four comments were received. The Commissioners addressed the comments. PROCLAMATION re: Proclaiming September 11,2026 as National Day of Service and Remembrance: After all three Commissioners read the proclamation aloud, Commissioner Dudley-Nollette moved to approve the proclamation. Commissioner Eisenhour seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Sheriff Andy Pernsteiner was present and commented on the 9/11 tragedy, and all the individuals who passed away that day. He noted that there will be a bell ringing ceremony at the Bell Tower in Port Townsend at 9:59 a.m. on September 11, 2026. 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. 1. FINAL PLAT ALTERATION re: Amendment to Middlepoint Land Conservancy Large Lot Subdivision; SUB2025-00031; Department of Community Development 2. INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT re: School based health centers; No fiscal impact; Public Health; Chimacum, Port Townsend, and Quilcene School Districts 3. AGREEMENT re: Olympic Peninsula Gateway Sign Project; No fiscal impact; County Administrator; Washington State Department of Transportation 4. AGREEMENT re: Quilcene Community Center repairs; $49,863.95; Central Services; Loves Construction 5. AGREEMENT re: Architecture and engineering of the Courthouse Annex; $76,050; Central Services; Studio Bracket 6. AGREEMENT re: Parent to Parent Support, Community information for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities; $10,500; Public Health; The Arc of Washington 7. AGREEMENT re: Transition Services Coordinator; $16,000; Public Health; Cascade Community Connections 8. AGREEMENT re: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities education program; $5,000; Public Health, Washington Initiative for Supported Employment(WISE) 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2026 9. AGREEMENT re: eCode online services; Annual fee of$1,195 plus extra services as needed; County Administrator; General Code LLC. 10. AGREEMENT, Subaward re: Additional consumer services, Transition training; $2,300; Public Health; Washington Initiative for Supported Employment(WISE) 11. AGREEMENT, Subaward re: Child development services; $16,125; Public Health; Concerned Citizens 12. AGREEMENT, Subaward re: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities additional consumer services; $12,200; Public Health; Cascade Community Connections 13. MEMORANDUM of UNDERSTANDING, Amendment No. 1 re: Street outreach for those experiencing homelessness; Additional amount$40,000; Public Health; Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP) 14. APPROVAL OF SIGNATURE AUTHORITY to the Chair of the Board re: e-sign two grant applications for 2027 Rural Arterial Program(RAP) grant applications; Public Works; Washington State County Road Administration Board 15. MOTION TO DELEGATE SIGNING AUTHORITY to the County Administrator re: AGREEMENT re: Formula distribution for improving public defense; $63,854.27; Auditor's Office; Office of Public Defense 16. ADVISORY BOARD REAPPOINTMENT re: Intellectual Development Disabilities Advisory Board (IDDAB); Self Advocate, Robin Boulanger 17. ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTMENT (2)re: Jefferson County Public Infrastructure Fund (PIF) Board; Citizen—District#2, Amanda Oborne; Citizen—District#2 Alternate, Kellen Lynch 18. ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTMENT (1)re: Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board(JCPRAB) District#2, Kinnan Murray 19. ADVISORY BOARD RESIGNATION (1)re: Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee; District 1 Representative, Kathryn Hoerauf 20. ADVISORY BOARD REAPPOINTMENT re: Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC); Jefferson County Sheriff Office, Andy Pernsteiner 21. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANTS: Dated August 24, 2026 totaling $499,221.99 PUBLIC HEALTH and EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT UPDATE: Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry reported a small regional rise in COVID-19 activity as fall respiratory season begins, and she reviewed updated vaccine guidance for COVID-19, flu, and RSV. She added that Washington relies on major medical organizations and state health authorities for vaccine recommendations. Dr. Berry also reported on pertussis and measles cases. Emergency Management Director Willie Bence was not present to give the Emergency Management update. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS re: Agreement regarding repairs to Quinault South Shore Road MP 1.31 Public Works; Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT): Public Works Director Eric Kuzma stated that the contract for the Quinault South Shore Road was previously approved by the Commissioners in March 2026, but DOT misplaced the contract and is now requesting an updated signature page with a new date. The agreement will secure federal funding for the time-sensitive Quinault South Shore washout repair, with in-water work required to be completed by September 30, 2026. Commissioner Eisenhour moved to approve the contract as presented. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion. Chair Brotherton opened the floor to allow for 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2026 public comments, and one comment was received. He called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. DISCUSSION re: Resolution re: Extending temporary hiring freeze on new employment and vacant employment positions hiring review: County Administrator Josh Peters, Finance Director Judy Shepherd, and Human Resources Director Sarah Melancon reviewed the request to extend the temporary hiring freeze on new and vacant positions, noting that the County is projecting a potential $2.5 million deficit for 2026 due to underperforming sales tax, and that the freeze has been a useful tool for finance to review roughly 15-20 exemption requests made over the past year. After discussion, Commissioner Eisenhour moved to approve RESOLUTION NO.44-0908-26R re: In the matter of extending temporary hiring freeze on new employment and vacant employment positions hiring review. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion. After follow-up discussion, Chair Brotherton called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. DISCUSSION re: Resolution re: Establishing a new,part-time (0.50 FTE) position and appropriate compensation for appointed Superior Court Commissioner of Jefferson County: Superior Court Judge Brandon Mack, Superior Court Administrator Maite Hollenbeck, and Human Resources Director Sarah Melancon were present to discuss a request to convert the Superior Court Commissioner role from a limited clerk-hire position to a .5 FTE benefited position, which would improve training opportunities, court coverage,retention, and continuity when the Superior Court Judge is unavailable. The change will add a relatively small cost for benefits while significantly increasing available Court Commissioner hours. After discussion, Commissioner Eisenhour moved to approve RESOLUTION NO.45-0908-26R re: In the matter of establishing a new, part time(0.50 FTE)position and appropriate compensation for appointed Superior Court Commissioner of Jefferson County. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. The meeting was recessed at 10:56 a.m. and reconvened at 11:00 a.m. with Chair Brotherton and Commissioner Dudley-Nollette present. Commissioner Eisenhour joined moments later. HEARING re: Approving 2026 additional budget appropriations for various County departments: County Administrator Josh Peters and Finance Director Judy Shepherd were present to review the budget appropriation requests and answer questions posed by the Board. The appropriations included correcting the County Administrator budget to include half of the Central Services Director's salary by restoring the Deputy County Administrator title and classification, and adding funds for the newly approved half-time Court Commissioner position. Additional appropriations addressed increased demand in the Veterans Relief Fund, rising unemployment claims and post-employment benefit payouts, and payroll audit adjustments. Also discussed was the County's broader fiscal position, noting a projected deficit and uncertainty over whether sales tax revenues will recover enough to offset current underperformance. After discussion, Chair Brotherton opened the floor to allow for public testimony, and the following individual provided testimony: Shellie Yarnell—Brinnon. Hearing no further testimony, he closed the public hearing. 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2026 After further discussion, Chair Brotherton closed the public hearing and Commissioner Dudley-Nollette moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 46-0908-26R re: Approving 2026 additional budget appropriations for various County departments. Commissioner Eisenhour seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. COMMISSIONERS' BRIEFING SESSION: The Commissioners discussed recent meetings they attended, and miscellaneous topics. The meeting was recessed at 12:04 p.m. and reconvened at 1:31 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 1:32 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), Civil DPA, and Central Services Director. The Board concluded the Executive Session and resumed the regular meeting at 2:03 p.m. There was no proposed action, and therefore no public comment taken on this topic. DISCUSSION re: Habitat for Humanity re. FY 26 Community Project Funding— HUD: Grants Administrator Amanda Christofferson and Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Jamie Maciejewski were present for the discussion. Administrator Christofferson explained that Jefferson County received a$1.5 million FY2027 Congressionally Directed HUD appropriation for workforce housing, but using the funds for Habitat's Mason Street project would trigger federal requirements including completion of a NEPA environmental review before earth-moving work could proceed. The funding would also require Build America, Buy America Act(BABA) compliance across the entire project, meaning construction materials and many manufactured components would need to be American-made, leading Habitat and the County to consider whether the funds could be used more strategically elsewhere. Director Maciejewski stated that applying the $1.5 million federal award to Mason Street could add roughly$6-12 million in costs because of the grant requirements,making the funding financially impractical for that project. Habitat for Humanity is considering using the funds for a smaller 11-home project at 10th Street and Hancock Street in Port Townsend, where compliance costs are estimated at $400,000-500,000, which would free up funding that could be redirected to support Mason Street. Administrator Christofferson noted that there will be a contract on the Consent Agenda in the future. Director Maciejewski thanked Administrator Christofferson and County staff for their partnership. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ITEMS: The Commissioners and County Administrator reviewed the following: • Commissioners' Briefing Session—continued 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2026 CLOSED SESSION: A Closed Session was scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Chair Brotherton announced that the Closed Session will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. with the Human Resources Director and Finance Director to plan or adopt the strategy or position to be taken by the governing body during the course of any collective bargaining, processional negotiations, or grievance or mediation proceedings, or reviewing the proposals made in the negotiations or proceedings while in progress; Exemption as outlined in the Open Public Meetings Act, RCW 42.30.140(4)(b). The Board concluded the Closed Session and resumed the regular meeting at 3:02 p.m. DISCUSSION re: Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) RFP approval of funding totals: The Commissioners discussed a proposed compromise for allocating approximately $1,004,000 in Lodging Tax funding through a split RFP, with up to $379,000 designated for destination marketing, Tourism Master Plan implementation, and dedicated staffing support for LTAC and the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC), and approximately $625,000 available for other eligible lodging tax purposes. Under the emerging approach, TCC would develop a proposal that includes County staffing support of up to 1.0 FTE to support the committees, administer contracts, and coordinate the work, while specialized marketing services could be competitively contracted and evaluated using defined goals and performance metrics. The Commissioners discussed the importance of stronger County oversight, regional tourism collaboration, and adequate staff capacity, as well as concerns about long-term consistency and the role of LTAC in the competitive funding process. After discussion, Commissioner Eisenhour moved to authorize the issuance of a Lodging Tax RFP in an amount not to exceed $1,004,000. Commissioner Eisenhour seconded the motion. Chair Brotherton opened the floor to allow for public comments, and no comments were received. He called for a vote on the motion. Commissioner Eisenhour and Commissioner Dudley-Nollette voted in favor of the motion. Chair Brotherton voted against the motion. The motion carried. Clerk of the Board Carolyn Gallaway noted that there was a previous motion made at a recent meeting regarding the Lodging Tax RFP, and asked how the new motion affects the previous motion made by the Commissioners?During a BOCC Special meeting on August 24, 2026, the Commissioners approved a motion to issue a Lodging Tax RFP of$625,000. The Commissioners stated that their intention is that the new motion cancels out the previous motion. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ITEMS - continued: The Commissioners and County Administrator reviewed the following: • Commissioners' and County Administrator Briefing - continued • Miscellaneous topics • Calendar Coordination 5 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2026 NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Brotherton adjourned the meeting at 4:29 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. JEFFERSON COUNTY BO• va e COMMISSIONERS SEAL: ,,,•n«N,,,,,,, g_ o�`0FERSO". ,s 1 5y1Ml$�:0 0.' y•5 s eg,:rotherton, Chair IA.. Inc _ / /�Jr ATTEST: %�,0,�••. He' "isenhour, Member Caro Gallaway, CMC He udley-Nollette, Member Cler r the Board 6