HomeMy WebLinkAbout091426M �Sf11��`L
MINUTES
Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners
Regular Meeting — September 14, 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 and played a tune on a recorder.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Chair Brotherton called for public comments, and
three comments were received. The Commissioners addressed the comments.
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. HEARING NOTICE re: Informing citizens of Jefferson and Clallam Counties' spending of the
2025-2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Public Service Funding, and the
propose use of the July 2026-June 2027 funding; Hearing to be held on September 28, 2026 at
10:30 a.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers located at 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend,
WA 98368 (HYBRID)
2. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT re: Upper Hoh Road resurfacing, County Road No.
914207, County Project No. 18020560; $4,400,000; Public Works; Federal Highway
Administration, Western Federal Lands Highway Division
3. AGREEMENT re: Rental Agreement for Auditor's Office Annex located at 333 Benedict
Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368; $2,260.99/month; Central Services; Port of Port Townsend
4. AGREEMENT re: Inmate healthcare; $70,000; Sheriff's Office; Healthcare Delivery Systems,
Inc.
5. AGREEMENT,Amendment No. 1 re: SR19/Rhody Drive Pedestrian/Bike improvements,
North segment, Project No. 1802076, WSDOT Project No. TAP-0019(007); New total $708,180;
Public Works; Washington State Department of Transportation
6. MOTION re: Delegate signing authority to the County Administrator to sign AGREEMENT
re: HB 2015 Grant Program; $475,749.44; Auditor's Office/Sheriff's Office; Washington State
Criminal Justice Training Program
7. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL WARRANTS: Dated September 4, 2026 and totaling
$2,487,699.89, and dated September 4, 2026 and totaling $187,756.34 (SHWT)
8. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANTS: Dated September 8, 2026 and
totaling$570,162.18; and Dated September 14, 2026 and totaling $1,028,266
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes of September 14, 2026
COMMISSIONERS' BRIEFING SESSION: The Commissioners discussed recent
meetings they attended, miscellaneous topics, and reviewed their meeting schedules.
The meeting was recessed at 10:48 a.m. and reconvened at 11:00 a.m. with all three
Commissioners present.
WORKSHOP re: Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) HazMat Plan:
Emergency Management Director Willie Bence presented on the County's first dedicated LEPC
Hazardous Materials Plan which outlines agency roles, public notification and evacuation procedures,
and the County's reliance on state and federal partners. During review of the draft HazMat plan, the
Commissioners requested revisions such as scrivener errors, clearer guidance, and discussed the need for
more interagency exercises and evacuation drills.
The discussion also reviewed the recent explosion at the Nippon Dynawave Paper Mill in Longview,
Washington. Director Bence shared a link to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
which reviewed issues at the mill that included: tank corrosion, fatalities, environmental impacts,
regulatory and inspection gaps. There is concern at the local level regarding the Port Townsend Paper
Mill, which uses a similar chemical process. It was noted that Jefferson County has limited regulatory
authority over industrial facilities but has an important role in emergency planning, coordination, public
communication, and preparedness.
After discussion, Chair Brotherton opened the floor to allow for public comments, and two comments
were received. The revised HazMat plan will come before the Board for approval on a future Consent
Agenda.
The meeting was recessed at 11:58 a.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 1:30 p.m. to
2:15 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 Prosecuting Attorney. The Board resumed
the regular meeting at 2:15 p.m. Chair Brotherton announced that the Board will be extending the
Executive Session from 2:16 p.m. to 2:26 p.m. The Board concluded the Executive Session and resumed
the regular meeting at 2:27 p.m. There was no proposed action, and therefore no public comment taken
on this topic.
WORKSHOP re: 2027 Annual Road Program, Draft 2027-2032 Jefferson County
Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and 2026 Bridge Condition Report: Public
Works Fleet Operations Manager Monte Reinders and Public Works Engineering Services Manager
Samantha Harper were present for discussion. Manager Reinders' presentation reviewed the Annual
Road Program and Six-Year TIP, including major road, bridge, culvert, pedestrian/bicycle, maintenance,
and equipment projects. He highlighted recently completed work and upcoming projects, with many of
those projects dependent on state and federal grants, rather than using County funds.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes of September 14, 2026
Manager Reinders noted that the County continues to stretch limited local road funding by leveraging
outside grants and partnerships, while managing increasing maintenance, staffing, equipment and
inflationary costs. Despite those financial pressures, the County's bridge system was described as
generally being in good condition, with no immediate major bridge safety concerns identified. Manager
Reinders addressed comments and concerns raised by the Commissioners.
ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ITEMS: The Commissioners and County Administrator
reviewed the following:
• County Administrator Briefing Session
• Calendar Coordination- continued
• Miscellaneous topics
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Brotherton adjourned the meeting at 4:04 p.m.
until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
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ar y Gallaway, CM ea h dley-Nollette, Member
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