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JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO:
Board of Commissioners
FROM:
Philip Morley, County Administrator.
DATE:
January 3, 2012
RE:
Joint Resolution re: Economic Development Coordination
STATEMENT OF ISSUE: A joint Resolution by Jefferson County, the City of Port
Townsend and the Port of Port Townsend approving a process to coordinate and promote
coordination in regards to a regional economic development committee.
ANALYSIS: In May, 2010, the County, Port and City entered into Joint PJ~nning Agreement
to develop a Shared Economic Development Strategy. Since then, the three governments have
been coorclin~ting on economic development with Team Jefferson. An outgrowth was the
incorporation ofEDC- Team Jefferson as an independent Economic Development Council and
its designation to the State Department of Co=erce as our Associate Development
Orgllni7.ation. An economic conditions study was commissioned with H.D. Hovee &
Company to inform this work, and Team Jefferson did outreach to separate industry clusters to
identify Jefferson County's economic challenges and opportunities.
The proposed Resolution formalizes coutinuing inter-jurisdictional coordination through
quarterly meetings of a Working Group of elected representatives, staff and Team Jefferson,
and through monthly meetings at the stafflevel. The Resolution sets a goal of completing a
Draft Joint Economic Development Strategy by the fall of20l2.
This Resolution has already been approved by the Port of Port Townsend.
FISCAL IMPACT: No direct fiscal impact
RECOMMENDATION: Review and Approve the Joint Resolution.
REVIEWED BY:
~~
/2-/2-'i'J:/;t'
Date
City Resolution
County Resolution
Port Resolution 571-11
Page 1 of4
STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
City of Port Townsend
Port of Port Townsend
Joint Resolution of the Jefferson
County Board of County Commissioners
the Port Townsend City Council, and the
Port of Port Townsend Port Commission
Approving a Process to Coordinate and
Promote Enhanced Inter-jurisdictional
Coordination in Regards to Regional
Economic Development Committee
)
)
) County Resolution No.
) City Resolution No.
) Port Resolution No. 571-11
)
)
)
The Board of County Commissioners (SoCC) of Jefferson County, Washington, the City
Council of Port Townsend, Washington, and the Port Commission for the Port of Port
Townsend, Washington, do hereby jointly resolve as follows:
WHEREAS, concern over the impacts of a weakened global, national and local
economy on the local community and the ability of the County, City and Port to provide
important services, has prompted the three jurisdictions to look for new ways to
cooperate as local governments; and
WHEREAS, the three jurisdictions understand the urgent need to more effectively
coordinate their activities and more efficiently deliver services to meet community
needs; and
WHEREAS, in Fall 2009, the rezoning of rural light industrial land at the Jefferson
County International Airport highlighted the need for the County, City and Port to
improve their intergovernmental communication and better coordinate their economic
development efforts; and
WHEREAS, in May of2010 a "Joint Planning Agreemenf was signed whereby the three
jurisdictions committed to developing a coordinated strategy for sustainable economic
development; the Agreement identified a three part process that included: the
collection and analysis of economic data to provide an accurate "snapshof of the
current state of the local economy; the development of a shared economic vision that
would provide guidance to the three jurisdictions in identifying priorities; and the
development of complimentary policies and action steps that would help focus efforts in
a coordinated manner; and
city Resolution
County Resolution
Port Resolution 571-11
Page 2 of4
WHEREAS, an Inter-jurisdictional Elected Working Group (the Working Group)
comprised of an elected official and staff from each jurisdiction and Team Jefferson has
met monthly to implement the process and advance the development of a coordinated
economic strategy; and
WHEREAS, baseline economic data was independently collected by E.D. Hovee &
Company to allow informed choices regarding economic development policies and
infrastructure priorities; and
WHEREAS, the Working Group has reviewed the baseline data and proceeded to
develop a Draft Joint Economic Development Strategy; and
WHEREAS, it has become apparent that the forecast for economic recovery has
dimmed since the joint economic development planning process was initiated in the
spring of 201 0, and most projections now suggest that the "recovery" is "L" shaped with
substantial economic rebound occurring in an undefined, indefinite future; and
WHEREAS, the likelihood that State and Federal funding will retum to levels resembling
the period prior to the "great recession" has greatly diminished, and obtaining federal
and state funding for significant new capital projects is more difficult; and
WHEREAS, as the ability of state and local govemment to fund new infrastructure and
services has decreased, while many in the community are looking to govemment to
help solve economic problems; and
WHEREAS, the Working Group has prepared a Draft Joint Economic Development
Strategy (attached as Exhibit 1) that reflects the collaborative efforts of the three
jurisdictions to date; and
WHEREAS, although the Draft Economic Development Strategy prepared to date is a
good starting point, changed circumstances require careful refinement in light of the
changing economic environment, and the Working Group recommends that the three
jurisdictions continue working closely together to maximize the likelihood for success;
and
WHEREAS, the Working Group has identified a process that will allow continued
communication and coordination between the jurisdictions for future adoption of a Joint
Economic Development Strategy setting forth objectives, strategies and a prioritized list
of major regional capital projects and policy initiatives; and
WHEREAS, the Working Group has concluded that it is critical for the economic health
of the County that the three jurisdictions and the Working Group continue to meet
regularly, and communicate more frequently and effectively;
City Resolution
County Resolution
Port Resolution 571-11
Page 3 of4
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AND HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
Section 1. Inter-jurisdictional Coordination to Continue. The Working Group,
comprised of elected representatives of the City, County, Port, jurisdictional staff and
Team Jefferson, will continue to meet to develop and refine the Joint Economic
Development Strategy for consideration and possible adoption by the respective
jurisdictions. It is anticipated that the Draft Joint Economic Development Strategy will
be completed and suitable for formal public and jurisdictional review by the fall of 2012.
It is further anticipated that the draft strategy will include a prioritized list of major
regional capital projects and policy initiatives supported by all three jurisdictions.
Section 2. Direction to Inter-jurisdictional Staff. The City, County, Port and Team
Jefferson direct their respective staffs to meet on monthly basis with Team Jefferson to
monitor and discuss current development trends, the progress of pending projects and
proposals that may have county-wide economic implications, and to refine and finalize
the Draft Joint Economic Development Strategy.
This resolution shall become effective upon adoption by the Board of County
Commissioners, the City of Port Townsend and the Port of Port Townsend.
APPROVED AND SIGNED THIS
day of
2012
SEAL:
JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
John Austin, Chairman
Phil Johnson, Member
Attest
David Sullivan, Member
Raina Randall
Deputy Clerk of the Board
City Resolution
County Resolution
Port Resolution 571-11
Page 4 of4
APPROVED AND SIGNED THIS
day of
2012
Michelle Sandoval, Mayor
City of Port Townsend
Attest
Approved as to form:
Pamela Kolacy, MMC, City Clerk
John P. Watts, City Attorney
APPROVED AND SIGNED THIS 28th day of December 2011
Attest
John N. Collins, Secretary
David H. Thompson, President
LeifW. Erickson, Vice President
Approved as to form:
Carolyn C. Lake, Goodstein Law Group, PLLC
Port Attorney