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District No.1 Commissloner: Phll Johnson
District No.2 Commissioner: David W. SulIivan
District No.3 Commissloner: John Anstln
County Administrator: Philip Morley
Clerk of the Board: Elizabeth Hill
I DRAFT-'
DRm MINUTES
Week of November 21, 2011
Chairman John Austin called the meeting to order at the appointed time in the presence of
Commissioner David Sullivan and Commissioner Phil Johnson.
PUBliC COMMENT PERIOD: The following are a snmmAry of comments made by
citizens in attendance at the meeting and reflect their personal opinions:
. One citizen accused another citizen of alleged untruthfulness last week and this behavior may
canse liability;
. The ranger Station and Brinnon Community Center will be selling Holiday Tree Permits; the
grand opening for the Quilcene gas station will be December 3;
. Half of a Full Time Employee (FTE) will be cut from the Sheriff's Department budget and this
should not be done as Proposition 1 was passed under the pretense that staff would not be cut;
action should be taken to ban plastic bags and plastic water bottles;
. A citizen asked the Board to have a policy for public comment period so fairness can be applied;
. We could have a short term ice age while going through a long term global warming stage; the
European bAnking system is about to implode; a nuclear war is close to breaking out; earthquake
season is December through March and we should be prepared;
. Jefferson County could set an example for the county by not applying for grants to help the
national financial crisis; theft is on the rise and the Sheriff's office staff cannot be cut; and
. In order to charge someone with slander, it must be proved what was said is false; rules need to
be made for public comment period so everyone can abide by them.
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Sullivan
moved to approve all items on the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the
motion which carried by a lmAnimous vote.
1. HEARING NOTICE: 2012 Budget; Hearing Set for December 5, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. in the
Commissioners' Chambers
2. RESOLUTION NO. 54-11: Create a County Project No. CR1899; Snow Creek Road Culvert
Replacement MP 3.78
3. AGaEEMENT, Amendment No.2: 2012 - 2014 Auditing Services fur Jefferson County Rural
Library District; In the Amount of $5,000.00; Jefferson County Auditor; Jefferson County Rural
Library
4. Authorization Letter: Offer to Purchase 30.43 Acres (APN 602344015 and 602344023) of
Coone Property; Located on the Dosewallips Floodplain for Salmon Recovery Purposes; In the
Amount of $183,000.00; Jefferson County Public Health; Uerla Coone
5. Advisory Board Appointment: Jefferson County Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board;
Three (3) Year Term Expires November 21,2014; Ludwig Becker
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of November 21,2011
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6. Payment of Jefferson County Vouchers/Warrants: Dated NoveIIlber 14,2011 Totaling
$1,118,422.42
COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION: The Commissioners each provided updates
on the following items:
Chairman Austin reported he attended a Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board meeting last week
and will be attending the Washington State Board ofHea1th Environmental conference call this week.
Commissioner Sullivan attended a memorial service and reported Olympic Community Actions
Program's Board meeting was canceled.
Commissioner Johnson attended an Exploratory Regional Parks and Rec Committee meeting, a Coastal
Caucus meeting and a legislative steering committee meeting last week.
HEARING: Setting the 2012 Ad Valorem Tax Levies for Jefferson County Levy in
2011 and Collection in 2012: County Administrator Morley stated it is recommended to increase the
levy 1% for the Jefferson County General Fund Levy, Jefferson County Road Levy and the Jefferson
County Conservation Futures Tax Levy. The County has made a reduction by 2% in expenditures for
the General Fund because of the rising costs of existing services. Assessor Jack Westerman stated the
levy rates are a calculation of the levy amount by the levy rates being divided by the tax base. Current
expense for the General Fund is down about $100,000.00 from last year and roads are up $279,500.00
which is combination from the levy shift and the 1% in new construction. New construction helps the
County sustain services already provided because of growth.
The Chairman opened the hearing for public testimony.
Tom Thiersch: There are discrepancies in all of the resolutions and the transmittal memo. For example,
on the Conservation Futures resolution it states the levy says its to be $207,050.00 and on the transmittal
memo it says $210,000.00. He does not understand how the road levy is $4 million and how it
corresponds with the tens of millions of dollars that are spent on roads. It would be helpful if there could
be an explanation.
Charlie Bernnett: He asked: 1) Are the City tax and the County tax separate? And 2) Is the City only
covering those in the City?
The Chairman closed the hearing for public testimony.
Mr. Westerman stated the reason the resolution amounts don't match the amounts on the transmittal is
because the resolution amounts do not include new construction. refunds or increase of utilities. The
resolutions are only listing the 1 %. The levy rates are calculated separately per district. City resideJits
have a rate for their General Fund and EMS and a levy rate for the County General Fund and
Conservation Futures. The County Road levy is paid only by residents outside of the Port Townsend
City limits. They also do not pay the Library levy. Anne Sears stated on the County web site there is a
narrative on the County Road fund that has a lot of information on how the money is spent
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of November 21,2011
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Commissioner Johnson moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 55-11 increasing the Jefferson County
General Fund Levy for 2012 taxes. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carned by a
nn'lnimous vote. Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 56-11 increasing the
Jefferson County Road Levy for 2012 taxes. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carned
by a llnanimous vote. Commissioner Johnson moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 57-11 increasing
the Jefferson County Conservation Futures Tax Levy for 2012 taxes. Commissioner Sullivan seconded
the motion which carned by a Imanimous vote. Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve the letter to
the Assessor regarding the 2012 real and personal property levy amounts. Commissioner Johnson
seconded the motion which carned by a Imanimous vote.
HEARING: Emergency Budget AppropriationslExtensions; Various County
Departments: County Administrator Morley stated after the third quarter budget appropriations were
completed, there were some billings that came in for Superior Court that needed a budget extension
before the scheduled fourth quarter budget extensions. Anne Sears, Budget Consultant, reviewed the
appropriation requests from Superior Court, Economic Development, Law Library and Equipment
Rental and the Revolving fund.
Chairman Austin opened the hearing for public testimony.
Tom Thiersch:$328,000.00 is being appropriated after the fact for Jeffcom expenditures already spent
Hopefully expenditures are approved before the money is spent The use of the word emergencies in this
resolution is inappropriate, He would like to know if there is an RCW or County regulation that requires
the use of that word. Is it because of policy, custom, habit or the law? Becanse if its not an emergency
then do not call it an emergency. Cleaning up the books to account for expenditures is not an
emergency. He is opposed to spending more money on Team Jefferson in the amount of $17,208.00 of
unanticipated expenditures for professional services.
Fred Davis (aka Mike Belenksi): Professional services can be a scam, what is the County getting for
$17,000.00? There are people that work here and get paid for work and do not do what they are
supposed to. The County seems to be paying a lot of money and not receiving anything back. In 2004
Court Commissioner A and Court Commissioner B got paid $50,000.00 a year for nothing. He would
like a break down of what expenses the $17,000 was used for rather than a lump sum. Is there a contract
for this? That way he could see if the standards are being met as stated in a contract.
Donna Eldridlre. Countv Auditor: The loan for $328,000.00 is going through this process so there is
transparency. The Auditor and Treasurer offices will be working together in regards to when an instance
like this comes again and to resolve why this was necessary to happen.
Chairman Austin closed the hearing for public testimony.
Ms. Sears stated the loan was approved at a previous Board meeting and the Auditor had requested it go
through an appropriation process. Commissioner Johnson moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 58-
11 approving emergency budget appropriations/extensions for various County Departments.
Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carned by a Imanimous vote.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of November 21, 2011
Transmitkd of Recommended 2012 Jefferson County Budget: County Administrator
Morley made a presentation of the recommended 2012 Jefferson County Budget and stated the complete
recommended budget would be on the County web site later today.
The meeting was recessed at 11: 17 a.m. and reconvened at 1 :35 p.m. with all three
Commi"8ioners present.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BRIEFING SESSION: County Administrator Philip
Morley reviewed the following with the Board.
Washington State Department of Natural Resource County Income Report
Calendar Coordination
Budget Update
Miscellaneous Items
Future Agenda Items
Commissioner Sullivan left the meeting at 4:00 p.rn..
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Commi...qioner Johnson moved to adjourn at 4:01 p.m.
until the properly noticed special meeting or the next regular meeting. Chairman Austin seconded the
motion. The motion carried.
MEETING ADJOURNED
SEAL:
Jill'Jilli<SON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Jo1m Austin, Chair
ATTEST:
Phil Johnson, Member
Raina F..ndllll
Deputy Clerk of the Board
David Sullivan, Member
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District No.1 Commissioner: Phil Johnson
District No.2 Coinmissioner: Dnvid W. Sullivan
District No.3 Commissioner: John Anstin
COImty Administrator: Philip Morley
Clerk of the Board; Elizabeth Hill
.t DRAFT
RAEJ MINUTES
o Week of November 28, 2011
Chairman John Austin called the meeting to order at the appointed time in the presence of
Commissioner David Sullivan and Commissioner Phil Johnson.
PUBliC COMMENT PERIOD: The following are a summary of comments made by
citizens in attendance at the meeting and reflect their personal opinions:
. A citizen was awoken by heavy machinery at 6:00 a.m. and asked the Board to approve a noise
ordinance;
. A citizen stated he is against a noise ordinance; the expansion of the State Park should not
happen and instead the Board should increase industrial zoning; the County needs to require
business licenses;
. A citizen complimented AI Scalf's commitment and honesty to the County and urged the Board
to honor him; and
. A citizen stated the countries that are excelling have honest public servants and there is not a
more important function than honest and effective government employees.
APPROV ALAND ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Johnson
moved to approve all items on the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the
motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
1. Payment of Jefferson County VoucherslWarrants: Dated November 21,2011 Totaling
$310,366.80
2. Payment of Jefferson County Payroll Warrants: Dated November 18, 2011 Totaling
$91,917.03 and AlP Warrants Done by Payroll Dated November 18,2011 Totaling $133,061.59
Approval of Minutes: Commi!t'lioner Sullivan moved to approve meeting minutes of
August 22, September 6 and 12, 2011 and Special Meeting Minutes of September 16, 2011 as presented.
Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by it Imanimous vote.
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Commissioners MeetinR Minutes: Week of November 28, 2011
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COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION: The Commissioners each provided
updates on the following items:
Chairman Austin will be attending the emergency preparedness meeting and a Northwest Straights
Commission meeting this Friday.
Commissioner Sullivan will be attending a Transit budget meeting on Tuesday, a Washington State
Associations of County's (WSAC) meeting on Friday and the Northwest Straits Commission conference
on Saturday.
Commissioner Johnson will be attending the Northwest Straits Commission conference on Friday and
Saturday.
CertifICate pi Appreciation: Chairman Austin read a certificate of appreciation in honor
of AI S~ retired Community Development Director. County Administrator informed the Board that
AI Sca1fhas 26 years of public service not 25. Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve the certificate
with the suggested change. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous
vote.
HEARING: Redistricting: Chairman Austin stated today's hearing is for public
testimony and a decision will be made at a future date. County Administrator Morley presented maps
that showed the 3 different boundary alternatives. Commissioner Sullivan asked when is the deadline
for written comment? Mr. Morley answered until the end of this year. He also stated the Auditors office
has a preference of alternative number 2.
Chairman Austin opened the hearing for public testimony.
Dave Wittier: He has studied this issue for some time. The concept of one person one vote seems to stop
with the regulations at state and federa11evels. He would like to see the area of Discovery Bay be
unchanged as much as possible and is in favor of alternative number 2.
Tom Thiersch: The first concern he has is all of the decisions made here were behind closed doors
although done within the law. The timing of the presentation of the proposal is too late to consider a
different proposal if one was provided by a citizen. There is no opportunity to consider alternatives
other than the 3 proposed that have been picked behind closed doors. At last weeks Board meeting,
County Administrator Morley said he cousuIted with the democratic and republican parties but did not
mention any other parties. At least 40% of voters in Jefferson County are not lIffililltP.({ with a party and
their voice did not get an opinion in this process which violates the one man one vote concept. He is
very concerned in the way this process was completed and knows that the Board could not do anything
about it. Once again we have the political parties system taking control of what happens and there is no
mention of political parties in the American Constitution. The founders of this country knew the parties
could and would exert influence on do process. Unfortunately, things have changed a lot over the years
and only the political parties have the power. The country is falling apart because of the fighting
between the two parties. He is very disappointed in the lack of choice, public process and openness.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of November 28,2011
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Mike Belenski: He would like to second what Mr. Thiesch said. Where did the 3 choices come from?
What would the people that are not affiliated with a political party would have liked? Why was the
selection process done behind closed doors? What is offered could be what the democratic party prefers
or what Mr. Morley prefers. How did the alternatives get narrowed down and why is the Board not
discussing it? This is a policy decision, not something for County Administrator Morley to decide.
Where did the selection process occur? Why is the whole process not out for everyone to see? Who did
you talk to? Why were those three alternatives picked? Who prefers what alternative? The public has a
right to know. We have three democrats sitting on the Board. How did those three alternatives get
picked and how many were there? Is it all a big secret? Did County Administrator Morley meet with
the Board individually to see what preferences they had or did he make the decision?
Karen Cartmel: There were 4 proposals presented prior to the Board's workshop. The Auditor's office
was given the opportunity to go through the proposals for their opinion. She was involved in that
process and came up with better proposals that came before the Board at their workshop. It was decided
that the three proposals she drew up were to be the choices. She is proud of it and she has been doing
this 34 years, this is her 4th redistricting and she will stand by what she presented.
Debra Peterson: The primary input that led to the alternatives at the previous workshop was from the
Auditor's office, which is not affiliated with the democratic party and works independently. She does
not see anything suspicious. There were 6 choices and the 3 that were chosen were not the ones that she
would prefer but there was good reasons for choosing them. There are not big differences among the
alternatives and believes the County is safe with all of them.. She prefers alternative 2. Anyone could
have had input up to this point.
Georfre Yount: This has not been behind closed doors, there was a public workshop held on this issue.
Unfortunately, some of the people that are claiming this was done behind closed doors chose to not be
there. All of the alternatives fit the guidelines and he would support all of them although he prefers
alternative number 2.
Chainnan Austin closed the hearing.
Chairman Austin stated a public workshop was held previously on redistricting where a number of
alternatives were discussed. County Administrator Morley stated staff was doing preliminary work and
he gave updates in open sessions. Chairman Austin stated the Auditor's office. did put a lot of work in to
this effort and appreciates their input. Commissioner Johnson stated it is disappointing to be accused of
having these decisions made behind closed doors when it was done in an open public meeting.
An Executive Session was scheduled from 11 :00 a.m. to Noon with the County
Administrator, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Planning Manger and Associate Planner re: Attorney
Client Privilege; Exemption as Outlined in the Open Public Meetings Act RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i)
Potential Litigation. The session actually ran from 11 :02 am. to 12:25 p.m. The public meeting was
reconvened at the conclusion of the Executive Session.
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CommissionerS Meeting Minutes: Week of November 28,2011
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Locally Approved Shoreline Master Program (SMP): County Administrator Morley
stated that the October 31 at version of the SMP would not be approved by the Washington State
Department of Ecology (DOE) regarding finfish net pen provisions. Legal risks have been discussed and
feedback is needed from the Board. Should staff ask DOE to formalize their opinion in the form of a
letter? Or the Board could adopt the October 31 at version in an ordinance which would bring
anticipation of a formal denial of the entire SMP. Then we could ask DOE to draft the provisions of net
pens. Commissioner Sullivan and Commissioner Johnson stated they would like a letter from DOE with
feedback regarding the October 31 at SMP version. It was determined a letter would be requested by staff
from DOE requesting feedback.
The meeting was recessed at 12:33 p.m. and reconvened at 1 :33 p.rn with all three
Commissioners present
Letter of Support: Chairman Austin presented a draft letter of support for Beausite Lake
Trust Land Transfer to Peter Goldmark, Commissioner of Public Lands, Washington State Department
of Natural Resources (DNR). Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve the letter of support.
Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a ImllTlimous vote.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BRIEFING SESSION: County Administrator Philip
Morley reviewed the following with the Board.
Voluntary Stewardship Program
Calendar Coordination
Budget Update
Miscellaneous Items
Future Agenda Items
Page 4
Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of November 28,2011
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Johnson moved to adjourn at 3:53 p.m.
until the properly noticed special meeting or the next regular meeting. Commissioner Sullivan seconded
the motion which carried by a lImlnirnous vote.
MEETING ADJOURNED
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SEAL:
John Austin, Chair
ATfEST:
Phil Johnson, Member
Raina Randall
Deputy Clerk of the Board
David Sullivan, Member
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