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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM031014District No. 1 Commissioner: Phil Johnson District No. 2 Commissioner: David W. Sullivan District No. 3 Commissioner: John Austin County Administrator: Philip Morley Clerk of the Board: Erin Lundgren MINUTES Week of March 10, 2014 Chairman John Austin called the meeting to order at the appointed time in the presence of Commissioner Phil Johnson and Commissioner David Sullivan. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following is a summary of comments made by citizens in attendance at the meeting and reflect their personal opinions: • A citizen stated he is the Chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and encouraged the County Commissioners to provide funding expectations for their group; • A citizen mentioned she received a copy of a letter that was submitted to the County Commissioners regarding disbanding the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and urged against it; • A citizen noted there is a proposal to increase the Commissioners' salaries in the future and he supports the raise. He stated that Sheriff Hernandez is a valuable asset who is extremely underpaid and also deserves a raise; • A citizen stated that transit ridership in the nation has risen to $10 billion riders per year. He thanked the Board for their participation in the management of our local transit; • A citizen stated: 1) There was a recent earthquake in California and that a big earthquake is estimated to hit Washington within the next five years and we need to prepare for it; 2) He is concerned about the rent for downtown Port Townsend businesses; 3) There are a lot of nice people working for the Port Townsend Food Bank; and 4) Local businesses are supporting the food bank and the Commissioners need to spend more time with the poor people of Jefferson County; • A citizen stated: 1) He agrees with raising Sheriff Hernandez' salary and the Commissioners' salaries; and 2) Community gardens and local businesses are doing a great job of supporting the local food banks. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve all the items on the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. 1. HEARING NOTICE re: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for 2014 Public Service Grant Application and Closeout of 2013 Public Services Grant; Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP); Hearing Scheduled for Monday, March 24, 2014 at 10:15 a.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers 2. AGREEMENT NO.2012JLTBo re: Boulton Farm Conservation Futures Project; In the Amount of $69,000; Jefferson County Public Health; Jefferson Land Trust 3. AGREEMENT, Amendment No. 2 re: Jefferson Mental Health Court Case Management Services; Additional Amount of $16,000 Not to Exceed $130,500; Jefferson County Public Page 1 PWye Commissioners Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2014 Health; Safe Harbor Recovery Center 4. AGREEMENT re: Gibbs Lake County Park Caretaker; In the Amount of $12,000 (For Septic Service, Fresh Water, and Industrial Insurance); Jefferson County Public Works; Cher West - Albright 5. AGREEMENT, Supplemental No. 2 re: Queets Bridge Painting, County Project No. CR1881, County Road No. 107508, M.P. 0.60 to M.P. 0.76 BHOS- 16WA(001); In the Amount of $7,500; Jefferson County Public Works; Exeltech Consulting, Inc. 6. Payment of Jefferson County Vouchers/Warrants Dated February 26, 2014 Totaling $5,529.16 7. Payment of Jefferson County Payroll Warrants Dated February 5, 2014 Totaling $753,526.70 COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION: The Commissioners each provided updates on the following items: Chairman Austin - Attended a Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) hearing last week re: Beausite Lake trust land transfer. - Attended a National Association of Counties (NACo) Conference in Washington D.C. last week. - Will be attending a Washington State Board of Health meeting this week in Vancouver, Washington. Commissioner Johnson - Attended a DNR hearing last week re: Beausite Lake trust land transfer. - Met with Students For Sustainability (SFS) last week. Commissioner Sullivan - Reported on Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP) stating they are continuing to stabilize financially. - Will be attending a Jefferson Transit Finance Committee meeting this week. The meeting was recessed at 9:31 a.m. and reconvened at 9:34 a.m. with all three Commissioners present. RESOLUTION re: Declaration of Emergency Damage to County Roads: The Board reviewed a proposed Resolution declaring an emergency due to a major slide on the Dosewallips Road. County Administrator Philip Morley explained that a storm that began around March 1, 2014 created soil saturation which then precipitated a slide on the Dosewallips Road. The proposed Resolution directs the Department of Emergency Management to implement an emergency management plan to address the situation. It also authorizes Public Works to enter into contracts and other obligations necessary to combat the emergency to protect public health and safety. Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 09 -14 re: Declaration of Emergency Damage to County Roads. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Page 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2014 EEC, The meeting was recessed at 9:54 a.m. and reconvened at 10:01 a.m. with all three Commissioners present. BID OPENING re: Publication of County Legal Notices: Clerk of the Board Erin Lundgren opened and read the following bid: BIDDER BID AMOUNT Port Townsendldefferson County Leader $8.00 per column inch Helvetica 7.0 Font Cost of Sample Ad - $24.00 Published Weekly Staff will review the bid for accuracy and submit a recommendation for bid award to the Board at a future date. Discussion re: Commissioners' Salary Resolution: Clerk of the Board Erin Lundgren and County Administrator Philip Morley reviewed Commissioner salaries from comparable counties and the salaries of other elected officials in Jefferson County. Due to the lack of revenue and budget constraints experienced by the County because of the Great Recession, the Board of County Commissioners has not increased the salary for the three County Commissioner positions since 2008. This has caused an inequity between the Jefferson County Commissioners' salaries and the salaries of certain other Jefferson County elected officials such as the Assessor, Auditor, Clerk and Treasurer. An inequity is also shown when compared to the salaries of other elected Commissioner positions located in the counties used for salary comparison to Jefferson County which include Chelan, Clallam, Douglas, Island, Lewis, Mason and Pacific. Commissioner Johnson noted that he spoke to someone from the Municipal Research and services Center (MRSC) who stated it may be possible to have the District No. 3 Commissioner salary be the same as the other Commissioners for two years, then increase to the new proposed amount for all three Commissioners. He would like to research if this can be done in Jefferson County and would like to delay making a decision for one week to allow time for research and to look into how other counties are establishing their Commissioners' salaries. The 2014 salary for the positions of elected Assessor, Auditor, Clerk and Treasurer in Jefferson County is $71,980. The salary for the position of Jefferson County Commissioner is currently $63,926 which has not changed since 2008. County Administrator Morley and Clerk of the Board Lundgren reviewed a draft resolution that was prepared for the Board's consideration to increase the salary for the elected position of Commissioner in Jefferson County to $73,459.60 to take effect January 1, 2015 for the elected District No. 3 Commissioner position and January 1, 2017 for the elected District No. 1 and District No. 2 Commissioner positions. This amount was calculated by averaging the 2014 salary of $71,980 for Page 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2014 certain other Jefferson County elected officials with the 2014 comparable County Commissioner average salary of $74,939.20. The salaries of all three Commissioner positions would remain frozen for each entire four year term of office. While the Commissioner position salaries would be frozen for the entire four year term, the salaries of other elected officials are not similarly constrained. Commissioner Johnson stated that he would like to table the decision for one week. He commented that he had spoken to the staff at (MRSC) and they mentioned there were other salary options for Commissioners. Commissioner Sullivan stated that he would like to see equal pay among the Commissioners and noted that other counties are able to do this. Commissioner Johnson indicated that he would prefer that the salary for the incoming District No. 3 County Commissioner not be raised until 2017 when the other two Commissioner positions could be raised at the same time. County Administrator Morley asked Commissioner Johnson how that would play out in succeeding years? For instance in 2017 District 1 and 2 would start a new four year term. What would be anticipated to happen then and how would that relate to the District No. 3 Commissioner position? Commissioner Johnson replied that he had just spoken to MRSC this morning and did not have a great deal of time to gather more information. He is sure there is a formula that works, but would like to take a week to research it further. Commissioner Sullivan asked if raising the Commissioner salaries could be done every two years. He is worried about the potential of Commissioners voting to raise salaries during their term. Ms. Lundgren stated that she called MRSC this morning and spoke with staff who consulted with their Attorney Paul Sullivan. They informed her that they did not see a reason why the Commissioners could not establish salaries every two years as long as the salaries are established prior to the election taking place for the Commissioner position for which the salary is being set, and there are no adjustments made during the four year term. Commissioner Johnson reiterated that he would like to take another week to review this so he can contact other counties and see how they are keeping the salaries equivalent among districts. County Administrator Morley stated that Ms. Lundgren found that Chelan County has indexed their Commissioner and other elected official salaries off the Superior Court Judge salary which is set by the Washington State Salary Commission. It is set as a percentage which is around 51% of the Superior Court Judge salary. When and if the state adjusts the Superior Court Judge salary, then their Commissioners and the other elected officials' salaries also index off of the adjusted amount. It is not something they legislatively do during the middle of a term, but it is something they set up in advance and is automatic thereafter. During the economic downturn, there was a number of years where the Superior Court Judge salary was frozen. Commissioner Sullivan stated that freezing salaries is not a concern as the Jefferson County Commissioners froze their salaries for the last 6 years. He noted that a percentage of salaries can be donated back if it is appropriate. He would like to see all the elected officials' salaries be the same. County Administrator Morley stated that the proposed resolution would set a flat rate for the entire four year term for the District No. 3 Commissioner position. During that time, the other elected officials could potentially index up the salary of the District No. 3 Commissioner position would start out slightly Page 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2014 X! higher than certain other elected officials, but the elected officials salaries' have not yet been established for 2015. It is likely in 2016 -2018 there could be additional salary increases during those years for the elected officials while the salary of the District No. 3 Commissioner position would remain at a flat rate, per the proposed resolution. County Administrator Morley indicated the Commissioners could choose to adopt the resolution as presented today, or defer action per Commissioner Johnson's request. He noted that filing opens for the position of District No. 3 County Commissioner in May, 2014. Commissioner Johnson moved to defer making a decision on the proposed resolution for one week to allow time to research how other counties are handling Commissioner salaries. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion. Chairman Austin spoke against the motion, stating that the resolution makes it clear that there will be an increase to bring Commissioner salaries in line with other elected officials and if there is other information that comes to light, they could address it at that time. He believes that by waiting, it creates more of an issue than there needs to be. The topic has been before the Board for a month and he does not see the benefit of waiting for another week. He reiterated he is in favor of adopting the resolution as presented. Commissioner Sullivan stated that if it is possible, he would prefer that the District No. 3 Commissioner's salary remain the same as the other two Commissioners' salaries for the next two years, then the salaries for all three Commissioners could be increased to the new amount at the same time. County Administrator Morley stated that part of the reason the Commissioners addressed the possibility of a salary increase in -line with other elected officials was to recruit interested parties to run for County Commissioner. Why not raise the salary for the District No. 3 Commissioner position to attract candidates? Why wait? Commissioner Johnson stated that he would like to see a system that works now where the Commissioner salaries could all be similar. Chairman Austin called for a vote on the motion. Commissioner Johnson and Commissioner Sullivan voted in favor of waiting one week to make a determination on the proposed resolution. Chairman Austin voted against the motion. The motion carried. County Administrator Morley opened up discussion to ask the Commissioners what they were trying achieve by delaying a decision for one week. He observed that there was a desire to have the Commissioner salaries be the same. He noted that he and staff will continue to do more research on the different possibilities to try and achieve that goal. County Administrator Morley and Clerk of the Board Lundgren will report to the Board with any new information. The meeting was recessed at 10:31 a.m. and reconvened at 1:36 p.m. with all three Commissioners present. Page 5 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2014 COUNTYADMINISTRATOR BRIEFING SESSION: County Administrator Philip Morley reviewed the following with the Board. Calendar Coordination: • Commissioner Johnson will be attending a Peninsula Trails Coalition meeting on March 12, 2014 along with Public Works staff. • All three Commissioners will be attending a Hood Canal Coordinating Council (HCCC) meeting on March 19, 2014. • Chairman Austin will be attending a Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) meeting regarding the Coyle on March 19, 2014. • Commissioner Sullivan and/or County Administrator Philip Morley will be attending a United Good Neighbors (UGN) grant allocation meeting on March 25, 2014. • Commissioner Johnson will be attending a Founder's Breakfast at the School for Historic Preservation on March 27, 2014. • Commissioner Johnson will be attending a send -off for the Students for Sustainability on March 27, 2014. • Chairman Austin will be out of the office from March 26, 2014 to April 6, 2014 and will be back in the office on April 7, 2014. • Chairman Austin will be attending a State Environmental Health Director's Conference on May 12, 2014 and will be unable to attend the Board of County Commissioner's (BOCC) meeting that day. Miscellaneous Issues: • The BOCC request to invite Peter Quinn to report on the Economic Development Council and status of local economy /economic development at a regular BOCC meeting. • Coyle Tower Agreement review status. Staff present: Central Services Director Frank Gifford. Four diagram handouts distributed and on file. • Barking Dogs/No Shoot Ordinances schedule update (April 28, 2014 and May 5, 2014 respectively). • Status of citizen No -GMO ordinance proposal. • Listing of issues regarding the Jefferson Transit property on Upper Sims Way, public facility versus commercial and residential lot zoning, City park request, City interest in swapping Haines Street Park and Ride Visitor building versus money for the Four Corners Transit facility. • City meeting request to discuss Proposition 1 capital expenditure proposal. • YMCA feasibility study update: request for location; County Administrator Morley to look into possible financial contribution to help fund the study as a means for developing additional options for recreational programming in Jefferson County. • San Juan County Derelict Vessel grant opportunity and application submitted by Sheriff. 2014 Legislative Session • Washington Tourism Alliance funding bill passed Olympia. • National Association of Counties (NACo): Chairman Austin's meeting with Sally Jewel: Public Lands Committee resolution to give individual national parks more autonomy to plan for Page 6 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2014 operations with sequestration. Chairman Austin spoke with Representative Derek Kilmer regarding Hadlock Sewer money as shovel ready: Commissioner Sullivan did the same with Alex Tassel and Treasurer Judi Morris. Chairman Austin discussion with Representative Kilmer regarding the Dosewallips entrance to the Olympic National Park. Future Agenda Items: • Peter Quinn and report from the EDC on economic development. NOTICE OFADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:25 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. ,gip 4 o '" . 1 'd,t r" 1 r ATTEST: /p Carolyn Avery Deputy Deputy Clerk of the Board JEFFERSON COUNTY BO RD OO,F OMMISSIONERS John ustin. air, Phil Page 7