Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutM061316District No. 1 Commissioner: Phil Johnson District No. 2 Commissioner: David W. Sullivan District No. 3 Commissioner: Kathleen Kler County Administrator: Philip Morley Clerk of the Board: Erin Lundgren MINUTES Week of June 13, 2016 Madam Chair Kathleen Kler 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 is a summary of comments made by citizens in attendance at the meeting and reflect their personal opinions: • Three citizens from Undie Road explained their lifestyle and outreach programs at Moss Milk Collective, and requested approval of the proposed alternate route; • Two citizens commented on the compassionate nature of the Moss Milk Collective members in attendance; • A citizen briefed the Board on two proposed Rain Gardens in the City of Port Townsend; • The Chair of the Planning Commission thanked the Board for extending the deadline for review of the Pleasant Harbor Master Planned Resort development regulations. 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. AGREEMENT, Amendment No. 3 re: Interim Director of Department of Community Development; Extension Until June 30, 2016; Jefferson County Administrator's Office; David Goldsmith 2. Advisory Board Appointment re: Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (JCPRAB); Two (2) Year Term to Expire June 13, 2018; District No. 1 Representative; Malloree Weinheimer 3. Payment of Jefferson County Payroll Warrants Dated June 3, 2016 Totaling $828,027.27 and A/P Warrants Done by Payroll Dated June 3, 2016 Totaling $781,319.13 PROCLAMATION re: Proclaiming the Week of June 20, 2016 as Amateur Radio Week: Local Ham radio operator Jon Ebner stated that the upcoming Amateur Radio Field Day is a picnic and informal contest. There will be over 35,000 participants from all over the world. The Field Day event in Jefferson County will be held at Fort Townsend. The goal is to contact the most ham radio operators from around the world in a 24 hour period. Madam Chair Kler read the proclamation aloud. Commissioner Johnson moved to approve the Proclamation proclaiming the week of June 20, 2016 as Amateur Radio Week. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Page 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 13, 2016 The meeting was recessed at 9:38 a.m. and reconvened at 9:47 a.m. with all three Commissioners present. COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION: The Commissioners reported on their meeting schedules. INTERVIEWS re: Jefferson County Planning Commission District No. 3: The Board conducted interviews with Jean Ball and Michael Nilssen who expressed interest in filling the vacant position on the Planning Commission representing District No. 3 for a four year term. At the conclusion of the interviews, Commissioner Sullivan moved to appoint Michael Nilssen. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. EXECUTIVE SESSION: An Executive Session was scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with the County Administrator, Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and Public Works Director/County Engineer regarding Attorney -Client Privilege, Potential Litigation under exemption RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) as outlined in the Open Public Meetings Act. The actual period of time the Board met in Executive Session on this topic was from 10:46 a.m. to 11:28 a.m. At the conclusion of the Executive Session the Board resumed the regular meeting. The meeting was recessed at 11:29 a.m. and reconvened at 1:31 p.m. with all three Commissioners present. DELIBERATIONS re: Undie Road — Continued from June 6, 2016: Staff provided information that slide activity has severely damaged the roadway at Undie Road milepost 1.1 threatening to cut off access for residents. Engineers, geologists and geomorphologists have been consulted and agree that the likelihood of arresting the slide is low and would come at a very high cost with uncertain outcomes. Public Works staff has been aggressively pursuing an alternate route that entails using 1.3 miles of an existing Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) road and constructing 0.9 miles of new road on steep terrain. This is a complicated project that involved right-of-way acquisition from DNR and a private property owner, permits, and challenging construction. This type of project would typically require several years to implement. Recognizing the emergency nature of this project, Public Works, Department of Community Development, the DNR, and several consultants working for the County are doing everything in their power to make this project happen this year. Current indications are that project bidding could occur in mid-June and that permits and right-of-way could come together allowing for an early August start date. County Administrator Philip Morley stated that the fundamental underlying question before the Commissioners, is how the projected $1,150,000 project fits into Jefferson County's priorities. He added Page 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 13, 2016 that after discussing costs with Public Works Director/County Engineer Monte Reinders and Public Works staff, they have ripened the project to make it possible. If given approval, they are ready to proceed with construction of the alternate route prior to the rainy season. Currently, Undie Road is facing the threat of permanent closure once the rain starts. Director Reinders stated that he estimated $75,000 for use of a portion of DNR's road. He recently learned that DNR is requesting $210,000 for use of the road, which he believes is unfair since DNR will still be able to access the road, and Jefferson County will maintain it. Madam Chair Kler stated she will draft a letter to Washington State Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark regarding their request. The Commissioners discussed other possible funding sources and what it will entail to build the new road. Commissioner Johnson moved to give Public Works the ability to proceed with an offer of $36,000 for the Brisadel Right of Way. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion for discussion. Commissioner Sullivan stated that by approving the Right of Way, it is not a commitment to go to bid. He noted that our contribution to the project could be to approve the Brisadel Right of Way, which in turn may lead other agencies to contribute to the project. Madam Chair Kler called for a vote on the motion to approve an Authorization and Concurrence for Right of Way acquisition. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. County Administrator Morley noted that Commissioner Sullivan has discussed his desire not to award a construction contract for Undie Road until the County has gotten some degree of partner -financing with other local agencies, state or federal government. The choice the Commissioners currently face is to go to bid now with the intention of beginning construction this season, with or without partners, or wait until partners step up before a bid is awarded. By waiting and not awarding the bid now, construction on the road would be delayed until next year's construction season. County Administrator Morley stated that while he has remained neutral on this topic, he agrees with Director Reinders on moving forward with the Undie Road project and reaffirmed that the County has the ability to fund this project. County Administrator Morley stated that he recognizes and appreciates the fiscal constraint shown by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in their decision regarding Undie Road. Due to the difficulty in making a decision regarding remote locations that benefit a small number of individuals, the County Administrator suggested that if the Undie Road project is approved to move forward, he recommends that the Board instruct Public Works and the County Administrator to develop a policy framework for addressing remote situations like this in the future. Commissioner Sullivan stated he disagrees with approving the funding for the project now and noted that the County has already done a lot of good faith work on Undie Road. He is uncomfortable putting more of the County's funds into this project knowing there are other capital needs adding up like courthouse security and other similar County roads that may need work in the future. He added that requests to move the project forward should be redirected to potential project partners. Page 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 13, 2016 Commissioner Johnson stated that there is a potential that if the Board decides to move forward with the Undie Road project, there is a far less chance that DNR will contribute. Madam Chair Kler stated that when there are "Jack-in-the-box" emergencies like these, the entire scope of County priorities needs to be reviewed, not just those with the loudest voices. Director Reinders noted that there will always be an emergency and how we respond will always be different. If the Undie Road project is to be completed in time, a bid request will need to be on the following week's BOCC agenda. He added that nothing is usually the way we want it when dealing with emergency road situations. County Administrator Morley explained that while problematic, the additional cost requested by DNR for use of a portion of their road is something that could be appealed after the project is approved. If the Undie Road project is not approved soon, he fears that Undie Road residents will lose access to their homes. Director Reinders stated that he hopes that the Commissioners are not focused solely on the Million - dollar price tag on the project. While a Million dollars is a lot of money, it is no longer a big number for construction. He added that the average cost of paving four miles of road is a Million dollars, and the County needs to get used to seeing road construction costs in that price range. Madam Chair Kler made a motion to approve RESOLUTION NO. 24-16 Creating a County Project Designated as CR2007 (2 to 1) and CALL FOR BIDS re: Undie Road Emergency Relocation, County Road No. 150009, County Project No. 180-2007-0; Bids Accepted Until 9:30 a.m. and Opened and Read Publicly at 10:15 a.m., or Shortly Thereafter on Monday, July 11, 2016 in the Commissioners' Chambers, Jefferson County Courthouse. She added that if the County waits on this project, there could be consequences. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion. Commissioner Johnson noted that it is a concern that other agencies may not contribute to the project, but Jefferson County will follow through either way. Madam Chair Kler called for a vote on the motion. Madam Chair Kler and Commissioner Johnson voted in favor of the motion. Commissioner Sullivan voted against the motion. The motion carried. Commissioner Johnson moved to send a letter to DNR Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark regarding the proposed Right of Way cost. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. The meeting was recessed at 2:57 p.m. and reconvened at 3:02 p.m. with all three Commissioners present. COUNTYADMINISTRA TOR BRIEFING SESSION: Interim Department of Community Development (DCD) Director David Goldsmith and Associate Planner Anna Bausher were present to brief the Board on the following: • FEMA and Endangered Species Act • Beckett Point Potential Request for Special Historic Shoreline Designation • Comprehensive Plan Update Page 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 13, 2016 • Unified Development Code; Cleanup Omnibus Amendments Commissioner Johnson excused himself from the meeting at 4:09 p.m. Madam Chair Kler will be out of the office June 17-22, 2016. Commissioner Sullivan will be Acting - Chair during that time. NOTICE OFADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Sullivan moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:14 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. Madam Chair Kler seconded the motion. The motion carried. JEFFERSON COUNTY ' BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 00 ATTEST: Carolyn Av ry Deputy Clerk of the Board Kathleen Kler, Chair Davi Wiameen Phil Johnson, Member Page 5