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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM042015District 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 April 20, 2015 Chairman David Sullivan called the meeting to order at the appointed time in the presence of Commissioner Phil Johnson and Commissioner Kathleen Kler. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following is a summary of comments made by citizens in attendance at the meeting and reflect their personal opinions: Two citizens gave an update on the "Tent City," and urged the Commissioners to create a permanent Tent City in the County. They voiced concern over Jefferson County Fairgrounds' policies on overnight camping; A citizen stated that due to warmer weather and climate change, Jefferson County is at a higher risk of forest fire this year and citizens should take preventative measures this season; and The President of the Jefferson County Firefighter's Commission voiced concern over disbursement of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) timber tax revenue. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENTAGENDA: Commissioner Johnson moved to approve all the items on the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Kler seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. 1. CALL FOR BIDS re: Supply of Motor Fuel; Bids Accepted Until 9:30 a.m. and Opened and Read Publicly at 10:00 a.m. or shortly thereafter on Monday, May 18, 2015 in the Commissioners' Chambers; Jefferson County Courthouse 2. AGREEMENT re: Fleet, Public Works and Facilities Software; In the Amount of $173,500; Jefferson County Central Services; Cascade Software Systems, Inc. 3. AGREEMENT NO. 1463 - 17244, Amendment No. 1 re: Juvenile Accountability Block Grant for Proctor House; An Additional Amount of $900 for a Total of $7,778; Jefferson County Juvenile Services; Washington State Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS), Juvenile Justice and Rehabilitation Administration 4. AGREEMENT re: No Net Grant/Environmental Consulting Services; In the Amount of $200,000; Jefferson County Department of Community Development; Environmental Science Associates (ESA) 5. Advisory Board Temporary Reappointments (2) re: Jefferson County Conservation Futures Citizens Oversight Committee; Extended Terms Expiring June 30, 2015 or Until He /She or Another Member of the Public is Duly Appointed; 1) Representing Open Interest Seat, "Coastal Areas"; Term Expired March 28, 2015, Richard Jahnke; and 2) Representing District 3; Term Expires April 25, 2015, JD Gallant Page 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of April 20, 2015 Payment of Jefferson County Vouchers/Warrants Dated April 13, 2015 Totaling $2,187,720.34 and Dated April 15, 2015 Totaling $1,235.82 Payment of Jefferson County Payroll Warrants Dated April 4, 2015 Totaling $126,795.52 3-0 COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION. The Commissioners reported on meetings they attended and upcoming meetings. The meeting was recessed at 9:53 a.m. and reconvened at 10:02 a.m. with all three Commissioners present. UPDATE re: Economic Development Council (EDC) Team Jefferson: Economic Development Council (EDC) Director Peter Quinn gave a presentation on the 2014 activities of Team Jefferson. In 2007, EDC Team Jefferson was designated as the Associate Development Organization (ADO) for Jefferson County. They are also registered as a 501(c)6 organization with the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Their work as the ADO is defined by RCW 43.330.080, by its Strategic Plan, and by its contracts with the Port of Port Townsend and the County. Director Quinn stated he joined Team Jefferson in 2008 and it has been a much more refreshing experience than other EDC he has worked with. Funding for Team Jefferson has been rocky. They used to be under WSU's umbrella, but when revenues fell for WSU and they could no longer support the ADO, they switched to a 501(c)6 organization and now receive around $42,000 per year in state funds. As such, they are consistently under the axe. Director Quinn reported that Team Jefferson members are more of a working Board. They sit down with business owners and help them work through issues. He believes the reason Team Jefferson is succeeding, is because they are a team of professionals who have different talents to share with local business owners. Team Jefferson works independently from the Port of Port Townsend and the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. This has worked out very well. Director Quinn stated that although Jefferson County is doing good, it is not thriving economically. He estimates that it will take around 1,000 jobs for our County to thrive. The key is to attract new business owners by supporting, encouraging, training and providing opportunities. Every business owner creates one job, but it could create much more. With the advancement of Broadband in our communities, it is now possible for people to work where they live. Businesses that require a high level of connectivity will like the new technology our area offers. Below is an excerpt from the ADO report that Mr. Quinn reviewed with the Board: ADO Re ort 2014 Target Total Recruitment Activities 2 4 Retention and Expansion 100 126 Start-up Assistance 15 7 Readiness & Capacity Building 1 5 Page 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of April 20, 2015 Director Quinn reported on some of the highlights of 2014: • Tenant Recruitment • Worked with the State Department of Commerce and Port of Port Townsend staff to attract three boat builders to Port Townsend • Two are still active but no longer DOC initiatives • Worked to retain 22 jobs • Local business needed 30,000 square feet of space • EDC worked with the City of Port Townsend and the company to meet their needs • The company decided to stay in Jefferson County Team Jefferson's goal is to keep their partners thriving by using FocusTHRIVE training: • FocusLEARN — Business Planning, Business IQ, Lean Training • FocusSHARE — Brainstorm at CoLab for start-ups • FocusCEO — Team Jefferson funded space at CoLab for business owners • FocusLAUNCH — Dedicated assistance to get started • FocusFUND — Local Investment Opportunity Network (LION), DPO, Craft3 and other funding • FocusBUY — Help prospective owners find, buy and relocate a business to Jefferson County Director Quinn reviewed EDC Team Jefferson's funding. The State Department of Commerce will be funding Team Jefferson through June 2015 at $42,360 per year. Team Jefferson is hoping for the same amount, but is anticipating a 5% decrease for the next year. Jefferson County funds $25,000 per year. The Port of Port Townsend funds $25,000 per year and has provided funding for the past four consecutive years and provided reasonable - priced office space for them through May 2015. Starting in June 2015, the City of Port Townsend will be providing free office space which will save Team Jefferson around $12,000 per year. The City committed to providing the free office space for five years. The Herbert Jones Foundation Grant through June 2015 brings in $24,000 per year. This funds business planning classes and Business IQ sessions. Revenue from these classes brings in around $2,600 per year. Total operating revenue is $108,600. Director Quinn reviewed EDC Team Jefferson's expenditures. He noted that other county's EDCs are funded differently and at a higher level. Payroll expenses are $90,000 for 1.25 FTE's and include benefits. Consulting costs $6,000, FocusTHRIVE expenses $4,000, D &O insurance $2,000, Rent $750 through May, utilities $1,400 and supplies $1,000. Director Quinn stated that they are barely breaking even with revenue /expenditures. He also added that he will be cutting his hours back to three days per week starting in July 2015. Team Jefferson is requesting a two year ADO designation to carry them through June of 2017. He added that the funding received by Jefferson County has been fixed at $25,000 for the last couple years. He is requesting an additional $25,000. Director Quinn stated that if support is doubled, it will help Team Jefferson become more sustainable and will provide the tools and support to help them unleash themselves. A multi -year commitment will also be beneficial. He believes that Team Jefferson has earned their keep over the last 10 years. Page 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of April 20, 2015 Commissioner Sullivan stated that he is familiar with the past operations of EDC and is pleased with the cooperation of the current EDC. He added that the County still faces funding uncertainties due to decisions being made at the state and federal government level. Because of this, it makes long -term planning more difficult. He noted that Team Jefferson has been a great volunteer effort which is not going unrecognized. Commissioner Johnson stated that he appreciates the work of Director Quinn, but would like to wait awhile before a decision was made on increasing funding to the ADO. Commissioner Kler stated that EDC Team Jefferson is debunking the myth that Jefferson County is anti - business. She likes the classes being offered to individuals to help them develop a strategic business plan. She reported that someone she knows had taken one of Team Jefferson's business classes and realized that he was not ready to start up a business. She added that this was good in a way. Director Quinn stated that he has said that the business class they offer will save new /prospective business owners a lot of money. The Vice President of EDC Team Jefferson was in the audience and stated that with their new center being adjacent to the Visitor Center, visitors can see the opportunity in moving here and starting a business or transferring a business. It is a great opportunity. County Administrator Philip Morley stated that the County has been at the forefront in supporting the ADO. He noted that EDC has really grown and there is no question that Jefferson County should designate EDC Team Jefferson as their ADO with the State Department of Commerce (DOC). This would make Team Jefferson eligible for funding from the DOC. He added that funding for EDC has already been budgeted this year at $25,000. He will work with Director Quinn to review the funding options. The meeting was recessed at 10:55 a.m. and reconvened at 1:33 p.m. with all three Commissioners present. COUNTYADMINISTRA TOR BRIEFING SESSION: County Administrator Philip Morley reviewed the following with the Board. Calendar Coordination • There will be a Jefferson Transit meeting on April 21, 2015. • Commissioner Kler will be attending a Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) meeting on April 23, 2015, • Commissioner Kler and County Administrator Morley will be attending a Jefferson -Port Townsend Response Emergency Planning (JPREP) meeting on April 24, 2015. • All 3 Commissioners will be attending the Brinnon Loyalty Day Event on April 24, 2015. • There will be a Coordinated Community Response quarterly meeting with law and social services on April 24, 2015. • There will be a Quarterly Elected Officials and Department Directors meeting on April 27, 2015. • Commissioner Johnson will be leaving early on April 27, 2015. • Commissioner Kler will be attending an Aquatic Coalition presentation at the Quilcene Page 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of April 20, 2015 W N X� Community Center on April 29, 2015. • Commissioner Kler will be attending a Drug Court graduation on April 30, 2015. • County Administrator Morley will be attending a Washington Counties Administrative Association (WCAA) meeting April 29, 2015 — May 1, 2015. • There will be a Peninsula Regional Transportation Planning Organization (PRTPO) meeting on June 19, 2015. Miscellaneous Items • Tent City and Jefferson County Fairgrounds. • Economic Development Council (EDC) funding request. • Five things we can do. • Commissioner Kler reported on the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) and Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) meeting she attended. • Parks and Recreation; Lake Leland. • Geoduck and Shine. • Hargrove Request for position on HB 1885 SB 5755. • Port Ludlow Village Association (PLVA) requests no shooting area buffer. County Administrator Morley to coordinate with Mr. Dean. A separate no shooting petition for a different area of the County was submitted 1 -2 weeks ago. • Fort Worden Public Development Authority (FWPDA) charrette will be held on April 24, 2015. • Commissioner Johnson reported on an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) meeting he attended. • Washington Coastal Restoration Initiative (WCRI): State legislature likely does not include any Jefferson County projects except Upper Quinault, which is partially in Jefferson County. NOTICE OFADJOURNMENT. Commissioner Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:13 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. Commissioner Kler seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. SEAL: 4�rr. r ATTEST: 4�� azolyn ery Deputy Clerk of the B JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Kathleen Kler, Member Page 5