HomeMy WebLinkAboutM062215District 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 22, 2015
Chairman David Sullivan called the meeting to order at the appointed time in the
presence of Commissioner Kathleen Kler. Commissioner Johnson was absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following is a summary of comments made by
citizens in attendance at the meeting and reflect their personal opinions:
Two (2) citizens voiced their concerns regarding the recent logging in Port Ludlow;
A citizen stated: 1) Logging creates firebreaks; 2) Smog is linked to Alzheimers; 3) NutraSweet caused
cancer and abnormalities in animals; 4) There are many side effects to medicines;
5) There are over 50,000 chemicals in our environment which are dangerous; and 6) A majority of
pollution in Puget Sound comes from Port Townsend; and
A citizen: 1) Suggested expanding the septic design at the Tri -Area Community Center to
accommodate the homeless; 2) Stated that the Visitor Information Center has had portable toilets for
quite some time; and 3) Stated that the County needs to spread the word about fire danger this year and
not allow fireworks on the 4`h of July.
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Kler
moved to approve all the items on the Consent Agenda as presented. Chairman Sullivan seconded the
motion. The motion carried.
1. RESOLUTION NO. 18 -15 re: Finding and Determination to Declare Certain Personal Property as
Surplus and Authorize Disposal (Valued less than $2,500)
2. AGREEMENT re: Design 2 interpretive panels - shoreline restoration project at Fort Townsend
State Park; Amount of Grant Funds available, $7,650; WSU Jefferson County Cooperative
Extension; Larry and Nancy Cherry Eifert
3. AGREEMENT, Interlocal re: Establish a Consortium Pursuant to the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 Necessary for Planning, Establishing and Operating a
Workforce Development System; Grant Funded: Kitsap County and Clallam County
4. AGREEMENT re: Engineering Services for Tri -Area Community Center On -Site Sewage
System; In the Amount of $2,800; Jefferson County Central Services; Streamline Environmental,
Inc.
5. Concurrence and Authorization re: Quilcene Acquisitions 2012 Salmon Recovery Project (RCO
#12- 1384C; Proceed with Real Property Acquisitions on the Big Quilcene River Floodplain;
Francis Henderson (APN 991 200 301) and Thomas James (APN 991 200 504)
6. Advisory Board Resignations (2) re: Gardiner Community Center Board of Directors;
1) Marylou Tatum; and 2) Dan Tatum
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 22, 2015
Advisory Board Reappointments (2) re: Conservation Futures Citizen Oversight Committee;
Four (4) Year Terms Expiring on June 30, 2019; 1) Representing Coastal Areas, Richard Jahnke;
and 2) Representing District No. 3, JD Gallant
Payment of Jefferson County Vouchers/Warrants Dated June 13, 2015 Totaling $435,24139
Payment of Jefferson County A/P Warrants Done by Payroll Dated June 6, 2015 Totaling
$130,340.53
COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION. • The Commissioners reported on their
meeting schedules.
The meeting was recessed at 9:45 a.m. and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. with Chairman
Sullivan and Commissioner Kler present.
HEARING re: 2015 Conservation Futures Funding Applications: On June 1, 2015, the
Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a Public Hearing Notice for the Conservation
Futures Program project applications received in 2015. The Conservations Futures Program requires a
duly noticed public hearing to be held as part of the public process of allocating conservation futures
funding to worthy projects that protect public open spaces. Environmental Health Specialist Tami
Pokomy stated there are four applications received and they all went through the normal Conservation
Futures process.
Conservation Futures Citizens Oversight Committee (CFCOC) Chair Lorna Smith reported on the four
project applications received before the March 2, 2015 deadline:
2015 Quimper Wildlife Corridor (QWC) Addition: $14,626 towards the fee simple acquisition and
operation and maintenance of five platted parcels within the Quimper Wildlife Corridor totaling 1.11
acres of vacant land near Winona Wetland. The parcels were identified as high conservation priority
in the QWC Management Plan which was adopted by the City of Port Townsend in 2008. The
proposed match is three parcels owned by Jefferson Land Trust with an estimated total value of
$12,650 located adjacent to previously conserved properties. Operations and maintenance request is
$2,000 of the total amount for annual monitoring and stewardship. Jefferson Land Trust is the
project sponsor. The City of Port Townsend is the project applicant. Project location: Sec. 33,
T.3 IN, R.1 W.
2. Bishop Dairy Preservation: $56,225 towards the acquisition of a conservation easement on 264 acres
that comprise a historic working farm and dairy. The intent of the project is to maintain single
ownership of the property and to purchase remaining development rights so that farming will be
allowed into the future, preserving prime soils for agriculture, encouraging local food production,
and maintaining or improving habitat for fish and wildlife, and scenic qualities along Beaver Valley
and Egg and I Roads. The proposed match is $481,225 from the Washington Wildlife and
Recreation Program and $425,000 from a federal grant program to be determined. Jefferson Land
Trust is the project sponsor. Gerald and Delores Bishop are the project applicant. Project location:
Sec. 1, T.28N, R.1 W.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 22, 2015 i
3. Lower Big Quilcene River Riparian Protection: $31,440 towards the fee simple purchase of one
parcel of vacant land totaling 14.16 acres along the lower Big Quilcene River to benefit Hood Canal
summer chum and other fish and wildlife species that depend on quality riparian habitat. The
proposed match is $161,160 from the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) Salmon Recovery
Funding Board. Operations and maintenance request is $5,925 of the total amount for annual
monitoring, weed removal, replanting and stewardship. Jefferson Land Trust is the project sponsor.
Project location: Sec. 24, T.27N, R.2W.
4. Midori Farm: $94,626 towards the acquisition of a conservation easement on 29 acres of prime soils
for agriculture with pockets of mature forest. The Midori Farm is an active working farm and this
project constitutes an important piece of the overall plan to maintain working farms and produce
local, healthy food in Jefferson County. The proposed match is an estimated $75,000 of conservation
easement value to be donated by the landowner and up to $19,626 in cash contributions from the
Jefferson Land Trust. Operations and maintenance request is $1,820 of the total amount for annual
monitoring of the conservation easement provisions and noxious weed removal. Jefferson Land
Trust is the project sponsor. Applicant is Marko Colby and Hanako Myers. Project location: Sec. 14,
T.27N, R.2W.
CFCOC Chair Smith explained that the ranking process began with site visits on April 3, 2015. Projects
were then scored by the committee. CFCOC members were asked to cast two votes for each project, one
vote to determine if the project was worthy of funding, and another vote to decide whether to fund the
project by the extent of their application request. All four projects were determined to be worthy of full
funding by a unanimous vote. It was determined that a collective review of individual scores and
resulting project rankings was unnecessary in this cycle given that there is adequate funds to fully
support all of the projects.
The total combined amount of funding being requested for the four projects is $196,917. Of this amount,
a total of $9,745 was requested to reimburse operations and maintenance expenses related to three of the
projects. Up to $203,000 is available to award from the Conservation Futures Fund in this cycle.
CFCOC Chair Smith announced the project rankings as follows:
PROJECT SCORE
Bishop Dairy Preservation 275
Midori Farm 247
Lower Big Quilcene River Riparian Protection 241
2015 Quimper Wildlife Corridor Addition 231
Chairman Sullivan opened the hearing for public testimony.
Sarah Spaeth: She stated she is the Director of Jefferson Land Trust QLT). She thanked the
Conservation Futures Advisory Committee and Jefferson County and its Commissioners for this
program. The money collected for conservation purposes is not a lot of money, but when you combine
funding from the County with additional money that JLT needs to provide as a match, it is quite
significant. The County's contribution to these projects is an important piece of overall project funding
and demonstrates local support for the projects. She added that it leverages a lot of money and she is
very thankful for that. At some point, she hopes that the County will consider increasing the amount that
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 22, 2015
is collected, to the maximum allowed by state law. With all of the projects, they struggle to come up
with funding. More project funding would be great. Conservation Futures funding is important and she
thanked the County for their support of these projects. More and more opportunities are coming their
way and funding will continue to be important.
Raymond Hunter. Discovery Bay: He stated that he has lived in Discovery Bay since 1944. He had a
cow from 1948 -1952 and his chores included feeding, milking and cleaning stalls. He has worked on
other farms too. Mr. Hunter stated that one thing that comes into the psyche of this whole beautiful
Jefferson County area is the loss of really viable farms and farmlands through the 20" century. He noted
that these farms were created from the 1850's onward. There is usually three to four generations of
families that have cleared the lands and created viable farms. This was the basis for our society as we
know it. Everything originated out of the farm and the excess was then sold to the public. There is a
system here that we don't want to lose, but we have already lost so much. Farm areas lost include Uncas
Valley, Crocker Lake, Leland, Quilcene, Dabob, Thomdyke, East and West Valley in Chimacum,
Gardiner and a local farm on the Hoh. Mr. Hunter stated there were a few viable entities within our
grasp. Farm - owners remaining include John Bolton, Roger Short and Gene Bishop as well as a few other
farms in the Leland area and Swansonville. To see these farms go by the wayside is terrible. These are
our heritage. He spoke to Gene Bishop after Conservation Futures visited his farm and stated that Gene
Bishop has an ancient D7 Cat machine with a cable blade on it. What he has done with that machinery to
develop his farm is wonderful. He highly recommends taking on that property and saving it for
everyone's future.
Hearing no further testimony, Chairman Sullivan closed the public hearing.
Chairman Sullivan noted that he is happy to see the projects on the list. He stated that this is a very
valuable program and he appreciates the work that goes into it. He added that other farms in the area will
also benefit.
Commissioner Kler stated that the way Conservation Futures leverages funds is very impressive.
Chairman Sullivan stated that these projects will spinoff into community jobs and nutrition, which will
bring more young people into our community.
Commissioner Kler noted that our County is involved in a great community effort to create sustainable
local food sources. As a result, we have good milk, cheese and plants here.
Commissioner Kler moved to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 19 -15 re: Dedication of Conservation Futures
Funds to the 2015 Quimper Wildlife Corridor (QWC) Addition project as Authorized by and in
Accordance with Jefferson County Code Section 3.08.030(7) to Provide a system of Public Open
Spaces. Chairman Sullivan seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Chairman Sullivan moved to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 20-15 re: Dedication of Conservation Futures
Funds to the Bishop Dairy Preservation project as Authorized by and in Accordance with Jefferson
County Code Section 3.08.030(7) to Provide a system of Public Open Spaces. Commissioner Kler
seconded the motion. The motion carried.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 22, 2015
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Commissioner Kler moved to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 21-15 re: Dedication of Conservation Futures
Funds to the Lower Big Quilcene River Riparian Protection project as Authorized by and in Accordance
with Jefferson County Code Section 3.08.030(7) to Provide a system of Public Open Spaces. Chairman
Sullivan seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Chairman Sullivan moved to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 22 -15 re: Dedication of Conservation Futures
to the Midori Farm project as Authorized by and in Accordance with Jefferson County Code Section
3.08.030(7) to Provide a system of Public Open Spaces. Commissioner Kler seconded the motion. The
motion carried.
UPDATE re: Washington State Department of Natural Resources 11 Quarter County
Income Report: Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Regional Manager Sue
Trettevik, DNR State Lands Assistant Drew Rosanbalm and DNR Assistant Regional Manager for
Resource Protection Julie Knobel and Jefferson County Assessor Jeff Chapman were present for the
briefing on the I" Quarter County Income Report. Chairman Sullivan noted other members in the
audience attending the meeting: Dave McDermott, Port Ludlow; Larry Noble, Port Ludlow; Fire District
#2 Chief Larry Karp; East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR) Brian Tracer; EJFR Fire Rescue Operations
Ted Krysinski; Jefferson Land Trust (JLT) Sarah Spaeth and other members of the community.
Mr. Rosanbalm distributed the first quarter income report. According to a letter from Washington State
Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, of the 14,703 acres of State Forest Lands that benefit
Jefferson County, $1,293,000 was generated in the first quarter of calendar year 2015 and is projected to
generate $1,875,000 for all of calendar year 2015 from activities expected to occur under current
contracts. This is a decrease of $1,559,000 from the 2015 projection in the January 2015 report.
Some reasons for the downfall is that there have only been three sales to date: 1) Penny Waterline; 2)
Coyle Retreat; and 3) Interrorem. Penny Waterline resulted in less income than anticipated for this
quarter and activity on Interrorem has decreased. Interrorem produced more in 2014 than in 2015. Coyle
Retreat is producing more than anticipated at this time and is almost complete. DNR anticipates that
Penny Waterline will increase activity this year. 2015 sales were finalized last week. Ms. Trettevik
stated that 2011 prices were much better for Jefferson County. Mr. Rosanbalm added that 2014 prices
did well too. Chairman Sullivan noted that timber sales is one -time funding. If the figures were more
absolute, the County would be able to bond on timber revenue.
Mr. Rosanbalm noted that Bangor sale was originally delayed, but is coming up in August and is on
track. The Bangor sale is anticipated to bring in around 3.6 million board feet. Ms. Trettevik stated that
the Lamonds parcel is starting to move forward. Mr. Rosanbalm added that Lamonds will sell in August,
but that no revenue is anticipated until 2016. New sales not included in the estimates for Jefferson
County include Bangor Timber sale and Wing It Hardwoods which are scheduled to sell in March 2016.
To help DNR stay ahead on current prices and ahead of the curve, appraisals on timber sales are now
being done one month before the sale instead of the usual two months. County Administrator Morley
asked when the market turned? Mr. Rosanbalm replied that this time of year, it is normal for the market
to take a dip. He added that about 2 -3 months ago is when the market started softening and stated that
housing starts and lumber inventory play a key in the market dip. County Administrator Morley stated
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 22, 2015
that he believed the Real Estate market had picked up. Assessor Chapman replied that existing Real
Estate is doing well, however, new house starts aren't doing as well.
Commissioner Kler noted that the Devil's Vista timber sale was not listed on the report. Mr. Rosanbalm
stated that the Devil's Vista timber sale was pulled. Ms. Trettevik added that the sale, which holds a raze
plant community, has not been re- listed for sale.
Assessor Chapman stated he has changed the information for taxing districts. Mr. Rosanbalm noted that
because of errors in the past, his staff works with the Assessor and his staff very closely now. Assessor
Chapman stated this method has worked well. Mr. Rosanbalm added that last year was an error -free
year.
County Administrator Morley pointed out that there were a number of Fire District representatives in the
audience. He explained that the local fire commissioners association has asked the Washington State
Auditor's Office to look into the question of the distribution to the fire districts from 2012 to 2014.
During that period of time, the former Assessor and former Treasurer had different figures. He noted
that Jefferson County is looking forward to working with the State Auditor on a thoughtful response to
their query.
Due to the sunny weather and warm temperatures, fire is a concern. Many are concerned about fireworks
this year and Ms. Trettevik stated she hopes there will not be a shutdown. She added that when
shutdowns occur, it is primarily done in the interest of public safety. Mr. Rosanbalm noted that there
shouldn't be delays on timber sales unless potential fires pulled staff away.
Ms. Knobel stated that they have been bracing for a fire year and are closely monitoring the weather.
They work with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other weather
prediction service agencies. She noted that today marked the kick off of a fire training academy in
Washington. There is a plan in place to cover our region while local firefighters are away at the training.
Due to the extremely dry weather, they have brought in extra resources for this time of year. She added
that they also have local agreements with agencies such as East Jefferson Fire Rescue and maintain
excellent communication with fire districts. Ms. Trettevik stated that DNR also has a Master Agreement
and the ability to tap into federal resources as well.
Assessor Chapman voiced concern over timber revenue on the West End. He noted that the area is
highly dependent on timber tax. The concern is that with decreased timber revenue, it will shift the tax
burden to private citizens.
Commissioner Kler asked Ms. Trettevik and staff to stay after the discussion to speak further with the
fire department personnel in the audience and they agreed.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 22, 2015
DISCUSSION andAPPROVAL re: Resolution Adopting the Jefferson County Parks,
Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan: Parks and Recreation Manager Matt Tyler briefed
the Board on the technical corrections to the proposed Jefferson County Parks, Recreation and Open
Space Comprehensive Plan. He stated that a public hearing was previously held in which comments
were received. One comment stated the plan had technical errors regarding figures for the City of Port
Townsend. County Administrator Philip Morley stated that although the comment was received after the
deadline, the Commissioners directed staff to add corrected figures into the plan.
Chairman Sullivan stated that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and County staff have spent
a lot of time on the plan.
Commissioner Kler moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 23-15 re: Adopting the Jefferson County
Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan. Chairman Sullivan seconded the motion. The
motion carried.
County Administrator Morley asked Mr. Tyler to pass along thanks to the consultant who worked on
this project. He added that she went above and beyond.
The adopted version of the plan will be posted online.
The meeting was recessed at 11:15 a.m. and reconvened at 11:21 a.m. with Chairman
Sullivan and Commissioner Kler present.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: An Executive Session was scheduled from 11:15 a.m. to
12:00 p.m. with the County Administrator and Clerk of the Board/Human Resources Manager re:
Personnel; Exemption as Outlined in the Open Public Meetings Act RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)
Hiring /Discipline /Performance Review. The actual period of time the Board met in Executive Session
on this topic was from 11:22 a.m. to 12:07 p.m. At the conclusion of the Executive Session the Board
resumed the regular meeting.
The meeting was recessed at 12:08 p.m. and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. with Chairman
Sullivan and Commissioner Kler present.
COUNTYADMINISTRATOR BRIEFING SESSION: County Administrator Philip
Morley reviewed the following with the Board.
Miscellaneous Items:
• Discussion with representatives from U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer's office regarding
possible re- training and job opportunities for mill workers.
• State Auditor's team; annual Jefferson County audit.
• Cemetery District proposal.
• Fairgrounds; homeless individuals.
• Conservation Futures; bank capacity.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 22, 2015
X
Behavioral Health Organization (BHO) / Regional Support Network (RSN); Accountable
Communities of Health. BHO Executive Board will include Tribal and County Executives, the
Advisory Board will include 15 members of County /Tribes with at least 50% being direct
recipients of services.
Safe Harbor and Jefferson Mental Health; great collaboration on combining the two groups.
Assessor's Office; Chief Deputy position.
Calendar Coordination:
• There will be a Jefferson Land Trust breakfast on June 18, 2015.
• Chairman Sullivan will be attending a North Olympic Development Council (NODC) meeting
on June 18, 2015.
• Amateur Radio Field Day events will be held on June 27 -28, 2015 at the Port Townsend
Maritime Center.
Commissioner Johnson will be out of the office June 22, 2015 through July 4, 2015.
• Commissioner Kler will be attending a Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) meeting on
June 25, 2015.
The meeting was recessed at 2:04 p.m. and reconvened at 2:09 p.m. with Chairman
Sullivan and Commissioner Kler present.
UPDATE re: Washington Counties Risk Pool (WCRP) Annual Report: Washington
Counties Risk Pool (WCRP) Executive Director Vyrle Hill and Member Services Representative David
Goldsmith were present to give the WCRP 2014 Annual Report.
Mr. Goldsmith stated WCRP was created by Counties for Counties. The reason for the self - insured
pooling movement came about when the United States Supreme Court ruled concept of sovereign
immunity did not flow from the Constitution to states. This left states to determine their degree of
immunity for actions of their governmental entities and public officials. Commercial Insurance, if
available, became too risky. Washington generally authorized "pooling" in 1979 with Chapter 48.62
RCW — Local Government Insurance Transactions. Part of this chapter reads: "This chapter is intended
to provide the exclusive source of local government entity authority to individually or jointly self - insure
risks, jointly purchase insurance or reinsurance and to contract for risk management, claims and
administrative services. This chapter shall be liberally construed to grant local government entities
maximum flexibility in self - insuring..."
WCRP is a member - owned, member - governed cooperative /association. There are currently 26
participating member counties: Jefferson, Clallam, San Juan, Island, Grays Harbor, Mason, Thurston,
Pacific, Lewis, Cowlitz, Skamania, Yakima, Kittitas, Chelan, Skagit, Whatcom, Okanogan, Douglas,
Benton, Franklin, Adams, Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, Spokane and Pend Oreille.
The mission of WCRP is to provide comprehensive and economical risk coverage, reduce the frequency
and severity of losses and to decrease the costs incurred in the managing and litigation of claims.
Mr. Goldsmith reviewed the expectations of appointed WCRP Directors and Alternate Directors, the
organizational structure, committee assignments and coverages. Mr. Hill stated their job is to find
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 22, 2015
counties coverage within the confines of the policy.
Mr. Hill presented a Certificate of Membership to Jefferson County in recognition and appreciation for
the County's continuing WCRP membership since October 1, 1988.
EXECUTIVE SESSION. An Executive Session was scheduled from 3:00 p.m. to 3:45
p.m. with the County Administrator, Prosecuting Attorney and Clerk of the Board /Human Resource
Manager re: Personnel; Exemption as Outlined in the Open Public Meetings Act RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)
Hiring /Discipline /Performance Review. The actual period of time the Board met in Executive Session
on this topic was from 3:04 p.m. to 4:03 p.m. At the conclusion of the Executive Session the Board
resumed the regular meeting.
NOTICE OFADJOURNMENT. Commissioner Kier moved to adjourn the meeting at
4:04 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. Chairman Sullivan
seconded the motion. The motion carried.
d
ATTEST:
Carolyn 4�very
Deputy Clerk of the Board
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF MMISSIONERS
Davi u
(Excused Absence)
Phil Johnson, Member
Kathleen Kier, Member
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