Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutM110915 with Hearing Comment re: Noxious Weed BoardDistrict 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 November 9, 2015 Chairman David Sullivan called the meeting to order at the appointed time in the presence of Commissioner Phil Johnson. Commissioner Kathleen Kler 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: • A citizen stated she is against the proposed Department of Community Development (DCD) fee increase; • Two (2) citizens urged the Board to show support for President Obama and his proposed climate change measures; • 10 citizens urged the Board to add the Olympic Discovery Trail/Larry Scott Trail project to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP); • A citizen stated that the Planning Commission and DCD will be holding a meeting on November 18, 2015 at the Tri -Area Community Center; • Two citizens discussed DCD staffing/funding; and • A citizen thanked the Board for their support regarding survival and recovery of the Marbled Murrelet. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Johnson moved to approve all the items on the Consent Agenda as presented. Chairman Sullivan seconded the motion. The motion carried. 1. HEARING NOTICE re: Proposed Ordinance to Establish a New Jefferson County Department of Community Development Fee Schedule; Hearing Scheduled for Monday, November 23, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers 2. HEARING NOTICE re: Proposed Ordinance to Establish a Jefferson County Sheriff Civil Fee Schedule and add a New Chapter in the Jefferson County Code Entitled "Sheriff s Fees"; Hearing Scheduled for Monday, November 23, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers 3. AGREEMENT re: School Nurse Asthma Case Management; In the Amount of $6,639; Jefferson County Public Health; Olympic Educational Service District 114 (OESD 114) 4. AGREEMENT re: Support for North Pacific Coast Marine Resources Committee (NPC MRC); In the Amount of $91,920; Jefferson County Public Health; Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 5. AGREEMENT, Change Order No. 2 re: Jefferson County Jail Fire Alarm Replacement Project No. 301 594 1901; An Additional Amount of $28,670.20; Jefferson County Central Services; North Shore Electric, Inc. Page 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of November 9, 2015 6. AGREEMENT re: H.J. Carroll Park Caretaker Services; In the Amount of $8,623; Jefferson County Public Works; Ron and Kathleen McFeron 7. AGREEMENT, Change Order No. 3 re: Dowans Creek Road Realignment, M.P. 0.85 and M.P. 1.53, County Project No. CR17993, FEMA 1734 -DR -WA, Grant No. E08-796; An Additional Amount of $32,705 for a Total Amount of $436,294.75; Jefferson County Public Works; Bruch and Bruch Construction 8. AGREEMENT, Change Order No. 4 re: Dowans Creek Road Realignment, M.P. 0.85 and M.P. 1.53, County Project No. CR17993, FEMA 1734 -DR -WA, Grant No. E08-796; An Additional Amount of $23,800 for a Total Amount of $460,094.75; Jefferson County Public Works; Bruch and Bruch Construction 9. AGREEMENT and SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT re: Collective Bargaining Agreement and Trust Participation for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Administrative Staff, Teamsters Local 4589 and Washington Teamsters Welfare Trust 10. AGREEMENT and SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT re: Collective Bargaining Agreement and Trust Participation for the Jefferson County Sheriff s Office Command Staff, Teamsters Local 4589 and Washington Teamsters Welfare Trust 11. Advisory Board Appointments (2) re: Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC); Two Year Term(s) Expiring November 9, 2017; 1) Jean Ball, District 3 Representative; and 2) Alysa Russell, Skookum Representative 12. Payment of Jefferson County Vouchers/Warrants Dated November 4, 2015 Totaling $1,392.76 13. Payment of Jefferson County Payroll Warrants Dated November 5, 2015 Totaling $841,719.11 COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION. The Commissioners reported on their meeting schedules. APPROVAL of MINUTES: Commissioner Johnson moved to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of August 3 and 10, 2015 as presented. Chairman Sullivan seconded the motion. The motion carried. The meeting was recessed at 9:50 a.m. and reconvened at 10:04 a.m. with Chairman Sullivan and Commissioner Johnson present. Hearing re: Proposed Ordinance re: Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board Fee Assessment. The Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board (NWCB) is organized under RCW 17.10 to coordinate the management of noxious weeds in order to prevent, control or mitigate the spread of these species to protect human health, livestock, wildlife, native habitat and ecosystem functioning in ecological as well as economical terms. The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has previously found the need for noxious weed control exists within Jefferson County, along with a need for a sustainable means to fund those control Page 2 4PSU\ r�G Commissioners Meeting Minutes of November 9, 2015 activities. RCW 17.10.240 authorizes the Jefferson County BOCC to levy an assessment in lieu of a tax, against all benefiting land for noxious weed control purposes. Pursuant to RCW 17.10.240, the Jefferson County NWCB held a public hearing on September 17, 2015 to gather information on suitable classifications of land. The proposed Weed Assessment Ordinance reflects those classifications and the NWCB's proposed level of assessment for each classification. If enacted in 2015 by the BOCC, the weed assessment would be collected starting in 2016 to fund noxious weed control activities to benefit landowners in Jefferson County. The NWCB proposes to generate $150,668 annually by assessing each parcel at a rate of $4.00 plus $0.30 per acre. This rate will not be influenced by inflation rates. Under RCW 17.10.240 forest lands would be assessed at a rate that does not exceed one-tenth of the weighted average resulting in a rate of $0.40 per parcel and $0.03 per acre. Public roads are assessed as one parcel per mile of roadway plus the functional right-of-way, set at a width of 60 feet of each segment used as acreage. The non -forestry rates will be applied. NWCB Coordinator Joost Besijn stated that the NWCB has many goals. The group educates the public by conducting presentations, holding workshops and trainings and providing materials at farmer's markets. Around 10-20 hours a week is spent on surveying and mapping with the use of online GIS. Mr. Besijn noted that the Washington State Department of Transportation (WADOT) is interested in working with the NWCB on noxious weed surveying and mapping. "Rhododendron Back to Rhody Drive" is an iconic project that the NWCB hopes to fund if the levy assessment passes. Part of the NWCB's budget, if the assessment is approved, would go towards assisting land owners with weed control. A campaign titled "Why Care?" will be launched in 2016 which helps explain the environmental and economical impact of noxious weeds. Mr. Besijn stated that noxious weeds are responsible for lower yield and quality of forage, reduced habitat conditions and can be poisonous to animals or humans. They can also deplete soil and water resources and reduce biodiversity. Once established, weeds are very hard to control. An Oregon State study conducted in 2014 found that they experienced an annual loss of $83.5 million in income and 1,900 jobs due to noxious weed infestations. If left unchecked, they anticipate that number could rise to $1.8 billion annually in loss of income and 40,800 jobs. There is a lot of concern over Reed Canary Grass and its effects on local watersheds. The NWCB would like to do a full survey to establish the extent of this noxious weed. Another program that will be beneficial to keeping healthy lands healthy is to establish a Soil and Seed Bank where landowners can get soil and native seeds to prevent noxious weed infestation after soil has been disturbed. Chairman Sullivan asked if the proposed assessment would affect all parcels, or if there are some exemptions? Mr. Besijn replied that there are some exemptions. Assessor Jeff Chapman, who was in attendance, stated that senior citizens and parcels less than $500 in value are exempt. Non-taxable properties such as federal and tribal land would be exempt. State, City, County and WADOT would be assessed the new fee. He added that the assessment does not include common areas and common roads. County Administrator Philip Morley noted that timber and forest lands, per state law, are not exempt, but their assessment would be significantly lower and would be assessed at 1/10th per parcel and 1/10' per acre compared to other assessments. Page 3 4A5� �L Commissioners Meeting Minutes of November 9, 2015 syr ,tom Mr. Besijn explained that assessing County roads and WADOT roads is a unique situation. Public Works staff and the NWCB first looked to Clallam County and how they handled their road assessment, but it was not applicable to Jefferson County. They decided to treat every mile of right of way as one parcel and take the accompanying acreage and set the functional right of way at 60 feet. The minimum width for a functional right-of-way is 60 feet with the maximum width being 90 feet. He added that this methodology has been sent to the County, City of Port Townsend and Washington State for review. The City of Port Townsend and Jefferson County staff agree with the method, but as of yet, there has been no correspondence from the state. Chairman Sullivan opened the hearing for public testimony. Tom Thiersch; Jefferson County: He stated that he supports the idea of the proposed fee and that it is long overdue and needed. He believes that the amount proposed is reasonable and fair. What -is missing from the ordinance is a set of rules by which the acreage calculations will be applied. In correspondence with the Noxious Weed Control Board earlier this year, the response he received regarding his questions on minimum acreage and rounding rules, was that "all acreages would be rounded up." He stated that 1/4'h of an acre would become one acre. Does that mean that City parcels that are typically a tenth or an eighth of an acre would be rounded up to an acre? If this is the case, he would like to see that reflected in the ordinance. The idea of rounding up all parcels is questionable. He lives on a parcel that is 5.02 acres. Will that be considered six or five acres? He would like to see common-sense rounding rules be applied as with any transaction. He suggested anything .49 or less should be rounded down and .50 or more should be rounded up to the next whole acre. He believes that would be fair, equitable and reasonable. The acreage that is on the Assessor's database is not necessarily accurate. He hopes that in time, that will be improved. In the meantime, he suggests common-sense rounding that is fair and accurate as possible. Cathy Lucero: She stated she is a member of the Clallam County Noxious Weed Control Board and is extremely excited to see this assessment happen. It has been a long time coming. She noted that Clallam County's Noxious Weed Control Board was formed at the same time as Jefferson County's Noxious Weed Control Board. Her first business duty was to establish a stable funding source and it made a huge difference in their program. She is excited for Jefferson County to be moving forward with this step and thanked the Commissioners. Julie Choban: She stated that the proposed assessment is very progressive and it is about time for one. She acknowledged the hard work that the Noxious Weed Control Board and citizen volunteers have put in over the last few years. Ms. Choban stated that those individuals were the genesis for the whole program and is happy to see their work brought forward in the form of this proposal. She reminded the Commissioners that they have a lot of support in moving forward with the assessment. Roger Short, Chimacum: He stated that he is a Chimacum Valley farmer and is against any tax increase, philosophically speaking, but is in favor of solid funding for the Noxious Weed Control Board. He would like to see funding come from the General Fund, but if that cannot be done, than the proposed assessment is great. He likes the fact that there may be some resources dedicated to tackling noxious weeds such as milfoil and canary grass in some of the local watersheds like Chimacum Creek and surrounding lakes. We need to get a handle on noxious weeds before they get out of control. He added that this could mean more funding for some of the watershed problems. A number of organic farmers are Page 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of November 9, 2015 coming into the area. He believes this will lead to more weeds getting out of control and with more funding, the Noxious Weed Control program can help keep things more in -balance. This would be good for the organic farmers and those surrounding them. The pesticide licensing for Washington State is getting ridiculous and difficult. He would like there to be one point of contact person in the County where people could go to regarding any herbicide applications. It would certainly be a benefit to help control some of the smaller areas. He told the Commissioners not to worry about the 30 cent per -acre squabble. It's too small to worry about. He stated that he was doing some tractor work in Port Townsend for someone when he noticed in a neighboring sheep field, a yellow plant with 13 petals on it, which he identified to be a Tansy Ragwort plant. The plants appeared to have been eaten by the sheep. He asked the owner if he knew what the plant was? The owner did not. He then explained that tansy ragwort, if ingested by animals, could kill them. The owner replied that he had two sheep die in that pasture during the past year. Lang Russel, Port Townsend: He stated that over the years there has been a lot of discussion and citizen involvement, including an attempt at an ordinance on the use of herbicides to control noxious weeds. He is excited about funding for noxious weed control. His hope is that tackling noxious weeds can be done all manually and without poison. Our County has unemployment problems and there are people wanting to work. He would like more information about that possibility. Hearing no further comments, Chairman Sullivan closed the public hearing. Commissioner Johnson noted that discussion on herbicides had been excluded from the NWCB's presentation and he is curious about that. He would like more information on herbicides and glyphosates. County Administrator Morley stated that this is an issue that the NWCB is continuing to look into. As part of the County roadside noxious weed management plan that emphasizes prevention and pest management, herbicides are only used as a last resort. He added that the use of herbicides is an ongoing issue, but that aside, funding to control weeds that damage agriculture and forest lands, animals and public health is much needed. Commissioner Johnson stated that he disagrees. He noted that in the past, cows were sprayed with DDT, which exposed humans to the same chemical. He believes that the discussion of glyphosates is an important one and should be addressed. Chairman Sullivan stated that over the years, there has been a lot of discussion about herbicide usage. By using a small amount of herbicides on weeds, it prevents the use of larger amounts in the future. He added that the NWCB uses small amounts, and it is applied by experts. NWCB member Jill Silver asked to speak, and Chairman Sullivan allowed her to comment. Ms. Silver stated that she shares the same concerns as Commissioner Johnson. She is a watershed ecologist with a long history of protecting watersheds on the Olympic Peninsula. She is also a licensed pesticide applicator who deals with evasive species that are very difficult to control manually. Her process is to try and get to the noxious weeds early and often. She added that she has talked to the researchers who informed the World Health Organization about the possibility of glyphosates as being a carcinogen. What she has noticed over the years, is that many researchers interchange the term "glyphosate" with "RoundUp" all the time. The NWCB does not use RoundUp, and they advocate against the use of it. The Page 5 rPSU ( G Commissioners Meeting Minutes of November 9, 2015 k�ry-' UtJ2 active ingredient in RoundUp is glyphosate, but it also contains other undisclosed or alleged inert ingredients. One ingredient is Polyoxyethylene Tallow Amine (POEA) which has been proven to be particularly harmful to aquatic organisms. Commissioner Johnson stated that he is in favor of the proposed assessment, but in regard to glyphosate, he believes that item deserves more discussion. Chairman Sullivan asked if rounding parcel sizes should be included in the ordinance? Assessor Chapman stated that they used Clallam County's method for applying the noxious weed assessment which is the minimum assessment on the flat plus one acre. There are many less than half acre parcels in Jefferson County and he added that rounding could be done, but if the method is too precise, it will create more work for County staff and more arguable circumstances. A member of the audience asked about an agreement between Public Works and the NWCB regarding roadside noxious weed control. Mr. Besijn explained that the contract is up for renegotiation, but will be reviewed during the NWCB's budget process for 2016. He noted that Public Works has priorities to keep roadsides clear, but sometimes it does not coincide with particular noxious weed's growing seasons, and that can be detrimental. He would like continued coordination with Public Works on this issue. Commissioner Johnson moved to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 07-1109-15 Establishing an Assessment for Funding the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board Program. Chairman Sullivan seconded the motion. The motion carried. The meeting was recessed at 10:52 a.m. and reconvened at 11:06 a.m. with Chairman Sullivan and Commissioner Johnson present. Interviews for Appointment to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC): The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) consists of members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is appointed and operates in conformance with Chapter 3.25 of the Jefferson County Code (JCC), and Chapter 67.28 of the Revised Code of Washington; RCW 67.28.1817. The LTAC provides recommendation to the BOCC on annual expenditures of lodging tax funds received by the County for tourism promotion, and advises the BOCC on tourism development strategy. JCC 3.25.020 establishes the LTAC with five seats: two members from establishments that produce the tax revenue, two members representing activities authorized to be funded by the tax and one member of the BOCC, who shall serve as the chair of the LTAC. In practice, terms have been staggered, lasting three years each. Three seats are presently open: 1 tax Producer seat, for a term of August 16, 2014 to August 15, 2017 2 tax Recipient seats, each for a term of July 24, 2015 to July 23, 2018 Page 6 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of November 9, 2015 Five applications were received as shown below: SEAT TERM APPLICANTS FROM Producer 1 08/16/14 - 08/15/17 Cathy Barsukoff. Mount Walker Inn Dist. 3 Debbie Wardrop*: Resort at Port Ludlow Reci ient 1 07/24/15 — 07/23/18 Joy Baisch*: Tourism Coordinating Council Dist. 3 Recipient 2 07/24/15 — 07/23/18 Larry McKeehan: Quilcene Historical Museum Dist. 3 William Tennant*: J.C. Historical Society Dist. 1 *Served on LTAC the past term Chairman Sullivan and Commissioner Johnson interviewed four (4) of the potential candidates and tabled making a decision until they could interview Debbie Wardrop who is out of state. (The interview with Debbie Wardrop was conducted via telephone later in the meeting). The meeting was recessed at 12:17 p.m. and reconvened at 1:32 p.m. with Chairman Sullivan and Commissioner Johnson present. DISCUSSION re: Operating Agreement between Jefferson County and the Jefferson County Sportsmen's Association; effective January 1, 2016 — December 31, 2016: Environmental Health Director Jared Keefer discussed the previously approved changes made by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to the licensing agreement. The Board reviewed the contract and requested additional edits. The agreement will be submitted for approval by the Board at a later date. DISCUSSION re: Authorization for Jefferson Land Trust to Acquire Title to the Gregory Conservation Easement (RCO #13-1221): Environmental Health Specialist Tami Pokorny and Jefferson Land Trust Conservation Director Sarah Spaeth were present for the meeting. Jefferson Land Trust (JLT) is a Secondary Sponsor of the County's Salmon Recovery Funding Board grant (RC) #13-1221) to fund the protection and restoration of the Gregory Property through acquisition of a conservation easement. As Secondary Sponsor, JLT is eligible by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) to acquire title to the Gregory easement. JLT holds title to the adjoining Duckabush Wetlands Preserve which was also created in partnership with Jefferson County (RCO #12-1385C) for the purpose of protecting and restoring riparian habitat. The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved the use of Conservation Futures funds towards the permanent protection of the Gregory Property in Resolution #29-13 on July 15, 2013 and JLT is sponsor to that application. Ms. Spaeth stated that JLT owns title to a 40 acre preserve and has been working on protecting properties within the powerline reach. JLT is requesting to take title of the Gregory easement, rather than the County. Page 7 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of November 9, 2015 Commissioner Johnson moved to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 40-15 Authorizing Jefferson Land Trust to Acquire Title for the Gregory Conservation Easement, Part of the Duckabush Floodplain Acquisition 2013 and Duckabush Floodplain Projects. Chairman Sullivan seconded the motion. The motion carried. The meeting was recessed at 2:15 p.m. and reconvened at 2:42 p.m. with Chairman Sullivan and Commissioner Johnson present. CONTINUED: Interviews for Appointment to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAQ: Chairman Sullivan and Commissioner Johnson conducted a telephonic interview with Debbie Wardrop. After review of the potential candidates, Commissioner Johnson moved to appoint Larry McKeehan; Term expires July 23, 2018 and reappoint Debbie Wardrop; Term expires August 15, 2017 and William Tennent; Term expires July 23, 2018. Chairman Sullivan seconded the motion. The motion carried. COUNTYADMINISTRA TOR BRIEFING SESSION: County Administrator Philip Morley reviewed the following with the Board. Miscellaneous Items: • Commissioners' mileage stipend; Resolution No. 25-05 creates a choice for the Commissioners to use a County car, submit a monthly expense voucher or have a personal vehicle allowance made on a monthly basis. The monthly allowance would be 90% of the average monthly rental cost of a vehicle per County fleet services. Staff is looking into the possibility of lowering the amount to less than 90% and other issues that may arise from a change to monthly vehicle allowance. • Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) on next week's agenda. • Tax Levy Hearing on November 23, 2015. • Public Hearings for Department of Community Development (DCD) fee schedule and Sheriff's Office Civil Fees coming up. • Public Hearing on the County Budget will be held on December 7, 2015. • Animal Control Ordinance; earliest hearing date December 7 or 14, 2015. Page 8 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of November 9, 2015 NOTICE OFADJOURNMENT. Commissioner Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:53 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. Chairman Sullivan seconded the motion. The motion carried. S AL r .d �'I O N ATTEST: Carolyn ` very. Deputy Clerk of the Board JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Phil Johnson, Member (Excused absence) Kathleen Kler, Member Page 9 HEARING From: mkippen@olympus.net Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2015 4:04 PM To: jeffbocc Subject: noxious weed tax I am opposed to the noxious weed fee as proposed. I think it is a gross waste of time and money (including mine) to "educate" homeowners about noxious weeds. What we need is help in eradicating them. If you look at the county population you see a lot of senior citizens. We have arthritis, degenerating d in our backs, joints that need replacing, among other problems that would limit our ability to wield an extractigator to pull up a lot of Scotch broom. In addition, if we all cleared our property, there is still an abundance of the stuff growing on public lane of one sort or another. If you drive up Mt. Jupiter Rd in the spring when Scotch broom is blooming, yoi get to a point where you can see nothing but yellow all up and down the power lines right of way. Strangely enough, if you drive out to Palo Alto Rd just east of Sequim where there is also a large powe line, you do not see a scrap of yellow. What is Clallam County doing that Jefferson County is not? I am quite sure the Scotch broom doesn't care what county it is inhabiting. I would happily pay your proposed fee if you were planning to actually use the money to exterminate noxious weeds. I object to funding 3 jobs to run around with plant samples and pictures. Mary Kippenhan 360-379-9407 PO Box 537 Quilcene WA 98376 From: Noxious Weeds Sent: Monday, November 09, 2015 9:36 AM To: jeffbocc; mkippen@olympus.net Subject: Re: noxious weed tax Dear Ms. Kippenhan Thank you for your input concerning the Noxious Weed Fee Assessment. I understand your point of view ai agree that the Weed Board should assist in weed control as well as outreach education. That is why we have budgeted for increased our weed control for in the coming years Sent from my iPhone On Nov 9, 2015, at 8:53 AM, jeffbocc <ieffbocc n co.iefferson.wa.us> wrote: From: mkippen@olympus.net [mailto:mkippen@olympus.netl Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2015 4:04 PM To: jeffbocc <ieffbocc@co.iefferson.wa.us> Subject: noxious weed tax I am opposed to the noxious weed fee as proposed. I think it is a gross waste of time and money (including mine) to "educate" homeowners about noxious weeds. What we need is help in eradicating them. If you look at the county population you see a lot of senior citizens. We have arthritis, degenerating discs in our backs, joints that need replacing, among other problems that would limit our ability to wield an extractigator to pull up a lot of Scotch broom. In addition, if we all cleared our property, there is still an abundance of the stuff growing on public lands of one sort or another. If you drive up Mt. Jupiter Rd in the spring when Scotch broom is blooming, you get to a point where you can see nothing but yellow all up and down the power lines right of way. Strangely enough, if you drive out to Palo Alto Rd just east of Sequim where there is also a large power line, you do not see a scrap of yellow. What is Clallam County doing that Jefferson County is not? I am quite sure the Scotch broom doesn't care what county it is inhabiting. I would happily pay your proposed fee if you were planning to actually use the money to exterminate noxious weeds. I object to funding 3 jobs to run around with plant samples and pictures. Mary Kippenhan 360-379-9407 PO Box 537 Quilcene WA 98376 From: Noxious Weeds Sent: Monday, November 09, 2015 9:40 AM To: jeffbocc; mkippen@olympus.net Subject: Re: noxious weed tax My apologies, I hit sent before finishing the email (my phone is perhaps a little small). However, as I mentic our budget for weed control will increase next year. As to the difference between Clallam and Jefferson cow this is due to the fact that Clallam county already has a Fee Assessment and thus a workable budget in place whereas Jefferson county currently does not. If you have any further questions please feel free to call or email me at any time Thank you and kind regards, Joost Besijn Coordinator Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board Sent from my iPhone On Nov 9, 2015, at 9:35 AM, Noxious Weeds <NoxiousWeedsAco.iefferson.wa.us> wrote: Dear Ms. Kippenhan Thank you for your input concerning the Noxious Weed Fee Assessment. I understand your point of view and agree that the Weed Board should assist in weed control as well as outreach education. That is why we have budgeted for increased our weed control for in the coming years Sent from my iPhone On Nov 9, 2015, at 8:53 AM, jeffbocc <jeffboccna.co.jefferson.wa.us> wrote: From: mkippen@olvmpus.net [mailto:mkippen@olympus.net] Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2015 4:04 PM To: jeffbocc <[effbocc@coJefferson.wa.us> Subject: noxious weed tax I am opposed to the noxious weed fee as proposed. I think it is a gross waste of time and money (including mine) to "educate" homeowners about noxious weeds. What we need is help in eradicating them. If you look at the county population you see a lot of senior citizens. We have arthritis, degenerating discs in our backs, joints that need replacing, among other problems that would limit our ability to wield an extractigator to pull up a lot of Scotch broom. In addition, if we all cleared our property, there is still an abundance of the stuff growing on public lands of one sort or another. If you drive up Mt. Jupiter Rd in the spring when Scotch broom is blooming, you get to a point where you can see nothing but yellow all up and down the power lines right of way. Strangely enough, if you drive out to Palo Alto Rd just east of Sequim where there is also a large power line, you do not see a scrap of yellow. What is Clallam County doing that Jefferson County is not? I am quite sure the Scotch broom doesn't care what county it is inhabiting. I would happily pay your proposed fee if you were planning to actually use the money to exterminate noxious weeds. I object to funding 3 jobs to run around with plant samples and pictures. Mary Kippenhan 360-379-9407 PO Box 537 Quilcene WA 98376