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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM102416District No. 1 Commissioner: Phil Johnson District No. 2 Commissioner: David W. Sullivan District No. 3 Commissioner: Kathleen Kier County Administrator: Philip Morley Clerk of the Board: Erin Lundgren MINUTES Week of October 24, 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: Two citizens spoke regarding the timber harvesting in Port Ludlow done by Port Ludlow Associates; and A citizen stated: 1) There will be a presentation this week regarding reversing Alzheimer's Disease and 2) He has concerns about the length of time it takes to obtain a permit in Jefferson County. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Johnson moved to approve all the items on the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. 1. AGREEMENT re: Comprehensive Plan Update: Transportation Element and Urban Growth Area Element: Transportation; In the Amount of $65,500; Jefferson County Public Works; Transpo Group USA, Inc. 2. AGREEMENT re: Inmate Relapse Prevention Program available at Jefferson County Jail; In the Amount of $15,163.80 from `Hargrove' Fund; Jefferson Mental Health/Discovery Behavioral Healthcare 3. Payment of Jefferson County Vouchers/Warrants Dated October 17, 2016 Totaling $765,078.95 4. Payment of Jefferson County Payroll Warrants Dated October 20, 2016 Totaling $83,467.01 and A/P Warrants Done by Payroll Dated October 6, 2016 Totaling $125,951.90 and Dated October 20, 2016 Totaling $18,785.08 COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION and CALENDAR COORDINATION: The Commissioners reported on their meeting schedules. Calendar Coordination: Below is a list of the upcoming meetings and events the Commissioners will be attending in the near future: • Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Special Meeting and Parks Tour • School of Woodworking and Preservation Trades meeting • Port Ludlow Open House sponsored by the Public Health Department Page 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2016 F", ;] • Jefferson -Port Townsend Response Emergency Planning meeting • Olympic Workforce Development Council; Construction Industry Sector meeting • Washington State Department of Natural Resources Public Hearing on Dabob Natural Area Expansion • Tour of the new Bullitt Center in Seattle • Salish Behavioral Health Organization Advisory Board meeting • There will be no Board of County Commissioners meeting on October 31, 2016 Madam Chair Kler allowed a citizen to address the Board who stated that Port Ludlow will be holding public forums regarding roadway safety. HEARING re: Proposed Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 05-0709-07 to Change the Expiration Date of the Collection of Rural County Sales and Use Tax in Jefferson County: The Rural County Sales and Use Tax was originally authorized by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in 1998 at 0.04 percent and raised in 1999 to 0.08 percent prior to increasing to 0.09 percent in 2007. The tax is credited against the Washington State portion of the sales and use tax, thus does not increase the overall sales and use tax for the citizens of Jefferson County. Over the years, this tax has also been referred to as the Distressed County Sales Tax or the Public Infrastructure Tax. In 2007, an amended ordinance stated that the expiration date of the tax was June 30, 2023. RCW 82.14.370.4(b) states the expiration date may be as follows: "For counties imposing the tax at the rate of 0.09 percent before August 1, 2009, the tax expires on the date that is twenty-five years after the date that the 0.09 percent tax rate was first imposed by that county. " The 0.09 percent tax was imposed August 1, 2007, twenty-five years after that date is July 31, 2032. By law, Jefferson County's tax could expire on July 31, 2032. The proposed amended ordinance changes the expiration date of this tax from 2023 to 2032. Budget Consultant Anne Sears stated that since 1998, Jefferson County has been imposing this tax, which resulted in $5 Million dollars available to spend on projects all over the County. She added that this tax is an excellent source for funding projects such as the Quilcene Water System and other public infrastructure projects. County Administrator Morley stated this funding source was discussed at a recent Economic Development Council (EDC) meeting. Madam Chair Kler opened the hearing for public testimony. Hearing no comments for or against the proposed ordinance, Madam Chair Kler closed the hearing. Commissioner Johnson moved to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 04-1024-16 Amending Ordinance No. 05- 0709-07 To Amend the Expiration Date of the Collection of Rural County Sales and Use Tax in Jefferson County to July 31, 2032. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Page 2 0.'i. rri Commissioners Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2016 The meeting was recessed at 10:09 a.m. and reconvened at 11:03 a.m. with all three Commissioners present. RECOGNITION of PROCLAMATION re: Proclaiming the Week of October 3, 2016 as Mental Illness Awareness Week (Approved on September 26, 2016): National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) President Valerie Phimister was present to thank the Commissioners for approving the Proclamation and to inform the Board of the group's activities and report on Jefferson County's mental illness statistics. At a recent NAMI State Conference held in Clallam County, Senator Hargrove received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on the 1/101h of 1% program; also known as the Hargrove Fund. She noted that Jefferson County was the first county to use the Hargrove Fund tax to start the Mental Health Court. NAMI is currently seeking a permanent meeting space at Mountain View Commons in Port Townsend. NAMI member Darlene Grunke thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation. BRIEFING re: Jefferson County — Port Townsend Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan: In accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, the Board of County Commissioners adopted the Jefferson County -City of Port Townsend Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan in May of 2010, thus putting forth hazard mitigation goals and making the County eligible to apply for disaster mitigation grants in support of those goals. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires revision of the plan every five years. Emergency Management Director Bob Hamlin stated that the proposed plan meets FEMA standards. He distributed electronic copies of the plan on CD's to the Commissioners and County Administrator and noted that the plan is also located on the internet at www. j prephazmitplan. org Director Hamlin stated contractor Ken Horvath created the Hazard Mitigation Plan and is working with local agencies on the plan's adoption. The City of Port Townsend is in the same phase of review as Jefferson County. Director Hamlin suggesting holding a work session in the near future with the Commissioners to review the plan. The meeting was recessed at 11:48 a.m. and reconvened at 11:59 a.m. for the Quarterly Elected Officials/Department Directors lunch meeting with all three Commissioners present. The meeting was recessed at 1:29 p.m. and reconvened at 1:38 p.m. Madam Chair Kler and Commissioner Sullivan were present for the afternoon session. Commissioner Johnson joined the meeting at 1:46 pm. UPDATE re: Parks and Recreation: Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Manager Matt Tyler briefed the Board on the status of the Parks and Recreation programs, facilities and budget. At existing funding levels, revenues in outlying years are approximately $100,000 per year less than the cost for maintaining existing programs and facilities. Starting in 2018, the Parks and Recreation fund balance cannot cover the projected shortfall. Public Works Department staff feel that parks and recreation in Jefferson County is a strategic solution to support the economic development, health, well-being and security of the community. Continuing to Page 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2016 provide the current basic level of parks and recreation service is a low-cost, high -impact way to promote the goals of Jefferson County. Mr. Tyler's power point presentation highlighted each County park's unique features and included statistical data. Public Works Director/County Engineer Monte Reinders stated that when Prop funding ended a few years ago, the County's recreation programs were significantly reduced. He added that the Parks and Recreation department is currently operating with only three full-time staff members, including Mr. Tyler. There is a part-time person who was hired to work Memorial Field, but that person is working on more than just that field. Director Reinders stated that since staff cannot be cut more than it already has, park facilities will need to start closing if funding continues to decrease. Director Reinders stated that they are not seeking additional funds for Parks and Recreation in order to do a better job, they are asking for funds to maintain the current level of services. Their budget does not include capital projects. The Commissioners, County Administrator and Public Works staff discussed the potential for a levy lid lift. County Administrator Philip Morley will be working with Public Works in creating their 2017 Budget. LETTER of SUPPORT re: 2017-2019 Capital Budget Funding for the Floodplains by Design Program including Discussion re: Port Hadlock Wastewater System Project: Environmental Health Specialist Tami Pokorny was unable to attend the Commissioner's meeting, but had requested the Commissioners approve sending a letter in support of the Floodplains by Design grant program to Governor Jay Inslee. Madam Chair Kler stated that the proposed letter touches on the hazard mitigation work Emergency Management Director Bob Hamlin briefly discussed with the Board. The letter refers to climate change and increased flood risk. County Administrator Philip Morley noted that the grant would help fund the Lower Big Quilcene Floodplains Acquisition project. County Administrator Philip Morley noted that while advocating for smaller projects like this one is certainly well-deserved, it may be time to strengthen the County's focus on the Port Hadlock Wastewater System (PHWS) project. He added that to get the PHWS up and running may take years of mono -focus. Commissioner Sullivan stated that every two years during the election cycle, the topic of the PHWS project surfaces and the citizens ask why the County isn't doing anything. He explained that at this time, there are no programs to apply to at the state or federal level that will fund this type of project. He added that our delegates have to first lobby for a program, and then Jefferson County would be able to compete for funding, along with others across the country. County Administrator Morley noted that there has been instances where projects have been earmarked for funding, such as the Worthington House in Quilcene, but he added that project was approximately $500,000. Commissioner Sullivan stated that when he has talked about the PHWS with people, they get excited about the possibility of making it Page 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2016 Y�j�- happen, until he informs them the cost will be around $23 Million. He noted that the PHWS is a shovel - ready project. The Commissioners and County Administrator discussed the possibility of a levy lid lift. Commissioner Sullivan moved to send a LETTER to Governor Jay Inslee in support of the Washington State Department of Ecology's Floodplain by Design Grant Program. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. COUNTYADMINISTRATOR BRIEFING SESSION: County Administrator Philip Morley reviewed the following with the Board. Miscellaneous Items: • Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR); Land acquisition proposal: The Commissioners reviewed the boundary lines and what the potential impacts would be. The meeting was recessed at 3:18 p.m. and reconvened at 3:33 p.m. with Madam Chair Kler and Commissioner Sullivan present. Commissioner Johnson was not present. Miscellaneous Items — continued: • DNR Land acquisition proposal —continued: The proposal will create a.5% shift for the Junior Taxing Districts. • Hiring status re: Department of Community Development Planning Manager, Emergency Management Director, Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and Central Services Director. NOTICE OFADJOURNMENT. Commissioner Sullivan moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:44 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. Madam Chair Kler seconded the motion. The motion carried. SEBA ATTEST: Carolyn+Ary Y Deputy Clerk of the Board JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Kathleen , Chair DNuuIliv Member Phil Johnson, Member Page 5