Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutM100200District No. 1 Commissioner: Dan Harpole District No. 2 Commissioner: Glen Huntingford District No. 3 Commissioner: Richard Wojt County Administrator: Charles Saddler Deputy County Administrator: David Goldsmith Clerk of the Board: Lorna Delaney MINUTES Week of October 2, 2000 The meeting was called to order at the appointed time by Chairman Richard Wojt. Commissioners Dan Harpole and Glen Huntingford were both present. COUNTY ADMINISTRA TORS BRIEFING SESSION: County Administrator Charles Saddler reported: · The next meeting of the regional elected officials (Port, City, County, School Districts) is scheduled for October 26, 2000. He asked the Board which 3 of the following items they would like on the agenda: the countywide sewer plan; the .08 local options sales tax; the plans to move ahead with certain capital facilities; the telecommunications survey and the restoration of the committee; the acquisition of the Irondale Beach/Chimacum Creek property; or a discussion about the Economic Development Council. The Board agreed that their priority items for the meeting agenda are: the countywide sewer plan; the .08 local options sales tax, and the Economic Development Council. Information will also be provided to the group about the telecommunications survey. · Director of Community Development A1 Scalf asked the Board the best way to keep them informed and to address their concerns about the draft UDC? The Board agreed that a weekly hour long workshop would be the most efficient use of their time for this review. · Commissioner Huntingford asked about the formation of the Port Ludlow Drainage District Board since the vote passed which established the District? Charles Saddler explained that the Public Works Department will be bringing forward the information on how these appointments will be advertised and handled. APPROVAL OFMINUTES: Commissioner Harpole moved to approve the September 11, 2000 minutes as presented. Commissioner Huntingford seconded, the motion which carded by a unanimous vote. Page 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of October 2, 2000 PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following comments were made: a letter was read about public input on the UDC and how it is impossible for the public to review and comment on the document; there are several new mooting buoys on Mystery Bay; a man stated that he wants to promote voter confidence in the Board; the final cost for the UGA in the Tfi Area needs to be published so that people can see it; (The Board advised that the Tri Area newsletter will include information on costs to property owners and is expected to be issued next week;) and how citizens need to be informed about what government is doing. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Harpole moved to delete Item 3 and approve the balance of the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Huntingford seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. 1. AGREEMENT, Interlocal re: Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant (JAIBG); Jefferson County Juvenile Services; State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) 2. AGREEMENT, Amendment #1 re: Provide Improvement of the Small Quantity Generator (SQG); Coordinated Prevention Grant G0000192; Jefferson County Health and Human Services; State Department of Ecology 3. DELETE Accept Recommendation to Remove Jefferson County Marine Resource Committee (MRC) Member; MRC Business Rules, Resolution 99-01 Section 2.2; Frederick Beck PROCLAMATION re: The Month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness' Month: Peggy Thompson, Director of the Domestic Violence Program, was present when the Chair read the proclamation asking County residents to observe October as Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness Month. Commissioner Huntingford moved to approve the proclamation declaring October 2000 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Commissioner Harpole seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Linda Tudor, Chair, Brinnon Sub-Area Plan Committee re: Update on the Brinnon Sub- Area Plan: Linda Tudor explained that in November, 1999, the Brinnon Sub-Area Plan Committee members were selected and most of the original members are still on the Committee. The Committee is a diverse group with a good representation of the community. They have a common vision about their lifestyle and their environment, and taking care of their environment. They have spent several months learning about GMA and the Comprehensive Plan and are now applying what they've learned to planning for the Brinnon area. They have revised their 1979 Community Plan to be more in line with the Comprehensive Plan and it is becoming more of an implementing document. A DCD Staff Planner has been designated to help the Committee. Commissioner Huntingford asked if the Planner will do the work fbr the Committee? Linda Tudor answered that he will not write the document; but will do research for the Committee and help them structure the sub-area plan to conform to the Comprehensive Plan and GMA. Page 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of October 2, 2000 A1 Scalfreported that there are requirements that the Planner will make sure are followed according to the procedures outlined. Linda Tudor pointed out that the vision of the community has not wavered since the 1979 plan. The Community still wants to see the flat areas at Yelwick's store, the Brinnon core, and Black Point become the commercial areas. The main focus in 1979 plan was logging and fishing which no longer make up the economic base for the area. The Committee is now focusing on recreation and tourism for their economic base. Commissioner Harpole asked when the sub-area planning is to be completed? Linda Tudor reported the grant is over in October, 2001. She said that the Committee is in the process of documenting the historical businesses and where they were located. They plan to use this information to support their goals of restoring some of the areas where businesses were located in the past to support tourism and recreational activities. Commissioner Harpole suggested that growth management indicators need to include the historical commercial entities that were along Highway 101 and how they are there to meet the needs of . the traveling public, not just the communities. The Brinnon community feels they are the original gateway to Jefferson County and they need support for those types of services. Linda Tudor noted that the Committee is meeting every other week. The Board thanked Linda Tudor and the Committee for their work and efforts. Sheriff Pete Piccini re: Dispatch Staffing Needs: Sheriff Piccini distributed a job description for a new administrative position to support the Dispatch Center. He reported that all of the open dispatch positions have been filled except for one. He met with the Dispatchers to determine changes that could be made to help them do their jobs better. They have identified the administrative duties as being the biggest interruption to their dispatching duties. There is an active Civil Service list that would allow hiring of the clerk position as soon as possible. This position would not be located in the Dispatch Center which would help alleviate extra commotion in that area. Deputy County Administrator David Goldsmith advised that he hasn't reviewed the job description yet, but the salary is already set in the Union contract. He will review the job description. County Administrator, Charles Saddler, noted that there is a critical need for this position. Commissioner Huntingford moved to approve this position after David Goldsmith has a chance to review the job description. Commissioner Harpole seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. HEARING re: Proposed Ordinance Establishing the Office of the County Administrator: Chairman Wojt opened the public hearing and asked Deputy County Administrator David Goldsmith to give a staff report. David Goldsmith advised that the proposed ordinance will establish the Office of the County Administrator which will codify the duties of this position and be explicit in terms of Page 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of October 2, 2000 the limits of responsibility and authority. This is a piece of enabling legislation that clarifies the duties of' the position. It delegates a number of the Commissioners executive functions to the County Administrator. Chairman Wojt opened the public testimony portion of the hearing. A1 Boucher., Port Hadlock, suggested that the proposed ordinance be held in abeyance until the voter response is known from the November election. He feels that this is a political issue; and the composition of the Board may change in January. The proposed ordinance delegates the Board's executive power and authority to an administrator so they can "devote more of their time to legislative duties." In his opinion, this is a flight from responsibility by the Commissioners. He stated that he is limiting his remarks to how the proposed ordinance impacts the Comprehensive Plan process. He finds the Comprehensive Plan ambiguous, intrusive, and pretentious; and its implementation is a matter of highly subjective decision making. The Board needs to maintain a central role in the process. In Resolution No. 34-99 , the Planning Commission and the Director of Community Development were given direct access to the Board and this communication is important. Comprehensive Plan decision making ultimately becomes a question of values. Resolution of this matter belongs to the Board because they represent the citizens who elected them. This aspect of government should not be compromised. It is a Board responsibility which can be shared, but not delegated. He added that this observation should not be construed to reflect on the competence and leadership qualities of the present County Administrator. Herb Beck, pointed out that Section 3.3 states that the Board of Commissioners can vote to terminate the County Administrator at any time under the terms of the employment contract. Section 7.2 states that the County Administrator has the authority to appoint or remove certain appointed Department Directors. Earl Burgett, said he has always had concerns about the kind of"good old boy" relationships that have influenced the operation of the Board due to Commissioner/staff relationships. He feels that there have been some serious violations of County policies because of this. The County Administrator position helps create the necessary boundaries. He is strongly in favor of this position. Katherine Baril, WSU Cooperative Extension, stated that, over the last several months, she has noticed an increase in professional development of the Department Head Team with quicker feedback on issues. She has heard several very positive comments about the current County Administrator and his efforts to respond quickly to citizen's concerns. She supports this position. Herb Beck, Port of Port Townsend, added that the new City Manager, the Port Manager, the PUD Manager, and the County Administrator are able to talk and solve problems that are sometime hard for the Commissioners to meet about. Sometimes a change is needed and this is a positive change. He likes Section 3.3 because if there is a problem, the County Administrator has the authority to solve it. Page 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of October 2, 2000 David Goldsmith explained the issues and comments brought forward from Department Heads and legal staff. There could be a question when there is a conflict between legislative and executive functions because there is no clear definition between these functions in the RCW. A "laundry list" of delegated functions was avoided when this ordinance was drafted because it is easy to leave something out. The ordinance describes what the executive functions are, but there are some gray areas. There isn't a place for recording the executive and administrative decisions that are made by the Administrator. There is a question about whether the keeping of the record of these decisions may need to be addressed in ordinance. The capital outlay for the County for roads, bridges, etc. are part of the responsibilities of the engineering section of the Public Works Department. According to this ordinance, any other type of capital outlay would go through the County Administrator. There is a need to clarify the language in the ordinance to state that the ordinance can not be in conflict with the State Law. Chairman Wojt stated that the Public Works Department is working under the direction of the legislative process of the Six Year Transportation Plan and he doesn't see a problem. Commissioner Huntingford explained that when Klara Fabry was Public Works Director she refused to acknowledge the authority of the Public Services Director, because she said she had authority from the RCW. The Board needs to resolve the issue of how to deal with capital outlay in the future. Commissioner Harpole stated that the County must obey State law. The Public Works Department submits the Six Year Transportation Plan each year for the Board's approval. The Board retains legislative authority over all the Departments under its authority. The Board isn't giving up anything; they are clarifying how County government will work under the County Administrator. Commissioner Huntingford stated that he feels the Board is giving up their administrative authority and many of the things they normally do. Guy Rudolph quoted from RCW 36.22.120 which states what the legislative powers are and the Board cannot give them up. It says that construction and maintenance of roads and bridges are an important part of the Commissioner's authority. Commissioner Harpole reiterated that the Board is not giving up its legislative authority, but is delegating its administrative authority. Guy Rudolph stated that the ordinance doesn't address how goals will be set and implemented. Nora Porter asked why the issue of the authority of the Public Services Director over the Public Works Director wasn't dealt with at the time it was raised? Commissioner Huntingford explained that the Public Works Director did have authority under the statute and the Board failed to support the authority of the Public Services Director. He feels that is part of the reason that the Public Services Director position was not as effective as it could have been. He reiterated that it is important to clarify these issues now. Page 5 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of October 2, 2000 Nora Porter added that if this is a matter of fact and a matter of law, then everyone that is under the County Administrator will answer to him. Commissioner Harpole noted that part of the problem before was that there wasn't an ordinance to codify what authority is given to the position. This ordinance does clarify the authority of the position. David Goldsmith advised that the ordinance gives the County Administrator the authority to hire and fire the appointed Department Directors. Commissioner Huntingford added that the County is breaking new ground by establishing this position. The details are important at this point in the process to assure its success. Herb Beck, explained that the Port has Resolution No. 2-73 that has been revised over the years, but the Commissioners have the final say, no matter what. You have to start somewhere; and this ordinance is a good starting point. Chairman Wojt closed the public hearing. Commissioner Harpole reported that he contacted the former interim City Manager who has reviewed three versions of this ordinance. The one practical problem that needs to be resolved is tracking the decisions made by the County Administrator. Chairman Wojt questioned whether the tracking needs to be addressed in this ordinance or if procedures can be developed and then put into place? The Clerk of the Board pointed out that the record of County Administrator actions can be tracked easily because many items are already tracked through the forms that are required. There may be a decision made that will require a letter or memo and a way to track those items can be developed. Commissioner Huntingford expressed concerns about the Board distancing themselves from "day to day" operations. Signing of vouchers can't be delegated because the Board controls the budget; but will the Board still be involved in the preliminary budget roundtables? Chairman Wojt explained that if the Board wants to be involved in the budget process, they can let the County Administrator know. Commissioner Huntingford added that he sees most of the questions coming from the interpretation of the language of the ordinance by individual Board members. Commissioner Harpole reiterated that this is an evolving process and the changes effect everyone. The Board needs to stay informed. The County Administrator has indicated that he is going to start having the departments present updates to the Board once a month. This is a mechanical piece of how the Administrator does his job. Commissioner Huntingford asked if the Board members all agree that the budget will be done as it has been in the past? He wants this to be clear to the County Administrator. Chairman Wojt said that he wants the County Administrator to do the "ground work" on the budget. Page 6 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of October 2, 2000 Commissioner Harpole moved to approve ORDINANCE NO. 09-1002-00 establishing the Office of County Administrator as written. Commissioner Huntingford seconded motion. Commissioner Harpole explained that he believes the three Commissioners, in developing this position, have worked to bring professional administration to Jefferson County government. By approving this ordinance this position can't be taken away without public input. This is not political in his mind. Commissioner Huntingford pointed out that this finalizes a process that was begun 5 years ago and the ordinance adds clarity to the position now and in the future. Chairman Wojt called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. ,~ ~ ,, %T,.~~ *" ~', 'l ," Loma Delaney, CMC Clerk of the Board ,~j JEFFERSO~N COUNTY BOARD OFiCg~MISSI~I~gS ,' //? '~H~t'ngf'en u ~ ~~ //~ er Dan Harpole, ~ Page 7