HomeMy WebLinkAboutM112000District No. 1 Commissioner: Dan Harpole
District No. 2 Commissioner: Glen Huntingford
District No. 3 Commissioner: Richard Wojt
County Administrator: Charles Saddler
Deputy Administrator: David Goldsmith
Clerk of the Board: Loma Delaney
MINUTE
Week of November 20, 2000
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Richard Wojt. Commissioner Glen
Huntingford was present. Commissioner Dan Harpole was not present.
Appointments of the Jefferson County Members of the PRSN Mental Health Advisory
Committee: Chairman Wojt explained that the PRSN has submitted a recommendation for 3 Jefferson
County residents to serve on the Mental Health Advisory Board. The PRSN received 6 applications for the
3 openings. Commissioner Huntingford moved to appoint the following Jefferson County residents to each
serve a three year term on the PRSN Advisory Board: Maggie Metcalf, Tam Alleva and Lorde Mattson.
Commissioner Wojt seconded the motion which carried.
discussed:
COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS BRIEFING SESSION: The following items were
Facilities Use Agreement for the Bavshore Motel: Deputy County Administrator David Goldsmith
advised that a modified facilities use agreement with OlyCAP was presented to allow the motel to
open this weekend. This agreement is only for the period through December 31, 2000. A more
comprehensive agreement which outlines the uses of the motel and how certain circumstances will
be handled will be developed for approval between now and the end of the year. Commissioner
Huntingford asked if Jefferson County will be completely removed from the operation of the motel
if this is approved? David Goldsmith acknowledged that as correct. However, any repairs to the
building are the County's responsibility because the County still owns the property. OlyCAP will
be responsible for daily routine maintenance. Commissioner Huntingford moved to approve the
facilities use agreement with OlyCAP for the Bayshore Motel located in Brinnon with the
modifications as presented. Chairman Wojt seconded the motion which carried.
Jail Costs for the City of Port Townsend: County Administrator Charles Saddler notified the Board
that the County has been incorrectly coding jail costs for the City of Port Townsend which has
resulted in an underbilling to the City for their detainees. The billings for the first quarter of 2000
were reviewed and the underbilling was $43,000. The City has been made aware of this error. The
Auditor's Office will review all of the records for 1998, 1999, and 2000. If this trend holds true, it
will mean an underbilling to the City of approximately $147,000 a year. The Law and Justice
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of November 20, 2000
Council has been advised of the error and they have asked that the billings for State and Federal
detainees also be reviewed.
PUBLIC COMMENTPERJOD: Approximately 70 people were present to protest a
possible raise in property taxes by making the following statements:
· Why isn't the County just going with the IPD, or 2%, or putting any tax increase to a vote of the
people?
· The UDC will regulate how people can or can't use their property and increasing taxes will add an
extra burden for property owners.
· A tax increase will be especially hard for West End residents and people who work for minimum
wage or are retired.
· About 1/6 of the rent for some affordable housing units in Port Townsend goes to City and County
property taxes.
· The amount that this County has spent on GMA compliance is exorbitant compared to other
counties in the State.
· The only people who have benefitted from County spending over the last few years are the people
hired to work on GMA issues.
· Are we increasing taxes just to pay for out of control government?
· The County needs to ask the people who pay taxes if they can afford the increase.
· Affordable housing is a serious problem in this County and higher property taxes widen the gap.
· The average house price in the County is $174,000.
· This County is attempting to stop growth.
· There is more administration in this County than any other County this size.
· Two weeks ago in the election the people voted for change and it was suggested that this tax
increase be tabled until the new Board can vote on it.
· The County has a reputation across the State as an unfriendly place to try and locate a business.
· The Board needs to look carefully at the UDC to make sure it represents the regulations they want
and the rules need to be easier for businesses to want to locate here.
· Property taxes in Jefferson County have gone up 178% (without 178% in increased services) while
the median income has only increased 110%.
· The County needs to maximize services without increasing taxes.
· The Board needs to realize that 1-722 passed and keep the tax increase to 2%.
· Asking for a 15% increase is irresponsible.
· At the same time the County wants to raise taxes, it is restricting the tax base with the UDC
regulations.
· The County needs to put the UDC aside.
· The first rule of a consultant in Jefferson County is to secure their next contract before they begin
work on the current one.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of November 20, 2000
Growth means more costs for government in order to provide services.
Why is a nursery not allowed in the Chimacum Road area when they are allowed almost anywhere
else?
Citizens of the State have made it clear that they don't want unbridled tax increases.
There are many property owners in the community who don't stand up to be heard who are at risk
if a tax increase is passed.
More people in the County die than are bom and the taxes have compounded over the years.
We need a Department of Common Sense to attract businesses that provide jobs.
The taxpayers are saying only increase the budget the amount of IPD or 2% and any other amount
needs to be taken to the voters.
All of the people want fairness and the tax proposal being considered is not fair.
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner
Huntingford moved to adopt and approve all the items on the Consent Agenda. Chairman Wojt seconded
the motion which carded.
1. HEARING NOTICES re: Draft Unified Development Code; Hearings Scheduled for Monday,
December 11, 2000 at 3:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Chambers and Tuesday, December 12, 2000
at 6:00 p.m. in Superior Courtroom
2. HEARING NOTICE re: 2001 Jefferson County Budget, December 4, 2000 at 2 p.m. and
December 6, 2000 at 9 a.m. in the Lower Level Conference Room at the Courthouse
3. AGREEMENT, Amendment #1 re: Professional Services; To Provide Substance Abuse
Assessment, Outreach, and Outpatient Treatment; Jefferson County Health and Human Services;
Jefferson Community Recovery Center (JCRC)
4. AGREEMENT, Interlocal, Amendment #1 re: Professional Services; To Provide Breast and
Cervical Health Care Screening and Referral Services (BCHP); Jefferson County Health and
Human Services; Seattle-King County Public Health District
5. AGREEMENT re: Construction of Engineered Log Jams in the Hoh River Valley; Jefferson
County Public Works; United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Olympic
National Forest
6. Accept Resignation of Person Serving on the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board as the
Representative from Jefferson County Housing Authority; Ann Weaver
7. Accept Resignation of Person Serving on the Substance Abuse Program Advisory Board; Laura
Lee Nastri
Tom Robinson, State Department of Natural Resources re: Forest Board Revenue Timber
Report: Tom Robinson reported that the timber revenues for Jefferson County through September 30,
2000 were $1,284,000. For the remainder of the year it is anticipated that a minimum of $640,000 and a
maximum of $721,000 will be delivered to the County. They are projecting sales of 6.6 million board feet
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of November 20, 2000
of timber in Jefferson County in 2001 which would net approximately the same amount if timber prices
stay at the current level. The discussion turned to the process for "green certified" timber purchasing and
how that will impact the DNR timber sales in the future.
Chairman Wojt asked about the DNR's participation in the placement of mooring buoys? Tom Robinson
noted that a response has been prepared to the County's letter about this issue. The DNR is in total
agreement and is willing to work with the County on the coordination of permits for these buoys and also
to provide monetary support for a survey of buoys in the Mystery Bay. DNR will also provide a list of the
permitted buoys in the County's bays. This is a problem that needs to be addressed and all the agencies
involved need to deal with enforcement.
Chairman Wojt asked about the number of cables being laid across State lands and how this is regulated
and the charges determined? Tom Robinson explained that optical fibre cable is fairly new to the
Department and the best way to determine a value for installation across State lands is being reviewed. The
previously used valuation system doesn't address these systems. The real value of the system may lie in
examining the cost to the company if they went around (not through) State lands. DNR is trying to
determine an appropriate share of the profits from the industry.
Commissioner Huntingford asked about the Manke land exchange and noted that he is still receiving
comments from a number of people who want to stop Manke from harvesting the timber on the property or
want Manke to exchange a different piece of property. He asked if there is anything that can be done at this
point? Tom Robinson stated that if the exchange has been approved by the Board, it is final.
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