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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-15-08Board’s Official Business Highlights from Monday’s Commissioner Meeting July 15, 2008 PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following comments were made by citizens: two people commented on the changes that they think will need to take place in the process regarding the creation of Chimacum Creek No Shooting Area since the County Commissioners directed that the proposed NSA be expanded; a property owner suggested that the County do DNA testing of the water in creeks and streams that run through farmland to determine what species is causing the pollution; a citizen noted that he thinks that there will be a lot less real estate speculation in Port Townsend and Jefferson County because of the recession; two people commented on the importance of having an open public process with more citizen involvement and dialog with the Board; and a Quilcene resident stated that the Parks and Recreation Department does a good job and attracts great volunteers to help on projects and he invited the Board to attend the Quilcene Fair on September 20. CONSENT AGENDA: All the items on the Consent Agenda were approved. 3 RESOLUTIONS: 1) Dedication of Conservation Futures funds to the Finnriver Farm Project as authorized by 84.34 RCW and in accordance with Ordinance No. 06- 0708-02 to provide a system of public open spaces; 2) Dedication of Conservation Futures funds to the Tarboo Creek Conservation Project as authorized by 84.34 RCW and in accordance with Ordinance No. 06-0708-02 to provide a system of public open spaces; and, 3) Providing a positive cash balance in the Water Quality Fund AGREEMENTS: 1) Professional Services for Parent Coalition Advocacy with Jenell DeMatteo, and 2) Foster Care Public Health Nurse Services (Passport Program) with Washington State Department of Social and Health Services AUTHORIZATION TO AWARD: Public Infrastructure Fund Project Grant for the pre- design/environmental portion of the Upper Sims Way Project; City of Port Townsend, Applicant PAYMENT OF JEFFERSON COUNTY VOUCHERS/WARRANTS: Dated July 8, 2008 totaling $1,663.27 PAYMENT OF JEFFERSON COUNTY PAYROLL WARRANTS: Dated July 7, 2008 totaling $99,459.97 BOCC BRIEFING: The Board reported on the following: •Commissioner Sullivan pointed out that the Board approved $500,000 from the Public Infrastructure Fund for Port Townsend’s Upper Sims Way Project. There are several businesses that have indicated that they want to locate there and it will be a good time to get the project done while the ferry service is disrupted. •Commissioner Sullivan thinks that Transit needs to consider adding more routes because people are showing an interest in riding the bus due to the high gas prices. They will need to lobby for federal funding because raising the fares will not provide enough revenue to support the additional service that would be required. •Chairman Johnson and Commissioner Sullivan discussed the original purpose of the Public Comment Period and how the current process has evolved. •The County Administrator Briefing scheduled in the afternoon was cancelled. TOURISM PROMOTION: Representatives from the Olympic Peninsula Travel Association (OPTA) reviewed statistics from a study of the traffic over the Hood Canal Bridge and how that number relates to the number of tourists coming to the Olympic Peninsula. The Olympic Games are scheduled in Vancouver, British Columbia in 2010 and there is a federal law that prohibits the use of the word “Olympics” to promote an area if that word is not attached to a specific geography. This is creating a hardship for many business owners on the Olympic Peninsula who are coming under the scrutiny of the Olympic Committee. The OPTA has developed a 5-year tourism marketing promotion from 2008 to 2012 for the entire Olympic Peninsula named the OlyCampaign. They plan to use multi media marketing including the internet, cell phones, DVDs, an interactive guide, videos, print and news rooms to promote Oly. They are requesting that Jefferson County financially support the promotion. Commissioner Sullivan advised them that they will need to present the information to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and the Tourism Coordinating Council to request funding.