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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-26-10Board’s Official Business Highlights from Tuesday’s Commissioner Meeting January 26, 2010 PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following comments were made: 3 citizens commented on the possible closure of Memorial Field; 2 citizens commented on the economy in Jefferson County; 2 citizens questioned past expenditures made by the County and stated that they believe the County could make money available to support parks; a citizen suggested that the County examine the management structure and retain employees who do the work; a citizen discussed the lack of credibility of a certain member of the Hood Canal Coalition and false comments he made about Fred Hill Materials which he believes clearly mislead the public and the Board of County Commissioners; a citizen stated that the comments made by the attorney of Fred Hill Materials are not factual; and a citizen feels that his gun range business is being treated differently than the Port Townsend gun range business. CONSENT AGENDA: The following items were approved as submitted. BID CALL: Publication of County Legal Notices; bids accepted until 9:30 a.m. and opened and read publicly at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 9, 2009 in the Commissioners’ Chamber 4 AGREEMENTS: 1) Technical Services for Web Mapping Maintenance with King County GIS Center; 2) Maintenance for Audio Recording System Located in Commissioners’ Chamber with Jefferson Audio Video Systems (JAVS), Inc.; 3) JeffCom 911 Radio System Improvement Project with Buchanan General Contracting Company; 4) JeffCom 911 Radio System Upgrade with Southwick Enterprises Advisory Board Resignation: Tom Wilcox from the Developmental Disability Advisory Board Payment of Vouchers/Warrants: Dated December 29, 2009 Totaling $630,813.18 Payment of Payroll Warrants: Dated January 20, 2010 Totaling $89,525.45 and Totaling $15,804.60 COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION: Commissioner Sullivan: - This year he will be serving as Vice President of the Peninsula Development District, after serving 2 years as the President. Commissioner Austin: - The DNR timber sale on the property located between Beausite and Gibbs Lakes has been postponed. He will be meeting with the State Department of Natural Resources Acting-Regional Manager who will present proposals for the County to consider regarding this property. - The State Board of Health is working on regulations for diseases spread by animals. Commissioner Johnson: - Commented on the upcoming Census and expressed the importance of participation by all citizens because much of the County’s funding is based on Census figures. County Administrator Morley: - In response to citizen comments he explained that: 1) Several updates were provided last year on scaling back the budget which included discussions about proposals to keep parks and recreation programs and facilities, including Memorial Field, operating with the establishment of Community coalitions; 2) As a cost savings measure, Information Services put out a reminder to employees to shut off computers and office equipment after working hours. Another reminder will be sent out; 3) The expenditure for the repairs to the privacy screen at the Visitors Center was authorized by staff because the repair cost was below the amount required to go through the bidding process. The appropriation action the Board took after the repairs were completed was to transfer funds to insure the costs would be paid from the appropriate County fund; and 4) While it is true that the County has reduced its staff by 23 FTE’s in the last 2 years, there are also a number of management positions that have remained unfilled for purposes of conserving funding. 3 BID OPENINGS: Bids were received and opened for the supply of aggregate, the supply of liquid asphalt, and for pavement markings on County roadways. Public Works staff will review the bids and submit a recommendation for bid awards to the Board at a later date. HEARING: After holding a hearing on the annexation of two properties into Jefferson County Water District No. 3, the Board approved the annexation. 2010 PARKS DIVISION SERVICE PLAN UPDATE: Parks and Recreation Manager Matt Tyler reported that 12 parks have been adopted and MOU’s are in place with the individuals who have volunteered to provide maintenance services for those parks for 2 years. No day use parks had be closed, however, the campgrounds at Lake Leland, Quilcene and Chimacum were closed. Memorial Field was proposed for adoption last year. After much analysis, staff believes the best approach for Memorial Field is to develop a “Users Cooperative” between Port Townsend and Chimacum schools, the baseball and football Little League Associations, and local businesses. This will require significant planning by working through the following phases: 1) work to develop a volunteer and partner service to take care of the fields immediate needs; 2) work toward formally organizing the “Users Cooperative”; 3) evaluate and make improvements to facilities through donations; and 4) begin long- range planning to secure a stable future for Memorial Field. The entire community is welcome to participate in any phase. 2 LETTERS: The Board approved a letter to Washington State Department of Natural Resources Public Lands Commissioner in support of funding assistance from Congress for the proposed research in the Olympic Experimental State Forest, and a letter to Representative Ross Hunter requesting the House Finance Committee hold a hearing on the proposed legislation for a severance fee on sand and gravel.