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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-09-10Board’s Official Business Highlights from Monday’s Commissioner Meeting March 9, 2010 PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following comments were made: a citizen expressed appreciation for Chairman Sullivan attending the National Association of County official’s (NACo) conference in an effort to obtain federal funding for Jefferson County; a citizen stated that he feels the county is too reliant on grant funding and is not self-sustaining, and he suggested that the Department of Community Development designate Friday’s as “Fast Track Friday” to expedite permits and increase County efficiency at the expense of the developer requesting the permit; a citizen discussed his concern about global warming and his belief that it is supported by scientific data; a citizen commented on the County’s budget, the local economy and areas where he believes the County could be more efficient; a citizen stated that the County may not get federal funding so it needs to look at ways to stimulate the economy by moving forward on the economic development plan; a citizen commented on what he views as use and abuse of the Open Public Meetings Act by citizens submitting public record requests and he stated that there is legislation being proposed that will address requests that are categorized as harassment; a citizen discussed the declining economy and decreasing job market in western Washington; a citizen commented on the proposed legislation to change the Open Public Meetings Act and the difficulty of establishing an intent to harass; a citizen stated that he believes there are differing standards for allowing individuals to speak during the public comment period; a citizen expressed concern that Community Development building inspectors are having to do clerical work for part of each day instead of conducting inspections out in the field. CONSENT AGENDA: Two letters to Senator Maria Cantwell, Senator Patty Murray and Representative Norm Dicks regarding: 1) Support for the Joseph F. Wheeler Theater Rehabilitation at Fort Worden State Park; and 2) Support for Port of Port Townsend FY2011 Transportation Appropriations Request for High-Speed Passenger Only Ferry Service between Port Townsend and Seattle, were deleted and the balance of the Consent Agenda was approved as submitted. Later the Board approved the support letter for the Joseph F. Wheeler Theater Rehabilitation at Fort Worden State Park. HEARING NOTICE: Proposed E911 Emergency Locator Ordinance; Hearing Scheduled for Monday, March 22, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioner’s Chamber 4 AGREEMENTS re: 1) Homeless Grant Assistance Program (HGAP) with the Washington State Department of Commerce; 2) 2010 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) Hotel-Motel Grant Funding with Forks Chamber of Commerce; 3) Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 17 Planning Unit Support with the Washington State Department of Ecology; and 4) Immunization Program CHILD Profile/Office Drinking Water Group A Program/Onsite LMP Implementation/Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response/WIC Nutrition Program with the Washington State Department of Health Advisory Board Resignation: Marine Resource Committee Member Caroline Gibson representing the Marine Science Practitioners Advisory Board Representation Changes: Anne Murphy changed from District No. 2 representative to Marine Science Practitioner Representative and Judy D’Amore changed from Environmental/Conservation representative to Marine Science Practitioner Alternate representative on the Marine Resource Committee 2 Advisory Board Appointments: 1) Al Bergstein to serve a 4 year term as the Environmental/Conservation Representative on the Marine Resource Committee; and 2) Crystie Kisler to serve the remainder of a term expiring January 22, 2011 on the Conservation Futures Citizens Oversight Committee Payment of Vouchers/Warrants: Dated February 24, 2010 Totaling $5,714.88 COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION: Commissioner Austin: - He will be attending the State Board of Health meeting this week which will focus on reviewing rule revisions for Class B water systems. - He will also be attending the State Parks meeting this week to encourage them to consider incorporating the Tomanowas Rock property into Anderson Lake State Park. - The report from the Olympic Peninsula Visitor Center shows that in both January and February there were 100 more visitors than in the prior year. Commissioner Johnson: - A presentation was given at a Marine Resource Committee meeting regarding the placement of tidal powered generators in the waters off of Whidbey Island in Island County to provide electricity for Snohomish County. Originally, it was being discussed that the generators would be placed in Jefferson County. There is proposed legislation that may give compensation to Counties for any degradation that may occur as a result of the generator placement. County Administrator Philip Morley: - State figures show that the unemployment rate in Jefferson County has increased to 10.6%. - In response to citizen comments he stated that the County is moving forward on economic development as follows: the recent Planning Commission meeting focused on the economic development element of the County’s Comprehensive Plan; staff will be meeting with the Port and the City to discuss a potential interlocal agreement to establish a common economic development vision and strategy; both the broadband infrastructure and the Resource Conservation Manager grant proposals will be finalized in the near future. BID OPENING: Bids were received and opened for the publication of County legal notices. Staff will review the bids and submit a recommendation for bid award to the Board at a later date.