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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM0619178District No. 1 Commissioner: Kate Dean District No. 2 Commissioner: David W. Sullivan District No. 3 Commissioner: Kathleen Kier County Administrator: Philip Morley Clerk of the Board: Erin Lundgren MINUTES Week of June 19, 2017 Madam Chair Kathleen Kler called the meeting to order at the appointed time in the presence of Commissioner David Sullivan and Commissioner Kate Dean. INTRODUCTION of CENTRAL SERVICES DIRECTOR: County Administrator Philip Morley introduced and welcomed Mark McCauley as the new Central Services Director for Jefferson County. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following is a summary of comments made by individuals in attendance at the meeting and reflect their personal opinions: • An individual explained the upcoming Amateur Radio events and urged the Commissioners to visit their operations; • An individual urged the Commissioners to repair or replace the fence at the Port Townsend Community Center; • An individual urged the Commissioners to communicate to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and State Representatives regarding concerns over the proposed increase in growler flights; • Two individuals urged the Commissioners to uphold a 2009 Court decision regarding Security Services Northwest (SSNW); • An individual: 1) Gave statistics on the Country's opiate problem; 2) Commented on a land owner in discovery bay regarding their water system and building obstacles he is facing regarding his plans for a motel; 3) Stated that Jefferson County needs to recruit companies to relocate here like Clallam County has been doing; and 4) Stated that our County has a housing problem; and • An individual who works for SSNW stated that the noise from discharging a firearm is not regulated by County ordinance and that SSNW is trying to be a good neighbor and move forward. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve all the items on the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Dean seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. 1. RESOLUTION NO. 23-17 re: Temporary Closure of Center Road at MP 1.36, County Road No. 931507 2. AGREEMENT re: Rick Tollefson Memorial Trail, Phase I, County Road Project No. CR1815, County Road No. 850100; In the Amount of $557,319; Jefferson County Public Works; Shold Excavating, Inc. Page 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 19, 2017 3. AGREEMENT, Change Order No. 1 re: Slide Repair on Oil City Road, MP 7.8, County Project No. 18020020, FEMA DR -4249, Reference No. I I5N492, PW No. 34; An Additional Amount of $1,422.58 for a Total of $73,131.18; Jefferson County Public Works; Hanson Excavating, LLC 4. AGREEMENT re: Departmental Improvement Recommendations; In the Amount of $19,125; Jefferson County Public Health; McDonald Consulting 5. Payment of Jefferson County Vouchers/Warrants Dated June 12, 2017 Totaling $1,122,641.18 6. Payment of Jefferson County A/P Warrants Done by Payroll Dated June 6, 2017 Totaling $136,039.90 APPROVAL of MINUTES: Commissioner Dean moved to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of April 17 and 24, 2017 and May 1 and 8, 2017 as presented. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. PROCLAMATION re: Proclaiming the Week of June 19, 2017 as Amateur Radio Week: Local Ham radio operator John Ebner explained the activities that will be held at an upcoming Amateur Radio Field Day event at Fort Townsend on June 24 and 251h Mr. Ebner stated that ham radio operators have been around for a century, providing telecommunications services. He noted that if called upon to act in the event of a natural disaster, they are now able to send emails and photos. He added that the ham radio operators have helped provide communication service for the Rhody Run and Rhododendron Festival Parade, The Wooden Boat Foundation events and the Kinetic Sculpture Race. Mr. Ebner encouraged the Commissioners to attend their event as their team gets extra points for Commissioner attendance. The goal of the contest is to make as many ham radio contacts from all over the world - and space, as they can. Commissioner Dean read the proclamation aloud. Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve the proclamation proclaiming the week of June 19, 2017 as Amateur Radio Week. Commissioner Dean seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. The meeting was recessed at 9:47 a.m. and reconvened at 10:01 a.m. with all three Commissioners present. HEARING and PRESENTA TION re: Conservation Futures Citizens Oversight Committee Funding Recommendation for 2017: Environmental Health Specialist Tami Pokorny and Conservation Futures Citizens Oversight Committee (CFCOC) Chair Mary Biskup were present. Ms. Biskup gave a presentation on the four applications received as follows: Page 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 19, 2017 0 Iglitzin Farm: $110,000 towards the purchase of a conservation easement on three parcels of agriculture, riparian and forested lands currently used as a performing arts venue totaling 53 acres in the upper Tarboo Creek watershed. The proposed match of $110,000 includes a partial donation of the conservation easement's value and cash from private sources for operations and maintenance activities. Jefferson Land Trust is the project sponsor. Northwest Watershed Institute is the project applicant. Project location: Sec. 17, T.28N, R.1 W. 2.) Lower Duckabush River Estuary Open Space: $55,800 towards the fee simple acquisition of 0.80 acres of floodplain along Pierce Creek in proximity to the lower Duckabush River south of Brinnon, and $16,200 to reimburse operations and maintenance expenses. The site is currently used by the Brinnon Fire Department. The proposed match is $57,400 from a pending Recreation and Conservation Office Salmon Recovery Funding Board grant. Jefferson County Environmental Health is the project sponsor. Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is the project applicant. Project location: Sec. 16, T.25N, R.2W. 3.) Serendipity Farm: $106,600 towards the acquisition of a conservation easement on four parcels of actively used agricultural land totaling approximately 45 acres located along Cemetery Drain in the Little Quilcene River watershed just north of Quilcene. The proposed match of $106,600 is a pending Washington State Conservation Commission State Farmland Preservation grant. Jefferson Land Trust is the project sponsor and applicant. Project location: Sec. 14, T.27N, R.2W. 4.) Snow Creek Uncas Preserve Taylor: $9,434 towards the fee -simple acquisition of approximately 2.5 acres of forested and riparian land along Snow Creek and $4,000 to reimburse operations and maintenance expenses. The proposed match is $53,461 from a Recreation and Conservation Office Salmon Recovery Funding Board grant secured in 2015. Jefferson Land Trust is the project sponsor and applicant. Project location: Sec.36, T.29N, R.1 W. The combined total request for this year is $302,304. Conservation Futures Funds available to projects in 2017 equal $297,000. At its May 3, 2017 meeting the CFCOC concluded that, based upon the established scoring criteria found in the Conservation Futures Program Manual for 2017, three of the four projects are worthy of full funding and recommend them for a total award of $226,034. The Lower Duckabush River Estuary Open Space, did not meet the requisite scoring threshold (70%) necessary for recommending funding. They encouraged the applicant to re -apply in the future when the larger effort to restore the Duckabush River estuary and floodplain is further advanced. Ms. Biskup explained the project evaluation and ranking process to the Commissioners. She stated that the projects recommended by the CFCOC this year include protections for two historic farms and a significant addition to salmon habitat protections along Snow Creek. The Iglitzin Farm conservation easement will ensure that the property, known for years as the Olympic Music Festival grounds, remains under single ownership and retains habitat for wildlife and the salmon in Tarboo Creek; the Serendipity Farm conservation easement will limit development and maintain single ownership of four parcels of active farmland near Quilcene; and the Snow Creek Uncas Preserve Taylor acquisition will expand the area of protected riparian corridor held by Jefferson Land Trust to protect habitat for summer chum in Snow Creek. The CFCOC concluded that each of the aforementioned projects are worthy of Page 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 19, 2017 L -A funding and will contribute to the "preservation of lands that have significant regional or community benefit" per Jefferson County Code 3.08.040. CFCOC members ranked the projects as follows: 1.) Iglitzin Farm: received 266 out of a possible 306 points 2.) Serendipity Farm: received 239 out of a possible 306 points 3.) Snow Creek Uncas Preserve Taylor: received 229 out of a possible 306 points 4.) Lower Duckabush River Estuary Open Space: received 127 out of a possible 306 points Commissioner Sullivan stated that he appreciates the work of the CFCOC members who bring experience, expertise and conduct an exhaustive analysis of the projects presented. Over time, this process has been used to protect farmland, areas in the Urban Growth Area and other places, which is a different way to control sprawl than the Growth Management Act envisioned. He added that the CFCOC is a great example to other counties. Protection of farmland helped to grow jobs during the recession and proved to be a good economic and community development tool. County Administrator Philip Morley asked about the type of conservation easement for the Iglitzin property? Jefferson Land Trust Executive Director Sarah Spaeth, who was in the audience and invited to answer the question, stated that due to Tarboo Creek, there is a lot of runoff through one parcel of the farm. There is also a spring coming out of the ground, making the area very wet. This area drains into a beaver pond. The draft design of the easement is to preserve a buffer along Tarboo Creek, preserve the wet parcel, preserve the lower portion of the property where beavers inhabit and preserve the agricultural portions of the property. Madam Chair Kler opened the hearing for public testimony. Sarah Spaeth: She stated that she is with Jefferson Land Trust. In comparison to other counties, Jefferson County does not have a lot of taxes collected through this program, but that does not diminish how important this program is. The County Commissioners and staff recognize that this is a really important program because it demonstrates community support and helps leverage County funding with state and federal agency grant programs. She stated that this is really a nice suite of projects that have come forth. Another important component of this work is landowners, without willing landowners, this work isn't possible. To work with Serendipity Farm who has been interested in this possibility of protecting their farm with an easement. She stated the Chris Llewellyn has sat on the Conservation Futures Citizens Oversight Committee and Allen Iglitzin has worked with the Northwest Watershed Institute for quite awhile doing restoration. Now he is ready to preserve the farm. She noted that Jefferson Land Trust has driven the Snow Creek project and worked with Mr. Taylor who is willing and interested in selling his beautiful forested section along Snow Creek. They depend on County funding for the match. She stated that they appreciate the County's support, the support of Environmental Health Specialist Tami Pokorny, their role as grant administrator and the Conservation Futures Citizens Oversight Committee in weighing the projects. Page 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 19, 2017 r L� 7, J Bruce Cowan, Port Townsend: He thanked the Conservation Futures Citizens Oversight Committee and the County staff members who assist them. This demonstrates the impact of our limited local funds and how they can be leveraged to have a much larger impact. It is not just a leverage of local funds, it leverages the commitment of local citizens and the time, effort and expertise they bring to a process of high integrity which provides a really good oversight of these activities. He thanked everyone for their contribution to this process. Rick Janhke, Jefferson County: He stated he serves on the Conservation Futures Citizens Oversight Committee, but this year he was unavoidably called out of the area during a mandatory meeting, so he was unable to participate in the ranking of this year's proposals. He serves on the Audubon State Board and attended a meeting last week with his counterparts in Clallam and Kitsap County who were lamenting the need for local matching money to help their various conservation programs. They looked to him and how wonderful and lucky he was to have this program going. He stated that our farmer's markets are fueled by people using the farms that are now going to be farms in perpetuity. You can't force people to farm, but we can prevent people from developing them, and hopefully that will be the case. He encouraged the Commissioners to support the three projects. George Yount, Port Townsend: He stated that he echoes Mr. Cowan's and Mr. Janke's comments. On behalf of his wife, they have over many years invested in stocks and bonds. He looks at the Conservation Futures and Jefferson Land Trust (JLT) as another way to invest their funds. They have a lot of confidence in JLT. He can think of nothing better for their future. He thanked the Conservation Futures Citizens Oversight Committee for presenting the projects and asked that they keep presenting more projects in the future. He urged the Commissioners to keep funding the projects they present. Chris Llewellyn, Quilcene: She stated she owns Serendipity Farm in Quilcene. She stated that one of the reasons she moved to Jefferson County is because of her grandfathers' dreams of preserving land. She worked most of her life in Kitsap County preserving land. Her grandfather's father was a pioneer in the Renton Valley. When they built Highway 167, it put him out of business and he lost his historic homestead farm. Her other grandfather bought land on Bainbridge Island in the early 1900's which she inherited. She stated she was going to Land Trust the property as it had a lagoon, it was waterfront, and she knew she could never afford the taxes. The property was sold underneath her in a family lawsuit. She stated that she looked to Jefferson County who has a Conservation Futures Fund. She added that the farm that her daughter had been volunteering on for years was for sale and it was the exact amount of money that she had, so she bought it thinking that at 55 years old she could make enough money to retire. After serving on the Conservation Futures Citizens Oversight Committee, she feels like she is taking both of her grandfathers' dreams and finally being able to save some land. Her farm is one of the oldest homesteads in Jefferson County. It used to be a section of 645 acres which went all the way to Quilcene Bay and her 46 acres is all that is left. She stated they have a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program on it, Environmental Quality Incentives Program has helped them, and she just had an energy audit. She is not sure if anyone else applied in the state, but they ranked one of the top rankings in the state, so they get some sustainable energy. They are trying to build a sustainable model. They have taken on their long time employee as a partner. They are trying to build an employee -owned and family-owned business. Her family is trying to help an employee buy an additional piece of land next to the farm. In this political climate, who is going to help these young people if we can't? She Page 5 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 19, 2017 stated that we are so blessed in this County to have this program and National Parks and so much land that we own. She looks at Jefferson County as a national treasure. We have the parks, the waterways and an opportunity to save farmland. Who is going to feed the people if we don't? Renton Valley used to be the bread basket of Seattle. When she used to go to her grandfather's farm, she would walk through cabbage fields and race horses. Hearing no further comments, Madam Chair Kler closed the public hearing. Commissioner Dean stated that with an older median age, it is expected that a lot of property will be changing hands in this County relatively soon. Conservation Futures provides another tool to allow farms to be passed down in intentional ways. To keep lands in agriculture may provide families opportunity to keep it in the family, and they have seen this tool used in that way already. That is really exciting, especially when we see affordability diminishing and speculative values increasing, this becomes even more important. She noted that when she was with the Jefferson Landworks Collaborative, she visited the owner of Serendipity Farm Chris Llewellyn about 7-10 years ago. There is a lot of work that goes into these applications and many years often of waiting for the right time and factors to come into play. The Commissioners thanked everyone involved for the work they put into ranking the projects. Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 24-17 re: Dedication of Conservation Futures Funds to the Serendipity Farm Project as Authorized by and in Accordance with Jefferson County Code Section 3.08.030(7) to Provide a System of Public Open Spaces. Commissioner Dean seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Commissioner Dean moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 25-17 re: Dedication of Conservation Futures Funds to the Snow Creek Uncas Preserve Taylor as Authorized by and in Accordance with Jefferson County Code Section 3.08.030(7) to Provide a System of Public Open Spaces. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 26-17 re: Dedication of Conservation Futures Funds to the Iglitzin Farm Project as Authorized by and in Accordance with Jefferson County Code Section 3.08.030(7) to Provide a System of Public Open Spaces. Commissioner Dean seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION. The Commissioners reported on their meeting schedules, calendar coordination and miscellaneous items. Calendar Coordination: Below is a list of the upcoming meetings and events the Commissioners will be attending in the near future: • Hood Canal Coordinating Council meeting • Budget Committee meeting Page 6 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 19, 2017 • Salmon Habitat Restoration meeting • Legislative Steering Committee teleconference • Centrum presentation • Clemente Benefit fundraiser • Amateur Ham Radio Operator Field Day • JeffCOM meeting Miscellaneous Items: • Potential Washington State shutdown; Public Health received notification from Washington State stating there is a potential shutdown if a budget is not approved by July 1, 2017. County Administrator Morley stated that there would be potential layoffs of Public Health staff if a State budget is not approved by June 30, 2017. Other departments have not received this notification. The meeting was recessed at 11:51 a.m. and reconvened at 1:31 p.m. with all three Commissioners present. BRIEFING re: Home Opportunity Fund: County Administrator Philip Morley briefed the Board on a ballot measure and potential levy increase to support the creation of a Home Opportunity Fund. County Administrator Morley explained that there is a situation in Jefferson County where housing affordability has reached crisis proportions. The ability for vulnerable populations such as returning veterans, seniors and families with younger children, are having difficulty finding housing that is affordable. He noted that he and the Commissioners consistently hear concerns regarding the difficulty of attracting young, talented workforce to our region due to the lack of affordable housing. Over the last 4-5 months, many housing providers have been gathering on a regular basis to explore what could be done. There is a will to provide affordable housing to very low and low income families, there is the capacity within organizations like OlyCAP, Habitat for Humanity, Dove House and Peninsula Housing Authority to do more than what they do, but they lack the financial resources to do so. As the housing providers discussed the growing crisis of housing and rental prices going up and rental availability rates continuing to drop, they looked to Bellingham and Vancouver, Washington who both have Housing Funds meet the needs of their community. County Administrator Morley explained that the proposal is to create a Housing Fund, based on a housing property tax levy, that would be administered by local government and that would be offered on a competitive basis to housing providers to help leverage additional funds. The proposed fund and disbursement of funds would be similar to how the Conservation Futures Fund is currently being managed. The proposed Housing Fund would raise money to create new housing units and extend the life of existing housing units through programs. He added that there are many provisions under State law to achieve this. There is a time limit of no more than 10 years, but local Jefferson County housing providers urged a limit of 7 years, which is what Bellingham and Vancouver set their levy time limit. Page 7 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 19, 2017 County Administrator Morley distributed a draft Home Opportunity Fund Financing Plan and a Jefferson County Emergency in Availability of Affordable Housing informational packet which included a draft ballot measure and County Levy Rate information page. Information provided in the handouts state that housing market analysts often use 5% as a "natural" vacancy rate which is the vacancy rate that indicates a balance between housing supply and demand. In 2013, for -rent vacancy was documented to be I% or less in Jefferson County. The County's housing resale prices increased by 19.1 % between the first quarter of 2016 and the first quarter of 2017. The draft ballot measure states as follows: "Proposed: Create the Home Opportunity Fund to preserve or create housing for low or very low income Jefferson County residents, including the disabled, veterans, seniors and families with children. The proposition would increase the County's regular property tax levy under RCW 84.55 by up to $0.18/$1,000, to $1.78/$1,000 of assessed value; and authorize a regular property tax levy up to $0.18/$1,000 of assessed value under RCW 84.52.105, each for seven years, generating approximately $1,900,000 annually." County Administrator Morley explained to place the proposed Home Opportunity Fund on the ballot, the Commissioners will need to hold a public hearing and make a decision by August 1, 2017. Another hearing on the Financing Plan could be held in December 2017, if the voters approve the Home Opportunity Fund in November 2017. The Commissioners and County Administrator reviewed the levy mechanics, handouts and timeline. A few people from the audience were invited to comment. Commissioner Dean excused herself for the remainder of the meeting at 2:59 p.m. The meeting was recessed at 2:59 p.m. and reconvened at 3:29 p.m. with Madam Chair Kler and Commissioner Sullivan present. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BRIEFING SESSION: County Administrator Philip Morley reviewed the following with the Board. Miscellaneous Items: • New Central Services Director; the County is pleased to welcome Mark McCauley. The County Administrator has briefed him on items and issues he needs to be aware of. • Home Opportunity Fund; debriefing • Budget Committee meeting; County Administrator Morley gave a brief overview of topics that will be covered at the next meeting Page 8 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of June 19, 2017 NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Sullivan moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:52 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. Madam Chair Kler seconded the motion. The motion carried. t. SEAL: i �� ,fv j 1 N ' t 1pxC y •? � 1 ATTEST: L W"/ Ak Carolyn Very,CMC Deputy Clerk of the Bo JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS tatkt-e4,1, p4A Kathleen Kler, Chair Davi u i, em g�� Kate Dean, Member Page 9