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Special Regional Intergovernmental Meeting
Draft Economic Development Strategy
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
10:00 a.m. to 11 :30 a.m.
Jefferson County Courthouse
City of Port Townsend
Port of Port Townsend
Public Utility District #1 of Jefferson County
Jefferson County
Minutes
Call To Order
The following Elected Officials were present:
· City of Port Townsend Councilmembers: Kees Kolff, Catharine Robinson, Frieda
Fenn and Michelle Sandoval
· Port Commissioners: Bob Sokol, Herb Beck, and Conrad Pimer
· PUD Commissioners: David Sullivan, Dana Roberts, and Wayne King
· Jefferson County Commissioners: Dan Titterness, Glen Huntingford, and Judi
Mackey
Dan Tittemess, acting as Chair, opened the meeting. He explained that an economic assessment
of Jefferson County was completed by Dr. Sommers from the University of Washington in June,
2003. The Economic Development Council was asked to develop a strategy using the
information and recommendations from Dr. Sommer's study.
Presentation; Draft Economic Development Strategy: Ann Avary, Executive Director of the
Economic Development Council, presented an overview of 10 strategies to be used as the basis
for further discussion by the Elected Officials from the 4 governmental entities. The overall goal
is an adopted set of economic strategies for the County.
Ann Avary noted that Goal #1 of Jefferson County's Strategic Plan is to create a sustainable and
balanced economic base focused on family wage jobs and geographic distribution. The
following strategies are based on Dr. Sommer's economic study, research provided by the State
Office of Trade and Economic Development, information from a book entitled Economic
Development: Strategies for State and Local Practice, and from the Jefferson County and the
City of Port Townsend Comprehensive Plans and the Economic Development Strategy
developed by the Peninsula Development Association.
Special Intergovernmental Meeting - November 18, 2003
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StratelZV 1
Finance and maintain appropriate infrastructure for community and economic development.
Funds are available from the Community Investment Fund which is based on a local $.08 sales
and use tax to be used to facilitate infrastructure for the retention and creation of new job
opportunities, the Infrastructure Assistance Committee, the Community Economic Revitalization
Board (CERB), and W A-CERT. There are also other State and Federal agencies that fund
infrastructure.
Glen Huntingford pointed out that a list of priority infrastructure projects needs to be developed
and agreed upon by the entities sitting at the table before any funding requests can be made. Bob
Sokol added that someone in the private sector may want to do a project that requires new
infrastructure and government agencies need to be able to partner with them on the project.
Ann A vary clarified that "infrastructure" refers to roads, water, fiber and those types of physical
structures.
StratelZV 2
Ensure sustainable development and sustainable use of natural resources. This includes, but
isn't limited to, parks and recreation providers, land stewardship organizations, and the funding
and preservation of rural character and critical habitat, support of agriculture, and conservation
futures.
Strategy 3
Promote a diverse economy by sector and location. The EDC is currently engaged in promoting
the following:
· Industry Cluster Development - They are partnering with Kitsap and Clallam Counties
on a marine industries cluster project in Jefferson County. Suggestions for other clusters
that already have base in the County are: the arts, tourism, manufacturing metals, value
added agriculture or seafood production, telecommunications and health care.
· Small Business Incubator/Resource & Innovation Center ~ They have talked with
Peninsula College about co-locating at their new site so that the incubator center can take
advantage of opportunities at that location. The k-12 network and higher education
institutes in the County are a key foundation for this project because high school students
need to be involved and encouraged to go to college.
· Business Retention and Expansion Initiatives - They currently have an active program.
It's important to support the local economy and to play to the strengths that already exist
here.
Herb Beck stated that the physical infrastructure has to be here in order to encourage businesses
and that requires commitment by the government entities to work together. Ann Avary reported
that the site for Peninsula College and the incubator has the infrastructure in place. Start up
businesses will be depending on the incubator to provide essential services.
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Strategy 4
Foster collaborative working relationships among economic development stakeholders. This is
one of the most important strategies because the partners are already here: the local governments,
the educational institutions, the chambers of commerce, the Mainstreet Program, and the Land
Trust to name a few. There already is a supportive, positive relationship with the economic
development and community partners.
This strategy recommends creating a countywide regional council for project prioritization and
having the EDC as lead agency. There are many projects that have merit, but they need to be
prioritized similar to the W A-CERT program so that they don't disappear.
Bob Sokol asked how a "project" is defined? Ann Avary answered that the incubator is a
project and infrastructure or training facilities are projects. Dan Titterness stated that an
industrial park at the airport could be considered a project or development of a water system in
downtown Port Hadlock. Freida Fenn noted that she doesn't want to see another committee
created and suggested that the EDC facilitate this task by hosting a one-day workshop with
stakeholders. Michelle Sandoval agreed that there are already people at the table who want to
collaborate on this issue and the Community Investment Fund (CIF) is already set up to support
infrastructure projects. Dan Tittemess suggested that the CIF prioritize the projects.
Herb Beck pointed out that rural communities in the County need some type of industrial center
zoning and infrastructure. They also need support from Elected Officials. It is important to have
turn key operations available and there is enough acreage in the County to do this if it is zoned
properly.
Glen Huntingford mentioned the current Irondale/Port Hadlock UGA project as an example. The
planning for infrastructure projects is moving forward, but he feels that most residents aren't sure
if government entities are working together to get it done. How do we make sure these things get
coordinated and finally come together?
Strategy 5
Provide and retain a competitive and high quality workforce in Jefferson County. Market-
driven training opportunities need to be developed with local education providers. Interaction
with Workforce Development and other appropriate agencies is necessary for local training
needs. Funding is available from the State Workforce Development Agency, but the need has to
be clearly identified and articulated.
Strategy 6
Create a business friendly environment. Two ideas for Strategy 6 are: 1) to streamline the
pennitting process which includes predictability and a standardized application, and 2) an
ombudsman system for the business community. The EDC is currently acting in this capacity.
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Strategy 7
Increase public understanding of economic issues. There are many ways this can be done
including: governmental websites as sources for information and a Speakers Bureau for annual,
semi-annual or regular reports to the community. It is important to maintain websites by
removing outdated information and posting new information as soon as possible.
Strategy 8
Support and increase transportation options for goods, people, and information. This can be
done through a number of modes including: water, a small carrier service from the airport,
ground transportation, and electronic telecommuting.
StrategY 9
Develop indicators of success. The public wants something they can measure. Successes need to
be shared and so do the things that could have been done better because there is always a lesson
to be learned. These indicators can include:
· Growth of earnings of employees
· Growth in the number of employed individuals
· Growth in the number of self-employed individuals
· Growth in the number of start up businesses
· Cluster success indicators
· Review of economic earnings growth
Glen Huntingford stated that he would like to see how these indicators compare with the health
indicators that have been identified and if they will help address social issues. Michelle
Sandoval mentioned that the indicators should not be measured by the number of business
licences issued in the City because there are hundreds of businesses that don't have licences or
permits. Frieda Fenn noted that the City is developing indicators and benchmarks to measure
each section of their Comprehensive Plan during the plan's update process, and this includes
economic development. Kees Kolffadded that educational levels and vocational skills for 18-34
year olds is an important component in the economic development strategy. Herb Beck pointed
out that raw resources, such as wood and aggregate, are already available in the area and can be
used for manufacturing which means that businesses will only pay for freight leaving the County.
Judi Mackey added that the economic indicators need to be reviewed geographically throughout
the County. David Sullivan suggested that job satisfaction is another indicator.
Strategy 10
Adjustment of strategies based on periodic community self-assessments. Ann A vary stated that
some of these strategies may need to change due to conditions, needs, and opportunities. It is
important to keep this in mind because revisions create a living document that doesn't stagnate.
Wayne King pointed out that the discussion has focused primarily on Eastern Jefferson County.
He feels that the Westend needs to get involved and it is important for local government to work
with all the residents. Jefferson County's representation on the Peninsula Development
Association is minimal and existing associations need to be supported without adding more
committees.
Special Intergovernmental Meeting - November 18, 2003
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Dan Titterness noted that the residents in the Westend collaborate with the associations in Forks
and Clallam County because that is the hub of community activity. Jefferson Transit has a very
effective system in that area and the County Commissioners schedule evening meetings there.
He added that the people in the Westend value their independence.
There was a brief discussion about the Memorandum of Understanding regarding the
Intergovernmental Meetings. Each entity was to present one topic for the agenda. The agenda
for the last 2 meetings has deviated from this format because the 4 entities have been asked to
address specific topics, mainly a visit from CTED representatives, at the Governor's request, to
receive input from Elected Officials on the current GMA process, and this discussion on unified
strategies for economic development. Kees Kolff proposed that a more regular schedule be set
for these meetings. He offered to have the City host the next meeting in the 1st quarter of2004.
Public Comment:
Dan Titterness asked for public comment.
Todd Wexman, Port Townsend, stated that he is a planner, an architect, and a teacher. He feels
there is a need to bring imagination to government thinking. The Elected Officials have to be
proactive by taking an inventory of all the imaginative people in the community and inviting
these people to help. Some people complain that government doesn't listen to them. There
should also be an inventory done of needs that aren't being served in the community such as
businesses, culture, and manufacturing services. The lumber yard leaving Port Townsend is an
example of this void.
Establish Next Meeting Responsibility and Date:
The City of Port Townsend will host the next meeting in the 1 st quarter of 2004. It was suggested
that 10 a.m. to 11 :30 a.m. is a good time for the meeting. The agenda items will include: a
tentative Intergovernmental Meeting schedule for 2004; continued discussion of the draft unified
economic development strategy; and a discussion to find the definition of "sustainable." Kees
Kolffmentioned that the City does not have a fully executed copy of Intergovernmental Meetings
MOU and he asked that a final signed MOU be provided for the next meeting. David Sullivan
suggested that the hosting order for the 2004 meetings as: the City, the PUD, the Port, and the
County. The Elected Officials agreed.
MEETING ADJOURNED