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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM020105S Regional I ntergovernmental Meeting February 1,2005 10:00 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 representatives were present: · City of Port Townsend Council Members: Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Geoff Masci · Port Commissioners: Bob Sokol, Herb Beck, and Conrad Pimer · PUD Commissioners: Dana Roberts and Wayne King Jefferson County Commissioners: David Sullivan and Pat Rodgers City Manager David Timmons, Port Director Larry Crockett, and County Administrator John Fischbach were also present. County Commissioner Pat Rodgers served as Chair. Announcements There were no announcements. Approval of Minutes The minutes of September 16, 2004 were approved by unanimous vote. Discussion of Topics Port of Port Townsend Industrial Landbanks: Port Commissioner Herb Beck stated that recent State legislation allows local governments to designate industriallandbanks. The Port owns approximately 300 acres near the airport that is centrally located and would be ideal for a landbank. Development of a landbank increases the County's tax base through a leasehold tax; and the Port would receive income from the property making airport operations less of a tax burden. Regional Intergovernmental Meeting Minutes - February 1, 2005 Page: 2 Commissioner Bob Sokol added that the legislation allows for two industriallandbanks to be designated anywhere in the County. The Port's proposed location is on the south side of the airport. At the last Joint Growth Management Steering Committee (JGMSC) meeting, there was a discussion about asking the State for a deadline extension because the landbanks have to be designated by December, 2007. City Council Member Geoff Masci inquired about the process to rezone the property? City Council Member Michelle Sandoval stated that the County must prove the need for additional light industrial land, and projections must show that the other UGAs, including the City, don't have enough light industrial land designated to meet future needs. Bob Sokol disagreed and stated that the only requirement of the legislation is that the County has to be a "distressed county." Jefferson County is already considered a distressed county. Geoff Masci asked who will determine the location of the second landbank, assuming that the other landbank is near the airport? Pat Rodgers answered that the County makes the determination, in consultation with the City. Landbanks are located outside ofUGAs. The County doesn't have any other specific location in mind. Geoff Masci asked how a landbank generates taxes? Herb Beck explained that when the landbank is developed, the property is leased and there is a 12Y2 % leasehold tax based on the value of the lease payment. GeoffMasci asked about the process when the land is "unbanked," or developed? Pat Rodgers answered that the designation complies with GMA as an exception. City of Port Townsend Homeless and Housing: Port Townsend Mayor Catharine Robinson explained that the City's Affordable Housing Task Force is having problems addressing housing for the homeless. The City has received requests to introduce legislation about people sleeping in parks and cars. There are homeless people in the County and the City; and the County's Housing Authority has to deal with the homeless problem, also. Bob Sokol mentioned that recently there was a joint effort in Clallam and Jefferson Counties to take a census of homeless people. Catharine Robinson noted that the results haven't been released yet. GeoffMasci stated that he is the Vice Chair of Olympic Community Action Programs (Ol)CAP), the only agency in the County dealing with the homeless right now by providing emergency shelters. In 2004, there were 186 homeless in the County, however, many people weren't counted. Tent cities in this climate can promote disease and more destitution for these people. In a newspaper article, a City Council Member proposed a tent city in Chimacum. The forts at the State Parks are a possibility for housing the homeless because there are barracks and the infrastructure is in place. Old Fort Townsend is near services that people need. The State needs to get involved. Michelle Sandoval added that she received an email suggesting that the County Fairgrounds would also be a housing option. Regional Intergovernmental Meeting Minutes - February I, 2005 Page: 3 There was a brief discussion about the restructuring of the Jefferson COlllIty Housing Authority under the administration of the Bremerton Housing Authority. There is less Section 8 housing in the County than before because the cost of housing is so high that older homes are being sold and tom down or remodeled. Pat Rodgers reported that County Sheriff Mike Brasfield has had extensive experience with the homeless in Florida where he helped create a positive program. He would be a key person to help deal with the homeless issue. County Commissioner David Sullivan mentioned that he talked with Sheriff Brasfield and Sylvia Arthur at OlyCAP about the tent city issue. He added that his main concern is taking care of homeless in emergency situations and he feels that this is currently being handled through emergency housing and hospital evaluations. He agreed that there is a need to get the Housing Authority and other agencies involved to deal with this issue in the future. Geoff Masci noted that whenever the homeless issue is raised, the subject always turns to affordable housing. He pointed out that homeless and affordable housing are two entirely different issues. The difference is about no income and low income. He suggested having an all day retreat on the homeless issue. Representatives from law enforcement, State DSHS, Jefferson General Hospital, Jefferson Mental Health, churches, and the Housing Authority need to be involved. He volunteered'to talk with Vanessa Brower at OlyCAP about setting up a homeless summit. PUD #1 Off-Stream Storage: PUD Commissioner Wayne King explained that the PUD has been looking for a location for off stream storage of water. They were approached by a property owner about purchasing Peterson Lake and went to Olympia to talk with the Department of Ecology (DOE) about the project They have also mentioned it to the Tribes. There are government grants available to purchase the property. The lake is 60 feet at its deepest point and the PUD would raise the lake level and put an outflow at the bottom for the dry season. The lake is 1/4 mile from the City's water lines. If the PUD purchases the lake, it would have to be fenced with no public access. PUD Commissioner Dana Roberts stated that they have concerns about going into this project because they aren't sure about DOE regulations. This water would supplement Chimacum Creek during low water season, which is important for fish, and the Tribes may be interested in this. Geoff Masci asked if they know approximately how many gallons of water are in the lake if it is raised? He explained that the City water supply at Lord's Lake is 500 million gallons. The outflow would need to be put at a certain level to allow the fish to survive and they will need to get the Tribes' approval. Regional Intergovernmental Meeting Minutes - February 1, 2005 Page: 4 Bill Graham, PUD, stated that Peterson Lake is the third deepest lake in the County and is spring fed with subsurface outflow. They do not know how much of the water is surface water from runoff from the high amount of rainfall in the area. They want to work with the Tribes to co- engineer the project. They would also need support from the WRIA Planning Group and the entire community. Jefferson County Future of the Economic Development Council: Tamer Kirac, Executive Director of the Economic Development Council (EDC), reviewed a work program that was developed at a recent EDC Retreat. The top priority is a study on industriallcommercialland availability and associated infrastructure throughout the County. The Small Business Incubator prqject is second on the priority list. TIle third priOlity is the inliustriallandbank designations. The EDC is willing to provide technical assistance if they receive funding from the local government entities. Currently, the EDC operntes with 1.5 FTEs and a budget of $110,000. A request for funding from the City of Port Townsend was declined this year. They currently have a contract with the County for $25,000 to provide grant writing assistance. They are also participating in entrepreneurial training classes at WSU/Extension and are starting a series of business roundtables throughout the County. Tamer Kirac explained that the Peninsula Development Association (PDA) is a multi-county organization that was originally staffed by the Jefferson County EDC and is now administered by the Clallam County EDe. This association identifies and supports projects of regional importance. Department of Commerce funds are available for these projects through the PDA and a request for proposals was recently sent out. Tamer Kirac suggested that the local entities work together to come up with five key projects for Jefferson County that he can present to the PDA Board at their next meeting on February 10. The recommendation needs to include a description of the project, the expected outcome, the cost, and the source oflocal matching funds. Projects to be considered can pertain to infrastructure, technical assistance, training and employment. These proposals can be on the agenda for discussion when the EDC Executive Board meets this week because each entity has a member on that Board. David Sullivan noted that the PDA also has a new director. Wayne King pointed out that getting a voting m~9ority of members at the PDA meetings is a problem. He added that it is important for Jefferson County members to participate in these meetings. Pat Rodgers stated that he is very encouraged by the new EDC Executive Director and the Board because their focus is on positive economic development The EDC needs funding. Michelle Sandoval noted that the reason the City hasn't contributed to the EDC recently is because they asked for full disclosure and an audit and have said that they won't support the EDC until they can review these records. Regional Intergovernmental Meeting Minutes - February 1, 2005 Page: 5 Catharine Robinson asked if the Port and the PUD provide financial support to the EDC? Port Director Larry Crockett explained that, in the Port's annual budget, there is funding set aside for EDC projects. David Sullivan stated that the PUD has provided staff support and infrastructure information to the EDC in the past. Both entities are required to enter into a contract with the EDC before they can provide funding for a specific project. Update on the Tri Area Sewer System Proiect: David Sullivan explained that the County will be advertising a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the engineering phase of the project. Public Works staff will meet with the consultant writing the RFQ this week. An exact location for the waste water treatment facility has not been identified yet. David Sullivan feels that the PUD needs to be involved in the process because eventually they may take over the system. The City has an award winning sewage treatment plant so their input is also important. Bob Sokol asked how the PUD would be involved? David Sullivan stated that, at this point, he is more interested in brainstorming with the other entities. Pat Rodgers added that the PUD has been involved throughout the process to this point. Dana Roberts added that the County needs to be more specific about the scale, scope, and location of the proposed waste water treatment facility. David Sullivan noted that the businesses located in the core at Port Hadlock are very supportive of the system. The project could be done in phases or in several modules. Herb Beck pointed out that it is probably better to build a major plant now to take care of future needs. Pat Rodgers suggested that a workshop with the PUD would be helpful. Public Comment No comments were made. Establish Next Meeting Responsibility and Date The next Regional Intergovernmental Meeting will be hosted by the City of Port Townsend. It will be scheduled in May. MEETING ADJOURNED