Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutM030921 pN ti t- !I'SIIItiC Cam, MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Senior Management Retreat Special Meeting — March 9, 2021, 9:00 a.m. Jefferson County Courthouse— Commissioners' Chambers 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA CALL TO ORDER: Chair Kate Dean, Commissioner Greg Brotherton and Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour participated in the meeting remotely. Chair Dean called the meeting to order at the appointed time. The following Jefferson County employees and staff were present for the Senior Management Retreat: County Administrator Philip Morley, Central Services Director Mark McCauley, Public Works Director/County Engineer Monte Reinders, Human Resources Manager Andy Rowlson, Department of Community Development Director Patty Charnas, Emergency Management Director Willie Bence, WSU Extension Director Cliff Moore, Public Health Director Vicki Kirkpatrick. Also present was Facilitator David Goldsmith. INTRODUCTIONS AND PURPOSE OF RETREAT: County Administrator Philip Morley explained that the work accomplished in today's Senior Management Retreat will be used in the creation of a Work Program to be implemented and will identify the role of the Commissioners in supporting this work, and the role of the Department Directors in supporting the Commissioners. He introduced Facilitator David Goldsmith. WORKING AS A BOARD: Facilitator Goldsmith provided an overview of his experience in working with various Boards and opened the floor to discussion regarding working Boards and the roles and rules of County Government. The Commissioners expressed desire to assist Department Directors and the group discussed how best to address issues when they arise. The meeting recessed at 10:30 a.m. and reconvened at 10:41 a.m. with Chair Dean , Commissioner Brotherton and the Senior Management Team present. Commissioner Eisenhour joined the meeting at 10:45 a.m. CONTEXT re: COUNTY BUDGET: Central Services Director Mark McCauley shared County Budget insights with the group. County Administrator Philip Morley and Director McCauley provided details on an updated budget model. County Administrator Morley reviewed the reduction in County employees since the last economic recession, ongoing General Fund issues, Public Works funding and transfer for law enforcement patrol, and review of the 3-Year Strategic Plan 2018-2020. 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of March 9, 2021 DISCUSSION re: KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS 5-10 YEARS FROM NOW: The group discussed the following accomplishments they would like to achieve in 5-10 years: • New Administration Building • React and handle emergencies adroitly • Regional equity strategy to address underserved communities and individuals (jobs &housing) • Better balance of technology vs. in-person service • Total on-line permit review and approval • Right-sized in staffing and work load expectations (less burnout) • Increased retention of new hires • Additional investment in staff training • Active succession planning • Empowered staff—the right decisions at the right level of the organization • Port Hadlock Sewer • Completion of the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) in Jefferson County • Move to paperless • Find further efficiencies within our internal County processes • Creation of Dashboards and Infographics to provide information to the public—to show performance • Reverse in demographic trend towards younger—attract and sustain younger families • Inspired reuse of existing buildings for working family housing • Updated Solid Waste Transfer Station to meet future needs • Adequate funding for Park maintenance • Adequate funding for Recreation programming • Progressive Criminal Justice reform towards decriminalization, prevention and treatment • Understand and interrupt the cycle of Adverse Childhood Experiences as intergenerational trauma and dysfunction • Effective regional climate change strategy adopted and being implemented • Cut the ribbon on a dedicated homeless shelter and transitional housing, with adequate services • Coordinated strategy for achieving broadband for all • Economic and community development for each of our different communities • Increase locally generated sales tax that stays local • Sustain and improve the viability of farms and value-added services • Increase local food supplies • Increase the supply of farmworker housing • Our community members are food secure • Leverage County staff retirement accounts in local investments—housing and local economic development The meeting recessed at 11:56 a.m. and reconvened at 1:02 p.m. with Chair Dean, Commissioner Eisenhour and the Senior Management Team present. Commissioner Brotherton joined the meeting at 1:04 pm. 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of March 9, 2021 DISCUSSION re: INITIATIVES DEPARTMENTS ARE PLANNING FOR 2021-2022: The following Department Directors provided information on their initiatives: WSU Extension, Public Works, Emergency Management, Public Health, Community Development, Human Resources, Central Services, County Administrator's Office and Board of County Commissioners' Office. Each Department Director answered questions posed by the Senior Management Team. The meeting recessed at 3:56 p.m. and reconvened at 4:03 p.m. with the Commissioners and Senior Management Team present. KEY ISSUES/INITIATIVES FOR 2021 THE COUNTY SHOULD FOCUS ON: The Commissioners and Senior Management Team discussed the following key issues to focus on: • Capital Planning, including broadband, sewer and shelter • Seizing Rescue American and Federal infrastructure opportunities • Associated Development Organization(ADO) and Economic Development framework • Equity and inclusion: o Dashboards, communication to customers about improvements we're making o Community meetings—either topical or general, either in person or virtual o Regulatory Reform—continued progress o Getting transitional/affordable housing units built—land, incentivizing affordability with permit fees, homestead exclusion, supporting housing trust • Homelessness • Food access NEXT STEPS AND TAKE-AWAY: County Administrator Philip Morley reviewed assignments for Department Directors and the Commissioners as follows: • Department Directors: Convene March 16, 2021 to discuss the take-aways from today's Senior Management Retreat and discuss next steps with the Board of County Commissioners to bring the Work Program portion of the meeting to fruition. • Commissioners: Look at the list of potential workshop topics, prioritize the top ones to workshop first and potentially add new topics that weren't previously on the list NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Dean adjourned the meeting at 4:58 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. . f— -: , ,� JEFFERSON COUNTY ,' BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS S ASL: 1 i 1 ' F a K to Del , Chair "ATTST h l �� a �S�1 G��; B otherton, Member Carol Gallaway, CMC° 1 � � Clerk of the Board 'l.V 7.---.--- , Hei s i Eisenhour, Member 3