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District No. 1 Commissioner: Dan Titterness
District No.2 Commissioner: Glen Huntingford
District No.3 Commissioner: Patrick M. Rodgers
County Administrator: David Goldsmith
Clerk of the Board: Lorna Delaney
MINUTES
Week of April 12, 2004
Chairman Glen Huntingford called the meeting to order. Commissioner Dan Titterness and
Commissioner Patrick Rodgers were both present.
Presentation of Certificate of Accomplishment to Kiley Maag, Elks National Hoop Shoot
Contest: The Board talked with Kiley Maag about her experiences competing in the local and regional Elks
Hoop Shoot Contest. Chairman Huntingford read the certificate honoring her accomplishments. She will be
traveling to Massachusetts to participate in the national competition.
Commissioner Titterness moved to have the Board sign the Certificate of Accomplishment for Kiley Maag.
Commissioner Rodgers seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BRIEFING: County Administrator David Goldsmith
updated the Board on the following items:
The working draft of the nuisance ordinance dealing with junk vehicles has to be consistent with
resolutions passed in 2003 that outline the complaint and enforcement process. It will take a
community effort to make this ordinance work.
· The Board of Health and the City Council will meet this week to discuss local public health
financing.
· He met with a Port Ludlow resident who doesn't think that the conditions ofthe original
development agreement have been met and, therefore, a new permit should not be issued. In the
build-out of the community, the Developer has proposed the removal ofthe Harbormaster Restaurant
in order to reconfigure and relocate some of the proposed units. The project is scheduled to be done
in phases.
· Although the conflict in the event schedule between the Fair Board and the Little League was
addressed, there are concerns that this will be an ongoing problem. The location ofthe Little League
fields at the Fairgrounds may have to be addressed.
· Larry Fay has prepared a response to DOE regarding their interpretation of the water right for the
Quilcene Well. Historically, this well has been used as a municipal water system. The Board agreed
that the well is crucial to fire flow in the community.
Page 1
Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of April 12, 2004
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· An open house on the Irondale/Port Hadlock UGA is scheduled this week at WSU/Extension. The
consultant reports are due by May 7. The information on the General Sewer Plan and the UGA will
be to the Planning Commission for their review beginning May 19. A recommendation will be to the
Board on July 4 with the proposed adoption date at the end of July.
· The new financial system, GEMS, is scheduled to be converted over and go live by August. The old
system and the new system will run parallel for a month. The information for this fiscal year will
need to be input into the GEMS system after August. This is a huge undertaking and the employees
working on the conversion deserve thanks for their dedication to making the project work.
· There are 2 candidates for the Executive Director position at the Economic Development Council.
They will be scheduled for interviews on the Board's agendas on April 19 and May 3.
· Last week, the Board received a complaint about dogs running loose and attacking sheep in
Quilcene. An Animal Services Officer followed up with the dog's owner and told them that if the
dogs are loose and bothering the sheep, they will be impounded.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following comments were made: a neighbor near J.D.
Rook's property stated that his dogs have been loose, running in packs and are a danger to other animals and
people in the area, Mr. Rook only works on the property clean up occasionally and progress is not made on a
daily basis, the rats have spread to her home and an exterminator is being called in; the Commissioners need
to pass an ordinance that levies a daily fine for violations such as the complaint about the Rook property; the
Rook issue will probably end up in Court; the Board made a mistake by deciding to continue with the
WSAC Retrospective Rating Pool for another year; and they should listen to people in the community who
have experience instead oflistening to staff.
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Rodgers
moved to delete Item #1 from the Consent Agenda and approve and adopt the balance of the Consent
Agenda as presented. Commissioner Titterness seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
1. DELETE: PROCLAMATION re: Special Days of Recognition Beginning April 23 through December 31,2004 and
Designating December 9,2004 as the 50th Anniversary of Jefferson County Volunteer Fire District #2 in Quilcene
(Approved later in Minutes)
2. RESOLUTION NO. 14-04 re: HEARING NOTICE; Proposed Budget
Appropriations/Extensions; County Funds; Hearing Scheduled for Monday, April 26, 2004 at 10:05
a.m. in the Commissioners Chambers
3. CALL FOR BIDS re: Center Road Asphalt Overlay Project #CR1559; Bids Accepted Untill 0:00
a.m., May 10, 2004 and Opened and Read Publicly Shortly Thereafter in the Commissioners
Chambers
4. QUIT CLAIM DEED re: Conveying Interest in a Drainage Easement to the Port Ludlow Drainage
District (PLDD) for the Management of Drainage off of County Road Right-of-Ways
5. AGREEMENT re: Professional Veterinary Services to Spay and Neuter Adopted Animals from
Jefferson County Animal Services; Jefferson County Health and Human Services; Oak Bay Animal
Hospital
Page 2
Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of April 12, 2004
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6. AGREEMENT, Interlocal re: Public Health Nurse to Provide Home Visits in the Prevention of
Child Abuse and Neglect for Families at High Risk; Jefferson County Health and Human Services;
Jefferson County Community Network
7. AGREEMENT re: Providing Mandatory Training for County Employees; Jefferson County
Administrator; Mark Bowes
8. Advisory Board Reappointment; Jefferson County Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board; Three (3)
Year Term Expiring October 23, 2006; Kirsten Behrenfeld
9. Advisory Board Resignation; Jefferson County Tourism Coordinating Council; Paul Rogland,
Representing Port Hadlock/Tri Area
10. Advisory Board Resignations; Jefferson County Planning Commission; Robert Lee Morgan, District #2;
and Thomas Murray, District #3
Proclamation re: Jefferson County Volunteer Fire District #2 in Quilcene: (Item #1 on the
Consent Agenda) Chairman Huntingford read the proclamation for Special Days of Recognition beginning
April 23 through December 31,2004 and designating December 9, 2004 as the 50th Anniversary of the
Quilcene Fire District #2.
Commissioner Titterness moved to approve the proclamation as presented. Commissioner Rodgers
seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
HEARING re: Proposed Ordinance Amending Health and Human Services Fee Schedule:
(Postponed from March 22,2004) Chairman Huntingford opened the public hearing. Jean Baldwin, Health
and Human Services Director, explained that the section of the proposed ordinance dealing with Public
Health Clinic Services is being revised to clarify language, remove specific fee amounts, and set fees
according to statutory and Medicaid billing indexes. The change in the Animal Services fees will increase
revenues because the license cost will no longer be included in the adoption package and will be an
additional charge.
The majority of public comment was about the proposed changes to the Environmental Health fees. Jean
Baldwin explained that an Onsite Sewage Code was adopted in 2000 and eventually, the 8,000 septic
systems in the County will be inspected on a regular basis. Linda Atkins, Environmental Health Specialist,
pointed out that the inspection program is not intended to increase the frequency of pumping septic tanks,
but the goal is to pump them when they need to be pumped. This can be done every 5, 7, or 9 years
depending on the tank. In the past, this program was funded by grants, inspection fees, permit fees, and the
Current Expense Fund. The current proposal would shift the funding for the program to the users. It takes a
minimum of Yz hour for an Environmental Health Specialist to review and file the inspection data. Currently
17% of the septic systems in the County are on a regular inspection schedule, with an increase of 5%
annually.
Page 3
Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of April 12, 2004
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The education component of this program was also supported by grant funding that is no longer available. It
is currently supported by the General Fund. The revenue from the proposed increase of a $.02 per gallon
septage fee would go toward funding the education component.
Chairman Huntingford mentioned a written comment about the different sizes of septic tanks and concern
from the pumpers about how the amount of septage would be measured. Linda Atkins replied that the tanks
are described at a certain capacity. She also pointed out that the issue about charging for Sanican septage
wasn't anticipated in this ordinance because the education program only deals with on site systems used by
homeowners.
Commissioner Rodgers noted that Mason County's fees to dispose of septage is considerably less.
Businesses may start going where the fee is less. Linda Atkins answered that the fee would be collected by
the pumper rather than the disposal facility. It would be charged at the time the septic tank is pumped. The
difference in fees between Mason and Jefferson Counties is due to the different methods used to dispose of
the material and the cost of processing. In Mason County the material is sprayed on trees at tree farms, and
in Jefferson County it goes to the City of Port Townsend's facility. In both cases, the facilities are required
to report the amount of material they dispose of. Jean Baldwin added that Mason County is in the process of
reviewing their fees and she is meeting with them this week. There was a discussion about using the fee for
service method of funding the program.
Chairman Huntingford opened the hearing for public testimony.
Randy Calkins, owner of North Sound Septic Service, stated that conscientious homeowners who have their
tank pumped on a regular basis are going to have to pay more and people who neglect their systems won't
have to pay as much. There is no sure way for the pumpers to measure the amount of septage. Accounting
for and collecting the $.02 per gallon will take extra time for the pumpers and they will have to charge the
customer more. The measuring system at the facility in Port Townsend is inaccurate and can't be relied
upon. He would like to see a comparison of disposal rates from other counties. The disposal fee in Mason
County is $.07 per gallon and the disposal fee in Port Townsend is $.14 per gallon. Ifthe inspection and
monitoring program and educational component caused the budget deficit, why is the fee for pumping being
increased? The inspection report filing fee hasn't been charged in the past even though this is a State
mandated program. He suggested issuing an annual operating permit to each residence that maintains a
septic system.
Dave Baker, Goodman Septic Service, agreed with Randy Calkins. If they were to pump 100 tanks a year,
that will bring in $2,000 to the County and the pumpers will have to charge the homeowner more to cover
the paperwork. The pumpers shouldn't have to collect the fee for the County.
Hearing no further testimony for or against the proposed Health and Human Services fee increases, the Chair
closed the public testimony portion of the hearing.
Other options for increasing revenues to support this program were discussed. The Board agreed to continue
their discussion at 2 p.m.
Page 4
Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of April 12, 2004
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2:00 p.m.: David Goldsmith explained that a State mandate requires the County to inspect existing septic
systems. It also requires the County to provide maintenance information to septic system owners. The
Health Department provides this information through 0 & M Education Septic System classes that were
originally grant funded, but the funding is no longer available. The proposed increase in the fees is $20 for
reviewing and filing the inspection report and the $.02 per gallon is to help fund the classes.
There was a discussion about whether there has been a measurable positive outcome since the classes were
introduced a few years ago. Linda Atkins noted that in class survey results, homeowners often note that they
have had their systems improved or their tanks pumped because of the class. In another report, it showed
that septic system owners in Jefferson County pump their tanks more regularly than people in adjacent
counties. There is no real way to know if these statistics are linked to the education program. Many
Realtors take the classes for continuing education units. Also, general interest classes are held in
communities. Many people attend the classes who have recently moved to the County and have always have
been on public sewers.
Linda Atkins compared Kitsap County's process for septage pumping and their fees. Jean Baldwin said that
Mason County and Clallam County are in the process of reviewing their programs. Linda Atkins added that
Island, Kitsap, Whatcom, and Clark Counties have septage pumping fees. Commissioner Rodgers pointed
out that these counties are all much more populated than Jefferson County.
The Board discussed other options to subsidize the classes instead of having a $.02 per gallon fee for septage
pumping. Commissioner Titterness stated that he feels the classes need to continue. Commissioner Rodgers
suggested that the class participants receiving CEUs could pay a fee for the class and this would be a direct
fee for service. Jean Baldwin suggested charging less for class participants who won't be receiving CEUs.
Linda Atkins stated that approximately 50 Realtors take the class each year. As many as 150 homeowners
have taken the class in a year.
There was a discussion about the actual cost for the time it takes an Environmental Health Specialist to
review and input inspection reports. Jean Baldwin reiterated that it takes a minimum of Yz hour which
would be $30.00, although the proposed filing fee is only $20.00.
Commissioner Titterness moved to modify the draft ordinance to delete the $.02 per gallon pumping fee and
to raise the filing fee for the inspection reports from the proposed $20.00 to $30.00, and to direct staff to
continue the education component by charging a fee for the class and funding the rest from the General
Fund. Commissioner Rodgers seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
The Board asked Jean Baldwin to make the changes in the draft ordinance. It will be on the Consent
Agenda next week.
Washington State Department of Natural Resources re: Geoduck Aquiculture
Update: Leigh Espy, Assistant Division Manager with the Aquatic Resources Division of the State
Department of Natural Resources, introduced Todd Palzer, Shellfish Program Manager, Jean Koenigs, Pilot
Project Manager, and Robin Downey, Executive Director of the Pacific Coast Shellfish Grower's
Page 5
Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of April 12, 2004
Association. She explained that the State Legislature provided funding to the DNR to see if geoduck
aquaculture is feasible on State-owned aquatic lands. Before they start leasing out State lands for this
activity, they need to know the biological feasibility, the environmental benefits and drawbacks, legal
concerns, economic concerns, and enforcement concerns. In 1996, geoduck aquaculture was introduced to
private aquatic lands and approximately 100 acres are currently in production.
DNR has been working with representatives from several State departments, Tribes, associations for
shellfish growing and harvesting, local governments, and residents. They have let contracts to address the
biological and ecological issues, and an economic analysis is being done. The majority of geoduck currently
being harvested are exported out of the country. Public outreach is a big part of the feasibility study and
Jean Koenigs has talked with the Marine Resource Committees, local government staff, and other public
groups.
Leigh Espy reviewed the process for geoduck production and the statistics regarding the number of wild
geoduck that are harvested that are a commercial grade. She asked the Board if they have any issues to
incorporate in the report? She added that DNR is requesting public input and there is a questionnaire
available on their web site. The final report will be to the Legislature by January, 2005.
At 11 :05, the Board interviewed Cliff Oostman who is interested in serving on the Planning
Commission representing District #3.
PROCLAMATION re: April as Washington State University Master Gardeners Month:
Katherine Baril, WSU Extension, introduced Paul Becker, Chair, and Audrey Anderson, Secretary, of the
Master Gardener Foundation. Last week forty-six new Master Gardeners graduated from an eleven week
course. WSU funds the instructors and travel, and the Foundation provides all the materials and the space
for the classes. The course is 160 hours with additional field trips and the Master Gardeners are asked to
give back 100 hours in volunteer time to the community.
Paul Becker explained that the Foundation funds both the new and advanced training programs. They have
several fundraising activities each year including a Yard and Garden Lecture Series in January and February
at the Port Townsend Community Center featuring speakers on a variety of topics. In June, they sponsor a
Secret Garden Tour when 7-9 private gardens are opened to the public for tours. Only 500 tickets are sold.
They also have a plant sale scheduled for April 24. Much of their work is in community outreach. This year
they are concentrating on youth education and have programs in the elementary schools in the County.
Their latest program brings grow carts into the classroom where children can take care ofthe plants and
watch them grow. They have also been involved in a grant funded project that supplied over 1,000 trees for
the Master Gardeners to grow in pots that will eventually be planted on public property. Plant clinics are
conducted every Tuesday at the WSU/Extension office where non-commercial entities can bring in plant
problems to be researched. There is also a plant clinic booth at the Port Townsend Farmer's Market and
they do periodic clinics in Quilcene. They plan to expand the clinics into the South County and Port
Ludlow. Katherine Baril added that they send approximately 3,000 plant specimens to WSU to be evaluated
each year. They have about 120 active Master Gardeners.
Page 6
Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of April 12, 2004
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Chairman Huntingford read the proclamation. Commissioner Titterness moved to approve the proclamation.
Commissioner Rodgers seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
APPOINTMENTS to the Planning Commission: Commissioner Tittemess moved to re-
appoint Edel Sokol to a 4 year term on the Planning Commission representing Commissioner District #1.
Commissioner Rodgers seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Her term will expire on
March 17,2008.
Commissioner Rodgers moved to appoint R.A.(Bud) Schlinder to a 4 year term on the Planning
Commission representing Commissioner District #3. Commissioner Tittemess seconded the motion which
carried by a unanimous vote. His term will expire March 17,2008.
AGREEMENT re: Communication Training for County Employees; Tena Crosby
dba/Fast Track Communication: David Goldsmith explained that the Environmental Health staff and the
Community Development staff are scheduled to attend this training on communication and the complaint
process.
Commissioner Tittemess moved to approve the contract for training with Tena Crosby. Commissioner
Rodgers seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
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JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONE
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Deputy Clerk of the Board
Page 7
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COrY1vY1CIYt fo, 10:05 he' Hear)')
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APR 0 8 2004
April 7, 2004 " ." ~'\
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JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners
PO Box 1220
Port Townsend, Washington 98368
RE: Jefferson County Environmental Health Proposed $20.00 Filing Fee and
Proposed Two Cents a Gallon Liquid Sewage Tax, Hearing April 12, 2004, 10:05 am
Dear Honorable County Commissioners:
Thank you for holding a hearing in consideration of the proposed fee and taxation as
will be presented by the Jefferson County Environmental Health Department on
Monday, April 12, 2004, at 10:05 am in your chambers.
Please accept this correspondence as a representation of the concerns I have regarding
this proposal and as an offering of further possible solutions for the Department of
Environmental Health's financial deficit.
As a Licensed Septic Tank Pumper and Certified Operations and Maintenance Inspector,
I have been operating my business, North Sound Septic Service, here in Jefferson
County since January 1998.
Several immediate concerns come to mind with the proposed two cents a gallon liquid
waste disposal tax.
. The City of Port Townsend Compost Facility currently uses an inaccurate
measuring system converting inches into tons without weight measurements
from a scale. Written records historically prove they can be off as much as 1 8%
on a single load.
. Rarely are any two systems identical in size, shape, or gallons. There are tanks,
pump chambers, vault toilets, portable toilets, outhouses, travel trailers and
various storage tanks. To accurately measure each system will increase the time
it takes to service a customer.
. If the septic tank company is to be the fiduciary collecting agent for the
Environmental Health Department, further record keeping, billing, and
accounting will be required for the business owner.
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. The agency collecting the revenues for the county would need to charge a
higher rate above the two cents a gallon as compensation for the additional
responsibility now required.
. Currently, only the City of Port Townsend Composting Facility reports to the
Environmental Health Department, of which North Sound Septic Service
contributes nearly 90% of the sewage delivered by commercial pumping
businesses. This lack of enforcement could create an unlawful competitive edge
should the honor system be solely implemented.
. The current disposal rate at the City of Port Townsend is 11.5 cents per gallon.
Raising the rate to 13.5 cents per gallon would nearly be double the cost as
compared to disposing sewage at the Bio Recycling Corporation in Shelton.
. The fee would burden large system owners disproportionately. One such
customer would pay approximately $500.00 per year.
. Conscientious homeowners would pay more of the tax; those who neglect their
systems would pay the least.
. The activity of pumping septic tanks has not increased expenses for the
Department of Environmental Health.
With these concerns in mind, I would like to offer the following ideas as perhaps a
means of finding a better solution for obtaining revenues to fund the Department of
Environment Health's state mandated policies such as the Operating and Maintenance
Prog ram.
. The Public Utility District (PUD) has implemented an operating and maintenance
program, which is financially stable. Perhaps the Department of Environmental
Health could contract with the PUD or implement a similar program with a
comparable fee structure.
. Should the Department of Environmental Health require system owners to
obtain an annual operating permit, the fee could be minimal, received
biannually through the assessor's office and would encourage an awareness of
the responsibility each home owner has for their sewage system.
. In conjunction with the two solutions listed above, a filing and processing fee
for each Evaluation of Existing System (EES), at minimum, could be required -
large enough to truly cover the costs associated with maintaining such a
program and protecting the citizens of Jefferson County.
Thank you for this opportunity to express my concerns and share some ideas that
might assist you in obtaining the best possible alternative to remedy the revenue
shortage for the Department of Environmental Health.
Page 2 of3
I look forward to hearing your views on this matter and discussing these issues with
you at the hearing on Monday, April 12, 2004 at 10:05 am in your chambers.
Re s pectfu lIy,
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Randy Calkins, Owner
North Sound Septic Service
601 Werner Road
Port Ludlow, WA 98365
Email: northsoundss@netzero.net
Phone: (360) 437-0706
C: Larry Fay, Director of the Jefferson County Department of Environmental Health
Page 3 of3
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Questions to ask at the hearing on April 12, 2004, 10:05 am
Regarding the .02 Tax Proposal on Sewage Disposal
Prepared by Randy Calkins
Owner of North Sound Septic Service
Port Ludlow, Washington i("
April 7, 2004
. Who do you expect to collect the proposed tax from? In other words, the
Jefferson County citizens will be paying the tax, how do you expect to
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rece ive it? 7"
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. Do you realize ~ conscientious homeowners that take good care of
their septic systems will pay more of this fee than those who neglect and
abuse their systems?
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. If I bl~ to accurately measure every septic tank, pump chamber, vault
toilet, portable toilet, outhouse, travel trailer or storage tank I pump,
then collect, account for, and write another check each month, do you
realize that I'll have to charge more than your .02 a gallon tax?
. Do you know how inaccurate the liquid waste measuring system is at the
City of Port Townsend Compost Facility site in Jefferson County?
. I have been told there are several counties that currently collect this type
of tax. What were the disposal rates in these counties prior to and after
the tax was imposed?
. Have you considered the disposal fee differences between Bio Recycling
Center in Shelton and the Port Townsend Facility if this tax is approved:
6.3 cents a gallon verses 13.5 cents a gallon, respectively?
. In the event that the proposed tax is approved by the County
Commissioners, will the Bio Recycling tenter in Shelton be required to
report all Jefferson County liquid waste received at their facility?
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. What has created the Health Department's financial deficit? Septic tank
pumping? Or is it the new monitoring and inspection program?
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. Are you targeting the septic tank pumpers because we are easy?
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. Why hasn't a filing fee been required for processing Evaluation of ~\."€)
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Existing Septic System Reports (EES) when clearly the Health Department
has expenses associated with this state mandated policy?
. Why would you only charge $20.00 to process an EES when that fee
clearly does not cover the cost of managing this mandated program?
. Doesn't it make more sense to adopt a policy of issuing annual
Operating Permits to each residence that maintains a septic system?
Couldn't these minimal fees be collected through the assessor's office
with revenues distributed biannually?
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