HomeMy WebLinkAboutclosed_caption09:01:09 I know I was gonna say it's new enough I gotta Probably send it back. Okay, I'm waiting for the black tower, but it's 9 o one now, so I can come in a call stored
09:01:31 Okay, Good morning, everybody. I will call this May Ninth 2022 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners to order.
09:01:40 They're goes the clock tower which is what I was waiting for sorry microphone, please.
09:01:49 Calling us to order, and as we do every Monday morning we start with the public comment period.
09:01:56 If you are here and would like to make public comment if you're on zoom, you can use the raise hand button at the bottom of the screen. If you're on the phone you can press
star 9 and we will bring you
09:02:09 over. Is there anybody out there wishing to make public comment this morning?
09:02:18 Also. I'll just note that I am the only one in the chambers here today commissioner wise, but i'm joined by Mark Macaulay and Carolyn Galloway thankfully, and maybe we should
09:02:29 promote them to Commissioner. No, just just kidding. Greg is in his office, and Kate Kate seems to have caught a titch of Covid, so she may or may not be joining us this morning.
09:02:43 I think she's at home. where she should be I know I took a test yesterday when I heard, because she's one of the only people i'm ever around.
09:02:57 So anyway. Okay. So we are to brought to order.
09:03:01 Is there anybody wishing to make public comment? You can use this.
09:03:06 The raise hand button at the bottom of your zoom screen or if you're on the phone, you can press star 9.
09:03:14 I see people there, but nobody raising their hand.
09:03:22 Greg any interest in responding to any of the written public comments we received.
09:03:27 You know I, as Kate said last week I usually reply to to notes directly. So I did reply to in any that I could, but I don't have any additional comments.
09:03:38 Okay, I would just add that for the first time we got a public comment for me in my time as a commissioner where someone was making a pretty, you know, emphatic comment about
a Jefferson County in another State.
09:03:54 And so I looked it up, and I was surprised. It had taken this long when I, when I learned that Jefferson is the most second, most common name for counties in the country, clocking
in with 26 other Jefferson counties
09:04:07 across the United States. So I was like, what street is that we did respond to that. When I say, are you talking about Washington State and , yeah, yeah, I was like, Well, I
bet you that'll happen again.
09:04:20 Anyway. I Okay. So no no. public comments, no response to public comments this morning.
09:04:28 Oh, okay, I see a hand up
09:04:38 Good morning, Mr. Tier. she'll have 3Â min for public comment
09:04:50 Takes a second for your software to switch between modes, as you might know.
09:04:52 So the delay A couple of things the first thing on your consent, agenda.
09:04:58 You've got a $124,000 grant that you're being asked to approve to a church.
09:05:06 I have a problem with that separation of Church and State, you know.
09:05:10 Yes, I know the church helps the needy and all that stuff.
09:05:12 But this, this, this practice of continuing just to to blur the lines is very disturbing.
09:05:21 I I and your agenda item, said you wanted to hear public comment on it.
09:05:25 So that's why i'm commenting I don't like it.
09:05:28 I think you got to stop that stuff on the more positive note you're going to be hearing a presentation on the changes to the open public meetings.
09:05:39 Act today. really glad to see that on the agenda.
09:05:43 It. There are a few changes that are going to be taking effect pretty soon.
09:05:48 One thing that I didn't see in the slides that are going to earn the powerpoint that's going to be presented is the fact that a lot of the changes in the public meetings act
are contingent
09:06:01 upon a state of emergency having been declared or not.
09:06:07 And the governor's proclamation 25 which declared the the state of emergency for covid is still, in effect, and we don't know when that's gonna be withdrawn so a lot
09:06:21 of those provisions that, the the changes to the open public meet exact hinge on are gonna be slightly conditioned by that
09:06:31 One in particular is, for example, the business of having to have a physical meeting location, even though that's supposed to take effect.
09:06:39 June. First it won't unless proclamation 20 o 5 is is withdrawn or made no longer active.
09:06:48 Just just a fine point on that in other words you'll still be allowed to have zoom only meetings until that state of emergency is lifted.
09:06:55 So. The other thing I wanted to do just note on that is to make sure that this information is passed along to everybody that works on any of the dozens of committees of the
county, so that all the members are are just fully aware of the
09:07:11 changes in their new responsibilities under the law. So the fair, you know, accidentally exposed to attending an illegal meeting and that kind of stuff which can have some consequences.
09:07:22 But in any event, I appreciate the fact that it's being presented.
09:07:26 One aspect of the law. That, is not a mandate, but is a good idea.
09:07:32 A really good idea is that the changes in encourage all agencies, all committees, and everything else to record their meetings, and that's currently not being done by the county
committees that work in the county for the most part, now it's not a
09:07:45 mandate, but it's strongly encouraged by the legislature, and it seems to me that making an audio recording which is free because everybody's got a smartphone that can make
a voice recording is a simple thing to
09:07:58 do, and audio recordings don't take nearly as much you know storage space.
09:08:03 As to video recordings, and they provide You know the only accurate record of what's been done in a meeting, much more so than than meeting minutes can ever do.
09:08:12 So I would. I would ask the county to to please adopt a policy of recording all meetings.
09:08:20 Thanks very much. Thanks for your input, Mr. Tish. Is there anybody else who has joined us?
09:08:27 I noticed a number of other people joined us in the last few minutes who would like to make public comment if you would like to make public comment. Use the raise hand button
at the bottom of your zoom screen or press star 9 if you're on the
09:08:39 phone, and I see another hand rate
09:08:48 Good Good morning, Patrol. so you have 3Â min for public comment.
09:08:53 Good morning, Commissioners. I'm. Dr. Patricia Jones speaking on behalf of the Olympic Forest Coalition this morning.
09:08:59 Thank you for the opportunity to call to your attention the upcoming penny wise timber sale here in Eastern Jefferson County.
09:09:09 We request that the Board of County Commissioners can consider adding the penny wise sale to your quest.
09:09:18 To defer to meet older forest targets required by the habitat conservation plan.
09:09:22 Avoid aquatic impacts on important salmon and watershed, and to correct clear deficiencies in the sepa analysis done by Dna.
09:09:31 Commissioner Brotherton has visited the sale. Thank you so much for your work as you saw. Unit 7 of this sale features a cohort of structurally unique old growth. trees of diverse
species.
09:09:44 Dnr is misapplied. the vampal maturation analysis in their sepa.
09:09:50 The Stan meets the definition of older forests, and is of almost indescribable beauty.
09:09:58 Dnr claims variable tension. harvest stands will become older forests by the end of the Hcp.
09:10:05 In 2,090 units, in this very sale of clear evidence of how wrong these assumptions are.
09:10:09 According to Mr. Stephen Crop, it takes a 150 years for a stand to reach this level of maturation with uncertainty due to climate change.
09:10:20 Not considered Climates forecast to be 2 to 5 degrees warmer by the end of the Hcp.
09:10:27 Increasing summer temperatures, drought, and carbon impets are all inadequately assessed in Dnr sepa.
09:10:33 They plan to use herbicides. The sediments into the big quill scene. River watershed, Cosine Bay, and impaired waters of Hood Canal are also not adequately
09:10:47 analyzed pennywise, is likely to score very high on the conservation value assessment, and as a strong candidate for including in Dnrs recently launched carbon project deferring
Penny wise allows more time for
09:11:01 this stand to be evaluated for this program we request that you consider adding this to your work on Older forest stands in Jefferson County.
09:11:13 Thank you so much. Thanks for your comments, Dr. Jones.
09:11:18 Sorry I should not call you Patricia when you're Dr.
09:11:19 Jones any other, Jones, anyway? Thanks for coming this morning, and we appreciate your comments.
09:11:24 Anybody else on the line which need to make public comment this morning.
09:11:30 You can use the raise hand button at the bottom of the zoom screen, or if you're on the phone, you can press Star 9 and you will be brought over to make public comment.
09:11:37 I notice a bunch of additional people have joined us, so we would love to hear what your thoughts are.
09:11:47 I think some of you make comments offline, and sometimes it would be interesting to see what you have to say publicly.
09:11:58 Anyone out there. Well, as we are doing now, we will leave public comment open until 9 30.
09:12:04 So if you change your mind, you can like, I said. Use the raise hand button at the bottom of the screen.
09:12:11 And we will respond to the comments We received Greg Do you have anything you'd like to add to Mr.
09:12:24 Tearsh's calling out item one on the consent agenda about the potential Cdbg grant for Trinity Church.
09:12:31 This item calls out a public hearing from May 20 third.
09:12:35 So while I I share some of his skepticism of using public dollars for religious organizations, I you know they do have a lot of kind of public public facing.
09:12:50 We're like not denominational preschool and things in the in the they happen at the facility.
09:12:56 So anytime we can leverage facilities into more public good I think it's worth considering.
09:13:00 So i'm not interested in taking it off the consent agenda, but I think it's a it's a valid question for the hearing on whether you know we should support we should be a municipal
partner for them to
09:13:10 apply to the Cdbg, and and knowing what other programs that we might be supporting this competes against, is one of those questions that that should be raised at that hearing.
09:13:21 But I don't have a problem with it going through to make the hearing to solicit more.
09:13:26 Input but I do appreciate Mr. Tears comment. on the opma, you know, you know, is your voice is a strong one for transparency, and then sunshine Laws, Mr.
09:13:35 Tears, and we really value that and and value transparency.
09:13:39 So we look forward to taking advantage of all these and i've heard that the emergency proclamation is gonna be gone at the beginning of June.
09:13:47 But I I don't know that for sure I don't know if anyone else has more up to date information.
09:13:53 But I think a recording of other meetings. I actually went started assuming that everything was recorded, because I refer back to Av.
09:13:59 Capture so often that I said, Oh, yeah, go. You should go.
09:14:03 Look at that budget meeting from the other day there was some interesting conversation about this, and it wasn't recorded. I I I agree, 100%.
09:14:12 And and there is a a real data issue with with video recording.
09:14:15 So your audio recording one is a it's a good recommendation, and I I think we should consider it as policy for for county county meetings.
09:14:23 It's just it's so great to be able to go back and refer to those meetings in in their complete nature.
09:14:32 To Miss Jones comments I appreciate. Dr.
09:14:36 Jones, I presume I you know yeah this is This is tough work, and you know we did hear from Dnr last week asking, Well, you didn't make any seat by the county didn't make any
sepa issue
09:14:49 raising these sepa issues. so should we go ahead with the sale, and I was like I don't know, but i'm gonna be walking that that unit 7 again with from the penny y sale with
the dnr
09:15:04 4 extra you're trying to really inform both sides of my perception of this issue, as as we make these pretty fundamental requests, you know it's I I feel a little bit like we
are starting something really positive and a little
09:15:18 bit like we're in parallel you know consistent revenue, for you know many agencies, including county roads and the county itself.
09:15:25 And then our junior taxing districts that really need those funds.
09:15:29 So it's a it's a delicate dance that we're playing right now, and appreciate the support and information from all sides, and really value as much input as we can as we kind
of broach a topic that
09:15:40 has been pretty I don't know unspoken for a long time, and I will say that I know that last week both Heidi and I talked about going to the timber County's caucus meeting and
it is I did ask and
09:15:54 It's gonna be virtual Now, as Well, so if you do want to go.
09:15:57 We should get it listed as a special meeting. But
09:16:00 A lot will happen there, too, and we'll have a more conversations with some of our cross county peers about the permutations of some of that letter that are, I think, kind of
ricketing through the state and that we should
09:16:12 really consider with as much information as we can that's all I have Thanks, Greg.
09:16:20 I I would just add that the turn the church grant is.
09:16:23 I know it's focused on childcare which is a huge need in our community, and and it is just a notice of a public hearing, and I am supportive of moving forward with that hearing.
09:16:34 So I agree on that friend the recorded meetings I would say, I've had the same experience especially in my first year as a commissioner wanting to go and go back and review
meetings maybe that I didn't
09:16:47 attend or meetings that I did attend but didn't take as complete of notes, as I wish I had I would go.
09:16:53 Oh, it's been recorded and then some committees in fact, it wasn't recorded.
09:16:58 So I had to rely on my my marginal notes at times.
09:17:02 And then to dr jones's comments about the penny wise sale! I regret I haven't been out to see it.
09:17:10 I've been up to my ipad i've been up to my eyeballs and doing research on the impact of junior taxing districts in Jefferson County from the Beaver Valley source sale and We've
09:17:19 added some considerations of penny wise trying to understand the impacts of that timber sale, and then working with the junior taxing districts and working with foresters and
conservation allies, and putting together some carbon analysis
09:17:34 of those 2 timber sales it's just that's as much as I can do right now.
09:17:41 So i'm relying on commissioner brotherson to be the voice for penny wise and bring firsthand experience from that that forest. It sounds like a beautiful forest, and i'll trust
that it is and i'll trust that
09:17:54 we can come up with A meaningful discussion about this.
09:18:03 The implications of both harvesting those trees, and also what the implications of conserving them, or what, and more long-term sustainable approach to getting revenue out of
those forests, might be
09:18:15 so I I know people are doing a lot of work. behind behind the scenes right now to bring for our meeting our workshop next week in the afternoon at around 2 o'clock.
09:18:26 We'll have you'd be having an in-depth hour to hour and a half discussion about this and I look forward to that discussion, and hope to bring as much useful information to it
as I can which is my half time job right
09:18:39 now. I think that's all I have in response to the comments that have been made so far. is there anyone else who would like to make public comment at this time.
09:18:52 If so, use the raise hand button at the bottom of your screen, or press Star 9 on the phone, and we will move along with our agenda.
09:18:59 But leave public comment open till 9 30. So shall we move on to consent?
09:19:06 Agenda Greg sounds good. Oh, I I do want to say one thing in response to your responses, and that's that I did take a drone out there, so i'll bring you some footage of of get
it 7 and penny
09:19:18 wise, so you can see it at least awesome. That would be great.
09:19:22 Do you have anything on consent that you want to call out?
09:19:27 You know. great to see Munice continuing to move forward in Hr.
09:19:33 And looking forward to to jump by i'll be at the groundbreaking this week, and and talk about it later.
09:19:39 But great project out at and East J. Carol Park, and, you know, adjusting the scope to to find a nexus that works with the inflationary cost.
09:19:51 Jumps right now is really successful. Yeah. No great to see.
09:19:56 Continue support for the accessible communities. Act and and the thorndyke cover replacement.
09:20:03 Yeah, it's just good stuff and then the consent agenda.
09:20:06 Yeah, the only thing I would add is always grateful for folks who sign on to be here.
09:20:12 Our hosts that Oak Bay gives like, an H. J. Carroll and I.
09:20:16 I know that parks has had a little bit of a challenge filling a couple of those slots lately, so i'm not sure if they've gotten them all fill that seeing one here.
09:20:24 I think one of the 2 that we're we were searching for got filled, and it seems like this would be a great option for some folks looking for supported long-term campsites.
09:20:38 If they had the the will and the time to do some of the volunteer work that goes along with those roles.
09:20:42 So seems like it could be a good fit for a number of folks in the community.
09:20:47 I'm grateful that someone signed up for obey
09:20:53 Well, if there's nothing else on consent mark did you have anything I could send you wanted to comment on.
09:20:59 No, I agree good stuff on here i'll i'll move that we approve and adopt the consent agenda has presented, and i'll second, that and the vote all in favor of aye I Miss
09:21:17 Kate passes with the 2 of us okay consent agenda's past.
09:21:26 I guess we can move on to proclamations.
09:21:30 We have 2 proclamations today, and a little bit worried that maybe our some of our guests for this item might not be here yet.
09:21:39 Let's see. share. Well, we can wait until Oh, I see a hand that went up for public comment.
09:22:00 Good morning. Good morning, George. Once you get unmuted you'll have 3Â min for public comments.
09:22:07 Okay, I think i'm unmuted, you are yeah I just wanted to make a comment about one of the former leaders of of Jefferson County in another agency, and that's the port of port
towns and the passing
09:22:22 of her back is herb was one of the most amazing people I've ever seen in my life.
09:22:33 But he he! His contribution was to change the character of the port of Port towns, and he was one, of course, 3.
09:22:43 It takes 3 to do it. But they developed an economic development plan that that was a 20 year plan, and it went from the shed boys to what you see today.
09:22:58 And I think folks need to so look sometimes it at those elected officials that hurrying around for a long, long time and that they can be very effective and create the institutional
history that we need And so I just
09:23:22 wanna say thank you, Herb, and thanks for what you've done for Jefferson County.
09:23:30 Thank you for calling that out. Yeah, Thank you, George. you know I it was.
09:23:37 Herb was a remarkable man, and I I was at a service on Saturday and should call it out myself.
09:23:42 But yeah, I think at 36 years as a port commissioner maybe one of the longest tenured elected officials in Washington's history.
09:23:50 So contributed a lot, and you know I always take from him that sometimes it's good to see the quite part out Lab.
09:23:58 So I I said he's still inspiring me as a leader definitely.
09:24:06 Anybody else wishing to make public comment. you can do so by Ray pressing the raise hand. button at the bottom of the screen, or pressing star 9.
09:24:14 If you're on the phone we'll leave public comment up until 9 30.
09:24:19 It looks like I know on the first one our guests, for that one is Dr.
09:24:30 Harris from Jefferson healthcare, and I do not see Dr.
09:24:36 Harris with us yet. Yeah. but it looks like Sheriff Noel and Chief Olson are here, and we could bring them over and start with the second proclamation that works for everyone
09:25:06 You guys are gonna have to accept your promotion. There you go
09:25:12 Good morning, Chief Olson and Sheriff Knoll.
09:25:18 Good morning. Why, thanks for joining us this morning. Would either, or both of you like to speak to this proclamation, declaring the week
09:25:38 Sheriff just i'll just go ahead and say that i'm i'm i'm really glad that the the Commissioners have thought about the idea of national police week and have as far as I know
decided to
09:25:51 make a proclamation pass a proclamation to recognize it.
09:25:57 And it. It means a lot to us in law enforcement to know that we have the support not only of our commissioners, but of our community.
09:26:06 And I also want to remember those, even though this whole week is national police officers week.
09:26:14 The fifteenth is actually Police Officer Memorial Day that recognizes officers that have lost their lives in the line of duty.
09:26:21 So. i'd like to have a special recognition of that. And I just I want to thank thank you all I if you'll support it by the Commissioners in the yeah, thanks for the recognition
yeah, I just Yeah, I just
09:26:44 like to say a few things here on behalf of all of the hard working police officers, the poor town's a police department.
09:26:52 I I would like to think you for recognizing a national police week.
09:26:58 It's a time for all of us to pause and remember the officers that gave the ultimate sacrifice.
09:27:06 While serving their communities. Yes, i'd also like to take a little time to recognize all the police families that have lost a loved one, and to recognize the officers that
continue to protect our community.
09:27:22 Please know that the entire police department at Port Port towns in is here to serve our community, and we do that with integrity, compassion, and professionalism.
09:27:32 So. again, thank you for making this proclamation.
09:27:38 You bet we i'll just add that I I appreciate you guys every day, but frequently, specifically, as a commissioner.
09:27:46 I've relied especially on the sheriff's department, and some of your team to help with issues that arise with constituents.
09:27:56 And you know I I think everybody in our community feels grateful that when they, when they call 9 1 one that there are dozens of people in our community who show up to help
because it happens more often than people know and i'm learning
09:28:10 a little bit about that, as I dig into some of these issues with neighborhoods in District 2, and and understanding some of the the expertise that members of your teams have
to help with issues, that you might not think would be something
09:28:28 that would be responded to using 9. 1 one So I pray very appreciative.
09:28:35 So well, great, would we like to read the proclamation?
09:28:41 Okay. Mine keeps my screen. keeps going off. But Why don't you start?
09:28:47 Okay. great. See you Chief Olson Sheriff.
09:28:51 No, this is you know we we depend on our our police forces to to keep us safe.
09:28:57 And and you guys do, and your teams do an exemplary job.
09:28:59 So this is a small token of the respect and appreciation we have from that.
09:29:05 The work that you guys do, whereas the Congress and President of the United States have designated May Fifteenth as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which May the
fifteenth, 2,022 falls as national
09:29:16 police week. and whereas the members of our law enforcement agencies play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of Jefferson County, and whereas it is important
that all citizens know and understand the
09:29:32 duties, responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices of their law enforcement agencies, and that members of our law enforcement agencies recognize their duty to serve the people
by safeguard in life and property by protecting them
09:29:44 against violence and disorder, and by protecting the in against against deception and the weak against oppression.
09:29:52 And whereas the men and women in law enforcement of Jefferson County unceasingly provide a vital public service.
09:29:59 Now, therefore, we, the Board of County Commissioners, call upon all citizens of Jefferson County, and upon all patriotic, civic, and educational organizations, to observe the
week of May fifteenth, to 20 first 2,000 and
09:30:13 22 as national police week, with appropriate ceremonies and observances, in which all of our people may join in commemorating law enforcement officers, asking present who, by
their faithful and loyal devotion to
09:30:24 their responsibilities, have rendered a dedicated service to their communities, and in doing and in so doing have established for themselves an enviable and enduring reputation
for preserving the rights and security of all
09:30:37 citizens. We further call upon all citizens of Jefferson County to observe May Fifteenth, as police officers piece Officers Memorial Day, in honor of those law enforcement officers
who, through their courageous deeds have made
09:30:53 the ultimate sacrifice and service to their community, or have become disabled in their performance of duty.
09:31:00 And let us recognize and pay respect to the survivors of our fallen heroes approved.
09:31:06 This ninth day of May, 2022.
09:31:10 Thanks, gentlemen, we appreciate you , I'll move that we approve this proclamation as red, and i'll second that all in favor.
09:31:22 Hi passes unanimously. Can I say one more thing?
09:31:27 Yeah, you know, a lot of people often wonder why? Why, I sit in the chair. I do.
09:31:33 Why I took this job with all the slings and arrows that come with it.
09:31:37 And I'm, you know, reminded considering this proclamation that well, we might have, you know, figured of slings and arrows.
09:31:45 It is our law enforcement teams that that stand in front of of of harm literally every day that they they come to work, and I just it's with great appreciation that would that
we move this proclamation absolutely
09:32:01 Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you, too. Okay. We have another proclamation to consider this morning, and that is declaring May eighth to Fourteenth as National Hospital
week, and Dr.
09:32:23 Harris will be joining us this morning for this one.
09:32:28 Good morning, Dr. Harris. Good morning. Would you like inviting me?
09:32:34 I was having a hard time finding video and mute buttons.
09:32:37 I was very confused there for a little while while you made it.
09:32:41 Thanks for joining us. Would you like to speak to this proclamation before we read it?
09:32:47 Yeah, sure. So with the very grateful to accept this proclamation.
09:32:53 From the County Board of Commissioners, and in particular I appreciate so much the the bread and the scope of what what we are considering.
09:33:01 Healthcare workers for this again for the proclamation.
09:33:05 So really I I am grateful to accept this on behalf of the entirety of the healthcare system in Jefferson County, and that includes, of course, the front line staff doctors and
nurses and medical assistance and
09:33:18 certified nursing assistance. The clinical supports staff, our registrars, our lab technicians, are phobotomists.
09:33:25 Our respiratory therapist, our physical therapists, etc.
09:33:29 Those who support our systems. So informatics those who maintain our buildings, those who provide food for us in our patients.
09:33:37 Those who keep our services extra 15, and the heightened infection people.
09:33:41 So. again, I very much appreciate that this proclamation also appreciates the breath and the scope of what it takes to deliver help here in this community, and truly accept
this on behalf of everyone.
09:33:54 So thank you. Thanks so much. Greg. Would you like to start off reading the proclamation?
09:34:03 Whereas the Jefferson Healthcare, a critical access hospital with limited resources, provides high quality, inpatient and outpatient medical and dental care services to the
residents of east Jefferson County Washington
09:34:16 and whereas Jefferson healthcare delivers comprehensive emergency, primary and specialty care for thousands of our community members throughout every year.
09:34:27 And whereas Jefferson healthcare employees provide comprehensive medical services for the community each and every day, and have provided critical care during the covid 19 pandemic
at considerable risk to themselves and their families, and
09:34:40 whereas the Jefferson County Commissioners would like to acknowledge and thank all of the clinical and non clinical staff, the administrators, and the medical and dental Providers
of Jefferson County public health
09:34:52 district Number 2, Aka Jefferson, healthcare for their dedication and resilience.
09:34:58 During the Covid 19 pandemic. Now, therefore, be resolved.
09:35:03 The Jefferson County Commissioners express gratitude and heartfelt thanks.
09:35:06 Every member of the Jefferson healthcare team, for their skills, service, and dedication to the health and well-being of our community, especially during this worldwide epidemic.
09:35:16 Now, therefore, be it finally resolved that the Jefferson County Commissioners do here by proclaim May eighth to the fourteenth, 2,022 as a national hospital week in Jefferson
County.
09:35:29 And ask all residents of this community to join us in celebrating the Jefferson healthcare team. approve.
09:35:35 This day, ninth of May, the twentieth 22.
09:35:39 And I would just add that over the last year i've been especially grateful.
09:35:46 Jefferson healthcare. as I broke as many people now.
09:35:51 I broke my leg early last year, and I feel like I got world class care in the midst of the pandemic for an accident that I had
09:36:01 You know it was just a was an accident I slept on my neighbor's porch.
09:36:06 But but then I, you know, spent number of appointments in in the Jefferson Healthcare Hospital, and I just
09:36:14 It was a I was firsthand aware of everybody in the hospital being there to serve the community beyond the pandemic, because there was this cloak of you know, all of the pandemic
precautions.
09:36:31 But there was also the need to deal with things like my broken ape ankle, and other people's needs as they were coming into the hospital.
09:36:39 So super appreciative for the professionalism I also know you guys have challenged, been challenged with capacity and filling positions just like every single other sector in
the community.
09:36:50 But I think it's especially hard for our medical providers who we expect, or hope to be there if we have an accident.
09:37:02 And having to keep those positions and roles filled. is is incredibly challenging in this time.
09:37:08 So appreciate people for working extra to make that the hours work, so that the offices were open when we needed them, and always open.
09:37:19 And anyway, super grateful , if I could just add, really quick Heidi you know the the county's job is often to kind of protect and strengthen the social fabric of the community,
or at least that's
09:37:32 how I see it, and I think we share that goal with the hospital, and we would not be able to do it without Jefferson Healthcare's partnership. and you know they partner with
us, and we use it one might not expect they're looking for
09:37:44 childcare options and all sorts of different things, but they are simply, you know, fundamental keepers of our social fabric.
09:37:50 So this is yeah great to have such a strong hospital system. Then if I could, I'd like to .
09:37:58 Commissioner Eisenhower, August third, 2020
09:38:02 During the pandemic I I had a hip replacement at Jefferson healthcare, and it was a top notch experience.
09:38:09 I actually wrote my clin a thank you.
09:38:13 Letter , praising staff cause it super experience and they have one of the best restaurants in the county in their cafeteria.
09:38:23 Thanks to chef Stark, anyway. thank you, Dr. Harris, for being here.
09:38:29 And we'll let you get back to work that we approve the proclamation.
09:38:36 I thought we already had sorry I'll, second that all in favor bye, thank you, Dr.
09:38:42 Harris,
09:38:48 Okay,
09:38:53 Okay, We see you there, Kate. Thanks for joining us.
09:38:59 Okay. So we have moved beyond the public comment. period. so I'm. and a close public comments for now, and we have 6Â min till Dr.
09:39:11 Barry joins us for a weekly covid 19 update. if there's anything wanna do a little bit of calendaring.
09:39:24 Now. Great, do you? wanna I can, maybe, you know, just cut me off.
09:39:31 I feel like I always go too long when I when I do this with the short window.
09:39:36 But I can. we can start See? okay so last week we're all together, of course, on Monday the second on Tuesday I went to continue a video project.
09:39:55 I'm doing for Olycap kind of highlighting some of the many different holy cap departments with with the one of the the Mount Angeles head Start classroom, which was just a delight
hanging out with 3 to
09:40:09 5 year olds, is there? you know just I don't like to be with
09:40:16 A lot of conscious discipline is the kind of overarching theme at these.
09:40:19 Now, you know, realizing that when gives you an intention for instance, they have no connection to their executive function, something that was helpful.
09:40:27 I'm not in life too So just a delight to spend in the morning, and in Los Angeles there came back to say goodbye to Tammy and Sarah from Jefferson transit at their farewell
party that
09:40:41 was great to see them and and be able to send them off with with the hog in a smile.
09:40:46 And you know Danny will still be around but sarah's off North Carolina, and we'll miss them.
09:40:51 They've been great leaders at that organization and really take them out of a pretty dire financial status into a really strong bottom line and and responsive to policy direction.
09:41:04 That is a little new, I think, from the Jefferson Transit Board.
09:41:07 So that was great. After that and via phone I went to a the quilts of empowered Teens Coalition.
09:41:13 If you remember was was considering renaming itself. since Brennan is a feeder district.
09:41:20 We'll see, and it was unclear whether folks from the British school district could could utilize the programs that were being started with close team care power teams, and they
could
09:41:30 But we, I think the consensus was to rename it.
09:41:32 The quill scene, Hyphen, Brendan and Power teams pollution so very easy decision to come to, just to make sure that we were being inclusive and not giving anyone the perception
that they were not welcome.
09:41:42 Cause it's supposed to have So We're just limit, even though you know Shy Thorndyke and and and the the whole co-openance a lot.
09:41:51 It's really just the school districts quilting school district, and so that was easy to do. visited Cosby Brown village with the kind of the our consultants.
09:42:05 All the caps consultant from the office of we're on farm worker housing, and then a little later have another meeting with them.
09:42:14 And dCD kind of going through the permit pathway and props to Joe Peterson, really doing a great job.
09:42:22 Kind of outlining the process that lay in front, and I have a lot more certainty about options that would allow some of the plans that when Olycap presented about permanent
support of housing it would allow permanent
09:42:36 supportive housing at those at that location. So I can go into that more in detail, if you want but really helpful for me, and clarifying what the possibilities were.
09:42:46 There. Yeah. and excellent excellent meeting and then in the evening. The port port towns in came back for a They're they've been doing monthly meetings with the quilting community
about what they should do with
09:43:02 Rebecca Marina, her back, Marina down in Quilsy.
09:43:08 And you know there there was a real tension between the Ports desire for economic development and kind of a looking at the bottom line, and what the overall consensus feedback
from the Quilson community was that was You know take care of
09:43:22 the deferred maintenance. and then we can talk about you know, economic development.
09:43:28 And, you know a new launch or something like that but There's a lot of concern about that fragile 2 lane road that you know, is the 2 mile to lay in the road, and and the how
it can get
09:43:40 overused pretty easily so; but to their credit the poor came back to this meeting with a proposal that responded to all of those requests, including creating a free to the public
all the time.
09:43:54 Portland Lou with an outdoor shower, and and importantly lose, or what they built in Portland; that on the streets that have, like a you know, a gap at the bottom industrial
steel they could just be
09:44:05 hose down as a pressure washer inside it, and then the sink is on the outside.
09:44:09 So it just kind of deters any of the kind of vandalism, or anything that often happens to ported John's, and and makes public questions so hard to maintain.
09:44:19 So this one is have a shower, a cold water shower as well, and then keeping the bathrooms open a little bit more, and it's good to know as well that those you can get a a key
file to the math If you
09:44:30 pay for a $100 ramp feed that gets you access to all of the ports ramps throughout the county.
09:44:36 But they came back. It was kind of a sparsely attended meeting, but there was consensus that.
09:44:40 Yes, you got it. right? So they're gonna take next that plan, which is basically take care of deferred maintenance.
09:44:46 Do the 10 year dredging they need to do, which is a 3 year licensing process.
09:44:51 And and then, and I think recapturing 8 primitive Rv.
09:44:57 Camp sites, spots for a little bit of economic development, but not, you know, plumbing the man or anything like that.
09:45:04 So just keeping it primitive. so really exciting You're gonna take it back to the Commissioners and I got through Tuesday.
09:45:09 But I see It's 9, 45 thank you greg will pick up on Wednesday with you, when when we can be after our update with Dr.
09:45:18 Barry and Willie Vince
09:45:27 Good morning, Dr. Barry. Then morning, Willie. Nice to see you.
09:45:34 Good to see you guys. So on my end we've had Mother's Day surprise of having covid 19 come to my family.
09:45:45 So that's why i'm i'm in a mask, and you're you might hear a a small friend periodically over the course of our presentation today.
09:45:57 So as far as the Covid 19 situation. nationally, we are seeing cases rise quite significantly up.
09:46:03 50% in the last 2 weeks. we're also seeing hospitalizations rise 20% in the last 2 weeks in the United States as a whole, driven particularly by what's going on in the Northeast
in Washington we are seeing case
09:46:16 rates rise and hospitalizations as well driven primarily by the King and the homeish county area.
09:46:23 That's something that we touch based on a little bit last time I was here.
09:46:27 I was able, since our last meeting, to get access to the King in the Homeish county hospitalization data, and really dig into the nitty gritty of who's being hospitalized right
now, and at this point we're primarily
09:46:39 seeing hospitalizations still among those who are unvaccinated, or to a smaller degree in our elders who have not received their first booster.
09:46:47 We are not seeing hospitalizations of those who have received their full vaccine course and their boosters.
09:46:54 We're just not seeing that play out right now as an added layer of caution.
09:46:59 We are starting a campaign of second boosters just for our long term care residents in particular, just to shore up their protection, even though we're not seeing hospitalizations
among those who are boosted in this country right
09:47:11 now. so that is one hopeful sign even as we see case rates rise and hospitalizations is that for those who've gotten their vaccine and gotten their booster.
09:47:21 We're still seeing very good protection, against severe disease so we're still seeing even when we see hospitalizations rise in our neighboring counties.
09:47:30 We're still seeing that predominantly among those who are unbaccinated.
09:47:34 Just a good reminder that it's still possible to get exposed to Covid.
09:47:38 19, if you haven't had it already and what we're seeing with these variants circulating Now is we're seeing more reinfection.
09:47:46 So we're seeing it faster and more severe reinfection.
09:47:50 So if you're only immunity, comes from prior infection, it's really important to go ahead and get that vaccine to reduce your risk of not only getting sick but getting severe
disease in particular in Jefferson county
09:48:02 cases continue to rise. Our current total number of Covid 19 cases is up to 3,603.
09:48:10 That puts our key 3 at 537 per 100,000, with a 10% positivity rate.
09:48:16 We do have one person currently hospitalized for COVID-19 for a total of 125 hospitalizations and no new deaths.
09:48:23 Thankfully. So a total of 28 of our citizens lost to COVID-19 in neighboring Cloudown County. our cases are up to 11,691 for a case rate of 403% positivity, of 8
09:48:35 percent. We do have 3 people currently hospitalized in clown county for a total of 367, and thankfully no additional deaths in Clown county.
09:48:45 Either. So we're holding study at 111 looking at what's called case, ascertain that the probability that we find any of these cases.
09:48:53 We do think our case ascertainment is quite a bit higher in Jefferson and in cloud because of our ability to capture home antigen tests.
09:49:01 Right now. the the State as a whole is reporting a case ascertainment rate of about 16%, which means if you look at a case rate on the State, website, you want to multiply it
by 6, and that'll give you an idea of about what
09:49:12 the case rates are so currently for Washington state as a whole, their case rate is 264.
09:49:20 Multiply that by 6, and that gives you a better idea of what kind of case rates we're seeing statewide.
09:49:25 Certainly seeing significant rises in cases so main takeaways.
09:49:29 At this point we have a high, contagious virus.
09:49:31 We have a ton of it circulating in our community and in the State as a whole.
09:49:35 The good news. is we're not seeing a rise in severe disease for those who've gotten vaccinated and boosted.
09:49:40 But if you've not gotten vaccinated yet or if you've not gotten that booster, we are seeing a rise in severe disease and hospitalization, and so we want to do everything we
can to prevent that the most important thing is to get that
09:49:51 vaccine. Get that booster, and to wear high quality mask in indoor settings.
09:49:57 When you could potentially be exposed to this virus.
09:49:59 And I would say, looking at the rate of covid 19 in our region, if you are in an indoor space like a grocery store, or like a a party where you're meeting up with folks if they're
more than 10
09:50:09 people in that space. there's a pretty significant probability that someone there has Covid.
09:50:14 So it's a good idea, to wear a high quality mask in those spaces at this time, and so with that i'm happy to take any questions.
09:50:22 Yeah, Dr. Barry, do you? Is there any way to predict, or do you have an idea what the cat the ascertainment rate in Jefferson County is? Yeah.
09:50:30 So in Jefferson County we estimate that our case ascertainment rate is actually closer to 50, so we think we're catching about one.
09:50:38 In 2 of this cases that are out there. so if you want to take our number and double it.
09:50:41 That's probably the true case right here but it's not time 6.
09:50:44 So. in truth, I think our case rate is actually lower than the State as a whole.
09:50:49 But we're just catching a lot more of our cases I think still grim news.
09:50:57 I was struck over the weekend by the irony of
09:51:00 So many of our residents being vaccinated and boosted, and still contracting.
09:51:06 Covid and carrying it around the community silent kind of silently right , I'm.
09:51:14 I'm vaccinated in Boston and i'm I feel great.
09:51:16 So I there's no way I could have covid i've heard this comment.
09:51:20 And I think it was it struck home yesterday when Kate came down with Covid.
09:51:27 Just because she was testing because she was gonna travel this week and and then there it was, and she was like I felt fine, and you know Well, that's that's at least what was
conveyed to me.
09:51:39 So. I think that that's happening more and more where people are not aware that they might be carrying Covid, and you know I I've been wearing my mask in grocery stores and
people have been asking
09:51:51 me, and I said, Well, because I might have covid and I don't want to give it to you.
09:51:57 So it's interesting. it's a it's a silent, a silent phenomenon in our community in many ways, right now, even though we've been talking about it so much Yeah, I think it is
important to remember
09:52:09 that if you're vaccinated, and boosted symptoms can be quite mild, generally you'll eventually feel something.
09:52:17 If you can track Covid 19, but they can be very mild.
09:52:19 It can fly under the radar you can think it's allergies, or a mild pool.
09:52:24 So if you're feeling anything off at all do go ahead and get tested, and of course, if you have an exposure get tested 5 days after we do have a lot of home antigen tests available
at the department at the libraries at the
09:52:34 pharmacies. There's a bunch of places to get them at our South County fire stations.
09:52:40 So definitely do test if you have any symptoms at all, or if you're exposed to covid 19 in our family's case, part of how we found out was there was an exposure at my daughter's
09:52:50 daycare and then she developed symptoms and so we went ahead and tested, and that's how we knew which is why I'm asking now and I think it is important to acknowledge that even
if you're vaccinated and
09:53:01 boosted. You can still get covid you're much less likely to get severe.
09:53:05 Covid that would cause you to get hospitalized and die.
09:53:08 But you can get a breakthrough infection and that can go on to infect someone who could get a severe infection.
09:53:13 So that's the big reason why we try to prevent our boosted population from getting Covid and so you don't give it to someone else who could get a lot sicker than you
09:53:22 Yup: Thank you. Do Do you mind Dr. Barry, with all the covid going around just reviewing, you know, isolation and quarantine , best practices? Yeah.
09:53:33 Once it actually comes home, it can feel a little overwhelming about what you should do.
09:53:38 I do want to remind folks Jefferson County Public health is a great source.
09:53:41 So go go to our website. You can kind of walk yourself through isolation and quarantine.
09:53:46 But if you so, if you test positive So If you have covid that's isolation Best practice. If you test positive, for Covid is to stay home for 10 days from when you're symptoms
start most people will have
09:53:57 some symptoms. But if you have no symptoms at all, it's 10 days from when you test positive. Now, if you have very limited symptoms, if you have self-limited disease and your
symptoms resolve within
09:54:09 5 days. It is reasonable to test again on day 6.
09:54:13 So, and take 5 days, plus the first day that you had symptoms tests again.
09:54:18 And if you test negative, it is reasonable to leave isolation.
09:54:21 But you do have to wear a high quality mask for the remainder of those 10 days.
09:54:26 So 5 to 10 days, but definitely test yourself before you leave isolation.
09:54:30 Otherwise you could continue to spread the virus to others so that's isolation.
09:54:34 If you have covid if you're exposed if you are vaccinated and boosted. So if you're up to date on your vaccines, which is actually just one boostered account as up to date,
you
09:54:44 Don't have to quarantine, but we do recommend that you wear a high quality mask for at least 10 days after your exposure.
09:54:51 That's a good idea, because breakthroughs happen If you're not up to date on your vaccines.
09:54:55 We do recommend that you quarantine at home for 5 days after your exposure, and then test before you go back into the public, and of course continue to wear a mask for a full
10 days after your exposure, so basically 5 and
09:55:07 10 days is kind of what you're working with masking and testing.
09:55:13 The only other thing I would say on that point is as a vaccinated and boosted person.
09:55:17 Often your viral loads are relatively low, especially in the beginning.
09:55:20 So if you develop symptoms definitely, do test. But if your test negative the first day, and you have symptoms that go on for another day test again, because you might find
that your viral load was too low to get picked up on a
09:55:32 test the first day I follow up with with 2 more questions.
09:55:37 . one is what is the best best process If you are a family member that you live with is .
09:55:46 Planning like, you're, going through right now because that's the situation more and more of us are encountering? And then the second question is, Yeah, or is it even valuable
to understand what the breakthrough rate is now for
09:55:56 vaccinated and boosted folks, it seems.
09:56:00 Does it offer any more protection against infection at all?
09:56:03 Or do you do? do? We have numbers on that right now?
09:56:07 Sure. So you are. as far as breakthrough rates. you are about 50 to 100 less likely.
09:56:18 So about about half the rate of getting a covid of someone who is unvaccinated. If you're back, if you're fully vaccinated, that's just fully vaccinated, numbers I don't have
the
09:56:23 breakthrough rate for boosted yet the state Hasn't pulled that number yet.
09:56:26 But I would like it. I think it would be helpful I imagine it's much lower. but that's just for people who have had 2 doses without a booster.
09:56:33 But that's, of course, much lower than used to be it used to be.
09:56:36 You were 6 times less likely to get it now you're about half the same as far as what to do as a household contact.
09:56:42 So this is important. we are not seeing 100% of those who are backated and boosted pick up the virus.
09:56:49 If you're in a household but that is your highest risk contact course myself. Small person's gonna get real close to me, and so I know that it's possible I might get a breakthrough
and so the first thing is know that it's
09:56:59 possible you might get Covid. So be thoughtful about your other interactions myself.
09:57:03 I'm thankful i'm able to work from home. So I'm gonna try really hard not to bring this to anyone else.
09:57:09 If I did contract the break. But to reduce that risk the biggest thing the most effective thing is to sleep in a separate room from the person who's positive.
09:57:18 So if it's your spouse if it's a child, if you can sleep in a separate room, if that's accessible to you, that's one of the biggest things to reduce the breakthrough rate the
other is to wear
09:57:26 a high quality mask when you're inverse with that person as much as possible.
09:57:30 So I have a kao 95 that fits my face.
09:57:32 Well hand 95 or kf 94.
09:57:36 If neither of those work a surgical mask can reduce the risk.
09:57:38 But the higher quality mass will work better. most folks won't tolerate an * for as long as you need to wear it as a household contact.
09:57:47 But if you do, please feel free you want to wear that really whenever you're in the same space as person I have a studio apartment. so we're always in each other same space.
09:57:57 So i'm always in a mask the other thing to think about is to improve the ventilation in your home as much as humanly possible.
09:58:04 If it's not too cold opening windows can be good if you have a filters available that you can run in your house that actually reduces transmission in that space.
09:58:13 If you don't putting a that hepa filter on the back of a box Fan can also help as well.
09:58:19 So we're lucky enough. We do have a half a filter, and it's running so try to reduce kind of the virus circulation in our home.
09:58:24 Those are all the things you can do together the only other thing is If you do have a shared bathroom, try to make sure if if it's possible, to take a little time after someone
uses a shower that's actually
09:58:36 a particularly high rate of transmission, because you breathe, and it gets very human.
09:58:40 So if you can wait an hour before someone else uses that space if they, if the positive person has taken a shower that helps as well
09:58:50 I think there were some definitely some Kptz questions this week, So there were a few.
09:58:58 So one person was asking about second boosters. When do you recommend getting a second booster?
09:59:04 And I would say, they said, now, or wait for the search.
09:59:07 And so I would say, this surge is Now, so if you're waiting for the surge.
09:59:12 I would go ahead and get your booster I think It's a very reasonable thing to do to get a second booster.
09:59:16 It's not clear that it provides a lot of added protection beyond getting that initial booster.
09:59:21 So most important thing is, get that initial booster.
09:59:23 But if you are, say, over 75, you have multiple underlying conditions.
09:59:29 I think it would be reasonable to go ahead and add that second booster now.
09:59:33 So you know, if you're if you're over 75.
09:59:36 You got copd heart failure. all those kind of things I think that's a group that it would make more sense to get that second booster at this point.
09:59:41 That's particularly why we're focusing on our long term care population.
09:59:45 We know that they're so frail that We just want to give them as much protection as possible for the general population not clear on the utility of a second booster.
09:59:53 But it's certainly not gonna hurt it does reduce your risk of getting infected at all for about a month after you get it.
10:00:00 So when we're seeing case rate surge not unreasonable to go ahead and get that now.
10:00:05 But you're still very well protected from the initial and the booster
10:00:09 One person was asking about wastewater surveillance So this person's very got some good attention to detail. So we've talked a bit about wastewater surveillance on this show
before in
10:00:21 Jefferson County. we are starting the process of getting waste water surveillance from the port counts and sewer system actually.
10:00:29 So we are setting up a contract with the State Department help, and that should be going.
10:00:33 Live in the next few weeks. so we'll start seeing our data from Jefferson.
10:00:37 Come out in the next few weeks in cleveland we have had actually one of our small retirement communities set up wastewater surveillance before even the State and the Feds were
doing it.
10:00:46 So It's actually through a private company and so this person noted that Clouds data is not showing up on the Cdc's website.
10:00:55 That's because this aces went only has cdc sites and State Department of Health sites.
10:01:00 But this is actually a private group, but the the population who's used It has used it in a really interesting way.
10:01:06 There is a small retirement community, and they track their their sewer outflows.
10:01:11 And so whenever they get a positive in their community they just alert the community that we all need to take more precautions. and it's worked really well for them. But that's
why you don't see them on the the state databases.
10:01:20 Because it is Private Jefferson counties. data will go on the State database as soon as we have it going.
10:01:28 One person asks how long your Covid 19 tests are good for.
10:01:34 Generally your home Antigen tests are good for 15 months.
10:01:37 A year and 3 months after their manufacture date.
10:01:41 So when you look at your your box, it should have an expiration date which often changes.
10:01:46 But if you look for the manufacturer date add 15 months to that, and they're still good.
10:01:51 The best thing you can do to make sure that your engine tests are maintained.
10:01:54 Well is to keep them at a general room. temperature you don't want them to freeze. You don't want to leave them in a car and have them get really really hot.
10:02:02 That can make them ineffective long before the expiration date.
10:02:06 But if you keep them at room temperature, don't get them what they can last quite some time, and probably longer than 15 months.
10:02:12 If you're worried about your test if the control line comes positive, you can feel relatively confident that it's still a good test.
10:02:19 These are pretty long lasting tests, but if you're worried also we have more available.
10:02:25 So we have. So so. So we have. so getting public health with the libraries, you can buy them over the counter, and you can get them from.
10:02:31 Say, Yes, covid test every month and it's the month.
10:02:35 Just changed so you can go ahead and request somewhere from the State as well.
10:02:40 This next question was really kind of a lot about masking and really, whether or not those who are vaccin and boosted, or have had other things like Evie, shell the monoclone
antibody if you still need
10:02:54 to mask, and I would say at this point, Yes, I do still recommend that You mask.
10:03:00 It reduces the chance of you getting Covid.
10:03:02 It also reduces the chance of you giving it to anyone else.
10:03:05 And so masking. If you're in in our space my rough cutoff, I tend, I always mask and into our public spaces in a private space.
10:03:14 My rough cutoff is about 5 to 10 if I see more than 10 people. I always wear a high quality mask in those spaces, and I think that's a good kind of barometer for the rest of
us to use as well
10:03:24 especially while case rates are this eye. And then last, but not least, the last question was asking about the approximate percentage of reported positive tests in Jefferson
County that are home antigen tests on any given day right
10:03:38 now about 50% of our reported cases our home antigen test.
10:03:43 So we're still getting good reporting from the the website We do get reports that way.
10:03:49 There is a box you can check to request a call back.
10:03:51 If you have questions about isolation and quarantine and at least right now, we're still able to fulfill those calls.
10:03:56 There may come a time if we get so many cases that we can't always call folks back. but right now our staff are still finding a way to call everybody back who needs a call.
10:04:07 We also use that information to find outbreaks.
10:04:09 So in both counties, there's a there's some kind of open-ended boxes that you can type in how you decided to get tested, and that that plus your zip code is how we've been able
to
10:04:20 find some outbreaks and help shut them down sooner rather than later.
10:04:24 So do report it helps us. It helps us help our community it's all private.
10:04:30 It's a hipaa protected platform. and so no one else can access that data except for Jefferson County public. And with that did that very any other questions for our commissioners.
10:04:44 Not for me, Mark, do you have any? Nope. Thank you for being
10:04:50 Our voice of information and wisdom. Dr. Barry, we really appreciate you.
10:04:54 Thank you. Oh, Willie, do you have anything you wanna add this week?
10:05:00 No, nothing for me this week. i'm barring any questions from the Commissioners.
10:05:06 I don't think I have any for willie yeah yeah.
10:05:13 Nice to see you. Okay. Well, I guess we'll be ending our covid update much earlier than usual.
10:05:22 Thank you, Dr. Barry. I know that. I guess Kbtz listeners get a half an hour of music back.
10:05:30 I know that they have a plan for that eventuality and We'll go back to air time, thank you
10:05:44 Okay, So on earth that we Dr. Greg's wednesday.
10:05:49 Yeah, we could go right back to Greg's Wednesday.
10:05:52 If you were done with Tuesday. Greg
10:05:56 Sorry that's myself muted along tuesday but after the port meeting.
10:06:01 I did go home On Wednesday we had a meeting talking about some issues that were taken a little while, and the integration between the Northwood Canal Chamber of Commerce and
the Jefferson County team of Commerce which
10:06:15 is moving forward, and which is one of the That process was was partially funded in our technical service.
10:06:24 Award grants the arpa dollars that went out so yeah, that's moving along, and everyone's benefit I think I had a little preview kind of on point with some of Dr.
10:06:36 Various comments of my chamber cafe That'll be coming up on May 20 at 10 am i'm working with Well, i'm not really doing much of the work, but Peter Ryan's the fluid
10:06:47 dynamics, professor, that i've brought here before and and and Phil Pilgrim, a retired engineer.
10:06:52 I've got a system going their pilots about done at Fin River, and we're going to present findings from that, and talk about some of the new funding opportunities there's a lot
of Federal dollars out there for
10:07:02 ventilation that we might we might be able to wipe into.
10:07:07 Apply that to help some of our of our nonprofit and and private kind of public.
10:07:12 Third third place, spaces at least assess, and, if necessary, improve their ventilation.
10:07:20 One of the kind of unintended observations that that Peter shared with me as we previewed.
10:07:26 His presentation is that there's a lot of other things that are impacting health.
10:07:30 Not just covid in some of these ventilated spaces that Aren't ventilated great, you know, in in restaurants in particular, you know, you can have the all that propane from the
stoves in the
10:07:42 kitchen creates a huge amount of impact and understanding that, and how to make properly ventilate the kitchen space.
10:07:48 And if you're using propane heaters in in the in the the restaurant space itself, you might be creating some other unintended consequence, there's a study that he cites from
Germany that kind of show the Co.
10:08:01 2 build up in in classrooms if the windows aren't opened and tied it directly to cognitive impairment.
10:08:09 Later in the day, if they were an opening window. So, under understanding that whole, that whole layer of mitigation is is a complex issue, and you know me just having my little
meter is is small part of that.
10:08:24 But you got to calibrate your your measurements to make sure that you're understanding all the inputs that are that are that you're measuring.
10:08:30 So looking forward to that spent a lot of time on Wednesday.
10:08:37 2 working on in preparation for the special meeting for the House and Fun Board reached out to all the different housing agencies and and and there's a lot of ancillary work
getting the the house America.
10:08:49 Stuff going and working on the spreadsheet. That will.
10:08:52 It will come up with our housing goals for the year I think we're going to be fairly conservative in the number of permanent supportive housing units.
10:09:01 And really say, for 23 more units of permanent support of housing, which is what causal brought in that causal brown.
10:09:07 Excuse me 7 Haven will provide so we'll easily hit that metric, and as a reminder, the proclamation letter we did last year was for like what progress.
10:09:17 Trying to It's an assessment of what progress is municipalities are making with had had resources on kind, on on ending homelessness.
10:09:27 Basically. So that was great. And then I was did most of my work from home, and didn't quite make it to the co-op celebration.
10:09:36 Wednesday afternoon, though I heard it was very well attended, and a great time.
10:09:41 But just didn't make it back into town on Thursday.
10:09:45 I had to get the Jeff calm, rescheduled meeting to go to the Olympic Area Agency on aging meeting, which is, hey, mice, sheriff?
10:09:55 And it was good, you know they've got a few new employees at the from another agency in town.
10:10:03 So that's you know mixed blessing but great to see them fully staffed, and one of the better staffed area agency on aging in the State.
10:10:15 They're they only have one application for that rfp for senior home shares that i've been touting recently, and that was the predicted silver nest.
10:10:23 So they're working with silver nest They need to get this program up before the emergency proclamation is over.
10:10:31 The state declaration of emergency that Mr.
10:10:35 Tears reference this morning, because that allows them to use this pot of of arpa dollars that they have to set up the contract for for silver nest, which is the only when they
qualified.
10:10:45 Applicant. So this is accelerating that, and it should be right to go by early next month.
10:10:53 I think so really excited about that opportunity. You know every little chip we can take out of that.
10:10:59 The housing bottle Mac is is really welcome.
10:11:03 So look forward to that. I filled in for Heidi.
10:11:07 Thursday afternoon at the pre canvassing meeting for the special election of the
10:11:12 Of the Quill Seen school bond there are only 2 questable signatures did.
10:11:18 There was no possible impact with all I think they were, and less than 20 challenge ballots entirely.
10:11:24 So but with do that still I don't know I really enjoy that work more than I should probably So we went through the the the questionable signatures on Thursday, and on Friday
we certified
10:11:40 the election. so all good, unfortunately for me, at least closing bombed and did not pass.
10:11:46 They won't be able to do that again this calendar year.
10:11:47 You can't go for the same bond more than twice in the calendar year, and it failed much worse the second time than it than it did the first time.
10:11:55 It was more like 50 50 instead of 59, 61%.
10:11:59 I made a presentation, as I do nearly every month to the Portland little village club.
10:12:05 They were going to meet in person, but because of rising Covid rates return to a virtual format, and I thought that was very appropriate.
10:12:13 I don't think I have anything to report from that talked about a couple of issues down there continuing partnership, you know, including in improving communication.
10:12:24 Sometimes we have a lot of different agencies like the Pla, where the low associates and the drainage district and the county, and figuring each oas, you know, 4 different entities
that have to kind of work out communication
10:12:37 about one cover. so I feel like communication. lines are really improving that on Friday went to the Jvad. executive meeting a little shorter.
10:12:50 Now it's good the pd I think is getting their meeting this week.
10:12:54 We'll talk about business plan with I forget his last name their consultant.
10:13:00 So they're starting to really put the plan together for some of those nearly 24 million dollars of grants they have for for retail.
10:13:07 Broadband expansion for fiber expansion.
10:13:11 Will optional. Who is there? did note They have not actually received any of the final contracts yet for any of the grants.
10:13:18 So while they have been ward awarded a bunch of money they got no money in in hand yet, except for I guess in the minute the weekend
10:13:26 But that's moving. Well, I think there it sounded like I don't have a lot of details, but they're gonna go for some supplementary grants for all of those projects that were
our seem fairly reasonable chance of success that might add
10:13:38 15 million dollars onto those projects, and they're just getting working on communication strategies to get it out.
10:13:45 It'll be cheaper for folks to get you know you're. not compatible like you are potentially with the sewer, or something to get fiber from the from the pv but they are going
to pay for
10:13:56 fire to the door. I believe in the plan for at least the project scope, so it will be cheaper to get fiber now than it ever will be again.
10:14:05 I think it's the idea. went to the house America office hours meeting even spoke up to kind of report on on some of our projects that we were working on.
10:14:18 And then, as I noted, I sort of certified the special election on Friday afternoon.
10:14:25 Excuse me. Sorry I got a not covid but in testing every day.
10:14:33 But i'm in my office because I do have a scratchy throat in my I lost my voice actually beginning at the Housing Fun Board meeting.
10:14:40 Then my last thing on Friday, which had a lot of preparation into it, we heard a presentation from base side housing about the port, or the headlock motel that they are purchasing.
10:14:51 They have not received their money to purchase it either but I think there's 17 units initially.
10:14:57 They're looking for capital funds, to turn those units into add kitchen that's so they can basically be made into permanent supportive housing. And they're really looking to
make create their long-term plan there is
10:15:09 to create permanent supportive housing. They act for operational funds as well.
10:15:14 And to the tune of 300,000, or something, I think.
10:15:19 And then we also heard from habitat for humanity about a calendar year 23 plan that was really critical both Atlanta Street Project, which I am happy to see is broken ground
over there They were potentially.
10:15:35 Going to be looking for money there that might be qualified for the $1,590, which is a reminder, is for 60%.
10:15:44 And below of am I, with some very special populations, need to be at least 60% of that.
10:15:50 So they also have aat will We would like to apply for money to for their critical repair projects, for I think it's principally senior usually in rural Jefferson county that
then they're critic we've
10:16:08 funded the critical home repairs issues through our normal 1,406 Rfp.
10:16:14 Process several times. So with those bits of information. We had a robust, robust conversation about the kind of emergent request from Olycap, for that that was gap filling
funds.
10:16:28 And looking. We only have right now that's unallocated $67,000.
10:16:32 So we don't have enough to actually fund that which made the decision about whether to do it right now.
10:16:39 Easier. So the and mark, please correct me if I mischaracterize anything.
10:16:45 I haven't referred back to the minutes but we're going to I'm. going to work with a couple of the folks on developing a quick application form for $1590 The interval.
10:16:57 Of that is still up for argument, you know. there was cases case made both for excuse me an annual award, and for you know a response.
10:17:10 When when someone has an organization has an emergent need I think I had positive the idea that we have a certain number of responsible vendors, we already know who have gotten
the are the 1,406 arefp's
10:17:21 face side habitat holy cap dub house and potential housing authority, and they might not have received one that would still qualify as like a a known quantity.
10:17:36 Basically. So we're gonna try to come up with a more succinct application process.
10:17:42 And I think, consider it soon after for the the next dollars.
10:17:48 You know some of the questions we are prioritizing Some of the criteria that we identified were prioritizing first housing projects more than supportive services which can also
be funded with these 50 $90.
10:18:04 So big projects that add to the number of units on the ground is our top priority.
10:18:08 Another criteria is the the type of housing that's added. workforce housing is not really in the mix because 60%, and below is really not workforce housing.
10:18:22 But permanent supportive housing being top of the list.
10:18:25 Transitional support of housing outdoor shelter, and then below, that would be things like the services that are not our priority right now, but that we would still consider.
10:18:34 So I know that you know there's lots of questions that we want to engage like could do you need the money right now.
10:18:41 And what's the viability of the project does It show right So these are some of the criteria that will be sorting around creating a light application.
10:18:48 The kind of rests on the shoulders of the more robust.
10:18:51 1,406 rfp process. that We have and sorry it was all over the place. It was a was a very It was a meeting meeting, but a lot of progress again.
10:19:03 We're also actively looking for committee members to to fill out some of the committees like the Rfp Committee.
10:19:11 The 5 Year plan longings, planning committee and
10:19:21 I can't, remember right now. but each each of those committees are going to be forming a little an application using the standard volunteer application that we have, and then
they'll be doing press releases.
10:19:33 You know, by by the next meeting on May 20 fifth.
10:19:35 I believe so tried to fill those all committees we're doing with 3 members from the Housing Fund Board, plus 2 at large community members.
10:19:45 And we did inform a committee for the 1590 protocols process, because we're just doing that as a whole as a whole board.
10:19:53 Sure i'm still missing stuff from that But it was a good meeting, and then on Saturday, as I said earlier, I did go to herbex memorial at the Klson Cemetery was lovely
10:20:03 and good to see his family, and and maybe that I knew and many I've never met before.
10:20:09 So yeah, strong voice requesting that we lost My heart goes out to his family, and that was my week.
10:20:20 That was a flurry. do we? wanna Do you wanna look forward, or do you want me to tell you what I did last week?
10:20:28 First. I have a couple of questions on your report. One was I noticed this morning that President Biden has made an announcement regarding free broadband for millions of people.
10:20:42 I mean, How will that do? We have it? I I assume the Pd.
10:20:46 Is taking a closer look at that I don't know If you've had a chance to even glance at it.
10:20:49 But in one how it might shuffle into the deck of all the work that we're planning to do in Jefferson County. Right now I feel like some of those dollars are already the dollars
that funded the
10:21:01 mtia, which comes from coverage through the through the States, and then is allocated through the States.
10:21:09 You know, I don't think we're gonna have a lot of free broadband.
10:21:11 But the price of the Pd. is still looking at, so that might change as they as they move forward.
10:21:17 Is, you know, $65 per month for a gigabyte, symmetrical, which is, you know half of what you'll pay for anywhere near that right now.
10:21:27 So it will be super cheap and it will also be you know you'll be able to use that fiber for other providers as well.
10:21:34 So it's not going to be limited to just pvd service, so there'll be a competitive incentive, as well as you know.
10:21:41 Pds kind of publicly managed Prices and then you're mentioned about Peninsula Housing Authority reminded me to say that they're looking for a Jefferson County Board.
10:21:54 Member, and i'm not sure in the past has one of us served on their board or is it more of a citizen at large kind of person that they're looking for.
10:22:15 You know I did connect them to all. of the applicants for the housing fund board that that we didn't ultimately select that we're super qualified right?
10:22:24 Perfect. Okay, Well, i'll go ahead and do my look back to give you a break.
10:22:30 Your voice a break. your weary voice let's see so last Tuesday.
10:22:37 I also attended the farewell party for Tammy and Sarah transit, and it was great because it was in my time as a commissioner.
10:22:46 The first time that I had been in a room with them personally, physically.
10:22:50 So that was wonderful and I'm also. really gonna Miss both of them and look forward to hearing Sarah's once she lands her reports of North Carolina.
10:23:02 But also grateful for Nicole and Miranda, who stepped up to fill those roles that transit.
10:23:10 And think we have great leadership emerging at transit as well.
10:23:16 After that I attended a organized and attended a phone call with Shalan County Commissioner, A. Bob Bugger about their short term rightal ordinance in Chilean county housing
solutions Now, has been
10:23:33 interested in that solution for Jefferson County for a while, and we had a great long conversation.
10:23:41 With Commissioner Boogert, and learn a lot about their process, and how how long it was, and how much staff capacity it required.
10:23:52 So I think my next step with that is to talk to
10:23:56 Brent Director Butler about the potential for looking at something like a short term rental ordinance for Jefferson County, you know. I wanna ask Commissioner Boogert kind of
the impact of it or or what inspired it
10:24:12 he said, that the you know. similar to Jefferson County, Shalan County has kind of a a lack of housing for their workforce, and a real estate market that is Hot right, now and
said that they've
10:24:31 seen a lot of app area home buyers by kind of speculative speculatively second homes and then turn them into airbnb or short term rentals and that causes reduction in the number
of long term rentals
10:24:49 that are available for the workforce in their community. and so you know where they've in their ordinance.
10:24:55 They've actually amended their ordinance over the last year, and it started out with kind of being a blanket ordinance for all short term rentals.
10:25:03 But they've They parse them out and they've made 3 tiers and
10:25:11 The population or segment of the the short term rental market, that they've kind of excluded from a lot of the rules are folks who rent an extra room in their house or maybe
rent their ad you but their
10:25:26 full-time residence of the community, and they just have the capacity in their home, or on their property, to post another long-term rent renter.
10:25:37 And so they kind of stratified there, or ordinance, so that it had stricter rules for people who were not living in Shalan County, and just owning second properties.
10:25:50 There to people who actually live and work in Chilean County, and just rent a spare room in their house or rent an ad you on their property.
10:26:00 So a lot of information came out of that meeting, and at some point.
10:26:07 I I feel like I hover around the outside of housing, and how how how homelessness issues in our community, cause you, you and Commissioner Dean Greg, sit on the housing fund
board, but I still tip my toe
10:26:20 in these waters, and This this is my opportunity to update you.
10:26:25 I guess and then working with Director Butler on if we were to move forward with anything.
10:26:34 So I think it's a good thing to look at as a community and
10:26:39 It would. The thing that made me most concerned about it is the staff capacity.
10:26:46 What I heard Commissioner Boogert saying it required of of DCD.
10:26:51 Their community development staff. I know we just don't have the capacity, and there are a number of other front plate front front burner issues right now that they're working.
10:27:04 On so I think it's more of a long play but I don't know how long the horizon is for that.
10:27:09 I think It's great for you to get into it Heidi, and I also think there's opportunities there are companies that manage it.
10:27:15 I think Kate was looking at one that kind of manages the short term rentals, and if we can outsource that capacity and pay for that that capacity with you know, return mental
fees that incentiveize long
10:27:30 termentals. Then it's it's worth considering so I think there's a couple of ways to skin that cap, but it's definitely one that we have to consider because it does it it roads
the rental base like
10:27:40 nothing else, and and Commissioner Berger did mention mention the consulting firm that he highly recommended, who helped them kind of manage their whole ordinance process for
them, cause there was a ton of community engagement around that process and
10:27:58 so have lots of ideas to share with friends and i'm Sure we'll be having more conversations about this going forward.
10:28:06 But I think it's something that we should look into pretty seriously.
10:28:12 Well, that got me to tuesday for morning let's see turning the page.
10:28:21 Then we had. We had a kind of a heated behavioral health advisory committee meeting.
10:28:28 Tuesday afternoon Talking about some needs some funding needs that are kind of definitely front burner.
10:28:43 With coordination in the therapeutic courts.
10:28:46 We all know that ford kessler retired last year and that's left a big gap in coordinating efforts of those courts, and we need to back fill some of that capacity in in the short,
term but
10:29:00 there's a larger request than there has been in the past for covering that piece for the courts, but the funding available right now is more than it has been in the past cause.
Sales tax is up so there are a lot of
10:29:15 balls in the air. but I think the the fundamental thing is that our approach with behavioral health and our community. for as far back as I know and that's since before I was
a commissioner, is that we really tried to meet as many
10:29:30 of the needs of our community as we can, and I do not think we wanna set a new course. With that I think we need to further meet the needs of our community, and that we have
more funding.
10:29:44 Now is a good thing, but I think we do need to look at how we're gonna cover.
10:29:48 Effective coordination and restrictive coordination amongst the the various therapy to court programs.
10:29:56 So. That was a good conversation that we started last week, and our gonna continue this week on Friday.
10:30:04 We also heard in the course of that conversation that our main school-based mental health Provider Won't be serving in this role in the future, and so I've already started to
hear from some of the schools in district 2 well
10:30:18 Jim Income School district. but we need to again. double down on school based mental health as well as as a behavioral health advisory committee.
10:30:28 So a lot going on on that front. Tuesday evening.
10:30:34 I attended the marine resources. committee meeting just it's a great Round table to hear about issues in our community, and on the shorelines and don't have anything specific
to report back from that meeting I did
10:30:52 a lot of work getting ready last week, and this week I will be doing more work for our workshop next Monday on the Beaver Valley sorts timber sale and the implications of our
decision to ask for a delay and what
10:31:07 the potential impacts to junior taxing districts are as well as what some alternative pathways going forward might be, whether it's a different harvest management regime.
10:31:21 Or there's a carbon offset solution. so I have some great folks doing a lot of background work for me on what the carbon and a more sustainable yield harvest plan for that timber
sale
10:31:38 would be that could be extrapolated to other timber sales.
10:31:41 And I know some of those folks have started to also expand their work to include looking at the the penny wise, and I've almost started calling it the penny wise pound full
of sale, because so many people have been saying that to
10:31:54 me. but the penny wise sale so that's been a lot of the work of the last week.
10:32:05 Transit Finance Committee meeting Wednesday.
10:32:11 Also an Olympic Discovery Trail Jefferson County meeting on Wednesday evening a lot of evening meetings last week.
10:32:18 And then on Friday we had we attempted to have our first in-person meeting of the Straight Environmental Restoration, that work local integrating organization at the Red Cedar
Hall.
10:32:32 On on the Jamestown tribal land.
10:32:34 But we canceled the meeting. so I think the uptake of Covid and people just felt like it would be a lot logistically easier for them to attend the meeting remotely.
10:32:47 So we're hoping for an in-person meeting in the future.
10:32:50 That's always the quarterly full straight ern meetings are always a great sharing venue for people across the entire North Olympic peninsula working on on near shore habitat
issues water
10:33:05 quality issues, community engagement around habitat restoration.
10:33:13 So really really productive meeting there and also there's the the lio, the straight, the area in Lao is part of the Puget Sound partnership kind of web of activity across the
Puget Sound region, and there's different funding
10:33:29 coming through the Puget Sound partnership to the Laos
10:33:34 Some expanded capacity. So also talking about what we can do with that expanded capacity to increase community engagement around habitat and near shore issues.
10:33:48 So over the weekend I went on a walk with the landowner who's grappling with a whole bunch of upset neighbors relative to a project she's proposeding, and had a great conversation
with her think she
10:34:04 has a hearing examiner hearing this week late this week, and then I attended the back country horseman's trail Head Park work party on Saturday, just to see what they were doing
out there on the ground and basically they're just picking up a
10:34:24 lot of the basically the brush and some of the larger chunks of wood that were cut down as part of that thinning along the trail and around the parking lot is where they're
focused right now because that's probably
10:34:38 the air. we've assumed the area that would have the highest risk of a fire.
10:34:43 Being ignited just because more people right there. So
10:34:50 A lot of folks were out there working. Probably 20 people were out there working along the trail and spent a couple hours working with them, and just grateful for groups like
that in our community who are willing to be part of the solution and
10:35:04 so our I keep saying, you know, little by little, but there have been a lot of folks doing a little bit in a lot of parts of that park and around the park and trail, and you
know anything we can do will make it better and
10:35:17 terms of fire hazard in the coming months. And one thing that was said by one of the folks doing the work parties was that he noticed that the the thinning that happened last
year was looking much better a year later so the
10:35:32 thinning that have, or it that happened a year before last and then.
10:35:38 So now he's assuming that the thing that happened last year will look better going forward.
10:35:43 So I think there's a little bit of patience being required. But it's kinda hard when we're having things like last summer's heat dome and and these these fire danger events
that you know make neighbors of the park
10:35:58 dame nervous about the ignition of a fire.
10:36:02 There understandably. So yeah, I think that was the highlights of my week last week.
10:36:11 I don't know if you have any questions about any of those items.
10:36:15 Great a little bit about the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee meeting, which for the public is, you know, Hardro fine.
10:36:22 Another one tenth of 1% tax that we've been using for behavioral health, and it's often been a philosophical disagreement in there about whether it should be used for new promising
practices or continuing the
10:36:34 good work that's already happening. i'm not sure if that's how you would characterize these tensions.
10:36:38 I will just say I I think the therapeutic courts have just been they are a best practice, absolutely, you know.
10:36:47 I mean that kind of diversion is keeping people out of the law.
10:36:50 Enforcement. The justice system is saving us so much money, and and getting them on a better path to to dealing with their own issue.
10:36:57 So I hope I hope that we can back fill the capacity we lost with 4 retirement, and and I just it's hard working there, and I know, and there's lots of different ideas and all
of them with really positive outcomes
10:37:11 there. they're driving for in the community. so it's it's hard to hard to parse those sometimes. but just put in a pitch for our therapeutic chords let's let's find them
10:37:21 appropriately. yeah we're gonna we'll come up I mean I i'm feeling optimistic that we can come up with the solution to both meet the therapy to courts need, and then also the
ongoing continuing expanding
10:37:31 need of other providers in our community, because we have this at least.
10:37:37 Now the 6 bandit, a a pot of funding, and we also have some banked capacity.
10:37:44 So Mark and I and my other members of the Behavioral Advisory Committee will be working on finding solutions that will meet all those needs.
10:37:51 But it is definitely a Peter taught her balancing act right it's but I don't think there's any desire on the part of any behavioral health advisory committee's members to not
fund all the important vendors
10:38:06 in our community doing this work, and now throw in this hot potato of a school-based mental health.
10:38:13 I think it's gonna make it even more complex but that's this week's work, right and on on the school based mental health.
10:38:22 Is, are they going to continue the contract to the end of the school year?
10:38:24 Are we talking about next year that there's a gap or cool starting, you know, Right?
10:38:35 Yeah, Thank you. Busy week. Yeah. So do you want to look forward or wait?
10:38:48 We could take. , Yeah. Sorry, Mark. No, thank you. and I.
10:38:54 I frequently go across the hall, and I see Mark pecking away.
10:38:57 It is computer and i'm like busy be busy be in there.
10:39:00 So what was Busy Be doing last week? Well, a lot of what I do occurs behind the scenes.
10:39:07 So on Tuesday I had my senior management team meeting.
10:39:11 Always nice to meet with my managers and find out what they're issues are that I can help with risk management committee meeting.
10:39:22 After that 18 meeting was cancelled we had a team member that wasn't available and things were kind of quiet on the 18 front, and with Icg coming up I think between now and
the Icg.
10:39:38 Meeting 18 will be busy. And then, of course, the Behavioral Health Advisory Board meeting.
10:39:43 I thought that was I I think, i've heard a couple of descriptors that it was lively and it was one nice thing that I appreciated, though, was
10:39:57 The fact that the large fund balance of the Behavioral Health Fund was discussed.
10:40:03 County resolution requires that fun to have a, You know, 10% of revenues in reserve, and it has currently 10 times that amount.
10:40:11 And I some of that fun balance can be brought to bear on the issue of therapeutic courts.
10:40:18 And so I had a meeting with apple in in Anna Mckenery on on Wednesday to talk about that issue and to strategize for this Friday's meeting.
10:40:36 And Then on Thursday agenda prep
10:40:40 I also had the the chance to intervene. We were gonna lose a a permit tech in DCD.
10:40:46 And and Brent my and Sarah Melonson, we were able to come up with an intervention that caused her to to refuse an offer from another employer and stay with us.
10:41:02 So I was really pleased with that. I also had a a follow up conversation with Josh Peters.
10:41:08 Who's the applicant for our planning manager position we're still haggling over details about our offer, and I remain hopeful that we can land him in the next week.
10:41:22 Or 2 and then the big one on Friday, of course.
10:41:28 Wait a minute. housing fun board. Yeah. That was Friday afternoon.
10:41:37 That was a spirited meeting. also. A lot of policy needs to be developed around the use of 50 95 funds and
10:41:47 We have about 650 to 700,000 an annual revenue that could be put the very good use through bonding, or other methods that that that group might come up with.
10:41:59 So that was my week. Never a dull moment. do you wanna look forward?
10:42:14 Greg sounds good. let's see this week yeah Okay,
10:42:21 This evening, and when We're done here, I'm going down to the Gardener Community Center along with Aaronberg from the port of Port Townsend and Sheriff Noel to have a general
community, meeting I think
10:42:32 it's been listed as a public meeting it's open to all. When I i'm not sure if you qualify as an open public meeting, it's not one that we are convening but that.
10:42:38 The community is but on the agendas everything from their application for shooting range to.
10:42:47 I'm sorry not shooting for a no no shooting zone around the lagoon, and the boat ramp down there to talking about impacts that that are often come from out of town gas over
Fourth of July
10:43:01 holiday to the ports Rco grant for rebuilding. The gardener Ramp, which they received, and which we supported with a letter letter of support.
10:43:13 I think it's a great project but there's some Some neighborhood concerns right now, and I think they really center around. how sometimes that facility is is overused and finding
a way I mean I think the port is paid
10:43:28 for the Porta party there in the past but the only part of the property that is port property is really the ramp itself.
10:43:36 And then there's fish and wildlife the small fish and wildlife piece around there.
10:43:39 But there's very little public land and often that whole area. Seems like It's subsumed to a high intensity kind of touristic application has been frustrating for the neighbors.
10:43:55 In a why. why are you so i'm really just going to listen today.
10:43:58 I don't have a lot that i'll be contributing to the meeting, except help him get the port and the sheriff there, and be present.
10:44:05 But that's 6 Pm. tonight tomorrow will be with apple and I think some folks from the Board of Health going over the public Health hero awards.
10:44:14 We had a lot of applications, and then we'll be bringing back our nominees to the next board health meeting in a couple of weeks following that I have the tourism coordinating
council looking forward to that
10:44:26 It's been very interesting time, in in tourism you know with the record sales, tax, and ltap receipts.
10:44:35 At the same time we're starting to say so how much is too much.
10:44:39 What's the what's the right balance of of a stable tourism, and how do you advertise for that balance?
10:44:46 I will be going briefly at least to the Jefferson County asap the the sector sector area performance evaluation that Edc's undertaking, and I've not been I'm able to join any
of the meetings yet so i'll be kind
10:45:01 of jumping into that but leaving early for the the quill. seen Brennan in power teams.
10:45:07 Coalition tomorrow afternoon on winsday i'll be doing the Orca.
10:45:13 The Clean Air Agency Board meeting is a 10 and before that is the vice chair.
10:45:17 I'll be at the finance committee meeting in the afternoon, I think, as I indicated earlier, I requested that the timber counties caucus meeting.
10:45:29 That's in Tacoma also having an online options inside meeting, both before and after.
10:45:34 And they have accommodated that request. So There is a a virtual timber county's caucus meeting from one to 5 with a packed back to agenda.
10:45:45 There's usually actually run that long and I don't know Heidi had talked about attending this 2.
10:45:51 Probably both could. Now, if you're interested then we should probably list it as a special meeting, and then I think there's no olycap finance meeting, since we've lost our
finance director, but there is an old
10:46:02 Cap Board meeting at 5, 30 on wednesday on thursday.
10:46:07 I'm looking through some radio property walking around with Adrienne Miller, their government liaison Thursday morning meeting with some residents, and then have in the afternoon
the clean water.
10:46:23 District Advisory Council Quarterly Meeting, and then followed by that following that I will be headed out to acceler Park for the groundbreaking of the jump playground.
10:46:35 Really excited There, I might be the only one there so say a couple of words, and that's how you can join us.
10:46:41 Then on Friday we'll be able to go to the Olympic financial Entrepreneurial Resources Association kind of an ad hoc clown.
10:46:50 Jefferson County group that involves people from Innoc in the Center for inclusive entrepreneurship and some lion members, and still kind of looking for a mission.
10:46:58 I think it was, you know Dc. or got some money for some facilitation.
10:47:05 So looking how that can be a a resource for for small businesses in Jefferson County, and then I will be touring the penny wise, probably unit 7 again with Brian Turner, the
the dnr forister
10:47:24 who's probably done all the work up to this point and you can tell how much work has been in there.
10:47:31 So look forward to getting his perspective on the ground on Friday, the thirteenth also probably meeting one more time to to go over the presentation for the chamber for the
10:47:43 The ventilation workshop for doing the following week.
10:47:48 Then on Saturday we're losing pillars of the community and quilting right and left.
10:47:52 But i'll be going to the memorial for Lauren Ward, you know, as close to a matriarch for the quilting community as there ever has been.
10:48:00 I think. and someone who is a really strong voice in the in this, on the School Board for years and years worked there for years and years, still a really strong voice.
10:48:09 When I was on the school Board a decade ago. So go to to honor that great cool team resident on Saturday, and that is my week.
10:48:20 Another busy one. So my week let's see I am going to go to the Wassack meeting today. midday.
10:48:28 I think today we're meeting with the new director of the department of fish and wildlife, and I've been intersecting with wildlife on some timid and creek issues so interested
to be there and hear
10:48:42 from her and then let's see so tomorrow evening. there's I I feel like all my meetings tomorrow are from like 3 to 9.
10:48:56 So most of my days at the End of tomorrow. i'm going to attend a habitat for humanity session on the feasibility of the Mason street project in headlock by the library.
10:49:09 There was a feasibility study done just to do a bunch of background work so habitat, and make an informed decision as to whether to move forward that forward with that project.
and I read through it at a bit yesterday and it looks It
10:49:25 looks good, but i'll be very interested to hear what their presentation and discussion is about that.
10:49:32 Then, after that and i'm not sure if this is what you were talking about.
10:49:39 But the creative entrepreneurship network, which the Community foundation received funding for is looking for a contractor to kind of coordinate the apps of that network, and
is reviewing a proposal tomorrow and
10:49:57 so i'll be part of that i'm on that subcommittee of the Community Foundation.
10:50:04 And then in the evening I'm Going to a save our wild salmon event at the Rose Theater, a book Simon signing for a book by Amy Golick and this is part of the
10:50:17 outreach campaign that saved her while salmon is doing around removing the 4 lower Snake River dams.
10:50:25 So. I imagine, in the morning i'll be working on timber issues, timber, prep.
10:50:32 For our our workshop next week. On Wednesday I have a trustland transfer work group meeting.
10:50:41 In the morning and then we'll plan on attending the timber counties meeting just to hear the conversation that's going on there around a number of issues.
10:50:52 Gonna attend a growers farmers gathering at Finn River Farm insideery that they've been convening.
10:51:02 Think this will be the second time. just to hear from farmers in our community, and largely in district. 2 on what their current kind of needs are, and what they're thinking.
10:51:13 What their creative ideas are there's a number of New Newish younger farmers moving into Beaver Valley especially, and then also Timothy Valley as well.
10:51:24 So i'm interested to see what's what's percolating there.
10:51:30 Might attend the Olympic Discovery Trail meeting.
10:51:33 I did attend the Jefferson County meeting last week but it was lightly attended, so might attend the full board meeting after that, and then, if not, I might attend the Grange
meeting in chimicum.
10:51:47 So it's a real evening meetings week this week and then on Thursday I have another trustline transfer work.
10:51:59 Group. a cohort of advocates for the program that have been meeting alongside the entire Dnr work group process, and they've been meeting regularly as well.
10:52:12 We're organizing a series of site tours this summer, and so I'm working on one to David Bay.
10:52:23 There's a trust land transfer project adjacent to the Dayba Bay Natural area preserve called the Devil's Lake Natural area.
10:52:30 That's on the list towards the top of the list and we're we're hopeful that we'll be able to get funding with a revitalized trustland transfer program for that project So we
wanna take the local
10:52:42 legislators out, and so we're planning a boat tour with Taylor. Selfish?
10:52:49 So it might be something that would be fun to get you on, Greg, if you could attend as well.
10:52:56 So far i've heard from I think that we're gonna have Representative Chapman probably representative threenger, although he's not around right now to ask.
10:53:12 But his legislative assistant said, that it She's got it on his calendar, and then also Kevin Vanderwigs legislative assistant will be joining us Peter is awesome.
10:53:20 So let's see that's happening june seventeenth.
10:53:27 That'll be an all day tour down there they about beesh Then agenda planning with Mark and I have a kind of a dry run of the Beaver Valley sorts workshop on Thursday afternoon
with some of the folks
10:53:45 who will be participating in the workshop largely looking at a bunch of the carbon analysis that they've been doing, and some of the different approaches to timber harvest.
assessment that folks have been doing and
10:53:59 then hopefully, I can squeak in a visit to the jump playground groundbreaking, but i'm it overlaps completely with my workshop pre workshop workshop, and then Friday, I am meeting
with a
10:54:17 Thurston County Commissioner, who's interested in our legacy forest work are so all the stuff that we're doing right now.
10:54:24 Other counties are hearing about and wanting to hear more.
10:54:27 So meeting with the Thurston County Commissioner Then Friday afternoon, we have a special behavior Health Advisory committee to consider the request around the therapeutic courts
that was made last week, and hopefully find a path forward where we can
10:54:43 meet everybody's needs and then saturday morning i'll be going to the dedication of the new pump-out boat that was constructed by the boat, school, and that's going to happen
in Port Ludlow in
10:54:59 the morning. It takes Saturday afternoon off to attend the friends birthday party, and that's that's my week.
10:55:09 What about you, Mark what's what's on your calendar a a lot of one tenth of 1% of meetings?
10:55:17 To talk about the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee issue.
10:55:22 So So I meet with Brian Gleason, James Kennedy, Barbara Car, and and Dean tomorrow.
10:55:30 To sort of hone our pitch 18 meeting at 2 o'clock, and then i'm gonna check in with Washington County Administrators Association by weekly check in with Wasack and i'm gonna
pursue the
10:55:46 question regarding revenue sharing monies there's uncertainty around those monies to see if they know anything anything new on that subject.
10:55:58 Wednesday I'll take part in the North Olympic Peninsula City manager, County administrator meeting, and then a meeting with Veronica shah apple Martine and Anna Mckenry
10:56:11 once again on fund 131 specifically discussing the fund balance issue.
10:56:22 And then on Thursday heidi and i'll go over agenda for the sixteenth, and I I will attend the the jump.
10:56:30 Groundbreaking ceremony that's a huge project and commissioners say you contributed 550,000 to that project. and And so I wanna be there for that.
10:56:42 What a great event that's gonna be and then of Course Jefferson County coordination meeting on Friday.
10:56:49 There's some dow as to whether we'll hold that meeting work with Kate. I don't know if she's up to it. but i'll i'll check with her on that to see if we wanna
10:56:59 schedule that meeting or cancel it. And then, of course, Friday afternoon, a great way to head into the weekend, a special behavioral health advisory committee meeting, glad
to be along for the ride.
10:57:16 Well great any questions for Mark. Greg. Nope. Did you recall around so?
10:57:26 Do we have one agenda item on this rig.
10:57:31 The section of our regular agenda That was continued discussion about the request for a letter and supportive expansion of the Deba Bay Natural area.
10:57:39 Preserve and I was able to included a more detailed map with our in our packet.
10:57:50 With the the help of Michael and our gis shop super grateful for him.
10:57:55 Pinch hitting and kevin's. absence Kevin was out for a much needed break, and I said, Michael help.
10:58:00 So he made this map, showing exactly where the 2 parcels were.
10:58:04 Just as a reminder. This proposal, this request came from the Department of Natural Resources.
10:58:13 What heritage and natural areas programs for a letter of support from the Jefferson County Commissioners in support of these additions to the expand the Deba Bay Natural area
preserve boundary.
10:58:29 Which was widely supported in 2,009.
10:58:34 When the the bound, the boundary for the preserve was expanded.
10:58:39 You can see in the map in our packet. The general preserve boundary is all of the area marked in green.
10:58:50 There, and the 2 parcels in question are those light yellow parcels on the western shore of Dana Bay?
10:59:01 Just one just just north of Broad spit, and another north of there both.
10:59:09 I have confirmed that both landowners are willing, and in some case, in one case, eager sellers of their properties.
10:59:18 For this purpose, and I I think the county commissioners and support have a supported these.
10:59:26 This expanded Dava Bay Natural area boundary. And I would just remind you, I you, Greg, in for the benefit of the listening public, that because of all of the conservation work
and just the land the land use history around
10:59:42 Dave obey. It is one of the most pristine near short habitats in the Puget Sound.
10:59:52 It's been called out by a number of agencies and conservation partners as a high priority for conservation, and I think that this letter adds 8 acres within that expanded boundary
to the protected
11:00:07 area. I am wholeheartedly in support of it.
11:00:12 And I also did confirm that, the tax impact will be offset by payments in lieu of taxes which comes through the State legislature.
11:00:23 So i'm interested. if you have any other any further questions. Greg, that I might be able to answer Nope.
11:00:31 Thank you for doing the extra work on it i'm i'm ready to send the letters for Okay, so would you be willing to make a motion.
11:00:44 I get the genders. so and oh, i'll move it. We sign the letter of support for the recreation and conservation Grant application number 22, 1, 2, 8, 9, a additions to the Department
of National Resources Dave
11:01:02 obey natural area as presented today and i'll second that all in favor.
11:01:09 Hi! so we'll send that letter off this afternoon , No, I should.
11:01:20 I kind of learning how much homework do you bring to meetings?
11:01:22 Still so was happy to do it. okay, so I think that's the end of things that we had listed on our agenda this morning.
11:01:33 Not seeing yeah. So I I'm gonna propose that we adjourn an hour early. recess.
11:01:43 Thank you, Carolyn. and really can mean 1 30 for a afternoon session.
11:01:51 We have a full afternoon with 2 executive sessions and a workshop, all dealing with legal and opma issues.
11:02:00 So have a good lunch. Go have a sparelina smoothie or something.
11:02:06 Get your thinking, caps on the afternoon's gonna be a full one.
11:02:10 Thank you very much.
13:32:22 Testing. Good afternoon, Everyone welcome back. Calling this May ninth meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners back in the session for the afternoon.
13:32:35 We will be immediately going into executive session with county administrator. Good afternoon.
13:32:42 Everyone, a Mac , ,
13:32:54 Sorry about that. Continuing we will be immediately going in the executive session with County administrator, chief civil deputy, prosecuting Attorney Deputy, prosecuting Attorney
3 and Department of
13:33:08 community development director along with department of community development director senior Planner.
13:33:16 We're regarding potential litigation exemption is outlined in the open public meetings.
13:33:21 Act. Rcw. 42, 3,110 parentheses, one parentheses. I.
14:05:00 Did you get a per minute
14:05:18 Applicants
14:05:31 ,
14:05:40 Whoa
14:05:52 Whoa!
14:05:57 Oh! great!
14:06:07 Okay.
14:06:14 A. we
14:06:27 There you go. , Okay, I believe you can hear me now out there in the world.
14:06:37 Sorry for that for the delay. we are coming out of.
14:06:41 We are extending. executive session for for 15Â min, so it's 2 o 6 Now we will extend to 2, 21
14:06:55 We'll be back at 2 21 executive session with the County administrator, Chief civil deputy, prosecuting internally deputy, prosecuting Attorney and Department of community Development
Director and
14:07:10 planner, senior planner regarding potential litigation.
14:07:14 Exemption is outlined in the Open Public Meetings Act, Rcw.
14:07:17 42, 3,110 parentheses, one prince, c. Guy.
14:07:24 We are going out at 2 o 7 we will be back at 2 22
14:07:30 Sorry I don't know what happened there. back in the audio, just when you get back in the moment session, get off audio
14:23:38 I'm not joining audio this time i'm starting video, and I believe
14:23:49 Let me know. when Navy starts, you might have to use your audio on this
14:24:01 Okay doesn't sound like yep
14:24:08 , , Okay, we are back from executive session with county administrators.
14:24:19 Chief Civil deputy, prosecuting attorney, deputy, prosecuting attorney-three and department of community development. Director and senior planner regarding potential litigation
exemption is outlined in the open public meetings act
14:24:32 Rcw. 42, 3,110 parentheses, one parentheses. I.
14:24:38 We will not be extending this executive session.
14:24:41 However, we will be entering another executive session, with county administrator, chief, civil deputy, prosecuting, attorney department of community development, director,
environmental, public health, water quality, manager and code, compliance,
14:24:56 coordinator regarding potential litigation. Exemption is outlined in the open public meetings.
14:25:02 Act. Rcw. 42, 3,110 parentheses, one parentheses. I.
14:25:10 We will be going in at 200. and 25 and coming out at Oh, that's Timing is wrong to 25, and coming out at 2, 55 Yeah.
14:25:20 Can you hear me? I'm. coming out to extend our executive session with county administrator, chief, civil deputy, prosecuting a journey department of community development, director,
environmental public health, water quality, manager, and code,
14:55:33 compliance coordinator regarding potential litigation.
14:55:37 Exemption is outlined in their open public meetings.
14:55:40 Act. Rcw. 42, 3,110 parentheses, one parentheses.
14:55:45 I coming out at 2, 55, and we will be back at 3, 15, sending for 20Â min
15:16:10 We are extending our executive session with the County administrator, Chief Civil deputy, prosecuting Attorney Department of Community development, director, environmental,
public health, water quality, manager and code, compliance,
15:16:24 coordinator. regarding potential litigation. Exemption is outlined in the open.
15:16:29 Public meetings. Act, Rcw. 42, 3,110 parentheses, one parentheses.
15:16:36 I. We are going to extend until 3, 30,
15:31:22 Thanks, Brett, , , i'm trying to get back to my agenda.
15:31:32 There is,
15:31:40 Okay, We are coming out of executive session with county administrator, chief, Civil deputy, prosecuting Attorney Department of Community development, director environmental,
public health, water quality, manager and code, compliance, coordinator,
15:31:54 regarding potential litigation. Exemption is outlined in the open Public meetings.
15:32:00 Act. Oh, Rcw. 42 30, that 110 parentheses, one Parentheses I, and we will not be extending
15:32:18 He's in the meeting. Okay,
15:32:41 Recording and not rest
15:32:51 Yeah, you see the other. So if there's 47,000 in cash in the fund.
15:32:58 But they only have 20,000 in expenditure budget we'll have to.
15:33:05 Yeah, I'm, looking forward to seeing what the record their projected budget is for this step 5 I think we're back now
15:33:20 Just waiting on my compatre. Commissioner Brotherston.
15:33:24 Yeah, he comes. Yeah. So the next item on our agenda is a workshop regarding new public meeting act requirements.
15:33:37 That was brought in, brought to bear to us by House Bill 1329 in the last legislative session.
15:33:47 And our dear Philip Hun Sucker is going to tell us what he knows about this.
15:33:53 Well, as if you haven't seen enough. of me lately. i'm. i'm here back to talk about opma and
15:34:06 Can everybody see my screen awesome okay so i'm going to
15:34:12 I'm a little out of sorts today, cause i'm not in my normal place.
15:34:14 I only have one screen. so i'll see i'm, you know, struggling with myself, but we'll see how we got how we do i'm trying to put it in presentation mode now and it's skipping
15:34:26 me hardware. There we go. Okay, and the look is so different it's sharing me.
15:34:32 But let's see we can do to move stuff around so that i'm scaring myself so what we're here to talk about is the the coming changes to open public meetings that are coming in
June and
15:34:53 actually it's not that much, but one is a big one in the last legislative session.
15:35:02 The the Legislature passed 3 bills related to open public meetings.
15:35:10 The big one was in in gross substitute house bill, 1329.
15:35:15 But they were also changes to open public meetings and in Gross House Bill 1744, and in second substitute bill 55, 32 in the in the powerpoint presentation that was attached
to the
15:35:33 agenda there's a line in line out of everything, and you can see. But i'm i'm only planning on talking about the coming stuff because we're already doing everything else.
15:35:46 I believe. Okay, Okay, so If You're interested there's a very good article from Mr. Rc.
15:35:57 Calls the op. the opm. A. gets an update from the legislature.
15:36:01 It's written by binary collins and it's stated March 20 fourth.
15:36:05 I'll quote a few things from that but these are the things that are happening in in June.
15:36:15 First the governor's proclamation on Opm.
15:36:20 A is going away June first, and so what that means is the physical location requirement in the in the 2022 changes to opm a will become effective on June first.
15:36:39 I don't think it's going to affect the board of county commissioners, and the way we're doing things because we prepared for this
15:36:49 And then the second thing that's coming effective june ninth and everything else is effective.
15:36:54 June ninth is required public comment periods and then
15:37:02 An encouragement for audio video or video or online streaming.
15:37:08 And then the fourth thing is that, executive sessions, the purpose of the executive sessions have to be in listed in the minutes.
15:37:19 So I think for 4 we've already. been doing that We're doing a lot of audio and video. but the discussion that the Commissioners had this morning was about that. we're not doing
it for every board or or Commission that's from
15:37:34 the county. So something for the or to consider but it's not required It's encouraged under Opm.
15:37:46 A Okay, this is location requirement. So already settled this a minute ago.
15:37:55 But the short story is that you know after june first we're gonna have to start complying with the physical location requirement.
15:38:06 We're already doing that, basically at least for the board of county Commissioners.
15:38:12 I felt he he could extend that if he, if he deemed it necessary, still right. you mean the proclamation.
15:38:21 Me is that the trigger that's actually happening is the emergency proclamation's ending on June first. Correct?
15:38:27 That is the trigger so he could extend it and say i'm sorry, you know we're we got case range rise and hospitalizations rising.
15:38:33 We're still in the emergency, yeah so I put up on the language.
15:38:37 This is pro. This is sort of answers the question you're asking
15:38:43 This is from that Mr. Rc. Article and I put it up there because it's way clearer than when you look at the legislation.
15:38:55 That there was 2 you know essentially there's nothing that I found in the changes to the physical bit to the part about physical location that says it's always required and
less.
15:39:07 It. it. it says, you know when you cannot do it so by application, it it's telling you.
15:39:15 You must do it. and so I think Flannery did a nice job here, kind of summarizing.
15:39:21 How out will work. generally you have to have a physical location. But there's 2 exceptions, and number one will be the one that you would rely on.
15:39:32 Greg it. Any local State or Federal emergency can determine whether will allow you to determine whether you want to have a remote, only meetings, and we have a We have a local
emergency declared for Covid 19 so
15:39:49 I think that's that's the straight up answer to your question, and then there's number 2 which will not apply to us.
15:39:58 Basically, if there's some agency out there was doing remote meetings before 3 weeks before the the
15:40:06 Declaration of emergency on Covid 19. They can keep doing that.
15:40:11 But as as Mr. C. points south, that's only going to be a handful of agencies, it's definitely not us.
15:40:19 So physical location required, unless there's a declared emergency.
15:40:23 Then you can go. Then you can go all remote. That makes sense.
15:40:28 Kate might have a question. Make sense to me. Yeah, I do have a question.
15:40:32 So. is the I I didn't get the impression that the Governor was sending the entire emergency proclamation just simply the opma one letting that one expire.
15:40:44 Is, is he? We're sending the the entire proclamation right?
15:40:51 Okay, So just as it pertains to opm a great it's not the entire one No, that's right.
15:41:03 He's not , as far as I know he's not rescinding the you know the declar, so you'd have you'd still have a state emergency, but it's locally determined it would be
15:41:07 locally determined now, after after June, first after June first, our meetings could all be hybrid if we, if we want them to be, they can be okay But you're gonna have to rely
on the local
15:41:25 emergency to do that
15:41:33 Okay, No, if they're, hybrid and we have an in person meeting space, that we don't need the declaration of emergency we can always hold a hybrid, but it's if it's fully remote,
then
15:41:45 you need the emergency declaration that's right so I just put this language up here.
15:41:52 If you wanted to look at it, you could hunt for the like straight up language. It says you gotta do it remotely, but I read it about 10 times, and I couldn't find it.
15:42:03 So I had to. I did figure it out and what I concluded, was is essentially the same thing that Flannery did that.
15:42:15 Basically it's by implication that first bullet up there. and I think our current practice is consistent with this change.
15:42:25 And I think also the way it's written now you wouldn't require a governor's proclamation to be able to have a remote meeting.
15:42:34 It could be local, it could be a local proclamation we'll support it. That was that language.
15:42:38 We were looking at them minute ago. So questions about this. Okay?
15:42:47 No, thank you. So the next thing is required public comment and this is the actual section.
15:43:00 That we're talking about see here. Okay, got that thing that's driving me crazy with things in front of things.
15:43:10 Now it's So it comes down to the requirement that a governing body shall provide an opportunity at or before every regular meeting, at which final action is taken for public
comment.
15:43:28 So it's governing body we'll look at the definition of what that is in a minute and then then I try to highlight the the key things right in this section adder.
15:43:43 Before which final action is taken. and orally are providing a a an opportunity for written testimony before the meeting.
15:43:55 I think we've been mostly headed toward providing oral public comments.
15:44:01 We already have a method for providing, at least for the board accounting Commissioners for providing written public comments for other boards and commissions who are taking
action and are subject to opma.
15:44:13 I think they generally set written public comment periods for decisions or re before they make a recommendation.
15:44:21 But I think we're gonna have to check in with all our boards and commissions in the next month make sure that they're complying with this requirement, because I think it's pretty
clear when you look at the definition
15:44:33 of governing body that it's going to include them and advisory committee.
15:44:49 The planning commission forward to the I mean is It advisory committee, really a governing body.
15:44:56 It's it's going to depend upon whether they are required to provide a recommendation to you, and whether you are required to consider it so.
15:45:05 I think, for all those ones that Mark mentioned. Yes, but so we can try to figure this out for all of them, and we probably should.
15:45:14 Or you can, or you could just implement it at all of them.
15:45:18 Now you can make that call. I think we should review our list of boards and committees and create a column.
15:45:23 That matrix. add to the matrix julie already has a matrix but add to the matrix.
15:45:30 We've been updating it lately and add a column that we or we can designate this as a requirement for that border committee.
15:45:40 Yeah, I think airing on the side of adding it to all.
15:45:43 If it looks like they're all going to be included Anyways, we don't have to really spend a lot of time parsing it.
15:45:49 I want to be clear, though that it doesn't mean that every time you take action as like at the solid waste Advisory committee.
15:45:56 You got 3 action items. You don't necessarily have to take public comment before each one.
15:46:01 You can have public comment at the beginning of the meeting To address any agenda items in that would satisfy this rule.
15:46:07 Is that correct? We could go Look at the definition of action under Opma, very broad, including discussions.
15:46:19 It includes discussions. it's not just you're passing something.
15:46:25 So I think you're gonna have to plan for public comment at all of the meetings.
15:46:30 Some public comment at all of the meetings. But I think what Greg was asking is public comment at the beginning of the meeting versus public comment before each action item
within the meeting.
15:46:42 So this just requires at the beginning or during the meeting so it's your choice. and then a number of our boards and committees, we do a public comment session at the beginning,
and then at the end, like at the Board of
15:46:54 Elf: Yeah. So so I would set I would say since action is a defined word and opma you probably shouldn't do it at the end.
15:47:07 Kate, is your hand up for another question no i'm sorry I just forgot to lower it.
15:47:14 Okay, Yeah, but you would want public comment prior to making a decision would you not?
15:47:21 You wouldn't want people necessarily commenting after the the decisions been made right.
15:47:28 So that's right. So I think comments at the beginning are useful for the Board to consider, or whatever committee is considering the public comment.
15:47:39 And then, once a decision is made, hearing from people regarding the decision that was made, I think, is also useful, Right?
15:47:48 So I so I put here what Mrc boiled it down to, and this that's in that kind of like orange box.
15:47:54 I I think that's correct essentially what they what they said there is correct
15:48:04 And I think it's more or less what I already said So okay, 3.
15:48:16 How audio video or online streaming is encouraged that's it for that.
15:48:24 This is the only section on that, and they're encouraging making an audio video or providing online street and online streaming option, and then encouraging, because, you see,
encourage, modified to make both places, hi encouraging making
15:48:44 these recordings of meetings available online for a minimum of 6 months.
15:48:48 So But but then we might have to retain them for longer based on I mean, if it's a public record there's probably the retention schedule that governs those recordings right?
they're just talking about making
15:49:05 accessible online, , we wouldn't we wouldn't have to keep to to satisfy the other public records act. we would have to.
15:49:15 We probably would have to keep it longer and and satisfy the retention schedule.
15:49:19 That's put out by the sector of state questions about that one that's actually the easiest one.
15:49:26 I think all right. 4 announced purpose of the next executive sessions must be in the minutes.
15:49:41 This is the only section that applies it's just that sentence that was added
15:49:51 So I'm pretty sure we already do this at least for the Board Account Commissioner,
15:49:57 Yeah, what? How many other boards and committees have executive sessions?
15:50:07 Well, theoretically, they all can, whether they do yeah Yeah, anyone that does hiring. of course, you know, , Jeff, calm.
15:50:17 We've had him before multiple times I I believe the I believe the the Board of Health has had them.
15:50:23 I've been, I think I can remember one being in one exactly that session
15:50:38 For their implementation of this correct it they're separate in it.
15:50:44 They're a separate agency, they have to implement it themselves
15:50:50 Yeah, and we sit on a lot. jefferson transit another one that's not our department necessarily.
15:50:56 But we need to make sure that all of the groups that we sit on our compliant, even if we don't have oversight.
15:51:02 Yes, I agree.
15:51:06 So that's it, unless you have question other questions. yeah, I was gonna say, it seems like we already alright compliance with most of these changes with our current practices.
15:51:26 So confirmation. we're doing the right thing. helpful, helpful slide deck and presentation. i'd love to have this as a one page, too, for those other agencies when we go So
I can just share my screen and
15:51:39 say, you know, this is kind of counties analysis. You know.
15:51:42 You guys are the greatest district should do this too. you know it's. Just it's good to have this information at our fingertips, and i'd love to have a little conversation about
recordings of of meetings and whether we want to
15:51:54 contemplate policies, or just try to, exert our opinions to have that more of a regular best practice.
15:52:04 So I you could tell me whether this is helpful or not. But I I've got to try to show something in a second.
15:52:17 Oh, yeah, you got one slide that described. everything didn't you Oh, that you know the the agenda slide it's It does, but not much detail. . I think.
15:52:28 Can you show that one Sure,
15:52:40 It. doesn't have a lot of detail so there. the Mrc.
15:52:48 Article that I was talking about. I summarized and I before I made the slideshow, and let's see if I can find that.
15:53:00 Yeah, there we go.
15:53:09 So it's coming up and then i'm gonna re share
15:53:30 So that's 2 pages a little more detail
15:53:41 If it would be helpful, I can send it to everybody.
15:53:45 So you have it. I think this is pretty condensed.
15:53:47 Yeah, I I would take that. And you know, from a pretty believable source, right, Kate.
15:53:58 So. Yeah, yes, agreed. So i'll send this around to everybody So you all.
15:54:07 So you all have it so. Philip a question I think I I think I saw in here that if you take written public comment, then then those written public comments have to be distributed
to every member of the committee that's
15:54:24 right, whereas if you if you don't take written and you take oral, then the members of the committee will hear it during the meeting.
15:54:32 Is that correct? Yes, I think that's right okay so it's a matter of simplicity not taking written comment.
15:54:41 Just from an engineering point of view, would make this simpler to implement.
15:54:49 Although I think members of the public would say, You know what if I can attend the meeting at that time, or you know oftentimes our meetings are during work hours, and , some
people comment would want would be working right. I I just think ensuring that every member of every
15:55:07 committee gets, every public comment, is going to be a logistical challenge.
15:55:11 I mean, we already have a system for the board to commissioners to get them all right a lot of the people that are members of our boards and commissions have personal emails
that they probably don't want official business
15:55:23 going to and from. So there's a work we had to work we have a workaround for that for the planning commission.
15:55:31 Yeah, we might have to emulate that the other ones I don't know about.
15:55:38 But I know about the planning commission. Oh, the planning commission desk email exactly.
15:55:46 And essentially it's the same that you guys use here There's one for the Board of
15:55:57 So I mean that's one way you could do it But then someone would have to, you know, be on the receiving end, or be looking at those.
15:56:03 And usually there's someone at at each department where there's a Border Commission who's sort of is the person that you know is responsible for at least initially stopping
that border Commission you know someone for solid
15:56:18 waste for example, and that's What example I can think of so I don't.
15:56:27 I'm not sure how hard it would be but we need to.
15:56:30 We need to pay some attention to it to make sure we're not violating opma.
15:56:34 So howid we didn't say on the agenda that we were taking public comment.
15:56:39 I don't know if you want to open it up for that. Do we have to announce that in advance. we did at the beginning of the meeting this morning, Yeah, I think that works I mean
We always take public comment at
15:56:52 the beginning of the meeting, Were you? Were you talking about this item?
15:56:57 Oh, what's the regular meeting in your chair you could open for you know I I don't think that's required that you take it right before each I item, but you may as you have you
know sometimes may want to do that for
15:57:10 per policy, reasons,
15:57:22 Taking public comment at the beginnings of hearings,
15:57:30 , that's that's normal that's sort of our normal process.
15:57:36 See, we take public comments, specific specific to the hearings that may be required by the statute.
15:57:43 That you know, that requires a hearing. I mean past practices that are chair can always ask for public comment in a regular meeting.
15:57:53 As long as not a special meeting. So I think, if how do you want to consider public comment now?
15:57:58 You could. Right So I I do think, you know for for hearings that are especially ones that are required, and not everything requires a hearing.
15:58:10 There's plenty of statutes that require we're hearing that also require written public comment or public comment.
15:58:16 So Our past practice has generally been to have public comment at the start of a hearing.
15:58:24 Well, typically we'd have a staff presentation then you'd have the public comment opening your opening the hearing, and you have staff presentation.
15:58:34 Then you have public comment, and then you close public comment. I think what we talked about was also for other large agenda items.
15:58:44 Last year we talked about if there were other large media agenda items.
15:58:48 But if we wanted to I mean i'm very very interested in getting more people involved in the conversation, wherever we can, and you know, I mean, and one way to do that would
be to do a public comment period at the end of the bcc
15:59:02 meetings as well cause like as we do at Board of Health.
15:59:07 But what I my experience is in those instances. is that we often don't have many at the end.
15:59:15 But it would still be an opportunity if someone had heard something over the course of the day, or had a question where we could have a you know, 15Â min public comment period
at the end of the at 4 15 every Monday to catch any
15:59:35 public who wants to raise an issue. I don't know what you guys think about that idea? .
15:59:44 But if we wrapped up our normal business at 3 30 and then at a public comment period at 4 15, I don't know how we even handle that schedule wise i'm.
15:59:55 Always in favor of public comment. Yeah, i'm not sure putting a time on it seems restrictive.
16:00:00 This is our last agenda item today. You could put it untime at the end of the agenda if you wanted to put it there, or you know, I I think the the one in the morning, plus recognizing
that we have lots of
16:00:13 issues that people have lost to comment on. and and adding a specific ones could be my preference.
16:00:22 I don't know I don't have a huge preference.
16:00:28 Well, we had talked about putting together some sort of a procedure for the board, and you know, and putting that together, you could and tell me, make all these decisions.
16:00:41 Kate, I saw you on mute for a second.
16:00:43 There, Did you have something to add? nothing profound. would be good to clean up our policies a little bit, or policy might be too formal a word.
16:00:59 But how we operate meetings, and I also agree that it would be more useful to put in public comment time with specific agenda items.
16:01:11 Not, and the tricky thing is time. to anticipate what there might be public comment on that's, so I I think there's some I I guess I don't see as much value in having it at
the end.
16:01:25 Of the meeting versus interspersed throughout. We can work on that.
16:01:34 Julie and I did some work last weekend kind of tuning up the formatting of the agenda. but we should add in public comment for items where we anticipate wanting public comment
on the agenda so people know that
16:01:51 they will have the opportunity to speak to that issue
16:01:59 I think that's a great idea
16:02:06 Is there anything else on the opm? A. nothing except I just sent all of you and Carolyn a copy of the summary.
16:02:16 I made a Pdf of it while we were talking, and everybody should have it in their emails.
16:02:21 , Thank you, Philip. bye bye, having such clear presentations really helpful.
16:02:30 Thank you my pleasure. Well, So then i'm off to Wallace, so I will
16:02:44 Wapa Seat Annual Conference support Enforcement annual conference.
16:02:52 Okay, , I did. That was regular wapa.
16:02:58 So this is . Your regular . well the good news is you know we can build against our grant for this, So that's that's a good thing.
16:03:09 They have a great public swimming pool in line.
16:03:11 Oh, yeah, I I haven't been There but i've been to the Marcus Whitman Hotel, whereas, which is where the conference is pretty nice.
16:03:20 They are. I want to give them props. they are the best dog accommodating hotel.
16:03:25 I've almost ever encountered they're really wonderful about free in your pads.
16:03:34 So that was an issue for me when I was doing this Oregon trip, so I thought my daughter might be coming for some event.
16:03:40 She's gonna bring her dog. I define at friendly hotels, and I found one in Astoria and and one in Canada.
16:03:51 Beach. So you ever need Okay, lead on that i'm I'm, your man. I got tips, too.
16:03:57 We can share notes. Alright, sounds good. Well, thanks everybody I appreciate you listening to me for a lot of this afternoon.
16:04:06 And i'll see you guys later. Okay, thank you Phil, bye. So, as you guys see, we now just have an additional item discussion items, item on our agenda for this end of the day
where it used to say miscellaneous
16:04:21 items, calendar coordination, Covid 19 special items that Said had a list of work, 5 things.
16:04:30 So. Is there any calendar coordination that we need to do today?
16:04:34 Does anyone have anything? They have a conflict for next week, or coverage for
16:04:48 I think our pro usual practices to list that as a special meeting.
16:04:51 If you want to join, too. I think that we we've already started.
16:04:55 Yeah, Okay, great. yeah. i'm I would I winked at Carolyn, after we said that earlier she got the boss in motion.
16:05:05 That's what you miss on the virtual meetings is that you know.
16:05:09 Physical communication is so critical anything else for next week that we need to deal with today or for this week.
16:05:22 I really don't think i'm gonna be able to attend the jump groundbreaking.
16:05:26 So I think that I think I maybe even copied you on that email saying Craig's the commissioner on deck to make a speech always ready.
16:05:37 Right get your shovel you should have. I should get the golden shovel.
16:05:42 We have it the whole account. Yeah, some giant scissors.
16:05:46 I like the giant scissors. Really, public works has those but rarely that. Does that come anything any other does not mark.
16:05:55 Do you have any pretty intense day?
16:06:06 Yeah, i'm looking at next week and I don't have any conflicts a lot of evening meetings next week.
16:06:16 Anything else for the good of the order. Any Mark, Did you have something on policy management that you wanted to ask, Kate?
16:06:25 Did you already have a chance out? Ask her I I think apple and send an email to the policy management group attendees asking whether we could go to once a month, and I'm waiting
for apple and Kate to chime in
16:06:39 on that. And I also asked about covid coordination meeting. Should you know that's every 2 weeks Should we go to once a month on that Also, I don't have answers, on either one.
yet.
16:06:51 Kate, did you have something you wanted to add your screen lit up?
16:06:54 Yeah, i'll just I I will be out of the office all week.
16:07:00 And you know, depending on how I feel i'll be able to join occasional meetings.
16:07:06 But my calendar was cleared to be traveling anyway.
16:07:09 So. that is convenience, and Wasack is needing to find a way to
16:07:19 Add a virtual option to the retreat because a number of commissioners are out in isolation or quarantine this week.
16:07:26 So. i'm glad i'll still be able to attend that go.
16:07:31 Better take it easy. Don't you don't have to go to any meetings today.
16:07:34 Thank you. Yeah, Mostly just been laying down and listening there's anything you need from us.
16:07:40 Just reach out, Kate, for sure, thank you thank you I appreciate it.
16:07:46 Well, if there's nothing else going once going twice, so I will adjourn the meeting for May ninth 2022 at 4.