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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM042505 District No. 1 Commissioner: Phil Johnson District No.2 Commissioner: David W. Sullivan District No.3 Commissioner: Patrick M. Rodgers County Administrator: John F. Fischbach Clerk of the Board: Lorna Delaney MINUTES Week of April 25, 2005 Chairman Phil Johnson called the meeting to order in the presence of Commissioner David W. Sullivan and Commissioner Patrick M. Rodgers. Letter Regarding Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Fundingfor Fiscal Year 2006: PILT funding compensates for the 703,504 acres of Federal lands that aren't included in the County tax base. The funding amount has been reduced in the proposed budget for FY2006. The County relies on this funding for essential services such as Search and Rescue, law enforcement, and road maintenance. Commissioner Rodgers moved to have the Board send a letter to Congressman Norm Dicks requesting that the PILT funding be increased in the FY2006 budget. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Certification of Intent to Acquire Water System: Jefferson County Public Utility District No. 1 is in the process of acquiring the Quilcene Community Center Water System from the County; and a Water System Acquisition and Rehabilitation Program Contract is required. Commissioner Rodgers moved to have the Chair sign a Certification of Intent to acquire a water system. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Rodgers moved to approve the minutes of March 28, 2005 as presented. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Zero Tolerance Policy: Commissioner Sullivan stated that threats were made to Health Department stafflast week. The Board agreed to send a letter to the Port Townsend Police Department thanking them for their quick response. After the incident, there was a discussion at the Health Department retreat about developing a Zero Tolerance Policy to address abuse and threats of violence toward staff. Page 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of April 25, 2005 f},."" ">, ;'. . . S 'Í ....-. _ fIlII ""\,, Commissioner Sullivan moved to direct the County Administrator to develop a Zero Tolerance Policy and bring it forward to the Board for adoption. Commissioner Rodgers seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. PROCLAMATION re: Municipal Clerks Week: The Chair read the proclamation designating May 1 through May 7,2005 as "Municipal Clerks Week." Commissioner Rodgers moved to approve the proclamation as presented. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Discussion and Possible Decision re: 1) Funding for Fort Worden State Park Parking Fees; and 2) Formation of a Task Force to Study Economic and Access Benefits of Eliminating Day-Use Fees at other State Parks in Jefferson County: Commissioner Rodgers explained that RCW 67.20.187, Section 2 pertains to the Lodging Tax. He quoted the law. Any municipality that proposes imposition of a tax under this chapter, an increase in the rate of the tax under this chapter, repeal of an exemption from the tax imposed under this chapter, or a change in the use of revenue received under this chapter, shall submit the proposal to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee for review and comment. The submission shall occur at least 45 days prior to final action on, or passage of, the proposal by the municipality. Commissioner Rodgers pointed out that the Board is not in a position to make a decision to approve Lodging Tax funding to subsidize parking fees at Fort Worden State Park. Commissioner Sullivan noted that the County's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) voted on supplementing the parking fees in 2004. Commissioner Rodgers clarified that they voted on the issue under the previous Commission. Commissioner Sullivan asked for clarification on use and added that he feels that the County's ordinance is more restrictive than the State law, but allows this use under operation of facilities. Commissioner Rodgers stated that the revenue is to be used to promote tourism. The L T AC was set up to advise the Board on the specific allocation of these funds. They set priorities and strategies to accomplish that objective. In the past, subsidizing parking has been allowed, but the LTAC needs to look at the bigger picture. To use this funding for parking fees requires a policy change and development of a process. Chairman Johnson pointed out that the State Legislature has said that this revenue can be used for parking. He reported that Fort Worden State Park has 1.3 million visitors per year, and the number of visitors last year increased by 130,000. People coming to the park have to drive through the County. He was told by the Fort Worden Advisory Committee that they use "free parking" to promote the park as often as possible. Commissioner Sullivan commented that the statistics from State parks show that since the parking fees have been put into place, there has been a drop in usage. It is a barrier for people who are struggling financially. Page 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of April 25, 2005 f}~'.-""'" - , 'Í,~,,_ 1//1",,' Most people want the parks to be free because that is where people go who don't have a lot of resources for entertainment. The Fort Worden Advisory Committee has taken an active role to keep the parking free at the park. He feels that Fort Worden is a special situation because there are a lot of things going on there: Centrum, the Marine Science Center, Peninsula College and the Fort Worden Commons. Chairman Johnson added that the parking fees at the State parks need to be addressed on a statewide level. Commissioner Rodgers replied that he is not arguing in favor of parking fees. He doesn't like the idea of using LTAC funds to supplement the parking fees at Fort Worden. The LTAC doesn't want parking fees either, but they have priorities on using that revenue. The County Commissioners shouldn't be able to circumvent the LTAC. Commissioner Sullivan pointed out that half of the members on the Fort Worden Advisory Committee live in the County. Chairman Johnson added that one-third ofthe workforce at the park live in the County. Commissioner Rodgers stated that he doesn't think parking fees would affect the employment at the park. Commissioner Sullivan asked the County Administrator ifthere is a reserve in the LTAC fund? John Fischbach replied that there is approximately $175,000 for the Gateway Visitor's Center project. He added that a budget extension would be required in order for the Board to use these funds. Central Services Director Allen Sartin explained that the process will take approximately four weeks and requires an advertisement in the newspaper and a public hearing. Commissioner Sullivan moved to have the County Administrator consult with the Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney to clarify if Lodging Tax funds can be used to subsidize parking fees according to the State statute; to request that the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee give a recommendation to the Board on using funds from their budget to supplement the parking fees; and to begin the process for a budget extension for the Hotel/Motel Fund (LTAC Funding). Chairman Johnson seconded the motion. Chairman Johnson and Commissioner Sullivan voted for the motion. Commissioner Rodgers voted against the motion. The motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following comments were made: the Qui1cene/Brinnon Chamber of Commerce requested $16,000 from the County to staff the new Visitor's Center at the Qui1cene Ranger Station because the DOT's rules for signage on the highway require the Center to be staffed full time during the summer; if the County provides funding to supplement Fort Worden parking fees, funding for parking at all the State Parks in the County should be provided; the North American Rainwater Harvesting Association is having a conference in Seattle in July; a request for the Board to create a Blue Ribbon Committee to address Courthouse restoration and encourage community support and participation for the project; the City LTAC has supplemented Fort Worden parking fees for the past two years and the Fort Worden Advisory Committee is willing to work with a County task force to study the economic and access benefits of eliminating day-use fees at other State Parks in the County; there are programs at Fort Worden Page 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of April 25, 2005 f}'."""'> "'''. ~I o!->.~~,_ .\//,,,,,\ . especially for students from Brinnon and other communities in the County; the Board should consider subsidizing parking fees at other State parks such as Old Fort Townsend State Park; the food service at Fort Worden Commons is run by a company out of Virginia and takes money away from local businesses; and people can park free at the Port Townsend Park and Ride and ride the bus to Fort Worden. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Rodgers moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. 1. AGREEMENT NO. C13035, Amendment No.2 re: 2005-2006 Consolidated Contract; Jefferson County Health and Human Services; Washington State Department of Health 2. AGREEMENT NO. D33779D, Amendment No.3 re: Breast and Cervical Health Care; Jefferson County Health and Human Services; Public Health of Seattle King County 3. AGREEMENT re: Childbirth Educatien; Jefferson County Health and Human Services; Kathryn Shonsey Mattern, MSW 4. AGREEMENT re: Open Space Taxation to Transfer and Designate 7.65 Acres as Timber Open Space for Current Use Assessment, CUA04-00003; Jefferson County Department of Community Development; John and Nancy Rowe, Applicants 5. AGREEMENT re: Open Space Taxation to Transfer and Designate 9.15 Acres as Timber Open Space for Current Use Assessment, CUA04-00002; Jefferson County Department of Community Development; John and Nancy Rowe, Applicants 6. AGREEMENT NO. lAC 200404, Intergovernmental Amendment re: Amend Period of Performance/Effective Date for Discovery Bay Stewardship Project; WSU Jefferson County Extension; Puget Sound Action Team (PSAT) 7. AGREEMENT #S05-62600-057 re: Emerging Issues Grant (EIG) Funding to Develop and Conduct a Public Outreach/Stakeholder Involvement Program Supporting a Comprehensive Amendment Process for the Unified Development Code (UDC); Jefferson County Department of Community Development; Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development 8. Federal Grant Application for Funding the Functional Family Therapy (FFT) Program for Eligible Juvenile Justice Involved Families; Jefferson County Juvenile Services; Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Office of Juvenile Justice 9. Advisory Board Resignation; Jefferson County Civil Service Commission; Ralph Harder The Board then interviewed William A. Miller who is interested in serving on the Planning Commission representing Commissioner District #1. Appointment re: Jefferson County Planning Commission District #1: Commissioner Sullivan moved to appoint William A. Miller to serve a four year term on the Planning Commission representing Commissioner District # 1. Commissioner Rodgers seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Mr. Miller's term will expire on March 17,2009. Page 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of April 25, 2005 f}'."'"">, ;"'.. ~ "f~"- .llfl""" From 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. the Board met in Executive Session with the County Administrator and Public Works Staff regarding real estate negotiations. They came out of Executive Session and conducted the following business: Direction on Future Development of the Larry Scott Trail: Commissioner Rodgers moved to direct Public Works staff to proceed with the development of the trail using the right-of-way currently owned by the County. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. HEARING NOTICE re: Interim Control on Adult Businesses: County Administrator John Fischbach explained that, on March 14,2005, the Board took action on an interim ordinance enacting a moratorium against the issuance of permits or approvals pertaining to adult businesses. A public hearing on an interim ordinance is required within 60 days of adoption. Chairman Johnson questioned whether there is a need for these controls in the County? There was a discussion about the possibility of rescinding the interim ordinance. Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve the hearing notice on the interim control on adult businesses. Commissioner Rodgers seconded the motion. Commissioner Sullivan and Commissioner Rodgers voted for the motion. Chairman Johnson voted against the motion. The motion carried. The hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 9,2005 at 10:30 a.m. in the Commissioners' Chamber. MEETING ADJOTJRNED " , .. ("'" , SEAL: ,·.1"1) ;;'L.: . " " ^? : \' ,', '-. ~~ï'" .\\ , ' * : I, -If . . . : '\ . " : ,'" .' ,. \ t ,. , ATTEST: \,' " '''----...~:. . (lR·<M f1 /ifd1j.::../!_'h1.'c, d,. , Juhe Matthes, CMC Deputy Clerk of the Board -'- v il J o~~ , Chair J2//V~' David W. Sullivan, Member ~~er - Page 5