HomeMy WebLinkAboutclosed_caption09:01:16 That's why I
09:01:19 Recording.
09:01:21 I can hear you guys now. Can you hear me
09:01:24 I can hear you
09:01:25 Great. Thank you.
09:01:34 I don't see Ab running yet, but when I do I'll call to order
09:01:52 Zoom anyways
09:02:03 So can I get going, even though we don't have 80
09:02:08 Okay. Good morning. Everybody hope everyone stayed. Tethered to the ground.
09:02:14 This weekend. It was a wild one for all of us here East Jefferson County, and we have a super packed agenda today.
09:02:25 So my my best role for the county today is keeping the train on the track.
09:02:28 So as we always do on Monday mornings. We're gonna start with public comment and if you joined us via Zoom, you can use the raise hand button, at the bottom of your zoom screen
if you're on the phone you can press star 9 to raise your hand and we'll bring you
09:02:49 Over if you're on the phone. Interested in making a comment, and we will start with Mary.
09:02:58 Gina looks like
09:03:05 And
09:03:16 Good morning, Mary Jane, you're gonna need to unmute some.
09:03:19 You can turn on your camera if you there you are, you will have 3Â min for comments, and Kate, our good reminder is reminding me to let everyone know that we do not have a Bocc
meeting next week we will be at a conference the county leaders.
09:03:38 Conference, so we will all be not in the county next Monday.
09:03:45 So with that announcement I will pass it over to Mary Jane for her comment.
09:03:50 Great good morning. My name's Mary Jean Ryan, and I live in Jefferson County, and the Twentieth Peninsula.
09:03:56 I just wanted to say, Thank you for organizing the session that's coming up this afternoon on forest carbon.
09:04:02 I really applaud Dnr for trying to develop a new tool, and I really appreciate your willingness to explore the use of various tools as you try to respond to the climate crisis
and consider all the needs of the county and how best to conserve the counties for us with highest ecological
09:04:23 value. I'm very appreciative that Dnr. Has included a number of the Tuadnos Peninsula for us.
09:04:30 That would be part of the expansion of the natural area, as everybody's digging into details to understand what they're proposing.
09:04:39 I think it's super important that we just step back and realize that this carbon pilot is really Tiny Overall Jefferson County has about 212,000 acres of forests under Dnr's
Man and this proposal deals with less than 2% just a few 1,000
09:04:59 Acres, just a couple of other things as part of analyzing the opportunity that's presented by the carbon offset market I urge you to seek information from independent experts
such as you know outfits like the climate trust and i'm sure
09:05:18 There's many others with a lot of experience. There's a lot of variables that go into assessing forest carbon, and it's very easy to undervalue it.
09:05:28 A couple example are some of the models that people will present.
09:05:33 Only look at above ground, carbon, and in older forests the majority actually more than the majority of the carbon is underground or in woody debris.
09:05:44 So it's really important that you're you. Look at models that take the full forest carbon into account.
09:05:49 Also price information. It's a really dynamic market.
09:05:54 So it's important to look at current pricing for carbon.
09:05:57 It's been going up right now, and this is all available at any time you can look at the market conditions.
09:06:03 The price right now is $19 about $19 per metric time, and then the last thing that's important is, if you're doing comparisons between carbon and logging, it's really important
to do apples to apples, I noticed that some of their forests that are in the
09:06:20 Pilot are had been fairly recently logged, and so the car, the logging revenue wouldn't come in anytime soon, and so there may be conditions where it's it could be very beneficial
to get the carbon offset anyway, there's a lot to it I just urge that
09:06:37 We get, and you get the best possible information. Thank you.
09:06:41 Thanks, Mary Jane, it looks like gene ball. And then Patricia Jones has her hand up
09:06:54 Where did Jean go? The other gene? Not Mary, Jeanne Teen Ball.
09:07:01 Okay. Okay. Let's bring Patricia. You're gonna need to accept the promotion.
09:07:05 The panelists.
09:07:07 We are. Gonna oh, there's Gene. Okay. We're start with Gene ball
09:07:14 Good morning. Can you hear me
09:07:14 Good morning. Yes, Jane, we can hear you, and you have 3Â min
09:07:20 Thank you. Commissioners. I exc excuse me. I I think this Dnr carbon project is brilliant for Jefferson County.
09:07:29 If we waffle it is to our detriment.
09:07:33 This is a tremendous opportunity for us. Thurston and Watkham counties are only getting about 500 acres in this project, plan and they're they're quite irritated at it so.
09:07:46 If we don't take Dnr up on this opportunity.
09:07:50 They're going to give our allotments to other counties.
09:07:53 These 40 year carbon project leases give us the opportunity to renew or harvest after the plan is is completed.
09:08:03 While receiving annual payments. We don't lose anything in this plan.
09:08:10 We gain, we get paid to grow trees longer, so the timber will be worth more twice as old trees are worth more than twice as many smaller trees.
09:08:20 We aren't losing timberlands. They maintain the ability to harvest in the future, and we just get paid for longer term rotations.
09:08:32 I encourage you to really take a closer look at these Afrc numbers, because it sure looks like they have underestimated the value of the carbon and the quantity of the carbon
I think it is reasonable.
09:08:50 If you consider Dnr's estimates that you could multiply the arc value by 4, and I think that is still it. It.
09:09:02 It probably is, is is still understating the value. Yeah this gives us this: this is a real opportunity for us, and I think it's it's silly for us to to buy into the misinformation.
09:09:16 And scare tactics for us to make decisions from out of town or out of state lobbyists who I mean, maybe I should just stop there.
09:09:24 But anyway, we should make our own decisions. We have smart people.
09:09:27 We have good information, and I trust you certainly a whole lot more than Afrc.
09:09:32 Thank you very much
09:09:35 Thank you, Jean, and next over to you, Patricia.
09:09:39 Good morning. Commissioners, Dr. Patricia Jones, Olympic Forest Coalition. Thank you.
09:09:43 So much for the opportunity to comment this morning I'm hoping to impose on your time.
09:09:50 Apologies also. This afternoon, after my learning more about the carbon project from Dnr.
09:09:57 Staff and colleagues. I'm directing my remarks this morning to the opportunity presented by the Dnr forest carbon 10,000 acre Pilot.
09:10:06 Project thank you so much for holding that workshop with Dnr.
09:10:09 This afternoon in public, so we can learn more about the project.
09:10:15 I hope Dnr. Staff, with actual expertise on how our parcels in Jefferson County were selected.
09:10:21 Will attend, and will be able to share that information. I hope to learn about the implementation timeline.
09:10:28 What the high conservation value criteria means. As it was applied in our county to select parcels which parcels were a valuated in, total why the selected stands were chosen
and my other stands including legacy forests were not it is clear and very good to see
09:10:47 That Dnr. Staff paid close attention to community interests and support the day Bob Natural Conservation area, Quimper loss forests and others very happy to see that it is less
clear why other legacy stands were not included I hope we can explore.
09:11:03 That Michigan's big wild force carbon project, the first in the country actually 108,000 acres all in one place, so easier to manage than trying to spread it out revenue generations
across many counties however, a bit further down the road.
09:11:21 So it might be another model to look at as you're evaluating.
09:11:24 I am concerned that Dnr. Selected a private company out of the energy sector as developer and consultant when there were clear.
09:11:31 Nonprofits that would have not vested interests that might skew resource.
09:11:37 Mary Jean mentioned climate, Trust, a nonprofit that grew out of decades of work commissioned by the Oregon Legislature directly on the issue is a great example of expertise
in our area of the country our forests without vested interests that could skew the project at some
09:11:54 Point, including perpetual protecting, proprietary tools.
09:11:59 Climate trust has a transparency process. I hope Organic County can take a look and learn from climate trust.
09:12:05 Looking forward to this afternoon again. Thank you so much.
09:12:10 Thank you. Dr. Jones. I have a couple of folks in the room.
09:12:13 I'm gonna before I think Heath. You probably want to make a comment, but I'm gonna see if folks in the room want to make a comments this morning.
09:12:21 Steven? Are you ready? Okay? You'll have you know the drill.
09:12:28 You have 3Â min
09:12:31 Okay. Thanks. So I just like to ask questions about 3 subjects.
09:12:35 One is, is that I was reading about the Caswell Brown Camp Setup that apparently the county is funded 2 million dollars to only cap for this person, and I've read that quite
a few of the tents in the Rvs.
09:12:52 Of the Caswill camp are empty. Executive Director told the free press that only Cap is allowed to admit only those people who previously lived in the cleared out programs that
explains why it has been turning away people despite being less than half full this makes no sense to the people in the woods
09:13:09 Who had hope for a safe place to set up a tent that makes no stands.
09:13:12 Period. That is how the county Commissioners wrote their orders, established in kept some emergency shelters.
09:13:18 So anyway, I know nothing about this. But I'm just very curious.
09:13:21 I I understand that this was set up as a with a fair round. But I guess there's more exhibition issues.
09:13:28 Perhaps going on now. Will the homeless in the woods around there?
09:13:32 Second, I have a couple of questions about the consent agenda items.
09:13:34 One is that there is this item about
09:13:40 The.
09:13:43 Regarding the okay, great, the Josie Wells Power line thing which is increasing funding.
09:13:51 The current project cost is 589,000 additional 217,000. Anyway.
09:13:56 This, you know I'm just kind of curious. Given the extent of the increase.
09:14:00 Why this is on the consent agenda and just is this cost overruns from the past?
09:14:07 Or is this sort of new increased scope for the project?
09:14:12 So I'm just curious about that. And finally, there's this item regarding approval of the funds for the Health Department, and this includes extends the funding period for COVID-19
Max vaccinations.
09:14:28 Fema no change of funding amount, and also an additional 9,000 for the nutrition program, so I can totally see why this would seem like a no-brainer, but I don't know for from
my point of view, it does seem I i'm just sort of concerned about the extension of
09:14:43 The vaccination program, and by the way, how much time do I have?
09:14:49 Is this: okay. Yeah, yeah, okay. So there's I think there's only 7 8% uptake nationally. Certainly.
09:14:56 A lot more right now in this county for the booster programs.
09:14:59 I would say that everybody who wants to get these boosters can get these boosters.
09:15:03 You know there's questions regarding their effectiveness.
09:15:06 It's considered to be bivalent. But there's studies showing that really is got no more effectiveness than the original non-valent ones, and so I'm not entirely sure I understand
about what it.
09:15:18 Means about the mass vaccination program at this point. There's a lot of paperwork and budget and stuff related to this item that I don't fully understand.
09:15:27 But I can you perhaps clarify the scope of this?
09:15:30 How much actually is being paid by the counting at this point to continue the mass vaccination program, and how long this period is is this just another month or something?
09:15:39 Or is this for a larger period of time even that's 3Â min?
09:15:44 Thank you so much. Anyone else in the room who wants to make a public comment this morning Cynthia
09:15:55 Good morning, all my name is Cynthia Cohen, and I live in Port Townsend.
09:15:59 I have 2 comments. One is my off. Heard blee that as you consider the budget for next year, that you please consider our department of community Development as a planning commissioner,
I see you close up the res the effects of a budget that is you know essentially underfunded and and
09:16:25 It. It makes it very difficult to attract and keep staff, and you know this I keep telling you, but I thought I'd take this opportunity, and then also I would like to thank
you.
09:16:34 Heidi chair and the rest of you for the declaration, that you're gonna make today about my dad and I'm gonna get missing me, too.
09:16:42 We'll be misty together. But Richard Voight was very dedicated to this county, and I appreciate your kindness, and in honoring him.
09:16:52 Thank you.
09:16:54 Okay, anyone else in the room with us wanting to make a public comment this morning
09:17:00 Come on! Up!
09:17:04 No! Oh, that's later. Hold your seat.
09:17:10 Okay. Okay. And then online if if you've joined us this morning on Zoom and wanna make a public comment, you can use the raise hand.
09:17:17 Button at the bottom of the zoom screen. If you're on the phone you can press Star 9 and that will raise your hand and we'll bring you over, and I see you Heath.
09:17:26 So heath you now can unmute and turn your camera on if you wish, and you'll have 3Â min for comments
09:17:34 Oh, you're muted still, I think yep.
09:17:36 And you alright. Well, good morning. It has been a while since I've joined you all.
09:17:41 I've watched the replays of some of the meetings so appreciate this opportunity to provide comments.
09:17:47 I am looking forward to this afternoon as well, because, you know frankly, I came a bit as a surprise.
09:17:52 Maybe it all it did for all of us, since even new Commissioner Eisenhower, back at the September meeting.
09:17:57 Noted that you were the county really wasn't looking at the carbon project, as you may recall, so I think we're looking forward to learning more details.
09:18:05 I do want to at least correct the record on a couple things as it relates to carpent prices not from us feel free to go to carbon credits.com.
09:18:15 You can look up the current pricing rates on the voluntary carbon market right now.
09:18:21 It's about $6 per metric time, not 17 or well.
09:18:25 Whatever was mentioned earlier. But go ahead and look up, nature-based solutions, which is where we're talking about here either way.
09:18:32 You know we know Commissioner Dean was quoted last week is saying that you know it was probably going to be about 10 cents on the dollar we'll see hopefully.
09:18:40 It can be more ultimately, and we'll look forward to learning more from Dnr.
09:18:43 I guess what I'd love for you guys to think about is think about Jefferson County as a whole.
09:18:49 I've been looking at for service forests, inventory data.
09:18:54 Jefferson County has the oldest forests in the entire State.
09:18:57 When you take into account national parks, forest service, and Private actually 156 years old on average, with the fat, the national parks being too high over 250 and 4 service,
being 150 I guess what i'm getting at is you have the State trust lands that can be managed
09:19:17 Literally, and I agree with one of the earlier commentators can be managed with longer rotations.
09:19:21 That's how these are largely managed which actually enhances carbon sequestration and puts more of that carbon into long live wood products like what's right behind me and when
you go look at the you know the recommendations of the intergovernmental panel on climate change that is what
09:19:38 They really recommend is managing for us in a sustainable way, where you're continuing to grow.
09:19:43 Your forest stocks, as well as producing wood products to meet our need, because we know between now, according to the UN.
09:19:51 And 2060. We're going to double the demand for building materials, so we can meet those with carbon-friendly.
09:19:59 I know some people chafe at that, but frankly it is carbon-friendly wood products compared to concrete and steel.
09:20:04 So we look forward to engaging. I know there is a lot of talk to some junior tax and districts in Jefferson County that this is caught them by surprise as well in terms of the
carbon project, and just making sure they understand the implications of this so thank you for the opportunity.
09:20:18 To comment, and I'll look forward to at least monitoring today.
09:20:21 I may not be able to make it in person, do it.
09:20:23 Some sitcoms in the house, and then I want to bring that up there. So do appreciate the time today
09:20:28 Thank you, Heath. We'll see you this afternoon, and it looks like a net is here to make a public comment and that you're gonna need to unmute.
09:20:38 You have 3Â min for public comment
09:20:40 Thank you. Commissioner Eisenhower. I'd like to speak to I have a little laundry list from the last time you folks met in public.
09:20:49 Or the last regular commissioners meeting 2 weeks ago, Commissioner Dean, you said that I think we will all celebrate when we all feel comfortable, rescinding what we have been
cautious or we're sending the emergency order the state of emergency you mentioned that we've been
09:21:10 Cautious throughout. You're proud of the outcomes we have.
09:21:13 As a result of that and you don't relish continuing in this but when the time comes when our staff, who feel most cautious, feel ready for us to move on from this we will so
we're going to this state, of emergency is because of your most frightened employees is that
09:21:34 What this is about that I mean you all have been sufficiently frightened by our Public Health Department, and convinced that concoction that doesn't prevent transmission or
infection is necessary to take it also doesn't prevent hospitalization or death.
09:21:54 I I don't see how any of us who are not afraid of this, who take care of our health.
09:22:00 Naturally and haven't been sick. I don't see why we should wait for your most frightened employees to get rid of this emergency order.
09:22:08 You also said that we've gotten plenty. We've gotten feedback pretty clearly that we can continue to be a bit of an oddball in terms of counties and jurisdictions, because it's
worked for us i'd be very interested to know what metrics you're using to make
09:22:22 A statement like that Commissioner Dean. We are an oddball in terms of being the only county who did hang on to the emergency order as far as I can tell, searching I found nobody
else who's done this Commissioner Eisen how are you mentioned Yup suggesting that we shouldn't be so
09:22:42 Different by this saying that it's a choice whether or not you take the job.
09:22:47 It's not a choice for a lot of people when you have to choose between your job and the general that's not a choice that is coercion by the norm Nuremberg code definitions.
09:23:01 That is coercion. If you have to have a job to have a a transplant, people have been taken off of transplant lists because they won't take these toxic products.
09:23:12 That is not a choice. You must understand that that that calling it a choice is simply erroneous.
09:23:18 It's not, and to Mr. Tears, who offered up something that everybody seemed to go along with.
09:23:27 Last at the last meeting that Jefferson County is one of the healthiest counties in the country.
09:23:34 I wonder where that statistic came from when I went looking.
09:23:39 We've been in. We've Frank, very high in terms of cases.
09:23:42 In fact, we've been one of Washington's highest case rates for quite a while.
09:23:47 Off and on over the last year. But I found a list on us news that had hundreds of counties.
09:23:53 I know. That's 3Â min
09:23:55 And we weren't on it. Thank you.
09:23:56 And that's 3. Thank you.
09:24:03 Anybody else with us online this morning? Who would like to make a public comment.
09:24:08 You can use the raise hand button at the bottom of your zoom screen.
09:24:14 Yeah, yeah, he just needs to. So anyone else wanted to make a comment this morning.
09:24:22 If you're on the phone you want to make a comment.
09:24:24 You can press Star 9 in your hand will be raised, and we'll bring you over.
09:24:28 See a couple of folks on the phone this morning. Okay, so I'll leave public common open in case somebody has the last minute comment for another 6Â min.
09:24:41 But responding to public comment. Kate, I'm assuming you're driving and are not going to be responding to public comment.
09:24:50 But you can tell me otherwise
09:24:54 Okay. Thanks. Yeah. And I'm sorry that I'm not there in person.
09:25:00 I'm I'm my way in Olympia.
09:25:04 Be listening in this morning. And yeah, I I appreciate everyone's comments and I am not in the best position to respond.
09:25:12 Okay, Greg, do you want to respond first? Sure, and maybe just a public service announcement to just we should say it throughout the day that we're not going to be here next
week no Commissioners meeting on the fourteenth let's see to everyone commenting on the the dnr
09:25:33 Carbon project. I appreciate the interest in people's.
09:25:37 The the volumes of ancillary data that people have been sharing with us to.
09:25:41 These are all really well received, so not a lot of comment.
09:25:45 Now I also have a lot of questions for Dnr, and I'm glad that they're going to be here with us.
09:25:49 And I'm sure I know we have a public comment period then, too, so well refrain on on talking about the carbon project until we get a little bit more information, but appreciate
everyone's input to Mr.
09:26:01 Shoemaker, you know Coswell Brown is is funded by a variety of different things, you know $600,000 for the purchase of the property which includes for undeveloped properties,
that can still be used for ancillary uses the reason that it's not i'm
09:26:17 not sure. I don't think it was part of the county's contract, I mean I might have ended up in there.
09:26:24 But really there's been delay, as we had to make a phase one, and then a phase, 2 with the infrastructure.
09:26:31 So we're waiting until the infrastructure the showers, the portable water on site the electrical to each unit is finished, which will happen in by disaster.
09:26:40 One, I believe, before. Let' more people in so it's really because we have to move everybody from one location to another.
09:26:45 Location in the property, and just the logistics of that are pretty large.
09:26:52 So it was, I think, a mutually made decision not to allow more people in, but just to address the acute issue which we did resolve with that which was the unsanctioned encampment
at the fairgrounds.
09:27:04 And so as soon as the infrastructure is done with phase, 2 and many of these dollars are can only be used for housing projects as well, so it's not like they could go to any
you know I mean to other other uses roads.
09:27:16 Or the sheriff's department. So it's building a significant infrastructure you know.
09:27:22 It's going to be going to have capacity for 50 people in less than a month, and that's what we're building to.
09:27:28 Sometimes there are gaps as you as you build up to it, but I'm still very proud of the project.
09:27:33 So yeah, there's that answer regarding the consent agenda.
09:27:37 I believe it was the cutest sound partnership both of the consent agenda items that you talked about are revenue neutral for Jefferson County, we're not investing Jefferson
county dollars in it but I think Peter sound partnership.
09:27:47 My read my reading of the dosey Walls Project are putting more money and for property acquisition which is really at a critical, willing property acquisition.
09:27:54 Only for folks that are down there in the flood plains.
09:27:58 As we work on a on a design, for you know a really substantial salmon project down there, and I think the other one on the the health, the vaccines, and the fema dollars there
was a typo.
09:28:12 I wanted to call out, I think in the as it was listed it talked about a decreased amount of $9,413.
09:28:19 It's actually an increase, but it's an increase as as the the document talks about 2, and that's money coming into the county again.
09:28:24 Revenue, neutral and as we've talked about, we don't have any more plans right now for mass vaccination, clinics, but I think we will work.
09:28:32 To you know preserve that option for people. I guess maybe I'll bleed into my answer to a net which is that we don't compel anyone to get vaccinated in as part of condition
of jeffrey county's employment I know that some of the other municipal
09:28:46 Agents have had a vaccine requirement, but we've never done that.
09:28:49 We've we work with people, you know. Accommodating people is is what we do, and that includes our staff, and I think that answers Stevens questions about the consent agenda.
09:29:02 Yeah, yeah, there was one question about the extension of time for the vaccination, and it it was an it.
09:29:09 It went from September thirtieth to October, 31 of this year.
09:29:15 So it was a one month extension, right? So kind of retroactive. Really.
09:29:18 Yeah. But we're not planning any more of that mass vaccination clinics right now, though you're you're your provider or one of the the the drugstores in the area.
09:29:29 Can still provide a vaccine if you would like, and we highly recommend it as a very effective way of mitigating.
09:29:34 Serious illness and and death, and to Annette, you know again the emergency order does not impact anybody outside of the county it only preserves my reason for voting, for it
is it preserves that one time 40 40Â h of sick time.
09:29:50 That we can give to folks that are dealing with Covid.
09:29:54 They're dealing with kids with Covid and the isolation we've got.
09:29:57 Our staff has been push to the breaking point. We are actually starting to only in the later days of the pandemic have had a service level impacts and anything we can do to
protect our our staff from burnout and to maintain services that we have you know I'm I'm absolutely
09:30:15 behind. And I think that it' that's what the emergency does.
09:30:18 So. Some people, you know, react to the word emergency. I think you need to look at the at the content of the of the resolution, and I fully support every aspect in it.
09:30:30 No, yeah, no one had to choose between the job or the vaccination of Jefferson County.
09:30:35 Oh, one other thing to announce, you know, looking at at numbers is, can be a really it can be especially if you have an idea that you're looking to confirm you can get you
can really make some some false assumptions. You know one thing.
09:30:51 That you need to take into account when looking at those numbers is the case.
09:30:54 Ascertainment rate, and you know, according to our health officer who I know you don't give a lot of credibility to our case ascertainment rate is over.
09:31:01 I think 4 times what the States is, so it's hard to look at at numbers of of rates, and look at apples to apples.
09:31:08 I would defend Mr. Tearsh's ascertain that we've done really well against Covid as a county, and I think we continue to do, and I think that's because we we take it seriously
we make a combination and we we focus on communication I think
09:31:24 We'll continue to do that, and yeah, I mean I'd love to go into the forest carbon.
09:31:30 Lots of questions raised. I wanna know what that rate is. That carbon the price per per ton of carbon.
09:31:36 But we'll get into that this afternoon. So I'll stop there.
09:31:38 Okay. Thanks. Greg and I don't have a lot to add to Greg's comments.
09:31:43 And I have a niggly cough that's been with me for about 10 days now, and so I'm gonna try and save my ability to speak for keeping this train on the track today.
09:31:53 We have a very packed agenda and so I'm gonna close public comments because it's 9, 31, and we are going to consider consent agenda and then we're gonna add an agenda item.
09:32:06 Quickly before we move into Portland. So is there anything we want to call out on the consent agenda other than things we've already discussed in public comment.
09:32:16 I mean a couple important hearings coming up so November, the 20 first is going to be another pack today. I encourage people to come back for that and it's great to see you
know get closer to that final design of the the port headlock sewer jump you know there was something else I wanted to call out
09:32:39 Oh! Definitely support the the letter to the port of 4 Towns, and Mark.
09:32:44 Thanks for getting that on there they're applying for 2 million dollars to put into the quill scene her beck, Marina, and it's it's really aligns with the community meetings
that they've been having the the outcomes of those community meetings and that I would say.
09:32:59 Represent as close as you're going to get to a consensus and and quill scene.
09:33:04 Sorry to see Dave C. Brook step down and and good.
09:33:09 One more too right, and Liz but we're gonna we've got one appointment, so you know 2 steps back, one step forward this week.
09:33:19 There and again. I just wish we could put this 25% reduction for temporary food permits into policy, so we don't have to approve them
09:33:42 So yeah. Good stuff all around. Oh, and great to see Laurie flimming coming back.
09:33:49 Yeah, more things change. So I will entertain a motion to approve the consumer. Consent.
09:33:56 Agenda. I'll move to approve the consent agenda correcting the typo in the title of Number 6.
09:34:01 I'm happy to second
09:34:01 From deep, all in favor. Bye bye, passes you Yup
09:34:14 Yeah. That's that's a okay.
09:34:06 Hi! Hey! Heidi! Let me make a quick announcement about the transfer stations, while we what we have folks on the line transfer station is going to be close Friday and Saturday
of this week for the repair construction Project and then starting next week will be closed
09:34:26 On Mondays from here on out. So just wanna be sure the public is aware of that change
09:34:32 And I'll just add to that that it's closed on Mondays to public traffic.
09:34:37 But it will be commercial only so that'll what would actually reduce the traffic on other days of the week, because Mondays will be a focus day for the commercial traffic.
09:34:45 To get in and offload, and I also want to make a call out to our solid waste team.
09:34:51 I saw them out there on Saturday. I took him a little afternoon treat because they worked all weekend just like our roads crew and our pudd, and that is a great.
09:35:03 That's that's the yeah. Have you voted?
09:35:14 Tell me that I don't think we voted yet. Okay, okay, thanks.
09:35:14 I'm I'm okay. So consent, consent.
09:35:18 Agenda is adopted and we're gonna add an item regarding an immersion declaration regarding the storm that happened this week.
09:35:27 So let's bring Willie over, can we? While we bring Willie over?
09:35:33 Can I give a shout out to Pd. Staff and share a tidbit of information that Mark and I learned on Friday when there's an outage like there was certainly in south county and throughout
the county those that few D staff and contractors they're working on the outage work 60Â h
09:35:50 shifts, crazy. It's it's dedication in a way that is, I think, sometimes not understood.
09:35:56 When you're looking at that little blink and waiting for your power to come back on.
09:35:59 But man, there they are, working working hard out there, and I really appreciate the the quick, quick restoration of power that happened.
09:36:06 This is Pastor: yeah.
09:36:09 Will. You'll need to accept the promotion to panelists. We're ready to bring you over hopefully. You're ready to be brought over
09:36:20 Yeah.
09:36:17 I can say. Willie worked all weekend, too. I was not a number of emergency calls with him, and didn't get a lot of sleep.
09:36:28 Yeah.
09:36:31 Good morning, Willie.
09:36:37 You'll need to. Looks like you're unmuted.
09:36:43 You'll need to unmute
09:36:51 Can I blame it on the power outage
09:36:53 Hey? Yeah, sorry took me a little bit to to finally get on, and in
09:36:58 Good morning. Do you want to tee this emergency declaration up since you wrote the agenda request
09:37:03 Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. So. We are requesting a decoration of emergency from the county today.
09:37:11 I'm in response to both the windstorm that occurred this past weekend, as well as the the incoming cold snap may see some lowland.
09:37:20 Snow. I'm at the very least we will see below freezing temperatures, in many parts of the county over the next next several dates.
09:37:28 This windstorm that hit us. I'm starting about 10 Pm.
09:37:33 Friday night, and continues to impact us as we still have about 1,500 folks without power.
09:37:39 At 1 point nearly every person in the county was without power.
09:37:44 As of late Friday night. I have to give an absolute massive shout out here to our public utilities district, who have been working 31 non-stop since late Friday night to restore
power and again we went from just about every person.
09:37:59 In the county without it, down to just about 1,500 as they work up on some of the smaller pockets and hope to have everyone restored in the next day or 2 when speeds here in
the county according to the national weather service reached is we had gusts as high.
09:38:16 As 75 miles an hour, and that was measured out on Marathon.
09:38:21 We had consistent wind speeds in the 40 to 50 mile an hour range, and this happening so early in the winter season it knocked a lot of loose trees down.
09:38:32 It knocked a lot of branches loose and again did untold damage to our power.
09:38:37 Infrastructure. So we're still unsure of the total cost of the response to this disaster, and especially with some incoming cold and some more response operations that might
be needed but we're really pursuing an emergency. Declaration today.
09:38:50 To really emphasize the nature of this particular emergency, and really hopefully tee ourselves off for a federal declaration down the line which would help cover some of the
costs.
09:39:01 I'm associated with this response, which will be an absolutely massive for our county and city departments, as well as our public utilities.
09:39:08 District who have been putting in a lot of time, energy and money to help get folks get roads cleared and get power back on for everyone.
09:39:17 So I'm coming to you up with this request today.
09:39:22 I mean all of our partners would appropriate it.
09:39:37 Thank you. Willie seems totally appropriate, and I also want to make another shout out to our road screw, who I know we're working double-time as well alongside pud as they
were clearing the roads and the dealing with all of the wind debris so
09:39:56 Do we want to have any discussion about this declaration I mean we've done this before.
09:39:24 I know the community has appreciated the work that they have been doing since late Friday night. And other than that, I'm happy to answer any questions regarding the response
or the declaration and just really appreciate your consideration
09:40:02 I think Willie feed it up well, you know this is a way that we can get compensation for the extraordinary labor that that was expended, in and dealing with.
09:40:13 The situation, so
09:40:14 And I will say this doesn't guarantee that this is just a potential step in that process.
09:40:21 I I don't have an exact dollar amount right now.
09:40:25 We haven't even started those contracts with the State.
09:40:28 They'll do what's called, you know, damage, assessment, preliminary damage, assessment, Pda.
09:40:34 Along with us to determine the dollar amounts, and we'll go to the state. Then go to the Feds. But this is a step in that process
09:40:42 So we can we put it up on the screen action. Yeah, got it so I'm going to display the emergency declaration and then we'll take public comment.
09:41:03 So
09:41:07 I don't have to scroll
09:41:12 Come on, little computer. Be my friend. Okay, so there is the the full text of the declaration do we want to read it, or can just get people time to read it.
09:41:26 Maybe we should read it for the benefit of people. I I can start, and the resolution in the matter of a declaration of emergency windstorm event, whereas a severe weather event
beginning November the fourth 2,022 as impacted residents of Jefferson county due to strong
09:41:43 Westerly winds with maximum wind gust speeds reaching 75 miles per hour, according to the National weather service, leaving nearly every resident of Jefferson county without
power.
09:41:51 At 1 point in time, whereas impacts to life and safety of Jefferson county residents have included long-term power outages damage to personal property enclosures of critical
infrastructure for a period of time periods of time and whereas additional weather related impacts may be possible into the week of
09:42:09 18, with sub-freezing temperatures and precipitation forecasted.
09:42:13 Early in the week, whereas immediate preventative action and repair will be necessary to prevent further damage, and to restore essential services, and whereas persons and property
may be threatened or damaged, and access to property will continue to be impaired, unless emergency efforts are taken by Jefferson county
09:42:30 And other responding agencies to reduce the threat to life and property.
09:42:34 Now, for now, therefore, be it resolved, the the board of Jefferson County Commissioners hereby declare that a state of emergency exists
09:42:44 And you want to read the one and 2 the the county is authorized to enter into contracts and incur obligations necessary to combat this emergency, to protect the health and safety
of person and property in light, of the exitency, exodus of an emergency situation without regard, to time-consuming
09:43:01 Procedures and formalities prescribed by law.
09:43:03 With the exception of mandatory constitutional requirements, candid 2: this emergency authority will expire in 14 days from the data.
09:43:11 The adoption of this resolution, unless pacifically authorized by the Board
09:43:16 Adopted this plank day. Of 2,022 Jefferson.
09:43:19 Cany Board of Commissioners do I have a motion to approve the declaration.
09:43:28 I'll second
09:43:25 All in favor. Oh, yeah, we are okay. So I'm gonna open it up for public comment.
09:43:37 If you're online and would like to make a public comment, you can use the raise hand button at the bottom of your zoom screen
09:43:47 And if you're in the room I want to make a public comment, you can raise your hand and have your 3Â min of fame.
09:43:54 So I see Stephen with his hand up in the room.
09:43:56 Steven. Come on up. Thank you. First. This is a proper emergency order, as opposed to it an interminent one.
09:44:05 Second. I just wonder whether any of the one person 1 million of arpa funds could possibly be used to help infrastructure for these purposes.
09:44:13 I know Ourp has a lot of strings. You'll be dealing with that this afternoon. Thanks
09:44:21 Thank you. Is there anyone online who's raised their hand
09:44:25 Okay. Last call for public comment online anybody with us on Zoom wanting to make a public comment on this emergency declaration.
09:44:33 You can raise your hand, using the raise hand button at the bottom of the zoom screen or press star 9.
09:44:38 If you're on the phone, not seeing any other hands go up, so I'll close public comment, and we'll take a vote all in favor of this emergency. Declaration.
09:44:48 Hi! Aye
09:44:52 None opposed, passes unanimously. Thank you, Wellie, and thanks for all your work, and 1,500 more people to work on.
09:45:01 Thanks. Everyone.
09:45:05 Hey! So next on our agenda is, we have a number of proclamations to consider, and we're gonna go through.
09:45:16 Them in the order they're listed on the agenda, and the first one is a proclamation proclaiming the week of November seventh to the thirteenth 2,022 and observance of Richard
Voitch who was a County Commissioner here and
09:45:29 A dear friend and mentor of mine, and some of his family is with us in the room today we have a proclamation, and we are going to lower the flag for him for a week for this
week, and it was a little bit of logistics figuring out how to do that as a county.
09:45:47 But we did talk with an Idaho talk with a number of other counties, and it has happened for local elected officials in the past.
09:45:54 So Greg and I will read the proclamation.
09:46:00 You want to start? Sure proclamation. Observance of Richard Vo, whereas in 1,990 Richard, what became an elected Jefferson County Commissioner, and went on to serve for 12 years
a strong environmentalist, his proudest accomplishments?
09:46:14 Were putting in place Jefferson County's first comprehensive plan and helping to start the Larry Scott trail after retiring in 2,000, and 2 he served on many boards and committees
including the north Olympic salmon coalition, Jefferson County Historical
09:46:26 Society and sunrise rotary, and whereas Mr. Mr.
09:46:31 White was a determined individual who never let the naysayers hold them back undiagnosed.
09:46:36 This dyslexia made high School a challenge, but the ignored advice to lower his ambitious and went to college, earn anyway, he earned degrees in Canada, and education from Western
Washington University, and whereas Mr.
09:46:49 Voight's career involved teaching at Fort Warden's juvenile diagnostic and Treatment Center.
09:46:54 He also taught science at Chimneyum High School for 25 years he loved working with kids and taking them, hiking in the Olympic Mountains.
09:47:00 He meant towards students and stayed in touch with some of them throughout his life, including current Commissioner Heidi.
09:47:05 Iisenhower, and whereas the deep love of nature, dedication to community, and it is a desire to do good in this world with a threats that ran through the life of former county
Commissioners Richard voight and whereas a memorial service will be held on December
09:47:21 Third 2,022 at 2 0, P. M. At the Quimper Unitarian, Universalist Fellowship Max Masks and Kovat 19 proof of vaccination are required to attend in Louis flowers the family suggests
a donation to generate Jefferson health care hospice
09:47:34 Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim November seventh to the thirteenth, 22 observance of Richard void in jefferson
county and the quote that the courthouse flag will be
09:47:49 Lowered to half staff and observance of him, and encourage Jefferson county residents to join the commissioners, and honoring his memory and achievements, approved the seventh
day of September the twentieth 20 seventh day.
09:48:02 Of November, 2,022. It's not the wooden
09:48:09 Well, I'll I'll move that we approve the proclamation as red.
09:48:14 Oh!
09:48:13 I'll second I Kate a second all in favor.
09:48:20 Okay.
09:48:19 Bye, bye, Carolyn or Cynthia would either be like to make any comments this morning or yeah.
09:48:34 Okay. Well, thank you. And we all appreciated him immensely.
09:48:39 It was a great leader. Thank you. I feel sad for the people who moved here.
09:48:44 Since he was a commissioner they didn't get to know him as a commissioner.
09:48:48 Thank you: okay.
09:48:52 Oh, well, we can sign up. You guys want a copy of the proclamation here.
09:48:58 Yeah.
09:49:04 We could get another one. Done. Okay, the staff will be
09:49:16 Here. Let's give you. Take you. Take this down to Julia.
09:49:21 Thank you very much. Okay. Okay, the next proclamation on our list for the week is operation.
09:49:34 Green, Light Proclamation proclaiming the week of seventh to the thirteenth, 2022 is Operation Green light, and I think mark you're going to tee this one up right right yeah,
as a veteran myself.
09:49:46 20 years, in the Us. Army. I'm happy to announce this proclamation, that honors our veterans from all services.
09:49:57 You know, counties are significant and providing benefits to veterans.
09:50:02 You know we all know Carolyn works with the veterans group here the veteran service officer, and making the benefits available through our general fund.
09:50:14 You know a portion of our general fund. Levy goes to fund those benefits, and in honor of those veterans Matt Cord, our facilities foreman is arranged to have the courthouse
illuminated with with green lights for the next week and the sheriff's admin office
09:50:33 Will be similarly illuminated with green light, and we encourage people throughout the county to do likewise at their residences and local businesses to light up in green to
honor our vets, who have in many cases given their all for the country so thank you mark i'm
09:50:57 Happy to start the reading of this one proclamation supporting operation, Green Light for veterans Whereas, the residents of Jefferson County have great respect, admiration,
and the utmost gratitude for all the men and women who have selflessly served our country and this
09:51:12 Community, in the armed forces, and whereas the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women who served in the armed forces have been vital in maintaining the freedoms
and way of life enjoyed by our citizens and the whereas Jefferson county seeks to honor these individuals who have paid the
09:51:29 High high price for freedom by placing themselves in harm's way for the good of all, and whereas veterans continue to serve our community in the American Legion veterans of
foreign wars religious groups civil service and by functioning as county veterans service, officers, in 29 States to help
09:51:46 former service members access more than 52 billion dollars in federal health, disability, and compensation benefits each year, and whereas approximately 200,000 service members,
transition to civilian communities annually and whereas an estimated 20% increase of service members will transition to civilian life in the near future and
09:52:09 Whereas studies indicate that 44 to 72% of service members experience high levels of stress during transition from military to civilian life, and whereas active military service
members transitioning from military service are at a high risk for suicide during their first year after military service, and whereas the national association
09:52:30 Of counties, encourages all counties, parishes, and boroughs, to recognize operation, green light for veterans, and whereas the Jefferson Jefferson County appreciates the sacrifices
of our United States military Personnel and believe specific recognition should be Granted.
09:52:47 Therefore, the be it resolved with designation as as a green light for Veterans County, Jefferson County Hereby declares from November the seventh 2,022 through veterans, day
November the eleventh 2,022 a time to salute
09:53:00 And honor the service, and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform transitioning from active service.
09:53:05 Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Jefferson County board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim November the seventh to the thirteenth 2,022 as operation green Light in
Jefferson county and that an observance, of officer, operation green light encourages its
09:53:21 Citizens and patriotic tradition to recognize the importance of honoring all of those who made a measurable sacrifices to preserve freedom by displaying a green light in the
window of their place of business or residents approved the seventh day of november 20
09:53:36 22. I'll move that we approve the proclamation proclaiming the week of November seventh, through thirteenth, as operation green light
09:53:45 I will second
09:53:46 All in favor. Hi, yeah, oh, yeah.
09:53:48 Let me do a little discussion. Okay, thanks. And I'm sorry great cell reception.
09:53:57 But just wanna say, this is, you know it is important that we do this and acknowledge that you know.
09:54:05 We oftentimes take more than the levy on the general funds to help funds, veteran services.
09:54:11 We try to really fulfill most of the requests that come in through the good work of Careless, and that and the officers that do that work so real commitment and just wanna say,
I spent the weekend today military funeral a young marine who died and surrounded
09:54:28 By both veterans and active service members, and indeed the the sacrifices.
09:54:39 Thank you, Kate: any further comments. Yeah, shining. A light on it is something that we should do.
09:54:37 Yeah.
09:54:50 So I I like the the the symbolism in this project, and happy to participate all in favor.
09:54:58 Bye, bye, hey! Passes, passes unanimously.
09:55:06 Our next. We're gonna bring. Is Monty there to bring over?
09:55:10 Okay, our next. Whoa? No Internet. Yeah, I'm struggling to bring it out
09:55:18 Hmm! Interesting. Hey, we're having a little bit of time.
09:55:22 Difficulty.
09:55:26 Hmm! I'm reconnecting to the Zoom Meeting.
09:55:29 Yeah, yep.
09:55:33 I'm hard, but maybe
09:55:37 Yup. Still don't have a copy of the proclamation
09:55:00 Hi!
09:55:51 It's looks like it's the wi-fi.
09:55:53 And so Carolyn still up but we we can share this proclamation.
09:55:57 Yup. Oh, it maybe can. He's oh, he's over on your screen.
09:56:06 Oh, there he is! Hi Monte! Do you want to?
09:56:07 Hello! Good morning.
09:56:09 Good morning. Do you want to tea up this proclamation
09:56:14 Sure it's the EPA and President Biden has for for the last couple of years have this America recycles day and November, and it's just recognizing the importance of recycling
in managing our way stream of course I you know the
09:56:37 solid waste manager, and I, would like it to be called America, reduces and reusers day, but recycling when done right.
09:56:44 Is it important part of the way we manage our our waste better than just try it in the landfill, and of course, what I mean by recycling riot is, you know, not contaminating
the waste stream putting only those items in that are readily
09:57:06 recyclable which Jefferson County is one of the few counties that really makes an effort to to really do that with our source separated streams are our 3 bin plus cardboard
system.
09:57:19 Of course, recycling, really subject to the whims of the market right now the the market for the commodities is is down somewhat because of the you know.
09:57:32 It's still cheaper in some cases for manufacturers to use raw materials which it'd be nice if there were if there was legislation at the Federal and State, level that made recycling
more cost competitive with with the raw
09:57:53 Materials. But again it is a it is a good program.
09:58:00 We have a good program here and you know we have some pretty.
09:58:07 We have lower contamination rates, and we get more for our products because of the way they're separated by by our users.
09:58:18 You know again. We need to make sure that recycling doesn't send the message that you can just buy whatever you want, and it's okay for the climate.
09:58:31 You know, putting something in the recycling. Then it's already had to be manufactured. In the first place.
09:58:38 Now it's gonna be trucked somewhere other than a landfill which is good, and it's going to be remanufactured again.
09:58:45 All of which takes energy. So really, consumption is the issue for the climate, but recycling is a again.
09:58:55 It's better than I'm just throwing things in the landfill, for sure.
09:59:00 Is there anything else you'd like me to
09:59:03 No, those are all those are all great points, and one question: yeah, do you just talk a little bit about the plastic commodities I I have had the same feelings.
09:59:12 I think that you expressed much more elegantly than I do seen seeing this proclamation, I I would prefer to that it was a national reduce and reuse proclamation but can you
just talk about the market for plastics right now and and the dangers, of which
09:59:26 Cycling, and some of those single-use containers a little more
09:59:29 Well, sure I mean single use. Anything is is really bad for the planet.
09:59:34 But plastic seems to be the the the product that we make the most single use products out of, and I'd really encourage people to think twice before buying those products plastic
of course, is made out of petroleum and and you know there's the
10:00:01 Petroleum companies are are really pushing plastic, harder and harder as there's the movement to get away from Patroleum for transportation.
10:00:11 One. Of the issues with plastic is. There's so many different kinds of plastic, and they're often intermingled in the same product.
10:00:19 They're not all equally recyclable or valuable, and so it it's, you know.
10:00:28 But but people a lot of people, not all people tend to think of plastic as one product that you throw in plastic recycling, and it just isn't so you know contamination of the
recycling stream just doesn't mean pizza boxes with cheese and
10:00:42 grease stuck to him in in contamination means the the wrong product.
10:00:47 So a very clean bleed piece of plastic. That is not the right kind of plastic contaminates the waste stream and makes it less recyclable, more energy intensive to separate etc.
10:01:00 So we, in our accounting much like many of the surrounding jurisdictions, really only want to accept what used to be called ones and twos, which is primarily what they make
bottles and jugs out of excuse me those those plastics.
10:01:24 Are more recyclable than others it still doesn't mean we should be by buying boxes and boxes of bottled water when we have perfectly acceptable water that comes out of our tap
for free nearly for free compared to the the the price of what bottled water is in
10:01:44 our community, but those are the most recyclable types of plastics, you know plastic films, yogurt containers, lids, plastic lids.
10:02:03 All of these are made out of less desirable, or, I should say, less recyclable plastics.
10:02:10 You you would be amazed at what we get in our recycling stream.
10:02:14 We accept glass bottles we don't accept tempered glass from your home.
10:02:19 Construction project. It does not go in the glass resource recycling.
10:02:25 Then we don't accept diapers just because they're made out of plastic and paper.
10:02:32 You know you don't accept? Well, I mean I shouldn't say we don't accept whatever comes in the ban is what we get.
10:02:40 It just ruins the recycling mix for everyone else.
10:02:43 So again. You know the EPA's website on America recycles Day.
10:02:50 It talks about the benefits recycling, but it says Recycle, right again talking about recycling the materials that are accepted by your local solid waste jurisdiction.
10:03:04 In this case you know the county and our recycling contractors scoop them
10:03:10 Thanks, Monty, any other questions.
10:03:16 Okay. Well, we have a proclamation to read you wanna just whereas today half of all global greenhouse gas emissions are created when natural.
10:03:37 Resources are taken from the earth, and made into usable products, and whereas by reducing, reusing and recycling, we can decrease the waste and the greenhouse gases that fuel
the climate crisis crisis while protecting our communities, and our environment and whereas although we have made significant progress since the
10:03:56 First America Recycles day over 2 decades ago.
10:03:58 We still have work, to do, and whereas our nation's infrastructure has not kept pace with today's changing waste stream and markets for recycled materials are decreasing and
whereas to improve our national recycling system and manage our precious resources equitably and
10:04:14 sustainably is going to take all of us, including Federal State, tribal, and local governments, are partners in the private sector, and individual Americans, making a difference
in their communities and whereas we must continue to work together.
10:04:26 To properly recycle and manage materials throughout their life.
10:04:30 Cycles, and insure that every America's right to a healthy environment is fulfilled and protected.
10:04:36 Now therefore, on America, recycles day, we celebrate efforts across the county to manage our resources responsibly and creatively, and we recommit ourselves to building a brighter
and more sustainable future for all people the Jefferson county board of county Commissioners hereby proclaimed the fifteenth day, of
10:04:52 November, the twentieth, 22 as America recycles day and recognition of this important function. We call upon all individuals to pay appropriate attention to the environment
of our county and encourage all Jefferson county residents, to recycle proclaim the seventeenth
10:05:08 Thank you, Monty.
10:05:10 Sure. Thank you.
10:05:14 Okay, we have one more proclamation declaring America recycles day
10:05:28 I will second
10:05:30 All in favor. Hi, I thanks, Monte, is that Thorndyke behind you.
10:05:40 Love it
10:05:36 Yeah, that that is Thorndyke. There the the road is reopened, guard rails and all that.
10:05:46 So they're just removing the the the bypass and wrapping up the replanting and things like that.
10:05:55 So for staff, I'll try to get out of the way here.
10:05:59 Where okay, yeah, that was. Those were 2 rounds, small callverts that were fish barriers.
10:06:07 Before this project, which was funded by State and Federal funds.
10:06:12 That's a local contract you're there doing this work.
10:06:16 It's now 35 foot. Barry Bridge on Thorndyke Creek, which is got miles of habitat upstream of that structure.
10:06:25 This structure thorny, grows pretty close to the you know, to the sound, to the salt water.
10:06:34 That one.
10:06:34 So most of the stream is up above the structure. So it's a great project.
10:06:37 Happy to see it completed.
10:06:41 Glad that was your background this morning. Hmm!
10:06:45 Oh, we have a binary
10:06:51 Okay. You're breaking up really bad. I think you said Bye.
10:06:56 Oh, sorry!
10:06:57 No by no plastic. Yeah, Tuesday.
10:07:03 Is, that
10:07:08 I'm down. I'm down. I'm gonna give my one in recognition of this proclamation.
10:07:16 My one tip is by frozen orange juice.
10:07:19 Yep. I've actually convinced a bunch of people not to buy plastic jugs of orange juice and go to the co-OP, and by the organic frozen or buy what everyone's frozen orange juice,
you want but instead of the plastic, jugs so anyway.
10:07:33 Thanks, Monty, so
10:07:34 Yeah, just mentioned. We recycle about 4,000 tons from our you know what's delivered to our facility each year.
10:07:41 But there's a lot of other recycling that goes on asphalt concrete products, metal things like that are all part of the recycling stream much of it handled by you know private
contractors and companies here in our county so good to remember that as
10:08:04 well, thank you very much. We'll we'll see you later.
10:08:07 Thank you: Moni: okay, let's see. So our our last proclamation for today is drum roll.
10:08:15 Please, Anna's joined us. And are you here in the room to help with the teeing up the proclamation?
10:08:23 Okay. I can't see who you are behind your mask.
10:08:27 So so this is the proclamation peripheral, proclaiming the entire month of November as family caregiver, month, and our we need to bring apple over, I think oh, she's not what
she's not there and Anna is here.
10:08:42 With us in the room. So, Anna, are you gonna tee this up
10:08:43 I am. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner, so my name is Anna Mack Henry.
10:08:50 I'm the Dd Behavioral Health Coordinator, and I work out of public health.
10:08:55 And first of all, I'd like to read a statement from Kim Rafferty, who is the co-chair of the Id Advisory Board, and her husband, Bob Wheeler her family caregivers but Unable
to attend this meeting today?
10:09:08 And actually, that's due to being a caregiver.
10:09:11 Thank you for acknowledging the value of family caregivers.
10:09:15 According to Dshs in Washington State there are 850 by 1 million unpaid family caregivers, 1,000, which is equivalent to 10, point 6 billion annually, and unpaid care almost
80% of services a loved one needs are provided by family caregivers family
10:09:38 Caregivers provide 14,000 folks they provide care for over 14,000 folks who experience id often at a high cost.
10:09:48 Financially, physically, and emotionally. It's evident that family caregivers are invaluable in our inadequate system of long-term care.
10:09:58 Thank you. I'd like to say I did a bit of research and found that the national alliance for caregiving and Aa Rp.
10:10:07 Caregiving revealed that more than one in 5 Americans, 21 point, 3% are family caregivers to an adult or a child who experience health and or functional needs at some time in
the past 12 months so that's 53 million caregivers in the us that's an
10:10:25 Increase of 9.5 million from 2,015 to 20, being a caregiver can be challenging, and often exhausting task, especially if that caregiver is working with someone who has long-term
needs a step the study from the national alliance for caregiving revealed that family
10:10:43 caregiver are in worse health compared to 5 years ago, but opportunities exist to make their lives easier.
10:10:53 Think of small ways to support, family Caregivers with the day-to-day grind, offer to make a meal, provide training or house cleaning, run an errand, offer a respite break by
staying with the individual their caretaker or provide a listening ear as the demand for caregiving
10:11:11 Rises with an aging population. There's an opportunity for public and private sectors to work together to develop solutions to support family caregivers and those under their
care, especially legislatively the family caregivers I know are extremely hard-working and wonderful people, they are a backbone, of our community
10:11:33 and of our society. The Jefferson County, Dd. Program and the Idd Advisory Board are honored to help recognize and support November as national family caregivers.
10:11:43 Month. Thank you for listening.
10:11:46 Thank you, Anna, and are you in the do you want to add something in the room here?
10:11:50 Oh, Anna asks you to be okay. Okay. Oh, after the
10:12:00 Why don't you come up and make your statement
10:12:08 This is scary. I'm Kelly Matlock.
10:12:12 I am a board member of the Jefferson County Intellectual Developmental Disability Board, and I'm also a participant in the Acce Committee.
10:12:22 I'm a mother of Julian Hahn, my 36 year old son, who has high functioning autism.
10:12:27 I have been his advocate and care provider all of his life.
10:12:31 And now I'm also a non professional care provider for my aging husband.
10:12:36 My path is an advocate and care provider has been a very enriching part of my life.
10:12:41 I believe that it has become my raise on Detro. My reason for being I have learned so much about compassion.
10:12:48 Acceptance, unconditional love. And I have grown in my awareness and appreciation of a huge diversity among all of us, not just disabled populations for years I have recognized
that all of us are really growing in various levels of disability and that to provide support for families and individuals with
10:13:09 Disability. Really. Well, help enact George Bush's idea of a kinder, gentler nation while being an advocate and care provider, has really enriched my life it comes with many
challenges and ups and downs I learned early on that for the most part our cultural is generally not very
10:13:26 Common meaningful ways to folks with differences. Many times people are afraid of what they don't understand uninformed individual assumptions and judgments about differences
can create the most significant blocks and threats and some of the very institutions that should be providing support for people with disabilities and
10:13:46 Their families can be the very entities that present the largest challenges in order to continue to advocate and care for my son.
10:13:55 And now my husband, it requires many layers of personal and community support for them and for me terms of developmental disabilities gratefully I was integers early on to a
program called parent to parent the support group for Phillips of people with disabilities I've said for years that parent
10:14:14 To parents, saved my life and my family's like another thing that has been tremendously supported is the Washington State Autism Alliance, with its supports, and continuing
educational opportunities and for many years there was a conference called you are the expert it gave me the continued education and support necessary for
10:14:33 Me, to develop a solid foundation and a voice to continue as an advocate and care provider.
10:14:39 Another government or Statewide organization paved parents are violent education, provided the legal social, and emotional support that my family, the last I want to acknowledge,
and it's certainly not the least is our county intellectual developmental Disability and board the department, and the coordinator and
10:15:02 Mchenry, they continue to provide the most into and meaningful support for my son and for my family, here I'd like to particularly give a personal chat personal and professional
shout-out for Anna Kennedy, because I Appreciate, her work not only as a parent but also the Job I had before
10:15:22 I moved to Jefferson County was I was her job in sketch county, and I only did it for 2 years, but right away, and all of our state meetings I identified Anna and 2 other statewide
County coordinators that clearly were the stars in the State of providing services for individuals
10:15:40 And families, and I see that today that from that personal and professional perspective I know people in this county have no idea of the riches that antebrates our county that
other counties do not get in closing I want to thank the Jefferson county commissioners for this proculation and for your continued support it
10:16:00 Has been, and continues to be vital to the health of individuals with disabilities and differences, and to their families.
10:16:10 Thank you. Thank you, Kelly. We really appreciate you coming today
10:16:13 Thank you, Kelly.
10:16:14 And I share your admiration for Anna. I've worked closely with her since I became a commissioner on the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee.
10:16:21 Sometimes navigating, sticky wickets. As we go, so I really appreciate her being on our team.
10:16:28 So now we're going to read this proclamation.
10:16:32 Greg, would you like to start
10:16:36 Whereas every day millions of Americans provide essential care and medical assistance to their loved ones.
10:16:42 These acts of love, commitment, and compassion enable their family members to receive the support they need to live a life with dignity, and whereas this has been especially
true throughout the COVID-19 pandemic during which Americans, of all ages, have made substantial sacrifices to
10:16:58 Keep family members safe and healthy, and whereas during national family Caregivers month, we recognize the important role of our night nations, family caregivers, and thank
them for the invaluable and instrumental care they provide and whereas while the opportunity to provide care to a loved one can be a
10:17:17 Blessing, and a source of connection. It often requires sacrifice, and whereas millions of Americans have sacrificed jobs and altered careers in order to perform caregiving
duties, and whereas workers, their families and our economy, suffer when workers are forced to choose between their jobs and their caregiving
10:17:35 Responsibilities, or between putting food on the table and caring for a relative, and whereas too many Americans who need caregiving support, struggle with the high cost of
caring for a family member in need or providing long-term care for people with disabilities or older adults and whereas we
10:17:52 Understand the struggles, family caregivers, face, and the importance of the care they provide.
10:17:57 This month, as we continue our our light to expand across. Oh, sorry, our light to expand access to caregiving, we recognize our fights.
10:18:08 Sorry. It's it's it's as we this month as we continue our fight to expand access for to care, giving we recognize our caregivers who wake up every single day to this physically
and emotionally demanding at vitally important work now, therefore, the Jefferson
10:18:25 County, board of county, Commissioners, hereby for proclaimed the month of November, 2022 as family Caregiver month.
10:18:32 We encourage all Americans to reach out to those who provide care for their family, members, friends, and neighbors in need to honor and to thank them, proclaimed the seventh
day of November thank you Kelly.
10:18:44 And Anna for being with us today
10:18:47 Thank you. Commissioners appreciate it.
10:18:49 Really really important to recognize this. Okay, I'll make a motion to approve the proclamation regard regarding proclaiming November the twentieth, 22 as family caregiver month
10:19:06 I will second
10:19:07 All in favor. Can I make just one comment. You know I really appreciate it.
10:19:14 Having Kelly here to talk about our star, and Anna, and also about the I guess the inspiration you find as a caregiver.
10:19:21 I've known lots of folks, and it's really impacted their lives to be to care for someone in need and their family.
10:19:27 And it's it's good to, I guess. Get reiterated for me as we go through this process.
10:19:32 The the enrichment that it gives to the Caregivers, as well and that's something that that you know.
10:19:39 You need to recognize, and we need to prioritize as a community.
10:19:42 So I really appreciate you coming out
10:19:45 Thanks. Yeah. And we really appreciate you being here.
10:19:55 Okay.
10:19:57 And so do you wanna make a motion
10:20:04 I'm not sticking with my motions today. So all in favor.
10:20:08 Bye, bye.
10:20:10 Hi!
10:20:12 Passes unanimously. Thank you. Everyone
10:20:17 Okay. We're moving on in our agenda. Okay, calling.
10:20:30 Do you have anyone else who's joined you today?
10:20:34 Hi! Good morning. I'm hoping that Rebecca Miller will be able to join us, but she's at a conference in Washington, DC.
10:20:43 For Ptac, and to was going to try to get away and I'm not sure that she'll be able to.
10:20:49 So she may join us momentarily, because we weren't exactly sure what time we'd be asked to pretty
10:20:55 Okay. So this item: is
10:20:56 Also also Cindy Brooks might be joining us if you could keep an eye out for her
10:21:01 Okay. Yep, she's not here yet. Do you wanna wait.
10:21:07 Since we have Kerry in the in the room and see if like. I don't know if it calling would want to wait for a few minutes and
10:21:14 I'd rather not. I, too, right now I'm a caregiver, and so I'm I'm dump.
10:21:20 I'm juggling some things.
10:21:22 Perfect. Okay, it sounds like we've got colleen. And we've got Kate who brought this item to our agenda for our presentation and potential action regarding the North Olympic
Peninsula Procurement technical access assistance Center Ptac program support with Clown County
10:21:42 Great. Thank you. May I share screen.
10:21:47 Okay.
10:21:51 And
10:21:56 Slide show from beginning. There we go. Can you see this? Well, and I don't know that I hear you anymore.
10:22:07 My on mute on my end. No! Hmm!
10:22:15 I hear you just fine, and Kelly and I'm sorry that I'm not in the room there.
10:22:14 Let's see if okay.
10:22:18 I'm just joining by phone and put it to a meeting in Olympia.
10:22:20 It's no problem at all. So yeah, we're really excited that we were awarded funding to create a North Olympic Peninsula procurement, technical assistance, center and I am calling
Mackleer I'm the executive director of the Clown county
10:22:36 Edc, your neighbor to the west and north, and we have hired Rebecca Miller, who was the development director of peninsula, behavioral health for 10 years and prior to that she
was a vocational rehabilitation counselor and she also has a great background in in working on
10:23:00 Contracts at the Federal and State level. So what is a Ptac in case you're not aware we ours was established in on just this October, and its intention is to serve small businesses
and clothing column in Jefferson Counties, and the 5 Tribes on the north
10:23:22 Olympic, the Tt. P tech counselor is Rebecca Miller.
10:23:29 She is, will be full time in that capacity, and she, the intention is to help small businesses bid for and ultimately win fed Federal State and local government procurement
contracts in the area, of public works professional services and personal services and we want to get this set up we've wanted to especially now as
10:23:49 All of the funds are coming through with woz dot the we are told just in Clown County, over a 1 billion dollars will be spent in for fish passage along highway one O, one but
then of course, also before twenty-thirty but then also as we all know there's a lot of opportunity
10:24:14 Coming through where infrastructure projects will be incredibly important to our 2 counties and tribal governments.
10:24:24 Let's see next slide there we go. So since the 19 nineties the what Washington State has had a Ptac program a Washington P.
10:24:37 Tech program and my own personal experience was that I couldn't get any support from our own Ptac.
10:24:45 There are 8 locations within Washington State that serve the entire State, and they've been receiving over a 1 million dollars per year to fund these programs.
10:24:55 But it because all of the locations are in relatively urban, and and then also viable economic areas.
10:25:10 They are required to provide a 40% match. So the the program that it has been intended to serve Jefferson and qualm counties is located in the sister organization.
10:25:24 Of Clown, Edc and Edc. Team, Jefferson, and that's Kits app economic development.
10:25:32 Hey, Eda! But they had to provide the 40% match because they're not in an economically distressed area and their executive director said, Hey, if you want your own p-tech services
you need to get your own and so I what as I would working with the port authority and just
10:25:54 as it my own small small business, trying to receive support from them.
10:25:59 It wasn't possible. So I ended up going to the Olympic headquarters. Olympia headquarters, and the program manager at the state was very helpful, and she and I also worked with
our teamwork with representative Kilmer's office to explain that
10:26:20 we in Cloud and Jefferson counties were not getting support that we needed, especially as economically distressed entities, and that this was an equity issue and that we felt
that the system needed to change and that they needed to look more broadly to support businesses across the service areas so represented killers
10:26:46 at requested that Dod that so provides the funding do a do a bit of a study to determine how many Jefferson or Columb County businesses had received any support from the regional
ptac that was designated to support us and they found in the last year there were no
10:27:08 businesses, in the last 2 years there were no businesses in the last 3 years.
10:27:11 There had been no businesses. They had to go back 10 years to find 3 businesses that had been supported by the kits at Ptac in column.
10:27:21 Or Jefferson counties, so that was proof positive that there was definitely a issue in comparison to the Ptac.
10:27:32 Wow!
10:27:28 The kids up county businesses. There have been over 1,600 that had received support.
10:27:36 So they, so
10:27:40 Dod provided an opportunity last year for regional Ptac locations to apply for funding from Dod in 4 different States and one of the States was Washington State so we went ahead
and applied for that and we were awarded funding and we received $145,000.
10:28:05 Which represent, because we are economically distressed. Both Plum and Jefferson counties.
10:28:12 Our match is just 20 instead of the 40% that the other locations all have to be.
10:28:19 Now that being said last year in the legislative session, Ms.
10:28:28 C and Ptac were awarded 1.4 million dollars, so that those locations that across the State wouldn't have to provide any match.
10:28:38 The State provided that match, and they're going around and and giving additional training, so that we, so that more of our small businesses can engage with and win some of
these very lucrative contracts
10:28:55 So unfortunately because we started ours in October first, we are not able to receive any of that funding that came from the State that went to the p-tech program.
10:29:08 The Washington P. Tech program that's headquartered in Olympia at the Thurston County, Edc.
10:29:15 And then funds 6 different locations across the State.
10:29:18 One of them being kitsap LED. A. So what a little bit about us again!
10:29:26 Oh, I think I went the wrong way. Sorry about that.
10:29:29 What we are going to be offering is training programs, examples of what we've been doing in the last 2 years, trying to work with the Thurston County P.
10:29:42 Tech office is procurement of government agencies.
10:29:45 Just explaining how that works. Some bonding basics.
10:29:48 And one thing to understand. With bonding, especially with public works, contracts is, if you are a brand new business and trying to get a bond, it costs up to 7% of the contracted
amount to receive that bond that's what a small business would have to pay whereas a large business that has
10:30:09 A long history has, only it can get a bond at one and a half percent.
10:30:14 The cost of project, so already the large contractors have a 5 and a half percent advantage.
10:30:22 So we the intention is to start companies as subcontractors and help them build over time so that they can one day become prime contractors and keep some of that funding locally.
10:30:36 Also another classes on financials. What it takes for a small business, too, received government bonding and procurement contracts, and then also just overall call contracts
and bidding, and what that looks like so we've got different.
10:30:51 Attorneys and financial experts that we will partner with.
10:30:56 That will be providing these courses. These training programs at no cost.
10:31:01 Again we hired Rebecca Miller as the program manager and counselor on October, I should say October first 2422 and and as I said she's attending, the national P.
10:31:14 Tech Conference right now in in Washington, DC. And just an aside Dod is recognized and their support supposed to support all Federal programs agency funding programs not just
Dods, but they have recorded that and it's always been under the defense logistics agency.
10:31:37 And it has not been a very high priority, but I think, with the nation's recognition that diversity equity, and inclusion is really important in the services and products and
goods that the federal government apply for they have moved this office, in this funding program to the office of small business programs underneath
10:31:59 Dod, so the expectation is, there will be a lot more funding coming, and this program is just expected to be more highlighted and grow.
10:32:08 We are, we absolutely will be working with our partners.
10:32:12 Edc Team, Jefferson, of course, being the top partner and Jefferson County Home Builders Association, and then of course, procurement officials in local government with the
procurement officials in Jefferson county the City of port Townsend Jefferson county Pd Port Port Towns and
10:32:32 School districts, and other junior taxing districts, and where would we receive this match?
10:32:40 So that currently the total program cost is $192,000 annually, and a 145,000 of that will come from the Department of Defense, and this is expected to be an annually renewed
contract and we have requested so we've got about.
10:33:04 A $147,000 shortfall, where we need to pull the match, and we have $10,000 committed from the city a squim $10,000 from the City of Port Angela's committed We're applying 10,000
from the Point 0 9 funds that
10:33:23 We receive from Column County towards this program, and then we'll be pulling 5 to $7,000 from our reserves to fund this we are, and we are requesting $10,000 from Jefferson
county to help us fund.
10:33:40 This program and in futur years the State and currently the Department of Commerce has a 1 point.
10:33:48 1 million dollars budget request in their agency Budget request 2 Ofm.
10:33:55 To support the match, going forward with the with the Ptac offices across the state, and the understand that.
10:34:05 Washington, Ptac is one entity that will receive the money.
10:34:11 They cover 8 different options, and then our new program. The north Olympic Peninsula, P.
10:34:17 Tech program. Is a regional program that will also receive some funding and also part of that funding will go to Ms.
10:34:27 Municipal Service and Resource, Corporation, Msrc.
10:34:33 And they will also be trying to teach different procurement and public works.
10:34:40 Officers about how they can work more readily with local businesses while staying within our State contractual statutes.
10:34:53 So this is hopefully just a one time. Ask rather than having to pull 70 up to $17,000 from our reserves, with but that we did get approval from our board of directors because
before we had to apply we had to show that we had the match available we are requesting that Jefferson
10:35:14 County, have some skin in the game. As we advance this program forward and tried to change the the current situation where over 600, I think I missed a slide over 667 million
dollars.
10:35:36 Annually, according to the State's own study, says that let's see.
10:35:43 Yeah, okay, one of the highest. So one of the highest areas of rural economic leakage.
10:35:52 According to the Washington Department of Commerce. Study is that our procurement dollars continually our awarded to.
10:36:01 I 5 corridor companies and employees, and that that is a lost amount from our very unique, rare dollars for economic development.
10:36:16 That gets sent over to the I. 5 corridor.
10:36:21 So we really want to try to change that, and this will be an investment for for Jefferson.
10:36:28 County, to to try to have to try to keep more of that money locally.
10:36:37 So this. So I wanna thank you for considering our $10,000 funding request for January first to December thirty-first of 2023, and we either way we look forward to working with
your local procurement team teams and keep trying to keep more of
10:36:55 Our local tax dollars, local
10:36:59 Thank you, Colleen.
10:37:00 Thank you.
10:37:02 Are there questions or discussion we want to have Kate.
10:37:07 Do you want us kick us off on discussion
10:37:09 Sure. Yeah. So much, Kelly. A great presentation. So as the Bscc's Rep on our Edc.
10:37:20 Board I and and having a background in economic development, you know, I think there's a lot of added capacity here with a relatively small buy-in, so I would encourage just
to support the $10,000 request you know I think if if even one company were to be successful in getting
10:37:38 A bin that would likely bring that much, you know, easily bring way more than $10,000 in revenue to the county, whereas, typically we see, as calling mentioned, larger out of
out of county and even off and out of region, contractors be successful in getting Bin so with the
10:37:57 Infrastructure dollars coming with changes that are being made that Emrsc as a new electronic bidding process, like We're we're really trying to make it so that smaller companies
can access the the extraordinary federal funding that's coming so I am in support of this
10:38:15 And happy to answer any questions.
10:38:20 Thanks, Kate! Hi! Great! I'm just curious when you say our procurement teams, who specifically are you talking about?
10:38:30 Maybe Mark
10:38:30 Anyone in public works. Basically you know who is responsible in Jefferson County that purchases services, reviews, contracts, submits the Rfps or the Rfis, and working with
them to make sure they understand what they can't do because frequently what we've seen is
10:38:56 Procurement officers are very conservative regarding communicating with opportunities with local businesses, but there are things that can be done as long as it's within an
appropriate timeline.
10:39:11 And that it's open to any business whether they're local or ones.
10:39:17 That respond from the Seattle Journal of Commerce
10:39:21 So is it also in our case central services? Are they doing procurement?
10:39:26 Yeah, we do not have a centralized procurement office.
10:39:29 I know down in Clark County I did. We're decentralized.
10:39:35 So public works manages its contracts, public health there central services, theirs.
10:39:41 But certainly you know if we have multiple procurement folks in the county.
10:39:45 Well, I think all of them could work with you on this
10:39:50 And we.
10:39:50 So an example can I use an example, you know, with the sewer project coming up in Port Hadlock.
10:39:57 I really appreciate that our public works is trying to you know break that off into smaller bids, so that local companies might be able to successfully bid for the things that
they're most interested in.
10:40:11 And you know, I think public works is, is pretty skilled at that.
10:40:14 But you know, like for them to be able to call somebody up and say, Hey, can you just look this over and make sure that we're in compliance.
10:40:20 That this new way of of doing business is is checking all the boxes.
10:40:26 I think that would be really valuable
10:40:28 That's super helpful. I had another question about the the 2,018 report or study, and the the amount of 667 million in leakage is that statewide statewide number or regional
number
10:40:42 Yes, that's a statewide number that the Department of Commerce and the Legislature directed that study to be developed, and they found that if just the 10 top procurement opportunities
in rural communities had stayed local that even even if half of the funding had stayed local
10:41:08 That 667 million dollars would have been created in for these local rural communities, and I can provide you with that study if anybody would like to see it
10:41:23 Thank you. Super helpful Greg. Do you have questions yeah.
10:41:28 I think it's really exciting colleen. Thank you for for taking the time to present to us.
10:41:31 I guess my question is so far or a first question it. It's I think it's great dealing both with the contractors and with the municipal agencies. But which which is which is
the heavier lift right now for for this, this, work
10:41:49 I think I think it's probably from what I've seen in Columb County.
10:41:56 You know, especially in the public works, sector, the contractors have been very focused on residential housing because of the opportunities in the market, but as the as the
market is changing clearly and fewer building permits are being applied for there are going, there's going to be an
10:42:25 Opening in a need there for to find revenues in other areas.
10:42:31 And so this can be a goal solution for a lot of those small business owners.
10:42:37 And but they're also I you know. I'd say it's 64 is the way I'd characterize it.
10:42:45 60% with the businesses, 40% with the procurement officers, because I know it.
10:42:53 The port of Port Angeles is an example we've got, you know, great director of engineering and his staff, but they're really used to working with certain large companies that
are located in the i 5 corridor.
10:43:09 They know they're good at their job. They know you know how to do this.
10:43:13 And then those large companies really like to work with the same subcontractors that they know well.
10:43:19 And that provide great services. But what ends up happening is, you know, all of our money is is end up, being our tax dollars end up, being leaked to the I.
10:43:31 5 corridor I required as a port commissioner.
10:43:35 I required, requested and the other commissioners agreed to have the staff do a a quick study of how much of the funding capital project funding that we had spent from 2,013
to 2,018 actually stayed on the North Olympic peninsula whether it was Jefferson
10:43:56 Clint County, or Clown County, and it was over 90.
10:44:00 2 went out. So it it wasn't even the sales tax dollars that stayed locally.
10:44:06 So you know, and I question that why you know that should stay local.
10:44:11 Right
10:44:19 Okay.
10:44:11 But it wasn't so. Anyway. It's just, you know. We'd spend, I think, 58 million dollars during that 5 year period, and it just really frustrated me to see that.
10:44:23 The sales, tax dollars didn't stay local. It's not desperation.
10:44:28 I mean because it's installed in phone. Huh?
10:44:27 It's supposed to be. Yeah, it's supposed to be
10:44:32 Well, I mean just that on a on a on a mile, a medium sized Road Project would certainly pay for the $10,000, so I am.
10:44:39 I'm certainly supportive of of of this. Ask you. Know.
10:44:43 I guess my other question is, you know, I was unaware of the bonding issue that you raise for the smaller businesses are there are there ways that procurement officers through
smaller contracts or something can can mitigate that that barrier that seems like a real prejudice against smaller local companies
10:44:59 Right. It's you know. The smaller the contract better.
10:45:04 Of course, and the rule is, if you have not done a project within the last 3 years that is at least half the size of the project.
10:45:17 That you're trying to get a bond, for you can't get a box so and so maybe it was 4 years ago you had a bond, but it fell off.
10:45:26 You know you don't qualify. Now, new York State has a subsidized bonding program that the State funds and that's something that I've been talking to to State officials at the
Department of Commerce about and they're interested in learning more about that and the Sba does have
10:45:48 A program that is somewhat subsidized. Sba guaranteed program, but it it does certainly doesn't make it competitive with someone that's getting a one and a half or 2%.
10:46:03 Bond, but it it does knock it down a bit, but it really has a lot of requirements regarding that they've been had their financials audited in the last.
10:46:17 Hmm.
10:46:16 Both in 2 years each year for 2 years, and so there's a lot that goes into that, and they the small businesses, need to understand what those requirements are, and you know
make a decision about is this something.
10:46:33 For me is, does this make sense for my business? But then, if so, you know there's a lot of support that needs to happen to get them engaged and growing in this really lucrative
economic space?
10:46:49 Thank you.
10:46:48 Great. Thank you. I mean, I guess the only other question I have is really for Mark Kate.
10:46:54 I mean what bucket are we we talking about we have a Rfp process for our point of 9 funds.
10:46:59 So do you guys, I would recommend just paying this at a non-departmental
10:47:08 I won't argue with that
10:47:07 And are you? Are you? Okay? Or me? You're supportive of this.
10:47:11 I I definitely
10:47:14 And I'm sorry, Kate, you said yes, also non-departmental
10:47:18 Yeah, I I market. I've not had a chance to talk about it, but I certainly wouldn't argue with that.
10:47:40 Yeah, and I I would look forward to metrics going forward.
10:47:47 What kind of results have we achieved through this effort? Tracking?
10:47:50 Yep.
10:47:51 Absolutely we will. We have had to invest in a program called Neo Sarah, just about $7,000, which is the reporting that we have to do to the Federal government and we will be
reporting by with by location and race and ethnicity and veteran and women owned
10:48:18 Great right!
10:48:19 So we'll be happy to provide those to you.
10:48:23 As seems like. We're all supportive of this as somebody prepared to make a motion.
10:48:30 I will move that the Jefferson County supports the P.
10:48:36 Tac ask for $10,000 for the 2,023.
10:48:44 I will
10:48:41 Here from non departmental function, and that the county benefit will be an agreement to the Board for consideration, and, further, that the county Administrator will bring
an agreement to the Board for consideration
10:48:54 I will second
10:48:56 All in favor. Oh, right, thank you. And I had that even flagged.
10:49:03 So we are. Gonna open this up for public comment. Before we take a vote on this it's been moved and seconded seconded that we support this request but is there anyone with us
from the public who would like to comment.
10:49:16 On this use of county funds to support the Ptac program for column in Jefferson County.
10:49:26 If so, use the race hand button at the bottom of your zoom screen, or if you're on the phone and would like to make a comment, you can press Star, 9 and that will raise your
hand and we'll bring you over anyone wishing to comment on this proposal for use of County
10:49:42 Funds to support the North Olympic Peninsula, Tech procurement, technical assistance center program in partnership with Clown County.
10:49:53 I'm not seeing any hands go up, so I will close public comment on this item and call for a vote all in favor.
10:50:04 Hi!
10:50:03 Hi Bye passes unanimously. Thank you calling for being with us, and we look forward to working with you on this program.
10:50:08 Thank you. Great. Thank you. Bye, bye.
10:50:12 Thanks. Lap: Hi, okay, the next item on our agenda.
10:50:17 Kate, stick with us, and thanks for being with us. Kerry is 5Â min bio break or anything.
10:50:24 Are you all good? Let's take a break after this item cause Kate's on the phone and might and carries here
10:50:35 Yup. We're gonna say something, Kate, did you wanna say something
10:50:40 I was just gonna say, keep an eye out for John as well
10:50:42 Yeah, he's in the zoom room with us. Okay.
10:50:45 So we are. Now gonna move to presentation and potential action regarding the healthier to together.
10:50:52 Community health and wellness. Center planning, and we will have public comment on this item, and I believe that Commissioner Dean is going to kick us off on this item as well
10:51:04 Great. Thank you, and I will be brief because John and Kerry are gonna handle the bulk of the presentation.
10:51:11 But as I think all of us know, there have been a number of efforts to advance one of the goals.
10:51:17 That's identified in our own parks like an open space plan which is that the public for a long time has been wanting a new modern aquatic facility, and you know the but unfortunately
the efforts to date have not been successful but in many ways, having we have a lot of lessons, learned to
10:51:38 Draw from, and really grateful that the city has decided to step up and hire Kerry Height as their part strategist to see if we can finally practice not so some work has been
done to date which I Will let John and Kerry talk about and I I will be recommending that the
10:52:03 Yep.
10:52:03 Thank you, Commissioner Dean, Hi, Commissioners. It's great to join you in.
10:52:07 Sorry I get the timing wrong. Would it like to be there in person? So thanks for making this accommodation, I don't have much to offer, because Kerry is fully equipped and capable
of explaining what we're trying to do here, but I will offer 3 basic words.
10:52:22 And all start with T to kind of frame things up. And frankly, I don't think I could follow Kate because she she did a perfect job here on framing.
10:52:29 I will add, the timing is is that first word?
10:52:34 Because I think now is really optimal time for this conversation as Commissioner Dean did know.
10:52:39 It's been attempted over multiple years with a lot of leadership from people in this room, but not with everybody at the table that leads me.
10:52:46 To my second T, which is together, carries done a remarkable job, really bringing everybody to the table, and I think probably building out another annex to that table to make
sure that everybody who wants to be can be so together.
10:53:01 That's the only way we can be successful. Attack the words on that slide show title page, and then the the third thing I want to mention, because Kerry won't say this herself
is just tab we are really really lucky to have someone of Carries caliber pick this project up for
10:53:16 Us, you know, without going deep into the resume I mean Kerry's been a parks director at Mobile.
10:53:21 Large jurisdictions, runs. She has run teams as large as mine, and and really knows her stuff, and have somebody with her caliber leading this effort and making progress just
6 months into her hire gives me great confidence that we're on the right track we have the right people at the table.
10:53:37 And that this is really the optimal time for us to begin to engage your community.
10:53:47 Thanks, John. Go ahead, Carrie, thank you, John, and good good morning, Commissioners.
10:53:54 It's very nice to be here today. Is I guess it is right green.
10:53:59 Okay, you kind of have to swallow the mic. Okay, I will do that. Here.
10:54:01 We go yeah, there you go right. It's a pleasure to be here today, and I want to thank John for those words.
10:54:08 I do come from a parks background, but I landed here because I love Port Townsend and and want to stay here for a while, and it's it's a great benefit a great opportunity for
me to dig into some larger long-term vision projects for port towns and so it's a community that
10:54:25 I grew up in and kits up county and spent a lot of time up here, and just want to give back to the community as well.
10:54:31 So here I am, and here we are for this presentation.
10:54:35 It's called healthier together. There is a framework in your packet that I put together, and it really is an effort to try to reinvigorate the community, to rebuild a pool and
drive side some community and health and wellness center for the community so the purpose of this
10:54:51 framework, and this presentation is to provide long-term infrastructure and opportunities for improving community health and wellness.
10:54:57 And it's really by building on all the previous efforts to John's point.
10:55:01 A lot of you in this room have provided leadership towards an effort to try to rebuild the pool.
10:55:07 There's been in your framework. I ended up being able to meet with Earl Mormon, and he took me back to the year 2,006 to 8 different attempts to rebuild the pool.
10:55:20 That were not successful, and in to John's point earlier it it really is.
10:55:26 If you look at the the sort of common theme from 2,000 to now, it really has been that everybody hasn't been at the table at the same time and this feels like it could be could
be the perfect storm to get something done and to get it rebuilt and so just trying to build on those past efforts
10:55:43 And pass leadership, and bring people back to the table and say, Hey, how can we make this happen?
10:55:47 It's a pretty heavy lift, and I think it's going to take everybody to lift it.
10:55:50 We're going to do a mighty he ho! And try to lift it all together, and and that's the way we're gonna get it done.
10:55:57 It's it's a pretty big project for this community next.
10:56:01 So the project overview is, as I mentioned, to re-engage our previous partners, and so the partners at the table right now are the hospital, district, the county, Kate Dean
Commissioner Dean has been taking a lead for the county as brought a lot of good perspective to the table I've included
10:56:19 Monty and Matt as well in discussions. The school districts at the table, the port of Port Townsend's at the table.
10:56:28 The why and Jefferson Aquatic Coalition.
10:56:32 So. It's everybody who has has touched it for the past 22 years, and and I think people are reinforced to start the process again.
10:56:40 We're projecting a planning process from September.
10:56:45 We've been at the table since September through July of 23, and the timing of that is really trying to get to a concept plan and some financial planning by July. Of 23.
10:56:56 So if the way we need to put it together is through an initiative.
10:57:01 A metropolitan Park district of Voter Improved Mission.
10:57:04 We we have time to do that for a November ballot.
10:57:06 That's not to say we will do that. It just is we're trying to optimize the time to take advantage of any tool we need in the financial planning arena.
10:57:18 Can be planning City Council, County Commissioner, partner, decision-making, and the implementation about final plan in July 23.
10:57:27 Next our project background again in your framework. You have a background since the year 2,000 the city has put in significant capital investments in the pool since 2,01517.
10:57:40 The this community adopted a community health, assessment, in 2,016 that shows the need for opportunities for health and wellness in the community.
10:57:50 The pros plan, the parks. Recreation in an opens place. Plan, plan.
10:57:53 Excuse me for the city was adopted and marched of 2,020.
10:57:56 In that plan similar to in your planning documents. There is a need identified to rebuild the pool and to create some help and wellness opportunities in the community.
10:58:06 We have all the potential partners at the table. Right now we have preliminary interests from everybody, and the current condition of the pool.
10:58:17 Is it I hate to say this, but it is on its last leg.
10:58:21 If you go into the bottom part of the pool it's starting to leak more, and we just don't know how many more Band-aids we can put on it and try to keep it alive while we do the
suffer next so just another, way, to look at the Timing of this the
10:58:37 Milestones in the years, 2015 through 2021.
10:58:43 We've made significant investments in the current pool in 2,020.
10:58:48 We adopted the pros plan again in Q. 2 of 21.
10:58:50 We were forced to close the pool. Part of that was the pandemic, but a lot of it was stash shortage from the Y and replay or not.
10:58:58 The why we weren't involved with the Y yet, but we replaced equipment.
10:59:02 We had staff shortage, and then in Q. 3 in 4 of 21.
10:59:05 We entered into an agreement with the Why, to operate the pool.
10:59:10 That was a significant, for us, and they have released up to the plate to operate the pool and to pull it together to continue to provide that immunity for our community.
10:59:19 The one the dots that you see in yellow on that milestone timeline are yet to come when right now we're in reengaging the partners and we're just diving into the healthier together
initiative and will be starting the community engagement process soon and then our goal
10:59:34 Is to get to a decision by the of 23.
10:59:39 Whether we can put the financial and operational plan together for something like this: next, our community outreach and involvement and we think it's really important to get
the community involved not just the partners at the table but engage the community on what it is this community.
10:59:54 Might need. And what does it look like, but also manage expectations.
10:59:57 I think that everybody at the table could probably design an 80,000 square foot facility, and still say our needs aren't met.
11:00:05 But we just don't have the capacity for that financially and so just trying to manage expectations through the project what we're proposing is that all the partners enter into
a memorandum of understanding and share the cost of this planning effort and that we go forth and hire an architect to
11:00:23 help us with concept planning and citing, feasibility and financial planning.
11:00:28 And then how we're going to implement it. And so looking at also operational plans.
11:00:33 Is it why is it not a why the why is that the table?
11:00:36 But I think we need to have that larger discussion as a community, and then launch the community framework.
11:00:41 So go ahead, and so the Community engagement framework really is looking at some larger open houses and ways and touching base with smaller groups in the community ways that
we can engage everybody in the community to start planning the concepts for a facility and doing a visioning process with community.
11:01:01 If you look at each phase we've put financial planning in each phase on purpose strategically to so that we just don't lose sight of that long-term goal to build a facility.
11:01:11 At the end of this, and so really looking at how are we going to fund something like this?
11:01:14 And how are we all going to be at the table on it?
11:01:18 And how are we going to continue planning together next? And so then phase 3, 4, and 5 also continue to engage the community and finalize some concept designs, finalize a site
and finalize a financial plan it includes costing out a facility that we manage expectations on and and design and phase 4
11:01:39 Or 5 will have some final concepts and some implementation planning and some recommendations to all of our partners.
11:01:45 Next, so the recommendation today is just for the partners to review the framework for healthier together and give guidance and feedback about the process.
11:01:55 And I think Commissioner Dean also, as she, mentioned earlier, we do would like the county to be at the table to share the cost, and I think she's going to talk a little bit
about that So Commissioner, Dean
11:02:10 Hey? We need to unmute. Can you still hear us?
11:02:16 We haven't lost. Oh, there you are! Good
11:02:16 Bye, yeah, I'm here. I'm I'm driving and muted and trying to be very cautious.
11:02:24 So yeah, I I I think that the the county is in a a good position right now with you know, still receiving some extraordinary revenues for one time costs, and as we have talked
about with our Arpa funding and we'd really like to be able to move the needle with
11:02:43 Those dollars, and I think there is the the possibility of doing that of getting this project from a very conceptual phase to actually having a plan that we think is is implementable,
and we don't know at this point what that will look like but I think that we have the right folks at the table to
11:03:00 Be able to do that, and again with the city kind of contributing Kerry's time in advancing this project I think the county isn't a good position to be able to throw some some
dollars at the kind of expertise we need in in the form of hiring affirm.
11:03:18 To to help us come up with a plan that seems doable
11:03:26 I could be more specific than saying that I I would request that the county consider contributing a $100,000 to the effort
11:03:36 We know what the overall cost of the planning effort is it's going to be about 200,000 for this initial planning, and it will get us to 25% of schematic design inciting and
financial planning and operational planning and and all of that and the community engagement process
11:03:52 Where is the?
11:03:53 And as the largest jurisdiction and county wide government.
11:04:09 I I I don't have a lot of questions. It seems like like a well thought out plan.
11:04:15 I I agree that the down I should be at the table.
11:04:18 I think it's it's it's early.
11:04:20 I guess I feel like before we dig into Arpa more.
11:04:24 We should have that conversation having later today to about our well this item.
11:04:30 Is on the list for this afternoon as I potential funding candidate, great so we don't need to decide that right now.
11:04:35 We can decide it as part of our discussion this afternoon, which seems to make more sense.
11:04:41 Great sense to me, I mean I I'll just say that having grown up here and having seen a lot of our recreational opportunities fall by the wayside from the bowling alley to the
roller skating ring to you know all the things that kids do for fun and older folks do
11:05:02 For fun in our community have largely fallen by the wayside, and so I've long said about these proposed proposals for an aquatic center that yeah, our community deserves to
have some recreational outlets.
11:05:15 And I know that swimming is particularly good for people who are aging, and there are a lot of training opportunities with our maritime culture here, and also, I just think
that you know it's the right thing to do to provide these kinds of opportunities for the citizens of our
11:05:38 Our communities. So make sense to me and they're tough to fund, you know. Yeah, I guess one thing that I hadn't heard in this presentation that I heard the last time that we
had this kind of top-level conversation is emergency prep and and creating a space that was a gathering place and some
11:05:56 Of those other high priorities that are maybe more fundable.
11:06:00 And do you think that that's still part of this? I think that can be part of this.
11:06:03 I mean we're looking at a community health and wellness center, not just a pool, but with a pretty big part of it.
11:06:08 Is the aquatics component, but also trying to create some dry side, so that there's other opportunities for people who don't want to swim or don't you know like swimming, or
don't know how to swim we can teach them.
11:06:20 But we also have engaged with the hospital district, who's pretty interested in having some privilege type of medicine like go to a premier your primary care doctor in the community
held the wness center and then they're going to give you a prescription to go swimml as when 10 laps
11:06:36 or something, you know so something to connect it to prevention and community won't.
11:06:41 Well, yeah, my doctor wrote me a prescription for walking and that was that was like 15 years ago, but I I still have it.
11:06:48 That's great. Yeah. So well, I look forward to the conversation.
11:06:53 We are. Gonna talk about this in our Arpa conversation, which will be a at around 2 today.
11:06:58 But we do want to take public comment with folks who may have joined us for this agenda item first, I would have one question.
11:07:07 You say that this 100,000 will get you to 25% design.
11:07:12 So that's 75% away from being done.
11:07:17 Is this the first of multiple asks of the county?
11:07:21 It it doesn't necessarily need to be. It's a it's this particular framework in this process that's proposed is a phased approach.
11:07:29 So this is phase one of that part of phase.
11:07:32 One will include financial planning. So it's trying to figure out.
11:07:34 You know what's the tolerance in the community?
11:07:37 What's it? Is there some private philanthropy out there?
11:07:39 There's some grants and and it's really hard to take a project from 0 to 100% construction documents without having the funding to build it.
11:07:50 And so we're going to stop at 25% and say where you know.
11:07:53 How can we advance this to a 100% construction documents and get a shovel in the ground?
11:07:58 And how are we going to then pay for it? So I see it in 3 phases phase, one to 25 phase, 2 to 100 and phase, 3 to build it.
11:08:05 Gotcha, and we're talking about a $2020,000,000, just like at least.
11:08:12 Yeah, so I mean other than a metropolitan parks district.
11:08:15 What are the other potential funding avenues that we can?
11:08:18 There definitely can be some private funding in this and some community funding the state also has community facilities funding as the Federal Government or yeah, we'll see
if it rebounds I don't know but there are some other doors.
11:08:32 To open on that as well, but it it, you know, if if we look at a metropolitan park district, it would probably be strict for us to look at sort of the tolerance of the community
and time it, with other initiatives that might be in the community so that we don't get too
11:08:48 much tax fatigue, right, Gotcha, and making it equitable for the you know the communities I mean, that's a that's a challenge to you know creating.
11:08:58 A destination, aquatic center for the whole county right and for the future.
11:09:02 So you know, do today's people pay for something that is gonna last for 50 years, or do people coming in continue to pay it as we go, and so that's the other piece of it we
need to look at as we could do i'm excited to conversation started again.
11:09:17 This looks like a really a great foundation. Yeah. Well, let's hope.
11:09:21 Get it off the ground I've never been the big thing user, but I remember a couple of years ago going to Wallowa, and they just built a new outdoor aquatic facility that awesome
yeah, and I was like okay, now I get it and the thing.
11:09:37 I love most about it or the hundreds of kids just like these screams of joy, you know, and I just like, where do we hear that in our community?
11:09:46 I know that I'm not a parent, and don't go to a lot of school events.
11:09:51 I'm sure it happens at school events, but I'm like I kind of missed those those concentrations of kids having so much fun right?
11:09:59 That's what I think. In aquatic center could do for our communities.
11:10:03 I mean one of my most recent pool experience was was an Iceland, where you know, straight off the plane you go to the public pool, and it's just like a social engagement all
the different hot tubs and everything how can I mention 25 people that.
11:10:13 I connected with all the whole trip that I was there, and I think that that kind of social engagement for all of our generations is something that aquatic facility, opportunities
for community health but also social engagement and that sort of lesson the isolation that people might have in the community and
11:10:30 We have 3 or 4 different examples in Washington State of community centers like this, and then if you go to Colorado, they they structured in the early ninetys to 2,000.
11:10:41 They structured their the state structured, their tax framework a bit advantageous for people to build these buildings, and there's so many of them, and they're just it's a
hub.
11:10:53 You know it's a center of town where you can have pool.
11:10:55 You can have a gathering area a large gathering area, classrooms, education town halls, everything which are the pools in Washington.
11:11:05 If we're out in about, should we be. There's one in Federal way.
11:11:09 There's one in Linwood. There's one, and I think Buffalo Wooden Bill are working on one right now. Kirkland's working on one right now, Redmond's working on one right now sound
like the Federal way one was part of like for the Olympics
11:11:24 right a while ago. It's different than the King County Equality Center.
11:11:31 There's actually it's a community center, that is, it has a pool with the 0 depth entry and slide, and all the bells and whistles that help pay for a pool the operational cost
of a pool.
11:11:42 And then they also provide a lot of different classrooms, and a lounge lobby with a coffee shop and Edmund's just opened.
11:11:49 The Senior center. It's not a aquatics facility, but it's a community gathering area to your point.
11:11:55 And then Vancouver has Firstenberg Center.
11:11:57 It's one of the first that was built in the State, and it's pretty, and it's called for Simburg because there was a private philanthropy family that gave a couple of 1 million
dollars to help build it and it's a pretty cool facility.
11:12:09 If you ever get down there I mean right for sale.
11:12:14 So you're you know, mentioning all these ones in the I 5 corridor, but I mean I'm sensitive to the fact that we have swim right. Los Angeles and Cambridge and people from here
drive there regularly my big sister and my God family they go to those pools but
11:12:28 I seem to remember something with the squim pool. Are they open again?
11:12:35 They are open in the wise operating it. And it was first funded from a park and recreation service.
11:12:40 Area not a metropolitan park district. It was a service area which is a tool that we have in the government in the State government to be able to run but it, has to be re-upt
every 6 years and an Mpd.
11:12:52 Is, in, perpetuity until it's repealed by a vote of the people.
11:12:56 If it ever comes to pass so, and they voted it down after 6 years.
11:13:01 And so the why took it over and started operating. I see.
11:13:04 Okay. Is the one in Port Angela's new.
11:13:08 It's not new, it's, and they have a metropolitan park district as well.
11:13:12 And that's what's funding it. And so the people of Port Angela said, No, we don't want you to close the pool.
11:13:18 We want to support, a metropolitan park district and keep it open.
11:13:22 Okay. Yeah, how far out does that? That's just the taxpayers in Port Angeles that are: I believe. So yeah.
11:13:29 Yeah, and the Metropolitan Park District. Just recently the past few years.
11:13:33 The State made some changes on that funding tool, and it used to be that you could leverage or levy up to 75 cents per 1,000 and most of the those facilities.
11:13:48 People would go in and say Well, we're only gonna levy 25 cents per 1,000 to try to sell it to the public, to vote for taxes, and then you just sort of have a blank check.
11:13:56 To just keep going up to 75 cents without another vote of the people, and a lot of community shot that down why, we're not gonna give you a blank check, you know, or just say
we're gonna hold off and so the legislature, changed the rules on that to say, you as a community
11:14:10 Of municipality or county jurisdiction can call out the amount you're going to levy and and limit yourself.
11:14:17 Set the limit so that your community can trust you and believe you and vote for it.
11:14:23 So that's a tool you can use cool. Well, thank you.
11:14:30 Answering our questions. Yeah, you too well, I'll let you know what happens this afternoon. Okay. Great.
11:14:34 Thank you so much. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Public comments right?
11:14:38 Yes. Is there anyone with us online? Who would like to make a public comment about this healthier together community health and wellness center planning?
11:14:48 Proposal. If if so, use the raise hand button at the bottom of your zoom screen. If you're on the phone you can use press Star, 9 and we'll bring you over not seeing any hands
go up
11:15:07 Nobody's excited about a pool. Okay, not seeing any hands go up.
11:15:15 But we will also be taking public comment this afternoon, when we talk about Arpa funding.
11:15:20 So you'll be. Have another opportunity this afternoon to make comment on this item.
11:15:27 And Kate, is there any last words you want to make about this item?
11:15:34 Yeah, let me just say I'm I'm sorry that I couldn't be there instead of stuck in our 5 traffic, little stressful.
11:15:42 But so lots of things I would have been trajected had been there in person.
11:15:46 But I'm curious, of course, did a great job.
11:15:49 So yeah, I of course we'll miss the conversation this afternoon.
11:15:54 This will be in this meeting down here in Olympia.
11:15:56 So just wanna really advocate for for supporting this work that a lot of people have put a lot of work into this isn't like you know it.
11:16:08 It really is building on so many previous efforts, and what we we haven't.
11:16:11 I mean don't. I don't need to downgrade any of the work that's been done to date, but I think that we're able to approach this much more with a lot more information and more
systematically in in kind of facing the challenges we know that the tax
11:16:28 Fatigue we know is very real. People are feeling burdened by property, Texas, so we we want to be cautious.
11:16:35 We are very much weighing the cost and benefits of, you know.
11:16:40 Say, we decide to do a resilience center that could easily bring the price tag up.
11:16:47 Really really high, maybe higher than the community can support ultimately and yet are there funding sources that are available for that?
11:16:54 That aren't for more. Just a simple aquatic center.
11:16:56 So you know we've learned enough to know the right questions to ask. And so I think, with both Kerry and then the ability to fund some expertise, and going through this process
I think we stand a much better chance of being successful
11:17:11 Thanks, Kate. One last call for public comment. Anyone wishing to make a comment on this proposal.
11:17:20 Okay, not seeing any hands go up I'm gonna close public comment and move us along to our next agenda item.
11:17:26 Thank you everyone for being here. Gary and Kate, and drive safe Kate.
11:17:33 Thank you, John, for being here nice to see you, and let's see we are.
11:17:38 Gonna take a 5Â min, break cause everyone in the rooms.
11:17:42 Knees are twitching. I think we've been sitting here for a long time, moving through a lot of agenda items.
11:17:47 So let's take a 5Â min. Break. We'll come back at.
11:17:51 Let's take a an 8Â min break. We'll come back at 1125 sounds good
11:25:11 I've got mine here. Okay, hey?
11:25:18 1125. I'll call us back to order.
11:25:23 Did we bring Josh over? We need to bring Josh over if he okay, he's there can't see him, because in zoom no idea.
11:25:33 But we're recording. Okay. So calls back to order. And the next item on our agenda is a presentation regarding shoreline management program update contract amendment and a lot
of record implementation support this item will also have public comment and i'll just note that some of our in person one of our in-person
11:25:55 Folks this morning already made a comment in support of you guys.
11:25:58 So. Y. Yep. So I'm assuming that, Brent, you're gonna tee this up, or mark well, I'd like to say for the community development has been doing yeoman work and trying to keep
up with the demand for permits and with the recent ordinance on a lot illegal
11:26:16 Address that's imposing some additional work on the department.
11:26:21 You know the board actually added to additional staff to the department to help them cope with the workload, but they continue to struggle, and the presentation today is to
it beseech the Board for additional resources to help them cope with the the workload that they're struggling with at the
11:26:41 Moment. Thank you, Mark, and what we've prepared is a 20.
11:26:48 One page slides, slide, deck that so explains the what is the issue?
11:26:56 What have staff analyzed our some of the component parts of the issue that might not be so visible.
11:27:07 And then, thirdly, what are some of the solutions that we see moving forward
11:27:13 And so that is going to be broken down, and I want to first point out that I'm joined by the deputy director.
11:27:19 Josh Peters, and he's going to discuss some of the details and content specific to quite a few of the slides here. And so, as I indicated, we're gonna follow as closely as we
can to the agenda request which was broken out into our statement of issue the analysis and the fiscal impact
11:27:41 And then we're gonna start with. Well, what is the issue statement of of the issue?
11:27:46 And first and foremost, we in current planning have recognized the board on July, the eleventh stated that that should be our number one priority.
11:28:01 Making sure, that fee paying community members. Their expectations are made, and we have some information about the permits that I would be helpful. And then, additionally,
it seems like we might have lost audio staff to make sure
11:28:24 It's back by the way. Just cut out for a minute.
11:28:30 Alright.
11:28:26 Okay. Sorry. Okay. So I'm just gonna reap that.
11:28:32 What I said just a moment ago that we came to the board on July the eleventh, with a list of priorities, and I do have them in the slide here here just to refresh the board
and those priorities included long-range planning projects current planning projects and in certain things for
11:28:50 Fiscal sustainability that were deemed a best practice.
11:28:54 And so our current planning volume encouragement, planning.
11:28:59 First and foremost, was listed as sort of a number one priority, the fee paying customers, those that have expectations that our department should meet those expectations.
11:29:08 We also before I started, or I should say, during my my early part of my tenure we submitted our shoreline comments, and that was done in 2,021 but the process predates my tenure
my second tenure here and then we enacted the lot of record ordinance, on
11:29:29 October third, and became effect the day a day later. And so some of the implementation issues we're also going to share. And then and then fourth and final we're going to talk
about some other issues that may not be so transparent.
11:29:43 So and preparation for this meeting. We we look at what is currently our experience with permits, and so, if you look at the screen, you see building permits, and that should
point out this was up to 1031 so it's the actual up to 1031 and so
11:30:10 we're seeing that if the building permits continue as projected we're going to be ahead of 2,019 in terms of number of building permits.
11:30:21 But not ahead of the record. Years that's followed and so we're looking at 649 permits by year, and whereas the last time we accepted that for the first time was in 2020 and
and then that was again exceeded in 21 we are
11:30:47 also, seeing that our projected zoning permits have fallen back.
11:30:55 We're looking at 50 this year, and so it's 2,018 was the last year that we had a number lower than 50.
11:31:04 Our shoreline permits are. Now we're expecting about 16 this year, and so that would be the lowest number.
11:31:14 In the 5 years that we've looked at, and then our subdivisions are on pace to have only one year.
11:31:22 That was more significant than that. And that's 2,021, and then we continue to have record numbers of or projecting record.
11:31:35 Numbers of preapplication meetings, and then, as you do know, we have a critical area.
11:31:42 Stewardship plan. It's very minimal. The number of permits that we get, but that's to ensure that there is of those critical areas of which there are 5 that they are stewarded
by the community properly and then as the community may recall beginning this year, we the board directed
11:32:05 Us to accept without a fee, customer, assistance, meetings, and so we are not expecting a record.
11:32:15 The record year was 2,018, when we also did provide that service through a grant program for free and then we have a new process which is site, Development Review, so that's
where we are currently and so it.
11:32:30 Does show that although we're not in a record breaker year, we are still experiencing fairly high volumes.
11:32:38 He! Can. He just pointed that 192 number.
11:32:42 The last, the projected site, development reviews anticipate that that kind of bump in the last couple months here.
11:32:50 Yes, well, we're gonna talk about that a little bit in our analysis, and so and I'm gonna have. Josh is gonna tee up and explain, that
11:32:59 Hi, Josh!
11:33:04 Yeah.
11:33:02 Good morning, everyone my check, everything. Good. Great yeah, I'll I'll try to move this swiftly through these as I can just in the interest of time.
11:33:12 But of course we're available for any questions. So this is just a slide on the shoreline master program Update.
11:33:17 I know that Commissioner Eisenhower knows the most about this, at least, as far as I know from the board, because she's been asking me for updates here and there, we submitted
A proposed update to the department of acology in the fall of 21 and usually those
11:33:35 Reviews are supposed to be 30 days, or maybe 45 days, according to the whack, it turned out to be 10 months, so we're not the only ones behind the curve. I guess.
11:33:43 You could say, and we also have a shoreline users.
11:33:46 Guide grant from deployment of ecology and the content was supposed to be based on the updated smp.
11:33:51 And that's to sort of translate the code provisions into planes, speak for typical customers.
11:33:58 And so we've started that process. But as we'll get into the Scap person who was principally working on that left us for other pastures, and let's see, so we finally got the
ecology comments brent said in the last slide.
11:34:10 It was in late September, and there were extensive comments.
11:34:15 I haven't even had a chance to to really look at them in any detail.
11:34:17 Unfortunately, and we don't have other staff to be able to do that either.
11:34:21 At this time, so we're putting it on the next year's work plan.
11:34:24 Really and then what it calls for, though, is potentially reinvigorating a task force and which was the original group that worked on some of the details of the shoreline master
program update for 4 I went to the planning commission and of course we have to whether we're able to get
11:34:40 That task force, but to get back together or not, we're able.
11:34:42 We have to go to the plan commission, then for another recommendation.
11:34:45 Then I'm assuming we're going to have some amendments from the last round before we go to the board for the ultimate adoption, and I'm imagine we have to check in with ecology
again just to make sure that whatever we're doing is in line with what
11:34:57 They're both recommending and requiring. There's kind of a dual set there next slide
11:35:01 Oh, sorry! I think, Greg, I have a question on this slide.
11:35:06 Go ahead, Greg, you know I was on the original task force and helped to put it together, and I and we had a dedicated employee, Michelle used to be in the department actually
you know who from an ecology who was helping and I'm just Wondering is that Liaison, still there
11:35:02 How go ahead, sir?
11:35:19 It sort of sounds like there's been a communication breakdown with ecology.
11:35:23 I'm just wondering how that relationship is currently
11:35:25 Yeah, Michelle Mcconnell is still with ecology.
11:35:27 They've had some staff turnover understandably, in the last year, but she's still there.
11:35:31 She's the one who set up a meeting with us recently to tell us about when the comments, what to expect with the comments and ask some questions, and then about a month later
we got the comments from them I couldn't I don't know exactly why it took him 10 months and other than
11:35:45 just being overloaded. I really don't know
11:35:46 And I mean, I guess I'm just curious, too, since we had ecology with us along the way to you know so many comments. It sounds like there's a lot of a lot of work to do after
working in lockstep with them already for a year before we even submitted our report our proposal
11:36:03 It's a fair question, Commissioner Brotherton, and one that I could answer better.
11:36:08 Once I were, we're able to actually open up the comments and really dive into them. All I can tell you is that they were extensive in the sense that they were voluminous.
11:36:16 Okay.
11:36:17 So so you know we're going through them. It could turn out that.
11:36:20 Maybe it's not. It's not that much. It just seems. It certainly seemed like it, and the person who was the planner who was in charge of that project you know is is doing principally
current planning now and and completely absorbed in that including the Olympic terrorist 2
11:36:37 Subdivision, for example, import level, so it makes it kind of tricky for us to just reassign it to somebody else, or to pick the right person when ads were gonna go for the
rest of the presentation or where stacked as it is so but you might be right, and and that would be
11:36:51 Great, if that were to be the case, I think what we need is we need the consultant to help us crack open those comments and do an analysis on that and we do have the consultant
Burke still under contract which we'll get into in a bit but there's only so much funds left
11:37:05 in that contract
11:37:05 So, Josh, my question was about the grant for the Shoreline User Guide, because I think that was a 6 30 deadline or end of June Deadline.
11:37:14 Right for that to be completed, because ecology was so tardy and getting us their comments on our smp, and that shoreline user guide is relying on our Smp.
11:37:25 Will we get it, will we? Do you think we'll be able to get an extension on that Grant
11:37:29 I would like to think so, Commissioner Eisenhower.
11:37:31 The trick is that it's based on biennium.
11:37:35 The States by an end which ends on June thirtieth, as you know.
11:37:38 So the question is, are they even able to do that? We do want to engage with ecology about that.
11:37:44 They've been you know they've been, and understandably so.
11:37:47 They've been understanding when we permitted, submitted our progress.
11:37:50 Reports that we haven't made as much progress as we would have liked to on that grant the question, though, is, and we'll pose it later in this presentation.
11:37:58 Is, what do we do now, though realistically, could we continue to work on that shoreline user step, user guide concurrently with the smp update itself, and make some assumptions
and then make some tweaks after the grant is done or do we sort of give up on that project and
11:38:13 Reapply, or or is there another option where ecology could perhaps be flexible?
11:38:18 Somehow going from Vienna to another by name which I don't know whether they could.
11:38:21 I know usually state agencies can't really do that, because they don't have to legislate the budget authority.
11:38:25 But we want to engage them on our conversation to see what we can do
11:38:30 Hey? Well, let me know if I can help, anyway.
11:38:34 Always offering to help
11:38:36 Thank you. Appreciate that this is our this is me too, for to give a quick update here as you know, we had a backlog of permits already before we adopted the new ordinance.
11:38:49 And that was principally really related to what Brent was talking about in terms of couple record years during the pandemic and new staff, and so forth, and so that existed
still right when we adopted the new thing and it's it's in combination with some other factors made it
11:39:05 Made a lift off of that program, challenging we're working on it every day, and we have some relief in sight.
11:39:11 But the fact is that there is. There's a backlog, and it's a flurry that we'll talk about in a bit of what happened.
11:39:18 There were some pent-up demand on the septic application side that is preventing some challenges, and we're working with environmental public health and septic designer community
to come up with a an intro plan like a transition plan just to deal with this initial flurry but
11:39:32 That is happening all at once. Next, slide.
11:39:40 Yeah. And then there are some other concerns that have to be acknowledged.
11:39:46 We did have one of our really excellent hires.
11:39:51 Resign, and we had no control over that. There was some personal issues that rose in the the employees, family.
11:40:01 And so we weren't able to address them, and so, unfortunately, that has been a challenge for us, because we've gotten the staff member up and ready to support us with all of
the grants that we receive from the department, of a calling and then we also have some new staffing and we're working really hard to
11:40:22 get them trained. But that means, though, that they're not really ready and available to the fullest extent.
11:40:32 And then we also have some concerns we're seeing that our partner, jurisdictions are hiring and potentially.
11:40:46 It creates an a concern for us when we see that they're hiring at rates higher than what we are offering our planners, and in some of these jurisdictions like the kitsap example
I believe that it's more expensive to live in port
11:41:03 Townsend than Silverdale, and many of the towns in Canada county.
11:41:07 Yet we pay less, and so that's a double whammy, and they are also providing all of the types of bells and whistles that we have plus additional bells and whistles like signing
bonuses for planning for planners moving expenses paid for planners so I
11:41:28 Just wanted to point that out, that's a that's a threat.
11:41:32 When I do the sweat of the swats. That's one of our most significant threats.
11:41:36 And then I am also concerned about our existing planning staff.
11:41:44 We have staff members that have 50 permits and that can lead to burnout.
11:41:50 And so I don't want to lose the staff that we've just trained.
11:41:57 And then finally, we have to be cognizant of the inner Gov.
11:42:02 Implementation, which is scheduled to roll out in the coming month.
11:42:07 A week December, so coming weeks and so let's go on to analysis.
11:42:15 That's sort of our our next area in our agenda request, and so when we look at the analysis, we're gonna look at the 4 areas that we just covered and then again one of the things
that I would just add about current planning is that what makes it unique now is this additional issue that we
11:42:37 Have land, because the land prices have doubled in the last 3 years, and we did a little quick and analysis that the land prices in the town double from 2,016 to 2,021 and our
salaries.
11:42:53 Increased 17, so that makes the ability of persons coming here that are a part of the local workforce just much more challenging.
11:43:03 The gap is increased, and so what we see is a consequence of that.
11:43:09 The cheaper parcels are the ones that people can actually buy, but they're cheap for a reason less expensive because they're so highly constrained.
11:43:20 And so that means that the type of permits that we have, and we have the fourth largest number of shoreline miles of any of the states 39 jurisdictions that we have a more complicated
projects than most jurisdictions, and made worse by the the current
11:43:43 Elevation in prices.
11:43:47 I'm gonna pass it back to you, Josh.
11:43:52 Thanks, Brendan.
11:43:55 So this is a lot of the same information that we we talked about previously.
11:44:03 I guess another breakpoint for any questions, really. But it's that's how much it's left in the bur contract, and when my!
11:44:10 I had a conversation with the project manager from Burke was told that that's pretty much enough to to do the analysis, and to you know, support us in a meeting in front of
the planning commission that would more likely be that so we have some ideas about how we could take advantage of that contract for some additional tasks
11:44:28 That we want to discuss as we move forward in this presentation
11:44:32 Yeah, Josh: do they have the capacity to take on more contract work?
11:44:37 Do you know
11:44:38 In my conversation with Lisa, the project manager. That was about 6 weeks ago, and I received no indication that they did not have the capacity.
11:44:51 Of course I'd have to revisit that conversation now that we're getting ready to pick that ball up
11:44:59 I guess Josh, is this where you want to talk about the the need for potentially reconstituting the the task.
11:45:07 Force I again I'm unclear. Why, what's what's the inciting incident for that potential work?
11:45:16 Yeah, that's that's a great question, Brad.
11:45:18 So in the sort of way that you put together the presentation.
11:45:22 Do you want to dive into that now? Or was that reserved for the third stage
11:45:23 Yeah, we do have recommendations in the fiscal.
11:45:32 So you
11:45:28 The third section, okay, 3 issues: the Shoreline Users Guide, which is supposed to follow the smp, and that we've only have 8,000 in the birth contract and the work ahead is
gonna be it's likely insufficient for that amount of work and then thirdly we did talk about
11:45:56 How our smp update is done by the same persons who are overburdened by the current planning staff
11:46:06 Could I jump in for just a sec. This is Kate and Josh and Brent.
11:46:12 I'm sorry I couldn't be there. I'm about to jump into an important meeting.
11:46:14 Actually the Riperian Round table. We talked about last year and so I'm gonna have to leave, and I will finish listening to the rest of this discussion.
11:46:23 Later this week. But I just really appreciate that you are trying to to keep balls rolling that are already rolling, and you know we're not at a decision point yet.
11:46:37 But I I just wanna generally say that I support because we're in a a financial position where we can to support I think the most immediate need is for for more consulting, work,
so that we can keep keep those projects on track so I'm gonna sign off but just wanted to say
11:46:55 That really appreciate you. You bringing some options that are about not about saying, Oh, we can't do anymore.
11:47:02 Okay.
11:47:03 Stop the work, stop the progress, and instead really trying to keep it going, so happy to support that
11:47:11 Thank you.
11:47:11 Thank you. Commissioner.
11:47:11 And sure, and I'm signing off for the rest of the day.
11:47:16 Everyone. I apologize. I don't like to miss our meetings, but this is an important.
11:47:21 Important stuff.
11:47:21 One so thanks for letting me join virtually
11:47:23 Yeah. Thank you. Commissioner. Have a good afternoon, Kate.
11:47:30 Okay.
11:47:32 Okay. So again, this is a a different way of saying some of of what we said about the legal lot of records, site development review ordinance that was adopted in early October.
11:47:45 The moratorium that had been in place for a year expired on October.
11:47:50 The fourth, and so that backlog of permits that latent demand was, Was there waiting for us.
11:47:58 And so we've, you know, had a flurry since then, and a lot of that has to do with soic designs that were in, process.
11:48:08 But had not been applied for yet. So since that was the case, they weren't able to just move straightforward, to straight to environmental health, although even if they did,
that really they would have been sent over our way anyway, for sort of what we were doing before which was the land use review as part of the
11:48:25 Septic, primit application. So in any case we've had that fluoride no Commissioner brother can ask, you know, who do we really expect?
11:48:32 192, because that really that's just an extrapolation.
11:48:34 From the month of October, 64 permits, but I would say I don't know, cause that is, you know that's just a prediction.
11:48:40 Okay. Awesome.
11:48:41 It's possible that the flery tails off. I would say, though, that we're over 80 now, though we keep hearing more from the subject designer, said, you know I have another batch
coming this week or something like that so it's quite possible that we get up that high anyway, even if
11:48:52 It's if it's and stops and starts or not.
11:48:54 Your typical monthly, monthly, are cruel. But so in any case we know we're gonna have almost undoubtedly over a 100, you know, to to to work doing.
11:49:05 We have started working through those. So that's the good news.
11:49:06 We started working through those we've got new staff coming on board definitely a a planning tech who just started today and an assistant planner with a commendable skill set
who is starting on October November fourteenth and then we want to talk to you about some other ideas.
11:49:27 When we get to the recommendation part
11:49:30 Yes.
11:49:28 I ask one more question while you're here, do you, in your analysis, is the the 12, month backlog of Permits reflected in that 64, maybe 197.
11:49:41 It's in the site development reviews. That's where the backlog sits.
11:49:43 It's not. I'm just trying to understand that that that backlog, compared to other planning endeavors
11:49:51 Yeah. Okay. Okay. So I think there's 2 things. There was the
11:49:56 Sort of ongoing backlog that we are working through.
11:50:00 But haven't been able to reduce. So, as Brent mentioned.
11:50:15 Wow!
11:50:05 For example, there are 2 assistant planners who principally do development review, are have 50 cases each approximately, and that does not include the site development reviews
which are principally being handled by other staff.
11:50:20 You know Brian very well, right? So he switched from doing the legislative work on that proposal to doing the implementation piece, and then we have our planning supervisor
Shannon also tackling that first batch and since we didn't have a planning tech
11:50:34 Even like the data entry aspects of case intake, we're falling onto Shannon with some assistance from the front staff.
11:50:40 Now we have a planning tech coming on board, so that'll alleviate that, etc.
11:50:44 And so forth. So we are working through as as quickly as we can, both backlogs in a sense like the regular permit.
11:50:50 Back on, and then we have the new set of site Development review applications to review.
11:50:57 I guess I would say that what we're trying to say in that first first bullet point is that it seems as though there was this latent demand that then released or became realized
once October fourth hit so
11:51:14 Thank you. Not not surprisingly right.
11:51:17 Yeah, no no
11:51:22 And then for any users just listening on we did highlight.
11:51:30 The story map by and putting a picture of the front page.
11:51:37 That sort of explains the background. So those interested in the background story map is still available
11:51:45 Thanks Brandon, I did. I did want to make one more point which you don't need the slide, for, really.
11:51:50 But I just wanted the Board members to know that we are continuing internal communications, too, about this lift off of this new program, so as has been stated, you know there
was some challenge to starting a new program having start on the same day that the more trouble was lifted but that's just the way, the way.
11:52:11 It happened, and for good reasons, but that did put us in a little bit of a challenging situation to implement something right away, and we've done our best in that.
11:52:18 But it's true. That's been a bit of a delay, and we've asked for some patients from our customer base, and and they've been, you know, asking us for updates of course but have
been for the most part patient and we really appreciate that and we're you know, starting to really get rolling that
11:52:34 Said, there's also some internal conversations that we've continued, and that would be with the assessor's office.
11:52:41 The auditor's office, the treasurer and other partners, and where we're working through those discussions and trying to address whatever concerns are coming our way from those
entities as well and just as an example would be we're asking property owners and applicants to come up with information that they're
11:52:58 not used to coming up with in order to make that legal lot of record determination.
11:53:02 The title report, for example, or something else. And so in this early stages, you know, we did put out a a 20 question, FAQ, on the web, but that said, there's still some learning
curve on all ends and that includes the customers right so they're going to those offices and including
11:53:20 Straining the resources in those offices, too. So we've we're trying to address those concerns, but you might have heard some of that scuttle but over in the courthouse.
11:53:27 So I'm just letting you know that we're working on that as well
11:53:32 And then, as indicated earlier, the staffing retention is, as continues to be a challenge.
11:53:42 I actually do believe that we've done a really yeoman's job at being able to address staff through the board and through the county administrator, and I would recognize, first
and foremost that the board the recommendation of the County administrator want ahead and changed to term limited positions to permanent
11:54:05 positions, and that kept some of our new staff in place.
11:54:10 Thank you fairly successful. And so we're looking at alternative approaches as well, using those lead status for certain projects, so that we can have some boost.
11:54:24 So that we're at least not so far apart from our peers.
11:54:28 But that, again is always a challenge. If the peers like Kitsapp are offering significantly more the only other thing we can do is ensure that we have a healthy and happy workplace
and so we did have a retreat.
11:54:46 That was really thank you, Commissioner Eisenhower, for for presenting that retreat was an attempt to make sure that we're understanding the concerns that the team members have
and that we're addressing them and so we're working on that and we do recognize that enter gov will
11:55:06 Have additional, or is having the impacts, because we are committing time to ensuring that the rollout is successful.
11:55:15 And so this means that we are really challenged right now, does.
11:55:21 Do you guys have specific recommendation regarding staffing retention that you're gonna share with us today.
11:55:27 We do have some recommendations, and they are more related to being able to address some of the concerns that may occur unanticipated concerns
11:55:45 And now we're gonna move into the fiscal impact
11:55:49 And so in looking at ways to reduce the burnout, and so burnout is a concern, because I've heard that from one of our staff members who did submit a resignation and and we're
trying to see if there's a way, we can keep that staff.
11:56:11 Man but I I point that out that it's critically important that we address the the amount of work that's staff have, and so one of the things that we've done is in this recommendation
is acknowledged that one of the ways we can reduce that potential burnout is
11:56:32 By looking to our consultants, and in this case we do have a consultant who's already on contract, and it's just a realization that the contract amount may not be sufficient
and so, our recommendation number one is to approve.
11:56:52 Dcd. To return to Burke for discussion. Wearing a contract amendment, and then, after we've gotten a the parameters scope of work and cost for that additional scope to return
either to the bocc for approval for Burke to complete the necessary necessary
11:57:15 update or to authorize the county administrator, Mark Macaulay, to approve a contract amendment up to a certain amount, and then just given the time that we have left.
11:57:28 It's 7 months before the end of the State biennium.
11:57:36 We think it's a real likelihood that we may need to return that grant fund, and and so that's an open question, because without implementing the program we have nothing to start
with.
11:57:54 Really they really it's really tied to the the new Smp update.
11:57:59 And so there's a couple of approaches.
11:58:03 We can take one is that if the board does decide to go ahead and acknowledge the needs that we have for supplemental consultant services through barrack that we can play it
by ear we can see how fast burke is able to complete it and maybe try to
11:58:25 Piggyback, the shoreline users guide. So I say consider for that reason, because I'm not yet sure that we will not be able to comply, and and Josh do you want to add to that
11:58:41 Thanks, Brand, yeah, I would just jump in to say that
11:58:44 We wanted to bring this to the attention of the boards, that if and when you see a contract proposal coming your way for additional funds for Burke to do work, you you would
have already heard about it at least once, and the other thing I want to say is a way, if we start that conversation with Burg.
11:59:01 I want to pick out different tasks sort of different levels.
11:59:06 So we have options. One would be the simplest, of course, and then one would be that we would get the just get the t force together so they could at least hear about what the
next?
11:59:18 Step is, and just be reengaged. I know there's been some request for some of those members to be updated, so that would just allow us to do that in a more organized way with
the consultant.
11:59:27 Helping then go through the planning commission but the other thing I'm interested in having Burke. Consider.
11:59:32 Do is connect the shoreline master program update with the critical areas update that the county went through a couple of years back. And I say that for a couple of reasons
one is that there is a real connection between those 2 laws like critical areas comes from the growth management act 1990 shoreline management act of course
11:59:50 Co- administered with aology from 1970, so they've been there's been attempts over the years to integrate those, and when we actually come down to implementing protections,
we do integrate those those 2.
12:00:02 Provisions, and all sort of with with an eye on the regulatory or form policy that the Board of adopted a couple of years ago.
12:00:10 We wanna make sure that those are tied together. Well, and there's another thing that has come to my attention since I've rejoined the county, and that is there.
12:00:18 Was a, you know, a lot of work that went into that critical areas update a couple of years back, and some of it was innovative in the in the way that it was done.
12:00:27 Like it evolved a committee. The director's office here at Tcd.
12:00:32 I think, did a lot of the work the prosecuting attorney's office was very involved, but essentially from an internal perspective, notwithstanding other departments and and others
and and commissioners, and so forth, from a Dcd.
12:00:43 Perspective. No, there's no one here that was involved in that.
12:00:47 The planners tell me that they weren't really involved in that, and that includes learning about the results in a sense.
12:00:54 So there's a lot of speculation about what was intended by some of those provisions.
12:01:01 There's been some inconsistencies pointed out between, you know, internal consistencies in the code, and then and then we want to make sure that the new smp dovetails finally
with the the critical area's ordinance so guess who is really knowledgeable about that
12:01:13 Though Burke, and so it's an option really to have them help us plug those gaps.
12:01:20 If you build those knowledge gaps, especially if we have new staff coming out.
12:01:24 Never mind the step that we're here and just weren't plugged into the process.
12:01:27 We've got new stuff. So it's an opportunity for Burke to have some sessions with us to talk about how it fits together.
12:01:33 Talk about what the intentions work, help, identify for us some changes that we think that we're gonna need to make as part of like a unified development code docket process
for next year and all of that together so I want to talk to them about a room of tasks that we can select you know if
12:01:47 we're able to hire them essentially to do those tasks
12:01:55 And then recommendation number 2 is really one of the opportunities that we have to.
12:02:04 Reduce what's unintanticipated and that's having on call consultant support for current planning.
12:02:13 We don't currently have that. And so one of the recognitions is that if we're gonna lose staff members right now we don't have a plan.
12:02:24 B. And so we would by having a retaining on call, consultant, support.
12:02:32 We would have a plan. B, so that the community members expectations could be met additionally.
12:02:41 This is a fee enterprise component of our department.
12:02:47 And so when I say enterprise, that those services that we deliver are paid for directly by the community, that we have received a a bid for an update to our fee schedule, and
having consultants do some of the work would just make sure that our analysis of cost is just that
12:03:10 Much more robust, and so I I see that as having a unanticipated benefit, and in terms of our fees got study.
12:03:21 Another option that was not included in the agenda request is to consider recruiting an additional term.
12:03:29 Limited planners that worked exceptionally well the first time around with the 2 planners that we retained. And so I have to acknowledge when it's something works, well, and
so that's why, I've added that to to this list of recommendations
12:03:45 Yeah, and if I could jump in on there, Brandon, with your permission, so we just hit a recruitment for assistant Planner, and we made a talk offer which was accepted.
12:03:55 So we're excited about that. There was some other talent in that pool, and we've started discussions with the county.
12:04:00 Administrator about potentially doing this. But again we're where we want to make sure that everybody understands the direction that we'd like to go in, so that there wouldn't
be any surprises.
12:04:10 And we are feeling comfortable with this next year. Budget-wise for right, for a few different reasons.
12:04:17 But it's hard to predict moving forward from there just because you know we don't know what the economy is going to do.
12:04:24 So there could be a drop-off and building permits which is essentially our chief revenue source.
12:04:28 And we're also cognizant that if we added some additional planners we'd start to look a lot like it did back into 2,007 2,008 before the great recession there, when we were
you know staffed up more than we are now but we also learned some
12:04:44 Lessons cause. I think at that time people had to be let go and things like that.
12:04:46 So where essentially we're trying to carefully plan for deal with this sort of I guess I would say, permit crisis situation in some ways in terms of the backlog that's now and
we can work through it over the next year we're also expecting you know we may have some staffing changes changes in
12:05:01 the coming year. Due to retirement, or people getting recruited by other agencies, or or being tempted to go somewhere else.
12:05:08 So we want to try to just game. Plan this thing to try to read that needle, to to to be successful.
12:05:14 So that's why we're proposing to bring on additional staff in these term.
12:05:18 Limited capacities, and then we'll re-annate Reanalyze.
12:05:22 Basically come next summer. When when is we're getting close to a year from from now
12:05:26 Are these 2 bullet points under recommendation to connected with an and or an or
12:05:35 I would connect him with an ant, but it could be an or
12:05:39 Okay. Well, it it seems like if we why, these positions is term limited, then that sets, you know, a different expectation right?
12:05:52 And then, as we found with our previous flying positions. This term eliminated.
12:05:57 We came to the end of the term, and it was like Oh, no, we need to. Right. So I think.
12:06:01 Yeah. It makes that makes sense to me.
12:06:07 And then a final recommendation that also was not in the agenda request really originates, that we had a plan to come to the board with all of the projects.
12:06:21 We we in the department have 32 discrete areas.
12:06:26 We also distilled out those projects that the Planning commission has purview over, and so the third recommendation would be: to consider scheduling a joint session with the
planning Commission to discuss the range of projects under their purview and they were listed
12:06:48 In the January the eleventh. We've since added 2 projects to that, and that that would be an opportunity to look at the 2,023 workplan priorities.
12:06:59 And so we were hoping that perhaps in January there could be a joint meeting.
12:07:04 That looks revenue neutral. Happy to do that.
12:07:09 Sounds great, and these were some of the projects that were on that list, just to to refresh everyone's memory.
12:07:19 And some of them have moved forward. I just want to.
12:07:24 The Fema cab has not, but we did have the ratings bureau come out, and we were evaluated.
12:07:30 We're hopeful to have good results soon on that.
12:07:34 And that we also have moved ahead with the What's really the code enforcement, the civil procedures is moving ahead.
12:07:47 Our code enforcement is working on on that. Code. Compliance officer is working on completing that civil procedure.
12:07:56 So things aren't moving ahead. Can I ask a question about that table when I first saw it?
12:08:01 I don't understand why there's so much white space I mean is, is is the structure.
12:08:07 Am I supposed to get something out of the structure of this table other than it's just right, and what we were trying to do was in the table is that each of the 5 different
categories were broken out by where they fall under housing fiscal intergovernmental infrastructure or it didn't fit into
12:08:26 any of the other buckets, and so I just added them as they appeared, and when we come back we're gonna have a little exercise with this that looks at the table slightly differently,
and it puts them in Krogins joel, Peterson has done a really, good job at griffith representing this
12:08:45 And a different way that I think you might enjoy. Okay, I find this presentation structure confusing.
12:08:55 Okay, so good, good. So we do have another approach that we'll be able to share with you at the
12:08:59 What one thing we did with the planning commission you might be interested in just hearing about, and we will let you know more about it in detail.
12:09:05 Once, if and when we get a workshop scheduled.
12:09:09 That's a joint planning commission board workshop, or if you're interested in participating in a planning commission meeting, we could do it that way, too.
12:09:16 So it'd be up to you and we'll talk to to Mark about moving forward a proposal.
12:09:21 But I want to say at the last meeting, when the Plan Commission did reach these recommendations about our priorities, we used a tool that was a first.
12:09:29 We gave them a survey, an online survey that had a forced ranking.
12:09:34 So it had like 4 categories, and they force rank these priorities, and then, when we got those survey results from about two-thirds of the planning commissioners, it was like
a starting point, for the discussion and then the Commissioner, is now made arguments about moving stuff up and down the list
12:09:48 And remarkably it was actually unanimous vote on every single one which I I was actually to be honest surprised. I'm very surprised about it, and pleasantly. So.
12:09:56 I think the chair of the plan Commission did a great job about to do that.
12:09:58 By the way, and so it's something we will, will, you know.
12:10:02 It's a different way to see it, Commissioner, as an hour in terms of how it how it looks that might be less confusing in terms of the the way the projects are listed we categorize
them, a little differently and it's something that we can actually share with you for interested in you know taking this survey if you will we could do it that
12:10:16 Way too, if you're interested in that, and the idea would be just like.
12:10:18 Here's what the planning Mission said. Here's what Dcds take is on it? And then we want to get the board stake, of course, and and with all that information we'll you know have
a clearer picture about what the priorities are for both 2023 and 24 really
12:10:33 Sounds great. I've been asking my questions as I've as we've gone along, so I don't have any additional yeah, not a little a lot.
12:10:45 I mean, we're are. Are we? Considering some of these questions right now about you know this, you know potentially up in the Bur contract 75 k and considering your term limited
employees board I think I think this was to prime the pump and that we'll
12:11:06 follow up with them concrete actions for the board to consider.
12:11:11 Okay, we do have a public common public comment listed as part of this agenda. Item.
12:11:16 So I wanna anything else we wanna talk about before we invite public comments.
12:11:23 I mean like Kate said. I really appreciate the the proactive nature of this presentation.
12:11:28 Thank you. Thanks. Thanks, for you know, not getting over the skis.
12:11:30 But look at looking at the horizon
12:11:33 Okay. So we're going to. Let's see. Maybe if you guys can stop sharing your screen.
12:11:41 We are gonna open up. Public comment on this agenda item which was listed as presentation regarding shoreline map management, program Update contract amendment, and lot of record
implementation.
12:11:54 Support. So if you are interested in making a comment on these topics, please raise your hand, using the raise hand, button at the bottom of your zoom screen, or if you're on
the phone press star 9 and your hand will go up and then we'll bring you over, so raise I see that we have
12:12:13 One person who's joined us. Gene Ball. Anyone else can go ahead and raise their hand, and we'll bring you over after Jean's comments.
12:12:21 Jean, you have 3Â min
12:12:22 Good afternoon. Everyone. I just wanted to correct me. If I'm wrong.
12:12:30 I wanted to point something out that was said. Perhaps I misunderstood.
12:12:36 I think that what was said was that there was no replicative from the Department of Community Development on the critical areas ordinance task force and as I understand that
that is incorrect.
12:12:50 The representative was Donna Frust home, and she was fully engaged.
12:12:58 So there's that. Thank you for this process and consideration and presentation.
12:13:04 I I definitely agree that to make together the shoreline program and the critical areas program is something of a no brainer makes perfect sense to me.
12:13:18 So thank you for that good day.
12:13:20 Thanks, Jean, anyone else with us this afternoon. We just tipped into the afternoon.
12:13:28 Who would like to make a public comment on this discussion around department of community development capacity, and I would just underscore again that we had a public comment
and supports of capacity for Dcd.
12:13:44 This morning at the beginning of our meeting, from a member of the public and a member of the Planning Commission.
12:13:50 So anyone else with us online interested in commenting on this topic, use the raise hand button at the bottom of your zoom screen, or star 9.
12:14:00 If you're on the phone
12:14:04 Okay. I'm not singing that other hands go up so I'll close public comment on this item.
12:14:10 Any more discussion that we wanna have
12:14:15 Sounds like the next step is Mark, you'll you'll come back to us with details correct either asking for an amendment to a contract, and and then to the degree that additional
budget would be required a 4 quarter supplemental. Okay. Okay.
12:14:38 Thank you, Josh: thanks Brent for being here today.
12:14:41 And all the work that you guys are doing
12:14:45 Seems like I was just thinking it, you know. I mean the the problem is the record permit applications.
12:14:53 And now site Development Review. We've created this crunch of demand for your guys services.
12:14:59 So it is incumbent on us to figure out a path through this together, and you know you got my support and I know you got all our all of our support.
12:15:10 Thank you.
12:15:09 Thank you for sure. Thank you, Commissioner Eisenhower. Thank you. Commissioner Brotherton.
12:15:15 Okay. So there's nothing else on our agenda for the morning, anything for the good of the order.
12:15:23 Before we recess. Okay, we're gonna recess until 1 30 and we're gonna come back and we'll be going immediately into an executive session.
12:15:31 But we'll come back to and we can meet our meeting at 1 30, and then pop out, for executive session, and then come back this afternoon for a workshop well, some calendaring
and briefing i'm sure and then I workshop.
13:30:53 Welcome back. Folks. I'll call this meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners back to order after lunch and let folks know that we're going to be going right into
an executive session for about a half an hour and then we'll come out and
13:31:12 We'll have a workshop on the America Rescue Plan Act Funding.
13:31:18 We received and some potential further uses of that funding.
13:31:24 And then this afternoon at 3 o'clock we'll be having a workshop on Dnr's carbon project will be joined by Chink of Fabrini Sorba.
13:31:35 Who is their Dnr senior policy, advisor on carbon, and then also our Olympic regional leads drew Rosenbaum.
13:31:44 The assistant region managers for State lands, and Brian Turner, the Straits district manager.
13:31:51 So at this point, though I would like to
13:31:57 What everyone. Now we are going into an executive session with our county administrator, our chief civil deputy, prosecuting attorney or Department of community development,
Director, our Dcd code compliance Coordinator, and environmental public health water quality, Manager, regarding potential
13:32:15 Litigation, exemption is outlined in the Open Public Meetings Act, Rcw.
13:32:20 42 point, 1 10 parentheses, one parentheses.
13:32:24 I will go in at 1 32, and come out at 2.
13:32:28 O, 2! See you back here.
14:04:17 40, can you silent that Mark? Mark, Mark, Martha, can you silent that thanks so I'm coming out of executive session with our county administrator?
14:04:31 Chief Civil Deputy, prosecuting eternity, attorney Deputy of Department of Community Development, Director, Dcd.
14:04:39 Code, compliance, coordinator and environmental public health, water, quality, manager regarding potential litigation, exemption is outlined in the open Public Meetings.
14:04:48 Act Rcw. 4,200 3,110 parentheses one parentheses.
14:04:52 I I'm coming out at 204 and extending for 11Â min.
14:04:56 I will will be back at 2, 15
14:16:56 To make this function cause cheers can't make a motion okay, that'd be great.
14:17:05 I'm just trying the bps and Qy.
14:17:13 Okay. We're coming back into session coming out of executive session, and we will not be extending.
14:17:25 And we had this point are going to make a motion based on the executive session.
14:17:29 We, just public comment first, before we take the so Greg's gonna make the motion, and then we're gonna open it for public comment.
14:17:40 If anyone wants to comment, and then and we go with us here, I wanna make sure I get right.
14:17:49 We have not yet
14:17:55 We're we're waiting for our civil deputy attorney, Philip Hun, sucker
14:18:03 Mark. We see if Phillips gonna rejoin us.
14:18:07 Let me join
14:18:10 And what now get fellow back on the regular comic share meeting
14:18:17 If you can. He's not here now
14:18:24 He's I don't see him, I know.
14:18:27 Can you? Text Denver?
14:18:37 Twitch, side.
14:18:49 Stand by folks
14:19:00 Back into the executive session. Maybe still there
14:19:10 Alright. I guess I can okay. So anyone care to make a motion about the executive session we just had.
14:19:23 Yes, regarding the I guess violation. The solid waste violation, the work that Dcd and Environmental public health and the prosecutor's office has been.
14:19:34 Doing. I move that we authorize the Casey administrator to to sign any negotiation that is agreed upon for the next 2 weeks to negotiate the amounts of a settlements
14:20:01 With with the the Vexton family, the session family regarding Glendale Farm and other properties that they on did we get that
14:20:19 Not recording. We're on zoom
14:20:31 Something else.
14:20:48 Environment of public Health and DC.
14:20:54 I didn't list them. No, I don't think it's so
14:21:05 Clean up remediation on the side
14:21:11 Do you want to read it again, please.
14:21:24 Regarding solutions, remediation, no
14:21:35 2 weeks to negotiate emails. So now
14:21:43 Hello! That's the motion. All in favor
14:21:51 Okay, second the motion and I'm gonna open the floor for public comment regarding
14:21:58 Re clean up at in at Glendale Farm. Is there anybody with us this afternoon who would like to comment on this issue?
14:22:10 Please use the raise hand, button on the bottom of your zoom screen.
14:22:13 This is in regards to the cleanup of Glendale farm and other properties owned by the sex and family and chimicum. And we've authorized our staff to work with our county administrator
to develop a settlement with the sex and family anybody interested in commenting on this issue
14:22:37 I don't see any hands going up so I'm gonna close public comment on this item and call for a vote all those in favor of the motion on the floor please, indicate by saying I
I none.
14:22:50 Opposed passes unanimously with a question of 2 commissioners and I just want to see in light of the long history of this property in our community, and the fires that have
happened there over the years, especially the most recent one i'm grateful for the sexton family for all
14:23:16 Of the work they're doing to clean up the property, and also grateful for all of our staff, including environmental public health, and Deb.
14:23:25 Murdock, especially from Dcd. And our prosecuting Attorneys office specifically, Philip Hunsucker and Barbara Ehrlichman for their work on this because we're all gonna appreciate
it for the rest of the decades that we live here
14:23:44 So thanks, everyone awesome.
14:23:48 Okay. The next item on our agenda is a workshop regarding Arpa funding and we'll have public comment on this item as well.
14:23:58 So, Mark, are you gonna see this one up? Yes, I will.
14:24:05 I got it
14:24:09 Gotta share my screen here.
14:24:22 I don't
14:24:29 Alright. Can you read that? I probably should zoom in a little bit
14:24:42 Yeah, yeah, the the the issue is once once I share my screen.
14:24:48 I can't do anything with it, and
14:24:58 Yeah, would you no. Stop here.
14:25:14 I think all the numbers are legible.
14:25:27 Alright, so
14:25:33 There where you can zoom in a little bit while you're
14:25:44 Okay.
14:25:52 I apologize.
14:25:59 To, the.
14:26:06 Okay. Commissioners. Just to reorient you to this this great on the left side of the spreadsheet, or what I call general Arpa.
14:26:21 Dollars. We've received 2, 3 point, 1, 2 9 million dollar tranches of General Arpa, one in July of 2021, and the second one in July, of 2022 and the board did some very good
work at at the end of 20
14:26:41 21, and at the beginning of 2022 and making allocations of these funds, and just a quick recap, you gave a 150 to the port of port towns and for a hydraulic lift and that those
monies have been dispersed we gave 150 to the
14:26:58 Pd. For Broadband, and those monies have been dispersed, and then you approve 750,000 to the pud for broadband.
14:27:07 As match, so that a grant application of theirs would be more competitive, and that was a successful move because they did, in fact, get that grant those funds have not yet
been distributed, and will we've been invoiced and after the fourth quarter supplemental we'll cut a check to the
14:27:25 Pd. For that 290,000 for health care.
14:27:28 I need to touch base with with Kate. I do believe that the the hospital did get money for child care, and I believe they they relied on this 290 as a match in their application.
14:27:40 So I've got to get a grant agreement with the hospital together.
14:27:42 Bill Road Project. I think someone mentioned 2 million this morning, but we're it's more like a 1,000,005 headlock sewer.
14:27:52 Originally they had asked for a fair amount more than the 925.
14:27:57 You see here, but based on on on timing of the project and invoic, they they believe that they need 925 for this year, although they've invoiced us for quite a bit less than
that to this point we sent 30,000 to the public Health department for
14:28:17 COVID-19 test kits. Now the board approved premium pay for our employees because of the Covid pandemic and all the risks that they were exposed to and then and 7,500 for the
public health retreat you know the 30,000 been dispensed.
14:28:35 As has has the 343, the 7,500 for the public health retreat.
14:28:39 Veronica is putting together invoices for that to justify and we'll transfer to them only what they spent, not necessarily the full 7,500.
14:28:50 And then, of course, the 500,000 that we gave to Edc for small business grants, and so that those amounts total 4, point, 6, 4, 5 million which put us in the red for 2021 funds
but then with the additional 3.1 2 9 what's we received that we have already
14:29:15 Received as expected, and then what's projected for the headlock sewer next year of a 1,000,020.
14:29:22 We'll leave 592,000 and unallocated.
14:29:26 General Arpa, and that number increased commissioners, because over here you see the Pda Grant of 378,000, although we're getting a clean audit on our manager of the Arpa funds.
14:29:41 We've received today. There was a comment. And you'll likely hear about this during the exit conference that we have with the State Auditor.
14:29:48 They wanted us to to review the expenditure of those funds, to make sure that they were indeed that that was an eligible use under the interim and final rules.
14:30:01 There's some question about whether it was suitable expenditure, but the way we're handling this is we're in total receiving.
14:30:12 Just a little bit less than 10 million in Arpa funds.
14:30:17 The revenue, sharing monies there are no restrictions on how you can spend that it can be spent on any governmental purpose.
14:30:24 So essentially we can reclassify the Pda Grant and say that it was revenue sharing monies, and by moving that 378 out of the general Arpa column that increases the uncommitted
funds amount by the 378,000 can I ask one
14:30:41 clarifying question. Yes, online 19. The hadlocks who are the 925 that hasn't been fully accepted yet in the first architecture.
14:30:48 Right. That's still calculated right? So we're still at the 592 of uncommitted funds.
14:30:53 Incorporates both the 1,000,020 and this year, and the ninth full 9, 25. Correct.
14:30:58 Yeah, and whatever of the 9 25, they don't ask for this here.
14:31:03 We'll just roll it into next year. Yeah. And so so that's the status.
14:31:08 The General Arpa funds, and then finally, after much gnashing of teeth, we did get the 1.6, 9 2 million.
14:31:16 We were notified the day before the end of the fiscal year that that we could go to the Treasury website to determine how much in revenue sharing monies the county would receive
and we went there that's the amount that was on their their their portal and Judy and
14:31:36 I immediately submitted our application for those funds, and they were received.
14:31:41 I don't know. 3 3 weeks later, 4 weeks later, Nice and the board just as a reminder.
14:31:49 We spent 500 of that in advance of receiving it, using the general Arpa, and and so this has been a bit of a shell game, and what we need to do is look at the 500,000 for Hadlock
the Habitat project to see if it might if it
14:32:09 qualifies under General Arpa. Then we could reclassify it and use up some of the 592 so we have a little bit of work to do.
14:32:17 There, but just continuing down the revenue sharing Arpa.
14:32:22 We've got the habitat project for 500, and then, when Kpttz came and made a presentation about the more more mortgage hill radio Tower the board directed me to bring a grand
agreement to the board for approval so I've added that to the
14:32:43 Spreadsheet, and you've already made a firm commitment to the Evans Vista project.
14:32:50 500,000, and I hope to have that grant agreement on the board's agenda, on November twenty-first, so we can yeah, pass that money to the city for for their their planning effort
then of course the 378 that went to the
14:33:07 Pda, and so then the total committed out of that is a 1,000,004 43, leaving some monies uncommitted, and then of course, next year, not not not knowing, when because we actually
received the 2022 tranche in fiscal year, 2,000 and
14:33:26 23 I'm hoping that the will receive the second tranche of revenue sharing monies earlier and fiscal year, 23 and not the first month of fiscal year, 2,024 so then that leaves
1.9 4 1
14:33:44 1 million and uncommitted revenue, sharing monies, and if we move the 500,000 for habitat over to General Arpa, then that would be what 1 point?
14:33:58 4, 4,000,002 point or 2 point, 4 4 million, yes, and then down below here we have a number of funding candidates that we talked about previously with with some additions and
and some modifications.
14:34:17 So the Odt match, the grant match could either be paid out of revenue, sharing Arpa, or we could pay it out of capital, and I I actually have it in both spreadsheets.
14:34:32 Cause I'm I'm looking at for a discussion with the board on which source of funding we should use for that, and then operating under the assumption that the board will commit
a 100 to the aquatic center study that the city just briefed us on earlier today i've added
14:34:54 That, to the funding candidate list, fully expecting to move it up to the 22 or 2023 revenue sharing categories, has committed, and then facilities.
14:35:11 We have a couple of facility needs record storage building, you know we rent.
14:35:17 Number of storage containers out in the community. We spend about 20,000 a year renting storage containers that or not.
14:35:27 All that suitable for storing paper records that are not temperature or humidity controlled.
14:35:32 So we're looking at. Come into the board for a record storage facility, and then co-located with that would be a shop building for our facilities.
14:35:44 Folks, most facilities, operations, and counties. They have a shop building for their staff.
14:35:50 We do not. And so what we find is. It's our our facility staff occasionally we'll use equipment that they have at their house to do work on behalf of the county and that's an
unsafe practice and and so so that's that's a requirement that's existed for a great deal
14:36:13 Of time that we want the Board to be aware of that separate from the roadm maintenance trailer.
14:36:18 Yes, and then public Works road Fund is is repaying a loan on a on debris project from years ago, and I think the outstanding balance is 520,000, and then the road maintenance
trailer was on the list previously so no change there is that the
14:36:40 One at the shop. That's yeah. It's the one that they're running currently so.
14:36:45 But doesn't the facility shop building for the same need or is?
14:36:50 There are 2 different things. So public works, road crew used used to meet in the shop building, and you've been there.
14:37:01 I think yeah, the space is is not ideal. They're crammed in there, and so so Matt Stewart rented a double-wide.
14:37:09 That's off to the side. Looking at the shop it's off to the right side and they're renting that and part of the justification for running it.
14:37:19 Was Covid, I think when they wanted people to have more space but it's turned out to be a you know, a a useful portable building for them, and I think that they would like to
have it on a permanent basis, and so you know they've renewed the the rental
14:37:37 Agreement on it, but if we purchased that it would, it would go for about a 150,000.
14:37:43 Now the facility shop building, record storage and the road maintenance trailer.
14:37:48 Now that Chris Coy is here one of his, and I think he's in on the call one of the first things that I'm gonna ask him to do is create a capital facilities committee and develop
a set of proposals to to bring to the board so that you can have a
14:38:05 Comprehensive decision tool, on on capital facilities for the county and so I'm not asking for commitments on these now just floating them as test balloons.
14:38:18 I think the Jeff Comic expansion. You know that really shouldn't be a county.
14:38:24 Project. So I we'd like to delete that as a candidate, and so if I do that
14:38:38 So the deficit just disappeared.
14:38:45 Okay. Then moving over to capital. There have been some changes here as well.
14:38:53 Significantly. You know the board approved. I can't remember the amount you you you budgeted for 2022.
14:39:02 But it it it. It was north. I think it was 250,000 for a pretty healthy list.
14:39:08 Of Projects and Matt Matt. Tyler has done a great job, but he's one guy, and he had an ambitious program and based on his bandwidth He wasn't able to get to all the projects
but a number of the projects.
14:39:22 That he undertook came in under Budget, and so they they asked to reprogram some of the money for this year in the next year, and then they've also reduced next year's ask down
to 73,450 and and that's a program that
14:39:43 Matt Tyler will be able to execute, and the projects that were were in the 2 asks for these 2 years that they simply can't get to.
14:39:51 They're just gonna roll into 2,024 and and and later
14:39:58 Brandon Community Center looks like it's got a big revision on it, too.
14:40:02 Right well, once again we're talking Bandwidth.
14:40:07 Matt Court is focusing on the Pt. Community center and the cost of the estimated cost of that is significantly increased.
14:40:16 The estimate that we had previously was probably 7 or 8 years old or older.
14:40:22 And so we're now thinking it might cost 2 million to fix that.
14:40:28 And because of the the nature of that project, the amount of work required to get a bid package put together we're going to push printing out to 24.
14:40:38 I mean there was design work that was going into Brennan, which is just hiring an architect, wasn't there?
14:40:43 I mean I feel like I know. I guess that that seems like a big full stop on that project when it's a lot of the work. Is it?
14:40:51 In central services, but in I mean I just
14:40:56 To be to vote on which one gets pushed for another year, cause the Brennan community has been suffering with deferred maintenance.
14:41:05 As long as okay. Okay. Well, the 2 alright we could.
14:41:08 We could reallocate some of the 2 million for the port town's account.
14:41:12 Community center and I mean I know it's not being able to have snow on the roof is a pretty significant impact on the poor towns and community centers.
14:41:23 So I mean I was really appreciative of both of these projects.
14:41:26 I just love to have a conversation before we just okay, kick our most marginalized community down the road and another year.
14:41:33 Okay alright. And that. And that's the purpose of this workshop is to have these discussions.
14:41:39 So okay, we'll we'll revisit the split there.
14:41:44 And maybe divert some of the 2 million to get the architectural work done on Brennan in 23, and then maybe construction and 24.
14:41:53 Yeah. Thank you.
14:41:59 Okay, so that pretty much summarizes the current state of affairs.
14:42:05 I I think maybe now it would be appropriate to get your ideas about the acquaintance center study.
14:42:16 I know that Kate, before she signed off, said that she was a proponent of dedicating that 100,000 to the city for that project.
14:42:25 Can we? Can we look at the the leftmost column because I felt like there was some unresolved.
14:42:31 I just wanna try and figure out actually how much money we have so
14:42:37 So there's 592, and uncommitted there, and you were talking about potentially moving that to still the same amount, though it's the 5 5 92 and the 2 50 so it's you know, I'm
i'm not following.
14:42:53 Sorry. Okay. So if if I were to take this, yeah, that's what I was.
14:43:00 That's what I was.
14:43:06 Oh, that didn't work
14:43:11 It's got a little dialogue box up above.
14:43:15 That's why you can't do anything right now.
14:43:16 You got to say cancel? Or Okay.
14:43:30 Oh, no! Why did you do that and paste it up
14:43:37 And undo. Yeah, if I if I hide the commands, we can't really do that.
14:44:04 Okay. So then there's that's Evans.
14:44:11 Vista: yeah.
14:44:17 So there's a 2, 4, 4, one week you mentioned earlier.
14:44:22 Okay. So with next year's revenue sharing.
14:44:27 So I total between those 3
14:44:31 Uncommitted funds of is like 2 5, whatever. Okay.
14:44:38 So we know that we know that Moni is continuing to search for sewer funds, and you know we have.
14:44:49 We have time to spend these monies. I think they have to be obligated by 2,024, and spent by 26.
14:44:56 So, if we commit to all the things, and then the revenue sharing additional funding funding candidates box, it's 1 point, 7, 9, 3 million right?
14:45:06 Yeah, and then the residual of 2 point, 4, 4, one minus 1 point, 7, 9, 3 is 648,000.
14:45:15 So
14:45:18 Are you asking us if we were ready to commit to the entire 1 point?
14:45:22 7, 9, 3. Are we just looking at the 100,000 we talked about earlier
14:45:30 Well, I'd like a commitment on 100,000, because I think the city's looking for those monies pretty quickly.
14:45:37 So they, you know they've got a type timeline
14:45:42 But I would. I would also look for commitments for for the other items
14:45:49 I mean I I'm I'm down to the aquatic center, really.
14:45:53 So I mean I'm having to commit that the ott grant match.
14:45:56 I feel like we've already kind of committed to.
14:45:59 As well, haven't we? And then I feel like with you know, Chris joining a team.
14:46:05 I'd love to get a little deeper analysis before we commit, for sure on the on the witch capital needs on that. I guess the record storage facility facility shop building, and
road maintenance, trailer just to make sure that we're thinking about future proofing this decision this
14:46:20 Significant capital decision. Obviously, I don't like the next column over on some of the calendar decisions that have happened since the last time that we've talked so feel
like maybe kicking the can on some of the capital project decisions until we can look at it as a set yeah, and and have that capital committee come to the board
14:46:36 With that, you know full blown presentation. Yeah, you know that pros and cons of each facility, the relative need those things totally and can that include the
14:46:50 The projects listed in the capital funds box there, too. Yeah, I think that's what? You okay. So with the Brandon Community Center port towns and Community center
14:47:02 Okay.
14:47:07 So and so the ott Grant match. We can take that out of revenue sharing, and not the calendar
14:47:17 If we got a lot of capital needs right any of these other facilities or record storage.
14:47:23 Any of these can come out of capital too right, well they could.
14:47:26 If we had the resources in the capital fund to to do that
14:47:32 And the Ott. Grant match is only going to be needed if we get the grant
14:47:38 Right
14:47:43 And is the Morgan Hill Radio Tower? Where is that coming from?
14:47:48 That's our back. That's right. Revenue sharing.
14:47:53 That's already approved of
14:47:55 Okay. Yeah. I would. I'd be comfortable moving the aquatic center up.
14:48:01 And you know, yeah, yeah, me, too. I guess I we don't need to make the decision now.
14:48:06 It seems, on the Ode Grant. We're gonna match it from somewhere.
14:48:10 Once they get it so we can we can across that bridge when we get to it too.
14:48:14 Right. There's not really any advantage of settling it. Now.
14:48:16 Yes, we could. We could do that.
14:48:21 So
14:48:25 These capital numbers are what, what? What we plan to bring forward in the budget they that you'll see first Monday in December, and so for today, if it's simply a commitment
to fund the 100,000 for the aquatic center yeah, I think that would work and you know we got plenty of time
14:48:46 to continue to review these, so you can just move that one up to the committed funds projects right.
14:48:55 The top list. Yes, and I'd love to see what the consequences of the Undy Road loan are for the road Fund, too.
14:49:05 I mean, if it's it, it would free up current dollars so that they could leverage much like the reduction in the diversion.
14:49:12 They can take the money. They don't have to pay on the loan, and they could use it to to leverage.
14:49:17 Grants. Maybe maybe do another callvert or so. What's the I mean?
14:49:25 What what's the principle that I don't know.
14:49:26 I don't know any of the details of the payment or
14:49:31 They paid like $30 30,000 a year. Oh, so it's gonna take a while.
14:49:40 Say again, could you just paste that over something else that was there
14:49:49 Say again, Heidi, I was wondering if you just pasted the aquatic center study right over something else that was under it that's all.
14:49:56 Or did it actually insert new sales
14:50:01 Oh, I didn't paste over anything. Okay, I just inserted.
14:50:07 So it it moved everything down. Okay.
14:50:13 Okay. So a firm commitment on that, and we'll revisit some of these at a at a later date.
14:50:21 Then yeah, it sounds like we're gonna have Chris, and you do some capital facilities more holistic planning exactly.
14:50:31 And some of these might be shorter term, you know if they're paying $20,000 for the trailer at the and they, you know, really want it.
14:50:38 Then paying that off now might yeah in between as an under road, loan and the trailer that would be additional monies.
14:50:46 They could put into their maintenance program or under their capital program.
14:50:51 We're gonna have public comment on this. Yep.
14:50:56 So if there's anybody who's joined us this afternoon who would like to make a public comment on the conversation.
14:51:06 We just had about our use of Arpa funds.
14:51:12 The American Rescue Plan Act Funding that we've received or been committed.
14:51:16 Please raise your hand, using the raise hand button at the bottom of the zoom screen.
14:51:21 I see that nobody's on the phone. So don't have to say that.
14:51:26 But anyone with us interested in commenting on the projects we've just been talking about that.
14:51:32 We've included on the Arpa Fund lists for both Arpa general and our pro-revenue sharing, and then also the capital projects list anyone in the room was to comment about that
okay, i'm not seeing any hands go up and no hands up in the room so
14:51:54 I'm gonna close public comment on that item
14:51:59 Okay. Thank you. Mark.
14:52:05 Hey? I think I have 5Â min reasons. Yup, we're gonna rethink
14:59:35 Okay. Well, I said, 2, 58 for recess.
14:59:42 Okay. So I'm gonna call us back to order. And we have an agenda item that starts in a minute which is our discussion with Dnr: about the carbon project Okay, carbon phase 2
project and identification of parcels in East Jefferson County for proposed inclusion in that
15:00:02 Project. We are gonna be joined by Chinka Faberini Sorba from Dnr.
15:00:09 She's they're carbon lead. And then I think that the Vt.
15:00:14 F is Brian Turner. I want to guess, and I don't see Drew Rosenbaum yet.
15:00:21 So it's Brian Turner, Andrew Rosenbaum under the
15:00:23 Oh, okay. Great. Good. To know okay, you guys can turn your camera on or not.
15:00:32 It's 3 o'clock, so I'm gonna start this agenda item, and this is a workshop regarding identification of parcels in East Jefferson County for inclusion in the Department of natural
resources Carbon phase 2 project and public comment and so we are going to have
15:00:50 one public comment period as part of this agenda item, and I'm thinking it might be best to have to start
15:01:01 Just start with with Dnr: Yeah, Yeah, before we do public comment.
15:01:08 So, Chinka, do you wanna lead us off? And you know I 1 one thing that we're particularly interested in in is the rationale that went into selecting the specific parcels that
were in the proposed map so I don't know if that's best you or best Brian and drew
15:01:26 Yeah. So what I have for you all is a presentation that goes over a couple of different things, including just an overview of the carbon project, and yeah.
15:01:40 A little bit about the selection, and then parcels the public engagement, and and beneficiary engagement, and then a little bit more about like how carbon markets work and how
carbon credits are calculated, so I think it's probably best if I go through that and then yeah.
15:01:54 Okay.
15:01:54 Brian and Drew are here to answer more specific questions about the parcels. So we can cover that at the end. Or if if yeah, if those questions come up, but i'll be doing more
of like an overview presentation that covers a couple of different, things
15:02:09 Great sounds like a perfect plan.
15:02:12 Okay. So I will share my screen. Then
15:02:31 Let me see. Sorry I'm trying to make sure I'm getting the right
15:02:50 Kind of get my notes up, but I guess maybe let's not
15:02:56 If I have it this way. Are you guys also seeing the notes, or are you still seeing the slides as they should be?
15:03:01 We just see the slides.
15:03:03 Okay. Great perfect. Okay. Well, thanks. Everyone. So my name is Chenka.
15:03:09 Fabrini Torba. I'm missing your policy advisor at Dnr, and I've been leading on our carbon work at the agency.
15:03:17 So like I said, I'm gonna go over a couple of different things around the carbon project.
15:03:22 This looks like a long agenda, but but I think I'll cover it fairly quickly, and certainly within the time.
15:03:28 So like I said, I'll go over an overview of the project just to make sure we're all grounded in the same understanding a little bit about the phase.
15:03:35 2 selection of candidate parcels, and then also the outreach and consultation that we're conducting.
15:03:43 We'll talk a little bit about the Jefferson County parcels specifically, but like I said to Brian and Drew, will be able to answer questions at the end to get more into the
nitty gritty on that and then i'll talk a little bit about how carbon
15:03:54 credits the number of carbon credits are actually calculated, and what the kind of revenue, what what it might look like to generate revenue from from the sale of carbon credits
before some concluding thoughts so first I just wanted to go over a couple of key terms that
15:04:12 are going to be important for folks understanding as I go through the presentation.
15:04:17 So the first is additionality, and that we' to the carbon emissions reductions, or removals that are essentially are extra that are additional to the reductions that would have
taken place if a carbon project had not occurred and that's what's, known as the baseline so the
15:04:36 baseline is what would have occurred in a sort of business as usual, scenario.
15:04:43 So in in putting together a carbon project, 2 really important things are going to be what what might have happened without the carbon project, and that's the baseline.
15:04:50 And then what is happening because of the carbon project, and that's additionality.
15:04:54 And then a carbon credit is just a standardized unit that equals one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent that comes from a carbon offset project and then an offset project
or a carbon offset project just refers to a type of project that is reducing the sources
15:05:11 Of greenhouse gas emissions or increasing storage of greenhouse gas emissions.
15:05:16 And such that it compensates for other employees elsewhere.
15:05:20 So those are just a few key terms that will help us as we go through.
15:05:25 So first, then as a reminder, the project is Dnr.
15:05:31 Committing, to attend 1,000 acre carbon project, in which will be setting aside high, ecologically valuable forests to generate revenue by storing and soestering carbon so these
are n people have probably heard me save us a lot by now but I like to keep repeating
15:05:47 It that these are extremely carbon-rich forests on the west side of our state on the west side of the Cascades, and Art West Side forest, or more carbon than any other forest
in the us and they also represent one of the most carbon dense forest ecosystems in the world.
15:06:02 And so these are really unique, globally significant forests that therefore make them excellent candidates for a carbon project such as ours and we've been really careful to
select or identify areas that have important ecological or cultural features that also make them uniquely suited to being removed from the planned
15:06:22 harvest schedule, and instead set aside for conservation, all while continuing to generate revenue for our beneficiaries, and so here's the overall timeline for the Carbon project
and you might notice that we are still a relatively long way away from actually listing the
15:06:39 Carbon project with the third-party registry, or entering into the leases.
15:06:45 So those are kind of the things that will really make this real, and we still have a number of months before we reach that point, and that's because selecting the parcels that
will comprise the 10,000 acres is a critical step that will obviously have a huge impact.
15:07:00 On the overall carbon benefit of the project and so we wanted to ensure that we embarked on a robust engagement process on the potential parcels, together with our beneficiaries
tribes interested and impacted stakeholders, and the general public and so since the announcement.
15:07:18 Earlier this year, which included proposed phase. One parcels our internal teams have been working on identifying parcels that may be good candidates for the remaining acres
of the carbon project we've gone through.
15:07:30 A sepa process, and we've begun engaging with beneficiaries, tribes, and conducting stakeholder outreach.
15:07:37 On these potential parcels for phase 2, and so the feedback that we will see will inform our final selection of the parcels, after which we'll be able to then begin to develop
specific lease terms.
15:07:48 And formally list the project with a carbon, registry, and then with that both steps completed, then we'll be able to actually enter into the leases and start generating revenue
from the sale of carbon credits
15:08:01 So just a little bit about how we selected the the candidate parcel.
15:08:06 So for phase, 2 similar to phase. One. We use the high conservation value criteria as a framework to guide our selection of what was the remaining 75 acres for the carbon project
these criteria represent 6 different types of ecological and cultural values that
15:08:24 Merit, special attention in the context of natural resource management, and these are criteria that Dnr.
15:08:31 Did not invent. This is not something that we came up with ourselves.
15:08:34 It's actually something that's used in for certification systems like the 4 stewardship council certification.
15:08:41 And as used internationally when it comes to evaluating natural resource management areas.
15:08:47 For these special types of values. And so the criteria cover significant concentrations of biodiversity, landscape scale, ecosystems, and ecosystem mosaics so thinking about
connectivity, on the landscape rare threatened or endangered habitats basic
15:09:04 Ecosystem services and critical situations. So think watershed protection, particularly in situations of drought or erosion, control particularly in scenarios where landslides
may be an issue as well as then 2 social and cultural criteria first areas, or resources that are
15:09:23 Fundamental to meeting the basic needs of indigenous populations or local communities, and for that you can think more subsistence level.
15:09:30 So, if there's particular, you know first foods or particular resources that that folks rely on for their livelihoods.
15:09:37 That's kind of what would fall under that that criteria criterion.
15:09:41 And then the last one is areas or resources critical to indigenous populations or local communities.
15:09:48 Traditional cultural identity. And so that's more things like potentially grave sites or culturally modified trees.
15:09:55 Things that have that cultural significance. And it's important to say that Dnr.
15:10:01 Does all already carefully account for these values in our policies and practices, such as our habitat conservation.
15:10:07 Plan and our policy for sustainable forests. But forest areas do remain with some of these special features, particularly with regard to areas that may be identified by tribes,
or communities as having cultural significance.
15:10:21 Or we may have other areas that have high potential to sequester and store carbon, and are therefore good candidates for this project.
15:10:29 And Gnr did also consider other types of special attributes of forests, including areas of older mature forests or those adjacent to other conservation areas and many of these
additional considerations do overlap with the hcb criteria. In some way
15:10:49 And so before we get to the Jefferson Honey parcels, I wanted to share a little bit about our engagement strategy overall.
15:10:56 Just so. You have an idea of the many ways in which we're trying to gather.
15:11:00 Feedback, from beneficiaries. The public tribes and other stakeholders.
15:11:06 So we have essentially 4 different types of groups that we're trying to engage through this process, each with their own interest or point of view.
15:11:14 So of course we have our beneficiaries that we generate revenue for through our actions on State trust lands, and our beneficiaries are certainly not a monolith.
15:11:23 So we have some that are primarily interested in the impact of the project on revenue generation.
15:11:30 We have others that are mostly interested in the public good that they see resulting from the project, and of course we have many that are interested in maximizing both public
good and revenue, and so given our particular duties to trust beneficiaries, we're conducting beneficiary specific engagement and
15:11:47 A couple different ways, including a for in person beneficiary engagement.
15:11:54 Events starting this week. Actually we have the first one tomorrow and then the remaining 3 next week.
15:11:59 So we're really hoping that particularly our beneficiators, are able to to come in person or via zoom to those events or I, think, they are just in person to those events and
share some of their thoughts and and feedback about the parcels there we we also have our tribal.
15:12:19 Partners who have unique per perspectives compared to other groups and in recognition of our government to government relationships with tribes.
15:12:28 We've engaged tribes, and I have also offered consultation to any groups that are interested in learning more providing feedback.
15:12:35 And then, of course, there's a number of other types of stakeholders, including community groups or environmental groups or industry groups that may either have an interest
in certain regions, or may be impacted whether directly or indirectly by the project in some way or at least have an interest in how the
15:12:56 Project is being developed, and so we welcome input from those groups as well.
15:13:01 And we're setting up meetings to discuss with those groups and and welcome feedback from them as as well.
15:13:08 And then so that leaves the the general public as well. And so we had a public open house.
15:13:14 I think just last week we also did a general public webinar that is still available on our website.
15:13:21 The recording is available on our website, and you can see it there we have a public survey that's live on that same.
15:13:28 Website where you can go, and we've made it very simple for folks to just fill out a couple questions to help us get a sense of what's important to the general public.
15:13:38 When it comes to the selection of these parcels, and I'll just note that that survey closes on November eighteenth.
15:13:48 So we're we've got a couple of weeks left, but of course for beneficiary is such as you know.
15:13:52 Jefferson County, and or other counties and commissioners.
15:13:56 We we're, you know. We will welcome feedback and input from from our beneficiaries beyond that point as well
15:14:05 And so we. We generally have 3 main objectives right when it comes to engagement with our beneficiaries.
15:14:13 Like the Jefferson County, so first we want to understand the different types of equilibrium, social or cultural values that are most important to various counties or beneficiaries,
that we should consider in the final selection of the parcels.
15:14:30 We'd also welcome any specific feedback on parcels, for example, if you're strongly in support of any particular parcels being included, or if you would prefer to see any of
the parcels removed from consideration and then lastly we're interested in, hearing you know if you have
15:14:46 specific hopes or concerns. When it comes to the carbon project overall
15:14:53 And so this is the map of candidate parcels in Jefferson County, and I recognize that it's probably hard for most folks to see this map is available on our website as well so
you can download it in zoom in and get a little bit more familiar with the various parcels but
15:15:10 we've got 15 candidate parcels in Jefferson County, totaling roughly 3,900 acres, operable acres, and essentially in Jefferson County.
15:15:21 We have a number of parcels that were identified because they were adjacent to the day.
15:15:26 Bob bade natural area and so, considering some of the the high conservation values that I've mentioned like ecosystem mosaics and landscape scale ecosystems, considering that
connectivity identifying those parcels was really important those those were important criteria.
15:15:42 For identifying those parcels. We also have other parcels that contain small amounts of of older, more mature fors, some which originated pre 1,900 others that originated pre
1945 and again oh, yes.
15:15:58 Will you pause for a second? Has everyone had a chance to see this map?
15:16:02 Does anyone want to come up and take a look while it's up?
15:16:05 No
15:16:06 If I were there in person I would have brought some paper copies to
15:16:10 We have about. We have about 15 people in the room front with us, so I just wanna give people a chance to look at it. Cause some of them can't really see the screen
15:16:18 Yeah, I wonder if I can zoom in
15:16:31 Edit: yes. Yeah.
15:16:23 Well, it's also visible on the carbon carbon project link on the website too right Yup
15:16:34 Okay.
15:16:37 Okay.
15:16:41 And the next slide is going to be equally challenging to see.
15:16:44 But maybe I can zoom in a little bit here as well.
15:16:47 And so this is just some some additional information about each of the parcels, including the crusts associated with each, and so you can see it's a mix of common school state
forest transfer state force purchase I believe that's probably most of it.
15:17:09 Yeah, all of it. And then we have information on the acre weighted age.
15:17:16 So this is essentially an average age, but it takes into account the how many acres of a the of a particular age are represented in the parcel.
15:17:29 So if there's you know, 5 acres of a 100 year old stand versus 20 acres of a 20 year old portion then that is weighted by the the 8 branch, as opposed to just taking the average
of a 120 which would be come out slightly differently and so it's just a
15:17:49 Slightly more accurate kind of representation of the age.
15:17:53 Across the parcels, and then we have the estimated timber volume as board feet again per parcel, and then broken out by trust, and then an estimate of the live standing carbon
for each of these parcels and this information I believe is not yet on our website, but will be shortly.
15:18:14 And so this is something that you'll also be able to download and just peruse on your own time.
15:18:22 But Yup. Yeah.
15:18:21 Can I ask one question about that, Chinka? Is there anywhere in this list when it is polished? And I haven't seen this right.
15:18:29 I'm I'm glad this is going up. But is there any like potential sales that are being considered for any of these properties?
15:18:36 So we can really, I guess, consider the additionality. And you know also, the the revenue impacts, you know, like is North Penny to considered in 5 years, or or what's the what's
the timeline for these parcels?
15:18:51 Yeah, so drew and Brian will probably be able to give you a more specific answer than I can.
15:18:57 But what I can say is that it ranges so across all of our candidate parcels, and again, I'm not quite sure specifically for Jefferson County.
15:19:07 But we have some parcels that were, you know, already slated for harvest.
15:19:13 But we're included in in when the Commissioner paused on 3,900 sales.
15:19:20 Some of them are are intended to come up for sale in the next year or 2, and then some aren't yet actually on the books.
15:19:26 But we're likely to be harvested over the next.
15:19:29 Say, decade. But Brian or Drew, do you want to hop in with any specifics on one of these parcels, or a couple of these parcels
15:19:40 You guys are gonna need to unmute
15:19:47 Brian. Oh, yeah, there you go! There you go
15:19:48 Yeah, we found it. Yeah, there are a couple of sales considered.
15:19:54 There's one at Anderson Lake and then another one actually that personal
15:20:02 Now that's yes, already done. There was another one near Crocker Lake.
15:20:12 And oh, and duck! While deck of bush, 2 is the one on the river.
15:20:17 So those those sales are in our current decade which we've only got a year to go on that it ends in our fiscal 24, and then there's sales in the 25 to 34 decade 25, to 24 that
15:20:34 Are a long ways out, not really identified yet, but so there are future sales
15:20:41 Thank Yourew
15:20:42 And the Beaver Valley one is the unit that was laid out, and and then decided that to not move forward with that
15:20:52 Can I ask Brian, is that beaver that Beaver Valley, that's that unit one?
15:20:57 How is I thought it was old growth that prompted that to be pulled? So how is there additionality in there
15:21:05 Gotcha. Okay.
15:21:09 Okay. Great.
15:21:03 So it wasn't. Old growth was Old Forest, so it was 8, late, 18 hundreds, and then the most of the things most of the things in the coil, and that they're they're all in the
in the Dave bob and Dave Bob expansion, area.
15:21:23 And they also have the special plan community associated with them.
15:21:27 So those ones have kind of been on hold for a few years.
15:21:31 Thank you.
15:21:37 And I think we can yeah probably dive into more specific questions about the parcels at the end as well, because I know that that is of interest.
15:21:46 But we can also just see kind of what comes up throughout the rest of the presentation.
15:21:50 I only have a couple more sides, I promise, but the next piece that I wanted to talk about is just really how carbon credits are calculated, and so you know I'm aware that there
are some numbers floating around.
15:22:03 Now about how much revenue the project might generate, and the numbers that I've seen, that I believe some of you have seen as well were based off of a very simplistic calculation
of essentially the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent currently stored in the live standing trees
15:22:23 Multiplied by a dollar amount representing the price per ton of carbon, and that's sort of like taking a snapshot of the forests in a carbon project and getting paid just for
the carbon that you know is stored in the trees right at that moment and of course the actual
15:22:38 Methodologies for calculating the number of carbon credits is far more complicated than that, and the explanation that I'll give is still quite simplistic compared to the actual
methodology.
15:22:48 But hopefully it will give you a better sense of how it all works. And why? Why?
15:22:53 One. It's it's tricky to just put out.
15:22:56 So some generic numbers, because it't capture the nuance.
15:23:02 And why also the numbers that you are presented with only represent a small portion of the the potential revenue that the project will generate.
15:23:10 So there are 3 overall components that go into calculating the number of credits that a project will generate, and again quite overly simplified.
15:23:19 But the first is the amount of carbon that is currently stored in the forest, and the consideration of the portion of that current storage that would have been lost in a timber
harvest and so this Stored carbon is used to calculate avoided emissions carbon that was
15:23:37 prevented, from being released into the atmosphere, because the carbon project halted it, or, you know stopped it, and so that's where that the live above ground carbon number
is relevant, although that's still only represents one type of carbon pool one type of area where carbon is
15:23:58 stored within a forest that is, or can be accounted for by the actual protocol methodologies.
15:24:04 So there's above live ground carbon. But another important carbon pool, for example, is below brown carbon, which can actually be quite significant and and was missing from
from the numbers that were provided to you and so that's, that's one area where you know there would probably be additional revenue generated because
15:24:22 of additional credits produced by the project. The second piece is what happens as the trees grow so forests, of course, are not static, and younger forests, especially are
sequestering carbon as they grow, which means that they're actively removing carbon from the atmosphere and this
15:24:41 is the really important part, because it goes beyond that snapshot of standing carbon.
15:24:48 At one moment in time, and considers all of the additional carbon that is being removed from the atmosphere, because those trees are still standing, and because they're still
alive to actually capture that carbon and so this is also why incorporating some younger.
15:25:03 Stands into the project is important, because, while they may not be storing as much carbon as older for us, they're going to continue to suck it out of the atmosphere at a
relatively high rate as they continue to grow which means more credits generated throughout the length of the project
15:25:19 And then finally one of the arguably the most important components to calculating the number of carbon credits generated by a project is the baseline.
15:25:30 So at the beginning I talked about baseline and additionality.
15:25:33 The baseline, it articulates what would have happened to the trees, and therefore the carbon, in the absence of a project, and so to calculate a baseline.
15:25:41 You have to answer all sorts of questions like when would these parcels have been harvested?
15:25:48 How much timber volume would have been removed during harvest, and how much would have remained in the forest, how much carbon would have been stored in harvested wood products
from those trees and for how long and so it's by answering those questions that you can understand the emissions that
15:26:04 We're avoided, and the extra or additional carbon that is being captured as a result of the project.
15:26:10 So when you combine these 3 elements, you essentially have a a number of credits that's based on the carbon that's currently stored in the project that it's currently stored
in the forest plus the carbon that is sequestered throughout the life of the project minus the carbon that
15:26:30 Would have been stored or captured in the business as usual, scenario, and it's that subtraction that gets you the additionality, because, of course, you can't take credit for
what would have been stored anyway, it's really only the what happens.
15:26:44 On top of that the extra amount that that generates a credit
15:26:51 And so thinking about what this means for actually generating revenue through the project one.
15:27:01 Of the things that we shared early on when we first announced the project is that conservatively we anticipate generating over 900,000 credits just over the first 10 years,
of the project and it to be exact it's a little bit more, like 917,000 credits
15:27:18 Over the first 10 years and this was based off of work that we did with finite carbon when they as a feasibility analysis for the project and they actually provided us a range
of estimates that went from a approximately 900,000 credits for the first 10 years to just under 1.5
15:27:35 1 million. But even taking that, the conservative estimate and my multiplying it for times 4 for the full 40 years, and using $10 a credit like in the spreadsheet that you that
has been circulated the the project would generate about 37 million dollars or the course of the
15:27:55 the 40 years, which is roughly double what you would get if you use the the overly simplified calculation of just live standing carbon dioxide equivalent times $10 a credit
now there's all sorts of caveats, with even the information.
15:28:12 That I just shared 1 $10. A credit is lower than we anticipate selling the credits for.
15:28:18 But even if we did, these contracts typically incorporate some sort of price assessment to take into account the antisipated increase in carbon prices over time and so, if we
started out at $10 a credit for the first reporting period, that could go up to $12, in the next period.
15:28:34 Or even higher throughout the course of the project. I'll also just say that
15:28:37 A definition question. We say, over the course of 40 years is not one unit you're saying over the 40 year life of a project.
15:28:45 The price could change.
15:28:47 Yes, yeah. So there are different reporting periods within the 40 year term.
15:28:53 So the carbon project would be for 40 years assuming we go with the voluntary market, and in that 40 years there's different reporting periods and contracts with with purchasers
are usually negotiated such that because we know that the carbon that carbon prices are going to
15:29:13 Increase you don't want to get stuck with, you know an upfront agreement of $10 a credit for the next 40 years.
15:29:21 When 40 years from now carbon credits might be at $50 or credit, and so the the price has kind of an escalation clause.
15:29:30 Where it says, okay. Well, for the first 5 or 10 years you'll get this price in the next 5 or 10 years you'll get this price, and then it'll keep going up
15:29:38 Thank you.
15:29:38 Yeah, and and then the other caveat is that it?
15:29:45 It's not quite as simple as just taking an estimate of the carbon credits for the first 10 years in multiplying it by 4.
15:29:51 To get the 40 year. Amount of credits, because that doesn't really take into account the the 3 different components that I just talked about, including you, know the the what's
happening with the trees that are growing and how much they're sequestering in the first 10 years versus the next 10
15:30:09 Years, and what the the baseline scenario is contributing as well so if they're, you know, depending on when the hardware are planned, or when when they're planned according
to the Baseline that impacts the the number of credits that is generated throughout the rest of
15:30:24 The the 40 year term. And so it's not quite as simple as just saying, okay, 10 years times 4, but at least gives you a little bit of a a better sense of of what to expect.
15:30:35 And then there's a couple of other really big differences between how a carbon project will generate revenue compared to a timber harvest, and the first major difference is
that over the 40 year least term beneficiaries will see predictable annual payments every single year for 40 years, which
15:30:57 is very different, of course, than receiving a lump sum once and then again, maybe after 60 to 80 to 100 years.
15:31:05 And so this is something, you know, that that beneficiaries will really be able to rely on.
15:31:09 They'll be able to know and predict the amount of revenue that they're gonna see for the next 40 years, which is, you know really significant to some others would take the lump
sum and and be uncertainty like I said you know our communities are not a model.
15:31:23 With but it's important to point out the difference, and then another point is that we we know that while some of these parcels were set to be harvest or harvested already,
or perhaps in the next year or 2 others wouldn't have been harvested and I forget, if it was Drew or Brian who
15:31:42 Was saying this, but you know others would have been harvested.
15:31:44 Maybe over the next decade, or you know, or or aren't necessarily kind of in in the planning stages yet, and so that means that some beneficiaries will actually see revenue
from these parcels far earlier than they were expecting to for some of these parcels
15:32:01 Beneficiaries wouldn't have seen revenue, for you know, 10 to 15 years and they'll be getting revenue as soon as we list.
15:32:08 The carbon project and sign the leases, and so for the first time, beneficiaries will actually just be receiving payments, simply because the trees are growing instead of just
when they're cut, and then finally because we can't say for certain, that these parcels will be conserved after the 40 year
15:32:27 Term is up there is potential the beneficiaries will not only receive annual payments for the tree as well.
15:32:38 The lease ends, and then because the trees have gone from, say 40 years to 80 years, they'll actually be more volume in that parcel than their wooden if they had been harvested
at that earlier date and so that would result in greater revenue, for the beneficiaries.
15:32:57 compared to you know what would have happened in the sort of baseline scenario, and so I see that as a potential you know great win win win scenario where you're you're getting
revenue now, and predictably for the future and then also a larger lump sum at the end of
15:33:14 the least term, because you're able to harvest again.
15:33:17 We can't say for certain what's going to happen to these parcels after the 40 year term. But it's something to consider
15:33:23 Can I ask a question about that trinket? Do you want questions throughout?
15:33:24 Yeah. Sure.
15:33:27 You know I've heard some some concerns about Mills specialized mills that handle larger timber, you know.
15:33:33 If they're not getting volume in then they're not going to be able to stay open, so you know it might not be an option and in and 40 years, if there's no mills that can take
large diameter timbers so I'm just wondering if dnr strategy going through
15:33:45 this. You've talked about kind of the different age groups that are are included in this project, but is is part of your larger strategy to continue to harvest some of the older
wood to make sure that those markets stay open
15:33:58 I mean so we already harvest at a longer rotation than industry does, which means larger diameter, likes, and so yes, we're going to be continuing our our business as usual,
for you know, the remaining acres that we manage which is quite significant so we will still be harvesting you know
15:34:17 eighty-year trees and and whatnot that that will that can feed those kind of specialty emails that have the larger the capacity for larger diameter logs that would then you
know be also able to take the 80 year trees that that might have been harvested at 40 years.
15:34:34 But are now 80 years. At the end of the term. So it it's it's certainly a consideration, you know.
15:34:40 Donr is also only one player in the game, and there's all sorts of other variables that impact decisions that mills make about.
15:34:50 You know just the financial decisions that they make. And so our 10,000 acre project, especially when you consider the the scale of the project.
15:35:02 10,000 acres, which is, you know, pretty small. Given our 22 million acres of forest, as well as the fact that this project is going to be geographically spread throughout the
west side.
15:35:17 So we'll have less, you know, specific impacts in in specific regions, and the impact is actually going to be temporarily spread.
15:35:28 Because, as I said, these parcels wouldn't have all been harvested in the next year, you know some would have been harvested now.
15:35:32 Some would have been harvested in 20 years, and so when you divvy up the 10,000 acres geographically and temporarily, the actual impact to any single mill is relatively small
compared to you know if we were just doing 10,000 acres in one county all at once so so I
15:35:50 hope that that helps as a bit of an explanation as well
15:35:53 Yes, thank you.
15:35:57 So just to to wrap up a bit in terms of of what we're doing next.
15:36:03 We're continuing our engagement with beneficiaries like I said.
15:36:05 We've got our in-person events this week and next the public survey is going to be open until November eighteenth.
15:36:13 We're going to be continuing our individual meetings with impacted or interested stakeholders as well as consultation with tribes, and then we're gonna have a lot of information
that we're gonna have to gather and compile so that we can use.
15:36:27 It, to actually guide the selection of the final parcels for inclusion in the project, and then once we have those parcels identified, we'll be able to do the really robust
fo full financial analysis that that takes into consideration some of the nuances that I talked about today
15:36:48 To to show what the the impact, or you know to show the analysis of the finite impact.
15:36:54 You know, obviously we have some some numbers around, you know. Financial impact, even just based off of what we've released in the the at the time of the announcement.
15:37:03 But we've been waiting to do the full kind of robust analysis until we have the full information, because there's also, you know, certain counties that won't even be impacted
at the end of the day.
15:37:13 If if parcels aren't selected in there, and in a certain county, and or certain trust that may be impacted less than than others. And so that's all going to be really important
to the financial analysis that we conduct after the parcels are identified
15:37:31 Yup!
15:37:29 One more clarifying question on that real quick! You know you said that November eighteenth wasn't a hard date.
15:37:37 I just know Commissioner Dean at a really critical meeting today, and so as a board, we're not going to be able to really process the the comments from our junior taxing districts
the beneficiaries and really go through the list kind of with a fine-tooth, comb which I would love to
15:37:49 Yeah.
15:37:48 Do. Okay, if we get feedback, you know, you know a little look after later in November
15:37:55 Yeah, definitely. Ideally, we would get feedback by the end of the year.
15:38:00 But yeah. But yeah, please take your time.
15:38:03 Thank you.
15:38:07 So in closing I I just wanna reiterate that this is A.
15:38:14 This carbon project is something that we at the agency and myself personally feel very proud of.
15:38:19 We've been very careful, and how we've begun to develop the project, so that it represents a very robust calculation of additionality which helps to ensure that it will have
an overall climate and carbon benefit and then because of the high quality project we're developing we hope to also set a
15:38:36 New standard for the price of carbon and and really ideally raise the bar for the quality of projects.
15:38:41 More broadly we are in really excited to engage with with everyone that we've been engaging with about this, and and we're looking forward to hearing all of your feedback.
15:38:54 I've got my my email address on this last slide.
15:38:58 I've already been getting lots of questions from from the public, and and from our stakeholders, which is great, and I continue to welcome that.
15:39:05 But, as I said, there's also many other ways that that folks can engage.
15:39:09 So with that I'll stop sharing my screen
15:39:17 And open it up to discussion
15:39:19 Thank you Chinka. We appreciate you being here and giving us that background.
15:39:25 I have a question, I think, for Drew and Brian, and maybe, for you as well, and maybe it's it's kind of the big question is so the carbon project overall is 10,000 acres.
15:39:38 The phase 2 is 7,500 acres, Jefferson counties segment of that is 3,900 acres.
15:39:47 So why, so much here! Just curious!
15:39:54 So go ahead.
15:39:54 So there's not. So go ahead. Go ahead, check it!
15:39:57 Then I'll follow
15:39:57 Well, I I'll turn it over to you in a second, but I'll also just point out one thing, which is, I think, important.
15:40:06 Is that not all 3,900 acres will be included in the final selection, unless you desperately want it to be, and so it will get whittled down quite significantly.
15:40:17 But anyway, I just wanted to to to point that out before we we we kind of yeah, consider that.
15:40:22 But but Brian and Drew go ahead
15:40:25 I think I was asking that more from the parcel selection like, how did we?
15:40:28 Right? Yeah.
15:40:30 How did we end up with such a huge portion of the acres just out of curiosity
15:40:36 So when we were given this project, each region was just given the project to go out and find it.
15:40:42 We have the set of criteria that Cenka showed you earlier, and I just went out and started, selecting what I could find based on that criteria.
15:40:52 And that's what I came up with and turned in, and we go from there.
15:40:58 Huh!
15:40:59 You wanna basically you're starting with a gross and working down to a net
15:41:05 And you know it's just the little granularity that we got already about the Beaver Valley that unit one that's that's a very logical piece to include can we just do those logical
ones.
15:41:17 Plus all the common school. What is what is the State schools think about this project?
15:41:21 I guess Jenka
15:41:23 I mean we we've heard from Superintendent right, Dolly, is that he seems pretty on board.
15:41:33 But yeah, I mean it. It's that's certainly a possibility
15:41:37 I, when I got this list of the breakdown of operable acres by trust, though the common school acreage in Jefferson County.
15:41:47 It's it's tiny compared to the State force.
15:41:49 Transfer trust. Take that, Matt Walker, you to go
15:41:53 So so they other thing, too, on the acreage is the areas that I chose.
15:42:01 If you look at the gross versus net I had to.
15:42:06 So what the other criteria I had was told to meet in this process was the areas had to meet the statute of frauds, which means the boundaries the least boundaries have to be
identifiable by a surveyor so property lines road streams and that was pretty difficult to do when I
15:42:28 Was looking at the high value carbon, and so I circled larger areas.
15:42:35 Then then just the very high value. So there's gonna be low value in that.
15:42:41 And then, as we go through and start from finalizing that acreage is gonna drop.
15:42:58 Right
15:42:46 There's just a lot of places that that as I went through and started selecting, I couldn't tie it together to a road or a stream or a property line, or something that is easily
identifiable so I think that acreage will come down and the reason the difference between the common school and
15:43:07 The county is because much of the common school that was in Jefferson County is now county land.
15:43:14 Do with that day. Bob and Devil's Leg Expansion.
15:43:17 The the natural areas, programs
15:43:20 Right. I have one other question. I mean. So I was looking at the map, and I'm really curious about some of the different parcels like the Mount Walker, the Mount Walker Pilot
parcel, which is over 800, acres, 850 Acres, say almost 600 Acres, of
15:43:42 That is 2 to 35 years old. Talk to me about from a carbon project perspective any of you carbon wizards.
15:43:52 What's the rationale for? Including 500 acres of very recently cut over land
15:43:56 So again that came down to trying meet trying to meet statute of frauds.
15:44:03 And so, instead of spanning Sty got asked to do this?
15:44:06 I think I built this map 4 times from start to finish, and it got to the point where I was not going to detail out every acre.
15:44:15 It just got to be too much and the timelines were too tight.
15:44:19 So when we get down to actually doing a lease, some of that's going to come out.
15:44:25 There is a large patch of of fairly high value carbon in that block, but I think by the time we get down to to getting to it, it's gonna be a smaller block some of that's gonna
fall out
15:44:40 Okay.
15:44:40 And I'll also just add that you know, while we were focused on these higher, ecologically valuable areas, having a little bit of like the 35 year old areas in the carbon project
does help with the overall credit generation because of what I was explaining in that you
15:45:01 Know if there is younger trees in there that might have been harvested when they were 40 or 45.
15:45:08 Then we get a lot of credit because they are quickly sucking carbon out of the atmosphere compared to older trees that are sequestering at slower rates while storing significant
amounts of carbon but that sort of comes into the the it's you know it's the
15:45:23 The 2 different components of current carbon stored versus.
15:45:28 What is going to be removed from the atmosphere, as the project continues.
15:45:32 And so, having younger, stands in that is really important to that second component for for generation of greater carbon credits which ultimately means more carbon removed from
the atmosphere
15:45:42 Yeah.
15:45:44 Oh, great! I just kinda wanted that, said out loud because I was he explained that to me the other day, but it kind of sunk in over the last couple of days.
15:45:51 Yeah.
15:45:53 So I mean I could sit here and ask questions all day.
15:45:55 But there's all these people in the room that might have questions themselves so we have a number of people online who I know might have questions.
15:46:02 We brought Mallory, Weinheimer and Denise Pringer, who are our consulting team, working with the county on developing potential co-management of some of these forest lands with
Dnr which is really kind of the direction we were looking at going but there's.
15:46:22 Some areas that the carbon project might make the most sense in terms of the long-term, for so I you know everything's on the table for us here right now.
15:46:33 And really this was intended to be an informational session.
15:46:35 We haven't had all this information before, and I want to give everyone who's here a chance to ask a question, and so we have we have to be out of this room at 4, 30 so we have
45Â min so I think what we're gonna do is can I get a sense.
15:46:51 In the room of how many people would like to ask a question, or have or make a statement
15:46:58 Okay, so that's at least 10. And then, if you're online could you raise your hand if you're interested in asking a question or making a statement or
15:47:11 Getting in on the conversation
15:47:14 Look at those hands. Go up. Okay. So I'm just gonna assume it's gonna be about 20.
15:47:21 So we'll just we'll limit it to 2Â min for comments.
15:47:26 Are there? Can they ask questions directly? Yeah, no.
15:47:31 Definitely. And if if anyone wants to look at the map, I have a print out of it here while you're asking questions also we'll wanna leave a few minutes at the end for for wrap
up but are there any questions from any of us on the Denise or Mallory do you have any questions
15:47:48 Greg: mark: perfect. Okay, okay, just trying to be the chair.
15:47:55 Okay. So we're gonna start with people in the room and folks.
15:47:59 Online. You can raise your hand and just leave it up, and then we'll bring over a set of you at a time.
15:48:04 How about this side of the room first? Who on this on this side of the room the starboard side of the room would like to come up first Superintendent Redmond?
15:48:17 Thank you very much. I appreciate the information from Dnr and the thoughtful consideration of the force management professionals have in putting this program together.
15:48:27 I have some prepared comments that I want to kind of read through. I'll try to go as quick as I can for the 2Â min, as you know, schools operate through system of taxes that
comes close, to but does not entirely pay for this all of the operational things that the school district has to
15:48:43 Cover. And specifically we struggle with having enough to cover the repair and maintenance of the buildings that the students prepare for student deck.
15:48:53 We help students prepare for the future generations. Instead, we have to depend on unanticipated funds from local timber harvests, or we have to add more taxes onto the already
heavy burden for our local taxpayers or we have to depend on volunteers.
15:49:10 Or we have to continue to delay, or altogether forgo maintenance.
15:49:14 Now my comments are based on the premise that the proposed carbon capture system will the net result will be a reduction in the forestry revenue that would come to the junior
taxing districts like the Queens school district kelsey and has been the beneficiary of
15:49:26 Strategic force management that brings in revenue over 1.4 million dollars over the past year, just for the cool scene school district, and these are from all 4 Forrestry services.
These things.
15:49:35 Have allowed us to paint the old school buildings, replace windows where we had either broken or non-functioning windows, single pain windows where we're paying extra money
and burning extra fuel to heat these buildings we've replaced windows we replace doors we've
15:49:52 Replaced non functioning air handling units that supply fresh air into our gym, and our multi-purpose room, which houses our largest number of people, and in the case of a significant
event an emergency where we have to house, the community, that's where everyone would go so
15:50:08 These forests monies have helped us maintain those kinds of places.
15:50:12 The district has outdoor in outdated inefficient Hvac systems, a Diesel boiler from the 1,900 sixtys in the elementary school.
15:50:21 For your money has, and we'll go to funding improvements or replacement systems that have an outsized environmental impact.
15:50:26 So my final comment is reducing the forest dollars means that we have to either do less for our kids defer or forego maintenance or increase our local taxes in our next levy
reducing forest dollars available to school district equates to an increased tax or south county residents thank you
15:50:44 Well from that side of the room, would like to come up.
15:50:48 Marsha, and then Peter.
15:50:58 Hi! You'll have to work 2Â min good.
15:51:06 So I'm more than my closing fire Commissioner and closing resident hat today, and I didn't have a parachute state because I thought I, who was not able to attend but looking
over the last 5 years we received one and a quarter 1 million dollars in timber revenues or
15:51:17 curlsine, fire and rescue, or 5 district number 2, and that's been critical for replacing out of date a apparatus which we have many other and for mission critical staffing
and it's not fair to say that that can go away by putting in a program that pays what is estimated
15:51:31 to be 10. That that just is putting too much more burden down locally.
15:51:35 And when you look at this phase, 2, 10 of those 15 parcels are in the cul scene area.
15:51:40 So that's a big hit on the fire district on the schools and the other taxing junior technique districts in the area, and I know 3 things.
15:51:47 I know that in the last 5 out of the 42 years I lived in this areas I've seen more days in the nineties and higher than i've.
15:51:55 Ever seen we're definitely having something going on there. I've seen tree stands cut, and I've seen them grow back putting the land I live on that was cutting in in the ninetys,
and now it's a robust forest so it's not all bad to cut but what I do know for sure
15:52:10 is. Our kids are suffering, we're thinly saved at the fire and rescue district, and to just take that away and say 10% okay, because it's more even it's kind of an elitist attitude
so i'm glad you guys are digging deep into this because there might
15:52:26 be parcels that make sense things that are. I saw one on the list that was 7 years old, putting that in in a carbon sequestration.
15:52:33 40 years might make sense, but taking something that is ready to provide revenue today and setting it aside for another 40 years, where it'll come out saying now it's too old.
15:52:42 To cut it all without a replacement revenue that's equivalent in both scope and duration.
15:52:47 Just, isn't it's premature. Thank you.
15:52:51 Thank you, and we're not saying 10% is Okay, right?
15:53:01 Rhetoric is stunning. Peter.
15:53:08 Peter Bells, director of Northwest Watershed Institute.
15:53:12 Those of you who know me know that I've been working on conservation down at day, Bob, for close to 20 years.
15:53:18 We're always very, very concerned and careful to make sure this works out for the junior taxing districts.
15:53:23 Otherwise it's a short-term deal right, and the past day Bob Bay Trust land transfers have worked out great for the fire just recently.
15:53:31 Practically doubled their their land out there, and when I first looked at this I was somewhat skeptical.
15:53:39 It was more a political move than anything would really work for the county, but as I've listened this this second time, I've heard this and talk to Chunk about this I'm more
and more convinced that at least some of this is really great and really Brilliant for the county what you're basically
15:53:55 Doing is instead of having 2, 35 year old. Clear.
15:54:00 Cuts. You're holding the trees for 70 years, and you're getting paid to watch them grow for those 40 years.
15:54:08 Dnr. Is already going to longer rotations. We might as well get paid for it.
15:54:13 So that's one aspect. The other aspect is this: 10% value is belowoney.
15:54:22 It's basically bad information and Achenka alluded to that quite a bit.
15:54:28 Afrc. Used a carbon value that was half of what it should be at least, and the carbon price was quoted.
15:54:38 $6 of $10 a ton. That's the international price right now.
15:54:42 The Us. Forest card price based on the California Air Resources Board which maintains a carbon transaction system.
15:54:53 The mean price is now 1893 a ton, and you can imagine if Dnr gets up and running the first, you know state-run carbon program in the State that not only allows companies like
Microsoft or whatever to offset their carbon emissions but also protect these you know beautiful
15:55:10 Public forests. I think there's going to be a real demand and a really good price for this card.
15:55:16 It's 2Â min, Peter. Thank you.
15:55:20 Anyone else from the starboard side of the room. Starboard on my ship at least.
15:55:26 Okay. Moving over to port. Who would like to comment over on this side of the room.
15:55:33 Jessica
15:55:37 Good afternoon. Am I close enough? Okay? I I did a little spreadsheet of the forests that are on the on the list.
15:55:50 Looking at like, which are the legacy for us. The old older growth, forest the intact force, and I just want to mention, like for the rest of the room, too, that we think of
for us as being 2 different different kinds here there's the commercial timber monoculture douglas fur for
15:56:07 us, and that's been maybe treated by herbicides and things like that.
15:56:09 So it's disturbed. Natural landscape.
15:56:14 And then we also have kind of more intact species, rich diverse forests that we see these older trees older, meaning like 85 to 100 twenty-plus.
15:56:26 In in our force. In this list we see about a 133 year old, as the oldest in this group.
15:56:32 And in Jefferson County, those older legacy forests are make up about 9.3 of the public holdings, and in this list those trees makeup about.
15:56:49 They're about 400 acres out of the whole 3,900 acres or 39.
15:56:55 39. Yeah, and that's a very small percentage of of the of the real.
15:57:02 You know species, rich, diverse. We're looking at with climate change.
15:57:08 We're not just looking at carbon sequestration as the best ecosystem service.
15:57:12 It is a great one, and we're utilizing it, and I'm glad that we are.
15:57:15 But there's so many other ecosystem services that are just as important, and maybe even maybe we don't quantify them in terms of dollar amounts actually this starting to happen
with Fema, and different places but I think we need to pay attention to those other services and when we talk
15:57:32 About a little bit of those 2 to 35 year old for us.
15:57:38 The the number of acres there on this and on this list is 2,368 so that's not a little bit.
15:57:46 That's huge amount compared to our larger, bigger, best for us.
15:57:53 So I'm over time. Thank you. Thank you. Who else?
15:57:56 From this side of the room right Chief Black
15:58:04 That's fine.
15:58:07 Commissioners County Manager. Thanks for letting me ask a question or 2.
15:58:12 2 part questions: what you know, fire chiefs aren't really that political by nature?
15:58:17 But we just ask questions to avoid unintended consequences and one of the questions that popped up after that great presentation was their thought put into any sort of wildfire
risk assessment into the selection.
15:58:31 Of these stands, because that's something that we're gonna have to deal with on our end.
15:58:38 I know that I live personally adjacent to a quadrant that was harvested at 5 or so years ago.
15:58:42 That would really have made me nervous during some of the peak.
15:58:45 Wildfire conditions. We had this last summer, and then the second part of my question is, if the stands are put into this program, is there any support planned for the local
fire agencies that are gonna again, be tasked with doing initial attack to areas that would have normally been mitigated of most of their
15:59:08 wildfire, threat to communities at risk. Specifically, when you have polygons that are right up against are very adjacent to a community where embers can easily launch into
the community so I just kind of wanted to see I may not be able to answer.
15:59:23 It right here right now. That's a big that's a mouthful.
15:59:25 But just looking for the long answer. Thank you. Thanks, Shenka.
15:59:31 Brian Drew. Do any of you have questions to answers
15:59:32 So, so, if if if the fourth is in, is in the carbon program, it won't be tweeted any different than the natural force that's out there. So the fire.
15:59:43 Response would be the same as far as the if it was a managed stand.
15:59:51 Well, then, you would have to deal with the slash and the other probabilities of that catching on fire.
15:59:57 So in either case the the fire response by the Dnr would be the same
16:00:02 Can ask a follow-up question. I mean, if if a if a parcel is inside in in the carbon project, it doesn't mean that the land isn't managed and you know pre-commercial thinning
or whatever it's necessary, to make it safe or doesn't happen is that right
16:00:18 Yeah, so there's nothing about the carbon project that would prevent us from doing any kind of forest health treatments that might be necessary.
16:00:26 I will also say that I think folks are very used to hearing about forest health on the East Side.
16:00:33 We're thinning and like removing volume from a forested area is really crucial to fire prevention on the west side.
16:00:42 It's different. We've typically wouldn't really do much management for for wildfire prevention, because the fire origins are quite different, and on the East Side it's supposed
to be kind of you know much more spread out low density forests and therefore we're supposed to have lower
16:01:04 Severity, but frequent fires on the on the west side.
16:01:09 When we do have fires, they are historically stand replacing.
16:01:13 They do. They like, you know, climate change or not, they do just kind of wipe out the whole force because they are much higher intensity, and they's harder to treat so we wouldn't
take the same you know these these are moist prior rich dense forests.
16:01:32 That are very different from the East Side forest, and so we wouldn't typically do the same type of management that I think folks are used to hearing about. But that being said
yes, there is nothing about the project that would prevent us from taking preventative measures if that were necessary
16:01:47 Thank you, Tinka. Do you want to come back
16:01:52 Dr. Jones.
16:01:56 Good afternoon, Commissioners, Dr. Patricia Jones, Olympic Forest Coalition.
16:02:02 Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Thanks to the Department for all your work to develop this pilot.
16:02:08 We have high hopes for this pilot. We support it in general because of reaches both of my organization's goals.
16:02:17 That is, conservation, and ensuring that the junior taxing districts and other income beneficiaries are held whole, we support the pilot, but with concerns thank you for including
the day.
16:02:30 Bob Bay. Natural area and Quimper loss forests.
16:02:34 They're highly supported by our community. Amongst others, our concerns are the lack of transparent access to Stan selection process data, for example, our income beneficiaries
that are here how can they find out which of their stands and revenue are actually being impacted the data that we're
16:02:57 Being provided with is not granular enough. How was the high conservation value?
16:03:03 Applied, which stands were evaluated and not selected in Y.
16:03:09 Why, we're not all legacy. Forests included.
16:03:13 Is it a firm commitment that you will be considering soil, carbon as I heard mentioned, which really happy to hear concerned about using a private oil and gas industry, consultant
and developer with their proprietary analysis and tools becomes a black box what are the monitoring and evaluation
16:03:34 Plans and verification plans in general appreciate the effort I think it's so.
16:03:40 It. It could be a win win win for our county. Thank you.
16:03:45 Thank you, Dr. Jones. Any more comments, Steven
16:03:53 Look, I'm flying back from New York City to visit my dad jetblue announced that they are the first sort of like carbon neutral airline, and that my flight was carbon neutral
you know, wahoo you know so I mean I'm I I wonder about
16:04:08 Some of these things I was reading about in Australia, they're having a lot of controversy where projects meant to regenerate Australia's outback for us to store carbon dioxide
have been awarded hundreds of millions of dollars despite the total tree and shrub cover in those areas having
16:04:24 Declined, that if they're not real additional and permanent, you know, then they will make climate change worse rather than better.
16:04:31 So you know I don't know, but I I I'm someone who I used to be on the land trusts, you know.
16:04:38 As an officer for some years. I really love all of the ideas, you know expressed relating to this biodiversity landscape.
16:04:47 You know I love the idea of of
16:04:50 Keeping our our ancient forests as much as possible, and doing all these things.
16:04:55 But I just wonder if it's like the cart, whatever the the cart leading the horse where we're focused on these carbon credits, and you know if it's just like free money you know
like if we're able to get you know free money from Microsoft for doing what
16:05:09 We want to do, anyway. That sounds good, but I'm not sure it is free money if, if, as we've heard on the starboard side that there might be other ways to raise money, you know
that might be more money so I anyway, just again, I really personally I don't really care so much about carbon I
16:05:26 Really do care about trees and our and our forests, and our biodiversity, and everything like that.
16:05:32 Thanks. Thank you.
16:05:37 Mary Jane.
16:05:42 Good afternoon. My name is Mary Jean Ryan, resident of Jefferson County.
16:05:47 I live on the Tuadinas Peninsula.
16:05:50 I want to express, my support to Dnr. For trying to develop a new tool for conservation and climate protection.
16:05:58 Given the huge climate crisis. New tools are desperately needed.
16:06:01 It's great to see DNA recognizing the role that our forest play in storing and sequestering carbon, particularly our older carbon, dense, structurally complex for us.
16:06:13 They are truly our best natural climate solution to get more specific.
16:06:16 I see many positives in the person in the proposed list of sites, and I am very glad to see the inclusion of the Tuadnos forest that would be part of the day bob natural area
expansion this expanded naturally area can serve as a great example of how all the tools can
16:06:35 Work well, together, trustly, and transfer carbon and the natural area.
16:06:39 I'm really glad that the county is taking time to dig into the details and to understand the details.
16:06:46 Let's be sure to get accurate information from independent sources on how this might actually work.
16:06:52 The more I'm analyzing it like Peter bail side, the more there appear to be significant.
16:06:57 Benefits. I think the questions that you are asking can Commissioner Brotherton about the time frame of when these the force would have been logged.
16:07:09 I think we really need to get a good understanding of that, because it really seems like the more we think about it, there really is a new income stream that will show up with
carbon that could be very beneficial.
16:07:21 So. Thank you. Thank you, Mary Jane.
16:07:26 A gene, but not a Mary.
16:07:33 Good afternoon. Thank you to to the Commissioners and to Dnr.
16:07:40 For this presentation, and the information thank you for clearing up some of the fuzzy math from the Fcr document I'm going to repeat some of the things I said this morning
because new audience and I think it's important so I think that this is this carbon. Project.
16:07:58 Is is brilliant for Jefferson County, so thank you.
16:08:03 For the innovative thinking. If we waffle it is to our detriment for the county and for the taxing beneficiaries this is a tremendous opportunity.
16:08:13 If I was not an atheist, I would say that this is a gift from God.
16:08:19 Gotcha like that Thurston county in Watkins County feel shortchanged in this proposal, and so I'm inclined to think that that is a benefit to Jefferson.
16:08:30 County. So thank you for that. If if we don't move on this thing we're gonna lose our chance.
16:08:38 So I encourage you to take this opportunity
16:08:43 A forty-year lease with the carbon project.
16:08:47 We wouldn't lose our lands. We could still harvest those forests after the 40 year leases, up so we our lasing the land we get paid to watch trees grow.
16:09:01 We receive the monies, we hold the taxing beneficiaries whole, and then we can still harvest the trees.
16:09:08 If we choose to the beneficiaries during this research phase have requested that rather than a single large boon of cash, that they receive more regular, if not smaller, payments
this sounds like it fits that bill to me the taxing the excuse me.
16:09:29 The county's not losing anything here we're maintaining our ability to harvest in the future, and we just get a payment for a longer term rotation.
16:09:37 A minute. Thank you, Jean. Anyone else in the room move to make a comment
16:09:49 Okay. And we've got 5 people with their hands rates with 2Â min each.
16:09:54 So that's about 10Â min, and then a few minutes for wrapping.
16:09:56 So we'll just go down the list. Rachel Cindy Heath, Jeff Bro.
16:10:06 Thank you everyone for being here
16:10:10 We appreciate a broader conversation about this and look forward to what folks have to add, and then do remember that our colleagues From Dnr are on on the Zoom screen and then
are ready to answer questions if you have them so Rachel, You're up
16:10:28 Thanks very much. Good afternoon, Commissioners. Thanks for the opportunity to speak from a far thanks to Trinka and Dnr.
16:10:36 Colleagues for the presentation. I'm Rachel Baker Forest Program Director at Washington Environmental Council by asked to speak really just to express appreciation to the kind
of Commissioners And To Dnr for Exploring new revenue streams and innovative management of state lands to match
16:10:51 The present day challenges that we're facing and sees present day opportunities the unanimous decision in the conservation Northwest.
16:11:00 The Commissioner public Lands lawsuit, which Dr.
16:11:02 Was a party to recognizes that Dnr can integrate the many diverse public benefits of forest management in our State, beyond maximizing revenue generation from timber, harvest.
16:11:14 So the conversation we must have now is not whether carbon payments generate equivalent revenue as timber harvest does, but it's really how do we blend monetary and non monetary
benefits across the landscape and meet local and statewide and and in the process how do
16:11:29 We make sure communities are not left dependent on a regular revenue from timber harvest to meet very real and basic needs.
16:11:37 And then we can do both those things at the same time.
16:11:40 There's been discussion of artificially low ground prices being cited, so I also wanted to add, in addition to other comments made that a recent study actually anticipates carbon
offset prices will rise significantly in the coming years to a projected $50 per ton by 2,030
16:11:55 Potentially and so my view is that it it benefits the state and the county to position our public lands as a participant in that growing revenue source.
16:12:03 Sooner than later I'll just close by saying Dnr can manage for for carbon for science for wildlife, for revenue and for all of our interests, and we really must do so in a time
of climate change so thanks to dnr for work on this and to the commissioners.
16:12:16 Thank you, Rachel Cindy. You'll be next
16:12:21 Great thank you for the opportunity, Cindy, Jane, while I share the Jefferson County port towns and joint Clemation Committee.
16:12:30 I'm speaking here as an individual. This meeting today is timely.
16:12:34 It is yesterday, top 27, the twenty-seventh international Conference of the parties on Climate change began.
16:12:40 A recent UN report indicated that we are on track for 2.5 degrees.
16:12:45 Celsius of warming currently and previous reports, noted that we must limit more me to 1 point.
16:12:51 5 degrees. Celsius to avoid the worst and most costly in facts of climate change research indicates that one third of the greenhouse gas reductions needed could come from protecting
and restoring nature so thank you commissioners and Robert Dnr for working on the important issue of protecting our force
16:13:09 To increase carbon sequestration. The high conservation value factors as many very important ones there.
16:13:16 But I encourage you all to prioritize carbon sequestration in this decision of parcel selection, not only because of the value the carbon credits but to help our county and
State do their part regarding reducing greenhouse, gas emissions, thank you
16:13:30 Thank you, Cindy. Next we will hear from Jeff Chatman
16:13:37 Thank you. I'm Jeff chairman. I'm the Jefferson County Assessor.
16:13:42 Cost of points. What I'd I kind of do the administrative works for the payment in lieu of taxes for the State and that's a pro where we get revenue for the natural areas for
that dnr has a both a day bob a the net and the
16:14:01 Nrcas. It'd be nice if yep, parcels that went into this you could.
16:14:07 We could get pilt for them? In other words, that at least for the force transfer parcels, we could get paled as as a minimum base level, and then if the carbon credits come
in that could maybe offset that pill but at least that would be guaranteed revenue on an
16:14:24 Annual basis just like it does for the naps and the Nrcas. My other
16:14:28 And you're not the and you're not the first person to have that suggestion, Jeff. So thank you for resonating that
16:14:34 It might require a legislative change, but it it it sure would be.
16:14:37 Make us all feel a little more comfortable with
16:14:40 Our legislature is represented in the room so
16:14:44 The other point is on Anderson Lake. You know that 435 acres.
16:14:50 I'm very familiar with it the reason is transfer property there is.
16:14:53 It was transferred already from what became gives Lake County Park, so that used to be force transfer.
16:15:00 And then it was moved over here. It also happens to be right now that candidate, for where the Olympic discovery trails gonna go right now.
16:15:09 State Parks has got a grant trying to run it across Theerson Lake State Park, out the Interse Lake Road, and this is immediately across the road and where we're hoping to cross
in order to get up to the City waterline so however, they write this up if it is included.
16:15:22 It does make some sense to include this, because it's also Pacific, Northwest National Santa Trail.
16:15:29 It'd be nice if you could negotiate to get the trail across this place without having to deal with.
16:15:37 Maybe lease issues that somehow it's all written in there that the trail can move forward.
16:15:42 If that's where it's chosen to go
16:15:44 Thanks Jeff, that's your 2Â min. Thank you. Okay.
16:15:51 Let's see. Next up he's Hikola
16:15:59 Alright. Good! That afternoon, commissioners, and appreciate the opportunity to provide comment.
16:16:04 First of all, I just wanted to note. You know many of our members at Afrc are actively looking at carbon markets for their lands, so certainly there is an opportunity that has
been mentioned today to do the right thing in the forestry space you know certainly look at longer Rotations as a way to sequester
16:16:21 More carbon to get compensated for it. So that is something Dnr.
16:16:26 Could and should have been looking at, given that. It's average, you know.
16:16:30 Rotation is quite a bit longer than maybe the norm on on private land so I think that's a real opportunity.
16:16:38 I do want to say I think it's very unlikely.
16:16:40 The folks in the room when we're dealing with mature forests to say that we're going to come back in 40 years and harvest.
16:16:46 These is just not realistic. It's not a realistic expectation of what's going to happen.
16:16:52 Given that they are public lands. So I think you need to keep that in mind in terms of the discrepancy in terms of market prices.
16:16:58 I saw Commissioner Dean was quoted to saying it was 10 cents per dollar in last week's article.
16:17:04 I've heard someone reference a price for the mandatory market.
16:17:09 From California. The compliance market rather than the voluntary market.
16:17:13 So I think it's really important to make sure we're looking at what the actual market prices are.
16:17:18 I appreciate a Chenka's comments about future payments with sequestration.
16:17:22 So that will obviously need to be looked at as well. The other piece that has not been really talked about is leakage and that's something.
16:17:30 I think Jenkins can go through. Maybe in a follow-up presentation.
16:17:33 I won't have time as well as how much of the revenue the project developer, and the form of finite carbon will actually take of the revenue which we believe it'll be 10 to 20%
so this is all very complicated but it's, exciting.
16:17:46 The bottom line is forestry is good for carbon and and forests are good for carbon.
16:17:52 You have access. And then let's see, last person with a comment, unless there's anyone else
16:18:00 Okay. So let's take yours first cause you're in the room to family, to manly fire Chief with Brandon Fire Department.
16:18:09 Though I appreciate Mr. Chapman's comment on a friend of his, and so on.
16:18:13 I do not recommend the pilt program payment, lieu of taxes as we've all been seeing that money goes directly to the the county and does not filter down to ginger taxing districts
and unless the county makes a policy change on that pilt is not the way.
16:18:27 To go. Thank you. Thank you.
16:18:34 Yep, Ralph Brow Frobie, you're gonna have the the last comment, my dear
16:18:41 Thank you so much. Everyone. My name is Brett Frobie.
16:18:46 Good afternoon, commissioners, and thank you all for taking the time for being really thoughtful, and learning about this program, and Tanka, thank you for putting in so much
incredible energy and you know starting this meeting exciting program and I know that there's always critiques and criticism from
16:19:06 From all angles. And so I really appreciate your willingness to answer everyone's questions.
16:19:12 Create this new program that seems like a really great opportunity.
16:19:15 I I'd like to just quickly follow up on the comment that Jessica Randall was making about some of the just overall climate adaptation benefits of mature for us and I really
appreciate her doing that math of looking at you know what what are these acres. Are these mature.
16:19:35 Legacy for us and there was a gentleman from Fire District earlier who was asking about the risks of of of these forests.
16:19:46 When it comes to wildfires and just wanna note that that these Mitch there's great research showing that sure legacy for us and old growth for us are much much more resilient
when it comes to wildfires at younger plantation forests just burn so much hotter, and quicker, and
16:20:03 faster, then these mature for us, and I guess I just would like to end with a question.
16:20:09 So I know, Tchenka, you were saying about how that he's younger for us.
16:20:14 Have let's see, greater sequestration potential because of the rate at which the faster rate that they can discuss capture carbon.
16:20:23 And I I guess a question that I have is, what's the difference between a rates like sort of the speed, I guess, or the overall amount like is are there do older trees I know
that they store more car carbon but do they actually, store?
16:20:55 Thank you. Thank you. Bro: and I just wanna Jeff chat and just chatted to your comment about pilt. That Dnr: pilt is distributed to the taxing districts. Federal pill isn't
currently Yeah.
16:21:13 Okay.
16:21:16 Cindy brats. Let's bring Cindy over
16:21:20 Not sure, Jeff, I think
16:21:29 Cindy, you're gonna need to unmute, and you'll have 2Â min for public comment.
16:21:39 Greetings. Commissioners. Can you hear me? Okay.
16:21:41 We can hear you. Great
16:21:44 Thanks for having this workshop and thanks to Chinka for your efforts, I recently ran across an article.
16:21:52 It was a research article published in the Journal Nature by Usgs, and one of the authors Nate Stevenson said this article's name is Rate of tree carbon accumulation increases
continuously with tree size and one of the authors: Nate Stevenson.
16:22:14 Says: this finding contradicts the usual assumption that trade growth eventually declines as trees get older and bigger.
16:22:22 It also means that big old trees are better at absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.
16:22:28 Then has been coming with assumed, and so I'm curious about the you know.
16:22:34 Tree smoke. Trees have a higher growth rate that sort of thing.
16:22:38 So I assume that both things may be true. But I'm curious, Jenka, if you can explain what's going on
16:22:45 Can I ask before chicken takes it. I I we send you.
16:22:50 You did share this article with us, and I read at night.
16:22:53 It looked like most of the trees they were talking about were tropical trees, and I was not able to ever break down, dive into the data enough to see you know done fur or hemlock
or any of the the trees that we're dealing with in the northwest if they were considered were you
16:23:05 Able to see that information species by species
16:23:07 I did see that they looked at northern fur forests as well.
16:23:15 I could dig it into some more and report back to you if you'd like
16:23:18 Please. Sorry go ahead.
16:23:22 Yeah. And so this goes to browse. Question as well and so so it really is a difference between rate of growth and sequestration versus sort of absolute storage.
16:23:35 And so younger forests do not store as much carbon as older forest, which makes sense right.
16:23:42 If you think about the fact that older trees have been sequestering carbon their entire lifetime, and generally really not losing it.
16:23:50 And so that means that that yes, older tree is an older form are storing much more carbon younger trees because they grow faster.
16:23:59 Then older. 4 trees are sequestering carbon at higher rates, but they're not storing as much.
16:24:09 And if you think about you know, if you see like a one-year-old sapling that's 2 feet tall, and then it becomes a 2 year sapling.
16:24:16 That's 3 feet tall or 5 feet tall, you know it is growing at an incredible rate compared to the rate that an older tree is growing.
16:24:25 But it's got barely any carbon stored in it, and that kind of applies proportionally as it goes to like 10 years 15 years.
16:24:31 That kind of thing, and it to to Cindy's question more so.
16:24:37 Yeah our I mean, and when it comes to our forests, our forests can grow for a very long time.
16:24:45 Our our you know dev furs and and hemlock and cedar can have lifetimes of like 400 to to even longer years.
16:24:55 And so they and they don't really. Yeah, they don't stop growing necessarily.
16:25:01 They might grow very slowly as they get up into their elder years of 200 or 300 or 400 years old, but they are continuing to grow in some ways, and so yeah.
16:25:12 So they are continuing to to capture carbon from the atmosphere, although much at a much slower rate, so much less annually than they would have when they were 40 years old.
16:25:23 But then because they've captured that carbon their entire lifetime, they have a significant amount of carbon that is being held in their you know biomass until it's released,
you know but even another kind of common misconception I think is that that older forests are just full of dead
16:25:43 trees, and decaying trees that are releasing carbon into the atmosphere at a faster rate than like harvested.
16:25:49 Wood products. And that's also not true. It really becomes much more of a closed system.
16:25:54 Of course there is some decay, and some dead trees in older forests, but then there's also, you know, younger trees coming up in their place.
16:26:04 As as you know, the canopy clears because the tree has fallen down and things like that and so it becomes.
16:26:08 You know, it's more of a kind of full full life circle.
16:26:12 So to to answer the various questions. Yeah, it's really about rate and and trees growing quickly when they're young, but not storing very much.
16:26:20 And then by the time they've gotten older they've captured a lot and they're just holding onto it while continuing to grow
16:26:28 Can I ask one more question? He he asked the question about what finite carbons you know piece of the pie might be, and I would like to add to you know, usually in a normal
harvest?
16:26:40 Dnr. Is going to take 25% for management how is Dnr.
16:26:44 Going to as we know, as we develop this financial model. Are you going to take 25% of the net or the gross, or what's Dnr looking at at their management.
16:26:53 And what's finite carbon
16:26:54 Yeah. So on the finite carbon piece, one just to be really clear, we we don't have any kind of contractual obligation with them yet so they've done a lot of work for us as partners
which has been really really valuable for us in understanding what feedsible in this process
16:27:11 And and what makes a robust carbon project. We have no specific agreement with them to continue on in this project, although we hope that we can, because they've been great
partners for us so we haven't gotten to a point of you know determining what a share might be for the carbon project
16:27:27 Developer. So yeah. So I don't have that information.
16:27:31 But and and for the you know our management fee as well.
16:27:35 That will be. I I think that'll be something that we have to figure out as we begin to understand what the least terms are going to look like.
16:27:44 This is obviously a new type of management for Dnr.
16:27:49 And so yeah, I I I can't say for certain if we're gonna go with our our our typical management fear for it will be something less, or you know what the case may be but that's
certainly something we're considering while I have the mic since you mentioned some of he's comments.
16:28:06 As well. I also just wanted to say he mentioned leakage leakage was accounted for in the numbers that I provided around the like.
16:28:14 You know over 900,000 credits for the first 10 years, because that was based off of the actual carbon protocol methodologies.
16:28:21 That do account for leakage within them. So there's there's already about 20% of carbon credits that are sort of removed from what's eligible then for for purchase to account
for a leakage and I've got I don't know if this is I
16:28:38 don't know. I can't tell. If there's more questions in the room or not.
16:28:40 But I've got a few other just quick thoughts based off of some other folks.
16:28:42 Questions, of
16:28:44 Yeah, go ahead. We have like 2 more minutes. But we're we're rolling up to the end
16:28:46 Okay. Perfect. I was just gonna quickly. Somebody talked about soil carbon as well.
16:28:53 So yeah, the the blow ground carbon is again something that is incorporated into the carbon protocol methodologies.
16:29:00 And so that is something that would be considered in terms of the.
16:29:03 You know the the carbon credits that are generated from a project.
16:29:09 Somebody also talked about yeah, finite carbons. Kind of proposedary analysis. And tools.
16:29:16 Again it's it's they are using. The the third party vetted and approved, and public methodologies.
16:29:26 So, for example, for our feasibility analysis. They went through the American carbon registry, improve forest management protocol to come up with the estimates, because that's
likely what we'll be using for the carbon project but it's not like they came up with their own proprietary methodology.
16:29:41 To figure out what the potential number of carbon credits would be generated.
16:29:47 A lot of the information actually came from us. They had to to to ask us a lot of questions about how to set the baseline like some of the questions that I talked about before.
16:29:58 So when you get kind of variation in carbon projects that's more where it comes from is in how you set the baseline, not not like how you do the calculations?
16:30:08 And then the verification and monitoring too. So you know, because we're committing to not harvest the stands over the course of the 40 year term.
16:30:18 It's gonna be pretty easy to verify and monitor because if we're doing something in those stands, then then it's not what we promised.
16:30:26 Of course, like I said we did. You know nothing will prevent us from doing preventative measures around forest health, if need be, and so there could be some circumstances where
you know we are active in a forest, and it seems like we're doing something that we didn't promise and so we'd have to be
16:30:42 Transparent about that. But yeah. The verification and monitoring is also something that happens through the protocol, and would also be something that would be fairly easy
to recognize if if it's you know if we harvest those areas.
16:30:53 Or not, so those were just a couple of comments
16:30:55 Thank you. Chinka, perfect timing. It's 4 30.
16:30:59 The building is now locked or locked in together. I just want to say we're not gonna have a meeting next week cause we're all gonna be out of town.
16:31:10 Most of us at a Count Conference, Washington State Association of Counties Conference, and I'm sure we'll be having lots more discussions around this topic there at the timber
caucus meeting.
16:31:22 And I really appreciate Chinka and Brian and Drew being with us today, and Denise and Mallory.
16:31:30 This is the beginning of a conversation, and we are not, you know, going down any road right now, working information, and we want to find something that works for the community.
16:31:42 We want to work in collaboration with all of you and what we've been talking about with Dnr is maybe some co-management of some areas so picking a few areas where it makes sense
to really focus and trying some of these tools trust land transfer the carbon project in different areas, but
16:31:59 not whole cloth. I mean the the total number of acres of Jefferson County was a little astounding to me, but I understand why I understand the rationale and look forward to
future conversations.
16:32:13 Is there anything else we want to say for the go to the order this afternoon?
16:32:17 I appreciate you all being here and everything you do in the community.
16:32:22 You especially you guys, in your uniforms. I know who you are and what you do for our communities.
16:32:28 It's really important, and Superintendent Redmond, I really appreciate you taking time to be here.
16:32:36 As well, so I will adjourn this November seventh meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners, and we'll see you back here on the 20 first and that is the morning
we will have an update from Dr.
16:32:47 Barry, because we've gone to once a month updates from our health officer, and that will be our third Monday of the month.