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District No. 1 Commissioner: Phil Johnson
District No.2 Comml.sloner: David W. Sullivan
District No.3 Commissioner: Patrick M. Rodgers
County Administrator: John F. Fischbach
Clerk of the Board: Lorna Delaney
MINUTES
Week of September 18, 2006
Chairman Phil Johnson called the meeting to order in the presence of Commissioner David
W. Sullivan and Commissioner Patrick M. Rodgers.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve the minutes of
September 5,2006 as presented. Chairman Johnson seconded the motion. Commissioner Sullivan and
Chairman Johnson voted for the motion. Commissioner Rodgers abstained because he was absent at the
September 5 meeting. The motion carried.
Commissioner Rodgers moved to approve the minutes of September 11,2006. Commissioner Sullivan
seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BRIEFING: The following items were discussed:
· State Timber Bill: Assessor Jack Westerman explained that last year the County Assessors endorsed
a Timber Bill in the Legislature to combine the two timberland programs in the State under
"designated timber." The main difference between the current programs is the size of the parcel of
property. For tax purposes, the assessed value ofthe two programs is calculated the same. If the
property is taken out of either timberland designation, the taxable liability changes and the
compensating tax is different for each program. Ifthere was only one designation, this process
would be simpler and easier for taxpayers to understand. He encouraged Chairman Johnson to
attend the Timber Counties meeting at the Washington State Association of Counties Conference
next week and support this bill.
· Black Point (Brinnon) Environmental Impact Study (EIS): Director of Community Development Al
Scalf reported that the draft EIS for the Comprehensive Plan amendment for this project is not
complete. DCD staffmet with consultants and Tribal representatives for a site visit of the property.
The proponent has hired new consultants to complete the EIS. They have two weeks to have it
completed in order to make the Comprehensive Plan amendment deadline. A major issue is
archeological and cultural concerns. DCD has identified nine significant areas of environmental
impact. The proponent may decide to do a programatic EIS rather than a proj ect specific EIS in
order to meet the deadline.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of September 18, 2006
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· Port Ludlow Hearing on the Development Agreement and Shoreline Permit for Trendwest: This is
an open record hearing before the Hearing Examiner. DCD has prepared a staff report. After the
hearing, the Hearing Examiner will enter findings of fact and conclusions of law and forward a
recommendation to the Commissioners. The shoreline permit is quasi-judicial. The development
agreement is legislative. Later in October a public hearing will be scheduled before the
Commissioners where they will approve or deny the conditions of the development agreement and
the shoreline permit.
· Fred Hill Materials Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for the Pit to Pier Project: County
Administrator John Fischbach reported that the planner who dealt with Fred Hill Materials (FHM)
issues and projects has resigned and another planner will be hired. Al Scalfreviewed the history of
the Mineral Resource Land (MRL) Overlay for the FHM property that was approved by ordinance in
2004. Finding #139 addresses the pending application on the Pit to Pier proposal and the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS.) There are two methods for the preparation of an EIS: 1) the
applicant can prepare it under the supervision of the County's SEPA Responsible Official, or 2) the
County can prepare it under the supervision of the Responsible SEP A Official by engaging a
consulting firm paid for by the applicant. The County Commissioners in 2004 chose to have a
consultant prepare the EIS. The County advertised an RFQ for a consultant in 2005, but FHM has
not agreed on the consultant that was chosen and they are preparing their own EIS. Until FHM and
the County can come to agreement on a process and a consultant, the County will not engage in any
EIS preparation.
· Planning Commission's Requestfor Extension of Time Regarding the Critical Areas Ordinance
(CAD) and Washington Environmental Council (WEe): John Fischbach stated that he believes the
County can get an extension on the CAO deadline from the WECo Al Scalf explained that the sub-
committee has been reviewing the best available science (BAS) adopted by other counties. They
have good citizen participation and they feel that they could have a recommendation to the Planning
Commission ifthe deadline was extended 3-6 months. The Board asked that the CAO Sub-
committee submit a timeline on their work product before the County asks for an extension.
· Campaign Signs: John Fischbach reported that the size of campaign signs was changed when
revisions were made to the Unified Development Code (UDC) and adopted in July, 2006. A permit
is required for a campaign sign over 8 square feet. Letters were sent to the Political Party Chairs last
week informing them of the new regulations.
· Petition for a Law Enforcement Review Board: John Fischbach stated that Sheriff Mike Brasfield
explained that he is an independently elected official and the County Commissioners cannot appoint
a review board to oversee complaints regarding his office. The Board suggested that the petition that
was submitted be forwarded to the Sheriff.
· Jeff Com Reorganization: Jeffcom hired a consultant to research the possibility of becoming an
independent agency, regionalizing with CENCOM (Kitsap County), or remaining the same with
changes to the interlocal agreement. The consultant gave a presentation on these options at the
meeting last week. The J effcom Board will be voting on these options at their next meeting.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of September 18, 2006
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PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following comments were made by citizens: a
volunteer at the Animal Shelter asked for the County's continued support of the Shelter and the importance
of manpower because the Animal Shelter averages 945 phone calls, 500 visitors, 32 adoptions, and 72
licenses per month; when were the regulations on political signs changed and what about freedom of
expression with a suggestion that the County hold this regulation change in abeyance for this election; the
Board did not provide an answer last week about the maximum size of a political sign when the question
was asked during this forum; a thank you to the Board for their service; with regard to the sign regulations,
it's a citizen's first amendment right to say what they want and what is the legitimate public interest to
regulate the size of a sign?; a larger sign is better for safety than a small sign when a person is driving; the
Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) was drafted in haste and leaves many questions in the minds of County
citizens and should be scrapped and a realistic CAO prepared; and the discussion of the Fred Hill EIS this
morning was illegal because one Commissioner made a statement about a quasi-judicial matter and the
Board was asked to refrain from discussion of quasi-judicial matters in their meetings.
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Rodgers
moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which
carried by a unanimous vote.
1. HEARING NOTICE re: 2007 Jefferson County Budget; Hearing Scheduled for 10:05 a.m. on
Monday, October 2, 2006 in the Commissioner's Chambers
2. HEARING NOTICE re: Surface Water Management Plan; Hearing Scheduled for 10:05 a.m. on
Monday, October 9,2006 in the Commissioner's Chambers
3. AGREEMENT NO. 0563-77963, Amendment No.1 re: Developmental Disabilities Biennium
2005-07; Amending Payment Amount; Jefferson County Public Health; Washington State
Department of Social and Health Services
4. AGREEMENT NO. IA07-85-01 Interagency re: Grant Funding to Improve Property at Jefferson
County Fairgrounds; Jefferson County Fair Association; Washington State Department of
Agriculture
5. AGREEMENT re: Facilitation of the Strengthening Families Program, Reducing Underage
Drinking (RuaD)/Healthy Youth Project; Jefferson County Sheriffs Office; Pam Rogge
Presentation of the Preliminary 2007 Budget Update: The County Administrator presented
the preliminary balanced budget for 2007, including a memo and 17 appendices. There will be several
budget workshops scheduled to address outstanding issues which include:
· Changes to the use and process for Hotel/Motel funds due to an Attorney General's Office opinion.
· Impacts on the Secure Rural Schools funding when the Federal Budget is passed that will affect
County programs for the Road Fund and the General Fund.
The next phase of the Port Hadlock UGA Sewer Project.
Final determination regarding suggested staffing changes.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of September 18, 2006
· Final determination of the amounts to be transferred from the General Fund to other funds.
· Final determination regarding property tax revenue. Banked capacity has not been included to
balance the budget. There is a 1 % increase for both the Road Fund and the General Fund.
· Impact of the Federal Judge's ruling on booking fees at jails that were declared unconstitutional.
HEARING re: Six Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): The Chair opened
the public hearing. Bruce Laurie, Engineering Services Manager for Public Works, explained that every
year they update the Six Year TIP for capital projects only. This forecast does not include receipt of Secure
Rural Schools funding because it may be cut from the Federal budget in 2007. The projects are listed in the
order that they will probably be funded. The stream stabilization for the newly constructed Fossil Creek
Bridge in the West End should be completed this year. The other projects are:
· S. Discovery Road (M.P. 3.77 to M.P. 3.89)
· Center Road Overlay, Phase 3
· Prospect Avenue Right Turn Lane onto SR 19
· Big Quilcene River Road Improvement, Phase 2
· Larry Scott Trail Aquisition, Segment 4
· Larry Scott Trail Connection from SR 20 to the Cape George Trailhead
· Projects 8 through 10 are generic throughout the County and include surfacing gravel roads,
developing a non-motorized facilities program and safety projects
· Paradise Bay Road, Phase 2
· Chimacum and Irondale Intersections Improvements
· Larry Scott Trail Golf Course Connection
· Cape George Road, Segment 1
There was a discussion about the funding for County roads that lead into the Olympic National Park. There
is no guarantee that Federal funding will be available to help maintain and repair these roads.
County Engineer Monte Reinders explained that two-thirds of the funding for the projects listed in the TIP is
provided by outside grants with a one-third local match. Over the past 10 to 15 years, emergency road
projects have averaged between $700,000 and $1 million a year. Most ofthese projects are on the West End
and in South County because of the increased rainfall and rivers.
The Chair opened the public testimony portion of the hearing.
Bob Pontius stated that a few years ago there was $600,000 in grant funding that was available to the County
for stormwater runoff. He asked if the money came to the County?
Monte Reinders replied that the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group applied for the grant funding to
fund a portion of a bridge on Southpoint Road but they weren't successful in getting the grant.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of September 18, 2006
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Bob Pontius said that he was on the Upper Hoh River where a section of the road looked like it could be
washed out in any storm. He feels that Clallam County benefits more from the use of the road and asked if
they contribute to funding for maintenance and repairs? Monte Reinders answered that Clallam County has
never financially assisted Jefferson County on road repairs in the West End. However, they have supported
Jefferson County in getting emergency funding from the Federal government to repair the road.
Hearing no further comment for or against the Six Year Transportation Improvement Plan, the Chair closed
the public hearing.
Commissioner Rodgers stated that he is very proud of the condition of the County roads compared to roads
located in other jurisdictions and he feels that Public Works does an excellent job.
Commissioner Rodgers moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 58-06, adopting the Six Year
Transportation Improvement Program. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a
unanimous vote.
The Chair announced that the Board was going into Executive Session with the County
Administrator and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney regarding actual litigation and potential litigation from
10:45 a.m. to 11 :30 a.m. as noticed on the agenda. They came out of Executive Session and took the
following action.
Direction to County Administrator re: Hearing Examiner: Commissioner Sullivan moved
to direct County Administrator John Fischbach to contact Hearing Examiner Irv Berteig to inform him of
concerns that citizens have expressed regarding the upcoming Port Ludlow hearing. Commissioner Rodgers
seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
Charlie Courtelyou and Al Vaughn, Washington State Department of Natural Resources
re: County Income Report and Presentation on Forest Funds: Charlie Courtelyou reported that the
revenue to the County from forest board lands for the first six months of2006 was $986,000. The total
amount for the remainder of the year is expected to be minimal. This amount is below the nine year average
of$1.5 million per year.
Al Vaughn reviewed the sale plans for 2007 and 2008. The 2007 plan is proposed to bring in 7.5 million
board feet in Jefferson County. The appraisal is $1.7 million which is a little higher than normal. The 2008
plan is proposed to bring 5.5 million board feet and the appraisal is $1.3 million. The sustainable annual cut
for Jefferson County is approximately 5 million board feet.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of September 18, 2006
A letter of intent is being prepared and will be sent to the City of Port Townsend that lists the schedule of
events for the City limits land exchange. It will be a few years before the actual exchange is done. DNR is
currently doing an investment analysis about how much timber will need to be removed from the parcel for a
balanced exchange of the City's Snow Creek parcel and the City Limits parcel.
This was the worst fire season on record. Many of their firefighters were sent into other areas in
Washington but most of their fire teams are home now. There are huge impacts due to forest fires,
especially in eastern Washington. This summer there were four major fires in western Washington and they
were able to work closely with local fire districts.
Charlie Courtelyou also mentioned that they attended meetings on the East Jefferson County Off Road
Vehicle study and are looking forward to the recommendations. He added that DNR typically opens all their
gates in western Washington during hunting season which is coming up soon. There was also a brief
discussion on relocating the Elk from an area in Clallam County to Jefferson County.
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: At 11 :54 a.m. Commissioner Sullivan moved to adjourn
the meeting until the next regularly scheduled meeting. Commissioner Rodgers seconded the motion which
carried by a unanimous vote.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD 0 C MMISSIONERS
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Ph Jo , Chair
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DaVId W. Sullivan, Member
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Pa ck M. Rodgers, Member
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~ie Matthes, CMC I
Deputy Clerk of the Board
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