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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM061107 District No.1 Commissioner: Phil Johnson District No.2 Commissioner: David W. Sullivan District No.3 Commissioner: John Ausdn County Administrator: John F. Fischbach Clerk of the Board: Lorna Delaney MINUTES Week of June 11,2007 Chairman Phil Johnson called the meeting to order in the presence of Commissioner David W. Sullivan and Commissioner John Austin. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following comments were made by citizens. Several people mentioned the County's policy against "big box stores" and how this hurts the economy because residents travel to Kitsap and Clallam County to shop while Jefferson County relies on property tax revenue; two Marrowstone Island residents thanked the Commissioners for their help on the water system that is being installed on the island; the Commissioners need to listen to all their constituents to get re-elected; the County may not want to spend money on the video proceedings of the Critical Area Ordinance Committee meetings; a request was made that the County put a deed restriction on Broad Spit Park to allow the property to be used as a match for the Tarboo-Dabob Conservation Project; and a comment was made about the process for bonding public officials. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Sullivan moved to delete Item #5 and approve the balance of the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. 1. RESOLUTION NO. 46-07 re: Vacation ofa Portion of the Alley in Block 32, Irondale, James W. Pearson, Petitioner 2. AGREEMENT re: Water Quality Improvement Loan, Septic Repair; Jefferson County Public Health; Jacob and Connie Thomas 3. AGREEMENT NO. 06204, Amendment No.1 re: Debt Collection Services; Jefferson County Public Health; AllianceOne, Inc. 4. Payment of Jefferson County Payroll Warrants Dated June 5, 2007 in the amount of$711,453.84 and $623,146.98 5. DELETED Approval of Jefferson County Public Official Position Schedule Bond #68681811 Issued by Western Surety Company for the Treasurer, Clerk, Sheriff, Auditor, Prosecuting Attorney, Engineer, Commissioners #1, #2 and #3, Judge and Assessor (Approved Later in Minutes) 6. Advisory Board Resignation; Jefferson County Tourism Coordinating Council; Carol Fletcher 7. Advisory Board Appointment; Jefferson County Tourism Coordinating Council; Debi Bainbridge Page 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of June 11, 2007 8. Advisory Board Reappointments; Jefferson County Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SW AC); Two (2) Year Terms Expiring February 20,2009 and April 26, 2009; 1) Representing Skookum Educational Services, Matt Hall; and 2) Representing City of Port Townsend, John Merchant 9. Advisory Board Reappointment; Jefferson County Parks Advisory Board; Two (2) Year Term Expires February 14, 2009; Representing District #3, Philip Siemion 10. Letter(s) of Congratulations for First Place Win at the lA State Baseball Tournament; Chimacum High School Baseball Team COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION: The following issues were discussed. · The Treasurer has recommended that the County not accept the donation of a small parcel of land in the West End from the estate of Jack Delguzzi. In her memo, Judi Morris noted that the cost to sell the property would exceed the value. The Board asked for more information on the parcel. · The County Administrator gave the Board a copy of a 2006 Attorney General's opinion on a quorum of the Board attending a meeting called by a third party. This is allowed according to the opinion. It would be a violation of the Open Public Meetings Act if a quorum of the Board attending a third party meeting took action such as voting, deliberating, or other official business. · The person that allegedly embezzled money from Fire District #5 was bonded. · He gave an update on the mediation process and the appellate hearing examiner RFP at the Port Ludlow Village Council meeting. All the parties involved in the mediation have committed funding and mediation will begin within the next few weeks. The Board will receive a recommendation for appointment of the appellate hearing examiner and ifit is necessary, the two processes will move forward simultaneously. PROCLAMATION re: Proclaiming the Week of June 18,2007 as Amateur Radio Week: The Chairman read the proclamation designating the week of June, 2007 as Amateur Radio Week. John Ebner was in attendance representing the amateur radio operators. He thanked the Board for recognizing the valuable service that amateur radio provides in times of disaster. Their field day is June 23 at Old Fort Townsend State Park. Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve the proclamation as presented. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Page 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of June 11,2007 Discussion and Possible Decision re: Jefferson County Tri Area Teen Resource Center Request for Funding: The County Administrator explained that the Teen Center requested $10,000 from the County for 20070perations. He asked Matt Tyler, Parks and Recreation Manager, to review the request and make a recommendation. The recommendation is for the County to pay $5,000 from the General Fund as a one time only project. Currently, the Teen Center pays the Chimacum School District $6,000 for rent and Matt Tyler suggested that a letter be sent to the School District requesting that they match the $5,000 from the County through an in-kind donation of rental fees. Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve the recommendation to support the Teen Center by giving them $5,000 this year from General Fund reserves regardless of the School District's support. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion. He said he would like to know how many teens use the center before approving the funding. Commissioner Sullivan amended the motion to approve the $5,000 in funding for 2007, regardless of the School District's support and ifmore than 50 teens participate. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. The Board agreed that the item be put on the Consent Agenda when the requested information is confirmed. Interviews and Possible Appointment of Citizens Interested in Serving on the Core Review Committee For Evaluating Petitions to Establish No Shooting Zones: The following people who submitted letters of interest in serving on the No Shooting Zone Core Review Committee were interviewed. John Ebner was the only applicant from District No.1. · Tom Thiersch - District No.2 · Henry Werch - District No.2 · Ken Merritt - District No.2 · Raymond Hunter - District No.3 · Joe D' Amico - District No.3 Commissioner Sullivan moved to appoint Henry Werch as the representative from District No.2 and to appoint Ken Merritt as a stakeholder representative because he is a citizen with tribal knowledge and will not be speaking for the tribes. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Commissioner Austin moved to appoint Raymond Hunter as the representative from District No.3. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Chairman Johnson moved to appoint John Ebner as the representative from District No.1. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Page 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of June 11,2007 Approval of Jefferson County Public Official Position Schedule Bond #68681811 Issued by Western Surety Company for the Treasurer, Clerk, Sheriff, Auditor, Prosecuting Attorney, Engineer, Commissioners #1, #2 and #3, Judge and Assessor: (See Item #5 on the Consent Agenda.) The County Administrator explained that the Bond was written in 1998, but has never appeared on the agenda for the Board to approve. Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve the Public Official Schedule Bond. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Discussion and Possible Decision re: Appointment to Shellfish Aquaculture Committee for the State Department of Ecology: Commissioner Austin stated that he would like Jefferson County to have a representative on this committee. He offered to contact some citizens who he thinks would be well- qualified and see if they are interested in serving on the committee. Chairman Johnson said he would like to talk to the Marine Resources Committee also. The Board agreed to put this item on next week's agenda after they have done more research. County Administrator Briefing Session: Discussion with PUD Commissioners re: Coordination of Efforts on Beckett Point: Approximately 45 people were present including PUD Commissioners Kelly Hays, Dana Roberts, and Wayne King and PUD Manager Jim Parker, Damon McAlister from Parametrix, the Engineer for the septic system project, staff from Representative Kessler's Office and Representative Van De Wege's Office; representatives from the Port Gamble Tribe, the Jamestown S , Klallam Tribe, and the Lower Elwah Tribe, staff from Community Development and Public Works, the WSU Extension Agent, and several Beckett Point and Cape George residents. Allyson Brooks from the State Department of Archeology was on the speaker phone. Jim Parker, PUD Manager, gave a history and overview of the project. The project was estimated to cost about $2.8 million and the completion date was scheduled for October, 2007. The transmission lines are in the ground and the drainfield area is cleared. Two booster pump tanks are installed. On May 29, human remains were found in the County right-of-way on the lower level of the project. It was determined that they were native American remains and a stop work order was placed on the project. The State Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation and the tribes were contacted and an archeologist and several tribes have been onsite. The PUD hired an archeologist who is required to prepare three reports and create a plan. The plan must be approved by the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and agreed on by all the parties involved. The remaining excavation work on the lower level, where the majority of the 80 homes are located, is for 6 foot grinder pump holes at each unit. The contractor has waited two weeks and can wait two more weeks. Full time observation of all digging would be required. Page 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of June 11,2007 The project is being paid for with private financing and the Beckett Point residents are paying approximately $30,000 per connection. The PUD has spent approximately $1.2 million to date on the project. Jim Parker listed several options for finishing the proj ect on a smaller scale, but noted that his recommendation to the PUD Commissioners is to shut down the project permanently. Options for reducing the amount of excavation on the lower level were discussed. Commissioner Sullivan asked who owns the improvements and the status of the permits if the project is continued by a different entity at a future date? Jim Parker stated that he assumes the PUD would own what is already in the ground. County Development Services Manager Stacie Hoskins stated that the permits go with the land and are owned by the Beckett Point Fisherman's Club. Commissioner Sullivan suggested that the County coordinate the project through the Community Development Department. He mentioned that the County has the authority when there is a health, safety and welfare issue, to loan money or facilitate grant applications. He added that Conservation Futures revenue can be used for preservation projects. Allyson Brooks, State Department of Archeology, said that her department doesn't have grant funding or low interest loans available to deal with this type of situation. Environmental Health Director Mike McNickle suggested that funding may be available through the ShoreBank Enterprise Cascadia Regional Septic Loan Program. They have $6 million to address failing septic systems. The State Department of Health also has funding for special projects beginning July 1, 2007. Jim Parker stated that loans still have to be repaid. The costs keep mounting and the PUD can't afford it. If the project timeline is extended, the project will have to be put off until next year because the PUD lines are submerged during winter high tides. Commissioner Sullivan asked if just the grinder pump holes could be dug and examined for remains? If remains are discovered they could be dealt with respectfully. The holes could be filled up again and the pumps installed at a later date. The Engineer stated that he worked on a project where a similar process was approved but the area was smaller and the archeological costs were $2 million. The County Administrator asked what the protocol would be ifthe project is stopped right now? This has been identified as a site with potentially significant remains. Allyson Brooks explained that there is currently a lack of data. The archeologist has said he can have the testing proposal by mid-week and they plan to review it as soon as possible so he can get started. Based on his findings, it may be that some areas are clean, it may be that some areas just need a monitor, or it may be that some areas just need a sample excavation. There are a range of options. Jim Parker asked what responsibility the PUD would have if they stopped the project right now? Allyson Brooks stated that the remains need to be repatriated to the affected tribe and the PUD would have to close up the holes. Arlene Wheeler, Elwah Tribe, stated that several test holes may not uncover more remains but if excavation is begun again, there is always the chance more remains will be found. Page 5 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of June 11,2007 Commissioner Sullivan stated that it is important for everyone to work together to make the project work. It is important for all the agencies and the property owners to brainstorm to figure out what they can do to help. Keith Hansen, President of the Beckett Point Fisherman's Club read a statement regarding the history of Beckett Point and the planning and work that was done over the past seven years for the large onsite septic system project. The homeowners are making a significant financial commitment in this system to protect the environment. This project is an example of the community solving the problem of concentrated homes in close proximity to the water by moving the effluent away from the water. The Fisherman's Club requested that any use of its property for any archeological digging or investigation by any government or tribal interest be approved by the Board of Directors representing the ownership of the land. Beckett Point Fisherman's Club is dedicated to completing this LOSS system. Kathy Duncan, Jamestown S , KI all am Tribe, stated that this is a known village site. The tribes don't know what has been disturbed and there could be houses built on burial sites. They are concerned that more excavation would find more remains. She added that spits were very common locations for burials. Katherine Baril said that the project is an ecological improvement that is important to the health of Discovery Bay and it is a hugely important native heritage situation. Commissioner Sullivan noted that the people attending this meeting are willing partners with mutual needs and concerns. The more agencies at the table, the more answers and the more funding. This could become a model program for the State. There is a possibility that the Puget Sound Partnership could provide financing because there will be similar situations in other parts of the Sound. Commissioner Sullivan stated that he would like to see the participants at this meeting go back to their agencies and discuss what they can bring to the table. He asked the PUD to look at short, medium and long term plans. The Engineer said that the contract allows work to be suspended for 90 days. If it takes more than 90 days, the contract must be renegotiated or the proj ect suspended or terminated. There would be a penalty but it isn't defined in the contract. Kelly Hayes, PUD Commissioner, explained Local Utility Districts (LUDs). The total cost of the project has to be paid by the people within the boundaries. The PUD cannot assess anyone in the utility district more than the improved value to their property. He added that right now there is no way to know how much the project is going to cost. Je-Anne Rogers, from Representative Kessler's Office and Carl Schroeder from Representative Van De Wege's Office suggested that another meeting be scheduled for Thursday, June 14 when the State Representatives will be in Jefferson County. There will be more information to aid in formulating a strategy and then the Representatives can approach the Governor for funding. Page 6 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of June 11,2007 The Board met in EXECUTIVE SESSION with the County Administrator and Director of Community Development regarding personnel from 4:20 p.m. until 4:35 p.m. NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Austin moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:43 p.m. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 1 John n, Chair iLl /;.~. ~/"" - Davla~~M~ ~~~r ~~,Cf'1( Julie Matthes, CMC Deputy. Clerk of the Board Page 7