HomeMy WebLinkAboutM062507
District No.1 Commissioner: Phil JohlllOD
District No.2 Commissioner: David W. SulUv8Il
District No.3 Commissioner: John Austill
County Administrator: John F. Fischbach
Clerk of the Board: Lorna Delaney
MINUTES
Week of June 25, 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. There are
a lot of part-time residents living in Port Townsend; the Planning Commission is going to ask the Board to
request an extension ofthe Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) deadline; the State Department of Ecology has
acknowledged that their guidelines for critical areas are based on science that addresses urbanization which
doesn't apply to Jefferson County; the CAO Committee's work to develop local Best Available Science
(BAS) could be used as a model by the State; a request was made that the Board not sign the contract for the
consultant chosen to prepare the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Pit-to-Pier project; the
Planning Commission needs training and instruction on the deliberation process for the draft CAO because
their final recommendation needs to be strongly supported in a legal and administrative law context; a local
compo sting business cannot compete with the City of Port Townsend's compo sting business which is
subsidized by public funds; a request that the Board pass a noise ordinance because the Sheriffs Office says
that they don't have the statutory authority to shut down a loud all-night party; the County didn't have a
problem figuring out how to shut down Security Services Northwest; the regulations in the CAO will affect
property owners and it is important that the Planning Commission's review process is impartial and fair;
and, a comment was made about two of the County Commissioners attending a Planning Commission
meeting.
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Sullivan
moved to delete Item #2 and approve the balance of the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Austin seconded
the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
1. RESOLUTION NO. 54-07 re: Establishing a Jeff Com Enhancement Fund
2. DELETE: HEARING NOTICE re: Proposed Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 04-0621-99; to Increase the Sales and
Use Tax from 0.08 Percent to 0.09 Percent as Provided by Chapter 478, Laws of 2007; Hearing Scheduled for 10:00 a.m.,
Monday, July 9,2007 in the Commissioners Chamber (See Later in Minutes)
3. AGREEMENT re: Cash Handling Services for Jefferson County Solid Waste; Jefferson County
Public Works; Loomis
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of June 25,2007
4. AGREEMENT re: Funding for South Discovery Road; Project No. CR1677; Jefferson County
Public Works; County Road Administration Board (CRAB)
5. Payment of Jefferson County Vouchers/Warrants Dated June 18,2007 Totaling $386,452.11
6. Payment of Jefferson County Payroll Warrants Dated June 20, 2007 Totaling $110,899.88 and AlP
Warrants Done by Payroll Dated June 6, 2007 Totaling $142,866.44 and June 19,2007 Totaling
$5,355.97
7. Advisory Board Resignation; Jefferson County Ferry Advisory Committee; Peter Bonyun
8. Thank You Letters to Participants of Flag Day Ceremony; U.S. Congressman Norm Dicks; State
Representative Lynn Kessler; State Representative Kevin Van De Wege; Dr. Allyson Brooks, State
Historic Preservation Officer; Kim Clarke and the Port Townsend High School Band; Delmer Sayer,
VFW Post 7498
COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION: The County Administrator discussed the
following items.
· The UGA Sewer Update was distributed. A notification was e-mailed to170 Irondale/Port Hadlock
residents, business owners, and stakeholders regarding the next public meeting which was
rescheduled due to the appeal before the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board.
A post card will also be mailed out to 2,500 residents and stakeholders. The State Department of
Health is reviewing the draft plan and the County expects a response in July.
· There has been a substantial increase in the cost of prescriptions for inmates at the jail. The
budgeted amount for 2007 is $24,000 and $21,000 has been spent through May 1. The reasons for
the increase include: a substantial increase in chronic care inmates, an increase in the number of
inmates taking drugs for mental health, an increase in the price of several popular mental health
drugs, and an increase in the medications being prescribed by outside local providers.
HEARING NOTICE: Proposed Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 04-0621-99
Regarding the Distressed Sales and Use Tax: (See Item #2 on the Consent Agenda.) Commissioner
Sullivan explained that he would like a portion of the language changed in the hearing notice.
Commissioner Austin suggested that the second paragraph in the notice read, This public hearing has been
scheduled for the Commissioners to take comments for and against a proposed ordinance to increase the
County's share of the State's Distressed County Sales and Use Tax as provided below. This will not
increase the overall sales and use tax rate for citizens of Jefferson County.
Commissioner Austin moved to approve the hearing notice increasing the County's portion of the State's
Distressed Counties Sale and Use Tax from 0.08% to 0.09% as provided by Chapter 478, Laws of2007 as
amended. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. The hearing is
scheduled forlO:00 a.m. on Monday, July 9,2007 in the Commissioners Chambers.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of June 25,2007
The Board met in Executive Session with the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, County
Administrator, Community Development Director, Long Range Planner, Public Works Director and Waste
Water Manager from 10:00 a.m. to 11: 15 a.m. regarding actual litigation per RCW 42.30.110(1 )(i).
Jefferson Land Trust re: Request for County Support of Grant Application to the State
Farmland Preservation Program: Tami Pokorny, Public Health Water Quality Specialist, reported that the
goal of the Glendale Farm Project is to secure a conservation easement to protect the property for farming in
perpetuity. The farm consists of 180 acres located between Beaver Valley Road and Center Road and the
total acquisition cost is estimated at $1,050,000. The project was recently granted $230,000 in Conservation
Futures funding by the County Commissioners. The Land Trust wants to apply for another $524,000 grant
from the State Farmland Protection Fund. They are asking that Jefferson County submit the grant
application because only local governments are eligible to apply.
Heidi Eisenhour, Executive Director of the Jefferson Land Trust, stated that the farm has been in use since
1850 and 150 acres are considered soils of statewide significance. Chimacum Creek runs through the
property. Under the current County code, the property could be divided into12 homesites. The permanent
protection they are seeking includes sustainable timber harvest of the 23 acre forested area. There are 6,000
feet of ditches that would be cleaned as part of the restoration and there will be infrastucture improvements.
The current operation includes 100 head of cattle and the owner produces feed for the cattle. The
conservation easement removes some of the development rights from the property. The owner retains
ownership ofthe property, the residence and buildings, and will increase the number of cattle to 150 with the
restoration improvements. He will continue to run the farm. The conservation easement is a permanent
deed restriction that goes with the land if it is sold.
This project is one of the first land acquisition projects by the Jefferson Landworks Collaborative which is a
partnership ofthe Jefferson Land Trust, Washington State University, the Food Co-op, the Farmers Market,
Shorebank Cascadia Pacific, Sunfield Farm and the Northwest Central Resources Group. She noted that
besides Conservation Futures funding that they have been awarded and the $524,000 they are seeking, they
will also seek a grant for $293,950 from the Natural Resource Conservation Service. They will apply for
Federal Farm and Ranch land Protection Funds to cover the remainder of the funds needed. She asked the
Board for their support of the project.
Commissioner Austin moved to have the Chair sign a letter of support to the State Farmland Protection
Program informing them that the County is requesting funds to permanently protect the Glendale Farm.
Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of June 25,2007
Discussion and Possible Adoption re: Proposed Resolution Establishing Goals and
Objectives for the 2008 County Budget: The County Administrator stated that the resolution is done each
year to begin the budget process. He reviewed the resolution beginning with the eight strategic objectives
and noted that #6 is a new priority on the list.
1. Supporting local law and justice programs.
2. Addressing locally identified and defined local public health issues.
3. Protecting and enhancing natural resources.
4. Investing in community infrastructure that encourages economic opportunity.
5. Planning for long term capital facility needs.
6. Protecting and ensuring adequate clean water supplies for citizens and the shellfish industry.
7. Operating within a business plan based on sustainable resources, measured performance, and
outstanding customer service.
8. Maintaining a professional County workforce that can meet the growing service delivery needs of the
County.
He reviewed the fiscal budget objectives.
1. The budget, when adopted, will be balanced within available resources. In addition to annual fiscal
objectives, there will also be a focus on long-term financial analysis to insure financial sustainability.
2. Growth in General Fund property taxes and Road Fund property taxes shall not exceed the 1 % limit,
plus taxes collected on new construction.
3. Continue to successfully implement the 0.1 % sales tax levies as authorized by the Legislature
including the funding of chemical dependency and mental health needs, the J effCOM Infrastructure
funds and the Criminal Justice tax.
4. Transfers from the General Fund to other operating funds will be adjusted from current levels based
on the impact ofthe rates of the new labor agreements.
5. For union staff, personnel costs (salaries, wages, and benefits) will be adjusted based on the rates of
the new labor agreements; there will also be an adjustment to reflect annual step increases. Increases
to FTE will require substantial justification. The County's goal is to pay at the mid-range of
employee salaries with comparable counties to maintain employees and to recruit new employees.
6. For non-union staff, adjustments will be made as necessary to maintain salaries, wages, and benefits
as close to the competitive mean as possible recognizing that the County's employees are its most
valuable assets.
7. Reserves shall be maintained for each fund as authorized by resolution.
8. Non-personnel operating costs will be adjusted from the adopted 2007 budget by 4%, if possible
financially.
9. Any proposed use of "banked capacity" will be for one-time non-recurring expenses and emergency
expenses per Ordinance 18-1220-04.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of June 25,2007
10. Rigorously examine fee levels and ensure that all fees are set at a level that recaptures the cost of the
service being provided with reasonable accommodations provided to achieve other priorities;
establish a fee schedule that includes fines as a source to recover funds expended on enforcement
and examine alternatives for funding the hearing examiner system for the General Fund. Consider a
policy that requires "fees for service" for all new services to be offered, unless a specific
authorization is provided by the County Board of Commissioners.
11. Successfully implement the increase to the Distressed Counties Sales Tax approved by the
Legislature in 2007 increasing the State paid sales tax from .08% to .09% for the Public
Infrastructure Fund.
He then reviewed the details of the strategic budget objectives:
1. Support and maintain law and justice programs and utilize local law and justice work load
measurements to assist in supporting and prioritizing services; encourage development of a
community policing model that focuses on collaboration between public agencies, private groups,
individuals and most especially the courts, law enforcement, Prosecutors office, and other law and
justice providers in the development of strategies that yield the best outcomes within the resources
available.
2. Support programs that identify and treat significant public health threats and gaps in programs
offered, and if identified:
a) Develop programs to address substance abuse issues that emphasize prevention, early
intervention and recovery.
b) Continue to fund the Local Health Data Profile to determine community needs and prioritize
servIces.
c) Deliver programs that promote healthier communities and individuals.
3. Look for ways and means to develop opportunities to continue the development of a parks, recreation
and open space system and a non-motorized transportation system that identifies and addresses the
most important safety, health and economic development issues for local communities; focus special
attention on extending the Larry Scott Trail from the Clallam County line to Four Corners.
4. Support an effective economic development strategy for Jefferson County that encourages
participation by the City of Port Townsend, the Port of Port Townsend, the Public Utility District No.
1, and other interested parties. Under the County's leadership ensure that an effective economic
development program is carried forward for all of Jefferson County.
5. Continue the development and plans for construction of a sewer system in the Tri Area UGA; update
the plan for the Gateway Visitors Center and develop a plan to reconstruct an improved facility;
develop a county-wide land use inventory and infrastructure database with accompanying economic
analysis to guide future planning decisions.
6. Consider the possible implementation of a Shellfish Protection Zone for East Jefferson County and
examine other means to finance the necessary improvements to create a Shellfish Protection Zone
and a Clean Water District for the preservation ofthe County's shellfish industry and its drinking
water.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of June 25,2007
7. As part of developing a business plan, the following will be reviewed and evaluated:
a) Privatize and/or outsource services, programs, and functions where appropriate.
b) Consolidate programs or services where appropriate and seek additional funding through
programs and grants.
c) Continue to monitor the permit process in Community Development and Environmental
Health to prevent unnecessary delays.
d) Continue to partner with other local agencies to improve service delivery and/or reduce costs.
e) Develop operating rules and guidelines for staff to work with the Board to prioritize existing
resources.
8. Maintain a professional County workforce through adequate training and compensation including:
a) Review internal pay levels for managers across department boundaries for fairness and
consistency.
b) Compare benefits, time off, and pay levels of managers and non-managers, discuss
responsibility and equity in compensation.
c) Encourage Department Heads and Elected Officials to recognize achievements of their
employees.
d) Encourage and support education and training as needed.
Commissioner Sullivan stated that he would like to see Conservation Futures Fund added to Fiscal Budget
Objective #2.
Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 55-07 in the matter of establishing goals
and objectives for the 2008 budget with the amended language. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion
which carried by a unanimous vote.
Request from Planning Commission to Ask for an Extension of the Deadline for the
Critical Area Ordinance: Earlier in the day, the Board received a request from the Planning Commission
asking for an extension of the time needed for their deliberations on the Critical Areas Ordinance.
Commissioner Sullivan moved to direct staff to contact the Washington Environmental Council (WEC) to
ask for a three month extension to develop the Critical Areas Ordinance. Commissioner Austin seconded
the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
County Administrator Briefing Session: John Fischbach, County Administrator and the
Board met with several people to discuss the following issues:
· Eve Dixon and Jill Silver regarding revision of the Noxious Weed Board boundaries.
· Treasurer Judi Morris about the resolution regarding the Beckett Point Sewer Project and the
County's options regarding financing for other governmental bodies.
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Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of June 25,2007
· Environmental Health Director Mike McNickle, Neil Harrington and a consultant regarding the
shellfish district and clean water options for the County.
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Sullivan moved to adjourn the meeting at
3 :26 p.m. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF MMISSIONERS
J:::.:!.7::J elK
Deputy Clerk of the Board
Phil J
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