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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM082707S District No.1 Commissioner: Phil Johnson District No.2 Commissioner: David W. Sullivan District No.3 Commissioner: John Austin County Administrator: John F. Fischbach Clerk of the Board: Lorna Delaney MINUTES Special Meeting with Port Townsend City Council August 27, 2007 Chairman Phil Johnson called the Special Meeting to order in the presence of Commissioners David W. Sullivan and John Austin, and Port Townsend City Councilmembers Michelle Sandoval, Laurie Medlicott, Geoff Masci, Frank Benskin, George Randels, and Mark Welch. Other staff present included County Administrator John Fischbach, City Attorney John Watts, and City Manager David Timmons, Indian Island Environmental Impact Study (EIS): Chairman Johnson explained that the Board received a draft letter from the City to the Secretary of the Navy requesting that an EIS be done on the "cumulative" changes and expansion of operations that have been done at Naval Magazine Indian Island. Councihnember Randels asked the County Commissioners to sign off on the letter also. There was a discussion about revising some of the language in the letter and new wording was suggested. Councilmember Masci stated that he does not agree with the letter because the City and the County do not have jurisdiction over federal property or operations. He does not support any action on this letter. Commissioner Sullivan replied that the letter is not a legislative action, He feels that the County Commissioners and the City Council "lobby" as part oftheir jobs. He thinks that the letter will open communication lines. He added that a programatic EIS for Indian Island would benefit all local jurisdictions, He is in favor of the letter, but would like to see additional changes in the language. Mayor We1ch suggested that a Commissioner and City Councilmember work together to address the wordsmithing. City Attorney John Watts stated that the deadline for comments is August 29, City Manager David Timmons has submitted a "placeholder" comment on behalf of the City indicating that further information will be provided by the City Council. Commissioner Austin stated that he would feel very uncomfortable signing the letter. He thinks that the Navy has good environmental practices in place at the facility. Councilmember Medlicott stated that she doesn't support the City's position on this issue. She noted that there isn't a consensus in favor of sending the letter, although the majority of the Commissioners and City Page I Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of August 27, 2007 fJ".'O'''" ~~ .0 t.~..." "'to".,'" Councilmembers are supportive, She suggested that the people who are in favor of sending the letter write letters as individuals, Councilmember Sandoval noted that the Commissioners and City Council take action by majority rule, Chairman Johnson added that no official action on the letter can be taken during this work session, He and Councilmember Randels agreed to continue to work on the language in the letter. Clean Water District Proposal: Deputy Public Health Director Mike McNickle gave an overview of the draft Clean Water District proposal to address water quality issues and shellfish protection in the County which includes a Clean Water District fee, He reviewed the public process to date, Neil Harrington, Environmental Health Supervisor, reviewed the five options that have been developed, 1) No action and no Clean Water District 2) All parcels (minus legislatively exempted parcels - timberland) pay $18 per year, 3) Parcel owners would pay $18 per year unless they are exempted by policy, (Low income senior/disabled exemption and timberland,) 3a) Parcel owners would pay $18 per year with exemptions for low income seniors/disabled, and timberlands, small lots, and a multiple parcel discount 4) Plan funded through the County's General Fund, Mike McNickle explained that the State RCW recommends that the legislative authority (the County) implementing the fee have conversations with the City if City residents are to be included, The City has a stormwater fee in place, and the County cannot use the Clean Water District fee for the same purpose, He has talked with City staff and the fee would not duplicate the City's uses, Commissioner Sullivan noted that the County has scheduled a public hearing on a proposed Clean Water District Ordinance for September 17, The draft ordinance is based on Option 3 which includes a low income senior/disabled exemption and timberland exemptions, There was a discussion about the proposed budget for the Clean Water District The County has applied for several grants and the funding from the fee would pay the matching funds, Several City Councihnembers agreed that they need more information on the proposed fee before they can give the County their input They suggested another joint meeting before the public hearing, Housing Needs: City Councilmember Sandoval and Chairman Johnson serve on the Housing Action Plan Network and they plan to bring some suggested policy changes to the City Council and the Commissioners that would have future potential budget impacts, Councilmember Sandoval stated that Page 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of August 27,2007 ~",'"'''' ~' . .' '" ~ ~.~- j,- ,,-,' "I~'" one policy issue is to use surplus County and City property for affordable housing. to consider using parcels for affordable housing that would be sold at tax sales. Another policy issue is Parks and Recreation District: Karen Nelson, Chair of Make Waves, a non-profit organization stated that their mission is to implement a concept for a multi-purpose aquatic/recreation/fitness center that is affordable, financially sustainable and can be supported politically. They want to form alliances with entities and organizations to keep the Mountain View Pool open until a new facility is built. David Hero, another member of Make Waves, described the operations of a facility he recently visited Whitefish, Montana which is similar to the one they envision. Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Welch stated that it is important for the City and the County to partner to fund recreation programs. Chairman Johnson, Councilmember Medlicott, and Mayor W elchagreed to form a subcommittee to work on the YMCA issue. Public Infrastructure Fund (PIF): The County Administrator distributed a financial statement on the PIP Fund. He reported that the County has received 2 applications and a PIP Advisory Board meeting will be scheduled within the next month. The State Department of Revenue owed the County 8 years in back revenue for this fund and recently paid 6 years. The County is asking for the remaining 2 years plus interest. The State has said that they cannot pay more than the 6 years. NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Sullivan moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. -<.::-" " /.;..;\~, v. r 0 4f ~.., .\\ -' MEET~t~. ,ED(J , "Vt"".J , '. ~. "',. '\)~ ',:" SEAJ:.:., II. . 'n ".' i"i,j'~ , . ".,~"'ft.!)-'.f. ''t: .. ,\, :~r~,'"" '." , ,'. ./, h;\' ATTEST:' . \ ~--1 J!J .> . " ~ \ 'j \- JEFFIjRSON COUNTY B 6~,'i' ,,' /6'OMMISSIONERS ;t '" f !IV' 'L-- \....._._.~:u '. ____.. :''i , . . '-.J , " Phil JLhti , Chair, ' A7 ~' . ~ .;a~ ~ ,~ DaVId W. Sullivan, em ~ ~~ ~?1~~)cmG Deputy Clerk of the Board Page 3