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HomeMy WebLinkAbout082724MPage | 1 MINUTES Tenth Meeting - Healthier Together Task Force – Jefferson County Presentation to the Steering Committee Minutes for August 27, 2024 – 6:00 p.m. Jefferson County Commissioners Chambers In-person for members – The public is not allowed – Zoom available Task Force members in attendance: District 1: Todd McGuire District 1: Nancy Speser District 2: Celeste Schoenthaler District 3: Adele Govert At Large Member (Jefferson Aquatic Coalition rep): Cray Henry At Large Member (Jefferson Aquatic Coalition rep): Mary Rothschild Additional attendees included: John Mauro, City Manager, City of Port Townsend Linda Rosenburg, Port Townsend School Superintendent John Nowak, Port Townsend School Board member Mark McCauley, County Administrator, Jefferson County Wendy Bart, Olympic Peninsula YMCA Executive Director Diane McDade, President, Jeffco Aquatic Coalition Rich Childers, Past President, Jeffco Aquatic Coalition Greg Brotherton, County Commissioner, Facilitator of Healthier Together Task Force. Carrie Hite, Park and Recreation Strategy Director, City of Port Townsend and Facilitator of Healthier Together Steering Committee Page | 2 1. Commissioner Brotherton called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. 2. Greg discussed the agenda and there were no changes. He started the meeting by asking people to introduce themselves and shared an icebreaker question. 3. The Task Force members, Nancy, Todd, and Cray, presented key findings and recommendations from the Task Force as follows: a) They emphasized that it was important for the community to come together and it is critical for the community to support the site location. b) They emphasized that the community needs a modernized pool facility. c) They emphasized that we need to keep Mountain View open until a new pool is built. This will likely be through 2028. d) The Steering Committee was concerned about the inference that the only solution for funding a new pool in Port Townsend was an MPD. In particular, the creation of an MPD could compromise the school district’s ability to secure the community support it needs for a bond/levy. The steering committee requested modification of the document to clarify that the PT/MPD combination is purely a recommendation from the task force. e) The PowerPoint presentation from this meeting can be viewed on the Healthier Together Task Force page on the County website. The Key Findings and Recommendations document can also be referenced on the county website. ( www.co.jefferson.wa.us – Services – Laserfiche Web Portal (username and password is: public) – Board of Commissioners - Boards & Committees – Healthier Together Task Force – Meeting Packets – 082724 Healthier Together) 4. Greg facilitated the discussion of the presentation as follows: a) Greg stated that the County option would need the support of the Steering Committee in order to be successful. b) The school district voiced their support for the proposed sites outside of the city, stating that they have already merged their sports teams (more specifically, swim team) with Chimacum. c) The Steering Committee supported the Public Facilities District (PFD) option over the Metropolitan Parks District (MPD) option. They thought it would be more politically feasible. d) There was a question about the bonding and why the PFD would only be able to bond 15M. The Task Force stated that the main difference is that the operational subsidy is also part of the bond. This is based on the assumption that the city would not continue to contribute toward the operating subsidy of the facility if it is located outside of the Port Townsend. There was an acknowledgement that there is less cost recovery if the facility is only a pool. e) The Steering Committee asked about the size of the Port Hadlock property. The Task Force members added that there may be an option to expand the footprint based on negotiations with the Chimacum School District. The Port Hadlock site acquisition would likely require a land swap between Jefferson County and the Chimacum School District. f) Jeffco Aquatics stated that they learned a great deal from how South Whidbey gathered community input. After gathering extensive input, they designed their Page | 3 facility and made decisions regarding operating hours and programming. Jeffco Aquatics is working on a survey to be sent out to the whole County. g) A question was asked by the Steering Committee: “Is a two-tank solution being quality engineered?” The answer was no – the project under consideration still includes two tanks. h) The Steering Committee had concerns with the cost estimates and worries about short-term decision-making versus long-term, sustainable solutions. 5. Commissioner Brotherton played the banjo and invited people to sing along with the “Swimming Song.” 6. Commissioner Brotherton focused on the next steps which will include the Task Force presenting to a joint City Council and Commissioner meeting on September 16, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. 7. Commissioner Brotherton adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.