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HOUSING FUND BOARD
Regular Meeting — Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 2:30 p.m.
Commissioners' Chambers, Jefferson County Courthouse
1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (Hybrid)
CALL TO ORDER: Jefferson County Commissioner Greg Brotherton called the Joint Jefferson
County/City of Port Townsend Housing Fund Board (HFB)to order. The following HFB members
participated in the meeting: City of Port Townsend Councilmember/HFB Vice Chair Amy Howard,
Jefferson County Commissioner Kate Dean, City of Port Townsend Councilmember Aislinn Palmer,
Member Audrey Morford and Member Viki Sonntag. Member Julia Cochrane joined the meeting at
2:34 p.m.New Member Morford introduced herself
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Chair Brotherton called for public comments, and no comments were
received.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Member Dean moved to approve the Mach 27, 2024 and the April 24,
2024 meeting minutes as presented. Member Cochrane seconded the motion. Member Morford
abstained from voting. The motion carried.
DISCUSSION re: AMERICAN LEGION EMERGENCY SHELTER: Chair Brotherton provided an
update on the Emergency Shelter which included a status on negotiations, and a deadline of June 30,
2024 to get a contract in place for an Emergency Shelter. He noted that there are still a lot of unknowns.
Chair Brotherton explained that he talked to County staff, and relayed the HFB's desire to create a
Shelter Manager position, hiring or managing a shelter manager position. Member Dean explained that
there was a$2.5 Million appropriation funding by Congress, but the timeline is highly uncertain. HFB
members voiced a desire to be involved with the hiring process and hiring panel for the shelter manager.
The HFB members reviewed the proposed budget and worked with Chair Brotherton to make edits to a
proposed budget.
Chair Brotherton noted that the County will be receiving a recording fee kickback, and any refund from
OlyCAP for unspent funds by June 2024, which could help with Emergency Shelter costs.
After discussion, Member Dean moved that the Housing Fund Board recommend to the Board of
County Commissioners that they dedicate $100,000 in 2025 from Fund 149 (from recording fees), to
fund the Emergency Shelter. Vice Chair Howard seconded the motion. After further discussion, Chair
Brotherton called for public comments on the motion, and one comment was received. More discussion
followed. Chair Brotherton proposed a friendly amendment to include the second traunch of recording
fees from the State when they arrive, as well as any returned funds from OlyCAP. Member Dean and
Vice Chair Howard agreed to the friendly amendment. Chair Brotherton called for a vote on the motion.
The motion carried.
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Housing Fund Board—Regular Meeting Minutes of May 22, 2024
SCHEDULING GRANT RECIPIENT UPDATES: Chair Brotherton will work with Clerk Gallaway
to get one awardee to report per meeting. The HFB would like answers to the following questions during
each update: What do you do?What kind of services do you provide?What barriers do you have?How
many people do you service?Do you anticipate spending all funds by December 31, 2024?They also
expressed interest in scheduling field trips to view facilities.
Chair Brotherton opened the floor to allow for public comments, and one comment was received. HFB
members noted that during the next Request for Proposals (RFP)process, it might be a good time to
schedule field trips. They also noted they would like to see the requirement for annual reports written
into next year's contracts with housing providers.
COMMITTEE UPDATES: The HFB members listened to updates from the following committees:
• Data and Needs Assessment Committee: Member Sonntag encouraged members to look at needs
assessment for seniors. Their next meeting is June 14, 2024 and will include a discussion on low-
income workforce housing.
• Coordinated Entry Advisory Board(CEAB): Member of the CEAB, Heather Dudley-Nolette,
was present to give a report. She noted that the group should have an oversight organization to
run the coordinated entry process and oversee activities. She said it is an incredibly complex
process, and requires a lot of coordination. She added that the Board affects so many different
organizations that experience homelessness, and that she feels the meetings should be open to
public and official. Currently,the CEAB is creating a county-wide policy. HFB members
participated in discussion. After discussion, Chair Brotherton moved to remove Member Sonntag
from the HFB position on the CEAB and appoint Member Morford and Julia Cochrane to the
CEAB. Member Dean seconded the motion. Chair Brotherton called for public comments and
one comment was received. After further discussion, Chair Brotherton called for a vote on the
motion. The motion carried.
FAREWELL AND RECOGNITION TO HFB MEMBER AISLINN PALMER: HFB members
thanked Aislinn Palmer her for her service to the HFB, the City of Port Townend, and the whole housing
sector. Member Palmer said it was an honor working with everyone.
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: After closing remarks, Chair Brotherton adjourned the meeting at
4:36 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed.
Respectfully submitted by:
C.-a C .L, L Reza v►-z / 1/4 0/Z
Carolyn Gallaway, Clerk of.ti a Board Date
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