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Home My WebLink About102124M (' 1 �9SHlN�� MINUTE S Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting — October 21, 2024, 9:00 a.m. Jefferson County Courthouse—Commissioners' Chambers 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA (Hybrid) CALL TO ORDER: Chair Kate Dean, Commissioner Greg Brotherton and Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour participated in the meeting. Chair Dean called the meeting to order at the appointed time. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Chair Dean called for public comments,and eight comments were received. The Commissioners addressed the comments. PROCLAMATION re: Pro Bono Law Week 2024: Jefferson County Pro Bono Lawyer Rafael Urquia was present to discuss statistics on services they provide to the public free of charge. Their goal is to reach out and make better connections with Tribal communities, and to help them out as much as they can. They are also seeking to hire a full-time attorney on staff. All three Commissioners read aloud the proclamation. Commissioner Eisenhour moved to approve the proclamation. Commissioner Brotherton seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Eisenhour moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Brotherton seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. 1. RESOLUTION NO. 55-1021-24R re: Cancellation of Unclaimed Warrants Exceeding One Year 2. HEARING NOTICE re: Informing Citizens of Jefferson and Clallam Counties' Spending of the 2022-2024 Community Development Block Grant(CDBG), Public Service Funding, and the proposed use of the 2024-2025 funding; Hearing to be held November 4, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. in the Commissioners Chambers (HYBRID) 3. AGREEMENT re: Practicum Field Experience;No cost; Public Health;UW School of Public Health 4. AGREEMENT re: Conservation Corps Crew Restoration Activities; In the Amount of$11,080; Public Health; Washington State Department of Ecology 5. AGREEMENT re: Recovery Café; In the Amount of$171,327.04 ($81,281.26 in 2025 and $90,045.78 in 2026); Public Health; Dove House 6. AGREEMENT re: Mental Health/Therapy Services for Children Aged 2-12 in East Jefferson County; In the Amount of$226,282.98 ($107,353.55 in 2025 and $118,929.43 in 2026); Public Health; Jumping Mouse Children's Center 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of October 21, 2024 7. AGREEMENT re: JeffCOM 911/Washington State Patrol Equipment; In the Amount of $46,411; Washington State Military Department and State Enhanced 911 Fund 8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting Minutes of October 14, 2024 9. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL WARRANTS: Dated October 4, 2024 and Totaling $176,853.50 10. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANTS: Dated October 14, 2024 and Totaling $2,492,947.41 HEARING re: 2024 Third Quarter Budget Appropriations/Extensions; Various County Departments: Finance Manager Judy Shepherd reviewed the various budgetary/fund requests which included requests from the Sheriff's Office, Superior Court, Operating Transfers, and Non- Departmental. County Administrator Mark McCauley noted that the Non-Departmental fund request will be reduced by $209,004, as that fund no longer needs assistance for Risk Pool liability insurance. They answered questions posed by the Board. After discussion, Chair Dean opened the hearing to allow for public testimony, and no comments were received. Commissioner Brotherton moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 56-1021-24R re: Third Quarter 2024 budget appropriations, extensions; various county departments, as amended here, regarding quantity. Commissioner Eisenhour seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. DISCUSSION re: LETTER to Washington State Supreme Court re: New Caseload Standards for Indigent Defense: Chair Dean explained the issue regarding the State Supreme Court seeking to create new caseload standards for indigent defense, which would be challenging for rural areas such as Jefferson County. She spoke with local defense attorneys,who stated they could provide better defense for clients if they had a lower caseload. She noted that Prosecutor James Kennedy has already submitted his own comments, but he reviewed the draft letter that Chair Dean shared with the Board. After discussion, Commissioner Eisenhour moved to approve sending a letter, as drafted,to the Washington State Supreme Court regarding new caseload standards for indigent defense. Commissioner Brotherton seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. The meeting was recessed at 10:32 a.m. and reconvened at 10:43 a.m. with all three Commissioners present. COMMISSIONERS' BRIEFING SESSION: The Commissioners and County Administrator discussed recent meetings they attended, Olympic Village Mobile Home Park,KPTZ County Connections schedule, Quilcene Food Bank, Hood Canal Bridge renovations, other miscellaneous topics, and reviewed their meeting schedules. Commissioner Brotherton excused himself from the meeting at 11:11 a.m. and returned during the afternoon session. The meeting was recessed at 11:49 a.m. and reconvened at 1:31 p.m. with all three Commissioners present. 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of October 21, 2024 EXECUTIVE SESSION: An Executive Session was scheduled from 1:30 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. Chair Dean announced that the Executive Session will be held from 1:31 p.m. to 1:41 p.m. regarding Attorney-Client Privilege,Actual Litigation under exemption RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)as outlined in the Open Public Meetings Act. Staff present: County Administrator, Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, and Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. The Board concluded the Executive Session and resumed the regular meeting at 1:41 p.m. Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney (DPA) Philip Hunsucker was present and announced that the County is seeking to enter into a settlement agreement with Julie St. Marie. He explained that Jefferson County won summary judgment in her case that has been pending against the County for two years, and five County employees. The judge in the case made a summary judgment order and a judgment on the same day, August 30, 2024, which dismisses all 14 of Julie St. Marie's claims against the county, employees, and their spouses. After discussion, Commissioner Eisenhour moved to approve this Settlement Agreement between Julie St. Marie and Jefferson County. Commissioner Brotherton seconded the motion. Chair Dean opened the floor to allow for public comments, and no comments were received. Chief Civil DPA Hunsucker thanked Legal Assistant Laura Mikelson for her countless hours working on the case. He also thanked the Washington Counties Risk Pool (WCRP)who defended the County and staff. Chair Dean called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. EXECUTIVE SESSION: An Executive Session was scheduled from 1:40 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Chair Dean announced that the Executive Session will be held from 1:55 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. regarding to review the performance of a public employee. No discussion of salaries, wages, and other conditions of employment to be generally applied within the county; and,no final action on the hiring, setting the salary of an individual employee or class of employees, or discharging or disciplining an employee, exemption as outlined in the Open Public Meetings Act, RCW 42.30.110(1)(g). Staff present: Human Resources Director. The Board concluded the Executive Session and resumed the regular meeting at 2:15 p.m. There was no proposed action, and therefore no public comment taken on this topic. BRIEFING re: Determining State and Federal Legislative Priorities: Chair Dean introduced Strategies 360 Consultant Stephanie Wright, who provided her work history and her plans for assisting Jefferson County with their legislative priorities. She will work with the Commissioners on developing their capital asks, socialize with delegation, answering questions that arise, make sure Jefferson County projects are submitted, and let the Board know if she believes a project needs more advocacy from the Commissioners. She answered questions posed by the Board, and the Commissioners reviewed legislative priorities. Commissioner Brotherton excused himself for the remainder of the meeting at 4:26 p.m. 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of October 21, 2024 NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: After closing remarks, Chair Dean adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. E. 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