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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM110308 ~~ COMAhtt_ ~~~2~' SY;~~~ Oc.\ ~/tJ ~ ~I I...... ~.. .-< \ ... \ ; \~ ~/ ~/f G~ ~~ District No.1 Commissioner: Phil Johnson District No.2 Commissioner: David W. Sullivan District No.3 Commissioner: John Austin County Administrator: Philip Morley Clerk of the Board: Lorna Delaney MINUTES Week of November 3, 2008 Chairman Phil Johnson called the meeting to order at the appointed time in the presence of Commissioner David Sullivan and Commissioner John Austin. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following comments were made by citizens: several citizens stated that they would like the County Commissioner's meetings to be broadcast or webcast so they don't have to drive to the Courthouse; an elections observer noted that he is pleased that over 15,000 Jefferson County voters have returned their general election ballots to the Auditor's Office; a citizen stated that she thinks the proposed waterfront setbacks in the draft Shoreline Master Program are onerous and will lead to the devaluation of waterfront property; a person stated his opinion that the Commissioners need to meet together more often as a Board to conduct County business effectively and efficiently; a person stated that he thinks within the next few years the County will have to cut staffing and services by 25-35% because of the current economic downturn; two people mentioned that they think the public needs to have more input on County issues and more access to the Commissioners; a person stated that he would like the County Commissioners to appoint a Citizen Oversight Committee of stakeholders to look at Department of Community Development operations; and a resident said that he thinks funding for Courthouse security should be included in the 2009 budget. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Sullivan moved to delete Item #3 and approve the balance of the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. I. RESOLUTION NO. 70-08 HEARING NOTICE re: 2008 Supplemental Budget Appropriations/Extensions for Various County Funds; Hearing Scheduled on Monday, November 17,2008 at 10:30 a.m. in the Commissioners Chambers 2. AGREEMENT NO. CR1811 re: Pole Creek Culvert Replacement, Upper Hoh Road; Jefferson County Public Works; Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition (PCSC) 3. DELETED: AGREEMENT re: Facilitation Services for Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan Town Meetings; Jefferson County Public Works; Jim Rough and Associates (Approved Later in Minutes) 4. Advisory Board Resignations; Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board; Davis Steelquist and Steve Crosland 5. Payment of Jefferson County Vouchers/Warrants Dated October 27,2008 Totaling $252,396.95 and Dated October 29, 2008 Totaling $12,000.00 Page I Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of November 3, 2008 Process and Timelinefor the 2009 Budget: The County Administrator stated that due to the current downturn in the economy and the State's limitation on property taxes it is difficult for local governments to keep pace with the inflation of labor and material costs. Revenues fall behind expenditures just to maintain current levels of service. Until recently, Jefferson County saw robust economic growth, but that has changed and the result includes depressed sales tax and real estate excise tax. Over the past several years, Jefferson County has built up excess fund reserves. It is important to be disciplined about how the extra fund balance is used over the next several years until the economy begins to rebound. He noted that there are only 7 weeks until December 15, the tentative date for the Board to adopt the 2009 Budget. His plans to accomplish this include: . Using a collaborative approach with the Board, the Elected Officials and the Department Heads. . Utilizing the expertise available. . Using the reserve fund balance conservatively. . Using a variety of means to close the revenue and expenditure gap and minimize impacts on existing services and staff. The County Administrator has begun working with the Elected Officials and Department Heads to review and update revenue projections for 2009 and the estimated year end fund balance for 2008. As mandated by State law, there will be a public hearing to set the levies. He will be meeting with all the Elected Officials and Department Heads independently to review their budgets in detail, get their ideas for places to cut, and get their input on fmal balancing. He stated that a second public hearing on the 2009 Budget will be scheduled on December 8 with the final adoption scheduled on December 15. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve the minutes of October 13, 2008 as presented. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion. Chairman Johnson called for a vote on the motion. Commissioner Sullivan and Commissioner Austin voted for the motion. Chairman Johnson abstained from the vote because he had an excused absence at that meeting. The motion carried. Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve the minutes of October 20, 2008. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION: The following items were discussed. Commissioner Sullivan reported: The Hood Canal Coordinating Council armual meeting and award ceremony is this week. The SR19/SR20 Corridor Group is also meeting this week. He will be attending the Peninsula Regional Transportation Planning Organization (PRTPO) Legislative Outreach Committee meeting where they will be working on prioritizing lobbying Issues. He will also be attending the Puget Sound Partnership (PSP) Action Implementation Task Force meeting. Page 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of November 3,2008 ,&~..""'.. f............... -~ ~;.~'" Commissioner Austin reported: He wants to make sure that the area between Point Wilson and Hood Head Island was addressed by the PSP Hood Canal Area Committee. Commissioner Sullivan replied that the area was addressed late in the process. At the Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP) Board meeting he learned that the demands on the local food banks are increasing. The OlyCAP thrift store at Ness's Corner is being remodeled and is under new management. Chairman Johnson reported: The Paradise Bay Large Onsite Sewer System project has a lower priority on the PSP priority list because the location of the intended treatment plant is part of a land swap. Discussion and Possible Adoption re: Re-Establishing Emergency Ordinance for an Adult Business Moratorium: Al Scalf, Director of the Department of Community Development, noted that there is currently a moratorium on adult businesses in the County that expires on November 5. Planning Commission Member Tom Brotherton has developed a draft code that is currently being reviewed by staff and will be returned to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation. A public hearing to amend the Jefferson County Code is the next step in the process. The moratorium was established per RCW 36.70A.390 which allows the Board to establish interim controls in view of pending legislative changes. Staff is requesting that the Board adopt a moratorium for an additional six months. Al Scalf anticipates that staff will have a recommendation to the Board by the close of the six month period that would incorporate standards for adult businesses into the Jefferson County Code. Commissioner Austin moved to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 10-1103-08, an emergency moratorium on the issuance of permits or approvals pertaining to adult businesses. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Al Scalf noted that a hearing on this emergency ordinance will be scheduled within the next 60 days. Discussion and Possible Approval re: Agreement No. G0900067 Mats Mats Bay Water Quality Improvement Project; Jefferson County Public Health; Washington State Department of Ecology: Philip Morley reported that this proposed Centennial Clean Water Grant from the State DOE is approximately $169,000. The County's match would be $56,000, divided over the next 3 years. Neil Harrington, Environmental Health Supervisor, explained that this grant runs through December 31, 2012, and most of the work would occur within the first 3 years. The County match for next year would come out offunds allocated in the 2008-2009 Water Quality Budget. The funding will be used to identify and correct the sources of bacterial pollution in Mats Mats Bay. He explained that the State Department of Health (DOH) certifies tidelands for the commercial production of shellfish based on water quality or conditions according to federal and international standards. The State does water quality sampling bi- monthly and the standards are based on the last 30 samples. The DOH early warning system for shellfish growing areas has identified a part of Mats Mats Bay as "threatened." Threatened means that there is a fear Page 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of November 3,2008 ~ ~~~) ~ that the water will downgrade and no longer meet water quality standards. At which point, the shellfish growing in the area would be restricted or prohibited from being harvested. This sets into motion State mandates to correct the problem according to the statute. The State expects action to be at taken when the area is put on the "threatened" list. The economic importance of commercial shellfish in Jefferson County is $18-$20 million per year. The water quality monitors at the northern part ofthe bay where the outlet is are the problem. This area is currently conditioned for winter harvest only due to the number of boats in Mats Mats Bay in summer. Potential sources of pollution in that area can include septics, wildlife, and boat discharge. There is not a lot of agriculture in the area. They want to act now before the water quality is listed as "downgraded." Public Health submitted the grant application to the State approximately a year ago and received extra points because the area is on the "threatened" list. The project is consistent with the County's Clean Water District Water Quality Improvement Plan. They want to get funding secured before any actions are mandated by the State. The results of the water quality testing were discussed. Neil Harrington noted that 2Yz employees are doing water quality identification but that includes several projects throughout the County. He is hoping to work with the residents around the bay to find the pollution sources. There was a discussion about the availability of Shorebank loans to repair or replace failing septic systems. The County Administrator recommended that the Board approve the grant because it is a preventative measure that would save money over time. Commissioner Sullivan noted that last year when the Clean Water District was established the Board looked at several funding options for the programs. However, the input from the public was not to add more taxes or fees. Commissioner Austin moved to approve the grant agreement with the Department of Ecology for the Mats Mats Bay Water Quality Improvement Project. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S BRIEFING SESSION: The following items were discussed. . Port Hadlock UGA Sewer System Preliminary Design Services. Al Scalf, Stacey Hoskins, and Joel Peterson attended this portion of the County Administrator Briefing Session. Joel Peterson briefed the Commissioners about the history of the sewer project, and a proposed 30% design contract with Tetra Tech, Inc. Staff also presented a letter from the Department of Ecology dated October 31, 2008, approving the Port Hadlock General Sewer and Wastewater Facility Plan. Stafhvill research remaining questions regarding the Tetra Tech design contract and bring a final contract before the Board for review and approval. . 2009 Budget. The County Administrator reviewed a November 3, 2008 budget memo distributed to all Department Heads and Elected Officials and the schedule and process for presenting the 2009 Budget. He advised the Board that in order to conserve the reserve fund balance and retain staffing flexibility to accommodate potential future service cuts, he will bring a resolution before the Board Page 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of November 3, 2008 a~"""'Y1" I' , ~ . . ~ \~r;~4-c) ~ on November 10 that would require prior review by the County Administrator for approval before vacancies can be filled. The proposed resolution would also establish guidelines limiting the creation of new positions. . Future agendas. There was a discussion about scheduling future Commissioner's meetings and agendas. The County Administrator will coordinate with Port Townsend City Manager David Timmons about the possible timing and agenda for the next joint County Commissioners/City Council meeting, and report back to the Board. Chairman Johnson expressed interest in scheduling joint meetings with the PUD and the Port of Port Townsend in the future as well. . Commissioner Austin distributed a November 3, 2008 email from Joy Baisch, Vice Chairman of the Quilcene/Brinnon Chamber of Commerce, inquiring as to the status of a letter sent by the Chamber in September about the Brinnon Motel. The County Administrator will look into the matter, respond to Ms. Baisch, and report back to the Commissioners. . Commissioner Austin also distributed a November 3, 2008 email from Frank Jackson taking issue with closing the beach at Lagoon Park to waterfowl hunting. This email will become part of the record for the proposed no shooting zones currently being considered. The County Administrator will also research and respond to a Commissioner question about the status of signs to be posted at the existing No Shooting Area in Paradise Bay. . Chairman Johnson asked about draft conservation easement language for Broadspit Park. He is consulting with Heidi Eisenhour at the Land Trust regarding potential changes before it comes before the Board for approval. . Chairman Johnson reported about recent work to explore proposing State legislation to authorize a local mineral extraction severance taxon gravel, sand and hard rock. NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Austin moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:48 p.m. to the Special Meeting with the Clallam County Commissioners at Forks on November 5 at I p.m. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. MEElmGADJOiJRNED / " "...-,. , SE~:Jh~'~~" f '. /~, ;.__/,<~,":c'>~; .~, j' ,.. < ;t"-T<',-.';',;'li~'::: \ .., '... ~ /:0(:.-)'!.;~_;o \ ~-- _\."";'..~~ -:. "', ' r"..... ' A~~i:'}l ~ .'.,' ,.:7:-. - .~. .. . ~ I- i R 5 " JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS g:70 ~r-1J v,j~!::J,.~ ' ( '--' r;;:::~r orna Delaney, CMC '" "J Clerk of the Board Phil Johnson, Chair n"~U:t;;.~. 1JJ/Yha4 d'o:: ~ustin, Member Page 5