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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM050409 ~1 co~ ~~~~, S1'A~~ 00\ c::s /4, :'\ 'b, \ =,~ ,,~, I.... ....~......I \ . , . I I \~... ~/ ~~/ 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 May 4,2009 The meeting was called to order at the appointed time by Chairman David Sullivan in the presence of Commissioner Phil Johnson and Commissioner John Austin. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following comments were made by citizens in attendance at the meeting: One citizen stated that he thinks the staffing levels in the Information Services Department are higher than necessary; another citizen quoted from the Economic Element in the 2004 Comprehensive Plan and noted that the County needs to put this policy to work right now to actively address the current economic problems and prepare for unexpected events; a person who has been in business in the County for thirty years said that he believes the security industry is a good business for this County and he urged the County to work with him so that he can stay in a business that fits into the history of this area; another citizen stated that he thinks that people who aren't affected by regulations are aggressively promoting channel migration zones; another citizen stated that no one knows what the statement "no net loss" means in the Shoreline Master Program and he thinks citizens are tired of the control that a minority group holds to make sure that they take wealth away from others; and a citizen stated that he doesn't think the County keeps a comprehensive index of all County documents. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Austin moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. \. RESOLUTION NO. 28-09 re: Establishing Access For County Employees to the County Courthouse (Repealing and Replacing Resolution No. 08-04) 2. RESOLUTION NO. 29-09 re: De-Annexation of Property from Water District No.3 (Coyle); William W. Thomas 3. AGREEMENT NO. E09-028, Amendment Are: E9ll Program; Jefferson County Jeff Com; Washington State Military Department, Emergency Management Division 4. AGREEMENT NO. ER-0801(025), Supplement No.1 re: Upper Hoh Road MP 7.7 to MP 8.0 Emergency Repair Project No. XO 1781; Jefferson County Public Works; Washington State Department of Transportation 5. AGREEMENT NO. ER-0701(051), Supplement No.1 re: Upper Hoh Road MP 4.0 Emergency Repair Project No. X01736; Jefferson County Public Works; Washington State Department of Transportation 6. AGREEMENT re: Upper Hoh Road MP 9.70 to MP 9.80 Emergency Repair Project No. X0182l; Jefferson County Public Works; Washington State Department of Transportation Page 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of May 4,2009 7. Payment of Jefferson County V ouchers/W arrants Dated April 27, 2009 Totaling $170,820.13 COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION: The Commissioners reported on the following subj ects. Commissioner Austin: . Jefferson Transit is doing a great job getting people to the Shine Park & Ride and the ferry dock at Southpoint so they can catch the ferry to Kitsap County while the Hood Canal Bridge is closed. . The visiting nurses from the Health Department received the first monetary award of recognition from a local group of women called The Giving Circle. . There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week to open the newly remodeled Gateway Visitor Center on SR104/SR19. Commissioner Sullivan: . He will be attending a Washington State Association of Counties Board retreat at Lake Chelan for a few days this week Commissioner Johnson: . A grant for $40,000 was returned to Jefferson County through the Hood Canal Coordinating Council to be used for engineering on a proposed Paradise Bay Large Onsite Sewer System (LOSS). County Administrator Philip Morley: . He presented a draft findings document from the Department of Community Development on the revisions to the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) that is on the Board's agenda today. . Last Friday the County implemented measures that will help reduce the 2009 Budget by $400,000. The Board took action on these budget reductions on April 27. . County staff is continuing to track the Department of Ecology' s work on the instream flow rule that will affect the viability of future agriculture in the Chimacum basin. . He and Commissioner Austin will go ona tour of the Port Townsend water system this week. Presentation and Update re: WSU Extension Team Jefferson: WSU Extension Director Katherine Baril explained that about three years ago the Economic Development Council was dissolved and the County Commissioners advertised an RFP for an Associated Development Organization (ADO) to address economic development in the County. Team Jefferson, a team of talented diverse citizens who are dedicated to improving economic development in the County, was designated as the ADO. They receive $25,000 from the County and around $50,000 from the State. Bill Wise, Team Jefferson, reported that they are finishing up their second year as ADO and their fundamental goal is to set a positive tone for business in the County. The work they have done includes: . Receiving input from business, community and government leaders to find out what the economic development needs are in the County. . Building collaborative partnerships with local and regional economic development organizations and agencIes. . Local wealth reinvestment by encouraging residents to buy "local." Page 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of May 4,2009 . Sponsoring a series of workshops and classes on economic development and business training. . Focusing on retaining and expanding local businesses. Most of the small successful businesses in the County employ between 5-20 people and were started by entrepreneurs. . Encouraging startup businesses to use the Peninsula College Incubator process which formally guides people who want to start a small business. . Reaching out to businesses who may want to relocate to Jefferson County. Shelby Smith, Team Jefferson, explained that they also have focused on energizing the 18 to 40 year old demographic. They want to encourage young people who have moved away from the area to move back and be able to earn a decent wage and raise their families here. Last year they created a social networking site on the internet where young people can connect with other young people living in the community regarding business opportunities or collaboration and social opportunities. "Green Drinks" is a monthly meeting for young people interested in sustainability issues. They have scheduled an event in Port Townsend during the Rhody Festival to showcase and celebrate the 1 8 to 40 year olds living in the community. In addition, Team Jefferson is also working with three MBAs from Bainbridge Graduate Institute who are doing a year long action learning project on research projects for the County. Bill Wise acknowledged that they are challenged by the current economic uncertainty in the country. The unemployment rate in the County for March was 9.5% which is not as high as some Washington counties. Construction and manufacturing are down, but retail, professional services, and business services seem to be "holding their own." There is a skilled workforce available in the County but they are aging. One of Team Jefferson's goals is to attract and support young working families. They are working to create more local vocational training opportunities. Many younger people have non-traditional work ethics which requires more dialog with older people. The County needs additional affordable housing for workers. Low entry level wages need to be addressed. The high cost of property and infrastructure has kept several businesses from expanding in Glen Cove and the boatyard. He has counted 100 jobs that could be added if it was easier for businesses to expand. They are also working on expansion of broadband service and are putting together proposals for stimulus funding. Currently, there is marginal ferry service and there are no major highways to the area which are important to many businesses. He added that it is important that the County have strong education and health care systems to attract people. Over the next two years Team Jefferson plans to focus on the following tasks: . To leverage existing business growth and success. . To increase the availability of a skilled workforce. . To address the need for affordable housing and higher entry level wages. . To attract a younger workforce. . To promote strategic industry clusters including: the maritime cluster; advanced technology and custom production; green manufacturing which includes the Port Townsend Paper Company; arts and fine crafts including video and graphics design; food, farms and agriculture; and life long learning and edu-tourism. Page 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of May 4,2009 .~.."'.,.. - . t~.:e",'<" Danille Turissini stated that she represents Team Jefferson on regional councils such as the Peninsula Development District (PDD) and North Olympic Resource, Conservation and Development (RC&D). She also directs the PEAK leadership program which is a collaborative between Team Jefferson and Peninsula College. This year they have twelve participants in the program. Their objective is to foster a greater understanding of the inter-connectivity and complexities of the communities on the Olympic Peninsula. Every community has invested in the program. The participants travel to each community to find out from the residents about their challenges, resources, visions, and the values. The goal is to build relationships with communities and foster collaboration. Update re: Hoh Indian Tribe: Alexis Barry, Executive Director of the Hoh Indian Tribe introduced Walter Ward, Hoh Tribal Chairman; Dawn Gomez, Tribal Council and Community Health Representative; Mike Moran, Olympia Intergovernmental Affairs Consultant; Tribal Attorney Lisa Atkinson; Harold Miller, Director of Community Safety and Emergency Services; and, Ernie Penn, Tribal Council and Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officer. She reported that the Hoh Tribe is located in Jefferson County and they have approximately 300 members. Approximately 150 residents live in the village. The original reservation covered about 443 acres ofland. However, the Hoh River has decreased Tribal lands, especially at the mouth of the river and where the village housing is located. The current government facilities flood almost annually and any flooding can affect potable water in the Village. This area is also a high risk area for tsunamis. There is no fire district or EMS service and when fires have broken out in the past, the State Department of Natural Resources has assisted them. Mike Moran stated that for the past four years they have been trying to relocate out ofthe flood plain. Alexis Berry noted that the Tribe has acquired land on higher ground and there are two bills in Congress that would allow them to move their village. The Tribe developed a relocation plan approximately fifteen years ago and has been setting aside funds to acquire land and build new services. Mike Moran reported that the Hoh Tribe has applied for a $623,000 grant from the State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development to build a small fire station. They also plan to work with other governmental agencies to build a public safety building for regional use. Deliberations and Direction to Staff re: Revisions to the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO)Based on the Final Decision and Order of the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board: Donna Frostholm, Associate Planner, reported that the Board has received a copy of the draft findings for the ordinance and staff is available to answer any questions. Commissioner Austin explained that his question about no vegetation being removed from the meander zone were answered in the exemptions list in JCC 18.22.070. He thinks the draft findings document clarifies the history of the CAO and how it relates to the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) and the response of the Growth Management Act (GMA). Chairman Sullivan added that staff captured his concerns about the coordination of the SMP and the CAO. Page 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of May 4,2009 Al Scalf, Director of Community Development, explained that the first several findings include the original CAO adopting Ordinance No. 03-0317-08 which is incorporated by reference. As the findings continue, they become more pertinent to the two issues in the appeal to the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board regarding channel migration zones. He reviewed the history of the CAO appeal process. He noted that findings #24 and #38 need to be clarified so it is clear that all revisions went through the public process. He asked that the language be revised in finding #40 regarding the rights of the landowners to use their property while ensuring the public interest and safety in development proposals. The Board agreed with the revisions. Commissioner Johnson moved to have staff finalize the Critical Areas Ordinance with the amended findings of fact and put it on the Board's agenda for May 11. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Jefferson County Public Health Update: Swine Flu: Julia Danskin, Public Health Supervisor, reported that Public Health has sent a few lab tests to the State Health Laboratory to see if they are a regular type of generic flu. If the State identifies them as a normal type of flu, the samples don't go any further. However, the State lab has sent thirty-five tests from around the State to the Center of Disease Control, many of which were taken from the younger population. It is important to identifY high-risk populations. Public Health spent much of last week contacting local Health Providers about who should be tested and how to do the testing. They also have kept in contact with local school authorities although none of the schools have had to close. They are working closely with the Emergency Operations Center. Right now they are addressing the distribution of supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile such as masks and anti-virals. If people think they need anti-virals, they need to talk with their Health Provider. She reminded everyone to practice respiratory etiquette and stay home if they are sick. Letter on Revised FY2010 Water Quality Combined Draft Offer List; Washington State Department of Ecology: Commissioner Austin moved to have the Board sign and send a letter to the Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program commenting on the Revised FY 2010 Water Quality Combined Draft Offer List. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at II :52 a.m. until the next regular meeting on May II, at 9:00 a.m. in the County Commissioners Chambers. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote. Page 5 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of May 4,2009 ,~oO"\ f:~~ ~~"",; , County Administrator Briefing Session: Cancelled. MEETING A9J.OI..LRN.,E.D , 'l[ ''''' ". ~ "- \..;I.., " ~,,' \, ...'\ SEAL:. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS D~~OO \' .~. J '" ... .. / ". ~.~-...,./ ATTEST>, -..J' - '.---- &OJ2MLA ~~ Lorna Delaney, CMC ~ Clerk of the Board ~~ Page 6