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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM060809~~ S~ District No. 1 Commissioner: Phil Johnson ~j,~ C'p\ District No. 2 Commissioner: David W. Sullivan Q 4 ~ ~ District No. 3 Commissioner: John Austin /~ ~~ ~\ Ra l ~' 1 .~ "~ County Administrator: Philip Morley ~~ / / Clerk of the Board: Lorna Delaney \ I~, .~ 9SxINO~O MINUTES Week of June 8, 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: a citizen stated his concerns about the County's annual expenditure for T-1 lines; a person suggested that the intersection at Landfill Road and Jacob Miller Road be reconfigured; a citizen stated in his opinion the City and the County have an anti-business bias; a person commented that he is pleased to see the discussion items for the County Administrator's Briefing listed on the agenda; a citizen stated that he thinks there won't be as much State and Federal grant money available in the future; a person stated his concerns about an action the Commissioners took regazding their State Retirement Fund; a person stated that he thought the Hood Canal Bridge Opening celebration was very successful; and a citizen suggested that the County may want to look into a different method for chip sealing the bridge on Gardiner Road. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Johnson moved to delete Items #4 and #$ and approve the balance of the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. 1. HEARING NOTICE re: 2009 Final Docket for the Suggested Comprehensive Plan Amendment #MLA07-00104, Industrial Land Banks; Hearing Scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Monday, June 22, 2009 in the Commissioners' Chambers, Jefferson County Courthouse 2. AGREEMENT, Interlocal re: Ground Water Monitoring; Jefferson County Public Health; Public Utility District #lof Jefferson County 3. AGREEMENT NO. G0800006, Amendment No. 2 re: Northwest Straits Project; Jefferson County Mazine Resources Committee Administration and Action Projects; WSU -Jefferson County Extension Office; Washington State Department of Ecology 4. DELETED: AGREEMENT re: Lease of Tl Line to Provide Network Data Connection to the Castle Hill Facilities; Jefferson CounTy Central Services; Qwest $. DELETED: AGREEMENT re: Lease of Tl Line to Provide Network Data Connection to the Sheriffls Office; Jefferson County Central Services; Qwest 6. Payment of Jefferson County Vouchers/Warrants Dated May 28, 2009 Totaling $1,000.00 Page 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of June 8, 2009 '~ ;~, COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION.• The Commissioners reported on the following items. Commissioner Johnson: • He attended the Clallam County Housing Authority meeting last week where they voted to take over the administration of the Jefferson County Section 8 vouchers. There is a one time fee of $25,000 fox the voucher administration transfer. Olympic Community Action Programs (OIyCAP) has agreed to pay $12,500 and the remainder of the funds for the fee will be taken from Jefferson County's Affordable Housing Fund. The Clallam County Housing Authority has indicated that they will look at a possible consolidation with the Housing Authority of Jefferson County in the future. • He attended the Planning Commission workshop on the Shoreline Master Program update. • He reported on the public hearing for the Title V Air Operating Permit for the Port Townsend Paper Corporation. • The City of Port Townsend was awarded a $1.6 million federal grant for the Sims Way Project. Commissioner Austin: The Department of Natural Resources Land Committee approved the Trust Land transfer at Tarboo Bay last week. Jefferson Transit did a great job coordinating with the State Department of Transportation to help Jefferson County residents travel to the ferry to Kitsap County while the Hood Canal Bridge was closed for repairs. He has planned a site visit of the revised route for the Dosewallips Road to the Olympic National Park. Chairman Sullivan: • He was pleased to represent the County at the Hood Canal Bridge Opening ceremony. • He will be attending the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) Conference this week. County Administrator Philip Morley: • Team Jefferson hosted a workshop on eco-development that focused on businesses located in the Glen Cove Light Industrial Pazk to encourage them to partner together to look at opportunities for industrial exchange of waste products, joint mazketing, and business development. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Austin moved to approve the minutes of May 11, 2009 as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Commissioner Johnson moved to approve the minutes of May 18, 2009 as presented. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Commissioner Johnson moved to approve the minutes of May 26, 2009 as presented. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Page 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of June 8, 2009 '' 5 Presentation re: 2009 Conservation Futures Funding Projects: Phil Andrus, Vice Chair of the Conservation Futures Advisory Board reviewed the Advisory Board's letter regarding their recommendation for Conservation Future funding for 2009. Three applications were submitted this year. 1) The Brown Dairy Project places a conservation easement on 50 acres of farmland in Chimacum. The amount requested is $77,500 towards the purchase and $5,000 for operation and maintenance costs. 2) The 2009 Quimper Wildlife Corridor request is for $132,500 towards the fee simple purchase of 30 lots and $5,000 for operation and maintenance costs. 3) The Tarboo Wildlife Preserve East Side Addition request is for $50,000 towazds the purchase of a perpetual conservation easement on 10 acres in the Tazboo Valley. There is $275,000 available for the 2009 Conservation Futures funding cycle and up to $36,000 can be allocated for operations and maintenance. The three application requests total $270,000 with $10,000 for operations and maintenance. The Advisory Committee does a thorough review of each project and each project receives a score. The score for the Brown Dairy Projectwas 247; the score for the 2009 Quimper Wildlife Corridor was 238; and the score for the Tarboo Preserve was 217. The Committee voted unanimously to fully fund the Brown Dairy Project and the Quimper Wildlife Corridor. The Committee's recommendation was not to fund the Tarboo Wildlife Preserve because there was a split vote and the bylaws require an absolute majority. The pros and cons for not funding the Tazboo Preserve were reviewed. HEARING and Possible Decision re: 2009 Conservation Futures Funding: I) Brown Dairy Project; 2) 2009 Quimper Wildlife Corridor and 3) Tarboo Wildlife Preserve East Side Addition: Chairman Sullivan opened the public testimony portion of the public hearing. Peter Bahls, NW Watershed Institute, the applicant of the Tazboo Wildlife Preserve East Side Addition request, submitted and read his testimony. (See permanent record.) Owen Fairbank, President of the Jefferson Land Trust, stated that the Brown Dairy Project will preserve farmland and salmon habitat. The Quimper Wildlife Corridor began in the mid 1990s and is a patchwork of protected and unprotected properties. The Land Trust is working to protect the entire corridor. Hearing no further comments for or against the recommendation for 2009 Conservation Futures Funding, the Chair closed the public hearing. The Board asked Peter Bahls a few questions about his project. Commissioner Austin commented that the Board is not bound by the recommendations of the Advisory Committee and there is enough money in the fund to approve all three projects. Page 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of June 8, 2009 V=, Commissioner 3ohnson moved to approve RESOLUTION NO.3509 dedicating full funding of $77, 500 plus $5,000 for operations and maintenance from the Conservation Futures Fund to the Brown Dairy Project as authorized by 84.34 RCW and in accordance with Ordinance No. 06-0708-02 to provide a system of public open spaces. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Commissioner Austin moved to approve RESOLUTION NO.3609 dedicating full funding of $132, 500 plus $5,000 for operations and maintenance from the Conservation Futures Fund to the 2009 Quimper Wildlife Corridor Project as authorized by 84.34 RCW and in accordance with Ordinance No. 06-0708-02 to provide a system of public open spaces. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Commissioner Johnson moved to approve RESOLUTION NO.3709 dedicating full funding of $50,000 from the Conservation Futures Fund to the Tarboo Wildlife Preserve East Side Addition Project as authorized by 84.34 RCW and in accordance with Ordinance No. 06-0708-02 to provide a system of public open spaces. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Letter Regarding Certification of Sponsor Funding Match to the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, Farmland Preservation for the Brown Dairy Project; Kammie Bunes, Grants Manager, Recreation and Conservation Office: Tami Pokorny, Environmental Health Specialist II, explained that this letter is a follow-up to the Board's action awarding funding to the Brown Dairy Project from the Conservation Futures Fund. In order to qualify for State funding from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, the County has been asked to send a letter certifying matching funds. The County's funding plus a commitment by the Jefferson Land Trust provides the 50% match for the anticipated grant award by the State. She noted that the State has tentatively allocated the funding to the Brown Dairy Project but they need the certification letter for the final decision. She explained that the total Conservation Futures Fund award, which included the operation and maintenance funding, is listed in the letter before the Board and that amount will need to be revised because the O&M funding should not be included. She clarified that the letter to be signed by the Chairman needs to read $77,500 from Jefferson County and $17,547 from the Jefferson Land Trust. Commissioner Johnson moved to have the Chair sign the letter to the State Recreation and Conservation Office Grants Manager as amended to certify matching funds of $77,500 from Jefferson County and $17,547 from the Jefferson Land Trust. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Page 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of June 8.2009 _t ~J. Discussion and Passible Approval re: Three (3) Trust Land Transfer Leases; 1) Quimper Peninsula East Trust Land Transfer Lease; 2) Quimper Peninsula West Trust Land Transfer Lease; and, 3) Thorndyke Trust Land Transfer Lease; Washington State Department of Natural Resources: Philip Morley, County Administrator introduced Owen Fairbank and Sazah Spaeth from the Jefferson Land Trust. Owen Fairbank explained that the Jefferson Land Trust was concerned about State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) properties writhin the Quimper Wildlife Corridor and found an opportunity to take advantage of DNR's Trust Land Transfer Program. Through this program, the Legislature allocates money to compensate DNR for land that isn't suitable for timber harvest. The property is transferred to a local government which would be Jefferson County because this portion of the Quimper Corridor is outside the City limits. The County Commissioners agreed to begin the process in October, 2007 when they signed a letter of intent to DNR. The Legislature approved the funding but the transaction became three 50-year leases instead of a land transfer. The leases are renewable although the County would probably have to pay when renewing it. There is also an option to purchase the property at any time. Sarah Spaeth noted that this lease arrangement includes three parcels, two Quimper pazcels and a third pazcel at Thorndyke Bay. This is a partnership between the County and the Jefferson Land Trust. The Land Trust has agreed to steward and monitor the properties. The Land Trust is also very interested in finding out the possible purchase price from the State. Commissioner Johnson moved to approve RESOLUTION N0.38-09 authorizing the Chair to execute the Quimper Peninsula East Trust Land Transfer Lease, the Quimper Peninsula West Trust Land Transfer Lease, and, the Thorndyke Trust Land Transfer Lease with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Philip Morley noted that these three leases aze fully funded by the State Legislature in the current biennium budget which ends June 30, 2009. Commissioner Austin moved to approve the stewazdship agreement with Jefferson Land Trust regarding open space and habitat preservation monitoring of the leased Trust Lands. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. County Administrator Briefing Session: The following subjects were discussed. • Teamsters labor contract update for the Sheriff Deputies. • 2009 Budget and revenue update. • Preparation for June 25 joint Jefferson County/City of Port Townsend meeting. • Potential for Metropolitan Pazks District. • Research on the feasibility of partnering on the Post Office/Federal Building Project with the City. • Information on Climate Action Committee upcoming public outreach meetings • Update on Housing Action Plan Network (HAPN) Committee. • Continued efforts with the State on Mystery Bay water quality issues. • Staff work on Commissioners questions regarding the Shoreline Master Program Update. Page 5 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of June 8, 2009 • DNR/Pope Resources land exchange. • Potential partnerships regarding the Bayshore Motel in Brinnon. • Potential Gardiner Fire District merger with B1yn Fire District #3. • Future briefing by Make Waves regarding the swimming pool. Letter Requesting Government-to-Government Consultation Regarding Pending Shellfish Closure in Mystery Bay; Point No Point Treaty Council: Commissioner Austin moved to send a response to the Point No Point Treaty Council indicating that Jefferson County will participate in a government-to- government consultation regarding the potential shellfish closure at Mystery Bay. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Letter Commenting on Port Townsend Paper Corporation Title VAir Operating Permit and Modified Order; Washington State Department of Ecology: Commissioner Johnson moved to send a second comment letter to the State Department of Ecology regarding the permit far the Port Townsend Paper Corporation. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. NOTICE OFADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Austin moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:50 p.m. until the next regular meeting on Monday, June 15, at 9:00 a.m. in the County Commissioners Chambers. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote. MEETING. ADJOURNED SIi~~,: ~~~, ~ i . ~ ~- ~ ~• ~. ~ E ~~ ~~ ~ . ~, ATTES"Pa ; d ~. lie Matthe~t Deputy Clerk of the Board JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD O COMMISSIONERS i David ul Ivan, Chair ~\ %`j' Phil ,Johnson, Member ~~~ Jo Austin, Member Page 6 .- cc Pr\ &/9109 HEARING RECORD Northwest Watershed Institute 3407 Eddy Street I Port Townsend, Washington 98368 voice 360.385.6786 fax 360.385.2839 email peter@nwwatershed.org I www.nwwatershed.org June 7, 2009 Honorable Board of County Commissioners Jefferson County PO Box 1220 Port Townsend, W A 98368 Dear Honorable Board of County Commissioners, Please vote to allocate S50,OOO in 2009 Jefferson County Conservation Futures funds for the "Tarboo Wildlife Preserve East Side Addition". The Conservation Futures Committee voted 5 to 3 in favor of the Tarboo project, but needed 6 persons for an absolute majority. This is an advisory committee. We urge you to support the majority that is in favor of funding the proposal. Cost Share Benefits Because both the Jefferson Land Trust (JLT) and Northwest Watershed Institute (NWI) believe that all three projects sponsored by JL T and proposed for funding in 2009 merit funding, we agreed early on to cut back our requests so that all three projects could be funded. The total cost of the Tarboo Project is $152,607. However, JLT as the sponsor and NWI as the applicant are requesting only $50,000 from Jefferson County, or 33% of the total project cost. These costs are based on comp.leted appraisals and review appraisals. The remaining $102,607 represents committed matching funds in hand (67%). The project is ready to implement and represents an excellent conservation value for the funding requested. Conservation Benefits Three members voted that the project was not "worthy" of funding. The minutes suggest very little as to why it was deemed unworthy, mainly that it wasn't as "impressive" as the other two and that it would be better to save the funds for next year in case a better project came along. I beg to differ. The Tarboo project may not be the star ofthe show this year, but it is still a solid supporting actor, both as part of the nationally recognized Tarboo Watershed project and in the portfolio of Jefferson County Conservation Futures Projects. The score for the Tarboo East Side project is well within the range of worthwhile projects. The project scored 217 points, Quimper scored 238, Brown Dairy scored 247. Last year, another Tarboo Creek project was unanimously recommended by the Committee for full funding with a score of only 200 points. In 2007, the scores of approved projects ranged from 202 to 239, although the scoring changed slightly and may not be directly comparable. ,: The Tarboo East Side Addition proposal involves permanent protection, by conservation easement, of 10 acres of forest on two 5-acre lots adjacent to protected lands of the Tarboo Wildlife Preserve. The project has the following important conservation benefits, including - . Naturally regenerated native forest habitat for a variety of wildlife, including cougar, black bear, woodpeckers, deer, and songbirds. This type of habitat is rare in the area as most uplands in the area are industrial tree farms. . aquatic habitat, including a perennial spring fed tributary of Tarboo Creek that runs through the proposed property and provides habitat for cutthroat trout and potentially for juvenile steel head and coho sal!l1on. . a critical addition to the 300-acre Tarboo Wildlife Preserve. The lots are "inholdings" accessible only by an easement road built across the Preserve. Residential development of these lots would increase the car traffic, loose dogs, and other impacts across the preserve. . a forested buffer adjacent to the bottomland wetlands of the Preserve. Western Toads, a state listed at-risk species have been documented spawning in the restored wetlands in the preserve and migrating as adults through the forested areas proposed for protection. . a critical link in a forested wildlife corridor from the valley to the uplands. . an important forested addition to the main wildlife corridor along the Tarboo valley. Urgencv Some members of the Conservation Futures Committee apparently felt that the Tarboo proposal was not urgent and that the land not at risk of being developed; taking it for granted that NWI owns the property. I would like to clarify that NWI bought four of the eight 5-acre parcels of the "inholding" in 2007 to prevent them from being clearcut or developed, which was a real risk at the time. We bought them to temporarily hold them while we worked to obtain conservation funds. The upper two lots were purchased with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funds. However, we are short of33% of needed funding for the two lots in question. Ifwe cannot obtain funding from Jefferson County Conservation Futures, we may need to log or sell the properties to pay back a private loan used toward purchase of the properties. NWI is due to pay a $55,000 loan on September 12, 2009; in about three months. So the situation is indeed urgent. In summary, Jefferson County Conservation Funds are urgently needed this year for NWI and JL T to secure conservation of these properties as part of the Tarboo Wildlife Preserve. Because the appraisals have been completed and matching funds have been secured, the project can be completed within the next several months. Sincerely, Peter Bahls Director "- . , ...,vI- , '" , / I' . .J ,~f. , , "jl'~ 1 /.. fC'~"2 . 'I - ~1 ,J! 0 '~c::: J ~ ~'.'~~ '0 (:.I {" ,;~ I J ""''l.,F '''A !\'J , J Z. ,~ .:/ ~'~iJ " ir. '1 ~~~i."~ '"-i pai-ceI4'~, ,j.., ~ ... ... ,,~ - " /..tr';"" - . ..../ ~ ..lI:: Ql Ql ... U o o ..c ... III I- ~ j , ~J'" .':0 ~~ ...( " .!, ' I!:l ,. " ~ . " Tarboo Wildlife Preserve Conservation Zones I2J Additions :---1 CZ A ~--_...! :---1 cz B ~___J :---1 czc ~--_.! 800 feet 'I'" ? ~ I;J :J. ...y- . . :~ ~" - I , .;J;/'- I I J ..... j - ,-'.$ ~~ r. 4f;p- . } , ,)~ T . 1 .. .. :t 1 I!r:/ ( ~r - ~ ~.~ ~ ~'I"/,! ':' . ~.Jtl .. " 'I-" 4 (J. ,. -, - ~ " ~ , 'r J '" 4~ , ~ ..... I