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Home My WebLink About120924M ,SON cOG ti 181/ING��$ MINUTES Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting — December 9, 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. As Chair Dean was attending the meeting remotely, Commissioner Eisenhour served as Acting Chair throughout the meeting. Acting Chair Eisenhour called the meeting to order at the appointed time. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Acting Chair Eisenhour called for public comments, and 11 comments were received. The Commissioners addressed the comments, many of which pertained to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Brotherton moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Dean seconded the motion. She noted that the hearing re: Coroner ordinance was previously approved, but had to be cancelled and rescheduled. Acting Chair Eisenhour called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. 1. RESOLUTION NO. 71-1209-24R re: Final approval of vacation of portions of platted Mitchell Street and Duffy Avenue Rights-of-Way 2. RESOLUTION NO. 72-1209-24R re: Certifying the levies for collection of taxes in the year 2025 3. HEARING NOTICE re: 4th Quarter Budget Appropriations/Extensions; Various County Departments 4. HEARING NOTICE re: Coroner Ordinance; Hearing to be held December 23, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. in the Commissioners' Office (HYBRID)and CANCEL previously noticed hearing 5. CALL FOR BIDS re: Courthouse Elevator Modernization; Estimate $450,000; Central Services 6. AGREEMENT re: Oak Bay Campground Camp Host; Public Works; Terry and Susan Taylor 7. AGREEMENT re: Courthouse and Irondale Parks Basketball Court Resurfacing; In the Amount of$38,612.83; Public Works; Agate Asphalt/New Line Striping 8. AGREEMENT,Consolidated Contracts re: Delivering Public Health services to the people of Washington State; Amount to be announced; Public Health; Washington State Department of Health 9. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL WARRANTS: Dated December 5, 2024 and totaling $2,488,103.13 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2024 CONTINUED HEARING re: Open Space Tax Program 2024 Current Use Application CUA2024-00001 Zuker& Allday: Associate Lead Planner David Wayne Johnson explained that during the previously held hearing, new information about the Zuker/Allday application was received. That information has now been received, and the application received additional points. He requested that the Commissioners continue deliberations on the updated application. After a brief deliberation, Commissioner Brotherton moved to approve the CUA2024-00001 Zuker& Allday, as presented. Commissioner Dean seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD -Continued: The Commissioners responded to comments and concerns raised during the Public Comment Period, which were mostly related to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), funding, and goals for tourism in Jefferson County. Commissioner Brotherton explained his view on tourism in Jefferson County, and his visions for the future. Discussion ensued. COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION: The Commissioners discussed recent meetings they attended and miscellaneous topics. HEARING re: 2024-2025 Mid-Biennium Budget Review and Modification for the General Fund and Other Funds, the 2025 Jefferson County Road Construction Program, the 2025 County Capital Improvement Program,and the Central Services 2025 Cost Recovery Plans: Acting Chair Eisenhour called the hearing to order. County Administrator Mark McCauley announced the individuals that helped him create the proposed Mid-Biennium Budget review and modification which include Finance Manager Judy Shepherd, Treasurer Stacie Prada and Human Resources Director Sarah Melancon. He reviewed a list of articles he found outlining budget woes faced by other local governments. County Administrator provided an overview of static general fund revenues and increasing expenditures, noting a healthy beginning General Fund cash balance. Other factors that affect the budget include: meeting some departmental requests, 20%+- inflation since 2021, significant increases in employee compensation, and adding staff. He explained that the budget relies on departments underspending in 2025. There is a General Fund reserve of$4.544 Million in 2025, but projections through 2029 reflect a smaller unreserved fund balance. He noted that projections typically show a declining fund balance in the outyears, but through management action, these reduced fund balances typically never materialize. Acting Chair Eisenhour thanked the County Administrator and team for their work on creating the budget. She opened the floor to allow for public testimony, and the following individual provided testimony: Jean Ball—Quilcene. Hearing no further testimony, Acting Chair Eisenhour closed the public hearing. County Administrator McCauley stated that a resolution will be on a following agenda. HEARING re: 2024 Amendment Docket for the Comprehensive Plan and UDC: DCD Director Josh Peters provided an introduction of the 2024 Amendment Docket for the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Code (UDC). Associate Planner Joel Peterson provided a presentation, and noted that he last met with the board on November 18, 2024. He reviewed the amendments to the UDC and comp plan. After discussion, Acting Chair Eisenhour opened the hearing to allow for public testimony. The following individuals provided testimony: Scott Freeman—Quilcene, Eron Berg—Port Townsend, and Cody Wayland—Port Townsend. Hearing no further testimony, she closed the public hearing. 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2024 After deliberations, Commissioner Brotherton moved to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 09-1209-24R re: Approving amendments to the County's Comprehensive Plan; and amendments to Title 18 JCC, Title 15 JCC, and Title 13 JCC, as presented today. Commissioner Dean seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. DISCUSSION re: 2025 Lodging Tax Funding Recommendations from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee(LTAC): Commissioner Dean noted that this is an annual process for LTAC, where they review the proposals, and they came up with funding recommendations that are included in the packet. She added that the Board of County Commissioners requested that their priorities be included in the review of those applications, and LTAC rejected those priorities. She explained BOCC's potential next steps. If the recommendations are not approved as a whole slate,they will notify LTAC, and give them 45 days to respond. Discussion ensued regarding decisions, and next steps. Commissioner Brotherton reviewed his memo and suggestions for LTAC funding and uses with the Board, which vary differently from LTAC's recommendation. Clerk Carolyn Gallaway noted that the totals listed on the table in the packet may be incorrect, but she will make sure a corrected table is included in the minutes. There is $900,000 available in LTAC funds in 2025. The LTAC proposed funding slate is as follows: Amount LTAC Proposals Requested Recommendation Jefferson County Farmer's Markets $24,213.20 $24,214 Quilcene Historical Museum $91,500 $91,500 Public Facilities District(PFD) Seed Funding $160,000 $20,000 Tourism Coordination Council (TCC) $97,472.48 0 Jefferson County Parks and Recreation $50,000 $50,000 Peninsula Trails Coalition $35,700 $35,700 Forks Chamber of Commerce $61,297 $61,297 Jefferson County Historical Society $84,550 $84,550 Wooden Boat Foundation $45,000 $45,000 Quilcene Fair& Parade Association $10,000 $10,000 Olympic Peninsula Culinary Loop $17,100 $17,100 Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitor $140,500 $140,500 Quimper Events Collective $28,500 $28,500 North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce $212,000 $50,000 Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau dba OPTC $109,500 109,500 TOTAL REQUESTS $1,167,332.68 $767,861 Annual Capital Contingency Allocation $10,000 County Staff Costs $5,051 Grand Total $782,912 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2024 After discussion, Commissioner Dean moved to approve LTAC's recommendation for funding in 2025. Acting Chair Eisenhour seconded the motion and opened the floor to allow for public comments, and six people provided comments. The Commissioners discussed the recommendations further and Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Philip Hunsucker suggested adding an Executive Session at 1:30 p.m. The Commissioners agreed to table discussion until the afternoon. The meeting was recessed at 12:23 p.m. and reconvened at 1:31 p.m. with Acting Chair Eisenhour and Commissioner Brotherton present. Commissioner Dean joined the Executive Session. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS: EXECUTIVE SESSION: An Executive Session was added. Acting Chair Eisenhour announced that the Executive Session will be held from 1:32 p.m. to 1:47 p.m. regarding Attorney-Client Privilege, Potential Litigation under exemption RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) as outlined in the Open Public Meetings Act. Staff present: County Administrator and Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. The Board concluded the Executive Session and resumed the regular meeting at 1:48 p.m. CONTINUED DISCUSSION re: 2025 Lodging Tax Funding Recommendations from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee(LTAC): Acting Chair Eisenhour called for a vote on the motion that was on the table,which was to approve LTAC's recommendation for funding in 2025. Acting Chair Eisenhour and Commissioner Dean voted in favor of the motion. Commissioner Brotherton voted against the motion. The motion carried. Commissioner Dean stated that she will initiate an annual review of LTAC and consider By-laws for the committee as part of that review. DISCUSSION re: Formation of a Public Facilities District (PFD): Commissioner Brotherton invited President of the Jefferson Aquatic Coalition(JAC) President Diane McDade to the table for discussion. He noted that the Port of Port Townsend, City of Port Townsend, and school districts are in favor of forming a PFD, and that the next step is a vote of the people. JAC President McDade provided background on the process, and she has been working to prepare a survey to send out to Jefferson County residents on how often they may use an aquatic facility, and what their willingness is to support a tax. She noted that once she learned that the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee may not be in favor of funding a PFD, she researched other funding sources and learned that there are private individuals who said they would be major donors, and she has commitments in excess of$100,000. . After discussion, Acting Chair Eisenhour moved to direct the Civil Prosecuting Attorney's Office to draft an implementing resolution creating a Public Facilities District(PFD)per RCW 36.100. Commissioner Brotherton seconded the motion. Acting Chair Eisenhour opened the floor to allow for public comments, and six people provided comments. She called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. HEARING re: Petition to change a named road from Walker View Drive, to one of three proposed names: Acting Chair Eisenhour called the hearing to order. Fire Marshal/Building Inspector Phil Cecere, Deputy Fire Marshal Brian Tracer,and DCD Technician Gabriel Shepherd were present for the hearing. They provided a presentation on the road name petition for Walker Drive. He reviewed the request for renaming the County Road,JCC 12.2.150—Guidance for renaming of a County road, and review of exhibits—partner agency responses. 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2024 The proposed road names were: Bear Claw Place, Starry Night Place, and Owl Place. The proposed names comply with the E91 ordinance, and noted that the use of"place" is appropriate for this type of road. During the application process, Public Works indicated that the Bear Claw Place and Owl Place proposals would not be acceptable. Acting Chair Eisenhour opened the floor to allow for public testimony, and one member of the public commented that she would like to review the input received on the proposed names. After review, she stated that she did not wish to provide testimony. After deliberations, Commissioner Brotherton moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 73-1209-24R re: Jefferson County adopting the road name change from Walker View Drive to Starry Night Place. Commissioner Dean seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ITEMS: The Commissioners and County Administrator reviewed the following: • Commissioners' Briefing continued • Calendar Coordination NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Dean adjourned the meeting at 2:39 p.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed. ,,,,,lllllllllll,,, JEFFERSON COUNTY p •.,,,�, BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SEAL: GOMrniss�o 2 Z . Kate De. , air . ''NNIIImpU,SHIN lO k. ►n, Member &a (Carolyn Gallaway, CMC/ •ei.i Eisenhour, Member Clerk of the Board 5