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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM122109 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 Decemher 21, 2009 The meeting was called to order by Chairman David Sullivan at the appointed time 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: after complimenting the County Administrator on the excellent job he did with the budget, a citizen discussed the need for a long range plan to stimulate revenues and the economy; a citizen feels it was good that the Commissioners approved the property rezone for the Port of Port Townsend, but more needs to be done, such as the industrial land bank and the UGA sewer project; a citizen expressed concern that the County needs to insure that there is oversight and enforcement of the business plans of Conservation Futures fund recipients; a citizen stated that the County needs to recognize that there are plenty of available commercial lots in Glen Cove before other commercial areas are established, and that there needs to be a timeline for the permit process; a citizen commented on the proposal for electronic Commissioner packets and stated that the County is not taking advantage of the expertise that is available in the community; a citizen thanked the Commissioners for their service to the community and asked that they take into consideration the suggestions offered by citizens who want to contribute; a citizen objected to the anonymity in the meeting minutes summary of the "Public Comment Period", and he submitted a second copy ofa letter regarding the rules of procedure for "optional" public comment period at the Board's weekly meetings and asked that it be published in the agenda packet; a citizen reported that after speaking with State Department of Ecology officials regarding their "Small Business Economic Impact Analysis" for WRIA 17, he found that the number of jobs they quoted as being created is overinflated and false; a citizen stated that he has been in the security business for 20 years and owns a local security business that can provide security services for the County immediately; a citizen praised the efforts of everyone who gives to others and serves our communities. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Johnson moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. l. RESOLUTION NO. 85-09 re: HEARING NOTICE: 2009 4th Quarter Supplemental Budget Extension - Appropriations; Various County Departments; Hearing Scheduled for January 4, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioners Chambers, Jefferson County Courthouse 2. RESOLUTION NO. 86-09 reo Cancellation of Unclaimed Warrants 3. AGREEMENT reo Administration of Community Development Block Grant Funding to Provide Public Services in 2010 to Low-Moderate Income Persons within Jefferson and C1allam Counties; Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP) Page I Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of December 21,2009 ~'~.." ~""-;,-->~ ~-~.. 'If,,,,'" 4. AGREEMENT re: Professional Services, Expanded Mental Health and Chemical Dependancy Treatment for 2010; Jefferson County Public Health; Jefferson Mental Health Services 5. AGREEMENT re: Olympic Regional Tribal Public Health Collaboration and Mutual Aid; Jefferson County Public Health; Olympic Regional Tribal Governments; Kitsap County Health District; Clallam County Health District 6. AGREEMENT, Interlocal re: 2010 Detention Facilities Services; Jefferson County Juvenile Services; Kitsap County 7. AGREEMENT re: 2010 Hearing Examiner Services; Jefferson County Department of Community Development; Stephen K. Causseaux, Jr. 8. Final Short Plat Approval, Helms Short Plat #MLA06-00314/#SUB06-00017; To Divide 20.10 Acres into 4 Residential Lots; Located on Dosewallips Road, Brinnon; Keith & Rachel Helms, Applicants 9. Final Short Plat Approval, Rylie's Way Short Plat #MLA07-00448/#SUB07-00030; To Divide 13.19 Acres into 2 Residential Lots; Located off of SR 20, Port Townsend; Bruce & Linda Brown, Applicants 10. Final Short Plat Alteration Approval, Brown Mobile Home Court Division One Binding Site Plan; #MLA07-00449/#SUB07-00029; To Correct Exterior Boundaries and Description ofthe Property; Located off of SR 20, Port Townsend; Bruce & Linda Brown, Applicants 11. Advisory Board Resignation; Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Lizarme Coker, District No.1 12. Approval of Jefferson County Public Official Position Schedule Bond #68681811 Issued by Western Surety Company for the Treasurer, Clerk, Sheriff, Auditor, Prosecuting Attorney, Engineer, Commissioners #1, #2 and #3, Judge and Assessor 13. Payment of Jefferson County Vouchers/Warrants Dated December 10,2009 Totaling $5,177.80 and Dated December 14,2009 Totaling $367,879.97 14. AlP Warrants Done by Payroll Dated December 5, 2009 Totaling $106,326.96 15. Payment of Jefferson County Payroll Warrants Dated November 20,2009 Totaling $91,559.96 and AlP Warrants Done by Payroll Dated November 20,2009 Totaling $16,078.10 COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING SESSION: The Commissioners and the County Administrator each reported as follows: Commissioner Austin: . Commented that the Juvenile detention contract with Kitsap County has been reduced from a 3 bed space requirement to a 2 bed space requirement which will save the County money since the bed space must be paid for regardless if they are used. . Bids were recently opened at Jeff Com for the new radio equipment replacement project and all the bids were under the engineers estimate. A consultant will review the bids and staff will make a recommendation for bid award at a later date. . The Washington State Parks Department has laid out the route for the proposed sewer line between Dosewallips State Park and the sewage treatment facility. The emergency generator at the fire station in Brinnon will be used to provide power to the sewage treatment pump. Page 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of December 21,2009 Commissioner Johnson: . He participated in a teleconference of the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) Legislative Steering Committee meeting where it was discussed that making updates to Shoreline Management Programs may be extended from every 7 years to every 10 years. . Funding for the Puget Sound Partnership will be shifting from the state level to the federal level. Commissioner Sullivan: . Discussed the difference between the Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 17 Planning Unit efforts and the Washington State Department of Ecology's efforts in developing an instream flow rule for the geographic area identified as the watershed for WRIA 17. County Administrator Philip Morley: . He has been looking into the coordination of public agencies and private organizations to try to enhance broadband availability and strengthen technology infrastructure to serve local communities and businesses as part of economic development. Coordination efforts with NOANet are underway in putting together a broadband grant application for stimulus funding. . In response to citizen comments he explained that: I) He will review the issue brought up about oversight and enforcement of the business plans of Conservation Futures fund recipients; 2) The issue regarding electronic Commissioner packets will be reviewed by him further; 3) Individuals who speak during the public comment period are not identified in the minutes in an effort to focus on the substance of the comments as well as to create an environment where individuals feel free to comment; 4) He will follow up on the comments made about Courthouse security. Public Accessibility Improvement Plan: County Administrator Philip Morley explained that a plan has been developed to enhance government availability and improve public access. As part ofthis effort it is being proposed that the Commissioners conduct evening workshops in local communities throughout the County in order to get input from residents. The workshops are initially proposed to be held from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the following areas: ChimacumIPort Hadlock, Port Ludlow, Port Townsend and Quilcene. The lack of dialogue during regular Commissioner meetings is frustrating for everyone and it is hoped that these community meetings will be more informal and allow dialogue with the citizens. If the meetings are found to be valuable then more meetings can be scheduled in other East Jefferson County communities as well as in the West end of the County. Another part of the plan is to initiate an electronic agenda packet beginning in January 2010. The Clerk of the Board has been working with Information Services staff to have the electronic agenda packets posted on the County's web site where citizens will be able to use the internet to access, view and print the agenda items in advance of the Commissioner meetings. Clerk of the Board Loma Delaney presented a draft electronic agenda showing the Board how it will work and stated that the format did not significantly change. It is anticipated to have the electronic agenda packet posted on the County's web site by noon on the Friday before the Monday meeting. There are many software programs that are made to organize electronic agenda packets, however, the County cannot afford to do make that investment at this time due to budget constraints. This will not replace the Commissioner's paper packets, but be in addition to them. Page 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of December 21,2009 Philip Morley stated that two changes to the agenda are being proposed beginning in January 2010. One is to no longer include copies of correspondence in the packets since it is not feasible to scan all correspondence due to the staff time it would take. Instead, the correspondence will be listed in a spreadsheet and a copy of the spreadsheet will be included in both the paper packets and the electronic agenda packets. In addition, he is proposing that only the correspondence sent to two or more Commissioners be included in the spreadsheet. The second change is to discontinue the scheduling of agenda items at specific times, with the exception of the public comment period, public hearings and special presentations. It is believed that this change will help to facilitate a more efficient flow of the meeting and allow better use of staff time. Also being researched is the possibility of video taping the regular Monday morning meetings of the Board and looking at technical options and costs to see if it is affordable for the County. Unanimously, the Board voted to approve the following: 1) That the County Administrator proceed with the scheduling of the proposed Special Meetings of the Board for the purpose of holding community outreach workshops. 2) That staff move forward on providing electronic packets beginning January 2010. 3) To eliminate specific scheduled times on the agenda except for the public comment period, public hearings and special presentations beginning January 20 I O. 4) To change the handling of correspondence beginning January 2010. Conservation Easement for Finnriver Farm and Brown Dairy Project Presentation: Environmental Health Supervisor Neil Harrington explained that the Board is being asked to sign a conservation easement for two projects: 1) Finnriver Farm; and 2) Brown Dairy. He introduced Keith and Crystie Kisler, the owners of Finnriver Farm to discuss the project. Mr. Kisler thanked the Board for their consideration of this easement which will protect forever the prime agricultural soils and important habitat around Chimacum Creek. It is important to them that this way of life and strong family culture remain strong in this community and that the lands continue to produce food for its citizens. Mrs. Kisler added that they feel deeply inspired and committed to insuring that this land is a community resource for everyone. The County can be assured that they will work very hard to make Finnriver Farm a vital and viable business that produces healthy food and jobs for Jefferson County, as well as a place that strives for ecological and agricultural balance and serves as a role model for sustainable living and business. They will continue to offer education and events that welcome everyone to experience, eat, learn and connect with this productive land. Finnriver Farm is part of our collective heritage and with this easement it is hoped that it can remain part of our collective future. Gloria Brown, the owner of Brown Dairy was unable to attend this meeting, but she wanted to also express her appreciation to the Board for their consideration of the easement for the Brown Dairy project. Page 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of December 21,2009 4it'\, -~~ X<If,',;_,.i> Chairman Sullivan asked how the easements are monitored? Neil Harrington replied that the easements will be monitored by the Jefferson Land Trust. Saralt Spaeth, Executive Director of the accredited Jefferson Land Trust explained that they monitor the terms ofthe conservation easements by conducting physical visits to the land at lease once a year and keeping detailed records. If the terms of the easements are breached then it is the legal responsibility of Jefferson Land Trust to enforce the terms of the easement. The Land Trust Alliance oversees the Jefferson Land Trust and provides the standards and practices for monitoring. Additionally, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) carefully scrutinizes the monitoring efforts of Jefferson Land Trust. Commissioner Austin moved to approve the conservation easements for Finnriver Farm and Brown Dairy projects. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Initiate 2010 Conservation Futures Program Funding Cycle: Environmental Health Specialist Tami Pokorny and Conservation Futures Citizen Oversight Committee Chairman Jerry Gorsline were present to give recommendations for the 2010 Conservation Futures Program funding cycle and provide an update on the status of funded projects. Mr. Gorsline stated that armual reports have been received from the following conservation futures projects: 2009 Quimper Wildlife Corridor; Brown Dairy; Finnriver Farm, Glendale Farm, Tarboo Wildlife Preserve East Side Addition and Upper Tarboo Creek Conservation Easement. The 2009 Quimper Wildlife Corridor and Tarboo Wildlife Preserve East Side Addition projects closed in the second half of 2009. Finnriver Farm and Brown Dairy are anticipated to close later this month with the recent approval of the easements by the Commissioners. Annual reports provided by sponsors indicate that all of these projects are receiving stewardship and monitoring. No special needs or issues have arisen. By the new year it is anticipated that there will be a total of 13 implemented conservation futures projects. With regard to program changes, over the past year the Committee has continued its development of a conservation futures program manual to expand upon the earlier application instructions and to interpret and make the enabling Ordinance No. 06-0708-02 more concrete and tangible. The Committee and staff intend to provide the manual to prospective applicants along with the ordinance, application and rating sheets. The application and committee rating sheets have not changed from the 2009 versions except that the instructions section of the application has been replaced by the new manual. The final draft of the manual as well as other application materials for 2010 are being presented to the Board for approval. The manual enhances the existing Conservation Futures Program structure. It would initiate a requirement for successful project sponsors to sign a grant agreement with Jefferson County. It also provides an invoicing form and offers additional guidance on application requirements, eligible costs, as well as invoicing and reimbursement processes. Each of these is intended to complement the existing Conservation Futures Ordinance while providing additional consistencies with some of the State grant programs that may provide matching funds. Page 5 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of December 21,2009 '~'~""\ ~ .> '" .",~,,- Highlights of the Committee's recommendations contained in the draft Conservation Futures Program Manual include: Staff Costs: Limits on staff costs are now interpreted to include administrative costs as well. Special Reports: With the exception of hazardous waste substances reports, special reports such as baseline documentation, wetland identification and delineation, cultural resource reviews and stewardship management plans are not specific line items in the Conservation Futures Ordinance. However, the Committee sees these as reimbursable expenses. The Committee proposes that baseline documentation and cultural resource reviews be listed in the manual as allowable acquisition expenses and that cultural resources review, demolition, fencing, noxious weed control, signage, special reports, and wetland identification and/or delineation be listed as examples of allowable operations and maintenance expenses. Appraisals: For 2010, the Committee would require that appraisals be no more than one year old at the time of purchase or signing of a purchase and sale agreement unless an additional six-month extension is requested and granted. At its discretion, the County may require a supplemental update by the original appraiser if the appraisal is more than six months old. The Committee is generally satisfied with the overall process it used in 2009 to evaluate and rank projects for recommendation to the Board. A decision was made to make small, non-substantive changes to the appearance of fairness questions. This year the Committee and staff plan to host an information booth at the Jefferson County Conservation District tree sale. In addition, the armual March meeting to hear project presentations will occur in the evening and be noticed and publicized with the hope that more interested citizens will be available to attend. The Commissioners are also invited to attend any meeting of the Committee. Tami Pokorny stated that the Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for Monday, March 15, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the WSU Extension office. In order for them to proceed, the Board is being asked to approve a resolution to establish a Conservation Futures Program application period ending March 1,2010, set the amount of available conservation futures funds at $160,000 of which $31,000 is available to fund operations and maintenance projects, and approve the program materials for use in the 2010 Conservation Future Funding Cycle. In addition, they are requesting that the following sentence be included in the 2010 Conservation Futures Program Manual: "Conservation Futures Funds monies can be the collateral, revenue stream or security for long-term financing (typically bonds) in a marmer consistent with law." Commissioner Johnson moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 87-09 in the matter of establishing a Conservation Futures Program application period, setting an amount of conservation futures funds available and approving program materials for use in the 2010 conservation future funding cycle. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Page 6 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of December 21,2009 Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board re: Chemically Spraying to Control Noxious Weeds on County Right-oj-Way: Eve Dixon, Noxious Weed Control Board Coordinator with WSU Extension presented a letter to the Commissioners requesting that trained and licensed Noxious Weed Control Board employees be allowed to chemically control selected weeds on specific County roads for a period of two to three years. A letter from the Jefferson County Conservation District supporting this request was also submitted. Specifically, there are three invasive plants that spread quickly and easily, are difficult to eradicate manually and could have a significant impact on our agriculture and natural resources. The specific plants and areas they would like permission to chemically spray include: 1) Wild chervil on Eaglemount Road, Old Eaglemount Road and Peterson Road; 2) Meadow Knapweed on Center Road and West Valley Road; and 3) Knotweed on Dosewallips Road, Old Eag1emount Road and Leland Valley Road. Noxious Weed Control Board member Jill Silver emphasized that they are not in favor of changing any current prohibitions or policies on using chemicals to control weeds on roadsides. Their concern is that approximately a million dollars per year is being spent to control knotweed in streams and rivers in Jefferson and Clallam Counties. Other types of plants are spreading into those streams and rivers that also require chemical control. They are trying to advocate for an early detection and rapid response protocol among communities and public agencies. Public Works is very responsive, but these plants carmot be controlled by manually pulling them. Jill Silver and Eve Dixon are both licensed pesticide applicators. The individuals that conduct "spot" treatments are educated on which chemicals to use and how to report the amount of chemicals that are used. The chemicals that are used are aquatically approved, the least toxic possible and are applied in the most responsible marmer. The plants are spreading onto private and State owned lands and those property owners may not eradicate them in the same responsible marmer and might use harsher chemicals that are not as targeted as the chemicals that the licensed applicators would use. With broadcast spraying of harsher chemicals there is the potential that the chemicals could get into water, the air, and other plants which are not the intended target. Over the next two to three years, targeted chemical treatment is recommended for specific plants that cannot be controlled any other way. All legal requirements regarding posting will be followed and no treatment will be conducted without approval from adjacent property owners. The chemicals used are not supposed to be toxic to people, manuna1s or fish. Some seeds lay dormant and require retreatment. Control of these plants is required by State weed laws. There has never been an enforcement action in Jefferson County. Educating the public is how they handle enforcement. County Engineer Monte Reinders stated there is no ordinance prohibiting the use of herbicides, but in 1980 the Board of County Commissioners directed Public Works to discontinue the use of herbicides for vegetation control in the County right-of-ways because of the concerns of dairy and other land owners. More Counties have gone to manual vegetation control which is done for road issues such as sight distance. The utility companies are allowed to use herbicides in their vegetation management plans which they do on Page 7 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of December 21,2009 occasion, but most of their vegetation management is done by tree trimming. The Public Works Department does not have any concerns and is supportive of the Noxious Weed Control Board's efforts. His only request is that they add the Public Works Department to their notification list in the event that Public Works receives questions from the public. Eve Dixon agreed to add Public Works to the notification list. Noxious Weed Control Board members Linda Davis and Richard Hild discussed the process for notification to adjacent landowners. Commissioner Austin moved to authorize the Noxious Weed Control Board to coordinate with Public Works on the control and chemical treatment of targeted weeds on specific County roads until December 31, 2012. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. County Administrator's Briefing Session: County Administrator Philip Morley reviewed the following with the Commissioners: . Presentation and discussion on the preservation ofland between Gibbs Lake and Beausite Lake with Peter Baltls, Northwest Watershed Institute . Continued discussion of201O work program priorities . Calendar coordination . Miscellaneous items: - Status of response to Jim Tracy letter - Status of equestrian event center draft agreement - Status of RFP for conflict attorney indigent defense - Draft mineral severance fee letter to 24th district delegation - Update on energy efficiency grant applications - Clarification that correspondence to the "jeffbocc" e-mail address is considered correspondence to all 3 Commissioners Letter Requesting Support of Legislation Authorizing a Local Mineral Severance Fee; Washington State Senator Jim Hargrove and Representatives Lynn Kessler and Kevin Van De Wege: Commissioner Austin moved to approve a letter to Washington State Senator Jim Hargrove and Representatives Lynn Kessler and Kevin Van De Wege requesting support oflegislation authorizing a local mineral severance fee. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Letter Regarding Silent Alder Timber Sale and Possible Transfer of Property to Jefferson County; Peter Goldmark, Commissioner of Public Lands: Commissioner Johnson moved to approve a letter to the Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark requesting the removal of units one and two (64 of 341 acres) from the Silent Alder Timber sale in order to review possible options to transfer the property from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to Jefferson County. Commissioner Austin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Page 8 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of December 21,2009 1fit"\ ~i :('....,:". NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Austin moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:34 p.m. until the next regular Monday meeting at 9:00 a.m. or special meeting as properly noticed pursuant to RCW 42.30.080. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. MEETING ADJOURNED .- \i1"" " '" ~", , y'<: ,:: \ i: ~iJ ,,!:, . , . ' .. . . ./. .~..." ......__. .. f, ....r.; -. ,~;..J ,'// .' . ~ .-r:,~' 1.) i), \,}' ATTEST: JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD 0 COMMISSIONERS :' 7.~ D"~ ~/., '('- Phil Jo son, Member rt~ ';:h. .~ LVL{~ Enn Lun~, 'f5tr~vv<-O Clerk of the Board ' -'Ar a~ J4 Austin, Member Page 9