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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM052410S 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 Special Meeting May24,2010 Chairman David Sullivan called the meeting to order at approximately 7:00 p.m. at the Gardiner Community Center. Commissioner Phil Johnson and Commissioner John Austin were present as well as the following Jefferson County Elected Officials: Assessor Jack Westerman, Auditor Donna Eldridge, Treasurer Judi Morris, Superior Court Clerk Ruth Gordon and Sheriff Anthony Hernandez. County Administrator Philip Morley served as meeting facilitator and welcomed everyone and introduced the elected officials. Each elected official then gave a brief overview of the services provided by their office. County Administrator Morley then reviewed the format for the participatory exercise. The following questions and comments were submitted by the citizens and then grouped by category. Each question/comment was read aloud and a facilitated discussion was held on each category. BUDGET AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT . "Where is our governance in Jefferson County today? Two of our elected Board of County Commissioners stated that they did not know what to do about the $800,000 budget shortfall?" .. "All: Balancing a budget is a necessity, however, what are you all doing to fix the financial shortfall long term, not continuing to only put a band-aid on things?" . "Watershed Stewardship Resource Center - John Austin: The County spent $45,000 up front to halt a timber sale that would have brought in over $150,000 and we still owe the Department of Natural Resources an exchange of comparable property. We're spending $30,000 a year for a resource consen'ation consultant, $10,000 a year for an economist to do the job Team Jefferson does. Now the Department of Community Development says the department can't do its job and the Board of County Commissioners is moving to spend another $60,000 a year to assist funding a new department within the department. Please explain this budget philosophy." . "Today there was a budget meeting for Jefferson County. Why was there no discussion on Economic Development as a budget solution?" . "Economic Development - BOCC: Elaborate on the interlocal economic development agreement with the City ofPort Townsend and the Port of Port Townsend. Why do you feel this is a major step forward for Jefferson County?" . "What have you done to encourage home building in Jefferson County? We have 600 people in Real Estate and building trades that are unemployed." Page 1 Commissioners Special Meeting Minutes: May 24, 2010 ~".... \.tt -~, ," . "Since voting to decommission Memorial Field the Board of County Connnissioners has gone on a spending spree for consultants, created new parks and wants a new department in the Department of Community Development. Where is all this money coming from and what is happening with the field? Why not budget for its upkeep?" . "1) What has "Team Jefferson" accomplished as the organization funded for economic development?; 2) Why are 3 government entities looking to fund a $30,000 contract for economic development?" . "Can the County afford the Watershed Stewardship Center?" . "Why are we spending nearly a million dollars on a Watershed Resource Center for DCD when permits are down and the functions of the proposed center are readily available elsewhere? It seems like a colossal waste of inflationary funds (bail-out $)." . "Interested in Watershed Stewards Resource Center (WSRC). Is it an official government office? With a desperate economy, how do we "justify" the cost of a "duplicate" department? I have no more dollars to support it (No job). What "enforcement" ability? So how do I apply for ajob at this WSRC?,' GENERAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT . "How does the County plan to "reconcile" the differences in property values as a result of unfunded mAndAtes that diminish property use and values?" . "John Austin: What is being done to increase government accountability in Jefferson County?" . "What is the number ofCounly employees: 1) Today 2010; 2) 2008; 3) 2005?" . "1) Why is the Department of Community Development and the Environmental Health Department so inefficient?; 2) Why is the Board of County Commissioners promoting more government bureaucracy in the Department of Community Development?" . "Why does our government get involved in things like Broadband, WiFi, etc. Why not get back to basics - police/fire/schools/tax collection/water/sewer and get out of all of this other stuft'?" . "In the past, at the 9:00 am. Monday morning Commissioner meetings it was possible to ask a question, and to be provided an answer, (or to have someone get back to the person asking the question when the answer was available). What do we as citizens have to do to get you as Commissioners to return to the policy of ac1ual1y answering questions in the public meetings? If you will not return to answering questions at the meetings, can the person asking a question expect an answer in writing? In what timeframe should a citizen expect an answer?" LAND USE, PLANN1NG AND REGULATIONS . "Many people in Jefferson County are interested in local food production, organic food, and ''food security". Ifwe limit new construction to indoor water use only, how can we "grow" our local food industry? Where is BALANCE of priorities?" . "The 150 foot setbacks can be legally challenged. Does the County pick up the tab to defend this?" . "Why is it that Port Townsend, a fairly densely populated area, only requires a 50 foot buffer and the much less densely County requires a 150 foot buffer?" Page 2 Commissioners Special Meeting Minutes: May 24,2010 ~..." '.'. " .~. o . "To what extent have the insurance and mortgage problems associated with non-conforming been examined? Has the Real Estate requirement that non-conforming be disclosed to a potential buyer been explored? The term legal non-conforming or grandfathered puts a cloud on your title as that really says that eventually that building is going to have to disappear." . "If the County is short of income why are the County departments discouraging construction? Not only directly making it difficult with the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) in the open with public input, but have the governor sign the 150 foot buffer in the wildlife act." . "Development Issues: On 4/29, the Department of Community Development and the County called a roundtable meeting with the "Development Community" - the predominant challenge voiced by the 20 or so nrofessionals who spent their time was, 1) too much regulation; and 2) poor communication from the Department of Community Development. The members still await a follow-up meeting - promised in 30 days... What do you intend to do to follow-up on this interest/issue?" . "We have the possibility of having a large trailer/camping facility located on Old Gardiner Road. How can it be allowed without making huge road improvements (septic, water are all concerns), plus unneeded congestion of people and traffic?" . "Please tell me how long for a building permit from time received to time issued?" . "1 understand there has been interest expressed in developing an R V. Park on Old Gardiner Road on property not zoned for commercial. The Gardiner community worked hard with the County to arrive at current zoning a number of years ago. Under what conditions would the County approve a variance to current zoning?" . "Can an owner of an existing property that will become "non-conforming" apply for a building permit now, and have the permit approved, prior to the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) going into effect?" . "Is the idea of a "buffer zone" or "setback" a way for the County (and DOE) to attempt to control the type oflandscaping that an owner of shoreline property can use? Do you as Commissioners think that such control constitutes a "taking" of property rights?" . "If an existing owner of shoreline property were to do extensive clearing of their land, cut down trees, clear brush, cut down branches on their property for any reason nrior to enactment of the proposed Shoreline Master Program (SMP), does the County have any legal ability to stop such activity? Would this kind of activity be against any existing regulation?" . "Is it true that the proposed Shoreline Master Program (SMP) for Jefferson County would be retroactive to a date sometime in March of201 O? If so, how can the County enforce a retroactive date? Is the County doing this by not allowing "shoreline" building permits to be issued during the time period between submittal of the proposed SMP to the Department of Ecology (DOE) and whenever the SMP will become effective in its final form?" . "At the conclusion of the SMP meeting held at Fort Worden on April 20'11, it was clear that 80% to 90% of all comments from shoreline DrODertv owners were against the 150' setback. Are you as Commissioners willing to go back to DOE and revise the 150' setback to 50' as it currently has been approved for the City of Port Townsend?" . "The Planning Commission after much public input and internal debate recommended that buffers be 50 feet. Why was this recommendation ignored? Under our present SMP 35 foot buffers are required. Is there any data that shows these buffers aren't adequate?" . "This question is directed to Commissioner John Austin. It is our understanding that there was overwhelming agreement and support for a 50' setback from the shoreline, and that the County was Page 3 Commissioners Special Meeting Minutes: May 24, 2010 ~ going to recommend a 50' setback to DOE. Why did you specifically push for a 150' setback and have it changed from 50' when the other two Commissioners were willing to accept the 50' limit? Secondly, and specifically, why did you push for this change?" . "It is our understanding that there is scientific evidence to suggest that there is good reason to have a 50' setback (or buffer) from the shoreline, and maybe even some evidence supporting less disturbance and/or building should be done in the 51' to 100' area, which could be beneficial to the shoreline. It also has been scientifically shown that there seems to be little or no advantage to a setback or buffer beyond 100'. Why does the County want a 150' setback from the shoreline when the existing scientific evidence is not available to support such a setback?" LAW AND JUSTICE . "Sheriff: What is a reasonable response time for an emergency call?" ROADS . "What are the plans to improve highway 101 safety around Gardiner?" . "What is the position of the 3 Commissioners on asking the Washington State Department of Transportation to provide a left turn lane at the Discovery Park?" MISCELLANEOUS . "Fire District No.5 continues to impose legal road blocks to our Gardiner Salmon Derby. Could Jefferson County officials intervene with Fire District No.5 or mediate on our behalf to immediately unblock and enable our salmon derby?" . "To each Commissioner: How can you justify a "Climate Change" position in the County admini!<tration when human caused catastrophic global warming is not likely to be true?" . "The current Administration in D.C. has a program called the "Treasured Landscape Initiative (TLI)" under the auspices of the Department of the Interior. National Monument, National Historic Area, and many other programs are wrapped into the TLI. Do you support or oppose, and why? (Many of these federal designations have land and water use implications.)" . "Commissioner Austin spoke of water resources. How do we justify water from the Quilcene sub- basin being used to irrigate the roundabout in Port Townsend? Particularly when we (County residents) have to use drought tolerant native plants and are subject to water restrictions." . "To Philip: 1) How much is this meeting costing the County?; 2) Are the Commissioners paid to be here?" County Administrator Morley wrapped up the exercise portion of the meeting and thanked everyone for coming. Page 4 Commissioners Special Meeting Minutes: May 24, 2010 ~ '.O<-~ ~.~: NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Austin moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:29 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 nnAnimous vote. L,~~,. Erin Lundgret' ~~ . Clerk of the Board ' mA 1l1~ Phil Jo~~f ~~ber Jrum1k~ Page 5