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MINUTES
HOUSING FUND BOARD
Regular Meeting — Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 2:30 p.m.
Commissioners' Chambers, Jefferson County Courthouse
1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (Hybrid)
CALL TO ORDER: Jefferson County Commissioner Greg Brotherton called the Joint Jefferson
County/City of Port Townsend Housing Fund Board (HFB)to order. He introduced new City of Port
Townsend Councilmember/Housing Fund Board Member Neil Nelson. The following HFB members
participated in the meeting: City of Port Townsend Councilmember/Vice Chair Amy Howard,
Commissioner/Member Kate Dean, Member Morford and Member Viki Sonntag. Member Julia
Cochrane joined the meeting at 2:50 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Chair Brotherton called for public comments, and one comment was
received.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Vice Chair Howard moved to approve the July 24, 2024 meeting
minutes as presented. Member Morford seconded the motion. Member Dean abstained from voting, as
she was not present for the meeting. The motion carried.
PRESENTATION re: Pathways to Housing Security: Ruckleshaus representatives Jed Chalupa and
Consultant Bridget Kelly were present to provide a presentation on Pathways to Housing Security. They
explained that they are an independent convenor that supports governmental, private, and other entities.
They serve Washington State and the Pacific Northwest to develop shared approaches to housing. They
reviewed their legislative tasks which include facilitating discussions, identifying principles, options and
recommendations for a long-term statewide strategy to improve services and outcomes for those
experiencing or at risk of homelessness and to develop pathways to permanent housing solutions.
Ruckleshaus representatives shared the Final Report of facilitated discussions and recommendations on
the Pathways to Housing Security project. They reviewed the foundational themes which include:
conceptual shifts, guiding principles and recommendations. They answered questions posed by the HFB
members.
DISCUSSION re: American Legion Emergency Shelter: Chair Brotherton stated that things are
going well, and they are holding bi-weekly shelter meetings which Member Cochrane also attends.
There are stakeholder meetings as well too. The Release of Information(ROI) is now voluntary and can
be rescinded. Bayside Housing is doing well with managing the facility, and is fully staffed at this point.
HFB members were invited to attend Shelter Coalition meetings, careful of not creating a quorum of
HFB membership.
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Housing Fund Board-Regular Meeting Minutes of August 28, 2024
Finance Manager Judy Shepherd was present and addressed Bayside Housing reporting and billing. She
noted that Bayside Housing is also receiving donations, and that the County can apply for
reimbursement on expenditures.
DISCUSSION re: 2025 RFP: Application,Timeline, and Funding Amounts: Chair Brotherton
provided historical info regarding the RFP for affordable housing and homeless housing funds. Finance
Manager Judy Shepherd reviewed the 2024 budget, and 2024 actuals as of today, and the revenues that
were budgeted and received. She requested that the HFB do not grant roll-over funds, as it is much too
hard for County staff to track.
Finance Manager Judy Shepherd recommended that the following funds are available for a 2025 RFP:
$1.4 Million for Fund 148, and $165,000 for Fund 149. She noted that the County may request $50,000
for the Emergency Shelter from Fund 149 due to budget shortfall, but she is looking to see if that is
something they can actually do. Member Sonntag noted that it should be clear to providers on requested
criteria, and how the funds will be distributed.
After discussion, HFB members agreed to hold a special meeting September 11, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to
3:00 p.m. Chair Brotherton called for comments on the discussion, and no comments were received.
Member Sonntag moved to recommend an RFP of$1.4 Million for Fund 148, and $165,000 for Fund
149, as presented today. Vice Chair Howard seconded the motion. Chair Brotherton called for public
comments on the motion, and no comments were received. He called for a vote on the motion. Member
Nelson abstained from voting. The motion carried.
COMMITTEE UPDATES: Not discussed.
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Brotherton adjourned the meeting at 4:31 p.m. until the next
regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed.
Respectfully submitted by:
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arolyn allaway, Clerk of theoard Date
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