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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020/09/14 - Briefing BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS'BRIEFING MINUTES Mason County Commission Chambers,411 North 5th Street,Shelton,WA Week of September 14,2020 Monday,September 14,2020 9:00 A.M. WSU Extension Office—Dan Teuteberg Commissioners Trask, Shutty,and Neatherlin were in attendance via Zoom • The Summer 2020 Quarterly Report was presented by Dan Teuteberg. Online learning opportunities for kids to learn,offices are open.There are no face-to-face meetings whatsoever. Dan is on the re-opening committee for across the state. Summer in a bag for 120 families, 8 or 9 supplies for 4-H youth.Virtual barn tour for youth with livestock and animals—also taught them video skills such as editing,narration, clipping. Summer camp was cancelled,but they called in Campanothappening,booklets were sent to 65"campers".Launching a cultivation program.Farm fresh guide is available online or in the WSU office.Master Gardener program will have online clinics available.Food bank in Catalyst Park is still going.Aquatic plant work was done by the Noxious Weed Control staff. • Received a grant to help them do at home activities. • Cmmr. Shutty asked about hotspots and partnering with PUD3 and potential CARES Act funding and other sources.Funds are from state broadband program,state library system.WSU is able to work slightly more privately. 9:15 A.M. Sheriffs Office-Sheryl Hilt/Chief Dracobly Commissioners Trask, Shutty,and Neatherlin were in attendance via Zoom • Presented information to show the current budget status of the Sheriff's office. Cmmr.Trask noted that many items should be covered with CARES Act funding.Discussion of filling deputy positions. • Presented a request to purchase body worn and in-car cameras at a cost of$700,000 to$800,000. Cmmr.Neatherlin is in favor for one-time cash expenditure,but worry is that we went through this before and they were turned off in 2013 due to public disclosure requests and the inability to manage the system.The new system will be easier to manage,time,effort,and manpower. Previously it took a lot of time for staff.Dracobly believes that with the new program they will be able to better manage depending on the purchased system.County IT will need to add a server for data storage.When WA State Patrol got car cameras,complaints went down by 1/3. Cmmr. Neatherlin sees this as a positive and wants to see a discussion with IT. Shutty believes it is a benefit to both officers and community and provides extra layer for accountability.Also asked about future costs.COBAN is what State Patrol uses and has been very instrumental in an officer shooting case. Cmmr. Shutty asked if the City has body or dash cams.Dracobly mentioned that they do and that we may help them store their data.Cmmr. Shutty said it would be good to have a unified front on this between City and County.Commissioners are in support and Cmmr. Shutty would like a firm recommendation—one preferred alternative,partnership possibilities,policy in place,meeting PRA requests and staffing. Cmmr.Neatherlin would like the Sheriff Office to sit down with IT for costs as well as a more solid plan. This would be for 2021 budget. Cameras are in high demand and Dracobly would like us to push to get sooner than later.Jennifer Beierle stated that w e would need to do an RFP.Cmmr. Shutty would like them to draft an RFP as the next step. • Cmmr. Shutty following up on Mason Lake boating issues. Pierce County has a boating advisory committee and there was discussion on how a boating committee would be managed. A 2020 Mason Lake Boating Survey was conducted by Mason Lake residents. There was discussion of how regulations could be enforced and that it takes resources. 9:45 A.M. Public Works—Loretta Swanson Utilities&Waste Management Commissioners Trask,Shutty, and Neatherlin were in attendance via Zoom • Road Vacation recommendations will be placed on action agenda for Gray Road,Ellinor Peak Place and E Mason Lake Drive W. Board of Mason County Commissioners' Briefing Meeting Minutes September 14,2020 • Proposed agreement with Fire District 11. Staff is recommending to renew for one-year and can then look at future services.First agreement was executed in 2009. Approval to move forward with one year to pay for services in 2020. • Approval to fill Michelle's PW position. • Engineering to advertise for on-call services that typically is put out once a year or once every other year for structural geotechnical,hydraulic and engineering,and construction services approved to move forward. • Replacing Resolution 2020-62,Road Vacation#406,to include a portion of alley approved to forward. • Staff has talked to property owner along Island Lake. Cn=. Shutty asked to be kept in the loop and asked for data for signs being installed. • Introduced new finance manager,Victor. • Chief Welander and Ross McDowell will be invited to the next briefing to discuss emergency preparedness for the Skokomish Valley as we head into winter. • Cmmr.Neatherlin asked for an update on Elfendahl Pass Road and when compression brake sign will be installed. • Richard asked for feedback on a recycling survey that he sent to the Commissioners. Cmmr. Trask has responded;Commissioners Shutty and Neatherlin will respond. Cmmr. Shutty noted this survey is to better understand people's habits in order to improve recycling,not to stop recycling. The goal is for people to reduce,reuse and then recycle. 10:15 A.M. BREAK 10:20 A.M. Support Services—Frank Pinter Commissioners Trask, Shutty, and Neatherlin were in attendance via Zoom • Frank reviewed the CDBG COVID-19`-Emergency grant funding. The request is to amend the CDBG Public Service contract to move;$30,000 from microenterprise assistance to CAC's Mason County portion of subsistence payments to citizens. Cmmr.Trask would rather that it go to EDC to help small businesses. Cmmr. Neatherlin pointed out that it was for a limited type of businesses. Frank noted it was designed for low income businesses and only a certain number of employees. Cmmr. Shutty noted that it was intended for businesses so likes the idea to keep with EDC;if it goes to CAC,it would be for citizen assistance such as for utilities. He asked why the six businesses turned down the microenterprise loan awards. Frank noted this funding is restricted to the microenterprise guidelines. • Frank provided a CARES Act funding update. On September 11,WA State increased the allocation to Mason County by$1,389,600 that must be spent by November 30,2020. PUD3, PUD1 and Hood Canal Communications have submitted requests for delinquent utility accounts; Port of Allyn submitted a request for lost revenue and Frank is not sure the funding can be used for that. Have not had any requests from local non-profits.The Courts would like to improve the heating/cooling system in the historic courthouse and have submitted a$105,000 request to AOC. Kelly Frazier provided information on the project. Frank asked to use the sole source purchasing method. Kelly said he has received three bids. The new system will be quieter allowing the entire court space to be utilized. • Frank asked if the following can be placed on next week's agenda—funding to PUD's for delinquent utility bills,Community Lifeline for showers and to the media.Cmmr.Neatherlin wants to be certain the utility assistance is for COVID related delinquency. For PUD hotspots— Cmmr.Neatherlin proposed funding 50%now and then 50%in November if the PUD cannot find other financing. Cmmr. Shutty agreed to the 50%funding for hotspots;supportive of utility assistance and trusts the utilities to know who qualifies;requested reconciliation of the funding spreadsheet as to what is committed and what has been spent;there is a need for the non-profits and asked for a broad ask of non-profits to submit; check with schools on their needs. Cmmr. Trask is also supportive of utility assistance and the 50%funding for hot spots. Cmmr.Neatherlin suggested additional funding to the EDC this year and increase the 2021 funding. Cmmr. Shutty asked what operational changes(increase to staff)the EDC has made. Utility assistance is for public utilities(water,sewer,electricity);private utility such as Hood Canal would need to request funding through EDC as a private business. Frank will bring back the PUD delinquent account request. Board of Mason County Commissioners'Briefing Meeting Minutes September 14,2020 • Offer on Lake Boulevard surplus property for$50,000. Cmmr.Neatherlin noted they have been on the market for 100 days at$35,000 each;counter at$30,000 each,$60,000 combined. Frank will contact Beckman. • Frank's recommendation is to keep the downstairs of Building 1 closed to the public until the Governor's declaration expires. The public does gather downstairs and they can go outside while they wait for their appointment. The QLess software is being utilized to manage the public for the upstairs offices and it does take time to change people's habits. The Commissioners asked for an update from the Building 1 upstairs elected officials at the next briefing. • Frank presented the Pandemic Exposure Control,Mitigation and Recovery Plan. Wait for feedback from Windom and Dr. Stein. • Frank provided a Housing Authority update. Only the County Commission can establish a Housing Authority which was done in 19;72 to address safe and sanitary housing and only the County Commission can dissolve the Housing Authority after considering the same criteria. If it is dissolved the assets come back to the County. The current Housing Authority Board is having difficulties to meet and make decisions;recommendation from Frank and legal is to review the Housing Authority Board members and/or issue a RFP for management assistance. Cmmr. Shutty supports soliciting for a partnership,the Board members are volunteers,agrees the Housing Authority.cannot be dissolved. 1 B 1406 allows for funding assistance.and some of this funding was dedicated to the Veterans'tiny homes project. Frank will discuss with Todd Parker and put together a RFP for management assistance for the Housing Authority. Frank asked if the Housing Authority should go forward with a yellow book appraisal of their properties. Cmmr.Neatherlin spoke to the issue. There is a huge housing issue in Mason County. He stated the Housing Authority doesn't charge enough to maintain the buildings and asked if a County Commissioner can serve on the Housing Authority Board. He believes the Housing Authority should divest themselves of the current structures by putting them on the market and reinvest in new housing. He believes the Housing Authority can be saved. Cmmr. Shutty and Trask support having a County Commissioner serve on the Housing Authority Board to provide leadership. Frank will work with legal staff to see if a County Commissioner can serve on the Housing Authority and will bring this back to briefing. • Staff will schedule a WSAC Courthouse briefing meeting. • The Board approved the 4'Quarter Commission meeting schedule as presented. Additional meetings can be scheduled,if necessary. • There are several departments that have 2021 budget PLR's. Jenn suggested scheduling 2021 Budget Workshops in October. Start with what a status quo budget looks like and offer workshop time to departments. • Jenn reviewed the August Financial statements. The final 2020 budget amendment hearing will be held either November 17 or December 8. 11:15 A.M. Closed Session—RCW 42.30.140(4)Labor Discussion Commissioners Trask,Neatherlin and Shutty met with Frank Pinter in closed session for a labor discussion from 11:15 a.m.to noon. Respectfully submitted, Diane Zoren,Administrative Services Manager BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS %kI Sharon Trask Rand Neatherlin Kevin Shutty Chair Conifnissioner Commission-