HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015/06/22 - Briefing BOARD OF MASON COUNT'COMMISSIONERS' BRIEFING MINUTES
Mason County Commission Chambers,411 North 5th Street, Shelton,WA
Monday,June 22,2015
9:00 A.M. Planning Commission—Bill Dewey
Commissioners Neatherlin and Jeffreys were in attendance. Commissioner Sheldon was absent.
Discussion of the Shoreline Master Plan(SMP)update. The Planning Advisory Commission
(PAC)has been working on the SMP update for two years and has had public input along the way.
Since January 2013 Rebecca Hersha has been dedicated to working on this. In addition to the
SMP update,they have been updating the Resource Ordinance. Ecology has been involved and
has been extremely valuable. Hopefully the PAC will wrap this up by August. Staff will then do
a SEPA and there is a required 60 day comment period before PAC can adopt. November is
anticipated to be the public hearing for PAC.
Discussion of how to present the document for public comment so it's user friendly.
Mr.Dewey stated the PAC will probably do two separate hearings- SMP and Resource
Ordinance.
Cmmr. Jeffreys referred to the Union/Belfair areas and noted they are also tourism areas and she
asked about allowing for more flexible regulations,including over water structures. Rebecca and
Mr. Dewey stated the PAC have had many discussions about this and have included flexibility
where possible, depending on use.
Cmmr.Neatherlin and Jeffreys discussed Wilson Recycling with Barbara Adkins. Solid
waste and wrecking yards were deliberately Left out of the regulations. This recycling
business was grandfathered in. Barbara talked to Scott Wilson on Friday and he is
choosing to close the recycling business because he can no longer take solid waste.
9:30 A.M. Sheriff/Equipment Rental&Revolving Briefing—Sheriff Salisbury/Cyndi Ticknor
Commissioners Neatherlin and Jeffreys were in attendance. Commissioner Sheldon was absent.
Chief Osterhout stated their request is for an additional$20K for a pickup and they would also like
an additional five patrol vehicles and a new jail van. Chief Osterhout provided information on the
patrol vehicles. It takes about eight months to have a patrol vehicle ready to use from the time of
the order. There are 50 non-patrol vehicles including a couple of spares.
Discussion of reducing the ER&R charges by reducing the fleet. Chief Osterhout stated he has
removed those vehicles that he can to reduce the costs.
Cyndi Ticknor stated that$130,000 is budgeted for 2015,which bought two SUV's and one truck.
Seven vehicles were originally requested in the budget and it was reduced. There are also 13
leased vehicles for command staff and animal control. Cyndi did note that the high mileage
vehicles are harder to keep maintained and have higher costs.
Chief Spurling interjected that safe vehicles are important to the safety of the officers.
ER&R purchases from the state contract and that goes through the bid process.
Cmmr.Neatherlin asked if there is any grant money available. Not that they are aware of.
Cyndi stated that hopefully in the future ER&R will have an internal technician to up-fit the
vehicles(light bars,radio etc.)which should reduce costs and time to have vehicles ready. There
has been a lag in the past on ordering vehicles and now they are trying to catch up. Need to
develop a regular replacement plan for patrol vehicles. ER&R does not maintain the leased
vehicles.
Cmmr.Jeffreys recollection was that leased program was a priority of Sheriffs office. She
pointed out the county only has so much money to spend and has to make tough choices. There
needs to be a balance of need,there are competing requests across the county.
Cyndi suggested purchasing five vehicles @$33K each,then up-fit in January,at$18K to$20K a
vehicle.
Cmmr.Neatherlin stated he is looking at trying to fund vehicles in 2016.
The request would be for 16 vehicles in 2016 for a total cost of$750K.
There was a discussion of the ER&R Fund. Frank Pinter stated there are no replacement values in
the ER&R fund. Still need to address the SAO Finding for ER&R.
The cost for the leased vehicles is$60K a year plus about$60K to up-fit the vehicles.
Board of Mason County Commissioners' Briefing Meeting Minutes
June 22,2015
Cyndi stated the radios will also need to be upgraded. She reviewed the actual cost of equipment.
They do try to move over what equipment they can and outsource the labor costs.
Cmmr. Jeffreys stated that after determining how to address the SAO finding,they will know if
there is funding for the purchase of vehicles.
Cmmr.Neatherlin stated his issue isn't with replacing high mileage vehicles but concerned with
the size of the fleet. He requested the vehicle policy.
10:00 A.M. Department of Community Development—Barbara Adkins
Commissioners Neatherlin and Jeffreys were in attendance. Commissioner Sheldon was absent.
• Reviewed possible code amendments to Title 14,Building and Construction,to add a new section
for Work Exempt from Permits. Cmmr. Jeffreys brought up the height of building and 14 feet
seems to be comparable to other counties. She is not so concerned with the structures turning into
houses,no plumbing is allowed. After discussion,the direction was to allow a 10 foot height in
residential. Barbara referred to Pierce County code that requires the restrictions be recorded on
the deed.
Cmmr.Neatherlin suggested the property owner would sign a waiver, although no permit is
required,that outlines the restrictions and the requirement that it be recorded on the deed. Cmmr.
Neatherlin requested that a packet of information be provided to the person.
Discussion of requiring a residence on parcel. Not required and no parcel size minimum.
Setbacks were discussed. Property line setbacks will be zoning setbacks and 25 feet from other
structures.
Cmmr. Jeffreys stated the Conservation District is drafting regulations for Skokomish Valley to
allow agriculture buildings on the higher property.
A follow up briefing will be scheduled.
• Review of Planning permit fees. Barbara provided infonnation from other counties. It is difficult
to compare apples to apples since department structure and services are different although most
counties fees are higher than Mason County.
The Commissioners requested a new comparison showing the results if the recommended
increases were implemented.
10:30 A.M. BREAK
10:35 A.M. Public Health&Human Services—Vicki Kirkpatrick
Commissioners Neatherlin and Jeffreys were in attendance. Commissioner Sheldon was absent.
• Wilson Recycling. Vicki related the information she has which is that the Hearings Examiner
denied his permit and Department of Ecology has issues to meet their requirements. Can continue
recycling as a grandfathered business, according to Mason County zoning. Misinformation has
been circulated that indicates Mason County is closing Wilson Recycling down which is not true.
• Agreement with Ecology maintenance of wells which is an on-going contract.
• Amendment to contract for the ABCD program with the Health Care Authority.
• Professional services contract with Thurston County Public Health and Social Services/Thurston-
Mason RSN. Cmmr. Jeffreys stated she would like performance measures to determine if it will
be continued because the program is very expensive. Vicki explained this is for treatment services
for non-Medicaid eligible children. These are evidence-based services for at-risk children and
their families. Total amount is $52,300 for treatment services. Discussion of how the children are
selected which would be done by the provider.
Cmmr. Jeffreys would like to target children in the Mason County juvenile system referred by Jim
Madsen.
Vicki pointed out that most of those in the juvenile system are Medicaid eligible. Jim could make
a referral, along with the provider, BHR or schools.First come,first served.
Conclusion was that others can make referral but needs to go through Jim Madsen.
• Vicki stated that in the unlikely event the state budget isn't adopted by month-end,the Health
Department will run a skeleton crew. Will have communicable disease,fee based programs,local
housing and mental health. All other programs will be suspended.
Board of Mason County Commissioners' Briefing Meeting Minutes
June 22,2015
The Board took a 10 minute break
11:00 A.M. Support Services-Bill Kenny
Commissioners Neatherlin and Jeffreys were in attendance. Commissioner Sheldon was absent.
® Offer on surplus property on Deer View Circle. The Board requested to counter offer at$30,000.
® Process for Belfair Sewer Financing. Frank Pinter stated the County will need to pay the BOSS
settlement in the near future and a budget amendment will be necessary. He presented three
options: Pay the settlement from Current Expense; enter into an Interfund loan from Current
Expense to Belfair Sewer(3 year time limit);or issue an Internal bond from the County's
investments and invest into a 25 year revenue bond with the Belfair Sewer.
Crminr.Neatherlin interjected there is a fourth option to issue two separate revenue bonds with the
first one being for the needed$1.2 million for a 5 year term,interest only with a balloon payment
and then a second bond for construction.
There was discussion of the options and cash flow issues. The Commissioners requested staff
bring this back later today.
® Request from Allyn Community Association for assistance from Parks Department to install
playground equipment at the Port of Allyn. Because this isn't county property,the legislative body
would have to detennine there is an adequate consideration of benefit to the public so it's not
considered a gift of public funds. This would also set precedence and there is a continuing
liability for installation of the equipment. Cmmr. Jeffreys is not supportive of this request since
we have very limited staff and resources. Cmmr.Neatherlin believes there is a lack of park
resources in the north end of the county but the Port of Allyn should be making the request since
it's Port property. If we were to do this time of work, an interlocal agreement would need to be
entered into.
® Draft 2016 Budget Guidelines were provided and Frank would like comment at next week's
briefing.
® Mason County Criminal Justice Vision&Mission Statement as adopted by the Criminal Justice
Working Team was provided by Cmmr. Jeffreys.
Commissioner Discussion—there was no discussion.
BREAK—NOON
2:00 P.M. Public Works/Community Development—Brian Matthews/Barbara Adkins
FEMA digital mapping
Commissioners Neatherlin,Jeffreys and Sheldon were in attendance. Public Works, Community
Development,Ecology and FEMA staff was also in attendance.
® Loretta Swanson opened the briefing by providing the history of the FEMA map update that
started in 2010. Coastal flood hazard maps are being updated across the nation. Current FEMA
maps were last updated in 1983 and are paper only.FEMA is in the process of preparing
preliminary digital Flood Insurance Risk Maps for Mason County. They anticipate the
preliminary maps to be issued for public review in January 2016.
There was a discussion of public outreach. Staff shared samples of draft updated maps that show
which properties would be added or removed. Maps are based on the water on the ground today.
There was discussion of various areas in the county and the anticipated changes. Flood insurance
requirements were discussed.
Cooperating Technical Partners(CTP)Program was reviewed. This program enables the county
to continue refinements to the Digital Flood Insurance Risk Maps(DFIRMS)in cooperation and
partnership with FEMA. FEMA grants are available and the cycle is open in June.
3:00 P.M. Support Services
Commissioners Neatherlin,Jeffreys and Sheldon were in attendance.
® Frank presented a draft resolution for a 25 year revenue bond for$3M for the Belfair Sewer to be
internally financed. Option to have two bonds—1sr bond for a 5 year interest only for BOSS
settlement and 2°d bond for balance of$3M for construction. Noted there are also the options of
Board of Mason County Commissioners' Briefing Meeting Minutes
June 22,2015
paying BOSS from Current Expense or enter into an interfund loan. Could do an interfund loan
and then pay with the revenue bond.
Critical component is that BOSS settlement is due the first part of July and a budget hearing is
required.
Cmmr. Sheldon brought up the potential of$1.5M from the state for rate relief.
Frank stated that would pay off the loan however there is still the long term problem that Belfair
Sewer has$17M of debt that needs to be paid back and more rate payers are necessary.
Cmmr. Sheldon believes that to make the sewer bigger could make the problem worse.
Discussion of geographic area for Phase 2. There is a discounted hook up rate.
Cmmr. Jeffreys stated she is ok with the first bond for$1.2M for the BOSS settlement.
Cmmr. Sheldon left the briefing at 3:30 p.m.
Commissioner Discussion
Commissioners Neatherlin and Jeffreys were in attendance. Commissioner Sheldon was absent.
® Frank brought up a couple of budget adjustments to the 2015 budget-WSU for ER&R and for the
volunteer coordinator position in Probation Services. It was anticipated to be funded with mental
health(25%);juvenile(35%); balance from Current Expense(40%). Cmmr. Jeffreys stated she
would rather use money from mental health for this rather than the program discussed this
morning in Public Health briefing. Cmmr.Neatherlin agreed and Frank will contact Vicki
Kirkpatrick.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Zoren,Administrative Services Manager
BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Randy Neatherlin Tim Sheldon Terri Jeffre
Chair Commissioner Commissioner