EYE ON JEFFERSON: Jefferson County panel to mull agreement with geoduck farm applicant

The three Jefferson County commissioners will consider a tolling agreement with a geoduck farm applicant when they meet at 9 a.m. Monday.

The meeting will be in commissioners’ chambers at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.

Two executive sessions are planned: one at 10 a.m. to discuss potential litigation and one at 10:30 a.m. to discuss strategy or position for collective bargaining.

The agreement would be with BDN, which filed a tort claim against the county in 2018 but which plans to apply for conditional use permits which could potentially eliminate the need for litigation. The tolling agreement would allow a stay of the land use act appeal but would reserve the company’s right to appeal later.

Tolling is a legal doctrine that allows for the pausing or delaying of the running of the period of time set forth by a statute of limitations, such that a lawsuit may potentially be filed even after the statute of limitations has run.

Commissioners will hear an update from the county Noxious Weed Control Board during the county administrator’s briefing session at 1:30 p.m.

Port of Port Townsend

Port of Port Townsend commissioners will consider bonding scenarios to complete funding of the reconstruction of the Point Hudson south jetty when they meet at 1 p.m. in regular session Wednesday.

The regular session will be in chambers at 333 Benedict St.

It will be preceded by a public workshop at 9:30 a.m.to discuss the 2018 capital plan.

Staff members recommend a commission bond for a 20-year term commencing principal payments on the new bond issuance in 2026, saying it offers the shortest debt term with the best interest savings cost to the port.

Commissioners also will consider approving the execution of a personal services contract with Reid Middleton, Inc., to prepare a development strategy for the Quilcene Marina.

The draft contract is for $67,000 with $50,000 provided by the state Community Economic Development Revitalization Board.

Staff members also will introduce a draft plan for commercial passenger fees for loading and off-loading passengers at port facilities.

PT City Council

The Port Townsend City Council will discuss a water and sewer rate study when it meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

The meeting will be in council chambers at historic City Hall, 540 Water St.

The council also will hear recommendations from the Parts, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board, which may have a quorum at the council meeting.

The council also will hear reports from council committees and go over council member representation on intergovernmental committees.

Also meeting this week is the Historic Preservation Committee in City Hall at 250 Madison St. The panel will meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the third-floor conference room.

The PEG Access Coordinating Committee meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday has been canceled.

Committee on Housing

The Port Townsend Ad Hoc Committee on Housing will consider recommendations to the City Council when it meets at 3 p.m. Thursday.

The committee will meet in council chambers in historic City Hall at 540 Water St.

The panel will consider recommending additional property to be declared surplus, amendments to the alternative housing code and bonus density code, and a proposed agenda of a joint meeting with Jefferson County officials.

Port Townsend schools

The Port Townsend School Board will consider action on meal prices for 2018-19 and on staff/student day for the same period when it meets at 6 p.m. Thursday.

The meeting will be in the Gael Stuart Building, 1610 Blaine St.

The board also will hear reports on associated student bodies at Port Townsend High School and Blue Heron Middle School and is expected to recognize nationally certified teachers.

Chimacum School Board

The Chimacum School Board will hear an update on school safety from Superintendent Rick Thompson and consider action on a capital projects levy election when it meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The meeting will be at Chimacum High School, 91 West Valley Road.

The superintendent will include information about the Chimacum High School discipline climate and student walkouts, according to the agenda.

The board will consider approving the placement of a measure for a capital improvements levy on the August primary and November general election ballots. The idea is that if voters approve the measure in the primary, it will be pulled from the November ballot.

The six-year levy would provide a total of $7,950,000 for facility improvements and technology enhancements.

The board also is expected to accept the resignation of the head football coach, Michael Dowling.

Board of Health

Jefferson County Board of Health commissioners discuss gun violence as a public health issue when it meets at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

The board will meet at Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan St., in Port Townsend.

It also will consider policy alternatives for water conserving onsite sewage systems and resolutions concerning the appointment of deputy health officers and recognizing public health week.

It will hear an update on the environmental health data base and a wrap-up on the 2018 legislative session.

Peninsula College

Peninsula College trustees will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

They will meet in the Cornaby Center on the Peninsula College Port Angeles campus at 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd.

An agenda was not available as of Saturday. It is expected to be posted at http://pencol.edu/aboutpc/board/agendas 24 hours before the meeting.

More in News

Sewer upgrades set at Sequim schools

Pumps to be replaced at elementary facilities

Clallam County defers 7 positions in budget

Two jobs connected with general fund will be reconsidered in 6 months

Worst of rainfall over on Peninsula

Atmospheric river unleashes flooding, downed trees

Port Townsend OKs its budget for 2024

Reflects more than $60 million in expenses

Port of Port Townsend’s process for Short’s Farm underway

Steering committee includes farmers, land use organizations

Clallam residents reappointed to advisory boards

The Clallam County commissioners have reappointed several residents to… Continue reading

Blacklight art requested for show

Art for the Bring Your Own Blacklight Art Show,… Continue reading

Santa Claus, portrayed by John Greiner of Port Angeles, gets licks and kisses from Maru, a white husky mix belonging to Ally Kreider of Port Angeles, at the second annual Santa Paws holiday photo event on Saturday at Petsense in Port Angeles. Pet owners were allowed to bring their critters for a photo with Santa in an event sponsored by the Soroptimist International Noon Club of Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Holiday kisses

Santa Claus, portrayed by John Greiner of Port Angeles, gets licks and… Continue reading

Clallam County: 2-phase approach for Towne Road

Commissioners want trail atop levee

Jefferson County budget has good outlook

Commissioners expected to vote next week

Sheriff’s deputy, good Samaritan rescue two from water

Two people were rescued from 1,000 feet offshore in Squamish… Continue reading

Law enforcement: Sleeping smoker cause of house fire

A man who fell asleep while smoking was determined… Continue reading