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.

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