EYE ON JEFFERSON: Commissioners to discuss fund for affordable housing

Jefferson County commissioners will consider setting a public hearing on a proposal to establish a Home Opportunity Fund funded by a property tax levy 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.

The public hearing would be at 6 p.m. July 24 in the Superior Court courtroom to take public testimony on establishing a fund to create or preserve affordable housing for low-and very low-income households.

The Home Opportunity Fund would be funded by a property tax of about 36 cents per $1,000 assessed property value imposed for seven years beginning in 2018,if approved by voters in November. A home valued at $250,000 would pay $90 more in taxes.

It would generate between $13 million and $13.9 million during those sever years

Commissioners also will conduct a public hearing at 10:30 a.m. on a renewal of Mason County’s non-exclusive franchise for an electric power system in southern Jefferson County.

During the 1:30 p.m. briefing, commissioners will consider accepting a donation of a playground accessible to children with disabilities to HJ Carroll Park. The donation, valued at $200,000, is from Jefferson Universal Movement Playground which also will provide $10,000 for maintenance.

Also during the briefing, commissioners will hear an update on the Climate Action Committee and a briefing on 5210 Jefferson.

Items on the consent agenda include:

• Sale of a tax title property.

• Agreement to use state Evidence Based Expansion funding, $77,208, for juvenile court.

• A $19,300 contract for a Washington State Aggression Replacement Training consultant.

• A $51,046 professional services agreement with Discovery Behavioral Health of inmate services.

• Extended time on site hazard assessment contract with state Department of Ecology.

• A memorandum of understanding with Chimacum School District to provide $4,000 for school nursing services as it transitions into hiring its own nurse for the 2017-18 school year.

• Professional services agreement with Aspect Consulting LLC for groundwater quality reports on the closed landfill and septage lagoon.

• Host for Oak Bay Campground.

Parks and Recreation

The Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will host a special meeting at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

The meeting will be held in the first-floor conference room of the county courthouse.

On the docket will be a proposal for smoke-/vape-free parks, capital improvement planning, Chimacum Park planning, dogs-on-leash compliance and several reviews and reports.

Port Townsend City Council

The Port Townsend City Council will consider interim land use regulations in the area of Sixth and 10th streets and Howard Street and Discovery Bay when it meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

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

The council also will consider amending a contract with SAFEBuilt Washington LLC for plan review and inspection services, and adopting a policy for administration of federal grants.

Other city committee meetings, which are in conference rooms at City Hall, 250 Madison St., unless otherwise noted are:

• Historic Preservation Committee — 3 p.m. Tuesday, first-floor conference room.

• Lodging Tax Advisory Committee — 3 p.m. Tuesday, third-floor conference room.

• Port Townsend Planning Commission — 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, council chambers, 540 Water St. Discussion of Howard Street-Sims Way corridor plan.

Port of Port Townsend

Port of Port Townsend commissioners will conduct a public workshop on a mid-year update and consider a draft operating and capital budget development schedule when they meet Wednesday.

The workshop will be at 9:30 a.m., while the regular meeting will be at 1 p.m.. Commissioners will meet in chambers, 333 Benedict St.

During the morning workshop, they will discuss the status of capital projects, business initiatives and organizational goals.

In the afternoon, they also will consider a professional services agreement for Point Hudson, a contract award for workyard resurfacing and hear a stormwater update.

Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee

The Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee will meet with Clallam and Island MRCs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

The joint meeting will be in the Marine Room on Hudson Street (next to the Shanghai Restaurant) at Point Hudson.

An agenda was not available by Saturday.

Jefferson County Solid Waste Advisory Committee

The Jefferson County Solid Waste Advisory Committee will discuss identification and discussion of solid waste managements issues or projects of common interest and potential collaboration at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

The special meeting will be at the Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Road, Sequim.

This meeting is in place of the July 27 gathering, which has been canceled.

More in News

A 65-foot-long historic tug rests in the Port of Port Townsend Boat Haven Marina’s 300-ton marine lift as workers use pressure washers to blast years of barnacles and other marine life off the hull. The tug was built for the U.S. Army at Peterson SB in Tacoma in 1944. Originally designated TP-133, it is currently named Island Champion after going through several owners since the army sold it in 1947. It is now owned by Debbie Wright of Everett, who uses it as a liveaboard. The all-wood tug is the last of its kind and could possibly be entered in the 2025 Wooden Boat Festival.(Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Wooden wonder

A 65-foot-long historic tug rests in the Port of Port Townsend Boat… Continue reading

Mark Nichols.
Petition filed in murder case

Clallam asks appeals court to reconsider

A 35-year-old man was taken by Life Flight Network to Harborview Medical Center following a Coast Guard rescue on Monday. (U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles via Facebook)
Injured man rescued from remote Hoh Valley

Location requires precision 180-foot hoist

Kevin Russell, right, with his wife Niamh Prossor, after Russell was inducted into the Building Industry Association of Washington’s Hall of Fame in November.
Building association’s priorities advocate for housing

Port Angeles contractor inducted into BIAW hall of fame

Crew members from the USS Pomfret, including Lt. Jimmy Carter, who would go on to become the 39th president of the United States, visit the Elks Lodge in Port Angeles in October 1949. (Beegee Capos)
Former President Carter once visited Port Angeles

Former mayor recalls memories of Jimmy Carter

Thursday’s paper to be delivered Friday

Peninsula Daily News will have an electronic edition on… Continue reading

Counties agree on timber revenue

Recommendation goes to state association

Port of Port Angeles, tribe agree to land swap

Stormwater ponds critical for infrastructure upgrades

Poet Laureate Conner Bouchard-Roberts is exploring the overlap between poetry and civic discourse. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
PT poet laureate seeks new civic language

City library has hosted events for Bouchard-Roberts

Five taken to hospitals after three-car collision

Five people were taken to three separate hospitals following a… Continue reading

John Gatchet of Gardiner, left, and Mike Tabak of Vancouver, B.C., use their high-powered scopes to try to spot an Arctic loon. The recent Audubon Christmas Bird Count reported the sighting of the bird locally so these bird enthusiasts went to the base of Ediz Hook in search of the loon on Sunday afternoon. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Bird watchers

John Gatchet of Gardiner, left, and Mike Tabak of Vancouver, B.C., use… Continue reading

Forks schools to ask for levy

Measure on Feb. 11 special election ballot