Meeting Minutes

Meeting was called to order by Carol Johnson at 7:30am. Paul led the flag salute.

Thought of the Day:

Peggy gave a history moment

Minutes:

Jack moved to accept Aug 6th meeting minutes, seconded by Edna. Motion passed.

Guests:

Shenna Younger, Jeanette Painter, Jim Stouffer, Dave Lotzgezell

Announcements:

Anna Nichols announced a benefit concert for Habitat for Humanity for church groups to build a Habitat home as a whole.

Noon Kiwanis features Mark Harvey this Thursday.

Clallam County Fair starts Thursday.

Carol announced that PABA Treasurer Jon Fager is moving away and the board nomination is Debby Fuson as interim treasurer. Next week membership will vote.

Program:  County Commissioner District 1 Candidates – Mark Ozias & Brandon Janisse

Mark opted to take time to discuss the MAT facility in lieu of what he wants to accomplish over the next term. Sequim City Council last night voted 3 – 4 for a moratorium on activity in an economic opportunity zone narrowly voting to mess it up. Save our Sequim is spreading propaganda.

Brandon has been here since 2000 and is an Army Iraq veteran with a criminal justice degree. He is a Sequim City Councilman and works in the jail system. The opioid and housing issues, juvenile services, and jobs are why he’s running.

Mark added a person can’t say they support the opportunity zones or working on the opioid issue if they don’t support MAT or economic development. Brandon supports a MAT clinic, he voted for his 1,000’s of constituents for the moratorium.

Brandon said opioid and housing crisis, sales tax, zoning and jobs are the biggest problems facing the county. Mark said opioid and housing issues. He would encourage coordination among multiple organizations, amplifying the message of economic development. Brandon suggested the city owning land and lending to developers on a 99 year lease to develop as affordable housing and working with developers to create demonstration projects. Mark is in favor of community models like a land trust. The county can act as advisors since most development takes place in the city. He is working with Clallam PUD to expand water rights and they are focusing on the UGA and Carlsborg.

Mark listens, applies critical thinking, works with colleagues and asks questions in his decision-making process. Brandon listens to a wide range of opinions, researches, and talks in person to learn first-hand. Mark added that sometimes it’s not appropriate to remain neutral. Acting on a moratorium based on false information as commissioner is not appropriate as in the MAT center.

Brandon believed the moratorium was not unreasonable and is for opportunity zones. He also supports the clinic and said they are still waiting on more federal guidelines for opportunity zones anyway. Mark said the ECOZ was a coordinated effort, and the clinic is hiring a staff of 70 people. What happened sends a dangerous message.

Brandon first read about MAT in the paper and funding was allocated from the state according to their presentation. Mark doesn’t know if any other locations were considered as it was a private real estate transaction. Because of our rural location, decentralization of health care, and state legislature providing significant capital expenditures for behavioral health, this makes sense. The regional effort with the Salish Behavioral Health Organization which he serves on, started talking about this project in 2017. The paper caught people by surprise, this work takes place over many years.

Mark said they’ve made great progress in climate change and wants to understand local policy wanted by the public. Three Jefferson dinners will be held to ask questions. Brandon said humans have a part and agreed about the need to find otu what our biggest effect is and where we should spend money. He’d look hard before imposing taxes, focusing on the future and where to spend money.

Both candidates agreed with the need to make records public.

Brandon takes every concern as legitimate and talks in person. Mark agreed about listening and added being fair to all who want to speak in public meetings.

Both agreed about reducing fees for affordable housing.

Candidates gave their closing statements.

Carol announced a Government Affairs meeting following this meeting and said there are more forums to the end of October.

Next week’s forum is:  Port of Port Angeles Commissioner 3.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40am.