EYE ON JEFFERSON: Port of Port Townsend receives Navy request to use Mats-Mats boat ramp for training – Corrected

EDITOR’S NOTE: This has been corrected to include the day of the week that the Port of Port Townsend commissioners will meet.

Port of Port Townsend commissioners will discuss a request from the Navy for a five-year right-of-entry agreement to allow it to conduct training exercises at the Mats-Mats boat ramp facility when they meet Wednesday.

The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. in chambers, 333 Benedict St.

It will be preceded by a public workshop at 9:30 a.m. in the same location to consider interview questions for executive director candidates. An executive session is scheduled.

The Navy has tagged the Mats-Mats boat ramp, which is between Port Hadlock and Port Ludlow, as a potential site for Navy Special Warfare Group cold-water training, according to a letter from Michael D. Brady, real estate contracting officer.

“The purpose of this training is to access and leave areas undetected with no actions that would be disruptive to the community,” the letter said.

The training cycle in the Puget Sound area is from February through May, the letter said.

Port staff has referred the Navy request to attorneys, and the request is presented only as information.

Commissioners will consider a renewed contract with Team Jefferson for this year. The contract would be for $25,000.

County commissioners

The three Jefferson County commissioners will consider hiring a special prosecutor for Michael J. Pierce’s appeal of his November 2014 murder conviction and open bids for supplying pavement markings when they meet Monday.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in commissioners’ chambers at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.

The approval of Port Orchard attorney Jeremy Morris’ $12,000 contract is part of the consent agenda.

The county Department of Public Works has estimated the cost of the one-year pavement marking project to be $232,617.

Commissioners also will discuss funding priorities for 2017. A list has been requested by U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer’s office. Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, represents the 6th Congressional District, which includes the North Olympic Peninsula.

Beginning at 1:30 p.m., commissioners will hear an update on the county’s noxious weed program, the work by the North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development Council and Growth Management Act activities.

In addition to the Pierce special prosecutor, other items on the consent agenda include:

■ Allocation of lodging tax revenue: $3,000 to the Quilcene Brinnon Dollars for Scholars program and $15,495 to the Quilcene Historical Museum.

■ A $123,000, two-year purchase and sale agreement with Pyramid Materials of Silverdale for aggregate for county roadways.

■ Setting a hearing for a community development block grant at 10 a.m. March 21 in commissioners’ chambers.

■ A call for bids for the Upper Hoh Road culvert replacement project, to be opened at 10 a.m. April 4 in commissioners’ chambers.

■ An agreement to allocate $14,290 for a coastal observation and seabird survey. The agreement is funded by a state Department of Fish and Wildlife grant.

■ An agreement to allocate $491,612 for water quality pollution identification and control for Quilcene and Dabob bays. Funding is provided by the state Department of Ecology and the state Centennial Clean Water Program.

Port Townsend city

Port Townsend City Council members will discuss adding a new human resources position when they meet Monday.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at historic City Hall, 540 Water St.

The new hire would be in the finance and administration department to assist the human resources manager and provide backup for the payroll and benefits specialist.

Funding for this position would come from position vacancies that have not yet been filled. Estimated annual salary and benefits is $71,000.

The council also will consider accepting the donation of land in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor from the Jefferson Land Trust, as well as two donations from the Port Townsend Public Library Foundation: $6,042 for library benches and trash receptacles, and $9,000 to replace lighting fixtures.

Council office hours, during which members of the public can discuss any topic with a member of the City Council, take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday in the mayor’s office at historic City Hall, 540 Water St.

City planning ­commission

Two meetings of the Port Townsend Planning Commission are scheduled this week.

Both will be in council chambers on the second floor of historic City Hall, 540 Water st.

A quorum of the planning commission is expected to attend training from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday. No action is to be taken.

At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, commissioners will discuss advisory board changes and hear an update about the Growth Management Act.

Jefferson Healthcare

Jefferson Healthcare hospital commissioners will review and possibly revise governance policies and bylaws Tuesday.

The special meeting will be from 10 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Olympic Room at the hospital, 834 Sheridan St., Port Townsend.

More in News

Volunteers serve up a full breakfast on Christmas morning, for the Third Community Breakfast at the Fred Lewis Scout Cabin in Port Townsend put on by the Reach Out Community Organization, a homeless advocacy program. A full breakfast was served to about 150 people during the morning. On the serving line are, from the back, Rose Maerone, Marie France and Susan Papps. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Festive breakfast

Volunteers serve up a full breakfast on Christmas morning, for the Third… Continue reading

Growler analysis report complete

Environmental Impact Statement and recommendations released

x
Home Fund subsidizes rent at Woodley Place

Bayside renovates 17 units at former hotel for supportive housing

To honor outgoing Hospital Commission Chair Jill Buhler Rienstra, Jefferson Healthcare dedicated a courtyard to her in December. Buhler Rienstra stands on the left, Jefferson Healthcare Chief Executive Officer Mike Glenn on the right.
Thirty-year hospital commissioner retires

Her career saw the hospital grow, improve

EYE ON THE PENINSULA: County boards to meet next week

The Jefferson and Clallam boards of county commissioners and the city of… Continue reading

Four members elected to Port Angeles chamber board

Four people have been elected to the Port Angeles… Continue reading

Port Townsend Mayor David Faber with wife Laura Faber and daughter Mira Faber at this year’s tree lighting ceremony. (Craig Wester)
Outgoing mayor reflects on the role

Addressing infrastructure and approaching affordable housing

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Active, seen in 2019, returned to Port Angeles on Sunday after it seized about $41.3 million in cocaine in the eastern Pacific Ocean. (Petty Officer 2nd Class Steve Strohmaier/U.S. Coast Guard)
Active returns home after seizing cocaine

Coast Guard says cutter helped secure street value of $41.3 million

Woman goes to hospital after alleged DUI crash

A woman was transported to a hospital after the… Continue reading

The Winter Ice Village, at 121 W. Front St. in Port Angeles, is full of ice enthusiasts. Novices and even those with skating skills of all ages enjoyed the time on the ice last weekend. The rink is open daily from noon to 9 p.m. until Jan. 5. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Winter Ice Village ahead of last year’s record pace

Volunteer groups help chamber keep costs affordable

“Snowflake,” a handmade quilt by Nancy Foro, will be raffled to support Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County.
Polar bear dip set for New Year’s Day

Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County will host the 38th… Continue reading

Broadband provider says FCC action would be ‘devastating’ to operations

CresComm WiFi serves areas in Joyce, Forks and Lake Sutherland