Meeting was called to order by Kaj at 7:30am. Dick led the flag salute.
Thought of the Day:
Peggy gave a history moment.
Brent P. moved to accept Oct 8 meeting minutes, seconded by Jim M. Motion passed.
Christy Cox, Navarra Carr, Martha Cunningham, resident Scott.
Nov 3 is a flamenco show in Sequim.
Friday is the 3rd Walk-A-Mile with the manager at the airport at noon and takes about an hour.
Habitat is holding a holiday tour of homes in Sequim.
Thursday Kiwanis features Port Commissioner candidates.
Program: Clallam Charter Review Commission District 2
John B. introduced the candidates: Ian Nickel, Mary Doherty, Nick Spaeder, Bill Killdall, Elizabeth Athair, Patti Morris, Diane Haffner. Missing is Jane Vanderhoof.
Candidates gave opening remarks.
Do we have the right number of County Commissioners and is there a need for a paid County Administrator?
Elizabeth said five could provide better representation and likes one admin position shared among people. Bill received input to go to five commissioners and have autonomous tribes be included. Executive power could be shared by commissioners. Nick would need to look to increase to five because more people are moving here. He is open to listening about the administrator and make a decision of public opinion. Mary feels the administrator gives continuity and we can't have five commissioners at the same $95,000 salary. Ian said the administrator should be autonomous, and a review of the charter reads commissioners shall not take that role. Electing three commissioners by district and two at large is a good idea. Diane wondered how many people we are attracting and how we can financially support a decision. Patti said an administrator is needed and is concerned about the financial impact of adding two commissioners.
Candidates were asked about good ideas and bad ideas put to voters in the past.
Ian said the DCD should be appointed and not elected. Mary said the charter itself is a good idea, is an important broad view, and is a commitment to the county as a whole. Nick said the DCD should be an elected position and was a good decision. He sees no negatives. Bill said there was an error in changing commissioners being elected at large to by district. They became advocates for their district alone. Elizabeth passed. Diane said it is good that we are a home rule county. A mistake is people don't realize they could only vote in their district. Patti said there are no bad ideas, a good ideas was an elected DCD based on citizen input.
Ian is open to studying a change to five commissioners, but the DCD should be appointed. Mary needs input about the DCD. Nick would leave the DCD as is and elect commissioners at large. Bill thinks commissioners should be nominated by district but elected at large and he would study the DCD. Elizabeth thinks commissioners should be elected at large and would study the DCD. Patti would gain DCD input and study electing commissioners. Diane said the DCD issue has already been voted on and commissioners should be elected at large.
All candidates said the reason to install a home rule charter if we had none include having a local voice, giving governance to the people, accountability and community participation.
Should the county ban 5G or smart meters?
Patti and Diane would not ban 5G, however it doesn't belong in charter review agenda. Ian said it is regulated at the federal level, he is in favor of fiber optic, and we cannot do a disservice to the west end. Mary said we must meet the needs of the future and is on the fence. It should not be in the charter. Nick said neither has proved harmful and the county. needs to be on the bus for moving forward. It doesn't belong in the charter. Bill said there is sufficient research for radiation's harmful effects and there is a need for quality of life. Elizabeth said 5G affects our health and fiber optic is safer.
JIm moved to extend the meeting up to 15 minutes, second Dick. Motion passed.
Candidates gave closing remarks.
Kaj asked members to look for an email about Rayonier and fish pen comments to vote on next week.