Clallam County seeking applicants to fill boards, commissions

Clallam County is seeking volunteers to fill 91 vacancies on 20 advisory boards and committees.

The deadline to apply is the close of business on Monday, Feb. 12.

To apply, call the commissioners’ office at 360-417-2233; visit their office at the Clallam County Courthouse, Suite 4, 223 E. Fourth St.; or download an application from the county website at clallamcountywa.gov/636/Boards-Committees-and-Commissions.

Descriptions of the advisory panels — and the application form itself — are available under the “Boards, Committees and Groups” link on the county website.

Current members with expiring terms who wish to retain their position are asked to provide a written statement to the commissioner’s office by mail or email to rachel.weed@clallamcountywa.gov.

Vacancies exist on the following advisory panels, with specific categories listed where applicable:

• Behavioral Health Advisory Board (4) — Openings for representatives of: tribal; Department of Children, Youth & Family Services; private provider of substance use disorders services not contracting for funding, and private provider of mental health services not contracting for funding.

This board was established to act to advise the Board of Commissioners on implementation and future funding, from the one-tenth of 1 percent sales tax authorized by RCW 82.14.460.

• Board of Equalization (1) — Opening for an alternate member.

The Board of Equalization receives appeals, holds hearings, evaluates evidence, and issues determinations of the fair market value of property within Clallam County in the case of disputes between the county assessor and the property owner. Members are required to be U.S. citizens, residing in Clallam County for not less than two years. There will be hearing compensation.

• Board of Health (2) — Openings for a representative of Makah Tribe and representative of Quileute Tribe.

This board is responsible for all matters pertaining to the preservation of the life and health of the citizens of Clallam County, including: community health assessment, health status, preventable health risks, availability of resources; enacting rules, regulations, and policies to preserve, promote, and improve the health status of Clallam County residents; assure high quality and effective public health services including control and prevention of any dangerous, contagious, or infectious diseases; prevention, control, and abatement of nuisances detrimental to public health; enforce public health statutes of the state and county; establish fee schedules for issuing and renewing licenses and permits or for other services authorized by the law and rules of the Washington State Board of Health.

• Building Code Board of Appeals (7) — Openings for representatives for: two alternates; an architect; a civil or structural engineer; general contractor; an ICC-certified fire marshal, fire inspector, or fire plan examiner, and an ICC-certified building official, building inspector or plans examiner.

This board hears and decides appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the Building Official relative to the application and interpretation of the codes adopted in Clallam County Code 21.01, Building and Construction Code.

• Clallam Bay/Sekiu Community Action Team (2) — Openings for an at-large member, and a business owner (Clallam Bay/Sekiu Chamber of Commerce).

This group assists in gathering and analyzing information, making recommendations, and advancing the orderly growth and development of the area.

Conservation Futures Program Advisory Board (1) — Opening for a representative from Commissioner District 1.

This advisory board recommends to the Board of County Commissioners criteria for selection of the projects to be funded. The board also makes annual or more frequent recommendations to commissioners for projects to be funded as part of the conservation futures program and develops strategic, long-term plans for the program.

• Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee (2) — Openings for two committee members.

Volunteers on this committee act in an advisory capacity to plan and make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners and the Department of Health and Human Services regarding programs and services for persons who have intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, other neurological impairments, or developmental disabilities and their families through service contracts with provider agencies.

• Fair Advisory Board (5) — Openings for an at-large member; agriculture at-large, Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce representative, arts/photography, and 4-H homemakers.

This board assists the county in delivery of Clallam County Fair services to its residents and visitors. Under the direction of the Board of Commissioners through the Director of Parks, Fair, and Facilities, the advisory board holds public meetings as necessary, advises and assists the county in developing reasonable rules, fees, and regulations for the operation of the fair; and program development strategies.

• Heritage Advisory Board (4) — Opening for a representative of District I; two from District II, and one from District III.

This board is responsible for advising the Clallam County commissioners on various matters related to the preservation of the cultural heritage of the County.

• Homelessness Task Force (24) — Openings for: City government Port Angeles alternate; City government of Sequim alternate; Tribal government of Lower Elwha Klallam; Tribal government of Lower Elwha Klallam alternate; Tribal government of Makah; Tribal government of Makah alternate; Tribal government of Quileute; Tribal government of Quileute alternate; healthcare providers alternate; mental health/substance use providers alternate; domestic violence/sexual assault providers alternate; Department of Social and Health Services; Department of Social and Health Services alternate; Serenity House; Serenity House alternate; law and justice system alternate; faith community; faith community alternate; business community; business community alternate; two homeless or formerly homeless alternates; at-large alternate; advocate for youth issues alternate, and advocate for veterans issues alternate.

This group advises county commissioners on various matters related to the issues regarding homelessness in Clallam County.

• Lake Sutherland Steering Committee (1) — Opening for one committee member.

This committee is comprised of property owners within the district who reflect various lake use interests and geographic distribution within the Lake Sutherland Management District.

• Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (1) — Opening for a potential user of the fund.

Statute requires an advisory committee to review all proposed changes to expenditures from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund and to make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners.

• Marine Resources Committee (4) — Openings for representatives of Makah tribe; Makah tribe alternate; District III alternate, and development community.

This committee advises county commissioners regarding issues related to the marine resources of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and its bays, estuaries, and inlets within the borders of Clallam County.

• North Pacific Coast Marine Resources (2) — Openings for Clallam County citizen (scientific community) and Clallam County citizen (recreational groups).

This committee assists in understanding, stewarding, and restoring the marine and estuarine ecological processes of the North Pacific coast of Washington within the boundaries of Clallam and Jefferson counties in support of ecosystem health, sustainable marine resource-based livelihoods, cultural integrity and coastal communities. Members represent conservation/environmental groups, recreational groups, economic groups and the scientific community.

• Opportunity Fund Board (1) — Opening for a representative of City of Forks.

Funds from the Opportunity Fund Program are used to improve the base economy in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Clallam County through the attraction of businesses with grants and low interest loans for public facilities. Decisions regarding the use of the funds for public facility projects are made by the Opportunity Fund Board who is responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Commissioners who has the final authority to approve or deny an application.

• Permit Advisory Board (12) — Openings for representatives of: architect; building designer; building trades; certified septic designer/installer; code consultant; engineer category (structural/civil); Economic Development Council; environmental consultant; homebuilders association; propane/woodstove contractor; Manufactured Homes/Mobile Home Association; land surveyor, and ex officio-planning manager.

This group makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners and Director of the Department of Community Development for changes in the building code and permitting.

• Planning Commission (1) — Opening for a representatives of District IIIa.

This commission assists the Clallam County Board of Commissioners, through the Department of Community Development (DCD), with review of land use policy and related issues such as comprehensive land use plans and planning ordinances. Commissioners must have the ability to listen to diverse viewpoints and consider long-term interests of Clallam County.

• Sheriff’s Citizens Advisory Committee (6) — Openings for representatives of: Diamond Point; Forks and unincorporated area; Quileute Tribe; Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe; Joyce, and law and justice.

This group serves as an advisory to the Sheriff’s Office to provide an open link of communication between the Sheriff and the community.

• Solid Waste Advisory Committee (5) — Openings for representatives of: solid waste industry (West Waste Recycling); solid waste industry (West Waste Recycling) alternate; City of Port Angeles; City of Forks alternate, and business community alternate.

The committee assists in the implementation of programs and policies concerning solid waste handling and disposal, and reviews and comments on proposed changes to the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan.

• Trails Advisory Committee (6) — Openings for representatives of: Port Angeles area citizen at large; Olympic National Park; large private forest company; commercial trail business; off-road motorized user groups, and Backcountry Horseman alternate.

This group makes recommendations to the Board and other appointed bodies of Clallam County government regarding non-motorized transportation and trail-related issues.