by Lois Krafsky-Perry & Staff
For Citizen Review
January 29, 2020
Sequim, WA – The Sequim City Hall was filled to capacity, as approximately 125 people battled wind and rain to attend the January 27th meeting of the City Council.
The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe had filed a permit application for their projected building project – the planned medication-assisted treatment (MAT) clinic – on South 9th Street, in the heart of Sequim.
Citizens have testified at many meetings and want to have input and explanations about the proposal. Constituents were not asked about their thoughts in having a treatment center in the middle of their town by their elected state legislators before it was funded as part of the middle-of-the-night State budget. They also were not alerted by their elected county commissioner or city council before discussions and planning of the endeavor.
The application was submitted by Brent Simcosky, representing the Jamestown S”Klallam Tribe, on January 10th, to Director of City Development, Barry Berezowsky.
Although Berezowsky shared earlier that he thought it may be an A-2 determination instead of a C-2, people questioned the legality. The two determinations differed in that A-2 might not allow public comment and eliminate the vote of the city council, leaving the decision to the DCD and/or planners. A C-2 determination would give more access to public testimony and demand a vote of the City Council.
Many citizens requested the C-2 process.
Deputy Mayor Ted Miller delivered a speech before public testimony addressing his opinion of the future of the MAT project. He made it appear as though he was speaking on behalf of the City Council. There was no opportunity given, at that time, for other members of the council to share their views. He stated that they (council) must approve the project if it meets all the codes.
“We are bound by some rules of building requirements and we have to approve,” said Miller. He ended with, “…from the legal part of it, I conclude that the city does not have any choice.”
The Council spokesperson then stated that if SOS (Save our Sequim) and their attorney disapprove, they may go to Superior Court. SOS is a large group of almost 3,000 citizens. Miller continued, “…but for now, we do not see that happening.”
Retired attorney Robert (Bob) Bilow read from his letter directed to the City Council, and reminded the Council that he is not a member of SOS. As he began his presentation, he first responded to statements which had been made by Council Member Miller moments earlier. “I entirely disagree with everything Member Miller said,” he stated. He then said that Miller had misconstrued legal precedent and misstated the Americans With Disabilities Act. Miller’s claiming that the Council had no real choice in this matter “is absolutely wrong”, he affirmed. He then stated that he would file a brief with the Council, but reminded the Council this his brief “might be a bit rough, since I am retired and don’t have a secretary.”
Bilow then asked for a Resolution by the City Council affirming his “right to an immediate appeal” before paying the $600 appellate filing fee requested by Berezowsky. “Just be deliberate and fair,” he insisted, “and then you cannot incur any liability to anyone.”
Many citizens are confused by the sudden demand of $600 in order to appeal.
See Berezowsky email here and Bob Bilow’s presentation letter here.
Public testimonies
Kurt Grinnel, representing the Tribe, stated that this is a very divisive issue. He gave examples of drug and alcohol problems and his concern for those needing help.
Joy Beavers talked about community and praised law enforcement for partnering and working together with joined efforts. She offered kudos to elected officials and volunteers.
Jenna Rose, an administrator of SOS, shared her letter to the council. She stated that is an unofficial appeal, because she could not afford $600. for an appeal, as the DCD stated it would cost. Berezowsky had apparently also consulted with the City attorney Kristine-Nelson Gross.
Rose gave an account of statistics on drugs and countered previous comments of the Tribe’s reports. She showed conflicting statements offered by some of the reports, such as size of projected facility, name changes of facility, security cameras, and safety measures. She then criticized and corrected some previous reports from presentations, by the Tribe’s spokespersons.
Brent Simcosky, the Tribe’s Director of Health Services, said that nothing sinister was happening, as he referred to comments made about the earlier planning and no citizen notification of the MAT project. “[There’s] nothing further from the truth,” he said. “When they are called they accommodate…that’s their job,” he offered, when defending communication about the Tribe’s planning purposes.
Simcosky blamed social media for comments and suggested that it hurt family and spouses, as certain comments have been made, such as bribes and some being terminated. He did not specify what bribes or who may be terminated.
Sue Runyan said she had written to Ron Allen and he had not returned an answer, as she noted what Simcosky said about communication. She then discussed abuse consequences. “Just because it has not happened in Sequim does not mean it will not happen in Sequim,” she said. The Sequim resident said it was truly inconsiderate to not include, “all of us,” when this decision was made and we were not included.”
Runyan then directed her comment to Miller and said, “Ted, I found your words upsetting.” She reminded him that we were told to sit down and shut up and there was nothing we could do, as she referred to his earlier speech.
Thousands of Sequim citizens are concerned that they have been led to believe the MAT clinic is a “done deal.” They are hoping the new city council will represent them fairly.
At the January 13th City Council meeting, the attorney for SOS, Michael Spence, a land use and zoning attorney, said if the city chooses the A-2 process, he will file a land use petition.
An appeal can be filed for $600. according to Berezowsky and must be completed by February 14th. Send the fee with an appeal about the filed A-2 process to Department of Community Development at 152 W. Cedar Street, Sequim WA.
The next regular meeting of the City Council is scheduled for February, 10th, 2020.
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