[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6455921,"mediaKeyId","5711582-d3cce5c0dd6019a7a991af707ea180eb","parentId",5711582,"title","Board approves Sept. 2 agenda and consent items 1–10","audioSeconds",1115,"startMs",109000,"endMs",1224000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711582-d3cce5c0dd6019a7a991af707ea180eb&start=109&end=1224","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711582-d3cce5c0dd6019a7a991af707ea180eb/thumbnail_109000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6455921/Thurston-County/Washington/Board-approves-Sept-2-agenda-and-consent-items-110","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455921-806baa17936250bd513f5aa0edc94f1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415625&Signature=eiTuFvq7iOq~FK12g99uQfSw-~7HGRz~a8yrvBDAYlmXHMtFmexEd0EmbmcJtLte80QekvwsloLbsKOg419RSaGwdpjgec6vCVWfmz7bOaajRkfQNtNhXexaPN24v8V--EKB6TWzK64LI6VWs1iJTDUFL~5eG1aAEBaaVRWCUnykoKswAhzJwi~XDwC41MZiSbyoJjrfKNzbusUju0QvTJgUXLZmNnHLVWSAmFhLgRyL9oeGQEnFLVUl20V5jOdRNkOJ59Da4k4wSwVvxWDnAPj7kPHZ5MdKHP9DzEoanxa91BcIjt0OoXExvJBWMgppkEyRoGSzHZflPFtQe3RT0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Thurston County Washington","date","2025-09-04T00:30:41Z","article","At the Sept. 2 meeting the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda (items 1–10).

Vice Chair Wayne Fournier moved to approve the agenda as presented and the motion was seconded; the board approved the agenda by voice vote. The meeting then proceeded to presentations and proclamations.

Later the board moved and seconded to approve consent agenda items 1 through 10; the chair called for the voice vote and the motion carried.

The transcript records the motions, seconds and voice votes but does not include a roll-call tally or individual recorded votes. No contested items were noted on the consent agenda in the public record for this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 2, 2025 - Thurston County Board of County Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve the meeting agenda and consent agenda items 1 through 10 by voice votes; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.","taxTitle","Thurston County, Washington","taxId",4614,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455925,"Resident urges commissioners not to cede land-use appeals to unelected hearing examiners",167,2778000,2945000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711582-d3cce5c0dd6019a7a991af707ea180eb&start=2778&end=2945","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711582-d3cce5c0dd6019a7a991af707ea180eb/thumbnail_2778000.jpg","/articles/6455925/Thurston-County/Washington/Resident-urges-commissioners-not-to-cede-land-use-appeals-to-unelected-hearing-examiners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455925-8f250fb651977efd93ae29277f9e6dfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415625&Signature=Ei1khU9A4bunBMp8B7080cJI2nQfTdL4RaqV~OMk1NTKboTcXXi4uhN8K6YR5phb30HmgbSPVN4ZwKUkGkN~hQbnSz5v3XPre2fIcfS94j1GgQgSUzY6Tqc~ZoqlSrf126ZSJopj07bF23zR1PeAEaIAKQwXxzeI5Es~YypFZtOp6S~NXx1MaHVRnL0rAkCrYaQ38Zf0sXbTUP2e~Wz11aU4zwbPrvfOiBH4anSJO4Ja-gypSecsxeqxeRc3Kqgv22TCQMVj~X6SbKvebf34yO6naV37FMLc7oj0qq7PlJcXEa5NyQp0PziJA84oM2vGkbNAcoCMnX8l3Qd0ADRdEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rhonda Larson Kramer told the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 2 that a proposal by some board members to remove the board from land-use appeals would reduce accountability and limit residents' access to a democratic remedy.

Larson Kramer said that when an appeal goes to superior court, judges are limited to reviewing the hearing examiner’s decision for legal error and must apply a presumption of correctness to the examiner’s ruling. She told the board that the elected commissioners are able to consider broader policy implications in appeals — an option she said a judge could not provide.

Larson Kramer urged the board to preserve its current role and, if the board is concerned about fairness or ex parte communications, to manage the quasi-judicial role through training and clear boundaries so constituents still have access to an elected appellate body. She also warned that shifting appeals to court would increase attorney-fee barriers for residents.

No formal proposal or motion to change the appeals process was adopted at the meeting; Larson Kramer’s remarks were delivered during general public comment. Commissioners did not announce a change to the appeals process during the meeting.","A resident told the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners that if the board stops hearing land-use appeals, residents will lose a direct democratic avenue for accountability; she urged the board to retain its appellate role and suggested training and rules to manage quasi-judicial conflicts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455929,"County manager highlights Rainier brush fire response and wastewater plant awards from state Ecology",122,1084000,1206000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711582-d3cce5c0dd6019a7a991af707ea180eb&start=1084&end=1206","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711582-d3cce5c0dd6019a7a991af707ea180eb/thumbnail_1084000.jpg","/articles/6455929/Thurston-County/Washington/County-manager-highlights-Rainier-brush-fire-response-and-wastewater-plant-awards-from-state-Ecology","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455929-2d9b55c02715656efa2aff96a23bcd29/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415625&Signature=kwZTa7czCJpS4NNCysMCNo0ycb9z2ndFggZGFOyVtU2UiAvOgaRygWzI-0hrcKmfGHoSug4PaRE5pvhwGV6pzFpdlqJPKqtpRxxa-HSU2CazWZUxJ5jvkcg~3gFqOFft-qaHUHwxtcHhtLHgWdU1CBFQDXGev~JgFH7W0G3TEiqw-iqrlWnWigNsRSkQTktSUv9W2vKgMcFd3L0d2aLIeI7gvq48YcR127si8WOVjDeYbsSJ7XycrZNWvZuki9YQFqRLKzZPE7eWjykgyfHgH5E6zPEU0t-mvpGKUuCz-5He0RTgsAiOMcaXgHuvXBdToU5OUPhPOMjrjz2JpvZxOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Manager Leonard Hernandez told the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 2 that Thurston County’s emergency management and partner agencies responded to the August 2025 Rainier brush fire by activating the emergency coordination center, issuing county alerts, coordinating evacuations and opening shelters for displaced residents and livestock.

Hernandez praised interagency collaboration among fire districts, law enforcement and public works, and he credited county employees and volunteers for what he described as timely and compassionate emergency response. The county’s actions included public safety alerts and resource coordination for displaced residents and animals.

Hernandez also announced that three Thurston County wastewater treatment plants were recognized for outstanding performance by the Washington Department of Ecology for performance in February 2024. He said the county’s Boston Harbor and Tamisham plants play a key role protecting nearshore water and marine habitats, and that a ground-mount plant in a rapidly developing area ensures reliable service for new housing and business developments.

The manager framed the Ecology awards as recognition of operator skill and daily work to protect public health and water quality. Commissioners did not take action on the reports, which were delivered as county updates.","Thurston County manager reported on emergency management coordination for the Aug. 2025 Rainier brush fire and announced that three county wastewater plants earned Washington Department of Ecology outstanding performance recognition.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455934,"Thurston County auditor marks National Voter Registration Day, unveils new \"I Voted\" sticker and highlights preregistration rules",183,209000,392000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711582-d3cce5c0dd6019a7a991af707ea180eb&start=209&end=392","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711582-d3cce5c0dd6019a7a991af707ea180eb/thumbnail_209000.jpg","/articles/6455934/Thurston-County/Washington/Thurston-County-auditor-marks-National-Voter-Registration-Day-unveils-new-I-Voted-sticker-and-highlights-preregistration-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455934-e569dcfeb65fe0fd283133f40eef1daf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415625&Signature=JZB6C7mN9OQW2z9W1Kxh9IgemTC1U5Co7dmsCsk1AXex0A006bFIjLqgZvIDGT1NwyOJ338u6mnKKV3QIPgsQ8S8At6FnY4wngQTQDgCOXj~BRM1Ok~T~cg49Wya5s4Ta1IBHmcPKg7qZM7AMUyR0KpCmYqc1nCCY8AjlEi-nXDjRAR-ioNQgIguRbzSyLrnF0JJklC5oVAYrP4bM1gMywo-YKR4t-JkytRvvqy6q0zhTp6G3j7sPfw1LIoa2I7a~-yw~JScsoZu9dyrC~7GNVxzj5ZLgUYwr~xvDfmNDvCu701vja-IortVbnfOBjm8GCCGMtTfNizBnWlhE1qCvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Thurston County officials recognized National Voter Registration Day during the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Sept. 2 as the auditor’s office announced a new county \"I Voted\" sticker and reiterated registration options and deadlines.

The auditor told commissioners that Thurston County’s registered voter rolls surpassed 200,000 and that preregistration for 16- and 17-year-olds is available in Washington state. The auditor said a 17-year-old who will be 18 before the general election may be eligible to vote in a primary if state rules allow and the preregistration is completed.

The auditor also reminded residents that same-day registration is available through 8:00 a.m. on election day and that online registration is open until eight days before an election; after that online cutoff, voters can register in person at the auditor’s office or at designated voting centers. Voters may transfer registration from one jurisdiction to another on election day if they have moved and not yet received or voted a ballot in the new jurisdiction.

To cast a ballot, the auditor said, voters need a Washington driver’s license or the last four digits of their Social Security number; the office issues a voter registration card when processing registrants.

The auditor unveiled a new \"I Voted\" sticker, designed by Alexis Trano, that will appear in voter pamphlets included with voter packages through 2027. The sticker artwork incorporates local elements such as the state capital and rhododendrons, the state flower, and was described at the meeting as a soft, modern take on red, white and blue.

The auditor’s office also noted the county’s ongoing voter outreach and the availability of school-based voter registration drives and motor vehicle office preregistration opportunities for 16- and 17-year-olds.

No formal action or vote was taken on these informational items; the presentation was listed under the board’s proclamations and presentations.","Thurston County Auditor's Office marked National Voter Registration Day, said county voter rolls exceed 200,000 and announced a new county-designed \"I Voted\" sticker; explained preregistration for 16- and 17-year-olds and same-day registration rules.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455939,"Thurston County residents press commissioners for railroad \"quiet zone\"; board cites insurance, liability barriers",659,1845000,2504000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711582-d3cce5c0dd6019a7a991af707ea180eb&start=1845&end=2504","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711582-d3cce5c0dd6019a7a991af707ea180eb/thumbnail_1845000.jpg","/articles/6455939/Thurston-County/Washington/Thurston-County-residents-press-commissioners-for-railroad-quiet-zone-board-cites-insurance-liability-barriers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455939-ba7de52be0411a19035ef37fc0258b28/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415625&Signature=G-b2hVVixl3LICPdoytsy0N6xKAk8l3ZgNpeKD~PB-JhfP3TSFNoyUAg~ZHNMkGEXegSpjQV37gDApnDnkFUL6B~gEXoRRfHgpa-19o5k-qfUbYmr-edBlq6o5AVqSTA21QTc8XW9Qlj8Cclo8AezXcI4K2NsLEtnafbW0xC87DnYyITzKGOhnPYMmCirAtTXddfFY7HUs~xjSqSghSMZ146PpTthu0gPaWvcvMy-2pZ7ZzmuTPjIU2POC1r4DjUDJLr8-X8Gj0-NI5dNLUqVWvdxQA-3LVQv4B20evCi8FO0foVwzAVYBzLkTLd4-wZbxBMWmaBtlmOIJx4VWa5IQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents of neighborhoods near Pattison Lake urged the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 2 to establish a railroad \"quiet zone\" to curb frequent train horn blasts that neighbors say disrupt sleep, harm health and reduce quality of life.

At public comment, Patricia Williams described nearly 50 years living on Paterson Lake Drive and said the volume and frequency of horns now require extensive soundproofing to work from home and sleep with windows open. John Pettit and Jack Bird echoed those concerns and handed commissioners a Federal Railroad Administration brochure outlining steps and mitigations for quiet zones.

The complaints prompted a substantive response from commissioners. Chair Ty Mentzer acknowledged that the board and staff have reviewed the noise statistics and that the board is sympathetic. He said the main obstacle to establishing a quiet zone is the county’s legal and insurance exposure if certain alternative safety measures are implemented at crossings.

A commissioner present said the county’s legal and insurance teams have advised that implementing some mitigations would increase county liability. That advisory, he said, has been the primary barrier to earlier attempts to create a quiet zone. Another commissioner said the county has been in contact with other jurisdictions that have implemented mitigation measures and will continue to seek solutions.

One commissioner told residents the matter will return to the board for formal discussion: \"This will be coming forward on a future agenda for commissioners' items. I've talked with the county manager about that. So I'll be bringing the matter forward in front of the board to talk about next steps.\" County staff and the board said they are continuing to consult the county engineer, risk manager, the county attorney’s office and other counties that have created quiet zones.

Commissioners noted they have engaged with the county’s risk pool executive director and attended Federal Railroad Administration training materials; one commissioner said he would reach out to the mayor of Bucoda and the mayor of Edmonds for examples of local insurance and legal solutions used there.

No formal motion or vote to establish a quiet zone was made at the meeting. Commissioners described the board’s posture as supportive of residents' concerns but constrained by outstanding legal and insurance questions. The board directed staff to keep researching mitigation options and liability solutions and said members plan to place the item on a future commissioners' agenda for further deliberation.

Residents who provided testimony urged expedited action and offered to continue working with staff and commissioners to identify feasible mitigations.

The Federal Railroad Administration guidance on quiet zones and the county’s internal risk assessment were cited during the discussion; commissioners said they will share additional technical materials with the public as they pursue next steps.","Residents near Pattison Lake described sleep disruption and health impacts from frequent train horns and urged the Board of County Commissioners to establish a quiet zone. Commissioners said they support the goal but cited legal and insurance liabilities and promised to bring the matter back on a future agenda while staff continues research.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves Sept. 2 agenda and consent items 1–10

Resident urges commissioners not to cede land-use appeals to unelected hearing examiners

County manager highlights Rainier brush fire response and wastewater plant awards from state Ecology

Thurston County auditor marks National Voter Registration Day, unveils new "I Voted" sticker and highlights preregistration rules

Thurston County residents press commissioners for railroad "quiet zone"; board cites insurance, liability barriers