BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MEETING for WEEK of February 3, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 3, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, discussed an upcoming meeting with Underwood Conservation District regarding the Hamilton Creek and Wind River projects and reported on storm water damage and cleanup from last week’s storms.
The Board acknowledged the Chair’s signing of Payroll Change Notices for the Prosecutor and Community Events & Recreation/Swim Pool Departments.
A special voucher was approved for retiree medical insurance premiums in the amount of $1,851.05.
Resolution 2003-02 was approved, canceling uncollectable personal property taxes that could not reasonably be collected by the Treasurer and removing the same from the tax rolls.
Consent Agenda Items were approved as follows:
A. Minutes for week of January 27, 2003.
B. Resolution 2003-04, Invitation to Bidders for Aluminized Steel Culvert in various quantities and sizes, set deadline to receive bids for 4:00 p.m., Friday, February 21, 2003 and set date to open sealed bids for 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 24, 2003.
An agreement was approved with Tapani Underground, Inc. for Skamania County to provide a staging area for equipment and stockpile sites for concrete and asphalt removed from the Stevenson 2nd Street project.
A contract was approved, upon condition that funds have been authorized in the budget, with The Results Group, LTD to provide training sessions for employees to focus on developing an action plan for the Sheriff’s Office.
A Mutual Law Enforcement Assistance Agreement was approved to provide for formation of a Regional Major Crimes Team for investigation of major crimes within Clark and Skamania Counties.
An agreement was approved with the USDA Forest Service to provide funding to enforce State and local marijuana laws in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
The meeting recessed at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 3, 2003.
The Board attended a joint meeting with Stevenson-Carson School District 303 at 7:00 p.m., Monday, February 3, 2003 at the School District Administration Building and discussed federal forest funding.
The meeting reconvened at 10:05 a.m., Tuesday, February 4, 2003, with Commissioners McKee and Quinn present. Commissioner Talent was absent due to attending Workforce Development Council meeting in Vancouver.
Tony Estey, Buildings & Grounds Director, presented a year-end report for projects and activities for 2002, a report on animal control calls for January 2003, and reported on maintenance of facilities and grounds. Also discussed was elimination of a vacant custodial position, the purchase of three hand-held radios for communication purposes between the three custodial employees due to working alone in separate buildings, and the possibility of housing a fire truck at Camp Wa-Ri-Ki to satisfy insurance concerns.
Receipt was acknowledged of a letter from Cynthia Williams regarding the purchase of Wind River Nursery House #1065 and a letter from Brooke Fox regarding Shaddox Springs Road.
Karl Tesch, Department of Emergency Management, advised of receiving a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for emergency food and shelter to needy county residents and the designation of Klickitat-Skamania Development Council as the administering agency.
Commissioner McKee advised of a request from a local resident to provide a dumping site and the intended use for concrete and asphalt removed from the Stevenson 2nd Street project.
The meeting recessed at 11:20 a.m., Tuesday, February 4, 2003 and reconvened at 2:00 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
The Board considered a request from Larry & Helen Baldwin for a variance to Skamania County Private Road Standards to upgrade Robson Road (private) by widening the driving surface width to 20 feet, required as a condition to the Baldwin Short Plat. This matter was continued from January 23, 2003 to allow a site visit to Robson Road and to include Commissioner McKee in the decision. A letter was acknowledged from Fire District No. 4, recommending a turnout on the north side of Robson Road just west of address 71 Robson Road, which was agreed to by Steve Klopman, property owner. Discussion included varied widths along Robson Road, expense to landowners and increased traffic and speeding if the road is widened. Motion was approved, with Commissioners McKee and Quinn voting aye and Commissioner Talent voting nay, to grant a variance to Skamania County Code Private Road Standards, Section 12.03.100A(3), that to require the application of the minimal requirements would deprive the subject property of rights and privileges given other properties in the area, with the condition to require a turnout on the north side of Robson Road just west of address 71 Robson Road, as recommended by Fire District No. 4.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss an agenda commentary sheet, revised contract facesheet, contract issues, Wind River Nursery rentals and request for sale, Labor and Industries Retro Pool, and claims, with no decisions made.
The meeting recessed at 3:50 p.m., Tuesday, February 4, 2003 and reconvened at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, February 6, 2003, with all Commissioners present.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss public services and financial plan process, with no decisions made.
Rick Jessel, Counseling Center Director, reported on the election of new officers for the Counseling Center Board and gave updates on mental health, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, and grant administration.
Commissioner McKee advised of his concerns regarding section #3 of the contract approved with Tapani Undergound, Inc. to provide a dumping site for asphalt on County property and the fact there was interest from a local resident to provide a dumping site and use for the concrete and asphalt removed from the Stevenson 2nd Street project. He advised of withdrawing his support for dumping asphalt on the site provided by the County and was not aware of the interest from private enterprise in the project spoils at the time the contract was approved.
Vouchers were approved for the period ending February 6, 2003 in the amount of $84,867.54.
The Board participated in a staff workshop and agreed to pay mileage to Barbara Strasburger through December 31, 2002, but would not pay future mileage unless it is included in an approved contract. Also discussed was an upcoming legislative meeting and issues.
The meeting recessed at 11:50 a.m., Thursday, February 6, 2003.
Commissioners Talent and McKee attended a joint meeting with Underwood Conservation District at White Salmon at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, February 6, 2003 and discussed water restoration projects in Skamania County, with no action taken.
The meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m., Thursday, February 6, 2003.