BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MEETING for WEEK of February 24, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 24, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Sealed bid opening was held for aluminized steel culvert in various quantities and sizes, per Resolution 2003-04. One bid was received from Oregon Culvert Co. of Tualatin, OR in the amount of $27,004.19, and referred to the County Engineer for review and recommendation:

Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, reported on results of an audit by the County Road Administration Board, snow accumulation on Old Man Pass and Forest Service Road 90, ordering a crew cab pickup to replace vehicle #102 (approved in the 2003 budget), and the need to replace the road crew welder that is no longer operational.

Rick Jessel, Counseling Center Director, reported on mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities programs and advised of receiving a developmental disabilities education grant.

Consent Agenda Items were approved as follows:

A. Minutes for week of February 17, 2003.

B. Acknowledge receipt of Claim for Damages from Marvin Dean Gregory.

C. Acknowledge receipt of Claim for Damages from David MacArthur.

An Interlocal Agreement was approved with City of Stevenson to transfer Skamania County allocated Regional Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds, appropriated under the Federal Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century (TEA-21), in exchange for City/Local funds.

A request for a Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant (JAIBG) application was approved, informing the Department of Social and Health Services of Skamania County’s intent to apply for funding and participate in the programs to promote accountability in the juvenile justice system.

Resolution 2003-07, joint with Clark, Skamania and Klickitat Counties for a trustee appointment to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Board, was tabled at this time pending an interview with the applicant.

A Memorandum of Understanding and Membership Agreement was approved with Washington State Association of Counties to join the Retrospective Rating Program. The purpose of this program is to benefit member entities and their employees by promoting safe work environments and practices that minimize accidents and injuries and encourage early return-to-work efforts, thus lowering industrial insurance costs and supporting potential refunds for the county.

Receipt was acknowledged of a letter from Klickitat County Commissioners regarding a draft Gorge Airshed funding letter to Oregon and Washington Congressional delegations. Commissioner Quinn stated he feels this funding could be better spent in prevention and will not support pursuing funds for a study. Commissioner McKee voiced his agreement with Commissioner Quinn. The Board was in agreement to not sign a letter supporting Gorge Airshed funding at this time. A clarification of issues will be addressed with the Economic Development Council.

The meeting recessed at 11:25 a.m. Monday, February 24, 2003 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

Following a summary of background information presented by Mark Mazeski, Senior Planner, motion was approved to grant final approval and direct the Chair to sign the Mylar for Jimmy V. Acres Subdivision final plat.

A public hearing was held to consider a subdivision application from Roger and Sue Lang to amend River Glen Subdivision by combining four lots (lots 10, 11, 12 and 13) into one lot, located on the south side of River Glen Road off of Washougal River Road. Following a brief presentation of the requirement process by Mark Mazeski, Senior Planner, motion was approved to grant the requested amendment to River Glen Subdivision to allow lots 10, 11, 12 and 13 to be combined into one lot, with Commissioners McKee and Talent voting aye. Commissioner Quinn voted nay, advising that sufficient information has not been presented to satisfy his concerns that the applicants have been advised of other options.

The meeting recessed at 2:10 p.m. Monday, February 24, 2003 and reconvened at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 25, 2003, with all Commissioners present.

Jim Nelson and Max Hegewald, of the American Legion Post 137, addressed concerns regarding proposed increased fees for use of the fairgrounds for the Blue Grass Festival. They advised that the amount of this increase would severely impact or eliminate their scholarship programs for local kids, which are funded by profits from the Blue Grass Festival. Ken Cohen, Community Events and Recreation Director, advised of the need to have fair and equitable fees for everyone who uses the fairgrounds and facilities and would like to enter into a long-term agreement with the American Legion for the Blue Grass Festival. A workshop will be scheduled to further discuss this issue.

Several citizens expressed their support for the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center and asked the Board for their support and to not make further budget cuts.

Sharon Tiffany, Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Director, reported on exhibits, events, marketing, writing a grant to catalog photographs, and acceptance of a 1947 fire engine from the City of Stevenson.

Larry Mulcihy, Safety Committee Chairman, advised that updated first aid kits have been placed in motor pool vehicles and county buildings and advised of review of the health and safety manual by the Safety Committee. He also advised of the need for smaller mailbags to lessen the weight for employees who pick up county mail.

A special voucher was approved to the Department of Revenue for refuse tax and unpaid sales tax was approved in the amount of $1,033.49.

The meeting recessed at 11:05 a.m. Tuesday, February 25, 2003 and reconvened at 1:40 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

The Board participated in a staff workshop and discussed the following items, with no action taken:

request for vehicle for weed control activities, temporary help for District Court maternity leave, request for use change for Wind River Nursery house, status of purchase of recorder for Board meetings, claims, public services and financial plan process, evaluations, federal lands payments to counties report, and mail.

The meeting recessed at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 25, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 27, 2003, with all Commissioners present.

Vouchers for the period ending February 27, 2003 were approved in the amount of $82,962.46.

Richard Moore addressed the Board with concerns regarding federal management and effects on local government and local fire prevention.

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, and Charly Boyd, Watershed Planner, discussed the need to conduct the first year of monitoring and groundwater analysis, following the completion of the Stabler Area Water Quantity and Quality Study. Following discussion, motion was approved to authorize submittal of a Fiscal Year 2004 Centennial Clean Water Fund grant application to complete the project.

Brent Holman, Public Works Director, discussed the need for infrastructure protection along Hamilton Creek due to eroded banks as a result of flooding along Hamilton Creek. Following discussion, motion was approved to apply for assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a $20,000 grant for a feasibility study to reduce flood damage along Hamilton Creek.

The meeting recessed at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, February 20, 2003 and reconvened at 3:45 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

The Board participated in a staff workshop and discussed personnel policy changes, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, February 20, 2003 and reconvened at 7:00 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

A public meeting was held, in conjunction with a Westend Community Planning Meeting, at Canyon Creek Middle School to receive comments on proposed Ordinance 2002-21, Zoning Text and Map Amendments. A presentation and overview of the proposed ordinance was given by Karen Witherspoon, Community Development and Planning Director, explaining that the purpose of the ordinance is to establish procedures to amend zoning code text and/or maps for lands outside the scenic area. Discussion included changing publication of the public hearing notice to 30 days prior to the hearing date (approximately 70% of those present were in favor of this change) and clarification of the hearing process for rezone applications and comprehensive plan changes. Several attendees spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance and in favor of the notification to property owners within 1,000 feet of the applicant’s property.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 27, 2003.