BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MEETING for WEEK of March 3, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 3, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rich Rush commented on the need for a cover over the recycling area at the Stevenson Transfer Site.

Rich Rush, Central Services Director, reported on 911 computer problems, phone problems, web issues, and working on a tax program for the Assessor and Treasurer.

Motion was approved to award the bid for aluminized steel culvert to Oregon Culvert Company of Tualatin, OR, in the amount of $27,004.19.

A contract was approved with Mid-Columbia Asphalt Company of The Dalles, OR to provide crushed aggregate for road maintenance program for the central area of the County, in the amount of $132,350.98.

Motion was approved to send a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to apply for a $20,000 grant for a feasibility study to reduce flood damage along Hamilton Creek.

Motion was approved to authorize the Public Works Director to proceed with the purchase of a crew cab pickup to replace vehicle #102, approved in the 2003 budget.

Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer gave updates on the Washougal River Road and Smith-Cripe Road projects, and advised that Northwest Natural Gas Company has asked to use the County’s North Bonneville property as a staging site during repairs to the gas line.

Consent Agenda Items were approved as follows:

A. Minutes for week of February 24, 2003.

B. Acknowledge receipt of City of Stevenson Ordinance 975, confirming Niedert Annexation.

C. Acknowledge receipt of Timber Land application from Alan P. Stig, set for public hearing at 2:00 p.m. March 18, 2003.

D. Acknowledge receipt of Timber Land application from Randy & Dianne Franks, set for public hearing at 2:15 p.m. March 18, 2003.

E. Acknowledge receipt of Timber Land application from Denver & Dorothy Wear, set for public hearing at 2:30 p.m. March 18, 2003.

F. Acknowledge receipt of Timber Land application from Richard & Sherrill Balough, set for public hearing at 2:45 p.m. March 18, 2003.

Following discussion of proposed Ordinance 2002-21, Zoning Text and Map Amendments, and the expiration of the Moratoruim on Westend Zoning, set to expire on March 23, 2003, motion was approved to set a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. Monday, March 17, 2003 at Rock Creek Center in Stevenson to consider Ordinance 2002-21, Zoning Text and Map Amendments, and consider extending the moratorium on accepting rezone applications on the Westend.

Sheriff Dave Brown gave a presentation on the possibility of contracting with Clark County for inmate housing and advised that all but one member, who abstained, of the Law and Justice Council voted 100% in support of this concept.

District Court Judge Ron Reynier and Court Commissioner Karen Wyninger addressed the need for temporary help for District Court due to maternity leave of an employee scheduled for May. Following discussion of specific training requirements needed to temporarily fill this position, motion was approved to allow an exception to the hiring requirements and allow the Judge to hire an experienced applicant, and if no experienced applicants apply, the position would need to be advertised.

The meeting recessed at 11:50 a.m. Monday, March 3, 2003 and reconvened at 2:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

Tony Estey, Buildings & Grounds Director, reported on repairs and maintenance of various county facilities and grounds and presented a report on animal control calls.

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss the bidding process, Skamania Forward, Equipment, Rental and Revolving fund committee update, and nuisance violation procedures, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 4:00 p.m. Monday, March 3, 2003 and reconvened at 4:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

The Board interviewed Jack Burkman for a vacant Fort Vancouver Regional Library Board trustee position, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 4:45 p.m. Monday, March 3, 2003 and reconvened at 9:10 a.m. Tuesday, March 4, 2003, with all Commissioners present.

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss Skamania Forward, with no action taken.

Receipt was acknowledged of a letter from Dennis A. and Linda D. Gogolski regarding the outstanding performance of Sheriff Deputy Mark Mercer.

Resolution 2003-07, Joint with Clark, Klickitat, and Skamania Counties was approved, appointing Jack Burkman as a trustee to fill Position No. 5 on the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Board for a term ending December 31, 2009.

Dan Wallenmeyer, Noxious Weed Coordinator, reported on the purchase of a 1992 Case tractor, a meeting with timber interest land owners regarding control of noxious weeds, a meeting regarding a fish enhancement project on the Washougal River, advised of a possible grant to fund control of knotweed within the Washougal River Basin, discussed water milfoil, and asked for input on projects to be included in a 2004 Title II application.

Auditor Mike Garvison discussed a two-year audit cycle proposed by the State Auditor. The Board advised of their support for this proposal.

The meeting recessed at 11:20 a.m. Tuesday, March 4, 2003.

On Wednesday, March 5, 2003, the Board attended a Skamania Forward meeting at the Courthouse Annex Basement Meeting Room.

The meeting reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 6, 2003, with all Commissioners present.

Vouchers for the period ending March 6, 2003 were approved in the amount of $46,060.97.

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss state forest board transfer lands, with no action taken.

The meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m. Thursday, March 6, 2003.