BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Meeting for Week of May 5, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 5, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
There was a presentation of Certificate of Good Practice to County Engineer from the Washington State County Road Administration Board.
Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, submitted a Public Works equipment report, discussed a letter from Department of Ecology regarding the Carson storm water concerns, discussed upcoming meetings on Rock Creek Cove, Hamilton Creek, 5 corners project on Salmon Falls Road, and Ryan Allen Road project. Exhaust brake signs have been installed on Hot Springs Avenue in Carson, and Schoolhouse Road project has begun.
Brent also reported the City of Hood River has asked Skamania County to chip seal ¾ mile of a city street. Concerns were addressed by the Board as to the City of Hood River not using the private sector to do this type of work. The Board was not in support of the project and felt that we should not be going out of state to work. The Board asked why City of Hood River is not doing the job themselves. Brent will provide more information.
Brent reported on the bike path along Wind River Road between the Carson Frontage Road and the Power Line. This will be discussed further in a staff workshop.
Rich Rush, Central Services Director, reported that he is working with the Treasurer’s office investments Computer program, which should be implemented by end of month. He has installed jacks for cables at the County Road Shops, received the lap top notebooks for the Commissioners and Planning recording systems, and is updating computers.
Consent Agenda Items were approved as follows:
A. Minutes for week of April 28, 2003.
B. Acknowledge receipt of letter from Curtis A. Skaar regarding boat launch fees.
A Compliance Agreement with Lyle Merritt and Sam Higdon for nuisance violation was approved.
A voucher was approved from the Veterans Relief fund in the total amount of $600.00.
The Board discussed unfinished business and delegated follow up to various Board members.
The meeting recessed at 11:25 a.m. Monday, May 5, 2003 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
The Board met in executive session from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. regarding litigation, with no action taken.
The Board met in executive session from 2:40 p.m. until 4:55 p.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 4:55 p.m. Monday, May 5, 2003 and reconvened at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2003, with all Commissioners present.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss Risk Pool retroactive assessment issues.
Tony Estey, Buildings and Grounds Director, gave an update on county parks and facilities. He reported that the envelope dispensers are completed and installed for Drano Lake and Wind River boat launch facilities; employees completed their First Aid, CPR, TB and BBP training; and has 2 employees not able to work for the next 6 weeks. Tony also reported that the Kiwanis has a grant to place a fence around the perimeter of Camp Wa Ri Ki.
Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director reported on the following:
West End Community Meeting next meeting Thursday, May 22, 2003; WRIA 29 update on workshop that was held May 1, 2003 and the oversight committee meeting is set for May 28, 2003; National Scenic Area Management Plan Update and upcoming meeting on May 13, 2003 will be all day busy meeting; Department of Ecology has requested additional well water testing to meet the conditions of the grant for Stabler water quality and quantity project; Denial of the Stabler II project grant application due to the need for further testing under the first grant.
The Board and Ms. Witherspoon discussed the Gorge Commission funding and the Commission’s apparent lack of interest in letting the County negotiate issues that concern Skamania County and its residents. Ms Witherspoon was asked to contact Martha Bennet and notify her that legislators will be contacted to withdraw support of Gorge Commission funding until the county can represent its’ citizens.
A public hearing was held with all Commissioners present to consider Ordinance 2003-05, amending parking restrictions at Drano Lake Boat Launch for special tribal fishing rights. Concerns addressed were as follows: fees earmarked to cover the maintenance and operation of the site and the county’s ability to recoup fees from the tribal community or the federal government; consideration to drop the fees for off season; long term operation and maintenance costs after improvements are completed; cost of improvements to launch site for only 3 months of use; reconstruction of ramp; contingencies attached to grant, requiring fees to be used for public facilities.
It was suggested that Dale Gann and Curt Skaar volunteer to serve on the Drano Lake Fishing Committee, which is being expanded to Launch Access Committee.
Public Hearing was closed to public comments at 11:15 a.m. After considerable discussion the hearing decision was continued until staff can meet with the prosecutor to work on language that would allow the Board to authorize special use by Resolution, which would allow the Board to consider each special use requested.
Resolution 2003-15 amending boat launch fees at Drano Lake for special tribal fishing rights was approved as proposed with amendments as follows: special use to only be for specified days in April and May 2003; clarification of hours.
The meeting recessed at 11:32 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2003 and reconvened at 1:34 p.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.
Carson Frontage Road/Wind River Road intersection redesign proposals were discussed and an alternative 6 presented. Concerns addressed were as follows: a possible speed bump on Carson Frontage Road to the north of the Wind River Market store sign; updated traffic count; stop sign at south end of frontage road; new entrance across from north side of pump onto Wind River Highway; re-striping; second opinion from Washington State Department of Transportation on necessity of change.
After considerable discussion, it was the consensus that the Public Works Department would contact Department of Transportation for an outside opinion of this situation and its priority and to place a new traffic counter over Carson Frontage Road to report a traffic count.
The meeting recessed at 2:24 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2003 and reconvened at 2:30 p.m. the same, date with all Commissioners present, to participate in a staff workshop to discuss repayment of Current Expense Loans.
The meeting recessed at 3:00p.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2003 and reconvened at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2003, with all Commissioners present.
The Board discussed Rural County Legislation with Linda Matson, field staff member for the Entertainment Industry Coalition. A draft bill and other information were submitted for the Board’s review. The bill would allow electronic slot machines for gambling in Washington State businesses as is allowed for the tribal communities. The business communities are sponsoring the bill.
Fred Rider, Chehalis City Council member explained that the benefits of the bill could be to retain current jobs; create more jobs; increased funding to local city or county of 5% of sales; $300,000 to each of the 13 economically impacted rural counties listed in the bill, which would include Skamania County.
The Board was asked to support the bill either by adopting a resolution or individually contacting their state legislators.
The meeting recessed at 10:05 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2003 and reconvened at 9:00 a.m. Thursday, May 8, 2003, with all Commissioners present.
The Board met in executive session from 9:00 a.m. until 9:55 a.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken and reconvened at 10:07 a.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present..
Payroll for the period ending April 30, 2003 was approved in the amount of $846,668.15
The Board met in executive session from 10:19 a.m. until 12:22 p.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 12:23 p.m. Thursday, May 8, 2003 and reconvened at 1:34 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
A discussion on emergency management was held with Karl Tesch, of Dept of Emergency Management, Sheriff Dave Brown and Cities of Stevenson and North Bonneville and Fire District No. 1 of Carson. Authority of DEM, financing and possible options were discussed. Issues addressed were as follows: Sheriff Office ability to absorb Emergency Management Operations; approval of grant for $19,000.00 to update the Skamania County Emergency Operations Plan and terrorism response plan; contract with Clark County to receive the funds to update these plans; adopt Ordinance re-establishing Department of Emergency Management and setting requirements before June 1, 2003; assess Cities on a per capita basis for emergency management services; funds from Fire Districts for emergency management services maybe through PUD Priviledge Tax Funds; appoint Skamania County Sheriff as Emergency Management Director; find $12,000 to budget for the remainder of the year to cover hiring of coordinator to do emergency management services through the Sheriff’s office; meet again in mid- June to discuss future direction of Emergency Management; consider contracting with Clark County for Emergency Management Services
The meeting recessed at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, May 8, 2003 and reconvened at 3:06 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
The Board met in executive session from 3:07 p.m. until 3:47 p.m. regarding litigation, with no action taken and reconvened at 3:48 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present .
Motion was made to direct the Prosecuting Attorney to draft a letter reaffirming the county’s original stand on right-of-way on Little Buck Creek Road.
Motion was also made to direct the Prosecuting Attorney to draft a letter to the Forest Service, reaffirming the county’s stand on vacation of right of way on Ryan Tavelli Road.
The meeting adjourned at 3:49 p.m. Thursday May 8, 2003.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON