BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MEETING for WEEK of July 7, 2003
The Board met in executive session from 9:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 7, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Todd LeFevre, Assistant County Engineer, gave an update on the following: Butler Eddy Bridge, chip sealing, Washougal River Road project, Ryan Allan Road project, Salmon Falls Road/5 Corners project, Smith Cripe Road project, Drano Lake project, Hamilton Creek project, Rock Creek Cove project, Carson Stormwater, and Carson Frontage Road.
Consent agenda items were approved as follows:
A. Minutes for week of June 30, 2003.
B. Set Ordinance 2003-08, imposing a real estate excise tax of one-quarter of one percent of selling price on each sale of real property within the unincorporated areas of Skamania County, for public hearing at 11:00 AM Monday, July 21, 2003.
A contract was approved with Southwest Washington Agency on Aging to provide funding to Senior Services for personal care services in elderly and disabled persons homes.
An interlocal agreement was approved with the City of Stevenson to provide funding for construction of a community playground at Rock Creek Park.
A Hold Harmless Agreement was approved for the Skamania County Fair Parade on State Road 14 on August 16, 2003.
A Residential Lease was approved with Cynthia Williams and Karl Wilkie for Wind River Nursery house #1053.
Receipt was acknowledged of letter from Wayne Lease regarding sanitation facilities at Northwestern Lake.
The meeting recessed at 10:45 a.m. Monday, July 7, 2003 and reconvened at 11:00 a.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
A public hearing was held to consider Resolution 2003-24, Supplemental Budget #2 for the 2003 budget for various funds due to unanticipated expenditures for 2003. Motion was approved to adopt Resolution 2003-24, Supplemental Budget #2 for 2003 with the following changes: increase expenditures by $7,760 for emergency management to allow for the County’s portion of leave cash out, and increase revenue by $7,760 for the PUD Privilege Tax to pay the leave cash out for emergency management.
The meeting recessed at 11:40 a.m. Monday, July 7, 2003 and reconvened at 2:00 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
A presentation was given by representatives from the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board on the Regional Recovery Plan and Subbasin Planning.
The meeting recessed at 3:50 p.m. Monday, July 7, 2003 and reconvened at 9:40 a.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2003, with all Commissioners present.
An overview of proposed Title III Projects for 2004 was presented by the applicants as follows:
§ Skamania County Firewise Planning for Woodland Dwellers, sponsored by WSU Cooperative Extension for Skamania County. This proposal is designed to continue teaching basic home and woodland prevention techniques to woodland owners and dwellers, develop a data base of interface dwellings to assist Skamania County fire districts, EMS providers, Fire Marshall, Sheriff and Planning Departments, and assist fire districts in obtaining wildfire equipment and training. The 2004 fiscal year request includes salary and benefits for a three-quarter-time wildfire director, a half-time office assistant, and eight part-time surveyors.
§ North Country Emergency Medical Services St. Helens Project, sponsored by North Country Emergency Medical Services. This a continuation of the 2003 project to provide emergency medical services, including a staffed ambulance and rescue vehicle, for the months of June, July, August and September to visitors, recreationalists, tourists, residents and employees of the northwest area of Skamania County, including Mt. St. Helen’s National Volcanic Monument.
§ Emergency Notification System, sponsored by Mill A Volunteers. This proposal is a one-year program designed to establish an emergency notification system to increase the protection of federal land and adjacent communities from wildfires by providing consistent, timely emergency notification to volunteer firefighters and local residents.
Emergency Services Equipment, sponsored by Mill A Volunteers. This proposal is a one-year program designed to purchase equipment needed to adequately provide firefighting services on federal lands and increase protection of community wildfires.
§ Skamania County Wildfire Equipment, sponsored by WSU Cooperative Extension for Skamania County. This proposal is a multi-year project designed to reduce the impact of wildfire on Skamania County residents through planning, training, and education of volunteer firefighters in Skamania County Fire Districts and by up-grading Fire Districts equipment.
The meeting recessed at 11:35 a.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2003 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
An overview of proposed Title III Projects for 2004 was presented by the applicants as follows:
§ Skamania County Forest Youth Success, sponsored by Stevenson-Carson School District and WSU Cooperative Extension for Skamania County. This proposal is a continuation of the 2003 project designed to provide summer employment for high school age youth to conduct projects on the national forest, and to teach forest ecology and management and to conduct an after-school program for younger students that teaches forest ecology and management, as well as life skills. The program request for 2004 includes continued funding for a program director, eight crew leaders, and the employment of up to 48 youth, and operating supplies and services.
§ Schoolhouse Creek Community Forest/Education Project, sponsored by Lower Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group. This proposal is a multi-year project designed to promote local access for community members and wildlife, and restore forest health by replacing non-native plants with native plants that could provide sustainable economic benefits, while providing students in the Washougal School District with forest related educational curriculum.
A letter of congratulations was approved to Rena Hollis, Skamania County Clerk, on being named Clerk of the Year by Washington State Association of County Clerks. It was noted this was the second time Hollis has been recognized for the honor.
The meeting recessed at 3:05 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2003 and reconvened at 3:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss the Wind River Public Development Authority, budgets and schedules, with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 10, 2003, with Commissioners Talent and Quinn present. Commissioner McKee was attending a National Fire Plan meeting in Portland, OR.
Vouchers for the period ending July 3, 2003 were approved in the amount of $168,577.88.
Payroll for the period ending June 30,2 003 was approved in the amount of $864,086.80.
Mike Garvison, Auditor presented pros and cons regarding the feasibility of a voter’s pamphlet for Skamania County and advised he would like to consider a trial run in conjunction with the State voter’s pamphlet for 2004 at a cost of approximately $200.00. Following discussion, the Board advised they would support the Auditor’s request for a trial run in even years and requested the Auditor to keep them informed and updated.
The meeting recessed at 11:25 a.m. Thursday, July 10, 2003 and reconvened at 1:00 p.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.
An overview of proposed Title III Projects for 2004 was presented by the applicants as follows:
§ Skamania County Forest Work Crew, sponsored by Skamania County Sheriff’s Department. This proposal is a continuation of the current 2003 project to reimburse Skamania County Sheriff Department for the supervision of in-custody inmates who perform a variety of projects to promote and enhance the ecosystem of Federal Forests in and around Skamania County. The Funds requested are to maintain a three-quarter-time corrections sergeant and a three-quarter-time correction officer to supervise work crew.
§ Skamania County Sheriff’s Emergency Services, sponsored by Skamania County Sheriff’s Department. This project is a continuation of the current 2003 project to enhance and improve the level of Search and Rescue Services in Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Columbia River Gorge NSA, as well as reduce and improve response times to all types of emergency calls. The funds requested are to maintain the full time Road Deputy Sergeant position, and the half time civilian position, and reduce the half time Road Deputy (from 2003 budget) to one-quarter time position for 2004.
§ Skamania County Forest Explorers, sponsored by Educational School District 112 and WSU Cooperative Extension. This is a multi-year program designed to develop and implement an after school forest ecology education program for elementary and middle school aged students in Mill A School, Skamania School, Cape Horn-Skye School, Canyon Creek Middle School, and Mt. Pleasant School.
The meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m. Thursday July 10, 2003.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON