BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MEETING for WEEK of September 1, 2003
No meeting was held on Monday, September 1, 2003 in observance of Labor Day. The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
A plaque for 25-years of faithful service to Skamania County was presented to Saundra Willing, Skamania County Treasurer.
Terry Blaisdell, Central Services Computer Technician, gave an update on medical leave for the Director, advised of working on upgrades for the Sheriff’s Office and Planning Department, and gave an update on recent virus scares, advising there are no computer infections within the County at this time.
Rich Lang, Public Works Surveyor, reported on the Ryan Allen Road project, countywide road striping, Hamilton Creek project, Drano Lake project, and asked for direction regarding contracting for snow plowing Forest Service 90 Road. Following discussion, motion was approved to authorize the County Engineer to proceed with the bid process used in 2002 for snow plowing Forest Service 90 Road and to explore options to include snow plowing Forest Service 30 Road and Curly Creek Road and report his findings to the Board next week.
Rich Lang gave an update on concerns from Larry Mulcihy regarding parking issues at the end of Eyman Cemetery Road and presented options to consider. Following discussion, the Board was in agreement to post a sign near the end of Eyman Cemetery Road restricting parking along the shoulder of the road beyond the posted sign, and to send a letter to Larry Mulcihy advising him of the same.
Motion was approved for the purchase and use of new florescent red signs to be posted throughout the County advising of extreme fire conditions.
Consent Agenda Items were approved as follows:
A. Minutes for week of August 25, 2003.
B. Acknowledge receipt of Shoreline Substantial Development application from Washington State Parks to construct a day use facility at Beacon Rock, set public hearing for 1:30 PM, October 20, 2003.
C. Set Ordinance 2003-12, extending moratorium on accepting rezone applications on parcels located within the west end of Skamania County for 7:00 PM, September 8, 2003 at Canyon Creek Middle School Library.
A contract was approved with Guler Oil, Inc. to supply petroleum products to the County from September 1, 2003 through August 31, 2005.
A request to purchase a pool vacuum was tabled until Thursday, September 4, 2003, pending additional information.
The meeting recessed at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2003 and reconvened at 11:30 a.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
Mark Mazeski, Senior Planner, presented a staff report for the Lang Consolidation Subdivision Final Plat, amending the 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. Based on the findings and recommendations of the Planning Department, motion was approved to accept the Lang Consolidation Subdivision Final Plat and direct the Chair to sign.
The meeting recessed at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2003 and reconvened at 1:40 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee and Quinn present. Commissioner Talent was delayed in traffic enroute from Hood River due to a wildfire on I-84 near Cascade Locks, OR.
A contract was approved with Emily Kohner to administer a Drug and Alcohol Substance Abuse Grant for the Teen Adventure Program.
The meeting recessed at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2003 and reconvened at 4:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee and Quinn present.
Sheriff Dave Brown briefed the Board on a wildfire on I-84 near Cascade Locks, OR and gave an update on traffic conditions on State Route 14, as a result of the closure of I-84. He also advised of emergency shelters set up by the Red Cross in Cascade Locks and at Rock Creek Center in Stevenson.
The meeting recessed at 4:55 p.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 4, 2003, with all Commissioners present.
Tony Estey, Buildings and Grounds Director, reported on the following: repairs and maintenance of various county buildings and grounds, vandalism at the Wind River Nursery site, starting the process for a surplus sale, animal control calls, and problems of dumping animal and fish residue in the dumpsters at the Wind River boat launch site. Following discussion of county campground fees and concern with camping along roadways and the area at Tunnel Lake, the Board directed Tony Estey to review the fee schedule for county campgrounds.
A request was approved for the purchase of an Aquamax Pool Vacuum for the swim pool.
Patrick Johnson, Associate Planner, advised of the need to amend Ordinance 2003-10, changing zoning designation from Special Management to General Management for certain parcels located within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, to correct several errors. Motion was approved to amend Ordinance 2003-10 as follows: Skamania West properties - the effective for Kanthak was changed to 03/28/04, Skamania Central properties – the location of Bauman property was changed to 2-6-31-C-103, and two entries were included for Wasinger properties.
The Board met with the Prosecutor, Public Works personnel, Weed Board, and WSU Cooperative Agent to clarify issues regarding the weed control program and use of herbicides in County. The meeting was prompted due to a recent newspaper article alleging excessive use of dangerous pesticides by the County and spraying near private property. Testimony received from those present clarified that the County complied with all laws, the area sprayed was far outside of the area requiring notification to individual property owners, and all proper steps were taken to notify the public of the date and location for spraying. Dr. Allan Felsot, of Washington State University, via telephone, advised that, given the herbicides used and weather and wind conditions at the time the spraying was conducted, the likelihood of inhalation exposure and probability of any effects was extremely low. Steve McGonigal, Executive Secretary of the State Noxious Weed Control Board, advised that weed spraying is still used in all counties throughout the state and explained the impacts and effects of no weed control or no spray control methods. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Prosecutor advised that, given the testimony presented, it was highly unlikely the alleged victim was medically affected by the herbicide spray.
The meeting recessed at 11:50 a.m. Thursday, September 4, 2003 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m., the same date, with all Commissioners present.
Vouchers for the period ending September 4, 2003 were approved in the amount of $142,087.09.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss the Central Services Department. Motion was approved for a salary adjustment for the Central Services Computer Technician for interim administrative duties during the absence of the director. Effective September 1, 2003, the Computer Technician position was temporarily increased from Range 20-C to Range 23-C. Other items discussed included the director position/job description and staff duties and authority in the absence of a director for the Community Events and Recreation Department, and Department of Emergency Management Coordinator position/job description, with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 1:55 p.m. Thursday, September 4, 2003 and reconvened at 2:10 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Talent and McKee present. Commissioner Quinn was attending a Southwest Washington Clean Air Agency meeting in Vancouver.
The Board continued their earlier staff workshop and discussed staff duties for the Community Events and Recreation Department, with no action taken.
The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, September 4, 2003.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON