BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MEETING for WEEK of December 1, 2003

The Board met in executive session from 9:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. regarding litigation, with no action taken.

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 1, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Larry Mulcihy inquired as to the status of resolving the right of way issue at the end of Eyman Cemetery Road. The Board advised they would pursue this issue and give direction the Public Works Director.

Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, gave updates on the North Bonneville Industrial site, St. Martin’s Springs Road vacation, proposed recreational vehicle park in Home Valley, and Road Crew general maintenance.

An authorization to purchase a replacement Boom for a 950 Loader for the Public Works Department was approved.

Rich Rush, Central Services Director, advised he would be adding an additional server for file storage, advised of a request to purchase a server for the Firewise Program, future upgrades to the Hal File System for scanning records, future purchase of a system to transfer fiche cards for the Auditor, and working on a new budget program.

Consent Agenda Items were approved as follows:

A. Minutes for week of November 24, 2003.

B. Set public hearing for 1:30 PM Monday, January 12, 2004 to consider an application from Michael Leonard for a Shoreline Substantial Development permit to construct a boathouse, two small stalls, and increase the size of an existing dock at Site #50 Wauna Lake Club.

A contract renewal was approved with the Department of Social and Health Services Developmental Disabilities Program to provide funding for services to birth through three years and adults.

A contract renewal was approved with the Department of Social and Health Services Division of Alcohol/Substance Abuse to provide funding for outpatient chemical dependency therapy/treatment services.

Motion was approved to decline insurance coverage for losses arising out of an act of terrorism, as defined in the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, offered by Western Risk Specialists, Inc.

A lease agreement was approved with Silver Star Cabinets for lease of the building known as the North Bonneville Industrial Facility at 380 Evergreen Drive.

The meeting recessed at 11:55 a.m. Monday, December 1, 2003 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

The Board participated in a workshop with the Public Works Director and to discuss the feasibility of snow plowing the Forest Service 30 Road and Curly Creek Road, with no decision made.

The meeting recessed at 2:50 p.m. Monday, December 1, 2003 and reconvened at 4:35 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

A Memorandum of Settlement was approved between Skamania County and Skamania County Public Works/Solid Waste Bargaining Unit, OPEIU Local 11 that provides wage and benefit provisions as follows:

• Wage adjustment of ¾ of 1%, retroactive to July 1, 2003.
• Effective January 1, 2004, each employee covered by the bargaining unit, as a condition of receiving health insurance provided by the County, will contribute $100 per month toward the health insurance premium. The salary schedule for all bargaining unit positions will be increased by $100 per month.
• Effective January 1, 2004, the Section 125 Plan will be made available to bargaining unit employees.
• The Union reaffirms its acceptance of the insurance renewal for 2003, including the plan design and benefit changes.

Motion was approved to provide a ¾ of 1% wage increase for all non-bargaining employees applied to the January 1, 2002 salary schedule, retroactive to July 1, 2003. The $100 per month increase in the salary schedule implemented for July 1, 2003 shall then be added to this new salary schedule base.

Contract amendment #1 was approved with Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, changing the compensation for services provided for in the Wind River Nursery Water Project.

The meeting recessed at 4:45 p.m. Monday, December 1, 2003 and reconvened at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 2, 2003, with all Commissioners present.

The Board met in executive session from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. regarding real estate and litigation, with no action taken.

Tony Estey, Buildings and Grounds Director, reported on maintenance of various facilities and grounds and reported on animal control calls. He requested to use remaining funds from his 2003 budget to purchase a door and window security system for the Courthouse. The Board advised of the need for expansion of the jury room and requested him to contact the Law and Justice Council to find out their priorities and report back to the Board.

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, reported on the pending application list, West End Community meetings and advised of the next meeting, as well as upcoming meetings for the Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 29 Oversight Committee, and the Columbia River Gorge Commission.

Following discussion and a presentation on the Community Events and Recreation prevention program, motion was approved to accept the Personnel Committee’s recommendations of approval for a new job description for the Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Prevention Coordinator/Teen Adventures Sports Instructor, and exceptional qualifications at Step C of Range 17 for Emily Kohner for the vacant.

The Board met in executive session from 11:55 a.m. until 12:05 p.m. regarding personnel and real estate, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, December 2, 2003 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

The Board met with Scott Pineo, of California Land Management Services, to discuss management of County parks and campgrounds. Mr. Pineo advised that his company provides services to local, state and federal agencies for management of public parks and campgrounds. Discussion included marketing of facilities, cosmetic improvements, services provided, and fees.

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, presented the Forest Service’s proposed changes to the National Scenic Area Management Plan for the Special Management Area for the Forest Tract, General Land Use Track, and Natural Resources for review and discussion. The Board was in agreement with the Director’s comments and recommendations.

The meeting recessed at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 2, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 4, 2003, with all Commissioners present.

Vouchers for the period ending December 4, 2003 were approved in the amount of $515,832.00.

A contract was approved with Challenger/British Soccer to conduct and maintain an instructional soccer camp.

A letter was acknowledged from the Sheriff regarding recognition of the actions of Fire District 4 Fire Chief and a firefighter at an accident scene on the Washougal River Road on November 29, 2003.

The Board discussed a proposed lease agreement and fee for use regarding a request from W.K.O, Inc. to occupy a portion of County right-of-way along Wind River Road to construct a lumber sorter building parallel to the road.

The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, December 4, 2003.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON