BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of June 20, 2005

 

The Board met in executive session, with Commissioners Albert E. McKee, Chair, Paul Pearce and James D. Richardson present, from 9:05 a.m. until 9:50 a.m. regarding real estate, with no action taken.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 20, 2005 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Albert E. McKee, Chair, Paul Pearce and James D. Richardson present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Mary Repar requested a reply to questions regarding Resolution 2005-18 declaring indexing of public documents to be burdensome.  Commissioner McKee advised he would follow-up on her request.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.       Minutes of June 13, 2005.

2.       Lease agreement with Mid Columbia Children’s Council, Inc for lease of building at 740 SW Rock Creek Drive formerly known as Rock Creek Daycare.

3.       Contract with Human Services Council to provide funding to continue dial-a-ride transportation program.

4.       Contract amendment #4 with USDA Forest Service to extend the end date for the Wind River Nursery water project.

5.       Local Agency Federal Aid Project Prospectus to Dept of Transportation for authorization to expend federal funds designated for Rock Creek Bridge Study.

 

Scott Pineo, Community Events and Recreation Director, reported on the 2005 Fair and Fairgrounds activities, recreation program, teen substance abuse program, swim center activities, Rock Creek Center activities, parks and boat launches, and personnel changes.

 

Tony Estey, Buildings and Grounds Director, gave an update on the rental progress of the Underwood Park house.

 

Ole Helgerson, WSU Cooperative Extension Agent, gave updates on the 4-H program, forestry activities, gardening and pest management, and Title III Projects.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:45 a.m. Monday, June 20, 2005 and reconvened at 11:00 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Ordinance 2005-01, amending Skamania County Code Section 2.44.020 Precincts to amend boundaries for Nelson Creek, North Stevenson, Rock Creek and Maple View precincts due to annexations by the City of Stevenson.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve Ordinance 2005-01.

 

Auditor Mike Garvison advised of the need to review and possibly change Commissioner District boundary lines due to an increase in registered voters throughout various areas of the County.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:30 a.m. Monday, June 20, 2005 and reconvened at 1:40 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider a request from Shelly Moore for a variance to Skamania County Private Road Standards for White Dog Road (private), located off of Buschlach Road at milepost 0.05, to allow a road grade in excess of 8% to exceed the minimum 100-foot guideline length. Rich Lang, County Surveyor presented a staff report of the road grade and lengths at various mileposts, advised that the cost of reconstruction of the intersection of Buschlach Road and White Dog Road (private) was paid by the property owner, and recommended approval of the variance due to the extensive cost to bring the deficient segments of White Dog Road (private) into compliance to acceptable grades.  Discussion included future developments and the need for future upgrades to Buschlach Road and White Dog Road (private).  Receipt was acknowledged of a letter from Mitch Patton and Luella Patton regarding concerns with the road grade, potential run-off due to development, and access.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to continue the public hearing to Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 2:30 p.m.  The Board directed Public Works to send a letter to adjacent property owners and the local fire district advising the hearing has been continued to consider a variance for approximately 1,200 feet of road that exceeds the minimum grade requirement. 

 

A public hearing was held to consider a request from Denver Wear for a variance to Skamania County Private Road Standards to comply with applied conditions to the Wear Short Plat to create a second private road to provide access to the proposed short plat.  Rich Lang, County Surveyor presented a staff report and recommended approval of the variance due to pre-existing conditions of Denver Lane (private).  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve the variance.

 

The Board discussed a request from John Crumpacker for an additional 90-day extension to the contingency and closing dates for the purchase of County owned property located on Rock Creek Drive.  Mr. Crumpacker advised of a new project proposal for said property and pending issues.  The Board advised of the need to ensure that selling this parcel benefits the public and advised of the need to meet with legal counsel.

 

The Board met in executive session from 3:40 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. regarding real estate, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to deny an extension of the purchase and sale agreement with John Crumpacker to extend contingency and closing dates for the purchase of County owned property located on Rock Creek Drive and refund the $5,000 earnest money, and advised they would consider declaring this property surplus and putting it out to public bid.

 

The meeting recessed at 4:15 p.m. Monday, June 20, 2005 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2005, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Larry Douglass, County Road Superintendent, reported on the Metzger Road project, ditching on the upper Wind River Road, and chip sealing.

 

Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer, reported on activities for Solid Waste, Building Department/Fire Marshall, engineering projects, bridges, and the equipment, rental and revolving fund.

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, advised of Washington Governor’s appointment of Honna Sheffield to the Columbia River Gorge Commission and of a Planning Commission workshop on the National Scenic Area County Code text changes.

 

Charly Boyd, Associate Planner, gave an update on Water Resource Inventory Areas and the milfoil control plan.

 

John Ostenson, Safety Committee Chair, reported on the June 14, 2005 Safety Committee meeting and presented accident/incident reports reviewed by the Safety Committee.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried to concur with the Safety Committee’s findings for the following reports: #2005-E-7 and #2005-E-8.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:10 a.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2005 and reconvened at 1:40 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss market positions, public hearing process, Wind River Public Development Authority appointments, surplus land process, and Regional Support Network, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2005 and reconvened at 10:10 a.m. Thursday, June 23, 2005, with Commissioners McKee and Richardson present.

 

Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director, presented program counts; advised of a request from Human Services Council to come into compliance with the In-Home contract requirement to provide evening, weekend and holiday service, and compensation concerns regarding the requirement for the immediate supervisor to be available during after hours; and advised of an awards ceremony on August 23, 2005 in Seattle to honor Senior Services Transportation Drivers and Dispatcher.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:40 a.m. Thursday, June 23, 2005 and reconvened at 4:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee and Richardson present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried to approve contract change order #1 with CNR, Inc. to include additional equipment necessary for the installation of the new phone system.

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m. Thursday, June 23, 2005.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON