BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of July 4, 2005

 

In observance of Independence Day, no meeting was held on Monday, July 4, 2005.  The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 5, 2005 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Acting Chair and James D. Richardson present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Mary Repar advised of concerns regarding environmental issues due to increased development in the County.

 

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

1.       Minutes for week of June 27, 2005.

2.       Set public hearing for 1:30 PM July 25, 2005 to consider Ordinance 2005-06 rezoning Tax Lot # 03-08-14-0-0-0200-00 from Special Management Forest to General Management Small Woodland within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

3.       Lease agreement with Wind River Public Development Authority for office space in Building #2025 at Wind River site to house Firewise Project.

4.       Contract with Georgia Jacobs for janitorial services at Firewise Project office in Building #2025 at Wind River site.

5.       Letter of agreement with Port of Cascade Locks to accept community donations received by Community Events & Recreation for annual July 4th fireworks display.

6.       Clark Regional Services Agency to provide funding for exercise for mock terrorist incident.

7.       Abacus Technology, Corp to develop, plan & execute exercise for mock terrorist incident.

8.       Contract with Bridgeview Catering to provide 80 box lunches for tabletop/functional exercise.

9.       Lease agreement with Dept of General Administration for two-month extension of real property located at 704-A SW Rock Creek Drive for Employment Security Department.

10.    Letter of Agreement with Employment Security Dept for janitorial services at Employment Security facility located at 704-A SW Rock Creek Drive.

11.    Declare vehicles on recommended equipment list surplus, set purchase price for county department/junior taxing districts, and authorize Equipment, Rental & Revolving Fund manager to initiate contract with Zakula Beal Auctioneer to sell remaining surplus equipment at August 6, 2005 public auction.

 

Tony Estey, Buildings and Grounds Director reported on repairs, maintenance, and remodels at various facilities and grounds for the months of May and June 2005.

 

Terry Blaisdell, Central Services Director reported on personnel, email traffic, computer replacements and new equipment purchases for various departments, and gave updates on the new phone system, various projects and programs.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:35 a.m. Tuesday, July 5, 2005 and reconvened at 11:00 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services gave a presentation on the projected status of the 2006 Budget.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:40 a.m. Tuesday, July 5, 2005 and reconvened at 1:10 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

The Board met in executive session from 1:10 p.m. until 1:20 p.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 1:20 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, 2005 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Al King, Intergovernmental Policy Manager for the County Road Administration Board gave an overview of his report on Skamania County’s Equipment, Rental and Revolving (ER&R) Fund.  Discussion included reserve level guideline determination, rates in relation to reserve level, mechanic staffing levels, and ER&R organization.  Commissioner Pearce advised he would be the Commissioner’s representative for annual ER&R department heads meetings.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:40 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, 2005 and reconvened at 10:05 a.m. Thursday, July 8, 2005, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve payroll for the period ending June 30, 2005 in the amount of $954,076.81.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending July 7, 2005 in the amount of $511,322.22.

 

Norm Wurzer, Public Works Engineering Technician gave a report on the Home Valley Bridge repair and use options for consideration which included removal of the bridge using county funds ($60,000), removal of the bridge using state funds designated for bridge removal ($104,500), repairing the bridge to accommodate small vehicular traffic ($128,910 plus $2,200 annual maintenance), and repairing the bridge to allow pedestrian traffic only ($23,580 plus $600 annual maintenance).  Public Works recommended removal of the bridge.  Discussion included concerns with pedestrians crossing the railroad tracks from Home Valley Park Campground to get to the Wind Mountain Store and the need for a reduction in the speed limit through Home Valley due to pedestrian traffic crossing the highway.  The Board advised they support repairing the bridge for pedestrian traffic only.

 

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

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director reported on an upcoming meeting and activities/issues regarding Columbia River Gorge Commission, and gave updates on ordinance revisions and Water Resource Inventory Area 29.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, July 8, 2005 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss private road requirements and Public Utility District privilege tax, with no action taken.

 

A public hearing was held, continued from June 20, 2005, 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.  Receipt was acknowledged of letters from Shelly Moore and Fire District #4.  Rich Lang, County Surveyor presented a staff report of the road grade and lengths at various mileposts, advised that Public Works previously supported the variance because the road existed prior to the establishment of private road standards, and further advised that Public Works was unaware of potential future development at the time of their recommendation.  Discussion included future development along White Dog Road (private), potential impact on property owners for future development, drainage, and. safety concerns on the steepest sections of the road.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve the variance request with the stipulation that no section of the road shall exceed a 16% grade unless that section is paved.

 

The meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m. Thursday, July 8, 2005.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON