BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of July 18, 2005

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 18, 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.

 

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

1.       Minutes of July 11, 2005.

2.       Liquor license application for Eagle’s Cliff General Store.

3.       Community Development Block Grant Public Services 2004 Closeout Report.

4.       Set public hearing for 1:30 PM Monday, August 29, 2005 to consider application from Skamania County Public Works for Shoreline Substantial Development Permit & Shoreline Variance to realign Salmon Falls Road at its crossing at Canyon Creek.

5.       Resolution 2005-27 amending Skamania County’s American Fidelity Flexible Benefits Section 125 Plan by adding a new section 8.05 Grace Period to Plan 501, which allows up to an additional 70-day grace period after the end of the plan year which a participant can incur claims & be reimbursed.

6.       Resolution 2005-30 distribution of PUD Privilege Taxes received by Skamania County in 2005.

7.       Resolution 2005-31 invitation to bidders for purchase of petroleum products, set deadline to receive bids for 4:00 PM Friday, August 19, 2005, set date to open bids for 10:00 AM Monday, August 22, 2005.

8.       Letter of agreement with Acoustic Sound dba Adventure Bluegrass for Bluegrass Festival July 22-24, 2005.

9.       Interlocal Agreement with Washougal School District to assist in Phase II development of Roger Malfait Community Park in western Skamania County.

10.    Contract with Dept of Social & Health Services to provide funding for alcohol & drug assessments, referrals & treatment.

11.    Contract with Bridgeview Catering to provide boxed meals for exercise design meeting, workshop & functional exercise.

12.    Contract A-1 Gutter & Construction, Inc. to install new gutters & downspouts on Fairground facilities.

 

Scott Pineo, Community Events and Recreation Director reported on the 2005 Fair and Fairgrounds activities, swim center activities, recreation program, Rock Creek Center activities, parks and boat launches, Roger Malfait Park, and personnel changes.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to authorize an amendment to the special events insurance policy to allow the Community Events and Recreation Director discretion in charging the $30.00 fee to an applicant for reviewing the applicant’s proof of insurance and insurance policy to ensure adequate insurance coverage is in place.

 

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

 

Marlon Morat, Skamania County Fire Marshall gave an update on fire season conditions.

 

Mike Garvison, Auditor discussed the need to set a policy for uniform allowance for the Animal Control officer.

 

Commissioner Pearce gave updates on a recent meeting regarding north county developments, Klickitat-Skamania Development Council name change, and Greater Columbia Behavioral Health.

 

The Board directed the Clerk of the Board to advertise the surplus sale of 3.45 acres of real property located on Rock Creek Drive at Foster Creek Road, tax lot # 02-07-02-0-0-3100-00, to be held by public auction at 3:00 p.m. Monday, August 15, 2005.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:20 a.m. Monday, July 18, 2005 and reconvened at 1:40 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director to review proposed text changes to Skamania County Code Title 22 Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:40 p.m. Monday, July 18, 2005 and reconvened at 9:10 a.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2005, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss scheduling for the West End Community Comprehensive Subarea Plan, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to award two surplus vehicles to Fire District #3 as follows:

Vehicle #304             1994 Chevy ¾ ton 4x4 pickup 1GCGK24N7RE245808                       $1,290

Vehicle #306            1991 GMC ¾ ton 4x4 pickup 1GTGK24K4ME522669                       $   690

 

Craig Rundell, Public Works Engineering Technician gave a presentation on the 2005 traffic safety review project.

 

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

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, reported on the pending application list, an upcoming meeting for the Columbia River Gorge Commission, Water Resource Inventory Area 29, and requested consideration of a possible two-year full-time temporary employee to fill a vacant planner position.  The Board advised of the need to further review this request. 

 

John Ostenson, Safety Committee Chair, reported on the July 12, 2005 Safety Committee meeting and presented accident/incident reports reviewed by the Safety Committee.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to concur with the Safety Committee’s findings for the following reports: #2005-E-12, #2005-13, and #2005-14.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to acknowledge receipt of a letter of interest from John Crumpacker to be considered for a position on the Wind River Public Development Authority (WRPDA) Board of Directors and further moved to appoint him to serve on the WRPDA Board of Directors for a four-year term expiring June 5, 2009, to represent the business sector.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:35 a.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2005 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board met in executive session from 1:35 p.m. until 2:05 p.m. regarding potential litigation, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss the Equipment, Rental and Reserve (ER&R) Fund.  Following discussion regarding the reserve level guideline determination and proposed 2006 vehicle and heavy equipment rates, Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to set the equipment replacement reserve fund amount to be retained at $1,500,000 and reduce the amount going into the equipment replacement fund over a three-year period in order to attain the reserve amount.  Other discussion included a request to consider a full time Mechanic Services Coordinator position and the need for further discussion regarding draft Resolution 2005-22 amending the current ER&R program and policy.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:10 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2005 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 21, 2005 with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending July 21, 2005 in the amount of $239,898.76.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to award one surplus vehicle to Skamania County Emergency Medical Services as follows:

Vehicle #718             1998 Ford Expedition 1FMPU18LXWLB73468            $2,800

 

Commissioner Pearce gave an update on the reorganization of Mid-Columbia Economic Development District and an upcoming Emergency Operations Center exercise.

 

Auditor Mike Garvison presented long-term goals of the Auditor’s Office.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Prosecutor, Public Works, and Planning and Community Development to discuss Wind River water project issues.  Discussion included an update on the water rights permitting process, the need to move forward with negotiations with the Forest Service to possibly obtain the Forest Service domestic water system, the need to meet with the Public Utility District  (PUD) regarding the PUD’s need to obtain ground water, and the need to provide direction for prioritizing the project.  Commissioner McKee advised he would contact the Forest Service regarding the domestic water system.

 

The Board met in executive session from 11:35 a.m. until 11:55 a.m. regarding potential litigation and personnel, with no action taken.

 

The Board advised they would be attending an Elected Officials meeting at 12:00 p.m. today at River’s Edge Café in Stevenson.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:55 a.m. Thursday, July 21, 2005 and reconvened at 1:10 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

 

District Court Judge Ron Reynier addressed concerns with increased staff workload due to enforcement of the Dougan Falls Recreation Safety Corridor.  Issues discussed included impact on office staff due to an increase in citations, the need to look at potential increase in revenue to offset increase in processing citations, need to review dollar amount of fine imposed for violations, and a request from the Judge to consider increasing a current 50% position to full time.

 

The Board met in executive session from 2:10 p.m. until 2:40 p.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.

 

The meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m. Thursday, July 21, 2005.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON