BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of October 3, 2005

 

The Board met in executive session regarding litigation with Commissioners Albert E. McKee, Chair, Paul Pearce and James D. Richardson present from 9:40 a.m. until 9:55 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 3, 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 Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to ratify terminating the closure of outdoor burning on private lands in Skamania County effective September 30, 2005.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to remove Item #6, to be considered later this date, and approve the remainder of the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.       Minutes for week of September 26, 2005.

2.       Acknowledge receipt of Solid Waste Advisory Board appointments: City of Stevenson appointment of Jim Anderson for position #5; City of North Bonneville appointment of Tom Payton for position #8.

3.       Acknowledge submission of application for special assistance grant funds to WA ST Dept of Agriculture for accessible ramp to arena grandstand and area wide paging system at Fairgrounds/Rock Creek Park.

4.       Special occasion liquor license for American Legion Post 122 for October 15, 2005.

5.       Set public hearing for 10:00 AM Monday, October 17, 2005 to consider Resolution 2005-45 Supplemental Budget #3 for 2005 to supplement budgets for various department funds due to unanticipated expenditures and revenues unknown at the time of passing the 2005 budget.

6.       Proclamation declaring week of October 9-15, 2005 as National 4-H Club Week.

7.       Contract #1 with Strategic Change Concepts, changing the wording for mileage rate reimbursement for providing family therapy services to moderate to high risk juvenile offenders and their families.

8.       Contract with CNR, Inc for monthly maintenance services for phone system.

9.       Contract with R.P. Herman & Associates for appraisal of Wind River Boat Launch Project.

10.    Contract amendment A with Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (E05-066 reissue) to extend the performance period, due to a delay in equipment acquisition, for planning, exercise, training, and equipment for local jurisdictions to prevent and respond to terrorist/weapons of mass destruction attacks.

11.    Letters of support to Dept of Transportation for grant funding for Salmon Falls Road/SR14 Intersection Safety Project and Washougal River Road Bike Path Project.

 

Tony Estey, Buildings and Grounds Director reported on repairs, maintenance, and remodels at various facilities and grounds. 

 

Tony Estey, Buildings and Grounds Director requested to install gates at the entrance to County owned property on Rock Creek Drive, known as the old Louisiana Pacific Mill site, to eliminate the dumping of garbage/various materials and the removal of top soil stored on the site.  Discussion included options for boat access to Rock Creek Cove, with no decision made.

 

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

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to acknowledge a notice from Washington State Liquor Control Board of the withdrawal of a liquor license application for Eagles Cliff General Store.

 

The Board interviewed Susan Newman for a vacancy on the Solid Waste Advisory Board for position #7.

 

The Board interviewed Bruce Scherling for a vacancy on the Solid Waste Advisory Board for position #4.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve a Proclamation declaring the week of October 9-15, 2005 as National 4-H Club Week in Skamania County.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:15 a.m. Monday, October 3, 2005 and reconvened at 11:30 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve a Proclamation declaring October 2005 as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

 

The Board advised they would be attending a Washington State Workforce Development public hearing at 1:30 p.m. today at the Courthouse Annex (lower level) regarding an appeal by Skamania County Board of Commissioners to change from Southwest Washington Workforce Development Vancouver Service Delivery Area to Tri-Valley Yakima Service Delivery Area.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:50 a.m. Monday, October 3, 2005 and reconvened at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, October 4, 2005, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss health insurance, 2006 budget, Columbia River Gorge Commission, staff reports, National Association of County Officials dues, and a recent National Schools and Counties Coalition Board of Directors Meeting in Washington, DC, with no action taken.

 

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

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director reported on the pending application list, agenda topics for an upcoming Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting, status of Title 22 National Scenic Area text changes and Title 21 Zoning text changes, personnel changes, and gave updates on subarea plans and Water Resource Inventory Area 29.

 

A public hearing was held to consider a request from Roger D. Knapp, Attorney representing Justin Lawrence, Brent Lawrence, and Steven Polito for a variance to Skamania County Private Road Standards for Agate Lane (private) and Eagle Peak Lane (private), located off of Belle Center Road at milepost 1.96, to allow a road grade in excess of 8% to exceed the minimum 100-foot guideline length.  In his letter of request, Mr. Knapp advised that the existing grade standards would result in an undue hardship to the applicants, in that it would deprive them of the economic use of their property.  Rich Lang, County Surveyor gave a staff report for Eagle Peak Lane (private), advised that Public Works supported the variance request and presented a letter from Donald Ochs, Chief for Fire District No. 4 advising the roads were acceptable for fire department access.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to acknowledge receipt of a letter from Kenneth Terhaar.  Comments from the public included the need for dust suppression and standards and restrictions for work hours and noise.  The hearing was closed to public comment.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve the variance request for Eagle Peak Lane (private), with the stipulation that the road would be paved as soon as practical.  The hearing was reopened for a staff report on Agate Lane (private).  The hearing was closed to public comment.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve the variance request for Agate Lane (private), with the stipulation that the road would be paved as soon as practical.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:35 a.m. Tuesday, October 4, 2005 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board interviewed Brenda Harris for a vacancy on the Solid Waste Advisory Board for position #6.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve the following appointments to the Solid Waste Advisory Board:

§         Bob Wittenberg      Position #2  3 year unexpired term, expiring August 31, 2007

§         Bruce Scherling      Position #4  3 year unexpired term, expiring August 31, 2008

§         Brenda  Harris      Position #6  3 year unexpired term, expiring August 31, 2007

§         Susan Newman      Position #7  3 year unexpired term, expiring August 31, 2008

 

The Board advised they would be participating in a field trip to county owned properties at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2005.

 

The meeting recessed at 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, October 4, 2005 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 6, 2005 with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider a request from Jerry Sauer for a variance to Skamania County Private Road Standards for Eagles View Lane (private) located off of Loowit Lane (private) off of Forest Service 25 Road (private) at milepost 42.96, to allow a road grade in excess of 8% to exceed the minimum 100-foot guideline length.  Rich Lang, County Surveyor gave a staff report for Eagle View Lane (private) and advised that Public Works supported the variance request with a recommendation to require a berm or guardrail on the outside downhill section of the curve located at Station 3.  The hearing was closed to public comment.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve the variance request for Eagles View Lane (private), with the stipulation that the County Engineer view the site to determine whether the roadway is adequate, and if not, that a berm or guardrail be placed on the outside downhill section of the curve located at Station 3.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:20 a.m. Thursday, October 6, 2005 and reconvened at 10:30 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve payroll for the period ending September 30, 2005 in the amount or $962,645.13.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:35 a.m. Thursday, October 6, 2005 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop with Walt Loehrke to discuss Skamania Lodge swim pool, with no action taken.

 

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m. Thursday, October 6, 2005.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON