BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of September 12, 2005

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 12, 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 for week of September 5, 2005.

2.       Contract amendment A (E05-287) with WA ST Military Dept/Dept of Homeland Security adjusting local emergency management operating budget for emergency management programs.

3.       Contract amendment #5 with US Forest Service increasing funding for Work Crew program.

4.       Interagency Agreement with WA ST Parks & Recreation Commission to provide funding knotweed control at Beacon Rock State Park.

5.       Interagency Agreement with Administrative Office of the Courts to provide funding to Juvenile Court for programs and services.

6.       Contract with Guler Oil, Inc to furnish petroleum products countywide for 2005-2007.

7.       Resolution 2005-44 setting fees for public records requests and adopting a Request for Public Records form.

 

Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director reported on a recent banquet held in Olympia to honor transit drivers, and gave updates on the public transit program, In-Home Care Providers, and health insurance.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to authorize a supplemental budget for the Equipment, Rental and Revolving Fund (ER&R) in the amount of $20,036 by reducing ER&R ending cash balance in the amount of $20,036 and increasing the purchase authorization for a modular in-ground truck lift system by $20,036.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to award the bid for a modular in-ground truck lift system to Lift Logic, Inc. of North Plains, OR for the amount of $80,036.

 

The Board discussed a request from Public Works to hire a temporary Engineering Technician II for the period of October 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005, with no action taken.

 

Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer gave an update on the status of removing trees on the Burlington Northern right of way at the Home Valley crossing.

 

Auditor Mike Garvison advised that the Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department increased the standard mileage rate to 48.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven between September 1 and December 31, 2005.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:06 a.m. Monday, September 12, 2005 and reconvened at 10:05 a.m. Tuesday, September 13, 2005, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer reported on activities for the Road Department, Solid Waste, Building Department, engineering, bridges, and monitoring of equipment, rental and revolving fund 2006 rates.

 

Representatives from the Cascade Sportsman’s Club requested permission to use the Blue Lake Rock Pit area as a temporary practice/sighting area for their firearms for Club members due to the closure of the shooting range north of Stevenson.  Discussion included the need to negotiate a new lease with Longview Fibre for the Stevenson sight or find an alternate sight.  Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer advised he would contact the Department of Natural Resources about a possible site, Commissioner McKee advised he would contact the Forest Service to inquire about possible sites, and Commissioner Richardson advised he would contact Planning regarding requirements for a shooting range at Blue Lake Rock Pit.  

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to join in a national “Rebuilding the Gulf Coast” effort sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and approve a donation from Skamania County, in an amount equal to the County’s NACo dues, to the Parish and County Family Fund to be distributed to the counties and parishes through the three state association to help with relief efforts for the Hurricane Katrina victims on the Gulf Coast. 

 

The meeting recessed at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, September 13, 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 boat launch fees and Community Events and Recreation personnel matters, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve a request from Community Events and Recreation to temporarily fill the vacant Recreation Coordinator (40% part time) position for a period not to exceed 400 hours and not to exceed 90 days in order to provide adequate service to recreation program participants.

 

The Board continued in a staff workshop to discuss 2005 and 2006 budgets, a proposal for a Parks and Recreation District advisory ballot, labor relations, and health issues, with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding litigation from 3:35 p.m. until 3:40 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:40 p.m. Tuesday, September 13, 2005 and reconvened at 3:55 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to rescind the Board’s motion of August 8, 2005 requesting the Auditor to reserve a space on the general election ballot for a measure to create a Parks and Recreation District to fund the swim pool and to advise The Pioneer newspaper that a recent article advising the Board was going to run an advisory vote is incorrect.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve an amendment to the agreement with Washougal School District to assist in Phase II development of Roger Malfait Community Park in western Skamania County by striking out language that the School District shall complete construction of the project within 10 years of the execution of the agreement.

 

The meeting recessed at 4:05 p.m. Tuesday, September 13, 2005 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 15, 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 September 15, 2005 in the amount of $242,041.61.

 

Walt Loehrke, Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC) member reported on the CRGC meeting of September 13, 2005.  Issues discussed included a draft Building in the Gorge handbook, approval of Skamania Counties Section 8(o) zoning changes, proposed installation of a new water tank at Multnomah Falls, and a proposal to address Skamania Lodge with a request to open their swim facilities to the public.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve a voucher to Skamania County Fair Board in the amount of $10,879.00.

 

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

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:55 a.m. Thursday, September 15, 2005.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON