BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of February 28, 2005

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 22, 2005 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Albert E. McKee, Paul Pearce and James D. Richardson present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Mary Repar presented a copy of a Notice of Appeal filed with the Forest Practices Appeals Board of Skamania County’s forest practices application to harvest timber at the Wind River site, approved by the Department of Natural Resources.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to acknowledge receipt of the Notice of Appeal.

 

Scott Bryan, Public Works Project Engineer, gave updates on negotiations for right of way on Metzger Road, plats and surveys sent to the Department of Natural Resources for digitizing, employee training, receiving a written estimate from Burlington Northern Railroad for removal of the Home Valley Park Bridge, and working on a design to improve operations at Mt. Pleasant Transfer Station.

 

Larry Douglass, County Road Superintendent, gave an overview of Road Crew activities for the month of February and proposed activities for the month of March.

 

Rick Jessel, Counseling Center Director, reported on programs for mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve the

Consent Agenda as follows:

1.       Minutes of February 21, 2005.

2.       Special occasion liquor license for American Legion Cape Horn Post 122.

3.       Intergovernmental Agreement with City of Salem, OR for cooperative purchasing through a contract for 10-12 yard dump truck.

4.       Public Works Collective Bargaining Agreement for 2005-2006.

5.       Contract with Technical Results Group amendment #1 to include partial hotel cost for evidence procedures audit.

6.       Lynee Sapere for facilitation of a painting instruction class.

7.       Contract with North Country Emergency Medical Services to provide ambulance & rescue vehicle, staffed with emergency medical technicians & paramedics, in the north county area.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richard and motion carried to approve Resolution 2005-06 adopting the National Incident Management System as Skamania County’s foundation for incident command, coordination and support activities for response to and recovery from major emergencies and disaster operations.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending December 31, 2004 in the amount of $3,572.79.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:05 a.m. Monday, February 28, 2005 and reconvened 2:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board met for an annual meeting with the Forest Service to discuss the use of the shared water and septic system at Wind River, as required in the Special Use Permit and Collection Agreement included in the conveyance of the Wind River site.  Those present included Forest Service members District Ranger Nancy Ryke, Jan Driver and Neil Oliver of the Mt. Adams Ranger District.  Presented for discussion was the Wind River Water and Septic System Maintenance estimate for FY 2005 and actual costs for FY 2004, proposed major equipment replacement and non-routine maintenance, if needed, and an expenditure report for FY 2004.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richard and motion carried to acknowledge the Wind River Water and Septic System Maintenance Estimate for FY 2005, major equipment replacement and non-routine maintenance proposal for FY 2005 and expenditure report for FY 2004.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:25 p.m. Monday, February 28, 2005 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2005, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, gave updates on the pending application list, permitting issues at Carson Hot Springs Resort, and county ordinance updates, and advised of upcoming meetings for the Columbia River Gorge Commission and Water Resource Inventory Area 29.

 

Tony Estey, Buildings and Grounds Director, reported on maintenance, repairs and remodeling at various buildings and grounds and animal control activities.  Other discussion included the need for removal of the old deteriorating bridge trestle beams at the old mill site at Rock Creek, with Commissioner Richardson advising he would follow-up on this, irrigation issues at Rock Creek and Home Valley Parks, and a potential opportunity to purchase water rights for irrigation purposes.

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director and Charly Boyd, Watershed/Shorelines Planner, gave an update on the Water Resource Inventory Area 29 process and advised of a recent meeting with Klickitat County Board of Commissioners regarding the proposed watershed plan.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve contract amendment #1 with the Public Development Authority to extend the term of the contract until March 10, 2005 for performing marketing, planning and administrative services at Wind River site.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, 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 2:15 p.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2005 and reconvened at 10:05 a.m. Thursday, March 3, 2005, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending March 3, 2005 in the amount of $78,047.08.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to set a public hearing for 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 17, 2005 to consider Resolution 2005-08 Supplemental Budget #1 to supplement budgets for various departments due to unanticipated expenditures and revenues unknown at the time of passing the 2005 budget.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve contract amendment #1 with the Public Development Authority to expand the scope of duties, extend the term until December 31, 2005, and increase the compensation limit by an additional $4,535.00 to perform timber planning and assessment at Wind River site.

 

Commissioner Richardson advised that the Interpretive Center has indicated they have no interest in the old deteriorating bridge trestle beams at the old mill site at Rock Creek, and he would proceed with arrangements for removal of the beams.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:10 a.m. Thursday, March 3, 2005 and reconvened at 3:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board met in executive session from 3:25 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to appoint Tod LeFevre as Skamania County Engineer/Public Works Director effective March 3, 2005, with final agreement to be negotiated.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to reappoint Paul Willis to fill a Mosquito Control Board vacancy for position #3 for a two-year term expiring January 2, 2007.

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2005.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON