BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of August 8, 2005

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 8, 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.

 

Karen Howerton, owner of Sand Hill Cottages in Carson, advised of concerns regarding speed and increased traffic on Hot Springs Avenue.

 

Joe Bacus advised of concerns regarding the proposed timber harvest at the Wind River site and possible affects on a fish study on Trout Creek.

 

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

1.       Minutes for week of August 1, 2005.

2.       Acknowledge receipt of letter from Tri-County Workforce Council regarding Tri-County Consortium.

3.       Acknowledge Claim for Damages from Matthew Vincent and Teresa Vincent.

4.       Resolution 2005-33 Invitation to Bidders for Modular Inground Truck Lift System, set deadline to receive bids for 4:00 PM Wednesday, August 31, 2005, set date to open bids for 10:00 AM Thursday, September 1, 2005.

5.       Contract with Mid-Columbia Family Health Center to provide physicals for County employment.

6.       Contract with Dept of Transportation (GCA4492) to provide funding to purchase two ADA accessible mini-vans for the dial a ride program and two transit buses to replace old vehicles.

7.       Contract with Dept of Agriculture to provide funding to control invasive knotweed on the Little White Salmon, Wind & Washougal Rivers & associated tributaries, Carson Creek, Kanaka Creek, Rock Creek, Pierce & Franz Lake Wildlife Refuges, & Collins Creek within Skamania County.

8.       Resolution 2005-36, revising the 2005 Annual Construction Plan

9.       Resolution 2005-37, assigning a CRP number for Salmon Falls Road right of way purchase and preliminary construction.

 

Commissioner Pearce advised of a dog issue on the West End and concerns from local fire chiefs regarding language in the burn ban resolution allowing certain exceptions for outdoor fires in designated campsites.

 

The Board advised they would be attending a meeting of interested agencies regarding the Cascade Locks Resort and Casino EIS project at the Port of Cascade Locks Gorge Pavilion at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 8, 2005.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:50 a.m. Monday, August 8, 2005 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 9, 2005 with Commissioners McKee and Pearce present.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried to approve payroll for the period ending July 31, 2005 in the amount of $978,852.55.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried to approve a hold harmless agreement for Skamania County Fair Parade on State Road 14 on August 20, 2005.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried to approve a license agreement with Joseph and Diane Birkenfeld to provide for parking for Skamania County Fair.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Scott Pineo, Community Events and Recreation Director, Auditor Mike Garvison, and Noah Adams, on behalf of the swim pool committee, to discuss issues regarding the swim pool, which included needed repairs, maintenance and operation costs.  Noah Adams presented a draft petition to gather signatures for a Park and Recreation District for the Board’s review.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried to request 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.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:55 p.m. Tuesday, August 9, 2005 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 11, 2005 with Commissioners McKee and Pearce present.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending August 11, 2005 in the amount of $545,118.90.

 

Walt Loehrke, Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC) member and Kathy Sheehan, former CRGC member, reported on the CRGC meeting of August 9, 2005.  Issues discussed included an air quality study, enforcement, Management Plan amendments, and CRGC budget.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried to approve an agreement with the Department of Transportation to permit the Skamania County Fair Parade on State Road 14 on August 20, 2005.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried to approve a joint representation agreement, joining in litigation as a co-plaintiff, with Perkins Coie as counsel, to file a suit in Skagit County Superior Court challenging ESSB No. 6731 and Washington Board of Natural Resources Resolution No. 1141 directing the Department of Natural Resources to implement the Lake Whatcom Landscape Plan.  The plaintiffs’ believe that ESSB No. 6731 and the approval of the Plan are violations of the State and the Department’s trust obligations under the state constitution, as well as state and federal statutes.

 

The Board advised they would be attending a field tour on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Friday, August 12, 2005.

 

The meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 11, 2005.

 

ATTEST:                                                                    BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

                                                                                    ____________________________________

                                                                                    Commissioner

 

____________________________________

                                                                                    Commissioner

 

_______________________________                                  ____________________________________

Clerk of the Board                                                  Commissioner

Aye _______

Nay _______

Abstain _______

Absent _______