BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of January 10, 2005

 

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

 

Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, reported on Road Crew maintenance and snow removal activities, engineering activities, and an upcoming meeting regarding Northwestern Lake Bridge reconstruction project.

 

Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director, presented final program counts for 2004 and gave an update on the public transit program.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve a request from Public Works to purchase a barcode reader for the Win-Cams cost accounting management software for inventory tracking and management.

 

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

1.       Minutes for week of January 3, 2005.

2.       Resolution 2005-02, Invitation to Bidders for supply & delivery of crushed aggregate for 2005, set deadline to receive bids for 4:00 p.m. Wednesday January 26, 2005 and set date to open bids for 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 27, 2005.

3.       Authorize purchase of ER&R vehicle replacements for Buildings & Grounds, County Road, Solid Waste and Sheriff’s Dept, approved in 2005 Budget.

4.       Contract renewal with Daniel Ferber, MD to provide medication management to mental health clients, approved in 2005 Budget.

5.       Contract renewal with Associated Counselors, Inc. to provide mental health services, approved in 2005 Budget.

6.       Contract with Brian Bea of Ashbrook Medical Services to provide medical services for jail inmates, approved in 2005 Budget.

7.       Contract amendments with American Fidelity Assurance Company for revisions to Plans 501, 502 & 503 for Section 125 Flexible Fringe Benefit Plan.

8.       Contract amendment with Dept of Transportation to increase funding for Senior group transportation program.

9.       Certification of Property Tax Levies from Taxing Districts.

 

Dave McKenzie, Mayor for the City of Stevenson, addressed concerns regarding a recent letter to the City of Stevenson from the Board requesting eastbound truck traffic be routed to the First Street By-Pass and advised that the City would be looking at a downtown traffic pattern.  Discussion included safety issues and the need to reduce truck traffic on Second Street.  Mayor McKenzie advised he would be willing to work with the County on the truck traffic issue.  The Board advised they would pursue the truck traffic problems on State Road 14 with State Legislatures.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve a contract with the Administrative Office of the Courts to provide reimbursement funds for the purchase of a laser printer for the Juvenile Department.

 

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve payroll for the period ending December 31, 2004 in the amount of $909,212.50.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve a contract with EOP, Inc. for coordination of a tabletop exercise covering a potentially serious hazardous materials event.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve a contract with the Department of Community Trade and Economic Development to provide funding through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for services to low and moderate-income persons within Skamania and Klickitat Counties.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried to elect Commissioner Pearce to serve as Vice-Chair for 2005 to reside over meetings in the absence of the Chair.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:25 a.m. Monday, January 10, 2005 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider a variance request from Walter Wagner to the applied conditions to the Deer Meadow Retreat Short Plat to upgrade Griffing Road (private) to comply with Skamania County Private Road Standards.  Mr. Wagner requested to be allowed to maintain the current 16 foot width of the existing Griffing Road between the driveway of Lot #1101 and the driveway of Lot #1102, a distance of 110 feet; and to maintain the current 12 foot width of the existing road between the driveway of Lot #1102 to the entrance of Lot #1200, including the wrought iron gate, a distance of 88 feet.  Tod LeFevre, Assistant County Engineer, advised that the variance request does not meet at least one of the following three findings pursuant to Skamania County Code 12.03.100(A): 1) meeting existing requirements would not adequately protect the public interest and therefore must be raised; 2) meeting existing requirements would result in an undue hardship to the applicant; or 3) meeting existing minimal requirements would deprive the subject property of rights and privileges given other properties in the area.  Following discussion, which included location of the 60-foot right of way for Griffing Road and location of utilities and property lines along Griffing Road, the hearing was closed to public comment.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to make a site visit to Griffing Road at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, January 20, 2005 and continue the hearing to 11:30 a.m. Monday, January 24, 2005 for deliberations by the Board.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:30 p.m. Monday, January 10, 2005 and reconvened at 10:05 a.m. Tuesday, January 11, 2005, with Commissioners McKee and Richardson present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried to authorize the purchase a computer for the Sheriff’s Office to provide for current technology needed for investigative purposes.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:10 a.m. Tuesday, January 11, 2005 and reconvened at 1:45 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop with Counseling Center Director Rick Jessel to review department services and goals, with no action taken.

 


 

 

The Board met in executive session from 3:40 p.m. until 4:45 p.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, January 11, 2005.

 

The Board met in executive session on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 from 9:20 a.m. until 9:50 a.m. regarding litigation, with no action taken.

 

The meeting reconvened at 10:10 a.m. Thursday, January 13, 2005, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider adoption of Resolution 2004-62, Supplemental Budget #4 for 2004.    Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve Resolution 2004-62 Supplemental Budget #4 for 2004.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending December 31, 2004 and January 13, 2005 in the amount of $485,353.63.

 

Walt Loehrke, representing Stabler Community Council, advised of concerns from a majority of Stabler residents regarding removal of Hemlock Dam proposed by the Forest Service.  Issues discussed included springs used for domestic water, loss of a recreational resource, issues not addressed in the environmental impact statement, and the need for more research.

 

Walt Loehrke, Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC) member, reported on the CRGC meeting of January 11, 2005.  Issues discussed included housing compatibility, I-84 Strategy Plan, Management Plan amendment process, and truck traffic on State Road 14.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 13, 2005 and reconvened at 1:40 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Representatives from Kennedy/Jenks and Public Works gave a presentation on the results of the Wind River Nursery Site Water System Report for domestic water supply.  Two options were presented for consideration: 1) separate the water system and create an independent County owned water system at an approximate cost of $3.6 million; or 2) create a joint water system with the Forest Service at an approximate cost of $3 million.  Option #2 was recommended.  Discussion included water project updates and current grant status, update on the Public Development Authority, future grant and funding possibilities, possibility of a Stabler Municipal Water System with the PUD, concern with water system costs, benefits of a joint water system, and the working relationship between the County and the Forest Service.  Commissioner McKee advised he would schedule a meeting with Claire Lavendel, Forest Supervisor for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to present the options for the water system and discuss the recommendation.

 

The Board advised they would be attending a presentation of the Northwestern Lake Bridge Reconstruction Project presented by Sargent Consulting Engineering at Husum Hills Golf Course Club House, 820 State Hwy 141, Husum, WA. at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, January 14, 2005.

 


The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, January 13, 2005.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON