BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of May 23, 2005

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 23, 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.

 

Mary Repar inquired about RCW compliance regarding Resolution 2005-18 declaring maintenance of an index identifying all public information and records held by the County to be unduly burdensome.  The Board advised her to contact the Prosecutor regarding this inquiry.

 

Bud Quinn advised of his objection to the anti-jump fencing proposed to be installed on the Washougal River Bridge and requested that other alternatives be considered, such as law enforcement.

 

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

1.       Minutes of May 16, 2005.

2.       Acknowledge receipt of 2004 Summary of Activities for Mount St. Helens Project from North Country Emergency Medical Service.

3.       Set public hearing for 1:30 PM Monday, June 6, 2005 to consider Ordinance 2005-05 amending SCC Title 9, Section 9.12.010 Public Card Rooms to allow public card rooms within establishments in unincorporated areas of County who are authorized by State Gambling Commission to sell pull tabs.

4.       Contract amendment #1 with Jim Combelic Logging to allow for an adjustment in the quantity estimated in the proposal for the removal & sale of surplus timber as part of Metzger Road improvement project.

5.       Award bid & execute contract with Mid Columbia Paving Company for asphalt paving as part of Metzger Road improvement project.

6.       Contract with StreamFix to complete design for lower Hamilton Creek project and submit grant applications for possible funding.

7.       Employment agreement with Tod LeFevre to perform the duties of Skamania County Public Works Director/County Engineer.

8.       Contract amendment (GCA3737) with Dept of Transportation to decrease operating grant funding by $9,000 and transfer $16,000 to capital grant GCA3828 to replace engines in two transit buses.

9.       Contract amendment (GCA3828) with Dept of Transportation to increase funding by transferring $16,000 from operating grant GCA 3737 to capital grant GCA3828 to replace engines in two transit buses.

10.    Contract with WA State Patrol to provide funding for domestic marijuana eradication/suppression program.

11.    Contract with WA State Military Dept to provide funding for equipment purchases to enhance preparedness to combat terrorism.

12.    Contract amendment #1 with EOP, Inc. to extend term of contract to establish & coordinate a functional & tabletop exercise covering a potentially serious hazardous materials event.

13.    Business Associate Agreement with WA Counties Insurance Fund (WCIF) for HIPAA requirements & confidentiality regarding WCIF and Skamania County employees.

 

John Carlson, Emergency Management Coordinator gave an update on Mount St. Helens activity, Shepherd Falls rescue, recent Amtrak derailment, Community Emergency Response Teams training activities, the need for elected officials, county employees and first responders to complete training courses by October 31, 2005 to meet National Incident Management System compliance, upcoming Washington State Annual Bioterrorism exercise, and the Washington State Search and Rescue Conference.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to acknowledge receipt of a letter from Barbara Basco supporting the Stevenson WorkSource office.

 

Commissioner Richardson gave an update on recent meetings regarding the Stevenson WorkSource office and the need to provide local services.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to acknowledge receipt of a petition from four local churches requesting a provision to be added to the zoning ordinance to allow churches as a permitted use and to grandfather all existing churches.

 

Commissioner Pearce gave an update on mental health services and budget provided by Greater Columbia Behavioral Health (GCBH) and suggested that a Commissioner or their designee represent the County at GCBH Regional Advisory Board meetings.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried, that effective May 23, 2005, Skamania County Board of Commissioners, or a representative from the Commissioner’s office, would represent Skamania County at all Greater Columbia Behavioral Health Regional Advisory Board meetings.

 

Ole Helgerson, WSU Extension Agent advised of suggested changes to his lease agreement with the Public Development Authority for the Firewise office at the Wind River site.  The Board advised him to negotiate directly with the Public Development Authority and then present the final lease agreement to the Board for consideration.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:15 a.m. Monday, May 23, 2005 and reconvened at 9:20 a.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2005, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss WorkSource, with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session from 9:35 a.m. until 9:40 a.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.

 

The Board continued their staff workshop to discuss Greater Columbia Behavioral Health Regional Advisory Board representation, 2006 legislative issues, 2006 budget projections, and the new telephone system, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve a supplemental agreement with the Department of Ecology to provide additional funding for environmental education to continue waste reduction recycling educational programs conducted by the Solid Waste Department.

 

Dan Wallenmeyer, Noxious Weed Coordinator reported on the weed control project and enforcement, and advised of planting cedar trees in the knotweed riparian areas.

 

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

 

John Carlson, Emergency Management Coordinator and Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services advised of the need for the Board to declare a mock emergency, as part of a full scale bioterrorism exercise being conducted by Washington State Public Health, and presented a mock resolution to declare a local emergency in Skamania County.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richard and motion carried to declare a mock emergency in Skamania County for exercises purposes only.

 

John Ostenson, Safety Committee Chair, reported on the Safety Committee meeting of May 10, 2005 and presented accident/incident reports reviewed by the Safety Committee.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to concur with the Safety Committee’s findings for the following reports: #2005-E-3 and #2005-1-IH.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending May 24, 2005 in the amount of $193,178.62.

 

The meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2005.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON