BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of May 2, 2005

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 2, 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 April 25, 2005.

2.       Acknowledge certification that no Equal Employment Opportunity Plan is required for submission of Juvenile Accountability Block Grant application.

3.       Contract with Tapani Underground Inc to retroactively extend the term to March 31, 2005 for the Drano Lake Parking & Boat Ramp construction project.

4.       Contract with Forrest Roth to serve as volunteer host for Home Valley Campground from May 1, 2005 to September 30, 2005.

5.       Fireworks Stand Permit for American Legion Cape Horn Post 122 for June 28, 2005 to July 6, 2005.

 

Tony Estey, Buildings and Grounds Director reported on repairs, maintenance, and remodels at various facilities and grounds during the month of April and advised of upcoming projects for the month of May.

 

Terry Blaisdell, Central Services Director reported on computer replacements for various departments and gave updates on various projects and programs.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve a request from the Sheriff to surplus a 1977 Airstream trailer, acquired as part of a forfeiture on a drug case in 1998, and sell it by intergovernmental sale to the City of Goldendale Police Department for the sum of One Dollar ($1.00).

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to ratify the Chair’s signing of a letter to Secretary of Interior Gale Norton supporting the City of Cascade Locks in their Gaming Compact between the State of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to acknowledge receipt of a report of the Equipment, Rental and Revolving Fund review for Skamania County conducted by Al King, Intergovernmental Policy Manager for the County Road Administration Board.

 

Auditor Mike Garvison presented a proposal to transfer the administration and billing of the Equipment, Rental and Revolving Fund from Public Works to the Auditor.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to acknowledge receipt of written comments from Assessor Gary Martin regarding the Auditor’s proposal.  Several elected officials and department heads were in attendance for discussion, which included vehicle purchases, replacements, rates and safety issues; fleet management; rock purchases; billing; staff salaries; and the need to continue ongoing communications.  No action was taken as a result of this discussion.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:35 a.m. Monday, May 2, 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 2:10 p.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss a draft letter to the Columbia River Gorge Commissioner regarding the Broughton Mill site, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:45 p.m. Monday, May 2, 2005 and reconvened at 7:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

A public hearing was held at the American Legion Cape Horn Post 122, 102221 Washougal River Road to consider Ordinance 2005-03 creating Dougan Falls Recreation Safety Corridor.  Commissioner Pearce gave an overview of the proposed ordinance, which included the purpose of the Safety Corridor, boundaries and prohibited activities, and presented a map of the proposed Safety Corridor area.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to acknowledge receipt of an email letter from Donald E. McClintock and letters from the Dougan Falls Neighborhood Association signed by 31 residents in support of the proposed Safety Corridor.  Discussion and comments included support for the proposed ordinance, prohibited activities, and enforcement.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve Ordinance 2005-03 as presented.

 

The meeting recessed at 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 2, 2005 and reconvened at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2005, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board met in executive session from 9:15 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to authorize a change in the hours of operation at the Mt. Pleasant Transfer Facility as follows:  1) Summer Schedule (during daylight savings time) - 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., and 2) Winter Schedule (standard time) 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

 

Brad Uhlig, Solid Waste Supervisor, gave an update on the Mt. Pleasant Transfer Facility improvement project.

 

Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer, reported on activities for the Road Department, Building Department, engineering projects, bridges, Equipment, Rental and Revolving Fund, and gave an update on a cost estimate to purchase an economy vehicle for county motor pool use.

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, reported on agenda topics for an upcoming Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting on May 10, 2005, gave updates on proposed text changes to Title 22 Skamania County Management Plan for the National Scenic Area and Title 21 Zoning, and advised of the next Water Resource Inventory Area 29 meeting on May 11, 2005.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:20 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2005 and reconvened at 1:50 p.m. the same date, with Commissioner McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss Workforce Development, state budget, Malfait Park grant application, and a draft letter to the Columbia River Gorge Commission regarding the Broughton Mill site, with no action taken.

The Board advised that they would be attending a launch meeting for the County’s new telephone system at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, 2005 to be held in the Commissioners meeting room.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:50 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2005 and reconvened at 9:45 a.m. Thursday, May 5, 2005, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss SSB 6050 backfill for low revenue counties, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending May 5, 2005 in the amount of $213,690.91.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to authorize Buildings and Ground to perform maintenance at the Wind River site for up to a maximum of 16 hours per month in consideration for the use of County storage at the Wind River site.

 

The Board proclaimed their support and appreciation of the commitment and work of the Public Development Authority (PDA) Board of Directors.  Commissioner Richardson advised he would relay this to the PDA Board.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Resolution 2005-15 Supplemental Budget #2 for various department funds due to unanticipated expenditures and revenues unknown at the time of passing the 2005 budget.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve Resolution 2005-15 Supplemental Budget #2.

 

Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer, advised of a meeting this evening with local Fire Chiefs to discuss burning restrictions and asked for clarification of the County’s stance with regard to railroad track grinding during a burn ban.  The Board advised that, based on a presentation by Burlington Northern of the their track grinding process, the County would take no action with regards to track grinding during a burn ban.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:35 a.m. Thursday, May 5, 2005 and reconvened at 10:55 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss indexing of public records, Counseling Center, National Scenic Area issues with subdivisions, and reviewed Ordinance 1985-01 regarding card rooms, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:05 p.m. Thursday, May 5, 2005 and reconvened at 9:15 a.m. Friday, May 6, 2005, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

A special meeting was held to establish a two-way dialogue dealing with issues and concerns related to the proposed Warm Springs Tribal Casino in Cascade Locks, Oregon.  Present for discussion included representatives from the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon Tribal Council, Tribal Attorneys, Hood River County Commissioner, Port of Skamania County, Chamber of Commerce, Elected Officials and the public.  Dennis Karnopp, Tribal Attorney gave a presentation of the State-Tribal Gaming Compact for Cascade Locks.  Discussion included benefits to the Tribe and local communities; increased tourism and traffic, infrastructure, creation of jobs, and the need for continued communications.

 


The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 6, 2005.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON