BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of September 5, 2005

 

No meeting was held on Monday, September 5, 2005 in observance of Labor Day.  The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 6, 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 proclaim September 11, 2005 as 911 Day in Skamania County in recognition of the importance of 911 service to our health and safety and offering our gratitude to the thousands of public safety providers on whom we rely every day.

 

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

1.       Minutes for week of August 29, 2005.

2.       Special occasion liquor license for American Legion Post 122 for September 24, 2005.

3.       Contract amendment #1 with City of Stevenson to modify the allowable reimbursements to include compensation of musicians contracted to play ˝ hour performances throughout town to promote the Irish Festival.

4.       Letter of agreement with Skamania County Fair Board for 2005 Irish Festival.

5.       Award bid and approve contract with Rodney Roeder Construction for tree and brush removal from the north side of the Home Valley pedestrian bridge to provide sight distance to State Road 14.

6.       Settlement and general release with Marsh & McLennan Companies to participate in a settlement fund for policy holders for actions filed by the New York Attorney General and Superintendent of Insurance.

 

Tony Estey, Buildings and Grounds Director reported on repairs, maintenance, and remodels at various facilities and grounds and animal control calls for the month of August 2005.

 

Terry Blaisdell, Central Services Director reported on personnel, email traffic, computer replacements and new equipment purchases for various departments, gave updates on the new phone system, various projects and programs and a recent computer virus infection.

 

Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer gave an update on the status of removing trees on Burlington Northern right of way at the Home Valley crossing.

 

Mike Garvison, Auditor gave an update on a proposition to the voters for the general election ballot to create a Parks and Recreation District and levy to support the swim pool and discussed district boundaries.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2005 and reconvened at 1:40 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss a draft letter to the Department of Ecology regarding Wind River Nursery water rights and personnel requests, with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 2:05 p.m. until 2:25 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:25 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2005 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 8, 2005 with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Prosecutor Peter Banks advised of requirements under RCW 36.68 and/or 36.69 that must be met to place a proposition on the general election ballot to create a Parks and Recreation District and levy to support the swim pool.  He advised that the requirements have not been met, however, an advisory ballot could be placed on the general ballot and sent only to the voters within the proposed district boundaries.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending September 8, 2005 in the amount of $95,630.68.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve payroll for the period ending August 31, 2005 in the amount of $989,685.86.

 

Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer advised of completion of preliminary budgets and reported on engineering activities and bridges.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve a request from Public Works to allow Arnold Bell to exceed the maximum 520 hours allowed under the Summer College Employment Program and extend his employment through September 30, 2005 to allow him to complete a County Road right of way map and data information system that will be vital to various road crew functions.

 

The Board discussed a second request from Public Works to hire a temporary Engineering Technician II for the period of October 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005, with no action taken.  This request will be further discussed on September 12, 2005.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve a letter to the Department of Ecology Water Resources Program regarding Skamania County’s water right change applications at Wind River Nursery.

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director advised of agenda topics for an upcoming Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting and a Board of Adjustment appeal hearing, gave updates on Skamania County Code Title 22 National Scenic Area text changes and Water Resource Inventory Area 29, and advised of personnel changes.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve Resolution 2005-32 setting a new fee schedule for Planning and Community Development and replacing all previous Department fee schedule resolutions.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:45 a.m. Thursday, September 8, 2005 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Sheriff Dave Brown, Chief Criminal Deputy Pat Bond, Prosecutor Peter Banks, Animal Control Officer Tina Anderson and members of the public to discuss the need to address noise issues that are not enforceable under the County’s noise ordinance.  Issues discussed included enforcement, requirements to measure noise levels and distance, barking dogs, amplified music, and the need to simplify the current ordinance.  Sheriff Brown advised he would draft language to address these issues for review.

 

The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, September 8, 2005.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON