BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of May 9, 2005

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 9, 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 May 2, 2005.

2.       Acknowledge submission of application to Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation for funding for Roger Malfait Community Park.

3.       Fireworks Stand Permit for Sons of American Legion Coy-Catlin Post 137 for June 28, 2005 to July 6, 2005.

4.       Contract with Radio Parties to provide DJ entertainment for Skamania County Fair Street Dance on August 20, 2005.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve an exceptional qualification for John Lloyd for the position of Counseling Center Mental Health Therapist at Step C of Range 18, effective April 11, 2005.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve a revised job description for the Noxious Weed Natural Resource Worker position, effective May 9, 2005.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve a revised job description for the Public Works Road Maintenance Worker III position, effective May 9, 2005.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve a three-year agreement with Cross Match Technologies, Inc. for maintenance and software support for the Live Scan fingerprint system.

 

The Board met in executive session from 10:35 a.m. until 10:55 a.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:55 a.m. Monday, May 9, 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 Ordinance 2005-04 amending Skamania County Code Title 21A Critical Areas Chapter 05 Fish and Wildlife Protection by changing, modifying or altering procedural changes for processing reviews.  Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director gave a staff report, which included a summary of the proposed revised amendment, summary of comments received, staff response to comments received, and recommendation to adopt the Ordinance as modified.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to acknowledge receipt of letters from Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Ann Lueders.  Comments and concerns from the public included clarification of uses, financial impacts to property owners, requirements too restrictive, habitat area regulations, and wildlife buffer zones.  Carl Dugger, Fish and Wildlife Assistant Habitat Manager for Region 5 advised that the revised Ordinance addresses concerns of Fish and Wildlife and suggested a clarification by changing the wording to fish species site in sections 21A.050010A, 21A05.020, and 21A.040.030.  The hearing was closed to public comment.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to adopt Ordinance 2005-04 with the following changes: Section 21A.050.010(A) Regulated Fish and Wildlife Sites and Habitat – add the word “fish” before “species site” at the end of the sentence.  Section 21A.05.020 Allowed Uses – strike the words “and wildlife” before the comma in the first sentence.  Section 21A.050.030 Review Uses and Procedures – strike the words “and wildlife” in the fourth and tenth sentences.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:10 p.m. Monday, May 9, 2005 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2005, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve payroll for the period ending April 30, 2005 in the amount of $940,110.05.

 

A Certificate of Good Practice from Washington State County Road Administration Board was presented to Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer in recognition of compliance with state requirements for reporting and Standards of Good Practice.

 

Marlon Morat, Building Inspector/County Fire Marshall advised of an increase in building activities, and gave updates on Carson Hot Springs Resort, upcoming fire season, and fire hydrant issue.

 

Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer, reported on activities for the Road Department, Solid Waste, engineering projects, bridges, and nuisance violation cleanup.

 

Following discussion of an economy car evaluation for the County motor pool presented by Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer, Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to authorize the purchase of a 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid for the County motor pool to replace a 4-wheel drive Jeep, contingent on the availability of appropriate replacement funds for purchase by the Equipment, Rental and Revolving Fund.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss a Public Health statement on smoke free workplace, Counseling Center, and Workforce Development, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to sign a letter of testimony to be presented to the Columbia River Gorge Commission regarding the proposed Broughton Mill site legislation.

 

The Board advised they would be attending the Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting at 2:15 p.m. today at the Hood River County Administration Building in Hood River, Oregon.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2005 and reconvened at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, May 12, 2005, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board met in executive session from 9:15 a.m. until 9:50 a.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed briefly from 9:50 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to proclaim the week of May 15-21, 2005 as National Police Week in Skamania County.  The proclamation will be read at a memorial ceremony to be held on the Courthouse lawn at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 13, 2005 to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

 

Walt Loehrke, Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC) member, reported on the CRGC meeting of May 10, 2005.  Issues discussed included Management Plan amendment reviews, proposed Broughton Mill site legislation, and Mr. Loehrke’s recent presentation to the Wind River Public Development Authority for development at the Wind River site.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to waive the $30.00 fee requirement for review of an applicant's proof of insurance and insurance policy for local non-profit, schools, and government agencies within Skamania County using a County facility, and directed the Community Events and Recreation Director to amend the Special Events Liability Insurance Requirements and Procedures Policy to reflect this change.

 

The Board discussed a recent authorization to Buildings and Grounds 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 site and the need to have a discussion with the Buildings and Grounds Director as to whether or not to allow the carryover of hours to the following month.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 12, 2005 and reconvened at 1:55 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss scheduling, the new phone system, and the shooting range, with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session from 2:25 p.m. until 2:55 p.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.

 

The meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m. Thursday, May 12, 2005.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON