BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of July 25, 2005

 

The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 25, 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.

 

A public hearing was held to consider adoption of Ordinance 2005-06, rezoning Skamania County Tax Lot No. 03-08-14-0-0-0200-00 from Special Management Forest to General Management Small Woodland, with a minimum lot size of 40 acres, located within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, as allowed under the Section 8(o) process in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act.  Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director gave a staff report and explained the Section 8(o) process.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve Ordinance 2005-06 rezoning Skamania County Tax Lot No. 03-08-14-0-0-0200-00 from Special Management Forest to General Management Small Woodland.

 

The meeting recessed at 1:45 p.m. Monday, July 25, 2005 and reconvened at 2:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

A public hearing was held to assess the project performance of the Public Utility District (PUD) No. 1 Carson Water Improvement Project to fulfill funding requirements of the Community Development Block Grant awarded to Skamania County for the project. There was no public present.  Bob Wittenberg, PUD Manager gave an overview of the project which included the project bidding process and contractor selection, location of the project area within the community of Carson, water intake and water treatment plant improvements, and deemed the project a success. 

 

The Board discussed the Wind River water system and Carson water system with Bob Wittenberg, PUD Manager.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:35 p.m. Monday, July 25, 2005 and reconvened at 9:05 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2005 with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board met in executive session from 9:05 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. regarding potential litigation, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, July 27, 2005 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

A plaque was presented to Commissioner Richardson for 25-years of dedicated service to Skamania County.

 

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

1.       Minutes of July 18, 2005.

2.       Resolution 2005-29 appointing individuals in each department to serve as Records Officers to receive public records requests.

3.       Resolution 2005-34 emergency closure of outdoor burning on private lands in Skamania County.

4.       Contract with Administrative Office of the Courts setting terms & conditions for purchase of information technology equipment purchase/reimbursement for Juvenile Court’s systems.

5.       Contract amendment #1 with Lynn Sapere to include $500.00 payment for Fair poster.

6.       Contract with Clark County Fair Mounted Patrol to provide personnel for parking & camping gates at 2005 Skamania County Fair.

 

Dan Wallenmeyer, Noxious Weed Coordinator reported on weed control projects and advised of bio-control vectors released in Skamania County in the spring of 2005.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending July 26, 2005 in the amount of $58,217.16.

 

Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer and Peggy Bryan, Economic Development Council Director gave an update on the Wind River water system project.

 

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.

 

The Board discussed a letter from District Court Judge Ron Reynier regarding increased staff workload due to enforcement of the Dougan Falls Recreation Safety Corridor, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2005 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

A presentation was given by the Public Works Department regarding the Metzger Road project budget, cost over-run, and steps designed to improve estimating and cost tracking for future projects.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:35 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2005 and reconvened at 4:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board interviewed Ron VanKeuren for a Mosquito Control Board vacancy for position #2.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to appoint Ron VanKeuren to fill a Mosquito Control Board vacancy for position #2 for the remainder of an unexpired term expiring January 2, 2006 and a new two-year term expiring January 2, 2008.

 

The Board advised that on Thursday, July 28, 2006 they would be attending a Washington Operation Lifesaver special train ride through the Columbia River Gorge to learn about rail safety issues in the Gorge.

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2005.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON