BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of August 29, 2005

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 29, 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 of August 22, 2005.

2.       Acknowledge receipt of Claim for Damages from Winnie Alway, refer to Risk Management.

3.       Award bid to Guler Oil, Inc of Bingen, WA for furnishing petroleum products 2006-2007.

4.       Declare vehicle #634 -1989 Chevrolet pickup surplus, set purchase price for county departments/junior taxing districts at estimated salvage value of $850, and authorize Equipment, Rental & Revolving Fund manager to initiate contract with Zakula Beal Auctioneer to sell vehicle if no county department/junior taxing district submits a proposal to purchase.

5.       Resolution 2005-22 amending ER&R program and policy.

6.       Resolution 2005-39 establishing an average equipment replacement reserve amount for the Equipment Rental & Revolving Fund.

7.       Resolution 2005-40 amending Credit Card Policy to add Commissioner’s Office credit card to policy.

8.       Resolution 2005-41 extending the term of the Current Expense Fund loan created by Resolution 2002-58 for one additional year.

9.       Agreement with Property Bureau, Inc to provide for auction and disposition of personal property of Sheriff’s evidence.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve a request from Sheriff Dave Brown to allow Deputy Tim Converse to exceed the 360 hour maximum accumulation of annual leave by 16.67 hours during the month of August 2005, to be used by September 30, 2005, due to current insufficient staffing levels.

 

Sheriff Dave Brown requested clarification of the exceptions language in Resolution 2005-34, emergency closure of outdoor burning on private lands, and advised of confusion regarding who has authority to determine designated campsites for outdoor fires.  Bob Hildenbrand, Fire Chief for Fire District #1 advised of concerns regarding responses to outdoor fires on private property that are in fire rings.  Following discussion, Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commission Richardson and motion carried to approve Resolution 2005-43 amending Resolution 2005-34 emergency closure of outdoor burning on private lands effective immediately, by changing the exceptions to read “except in commercially purchased barbecues or outdoor fires that are campfires in established campgrounds that have been approved by a local, state, or federal agency and have not otherwise been closed by that agency are exempt from these restrictions”.  The Board advised the Fire Marshall of the need to revisit the language next year prior to instituting a burn ban.

 

The Board discussed a request from the Auditor to create a new recording position for 2005, to be funded through Auditor’s O&M, and to allow the personnel committee to rate the new job description.  This request will be further discussed at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 1, 2005.

 

Title III projects for 2006 were presented for final consideration.  Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services, gave a comparison of project costs and increases for requests for continued funding of current Title III projects.  The Board discussed a new project proposal from Oregon Mountain River Chapter of the American Red Cross for Wildfire Evacuation Congregate Care Planning and Response, concluding that benefits for anything related to the national forest was highly unlikely.  Members from the public expressed concerns with a request for increased funding to continue a current project sponsored by WSU Cooperative Extension for Firewise Planning for Woodland Dwellers.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve up to $20,000 in carryover funds from 2005 to 2006 for Community Wildfire Protection Plan sponsored by Skamania and Klickitat Counties.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve all requests for project funding for 2006, with the exception of a new project proposal from Oregon Mountain River Chapter of the American Red Cross for Wildfire Evacuation Congregate Care Planning and Response.  Total funding approved for 2006, including carryover funds for Community Wildfire Protection Plan - $820,492.00.

 

Skamania County Forest Work Crew, sponsored by Skamania County Sheriff’s Department.  To reimburse Skamania County Sheriff Department for the supervision of in-custody inmates who perform a variety of projects to promote and enhance the ecosystem of federal forests in and around Skamania County.  The funds requested are to provide supervision of six Work Crew men for 10 hours a day for 52 weeks.  Total Project Cost - $130,222.00.

 

Skamania County Sheriff’s Emergency Services, sponsored by Skamania County Sheriff’s Department.  To enhance and improve the level of search and rescue services in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Columbia River Gorge NSA, as well as reduce and improve response times to all types of emergency calls.  The funds requested are to maintain one full time Road Deputy Sergeant position, and one-quarter-time Road Deputy wage and overtime. Total Project Cost - $131,367.00.

 

North Country EMS St. Helen’s Project, sponsored by North Country EMS.  To continue to provide emergency medical services to visitors, recreationalist, residents, and employees of the northwest area of Skamania County including Mt. St. Helen’s National Volcanic Monument located in Skamania County.  This project requests funding for personnel to staff an ambulance and rescue vehicle for the months of June (weekends only), July, August, and September.  Total Project Cost - $39,375.00.

 

Skamania County Forest Youth Success, sponsored by Stevenson-Carson School District and WSU Cooperative Extension.  To continue to provide summer employment for high school age youth to conduct projects on the national forest, to teach forest ecology and management, and to conduct an after-school program for younger students that teaches forest ecology and management, as well as life skills.  The program request for 2006 includes continued funding for a program director, assistant coordinator, eight crew leaders, the employment of up to 48 youth, and operating supplies and services.  Total Project Cost - $264,773.00.

 

Skamania County Forest Explorers, sponsored by ESD 112 and WSU Cooperative Extension.  A multi-year program designed to develop and implement an after school forest ecology education program for 4th through 8th grade students attending the following schools: Cape Horn-Skye, Canyon Creek, Skamania, Mill A, and Mt. Pleasant; and a 5day/4night residential summer camp at USFS Camp Adams for students ages 10 to 15.  Total Project Cost $62,639.00.

 

Skamania County Firewise Planning for Woodland Dwellers, sponsored by WSU Cooperative Extension.  Project plan is to complete GIS analyses, conduct survey planning and field surveys, continue to provide firewise education, and provide wildfire risk analysis.  The request includes salary and benefits for a full time wildfire coordinator and four part-time surveyors, office services (photocopying and mailing), travel, training and Central Services consulting to facilitate data gathering and management.  Total Project Cost - $172,116.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve Resolution 2005-42 allocating seventy (70%) of project funds for Title II projects and thirty (30%) of project funds for Title III projects for Federal Fiscal Year 2006.

 

The Board advised they would be participating in a half-day tour to view roadside vegetation control sites with Public Works at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2005.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:55 a.m. Monday, August 29, 2005 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2005 with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss a Juvenile position for Stop Grant/Clerks Collection Fund, Seniors Case Managers, labor contract and issues, 2006 budgets, casino comment period, Commissioners’ credit card, State Workforce hearing date changes, Title II and Title III final project approval worksheet, and resolution on public records fees, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:10 p.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2005 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 1, 2005 with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Sealed bids were opened for the purchase of a Modular In-Ground Truck Lift System.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to refer the following bids to Public Works for review and recommendation.

 

  1. Portland Services Station Supply – Portland, OR

$75,236.00

 

  1. Lift Logic, Inc. – North Plains, OR

Item #1 - $80,640.00            Option #1A - $75,250.00

Item #2 - $74,800.00            Option #2A - $  4,100.00

 

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending September 1, 2005 in the amount of $82,182.16.

 

Commissioner Richardson advised that Washington State Workforce Development’s public hearing scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today was rescheduled to 1:30 p.m. Monday, October 3, 2005.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss the Auditor’s request to create a new recording position for 2005, capital improvements, and water rights.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to authorize a new recording position for 2005 for the Auditor’s Office, to be funded through the Auditor’s O&M fund, and authorized the Auditor to forward the job description, with suggested changes, to the Personnel Committee.

 


The meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, September 1, 2005.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON