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