BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of March 28, 2005

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 28, 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 March 21, 2005.

2.       Acknowledge receipt of letter from City of Stevenson appointing Chris Ford to serve on Boundary Review Board.

3.       Designation of Undersheriff David L. Cox as E911 Coordinator for Skamania County.

4.       Resolution 2005-10 accepting & endorsing the amended 2005 Work Plan of the Community Strategic Plan.

5.       Contract with JL Enterprises NW, Inc for service & maintenance of Minolta copier for Assessor.

6.       Contract with US Forest Service for law enforcement services for Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

7.       Contract amendment with T-Mobile to implement Phase II of E911 Wireless Service in accordance with the Federal Communications Commission order.

8.       Contract amendment #4 with US Forest Service to provide Title II funding to continue project to treat infestations of knotweed and other noxious weeds.

9.       Reappointments to Human Services Advisory Board: Dr. Robert Brown position #1, Roberta Matta position #2, Kathy Jones position #3, Gloria Howell position #13.

10.    Contract with Sprint for long distance charges

 

Rick Jessel, Counseling Center Director, reported on programs for mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities.

 

The Board met in executive session from 10:45 a.m. until 11:20 a.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:20 a.m. Monday, March 28, 2005 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve a contract with Skamania County Fair Board to provide funding for the 2005 Skamania County Fair.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Scott Pineo, Community Events and Recreation Director, to review and discuss a proposed policy for Liability Insurance Requirements and Procedures for Special Events.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 28, 2005 and reconvened at 3:45 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board interviewed Elmer Stacy for a vacancy on the Board of Equalization for the at-large position.

 

The Board advised they would be attending the American Forest Resource Council Conference at Skamania Lodge on Tuesday, March 29, 2005.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:45 p.m. Monday, March 28, 2005 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 31, 2005, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending March 30, 2005 in the amount of $112,877.55.

 

Larry Mulcihy, Safety Committee Chair, presented accident/incident reports reviewed by the Safety Committee.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to agree with the Safety Committee’s findings for the following reports: #2004-32, #2005-05, and #2005-E-2A.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve procedures for the Summer College Employee Program, effective March 31, 2005.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve a correction to the Minutes of June 10, 2002 correcting the date the meeting recessed to read June 10, 2002 and the date the meeting reconvened to read June 11, 2002 in the fourth paragraph of page three.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve the Chair’s signature on a letter to senators regarding the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area FY 2006 Appropriations Request.

 

Commissioner Pearce presented suggested provisions for a proposed ordinance for the establishment of a Dougan Falls Recreation Safety Corridor to create a recreational safety corridor zone.  The suggested provisions were forwarded to Commissioner’s staff to be drafted into ordinance form and then set for public hearing to consider adoption.

 

The Board met with representatives from Fire Districts #1, #2, #4 and #6; Skamania County Sheriff, Fire Marshall and Wildfire Coordinator; Department of Natural Resources (DNR); Gifford Pinchot National Forest (GPNF); Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and members of the public to discuss the upcoming fire season and burning restrictions.  Issues discussed included current weather conditions, DNR wild land response and available resources, wildfire statistics, the need for open communications, consistency and coordination between agencies, and a request to consider imposing burning restrictions from July 1 through October 1 consistently every year.  DNR, GPNF and Skamania County will be coordinating burning restrictions for the upcoming fire season.

 

The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, March 31, 2005.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON