BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of April 18, 2005

 

The Board met in executive session on Monday, April 18, 2005 from 9:45 a.m. until 10:10 a.m. regarding potential litigation, with no action taken.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:15 a.m. Monday, April 18, 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.

 

Larry Mulcihy addressed concerns regarding Eyman Cemetery Road.

 

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

1.       Minutes of April 11, 2005.

2.       Contract with JL Enterprises for maintenance of large mylar/plan copier for Assessor.

3.       Lease agreement with Wind River Public Development Authority for office space for Wildfire Program.

4.       Resolution 2005-12 Assigning County Road Project number to the 2005 Safety Improvement Project.

5.       Award bid & execute contract with Jim Combelic Logging for sale & removal of surplus timber as part of Metzger Road improvement project.

6.       Senior Services qualifications application to Southwest WA Agency on Aging to provide In-Home Personal Care Services.

 

Ole Helgerson, WSU Cooperative Extension Agent, gave updates on the 4-H program, forestry activities, gardening and pest management, and the Firewise Project.

 

Commissioner McKee reported on the National Forest Counties and Schools Coalition Conference of  April 13-17, 2005 held in Sparks, Nevada.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve a request from Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director to allow Patti Latimer to exceed the maximum accumulation of annual leave during the month of March 2005 by 7.11 hours due to extenuating circumstance beyond the Department’s control.  Said employee was denied scheduled leave on March 31, 2005 due to lack of drivers because of illness.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to rescind the proposed amendments to Skamania County Code Title 21A Critical Areas as published in proposed Ordinance 2005-04; and postpone the public hearing until 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 9, 2005 to consider revised Ordinance 2005-04 to amend Skamania County Code Title 21A Critical Areas, Chapter 05 Fish and Wildlife Protection by changing, modifying, or altering procedural changes for processing reviews.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:05 a.m. Monday, April 18, 2005 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

A public hearing was held to receive public testimony from interested parties regarding the proposed Watershed Management Plans for Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIA) 25/26 and 27/28, which includes Grays-Elochoman, Cowlitz, Lewis, Salmon, and Washougal River Basins.  Charly Boyd, Watershed/Shorelines Planner gave a staff report on the public hearing process and recommendations and obligations for Skamania County.  Representatives from the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board gave an overview of the Plans and advised that the proposed Plans are a culmination of four years of work by local governments, water purveyors, business interests, water resource interests, and citizens that address a range of issues related to water resources, including water supply, stream flow management, water quality, fish habitat, alternative approaches for managing water resources in the area, and recommends selected strategies for implementation.  No comments were received from the public.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to participate in two joint public hearings to review and potentially adopt Watershed Management Plans for WRIA 25/26 and 27/28.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:20 p.m. Monday, April 18, 2005 and reconvened at 4:15 the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Brad Andersen, attorney representing Broughton Mill Site property owner, presented a proposal for an amendment to the National Scenic Area Act to allow the old Mill Site to convert into a destination resort facility and urged the Board to request congressional support to sponsor the legislation.  This matter was scheduled for further discussion and possible consideration at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2005.

 

The Board met in executive session from 4:50 p.m. until 4:55 p.m. regarding potential litigation, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 4:55 p.m. Monday, April 18, 2005 and reconvened at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2005, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss Civil Service meeting, Risk Pool update, Public Development Authority rent in exchange for County services, West End recreational facilities, and Labor and Industries visitation, with no action taken.

 

Brad Uhlig, Solid Waste Supervisor, gave an update on the Mt. Pleasant Transfer Site improvement project, change in hours of operation at Underwood Transfer Site, and an upcoming Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting.

 

Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer, reported on activities for the Road Department, Building Department, engineering, and bridges and gave an update on a cost estimate to purchase an economy vehicle for county motor pool use.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to eliminate one mechanic position in the Equipment, Rental and Revolving Fund Division, as recommended by the Public Works Director.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce, and motion carried to replace Building and Well vehicle #409 - 1998 Jeep Cherokee with new vehicle #405 - 2005 Trailblazer, to replace Sheriff vehicle #706 - 1999 Ford Expedition with new vehicle #712 - 2006 Ford Explorer and to proceed with a supplemental expenditure budget for Equipment, Rental and Revolving Fund.

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, reported on the pending application list, and upcoming meetings for the Columbia River Gorge Commission and Water Resource Inventory Area 29.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2005 and reconvened at 1:40 p.m. the same date with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss Wind River Boat Launch grant match, National Forest Counties and Schools Coalition meeting, and 2006 budget, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:10 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2005 and reconvened at 10:05 a.m. Thursday, April 21, 2005 with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending April 21, 2005 in the amount of $111,399.49.

 

Scott Pineo, Community Events and Recreation Director, reported on the 2005 Fair, fairgrounds activities, spring recreation program, teen dances, swim center activities, Rock Creek Center activities, and parks and boat launches.  Discussion included the need for lighting in various locations along Rock Creek Trail, the feasibility of forming a Parks District, and swim pool issues.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve Resolution 2005-17, establishing fees for vendors for Skamania County Fair and Timber Carnival.

 

The Board advised they would be attending an Elected Officials meeting at 12:00 p.m. today at It’s A Wrap in Stevenson.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:50a.m. Thursday, April 21, 2005 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board met in executive session from 1:35 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. regarding potential litigation, with no action taken.

 

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, April 21, 2005.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON