BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of March 14, 2005

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 14, 2005 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce and James D. Richardson present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Commissioner McKee was in Washington DC through Thursday, with members of the National Schools/Counties Coalition Board of Directors meeting with Senate Offices in an attempt to garner more co-sponsors for the reauthorization of Public Law 106-393.

 

Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director, gave an update senior programs and the status of a transportation grant to fund the County transit bus program.

 

Tod LeFevre, County Engineer/Public Works Director, reported on activities for the Road Department, Solid Waste, Building Department, engineering, bridges, and Equipment, Rental and Revolving Fund.

 

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

1.       Minutes for week of March 7, 2005.

2.       Agreement with JL Enterprises NW, Inc for equipment maintenance for Public Works large plan copier.

3.       Contract with Columbia Gorge Fire Equipment Co to furnish, service & maintain fire extinguishers.

4.       Contract amendment #4 with Forest Service for additional funding to continue Title II project to treat infestations of knotweed species & other noxious weeds in Skamania County.

5.       Contract with Skamania County Domestic Violence Council to provide assistance & counseling to county residents.

6.       Agreement with Win Cam for Maintenance and System Services

7.       Liquor License renewal for Bonneville Hot Springs

8.       Acknowledge receipt of 2004 Summary of Activities for North Country EMS.

9.       Contract amendment #1 with Creagan Excavating, Inc. to provide snow removal for Forest Service 90 Road.

 

The Board met in executive session from 10:40 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 14, 2005 and reconvened at 1:50 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to reappoint Steve Hanson to position #2, for four-year term expiring on March 31, 2009, and to reappoint John Skaar to position #3, for a four-year term expiring March 31, 2009, on Skamania County Noxious Weed Control Board.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Sheriff and Public Works to discuss installing anti-jumping fencing on the Washougal River Bridge.  Following discussion, Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to move forward with the permitting process.  The Board requested Public Works to provide weekly updates on this project.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:30 p.m. Monday, March 14, 2005 and reconvened at 9:20 a.m. Tuesday, March 15, 2005, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss personnel and grant management, with no action taken.

 

Scott Pineo, Community Events and Recreation Director, reported on the upcoming 2005 Fair, activities at the Fairgrounds, recreation programs, Teen Adventure program, swim center, Rock Creek Recreation Center, and parks and boat launches.

 

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, advised of upcoming meetings for the Columbia River Gorge Commission, Planning Commission, and Water Resource Inventory Area 29.  Following discussion of a request for a supplemental budget for a temporary budget to fund the Watershed and Shorelines Planner position at 50% for six months using County funds, Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Pearce and motion carried to approve the request for a supplemental budget.

 

Charly Boyd, Watershed/Shorelines Planner, gave an update on water and fish related groups active in Skamania County, and advised that the Department of Ecology (DOE) has issued its notice of intent to begin rule making on the Washougal River.  The Board advised they would send a letter to DOE and state legislatures requesting DOE to postpone rule making until after adoption of the watershed plan by the Counties.

 

The Board met in executive session from 10:55 a.m. until 11:20 a.m. regarding litigation, with no action taken.

 

Bob Talent advised of concerns with fire danger and requested the Board to consider working with the Department of Natural Resources and the Forest Service to close various areas of the County to burning.  He also advised of concerns with fire danger from track grinding by the railroad.

 

Jim Shank, Department of Natural Resources, introduced area foresters, presented a quarterly report on the projection of income from state forest board lands in Skamania County, and gave updates on future sale activities in Skamania County.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, 2005 and reconvened at 2:25 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss special events insurance, transfer of duties at Wind River Nursery, and purchase of a new telephone system, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, 2005 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 17, 2005, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

A plaque was presented to Angela Moser for 25-years of dedicated service to Skamania County.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Resolution 2005-08 Supplemental Budget #1 for 2005 to create a 2005 budget for the Nuisance Control Fund using the fund balance from 2004, and an additional $20,000 to be transferred to the Nuisance Control Fund from Current Expense Fund.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve Resolution 2005-08 Supplemental Budget #1 for 2005.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:05 a.m. Thursday, March 17, 2005 and reconvened at 11:50 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending March 17, 2005 in the amount of $69,627.23.

 

The Board advised they would be attending an Elected Officials luncheon meeting at 12:00 p.m. at River’s Edge Café in Stevenson today.

 

The meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m. Thursday, March 17, 2005.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON