BOARD OF
SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Meeting
for Week of September 5, 2005
No meeting was held on Monday, September 5, 2005 in
observance of Labor Day. The meeting
was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 6, 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
proclaim September 11, 2005 as 911 Day in Skamania County in recognition of the
importance of 911 service to our health and safety and offering our gratitude
to the thousands of public safety providers on whom we rely every day.
Commissioner
Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve
the Consent Agenda as follows:
1.
Minutes
for week of August 29, 2005.
2.
Special
occasion liquor license for American Legion Post 122 for September 24, 2005.
3.
Contract
amendment #1 with City of Stevenson to modify the allowable reimbursements to
include compensation of musicians contracted to play ˝ hour performances
throughout town to promote the Irish Festival.
4.
Letter
of agreement with Skamania County Fair Board for 2005 Irish Festival.
5.
Award
bid and approve contract with Rodney Roeder Construction for tree and brush
removal from the north side of the Home Valley pedestrian bridge to provide
sight distance to State Road 14.
6.
Settlement
and general release with Marsh & McLennan Companies to participate in a
settlement fund for policy holders for actions filed by the New York Attorney
General and Superintendent of Insurance.
Tony
Estey, Buildings and Grounds Director reported on repairs, maintenance, and
remodels at various facilities and grounds and animal control calls for the
month of August 2005.
Terry
Blaisdell, Central Services Director reported on personnel, email traffic,
computer replacements and new equipment purchases for various departments, gave
updates on the new phone system, various projects and programs and a recent
computer virus infection.
Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer
gave an update on the status of removing trees on Burlington Northern right of
way at the Home Valley crossing.
Mike Garvison, Auditor gave an update on a
proposition to the voters for the general election ballot to create a Parks and
Recreation District and levy to support the swim pool and discussed district
boundaries.
The
meeting recessed at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2005 and reconvened at
1:40 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson
present.
The
Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss a draft letter to the
Department of Ecology regarding Wind River Nursery water rights and personnel
requests, with no action taken.
The
Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 2:05 p.m. until 2:25
p.m., with no action taken.
The
meeting recessed at 2:25 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2005 and reconvened at
10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 8, 2005 with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and
Richardson present.
Prosecutor
Peter Banks advised of requirements under RCW 36.68 and/or 36.69 that must be
met to place a proposition on the general election ballot to create a Parks and
Recreation District and levy to support the swim pool. He advised that the requirements have not
been met, however, an advisory ballot could be placed on the general ballot and
sent only to the voters within the proposed district boundaries.
Commissioner
Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve
vouchers for the period ending September 8, 2005 in the amount of $95,630.68.
Commissioner
Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve
payroll for the period ending August 31, 2005 in the amount of $989,685.86.
Tod
LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer advised of completion of
preliminary budgets and reported on engineering activities and bridges.
Commissioner
Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve
a request from Public Works to allow Arnold Bell to exceed the maximum 520
hours allowed under the Summer College Employment Program and extend his
employment through September 30, 2005 to allow him to complete a County Road right
of way map and data information system that will be vital to various road crew
functions.
The
Board discussed a second request from Public Works to hire a temporary
Engineering Technician II for the period of October 1, 2005 through December
31, 2005, with no action taken. This
request will be further discussed on September 12, 2005.
Commissioner
Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve
a letter to the Department of Ecology Water Resources Program regarding Skamania
County’s water right change applications at Wind River Nursery.
Karen
Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director advised of agenda
topics for an upcoming Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting and a Board of
Adjustment appeal hearing, gave updates on Skamania County Code Title 22
National Scenic Area text changes and Water Resource Inventory Area 29, and
advised of personnel changes.
Commissioner
Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve
Resolution 2005-32 setting a new fee schedule for Planning and Community
Development and replacing all previous Department fee schedule resolutions.
The
meeting recessed at 11:45 a.m. Thursday, September 8, 2005 and reconvened at
1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson
present.
The
Board participated in a workshop with Sheriff Dave Brown, Chief Criminal Deputy
Pat Bond, Prosecutor Peter Banks, Animal Control Officer Tina Anderson and
members of the public to discuss the need to address noise issues that are not
enforceable under the County’s noise ordinance. Issues discussed included enforcement, requirements to measure
noise levels and distance, barking dogs, amplified music, and the need to
simplify the current ordinance. Sheriff
Brown advised he would draft language to address these issues for review.
The
meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, September 8, 2005.
BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA
COUNTY, WASHINGTON