BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of February 6, 2006

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 6, 2006 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson, and Albert E. McKee present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to set a local rule to allow the chair to vote on all motions without stepping down as chair.

 

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

1.       Minutes for week of January 30, 2006.

2.       Interlocal agreement with City of Stevenson to provide up to $16,000 in funding for promotion of three events in Stevenson to attract tourists.

3.       Contract with Washington Gorge Action Programs for operation of a food bank in Stevenson open to the public.

4.       Agreement with Washington Gorge Action Programs for subrecipient of Community Development Block Grant funds to provide public services to low-and moderate-income persons within Skamania & Klickitat Counties.

 

Tony Estey, Buildings and Grounds Director reported on maintenance and repairs at various facilities and grounds and presented a 2006 Project List for Buildings and Grounds.

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to acknowledge receipt of a letter from Tony Estey, Buildings and Grounds Director giving notice of his intent to retire on March 31, 2006.

 

Terry Blaisdell, Central Services Director reported on personnel, email traffic, computer replacements, new equipment purchases for various departments, and gave updates on various projects and programs.

 

The Board accepted a proposal from Work Source Partners In Careers for a Community Jobs Trainee Program for Michael Dittbrenner as a warehouse worker for Community Events & Recreation.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried unanimously to amend Resolution 2006-12 Supplemental Budget #6 for 2005, correcting the total of the Current Expense Fund, due to a clerical error, for a total supplemental budget in the amount of $32,929.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:45 a.m. Monday, February 6, 2006 and reconvened at 11:05 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried unanimously to change the scheduled date for the 1% wage increase for non-bargaining unit employees from July 1, 2006 to the effective date of January 1, 2006.

 

The Board discussed their action of January 23, 2006 to waive all County permit fees for the relocation of the LaCombe house located on Piper Road in Stevenson and directed the Building Inspector to refund all permit fees collected, per the Board’s previous action.


 

Auditor Mike Garvison advised of his intent to install drop-off mailboxes for election ballots on the east and west ends of the County.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss the Counseling Center Director job description, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:50 a.m. Monday, February 6, 2006 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 8, 2006, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board advised they attend the 2006 Skamania County Community Growth Update at Rock Creek Center, co-hosted by Skamania County Chamber of Commerce, Stevenson Business Association, and Skamania County Community Events and Recreation at 8:30 a.m. this date.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to authorize Public Works to order a replacement Superior Broom (street sweeper) for the amount of $40,667.49, with no trade-in, and to declare equipment #151 a 1994 Broce Broom surplus, to be sold at an auction.

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director presented the pending application list, end of the year report for 2005, and advised of an upcoming Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting and a Management Plan amendment to improve protection of historic buildings in the National Scenic Area.

 

Auditor Mike Garvison advised of concern regarding significant costs billed to the County with regards to a special right of way use permit issued by Public Works, without a signed contract between the parties, and advised he would withhold a 5% retainage on all billings paid by the County until release documents are received from the State.  The Board directed Public Works to have contracts in place in the future setting out specific obligations of the parties.

 

Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer reported on activities for the Public Works Department, Road Department, Solid Waste, Building Department, engineering, surveying/right of way, and bridges.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:20 p.m. Tuesday, February 7, 2006 and reconvened at 10:10 a.m. Thursday, February 9, 2006, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve payroll for the period ending January 31, 2006 in the amount of $983,821.75.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending December 31, 2005 in the total amount of $94,641.04.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending February 9, 2006 in the total amount of $98,092.30.

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m. Thursday, February 9, 2006.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON