BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of May 22, 2006

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 22, 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.

 

Mary Repar advised of an upcoming “No Casino” informational meeting at Hood River, and the need for signage along a walking path access near Rock Cove Assisted Living Facility.

 

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

1.       Minutes of May 15, 2006.

2.       Special occasion liquor license for American Legion Post 122 for June 17, 2006.

3.       Set public hearing for 1:30 PM Monday, June 12, 2006 to consider request from Greg Retzlaff for a variance to private road width standards for proposed Bounty Road (private) located off of Ryan Allen Road near Skamania County Transfer Site.

4.       Application to American Fidelity Insurance Company to provide optional disability income insurance for employees.

5.       Resolution 2006-23 invitation to bidders for corrugated polyethylene culvert, set deadline to receive bids for 4:00 PM Wednesday, June 7, 2006, set date to open bids for 10:00 AM Thursday, June 8, 2006.

6.       Resolution 2006-24 assigning county road project number for Cape Horn-Skye Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Program.

7.       Resolution 2006-26 amending portions of Chapters 4, 6, 8, 9, 12 & 13 of the Personnel Policy.

8.       Resolution 2006-25 authorizing signature for Local Agency Agreement for reimbursement of preliminary engineering funds through the SAFETEA-LU Program for Hot Springs Avenue Improvement Project.

9.       Agreement with Dept of Transportation for funding for Hot Springs Avenue Improvement Project.

10.    Contract with Advanced Planning Solutions for Western Water Resource Inventory Area 29 instream flow work.

11.    Amendment #1 to consolidated contract with Dept of Social & Health Services changing the payment & billing for providing alternatives & services to Juvenile Court.

12.    Memorandum of Understanding & membership agreement with WA State Association of Counties to provide a financial incentive for good safety practices, effective claims management, & programs that return workers to productive employment.

13.    Amendment #5 to agreement with USDA Forest Service to provide funding to continue project to treat infestations of knotweed & other noxious weeds in Skamania County.

14.    Contract with WA State Military Dept (E06-383) to provide Homeland Security Emergency Management Performance Grant funds to enhance local emergency management program.

15.    Contract with Stanley Benson to provide a timber cruise & valuation on property for a park & ride and Canyon Creek Road relocation.

16.    Resolution 2006-27 authorizing signature for Federal Planning Assistance Agreement with Dept of Transportation for funding to create a Public Transit/Human Services Transportation Plan.

17.    Agreement with Dept of Transportation to provide funding to create a Public Transit/Human Services Transportation Plan.

 

John Carlson, Emergency Management Coordinator reported on monitoring of Mount St. Helens, Homeland Security funding cycle, Community Emergency Response Team program, National Incident Management System compliance, Self Defense Kit training, amateur radio testing, Emergency Operations Center progress, and a Search and Rescue Conference.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:55 a.m. Monday, May 22, 2006 and reconvened at 11:00 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board discussed the removal of the blue spruce tree on the Courthouse lawn.  Scott Pineo, Interim Buildings and Grounds Director advised that the roots of the tree are in a restricted environment and are pushing on the planter box.  He also advised that the tree is difficult to decorate for the holidays, presented suggestions for a replacement tree and/or plants, and suggested a pedestal be inserted into the planter box for a tree during the holidays.  Commissioner Pearce advised that the City of Stevenson and the Chamber of Commerce had no issues or concerns with removal of the tree.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried unanimously to remove the blue spruce tree and replant something native to the area.

 

The Board discussed changing Commissioner meeting days to Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  Staff was directed to draft an ordinance changing the meeting days to be considered at a public hearing on June 12, 2006.  Staff was further directed to amend the Agenda Policy to coordinate with the change in meeting days.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:45 a.m. Monday, May 22, 2006 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider a request from Public Works for a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit and Shoreline Variance to realign Salmon Falls Road at it crossing of Canyon Creek, resulting in a realignment of the creek and replacement of the existing 10’ wide bottomless concrete box culvert with a 19’ wide bottomless multi-plate arch culvert.  Mark Mazeski, Senior Planner gave a staff report and recommended approval with conditions to address archeological data, erosion, dredged material, cooperation with other agencies, the need to obtain an hydraulics project approval, fill, the need for a wetland and stream restoration/rehabilitation plan, disposal of waste materials, and implementation of construction practices.  The hearing was closed to public comment.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit and Shoreline Variance with nine conditions as recommended.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Ordinance 2006-04 amending the text of Skamania County Code Section 23.05.020 Forest Practices Moratoriums to correct a clerical error approved at the time of adoption in May 2001.  Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director gave a staff report and advised that Title 23 was adopted with the clerical error, if a forest practice moratorium was established and logging has taken place, then the moratorium could not be lifted.  She advised that Ordinance 2006-04 would remedy the clerical error by deleting the last sentence of Section 23.05.020.  The hearing was closed to public comment.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve Ordinance 2006-04.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:30 p.m. Monday, May 22, 2006 and reconvened at 9:10 a.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2006, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss public water systems, with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel, from 10:05 a.m. until 10:35 a.m., with no action taken.

 

Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer reported on Public Works, Road Department, Solid Waste, engineering, surveying/right of way, bridges, and equipment, rental and revolving fund.

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve contract change order #1 with Forest Hill Timber Management, LLC for unanticipated expenses not covered in the original contract to provide clearing of timber within recently purchased right of way.

 

Dave Odle advised of concerns regarding parking issues at Wind River Boat Launch and requested no parking along the lakeside of Old Hatchery Road from the boat ramp to State Road 14.  The Board advised this matter would be discussed at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 30, 2006.

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to direct staff to review the job description for the Counseling Center Chemical Dependency Lead Counselor to depict job requirements and submit to the Board for consideration.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:25 a.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2006 and reconvened at 1:45 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Building Department and Planning and Community Development to discuss temporary structures, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:35 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2006 and reconvened at 3:05 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss the 2007 budget, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:35 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2006 and reconvened at 10:05 a.m. Thursday, May 25, 2006, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services gave a presentation on the financial status of the County and 2007 budget process, which included 2007 pre-submittal budget workshop schedule, 2007 budget process, 2006 financial status, and 2007 budget goals and projections.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, May 25, 2006 and reconvened at 11:05 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 May 25, 2006 in the total amount of $136,230.00.

 

Commissioner Richardson reported on his findings regarding a citizen’s request for signage along a walking path access near Rock Cove Assisted Living Facility, and advised the path is on private property.

 


The meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 25, 2006.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON