BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of August 29, 2006

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss a letter to the Forest Service and the capital improvement budget for 2007 from 9:15 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Albert E. McKee present, with no action taken.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 29, 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 Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.       Minutes for week of August 22, 2006.

2.       Contract amendment #1 with Oregon Corrections Enterprises to include converting projection of digital ortho photos as needed for developing GIS mapping services for Title III Firewise Program.

3.       Amendment #2 to collection agreement for shared infrastructure at Wind River Nursery site, extending the expiration date to December 31, 2006 & adding additional funds in the amount of $1,084.

4.       Change order #1 to contract with Kerr Contractors, Inc to allow for changing the cement treated base depth and percentage of cement needed for portion of Salmon Falls Road Improvement Project.

5.       Mutual road agreement with Clark County to allow the Counties to work together to maintain neighboring county roads.

6.       License agreement with Timothy & Alice Meyers and David & Glenda West for use of various portions of right of way along Louther Road for the purpose of installing & maintaining a water line.

7.       Request from Buildings & Grounds for an additional expenditure of approximately $12,000 to complete the installation of Rock Creek Campground electrical project.

8.       Dept of General Administration 60-day extension to October 31, 2006 of current land lease for the Employment Security Dept facility located at 704-A SW Rock Creek Drive.

9.       Dept of General Administration 60-day extension to October 31, 2006 of current rental lease for office space utilized by the Employment Security Dept located at 704 SW Rock Creek Drive.

 

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

 

The meeting recessed at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, August 29, 2006 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

A public hearing was held for the purpose of receiving public comments and for final consideration of proposed 2007 Title III projects.  No public comment was received.  Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services, presented a summary of proposed projects, minor changes, and final budget requests for continued funding of current Title III projects.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve all requests for project funding for 2007 in the total amount of $873,841 for the following projects:

1.       Skamania County Forest Work Crew, sponsored by Skamania County Sheriff’s Department.

To reimburse Skamania County Sheriff Department for the supervision of in-custody inmates who perform a variety of projects to promote and enhance the ecosystem of federal forests in and around Skamania County.   The funds requested are to provide supervision of six Work Crew men for 10 hours a day for 52 weeks.  Increase of .25 FTE position over 2006. Total project cost: $156,150.

2.       Skamania County Sheriff’s Emergency Services, sponsored by Skamania County Sheriff’s Department. To enhance and improve the level of search and rescue services in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Columbia River Gorge NSA, as well as reduce and improve response times to all types of emergency calls.    The funds requested are to maintain one full time Road Deputy position, and three quarter-time Road Deputy wage and overtime.  Increase of .25 FTE position over 2006.  Sergeant position exchanged for full-time Current Expense funded deputy position.  (This increases Current Expense costs).  Requests purchase of 1.5 vehicles (one replacement, one additional to fleet shared with Pacific Corps.  Total project cost: 235,283.

3.        North Country EMS St. Helen’s Project, sponsored by North Country EMS.  To continue to provide emergency medical services to visitors, recreationists, residents, and employees of the northwest area of Skamania County including Mt. St. Helen’s National Volcanic Monument located in Skamania County.  This project requests funding for personnel to staff an ambulance and rescue vehicle for the months of June (weekends only), July, August, and September.  Total project cost: $39,375.

4.       Skamania County Forest Youth Success, sponsored by Stevenson-Carson School District and WSU Cooperative Extension.  To continue to provide summer employment for high school age youth to conduct projects on the national forest, to teach forest ecology and management, and to conduct an after-school program for younger students that teaches forest ecology and management, as well as life skills.  The program request for 2006 includes continued funding for a program director, assistant coordinator, eight crew leaders, the employment of up to 48 youth, and operating supplies and services. Total project cost: $273,842.

5.       Skamania County Forest Explorers, sponsored by ESD 112 and WSU Cooperative Extension.

A multi-year program designed to develop and implement an after school forest ecology education program for 4th through 8th grade students attending the following schools: Cape Horn-Skye, Canyon Creek, Skamania, Mill A, and Mt. Pleasant; and a 5day/4night residential summer camp at USFS Camp Adams for students ages 10 to 15.  Total project cost: $65,841. 

6.       Skamania County Firewise Planning for Woodland Dwellers, sponsored by WSU Cooperative Extension.  Project plan is to complete at least three Community Wildfire Plans, update GIS as needed, deliver GIS information on laptops to Fire Protection Districts, provide updated paper maps to rural fire districts and other local emergency-response agencies. The request includes salary and benefits for a full time wildfire coordinator, office services (photocopying and mailing), travel, training and Central Services consulting to facilitate data gathering and management.  Total project cost: $107,082.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 2006-40 allocating seventy (70%) of project funds for Title II projects and thirty (30%) of project funds for Title III projects for Federal Fiscal Year 2006.

 

The meeting recessed at 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, August 29, 2006 and reconvened at 2:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider a request from Richard Lonergan for a variance to Skamania County Code 15.04.050(B) Property Line Setbacks to construct an addition to an existing cabin 26.5 feet from the center of the roadway on property located at Swift Creek Estates - Cabin #42.  Marlon Morat, Building Inspector submitted a written recommendation to approve the variance due to the size of the lot and location of the existing cabin.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to grant a variance to Skamania County Code 15.04.050(B) Property Line Setbacks to construct an addition to an existing cabin 26.5 feet from the center of the roadway for Cabin #42 at Swift Creek Estates, tax lot #07-06-35-2-2-0142-00.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday, August 29, 2006 and reconvened at 2:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

 

Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services gave a presentation on Washington Counties Risk Pool Policy options and recommendations for fiscal year October 2006 through September 2007.   Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried unanimously to retain Skamania County’s deductible at $25,000 and to accept the option to purchase $5 million in additional coverage.

 

A public hearing was held, continued from August 8, 2006, to consider a request from Stephanie Huntington for a variance to Skamania County Private Road Standards for White Dog Road (private), located off of Buschlach Road at milepost 0.05, to allow a road grade in excess of 8% to exceed the minimum 100-foot guideline length.  Commissioner Pearce advised that, based on a legal consultation with Skamania County Prosecuting Attorney, the County does not have jurisdiction to grant the requested variance due to granting a previous variance to White Dog Road on July 7, 2005.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to dismiss the variance request.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 29, 2006 and reconvened at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 30, 2006, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss reclassifications, tires, budgeting issues, ER&R, Wind River Nursery water system, and North County, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Planning and Community Development to discuss Swift Subarea map and text, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Recreation and Facilities Director to discuss Fairgrounds barn asphalting, staffing, and 2006 Fair, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday, August 30, 2006 and reconvened at 1:15 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Interim Counseling Center Director to discuss various contracts, summer college help, upcoming Strengthening Families Program, designation of mental health professional at Counseling Center, and a proposal for on-call compensation for designated mental health professionals who are regular staff, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 1:55 p.m. Wednesday, August 30, 2006 and reconvened at 2:10 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

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

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 2:50 p.m. until 3:05 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:05 p.m. Wednesday, August 30, 2006 and reconvened at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, August 31, 2006, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending August 30, 2006 in the total amount of $990,874.86.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Personnel Review Committee to discuss proposed changes to the Personnel Policy, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to designate Susan Muth, MA, LMHC as a county designated Mental Health Professional in her capacity as an employee of the Skamania County Counseling Center, to allow her to perform the duties inherent in the Involuntary Treatment Act investigations and detention for people who are experiencing episodes of being gravely disabled or a danger to themselves or others.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried unanimously to authorize Buildings and Grounds to reallocate funds budgeted for the Buildings and Grounds Shop/Fair Parking Lot Drainage and Paving project to the Fairgrounds Barns Surfacing project.

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m. Thursday, August 31, 2006.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON