BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of June 12, 2006

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 12, 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 approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.       Minutes for week of June 5, 2006.

2.       Agreement with Albina Asphalt for dust control treatment at Fairground/County shop parking lot.

3.       Agreement with Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to provide funding for installation of a chain link fence at Home Valley Park along railroad with of way.

4.       Contract amendment A with WA State Military Dept (E06-066) increasing funding for eligible 911 Wireline Operation costs.

5.       Contract amendment A with WA State Military Dept (E06-067) increasing funding for eligible E911 Wireless Operating costs.

6.       Intergovernmental agreement with Northern Oregon Corrections (NORCOR) to extend the agreement to June 30, 2007 to provide detention housing for youth under the jurisdiction of Skamania County Juvenile Court.

7.       Agreement with Human Services Council to provide funding for Medicaid & Senior Transportation Services for eligible residents.

8.       Agreement with Human Services Council to provide funding for In-Home Personal Care Services to eligible resident.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:15 a.m. Monday, June 12, 2006 and reconvened at 11:00 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Ordinance 2006-07 changing regular meeting days that the Board of County Commissioners conducts business of the County in public session to Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.  Commissioner Pearce advised that the change in meeting days would allow for a more structured agenda and consecutive meeting days.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to adopt Ordinance 2006-07.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:10 a.m. Monday, June 12, 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 Greg Retzlaff for a variance to Skamania County Private Road Standards, Section 12.03.040(B)(1), to meet standard road width requirements as an applied condition to an application for an Approach Permit to construct proposed Bounty Road (private) to access Lots 2 and 3 of the J. Neyland Short Plat.  Said property is located off of Ryan Allen Road near Skamania County Transfer Site.  Rich Lang, County Surveyor gave a staff report and advised that Public Works recommends denial of the variance request.  Greg Retzlaff advised of his intent to construct a new access easement for Lots 2 and 3 to accommodate a building site on Lot 3, and requested a variance to the 20-foot road width requirement to construct a 12-foot road, which would access only Lots 2 and 3.  The Board advised of their concern with considering a variance before all property owners are in agreement with moving the access easement to a new location.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried unanimously to continue the hearing to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 22, 2006 to allow the applicant to begin the short plat amendment process to move the easement for Lots 2 and 3, and to obtain a private road maintenance agreement between the property owners for maintenance of the road.  The Board advised they would be making a site visit to the property prior to August 22, 2006.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:40 p.m. Monday, June 12, 2006 and reconvened at 3:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 3:00 p.m. until 3:25 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:25 p.m. Monday, June 12, 2006 and reconvened at 9:05 a.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2006, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss equipment, rental and revolving fund trucks, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 9:55 a.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2006 and reconvened at 10:10 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

Scott Bryan, Assistant County Engineer presented a Six Year Transportation Improvement Program for review.

 

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

 

The meeting recessed at 10:35 a.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2006 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board participated in a 2007 pre-submittal budget workshop with the Auditor, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:40 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2006 and reconvened at 10:10 a.m. Wednesday, June14, 2006 for a special meeting.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding pre-litigation from 10:10 a.m. until 11:45 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, June 14, 2006 and reconvened at 10:10 a.m. Thursday, June 15, 2006, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

Sealed bids were opened for the purchase of steel culvert in various quantities and sizes.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to refer the following bids to Public Works for evaluation and recommendation:

 

1.  Contech Construction Products, Inc., Portland, OR

            Bid Item #1       Total Bid Price $16,612,26

            Bid Item #2       Total Bid Price $63,919.34

2.  Pacific Corrugated Pipe Co., Eugene, OR

            Bid Item #1       Total Bid Price $12,484.04

            Bid Item #2       Option #1 Total Bid Price $60,511.98      Option #2 Total Bid Price $52,345.74

 

Walt Loehrke, Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC) member reported on the CRGC meeting of June 13, 2006.  Discussion included the lack of uniform enforcement throughout the Gorge, historical structures, update on vacant Director position, and Broughton Landing proposal.          

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried unanimously to approve contract amendment #1 with Daniel Ferber, M.D. to include Dr. Ferber in the County insurance liability coverage, effective January 1, 2006 for providing medication management for mental health clients.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried unanimously to authorize changing the replacement vehicle approved in the budget for Buildings and Grounds from a ¾ Ton 4x4 Pickup to a Ford Escape Hybrid Four Wheel Drive to be used by the Recreation and Facilities Director.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:40 a.m. Thursday, June 15, 2006 and reconvened at 11:10 a.m. the same date, 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 June 15, 2006 in the total amount of $112,957.08.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss the Birkenfeld property, Forest Service’s memorandum of understanding regarding Hemlock Lake, a letter to the Forest Service regarding improvements to Wind River Highway, unmuffled jake brakes, agenda schedule/policy, department head reports, and the need to appoint an interim Noxious Weed Coordinator, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to appoint Ole Helgerson to serve as Interim Noxious Weed Coordinator, with the authorization to sign the following Noxious Weed Program documents: payroll change notices, timesheets and payroll authorization, vouchers, submittal of items for Commissioners’ agenda, and correspondence.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:55 p.m. Thursday, June 15, 2006 and reconvened at 1:05 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board participated in a 2007 pre-submittal budget workshop with the Superior Court Judge, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 1:20 p.m. Thursday, June 15, 2006 and reconvened at 2:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

Proposed Title III Projects for 2007 were presented by the applicants as follows:

§         Skamania County Forest Work Crew, sponsored by Skamania County Sheriff’s Department.  Continued from 2006.  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.  Total project cost - $174,791.

§         Skamania County Sheriff’s Emergency Services, sponsored by Skamania County Sheriff’s Department.  Continued from 2006.  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 Sergeant position and one-quarter-time Road Deputy wage and overtime.   Total project cost - $173,212.

§         North Country EMS St. Helen’s Project, sponsored by North Country Emergency Medical Services.  Continued from 2006.  To provide emergency medical services to visitors, recreationalists, 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. 

§         Skamania County Forest Youth Success, sponsored by Stevenson-Carson School District and WSU Cooperative Extension.  Continued from 2006.  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.

§         Skamania County Firewise Planning for Woodland Dwellers, sponsored by WSU Cooperative Extension.  Continued from 2006.  Project plan is to complete GIS analyses, conduct survey planning and field surveys, continue to provide firewise education, and provide wildfire risk analysis.  The request includes salary and benefits for a full time wildfire coordinator and four part-time surveyors, office services (photocopying and mailing), travel, training and Central Services consulting to facilitate data gathering and management.  Total project cost - $119,351.

 

The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. Thursday, June 15, 2006.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON