BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of March 20, 2006

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 20, 2006 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Albert McKee present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

The Board presented a Quit Claim Deed to Evelyn Skaar, returning property acquired by Skamania County in 1921 that was used as a rock pit.

 

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

1.       Minutes of March 13, 2006.

2.       Acknowledge liquor license renewal for Bonneville Hot Springs Resort.

3.       Acknowledge Claim for Damages from Darren Gallion.

4.       Acknowledge receipt of letter from Dawn Johnson regarding Washougal motocross.

5.       Acknowledge City of Stevenson’s appointments for 2006 of Chris Ford as City’s representative on the Boundary Review Board and representative from North Bonneville to serve on the Disability Board, representing both the City of Stevenson & the City of North Bonneville.

6.       Resolution 2006-18 consenting to transfer & assignment of franchise to operate a cable television system & subsequent purchase of controlling interest by Wave Division Holdings, L.L.C.

7.       Agreement with Alaska Continental Pipeline, Inc reimbursement of County’s incurred expenses & material from Blue Lake stockpile site for material to be placed at County maintenance shop parking lot.

 

Scott Pineo, Community Events and Recreation Director reported on activities at the Fairgrounds, swim center, recreation programs, Rock Creek Recreation Center/Stevenson Grange, parks, Community Mobilization, grants, Buildings and Grounds meetings, and presented a facilities usage report.

 

Ole Helgerson, WSU Cooperative Extension Agent gave updates on the 4-H program, Title III programs, forestry, gardening and pest management, and GIS.

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to direct the Planning and Community Development Department to draft text changes to Skamania County Code Chapter 23.05 Forest Practices Moratorium to correct a clerical error in the code.

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to send a letter to Wave Division Holdings, LLC in support of implementing NASA TV as one of the standard cable channels which would provide educational opportunities to students and citizens of Skamania County.

 

The Board considered an appeal from Mitch Patton of the denial by Public Works of a special right of way use permit to allow several trees and a fence to remain within the county right of way of Estabrook Road, tax parcel #03-08-17-4-0-0207.  Rich Lang, County Surveyor gave a staff report and advised of concerns regarding road maintenance, snow plowing, and possible road damage from root growth, and recommended removal of the fence and trees within the right of way.  Mitch Patton advised that the site distance along the road was not obstructed, offered to keep the tree limbs trimmed, and advised of the expense to move the trees.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to require the fence to be relocated twenty feet from the actual centerline of the road easement, to be determined by the County Surveyor, and to remove all trees further than two and one-half feet from the road right of way side of the fence, to be completed by Thanksgiving 2006.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:05 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2006 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Ordinance 2006-01 amending Skamania County Code Title 2, Chapter 2.44, Section 2.44.020 to amend the boundaries of Rock Creek Precinct, and Section 2.44.030 to amend the boundaries of Maple View Precinct due to the DeGroote Annexation into the City of Stevenson.  Dave O’Brien, Elections Manager gave a staff report of the Annexation and the need to adjust precinct boundaries.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried unanimously to approve Ordinance 2006-01amending Rock Creek and Maple View Precincts.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Ordinance 2006-03 amending all sections of Skamania County Code Title 15 Buildings and Construction by repealing and replacing Chapter 15.04 State Building Code; repealing Chapter 15.18 Flood Damage Prevention; and adding new chapters as follows: Chapter 15.08 International Building Code; Chapter 15.12 International Residential Code; Chapter 15.16 International Mechanical Code; Chapter 15.20 International Fire Code; Chapter 15.24 Uniform Plumbing Code; Chapter 15.28 Washington State Energy Code; and Chapter 15.32 Washington State Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code.  Teddi Midland, Building and Well Permit Technician gave a staff report and advised that the proposal is to replace the current code with the 2003 International Code, with minor adjustments specific to this area.  Following discussion of the need for clarification of fire flow requirements, Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to continue the hearing to 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2006.

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approved Resolution 2006-15 adopting Building Code fee schedules for building permits, square foot construction costs, mechanical permits, and plumbing permits.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 2:55 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2006 and reconvened at 9:05 a.m. Tuesday, March 21, 2006, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss WSU Cooperative Extension and Community Events and Recreation consolidation issues, with no action taken.

 

Scott Bryan, Assistant County Engineer reported on personnel, Road Department, Solid Waste, Building Department, engineering, surveying/right of way, bridges, and the equipment rental and revolving fund.

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director reported on the 2006 Critical Areas update process, selection of a consultant for the Comprehensive Plan “A” update process, Swift Area surveys, the need to correct a clerical error in the Forest Practices Moratorium code, and an upcoming Water Resource Inventory Area workshop.

 

Commissioner Richardson advised of the need for discussion at an upcoming elected officials meeting to designate 30-minute parking spaces in front of the Courthouse.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, March 21, 2006 and reconvened at 2:10 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 2:10 p.m. until 2:30 p.m., with no action taken.

 

Representatives from Washington Counties Risk Pool (WCRP) gave a presentation on WCRP Insurance Program and a comparison of WCRP’s and Washington Rural Counties Insurance Program.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:40 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, 2006 and reconvened at 4:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding litigation from 4:00 p.m. until 4:15 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, 2006 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 23, 2006, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending March 23, 2006, 2006 in the total amount of $211,767.85.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Resolution 2006-16, repealing Resolution 2006-02 that amended the 1977 Comprehensive Plan “A” and associated map that included all land geographically located within the boundaries of unincorporated Skamania County into Comprehensive Plan “A” and the designation of those areas as Conservancy if not previously designated as Rural 1 or Rural 2, or located in a specific Subarea Plan.  Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director gave a brief staff report and recommended approval.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approved Resolution 2006-16.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 23, 2006 and reconvened at 11:30 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

Lori Cochran, Executive Director for Skamania County Council on Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault gave a presentation of prevention and outreach activities and local statistics.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve a proclamation declaring the month of April 2006 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Skamania County.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:55 a.m. Thursday, March 23, 2006 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

Public hearing was held to consider an application from Mike and Rene Chadwick to transfer 21.7 acres from Current Use Farm and Agricultural Land to Farm and Agricultural Conservation Land for property located at 31 Souther Lane, Underwood, WA.  Gary Martin, Assessor gave a staff report, advised that the applicant had not submitted a management plan, and recommended that the application as submitted should be denied.  Mike Chadwick gave a history of the property and advised of plans to turn the property into a vineyard.  Following discussion, the hearing was closed to public comment.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to continue the hearing to 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 24, 2006 to allow the applicant to submit an acceptable management plan to the Assessor for review prior to the continued hearing.

 


The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 23, 2006.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON