BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of December 26, 2006

 

The meeting convened at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, December 27, 2006 with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Albert E. McKee present.

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 2006-64 to loan funds from various County funds to Current Expense Fund.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss department organization, personnel, and Auditor hiring process, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Planning and Community Development to discuss press releases, Westend Plan, a joint workshop with the Planning Commission, 2007 priorities, and exempt agriculture buildings, with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 10:55 a.m. until 11:15 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Recreation and Facilities Director to discuss an upcoming meeting with the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, Federal Forest funds, and Cascade Sportsman agreement issues, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, December 27, 2006.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:05 a.m. Thursday, December 28, 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 Pearce read a letter from Congressman Brian Baird to Commissioner McKee thanking him for his commitment to the community and leadership as a County Commissioner.

 

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

1.       Minutes for week of December 19, 2006.

2.       Call for bids for custodial services for Courthouse building, set deadline to receive bids for 4:00 PM Wednesday, January 17, 2007 and set date to open bids for 11:00 AM Thursday, January 18, 2007.

3.       Resolution 2006-53 establishing security requirements/deposits and cleanup fees for rental of county facilities.

4.       Contract renewal with Human Services Council to provide funding for nutrition services, case management services, & information/assistance to seniors and disabled persons in Skamania County.

5.       Medicare Enrollment Application for Counseling Center.

6.       Consolidated Grant Application for transportation funding to Dept of Transportation for Dial-a-Ride Services, Fixed Route Services to Fisher’s Landing, Fixed Route Services to Hood River, and for the purchase of one mini-van for Dial-a-Ride fleet and the purchase of one mini-bus to provide Hood River Service.

7.       Memorandum of Understanding between Skamania County and OPEIU Local 11 for Skamania County Public Works changing classification titles for Assistant Road Supervisor, Transfer Site Operator and Solid Waste Laborer positions and assigning salary ranges for positions in County Road Division and Solid Waste Division.

8.       2007 Special Benefit Assessment for Mosquito Control District.

9.       Certification of 2007 Property Tax Levies from Taxing Districts: City of Stevenson, City of North Bonneville, PUD #1, Hospital District, Emergency Medical Services, Cemetery District, Port, Home Valley Water District, Fire District #1, Fire District #2, Fire District #3, Fire District #4, and Fire District #5.

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 2006-65 to repay Current Expense Loans.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, December 28, 2006 and reconvened at 10:25 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding potential litigation from 10:25 a.m. until 10:55 a.m., with no action taken.

 

John Carlson, Emergency Management Coordinator reported on monitoring of Mount St. Helens, high wind and flood damages from recent weather conditions, Community Emergency Response Team program, National Incident Management System compliance, training, Self Defense Kit training, Emergency Operations Center progress, pandemic flu, and search and rescue.

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending December 28, 2006 in the total amount of $19,188.93.

 

Sharon Tiffany, Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Director reported on exhibits, upcoming events, marketing, fund raising activities, and administration.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, December 28, 2006 and reconvened at 11:20 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board met with members of the Community Mobilization Alcohol and Substance Abuse (CMASA) Board and Nancy Ousley and Paul Perce from the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development to discuss concerns from Skamania County regarding Community Mobilization programs provided for drug, alcohol and violence prevention services in Skamania County, grant requirements, and funding issues.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, December 28, 2006 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

Dave Cox, Undersheriff gave an update on the County’s radio communications system, advised that the Lookout Mountain Repeater site was destroyed by high winds, and advised of the need to move the Sheriff’s frequency to the Red Mountain Repeater site.

 

The meeting recessed at 1:50 p.m. Thursday, December 28, 2006 and reconvened at 2:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Counseling Center to discuss moving forward with filling the Director’s position, and the feasibility of consolidating with Public Health, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss ER&R, radio communications, and personnel, with no action.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve the following:

1.       ER&R vehicle #111 will remain in the fleet until at least 2008.

2.       All 10-yard trucks will be replaced on a 25-year life cycle for ER&R purposes, effective December 28, 2006.

3.       Red Mountain Repeater is essential to our safety and needs to be repaired as soon as practical.

4.       Due to reclassifications, the Human Resource/Safety/Administrative Technician position salary shall be set at Range 18-E and the District Court Commissioner/Administrative Assistant position salary shall be set at Range 20-E, effective January 1, 2007.

5.       Upgrade the phone system software to 7.1, at no cost to the County except for labor.

6.       Due to reclassification, the Noxious Weed Partnership Specialist position salary shall be set at Range 15-D, effective January 1, 2007.

 

The meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m. Thursday, December 28, 2006.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON