BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of May 8, 2006

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 8, 2006 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners James D. Richardson and Albert E. McKee present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

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

1.       Minutes for week of May 1, 2006.

2.       Acknowledge submission of program amendment to Dept of Community, Trade & Economic Development changing the estimated expenditures for community mobilization grant for 2005-2007.

3.       Closeout Performance Report for 2005 Community Development Block Grant.

4.       Agreement with Washington State Dept of Transportation to perform repairs on Conrad Lundy Bridge and repairs & inspection on Butler Eddy Bridge.

5.       Agreement with Clark County Sheriff for mutual law enforcement assistance for canine unit maintenance training.

 

Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director presented program counts and gave updates on the transit bus replacement and concerns regarding Southwest Washington Agency on Aging leadership.

 

Nancy Oster, Title II Noxious Weed Coordinator advised of the 1st Annual Mount St. Helens Weed Rodeo, tree and shrub planting on knotweed sites, and gave an update on program activities.

 

Dan Wallenmeyer, Noxious Weed Coordinator gave an update on grant applications and programs to treat milfoil and knotweed.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 8, 2006 and reconvened at 11:00 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop regarding the West End Subarea Community Comprehensive Plan.  Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director advised that the Planning Commission recommended the 2004 West End Community Comprehensive Plan and map be adopted with the “Five Corners” area changed from Neighborhood Commercial to Rural Lands 2, and that cell towers be listed as Conditional Uses in Rural Lands 2, Rural Lands 5, and Rural Lands 10, and as Administrative Review Uses in Forest Lands 20.  The Board advised of the need for further review of the Plan.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:25 a.m. Monday, May 8, 2006 and reconvened at 10:05 a.m. Tuesday, May 9, 2006, with Commissioners Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 10:05 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., with no action taken.

 

A Certificate of Good Practice from Washington State County Road Administration Board was presented to Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer in recognition of compliance with state requirements for reporting and Standards of Good Practice.

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve the plans for Salmon Falls Road Improvement project.

 

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

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve payroll for the period ending April 30, 2006 in the amount of $1,002,363.75.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:35 a.m. Tuesday, May 9, 2006 and reconvened at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, May 11, 2006, with Commissioners Richardson and McKee present.

 

Walt Loehrke, Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC) member reported on the CRGC meeting of May 9, 2006.  Discussion included vacant executive director position, commercial uses in historical structures, air quality program, and Broughton Landing proposal.

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending May 11, 2006 in the total amount of $146,626.02.

 

John Ostenson, former Safety Committee Chair advised that Ann Lueders was recently elected as Chair for the Safety Committee and presented reports from the Safety Committee meetings of March 14, April 11, and May 9, 2006.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to agree with the Safety Committee’s findings and recommendations for reports #2006-E-1, #2006-E-3, #2006-E-5, 2006-3, #2006-4, #2006-5, #2006-7.

 

Commissioner McKee reported on his attendance at the Gifford Pinchot Leadership meeting in Troutlake on May 10, 2006.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:50 a.m. Thursday, May 11, 2006 and reconvened at 5:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop to discuss the proposed Klickitat and Skamania County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and possible concerns from local fire chiefs.  Commissioner McKee explained the purpose of the proposed Plan and the framework for moving forward.  Ole Helgerson, WSU Cooperative Extension Agent explained the planning process and advised that the CWPP identifies strategies and priorities for the protection of life, property, and infrastructure in the wildland-urban interface, and is a shared plan that would be administered jointly by Klickitat and Skamania County Board of Commissioners, Skamania and Klickitat County Fire Districts, and Washington State Department of Natural Resources.  Discussion included the need to develop a CWPP advisory committee and the need for a central location and contact for fire districts for addressing problems in specific areas.  Fire Chiefs for Districts #1, #3 and #6 had no concerns with the Plan as presented, and was in agreement to sign an acknowledgement and acceptance of the Plan. 

 

The meeting recessed at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11, 2006 and reconvened at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 12, 2006 for a special meeting, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding litigation from 11:00 a.m. until 12:25 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting adjourned at 12:25 p.m. Thursday, May 12, 2006.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON