BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of October 10, 2006

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop from 9:10 a.m. until 9:50 a.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Albert E. McKee present to discuss Sheriff Fund distributions, reclassifications, insurance, Agate Lane, Commissioner’s hearing room, and the federal budget, with no action taken.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 10, 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 Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.       Minutes for week of October 3, 2006.

2.        Notice of withdrawal of liquor license application by applicant for Eagles Cliff Store & Campground.

3.       Acknowledge receipt of a letter from Victor & Frances Beers opposing a casino in Cascade Locks.

4.       Acknowledge submission of grant applications for Dept of Transportation for Mill A School Pedestrian Path and Carson Schools Sidewalk & Crosswalk Improvement projects.

5.       Set public hearing for 1:30 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006 to consider a request from Brian & Jody Bea for a variance to private road requirements for a proposed unnamed private road to be located off of Loop Road at approximately milepost 1.4 on the left to allow the road grade to exceed the maximum 12% grade requirement.

6.       Set public hearing for 2:15 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006 to consider a request from Mark Emter for a variance to private road requirements to allow a driving surface of less that the 20-foot surface dimension requirement for a proposed unnamed private road and an existing small bridge used to access the property located near the west county line south of the Lewis River.

7.       Set public hearing for 2:00 PM Tuesday, October 31, 2006 to consider Ordinance 2006-12 amending Skamania County Code Chapter 2.02 Board of Commissioners by adding new chapters to establish rules of procedure governing Board of Commissioners meetings & hearings.

8.       Contract with Dept of Community, Trade & Economic Development to provide funding to administer the National Scenic Area Act in Skamania County.

9.       Contract amendment #1 with Dept of Social & Health Services Division of Developmental Disabilities to increase funding for services for children from birth to 3-years of age.

10.    Interlocal agreement with Greater Columbia Behavioral Health to provide funding for mental health services to promote recovery for seriously mentally ill adults & resiliency for emotionally disturbed children.

11.    Memorandum of Understanding with USDA Forest Service to complete an aquifer test of the Ohanapecosh Formation aquifer of well #1 as required by the Dept of Ecology Water Change Application for the Wind River Nursery site, which is mutually beneficial for finalization of the conveyance agreement.

12.    Contract with Christopher Lanz to provide legal counsel to Court Appointed Special Advocates Program.

 

Sealed bids were opened for one 10-12 yard dump truck.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried unanimously to refer the following bids to Public Works for review and recommendation:

§         Brattain International Trucks, Portland, OR               $125,650.99 including trade-in and sales tax

§         Seattle Mack Sales & Service, Des Moines, WA      $155,273.51 including trade-in and sales tax

 

 

 

The Fire Marshal advised of the need to continue to extend the ban on debris fire burning due to extreme dry weather conditions.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to continue the extension on the ban on debris fire burning through Thursday, October 12, 2006.

 

Scott Bryan, Assistant County Engineer advised of gas line maintenance at the shooting range, and reported on Agate Lane, Public Works, Road Department, Solid Waste, engineering, surveying/right of way, bridges, and equipment and rental revolving fund.

 

Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director advised of a National Rural Transportation Conference at Skamania Lodge, and reported on the development of procedures for In-Home Services and Case Management Programs.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, October 10, 2006 and reconvened at 11:05 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and McKee present.

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve payroll for the period ending September 30, 2006 in the total amount of $1,022,751.27.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:10 a.m. Tuesday, October 10, 2006 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and McKee present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider an application from Greg and Wendy Retzlaff to vacate a portion of the J. Neyland Short Plat by vacating 30 feet of the 60-foot road easement of Neyland Road (private), and to vacate the private drive easement across Lot #3 for access to Lot #2 of the J. Neyland Short Plat.  Debbie Cazaré, Planning Technician gave a staff report and advised that the Planning Commission recommended approval with eight conditions.  Discussion included an existing unrecorded utility easement with the PUD for Lot #3 and the need for an easement for utilities for Lot #2 at such time the owner should decide to develop the lot.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve the variance request with eight conditions, and to add additional language to condition #4 that a mutually negotiated utility easement would be entered into at the point when it is necessitated by development of Lot #2 of the J. Neyland Short Plat, as noted in the Final Order.

 

A public hearing was held to consider a Current Use Timber Land application from Kenneth Klaas and Maria Zollo-Klaas for 5.0 acres of property located at 282 Bishop Road, Washougal, WA, tax parcel #02-05-20-0-0-2000-00.  Leslie Moore, Property Appraiser gave a staff report and recommended approval based on a physical inspection of the property.  Discussion included Alder harvest and sales tax revenues from Alder harvest.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to continue the hearing until 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 11, 2006 to allow for additional information from the Treasurer regarding sales tax revenue from Alder harvest.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 10, 2006 and reconvened at 2:45 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and McKee present.

 

The Board participated in 2007 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following departments, with no action taken: Commissioners, Title III, Cumulative Reserve (Contingent Liability, Salaries, Wages, Benefits, Loans); Hotel/Motel Tax, Nuisance Control, Operating Transfers, and Public Health.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, October 10, 2006 and reconvened at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 11, 2006, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss Solid Waste budget, Road Department snow plan, and Agate Lane, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Planning and Community Development to discuss Water Resource Inventory Area 29, Hearings Examiner, Swift Subarea 10 acre density, and Water Resource Inventory Area 27-28, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Recreation and Facilities Director to discuss a CMASA update, WSU Horizons meeting, Drano Lake landscaping, City of Stevenson Hotel-Motel Fund proposal, and equipment rental rates, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 11, 2006 and reconvened at 1:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board participated in 2007 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following departments, with no action taken:  Superior Court, Trial Court Improvement, Juvenile, Clerk, Clerk’s Collection, Auditor, Auditor O&M, Elections, and Veteran’s Relief.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding litigation from 1:55 p.m. until 2:10 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:10 p.m. Wednesday, October 11, 2006 and reconvened at 2:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

A public hearing was held, continued from October 10, 2006, to consider a Current Use Timber Land application from Kenneth Klaas and Maria Zollo-Klaas for 5.0 acres of property located at 282 Bishop Road, Washougal, WA, tax parcel #02-05-20-0-0-2000-00.  The hearing was continued to allow for additional information from the Treasurer regarding sales tax revenue from Alder harvest.  Commissioner Pearce advised that the County receives a 4% tax on timber when harvested.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve the timberland application.  The Board advised of the need to schedule a workshop with the Assessor regarding total acreage required to qualify for timberland classification.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:40 p.m. Wednesday, October 11, 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 3:30 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Interim Counseling Center Director, to discuss on-call help, magazine subscription, and grants, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, October 11, 2006 and reconvened at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, October 12, 2006, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

Walt Loehrke, Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC) Member reported on the CRGC meeting of October 10, 2006.  Discussion included violations in Multnomah County, Commission appointments, air quality complaints, and invasive weeds in the national forest.

Following a brief discussion on the continuing dry weather conditions, Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to continue the extension on the ban on debris fire burning through Tuesday, October 17, 2006, at which time weather conditions will be reviewed.

 

The Board reviewed and discussed three applicants for a Planning Commission vacancy for position #2A.  Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to appoint William D. Truitt to serve in position #2A on the Planning Commissioner for a four-year term expiring August 31, 2010.

 

Public Works gave a presentation on a Regional Mobility Grant Application for Skamania Transit Improvement Project to provide bus shelters at Carson, Main Street Convenience Store, and North Bonneville, which would require a 10% County match.  Three alternatives were presented for consideration.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried unanimously to support Alternative #2.

 

The Board discussed revisions to Chapter 20 Travel Policy of the Personnel Policy with the Auditor.  Commissioner Pearce advised he would draft additional language for clarification of mileage reimbursement for consideration.

 

Commissioner McKee moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending October 11, 2006 in the total amount of $78,496.70.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:25 a.m. Thursday, October 12, 2006 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and McKee present.

 

The Board participated in 2007 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following, with no action taken:  General Services (Economic Development Council, Washington Gorge Action Programs Food Bank, Interpretive Center, Domestic Violence), Affordable Housing, Senior Services, Senior Services, Inc of North Bonneville, and the Chamber of Commerce.

 

The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, October 12, 2006.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON