BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Meeting for Week of May 15, 2006
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 15, 2006 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair and James D. Richardson present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
Minutes of May 8, 2006.
Acknowledge submission of grant applications to Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation for 1) Wind River Boat Ramp Improvement project 2) Rock Creek Pond Water Access project & 3) Roger Malfait Community Park project.
Set public hearing for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2006 to consider adoption of Ordinance 2006-06 repealing Ordinance 1997-02, Ordinance 1996-12 & County Code Chapter 8.06 Maintenance & Service of Fire Hydrants in its entirety, & adding new Chapter 15.33 Fire Protection to Title 15 Buildings & Construction.
Set public hearing for 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 5, 2006 to consider a request from Todd & Virginia Perman for a variance to County Private Road Standards Section 12.03.040(B)(1) to comply with applied conditions to the Perman Short Plat to upgrade an existing unnamed private road located off of Mabee Mines Road at milepost 2.25.
Agreement with WA State Administrative Office of the Courts for use of the judicial information system’s JIS-Link service.
Agreement and Local Agency Federal Aid Project Prospectus with WA State Dept of Transportation for funding for Cape Horn-Skye Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Program.
Contract with Bill Bryant for volunteer host for Home Valley Campground.
Agreement with Harlow Bus Sales for supply & delivery of two 2006-model year wheelchair accessible vehicles for Senior Services.
Rescind contract with Jason Gibson dba Web Works Unlimited for failure to sign contract and complete the work set forth in the contract for advertising & web site construction related to the Columbia Gorge Health Expo.
Scott Pineo, Community Events and Recreation Director reported on activities at the Fairgrounds, recreation programs, Rock Creek Recreation Center/Stevenson Grange, parks, swim pool, boat launches, and grant projects, and presented a facilities usage and revenue report.
Scott Pineo, Interim Buildings and Grounds Director reported on departmental organization, parks and grounds, facilities, current projects, and future projects.
The Board met for the purpose of making a final decision regarding an application from Mike 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. A public hearing to consider the application was held on March 23, 2006 and continued to April 24, 2006. Assessor Gary Martin presented pictures from a May 10, 2006 site visit to the property accompanied by Commissioner Richardson and Assessor’s Staff. He advised that the property had been planted with approximately one acre of pinot grapes and approximately 1,500 beefsteak tomatoes from seed. Discussion included production requirements and the lack of an irrigation system. Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve the transfer of 21.7 acres from Current Use Farm and Agricultural Land to Farm and Agricultural Conservation Land for a two-year period, and that no later than June 1, 2008 the property owner shall provide adequate proof that active agriculture use has been established for the entire property; if adequate proof is provided the property may transfer to Current Use Farm and Agricultural Land; if adequate proof is not provided, the property or a portion thereof shall revert to market value.
Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to declare the week of May 14-20, 2006 as National Police. A ceremony to honor law enforcement officers, both past and present, was scheduled for 11:45 a.m. this date on the Courthouse lawn.
The meeting recessed at 11:25 a.m. Monday, May 15, 2006 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.
A public hearing was held to consider the County Engineer’s recommendation to vacate Beacon Rock Moorage Road from milepost 0.00 to 0.33 (end). Rich Lang, County Surveyor advised that Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission have acquired ownership of all lands surrounding the road, they would be relocating their access to State Road 14 west of the road to access the Beacon Rock Doetsch Ranch Day Use area and Beacon Rock Boat Launch Facility, and they have requested the County to vacate the road. He presented the Engineer’s Report, which recommended the road be vacated and abandoned. Representatives from Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission advised that the new access road to State Road 14 would not be completed until March 2007 and requested the road vacation not be approved until completion of the new road. Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to continue the hearing to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, 2007.
The meeting recessed at 1:50 p.m. Monday, May 15, 2006 and reconvened at 9:35 a.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2006, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.
The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 9:35 until 9:55 a.m., with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 9:55 a.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2006 and reconvened at 11:05 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.
Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director reported on the pending application list, long-range project schedule, Western Water Resource Inventory Area 29, text changes to Title 23 Forest practice Moratorium Lift, National Scenic Area funding, and Comprehensive Plan amendment and Swift Subarea Plan.
Brad Uhlig, Solid Waste Supervisor gave an update on projected revenues, recycling, and worker efficiency and advised that Solid Waste Laborers are working at 100% at this time due to increased workload.
Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer reported on Public Works, Road Department, engineering, options for Little Buck Creek Road issue, and surveying/right of way.
The meeting recessed at 11:40 a.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2006 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.
The Board participated in a workshop with the Fire Marshal to discuss burning regulations, with no action taken.
The Board participated in a workshop with the Community Events and Recreation Director to discuss grant projects, with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 3:05 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2006 and reconvened at 10:10 a.m. Thursday, May 18, 2006, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.
Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending May 18, 2006, in the total amount of $126,491.28.
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 18, 2006.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON