BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of December 23, 2008

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:14 a.m. Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners James D. Richardson, Chair, Paul Pearce and Jamie Tolfree present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows, with the exception of items #3, #4, and #5 that were removed:

1.      Minutes for week of December 16, 2008.

2.      Authorize the use of capital equipment funds to augment ER&R funds for the purchase of a service body and lift gate for Facilities & Recreation.

3.      Resolution 2008-35 creating a Homeless Housing and Assistance Fund.

4.      Resolution 2008-74 authorizing the County Road Division to close county roads or portions of county roads to travel by all vehicles or by any class of vehicles due to freeze/thaw conditions.

5.      Resolution 2008-75 regarding transaction fees for debit/credit card payments.

6.      Contract with Dept of Community, Trade & Economic Development to provide CDBG funding for 2009 for services for low & moderate-income persons within Skamania & Klickitat Counties.

7.      Contract amendment #1 with CNR, Inc to extend the term and amend the rates for maintenance of the county telephone system.

8.      Contract renewal with Flowing Solutions to provide ongoing monitoring for Rock Creek Slide.

9.      License agreement with Deborah Messinger School of Dance to provide space at the Exhibit Hall for dance instruction.

10.  Memorandum of Understanding between Skamania County Sheriff and Juvenile Department to provide transport for juvenile offenders.

11.  Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Emergency Management and Kathleen Carlson to provide administrative support, marketing and CERT instruction.

12.  Agreement with Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs to provide funding for costs associated with methamphetamine investigation, arrests and statistics.

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

14.  Approval of Home Valley Pit Reclamation Plan and submittal to Department of Natural Resources.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to table Resolution 2008-35 creating a Homeless Housing and Assistance Fund.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 2008-74 restricting or prohibiting the operation of motor trucks or other vehicles on any county road, whenever such operation will damage such county roads or will be dangerous to traffic.

 

The Board discussed amending Resolution 2008-75 to exclude the Treasurer from paying the convenience fee for point of sale use of credit/debit cards.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 2008-75 establishing procedures for paying convenience fees on point of sale debit/credit cards, as amended.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 2008-73 establishing legal holidays for 2009.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve an interlocal agreement with Washington Counties Insurance Pool to provide medical, vision and life coverage to Skamania County employees.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to appoint Debi Van Camp as the Insurance Advisory Committee representative for Skamania County.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve an agreement with MET Life to provide dental coverage to Skamania County employees.

 

Peggy Bryan, Executive Director for Skamania County Economic Development Council reported on the Wind River Business Park.  Discussion included potential leases, renewal of existing leases, and an update on an agreement with the Port for management of the site.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:33 a.m. Tuesday, December 23, 2008 and reconvened at 10:48 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

Department Heads presented the following reports, with no action taken.

§         Marilyn Butler, Administrative Services Director reported on the budget, personnel, and Senior Services.

§         Karen Witherspoon, Community Development Director reported on environmental health, Critical Areas Update, moratorium on unzoned land, and Swift Interim Zoning..

§         Kirby Richards, Community Health Director reported on chemical dependency, mental health, developmental disabilities, and public health.

§         Larry Douglass, Public Works Director reported on the Piper Road slide, Engineering Division projects, County Road projects, ER&R, Building Department, and Solid Waste.

§         Scott Pineo, Facilities and Recreation Director reported on various facility projects.

§         Terry Blaisdell, Central Services Director reported on various projects.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:28 a.m. Tuesday, December 23, 2008 and reconvened at 11:41 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board discussed the need for the County to pay for Skamania County Economic Development Director to attend an upcoming conference of the American Wind Energy Association, the need for an emergency closure policy, a WSAC leadership training pilot program, and health and dental insurance for chore workers, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:28 p.m. Tuesday, December 23, 2008 and reconvened at 9:13 a.m. Wednesday, December 24, 2008, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending December 23, 2008 in the total amount of $27,479.34.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to close the Courthouse at 11:30 a.m. today due to inclement weather.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Administrative Services to discuss policies, personnel, budget, and Senior Services, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to set the co-pay for health insurance for 2009 for general employees at $130.00 per month and the Law Enforcement Guild at 5%.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss the Birkenfeld easement, Stevenson fuel tank, snow and ice, and a suggestion from the Department of Ecology to apply for a grant for dredging Rock Creek, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 9:34 a.m. Wednesday, December 24, 2008 and reconvened at 10:09 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Facilities and Recreation to discuss the Courthouse Annex remodel project, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:54 a.m. Wednesday, December 24, 2008 and reconvened at 11:04 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Community Development to discuss National Scenic Area funding, a Planning Commission vacancy, Office Assistant interviews, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Community Health to discuss state budget cuts for social services, with no action taken.

 

The meeting adjourned at 11:28 a.m. Wednesday, December 24, 2008.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON