BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of August 5, 2008

 

On Monday, August 4, 2008 the Board attended Congressman Brian Baird’s Transitioning Economies Community Forum held at the Forest Service Training Center in Stabler.

 

The Board met at 9:25 a.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 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, for a staff meeting.  Discussion included Wind River Business Park, scheduling, sound control for the meeting room, WSU Cooperative Extension retirement, and Public Health, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 9:38 a.m., Tuesday, August 5, 2008.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:08 a.m. Tuesday, August 5, 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.

 

Jim Stein of Mabee Mines Road advised of concerns regarding ongoing problems with vehicles speeding on Mabee Mines Road.  Commissioner Pearce advised that caution signs would be posted on the road this week.

 

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

1.      Minutes for week of July 29, 2008.

2.      Acknowledge submission of Facilities and Recreation’s application to Northwest Foundation for grant funding to be used in implementing projects identified in the Stevenson Community Strategic Poverty Reduction Plan.

3.      Set public hearing for 11:30 AM Tuesday, August 26, 2008 to consider Resolution 2008-37 Supplemental Budget #4 for 2008.

4.      Ratify the approval on July 29, 2008 of a contract with Wubben Brothers, Inc for the sale of excavated materials from Rock Creek at $3.50 per cubic yard.

5.      Resolution 2008-36 distribution of remaining PUD Privilege Taxes received by Skamania County in 2008.

6.      Adjust range for Public Health Manager/Nurse Practitioner job description to Range 29.

7.      Public Health Manager/Registered Nurse new job description at Range 28.

8.      Community Health Contract Manager new job description at Range 18.

9.      Community Health Accounting Tech II revised job description.

10.  Authorize purchase of commercial 2-door 49 cubic foot freezer for Senior Services Meal Program.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to ratify the Vice-Chair’s approval on August 4, 2008 of Resolution 2008-38 Compensation of Full-Time Sheriff’s Office FLSA Exempt Personnel for State Mobilization Assignments.

 

The Board discussed the need for an emergency notification system for the North County with Sheriff Dave Brown, with no action taken.

 

John Carlson, Emergency Management Coordinator reported on monitoring of Mount St. Helens, Piper Road/Rock Creek Landslide, Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, Clark County American Red Cross, Emergency Management Performance Grant, Washington State Staging Area Working Group, Fire Wise Program, Community Emergency Response Team Program,  Local Emergency Planning Committee, National Incident Management System compliance, Mt Hood Planning Team, and search and rescue.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2008 and reconvened at 10:40 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

Department Heads presented the following reports, followed by discussion regarding ER&R, with no action taken.

§         Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director gave an update on the Wind River Resort proposal, reported on the Zoning Project, an upcoming Columbia Gorge Commission meeting, and advised of upcoming training.

§         Terry Blaisdell advised of UPS problems in the server room and gave an update on various projects.

§         Scott Pineo, Facilities and Recreation Director advised of radio coverage of the Fair and Fair activities, and gave updates on the Bluegrass Festival, Annex remodel, and ER&R meeting.

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

§         Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director advised of a recent accident involving the Senior Services bus and of an increase in costs for the Dial-A-Ride Transportation Program due to an increase in requests.

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

§         Marilyn Butler, Administrative Services Director reported on an upcoming state audit, risk management, and a supplemental budget.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:16 a.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2008 and reconvened at 11:37 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Senior Services regarding 2009 Budget and staffing, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2008 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

Updates from Washington Counties Risk Pool were presented by Veryl Hill, Executive Director and David Goldsmith, Member Services Manager. Copies of Washington Counties Risk Pool Financial Statements Audit Report for October 1, 2006 through September 20, 2007 and Accountability Audit Report dated March 14, 2008 were given to Marilyn Butler, Administrative Services Director.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2008 and reconvened at 2:34 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a joint workshop with the Forest Service and Facilities and Recreation to discuss the Forest Service Recreation Facilities Plan and Skamania County Parks and Recreation Plan, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2008 and reconvened at 9:17 a.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2008, with Commissioners Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss Rock Creek, State Sheds, ER&R Fund, and personnel, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 9:43 a.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2008, and reconvened at 10:17 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Tolfree present.  Commissioner Richardson was present via phone.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously that Skamania County Board of Commissioners fully supports the current land use designation for the Wind River Resort property.  We feel it is fully sufficient for a viable recreational camping facility and do not support a Plan Amendment for the site.  We believe, as designated, it would be a benefit for the community and an important part of the economic responsibilities of the National Scenic Area Act.

 

Commissioner Richardson left the meeting at approximately 10:50 a.m.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Planning and Community Development to discuss Environmental Health position interviews, fee schedule, and training, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:13 a.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2008, and reconvened at 9:42 a.m. Thursday, August 7, 2008, with Commissioners Richardson and Pearce present.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending August 7, 2008 in the total amount of $230,543.33.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve payroll for the period ending July 31, 2008 in the total amount of $1,188.988.71.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m. Thursday, August 7, 2008.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON