BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of October 28, 2008

 

The Board met at 8:42 a.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 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 zoning written comments, cost of living increase, vehicle use policy, department workshops, and union contracts, with no action taken.

 

The Board gave updates on attendance at various meetings, with no action.

 

The meeting recessed at 9:51 a.m. Tuesday, October 28, 2008.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 28, 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 Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.      Minutes for week of October 21, 2008.

2.      Liquor license renewal for Carson Mineral Hot Springs, LL.

3.      Community Health Public Health Nurse I new job description at Range 26.

4.      Modification #1 to agreement with Rehn & Associates, HRA VEBA Third-party Administrator, to create a new VEBA Group #19 for Skamania County Law Enforcement Guild and to amend existing Groups 12 and 17.

5.      Contract with Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency to provide funding for enhancing Region IV’s emergency preparedness.

6.      Contract amendment #3 with Maul Foster & Alongi, Inc to extend the term for development of a Reclamation Plan for Home Valley Pit.

7.      Contract with TerraScan, Inc for annual software support for Assessor’s Tax Sifter computer program.

8.      Contract with Bell Design for survey/engineering services associated with Rock Creek Community Services Building.

9.      Resolution 2008-58 eliminating Buildings & Grounds petty cash fund and establishing a deposit account with the US Postal Service – Stevenson Office for expenditures associated with postage.

 

Peggy Bryan, Executive Director for Skamania County Economic Development Council reported on the Wind River Business Park.  Discussion included possible joint research ventures, final document closeout for the building expansion, payment for services voucher, storage coolers, closeout of the HUD grant, management of the site, and leases.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:20 a.m. Tuesday, October 28, 2008 and reconvened at 10:32 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

Department Heads presented the following reports.

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

§         Karen Witherspoon, Community Development Director reported on scheduling, environmental health, and completion of the SEPA Checklist for Wind River Business Park Water Right Transfers.

§         Kirby Richards, Community Health Director reported on chemical dependency, mental health, developmental disabilities, public health, official emblem on county vehicles, and voucher payments.

§         Scott Pineo, Facilities and Recreation Director reported on various projects and programs, energy management solutions, funding for Bluegrass Festival, dance studio classes, and restrooms at Salmon Falls Park and Ride.

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

§         Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director reported on grant applications for transportation programs and personnel.

§         Marilyn Butler, Administrative Services Director reported on the budget, personnel, contracts, and various meetings.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve a voucher to Clark County Public Health in the amount of $42,500.

 

Sally Mansur, Interim WSU Cooperative Extension Agent reported on the status of filling the vacant County Extension Agent position, Horizons, 4-H, and Title III projects.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:16 a.m. Tuesday, October 28, 2008 and reconvened at 11:30 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson and Tolfree present.  Commissioner Pearce was present via phone.

 

A public hearing was held to review community development and housing needs, inform citizens of the availability of funds and eligible uses of the State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and receive comments on proposed activities, particularly from low- and moderate-income persons residing in the areas of Skamania and Klickitat Counties; and to consider Resolution 2008-50 authorizing application of the 2009 CDBG Public Services Grant.  Linda Schneider, Director for Washington Gorge Action Programs advised of services that would be provided with funding from the grant, which included Services for Homeless/Housing and Nutrition/Farmers to Food Banks.  Information regarding the availability of CDBG funds, eligible uses, and income guidelines was available and distributed to interested parties in attendance.  Comments from the public included concern regarding the percentage of citizens in Skamania County in need of assistance and employment.  The hearing was closed to public comments.  Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 2008-50, authorizing submission of the 2009 CDBG Public Services Grant Application and Certifications of Compliance to the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, October 28, 2008 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson and Tolfree present.  Commissioner Pearce was present via phone.

 

Jessica Metta, Columbia River Gorge Commission Planner presented the Final Report of the Columbia Gorge Future Forum and gave an overview of the report, advising that the report documents the planning and implementation of the Future Forum visioning process, summarizes the citizen inspired values and vision statements derived from group discussions and individual comments, and details the corresponding strategies for action proposed as part of the process.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve a voucher to Allways Quality Construction in the amount of $1,069.90.

 

The meeting recessed at 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, October 28, 2008 and reconvened at 9:08 a.m. Wednesday, October 29, 2008, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss fuel tanks, Regional Mobility Grant, Birkenfeld Land, vehicles, and scheduling, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 9:25 a.m. Wednesday, October 29, 2008 and reconvened at 9:39 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Planning and Community Development to discuss permit meetings, hydrology reports for land divisions, and appeal process for environmental health decisions, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Community Health to discuss crisis compensation, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:36 a.m. Wednesday, October 29, 2008 and reconvened at 10:51 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Administrative Services to discuss public health and contracts, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Facilities and Recreation to discuss WinCams Program and dance programs, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:36 a.m. Wednesday, October 29, 2008 and reconvened at 1:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson and Pearce present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Superior Court Judge and the Prosecutor to discuss a proposed ordinance to establish standards for the delivery of public defense services, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 1:12 p.m. Wednesday, October 29, 2008 and reconvened at 9:37 a.m. Thursday, October 30, 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 October 30, 2008 in the total amount of $200,304.74.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Resolution 2008-57 Supplemental Budget #5 for 2008.  Marilyn Butler, Administrative Services Director advised of the addition of $9,000 for the Coroner.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 2008-57, with the addition.

 

Commissioner Pearce advised of a proposed resolution to create a salary relationship between Elected Officials and Superior Court Judge.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve the Managers Unit Collection Bargaining Agreement for 2008-2009.

 

The meeting recessed at 9:54 a.m. Thursday, October 30, 2008 and reconvened at 10:05 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Nancy Ryke, Mt. Adams District Ranger and Ruth Tracy, Forest Service Soil and Water Program Manager to discuss road decommission planning.  Discussion included the Gifford Pinchot Aquatic Road Work Prioritization Strategy, coordinating a tour in the spring to look at Forest Service roads, Resource Advisory Committee, and Title II and Title III allocations, with no action taken.

 

The Board discussed health insurance and issues at the swimming pool, with no action taken.

 

The meeting adjourned at 11:27 a.m. Thursday, October 30, 2008.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON