BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of August 26, 2008

 

The Board convened at 9:05 a.m. Tuesday, August 26, 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.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 9:05 a.m. until 9:55 a.m., with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to direct staff to prepare a letter to Gary Daubenspeck advising of being put on administrative leave, pending potential termination, with a right to a hearing.

 

The meeting recessed at 9:57 a.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2008.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:04 a.m. Tuesday, August 26, 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.

 

Bob Talent advised of concern with the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s notice in the local newspaper of an upcoming water shed meeting and his distrust of the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

 

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

1.      Minutes for week of August 19, 2008.

2.      Resolution 2008-39 Call for bids for 2008 Fencing Project for various locations, set deadline to receive bids for 4:00 PM Monday, September 15, 2008, set date to open bids for Tuesday, September 16, 2008.

3.      Resolution 2008-40 Call for bids for Snow Plowing Forest Service 90 and 25 Roads 2008, set deadline to receive bids for 4:00 PM Monday, September 15, 2008, set date to open bids for Tuesday, September 16, 2008.

4.      Resolution 2008-41 Call for bids for Snow Plowing Skamania Mines Road 2008, set deadline to receive bids for 4:00 PM Monday, September 15, 2008, set date to open bids for Tuesday, September 16, 2008.

5.      Resolution 2008-42 Call for bids for Snow Plowing Northwestern Lake Area, set deadline to receive bids for 4:00 PM Monday, September 15, 2008, set date to open bids for Tuesday, September 16, 2008.

6.      Authorization to purchase Mobile Data Computer Systems for 23 patrol vehicles  to increase communication capability with dispatch and cooperating agencies, to be purchased from Region IV Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program funding.

7.      Interagency agreement with Washington State Department of Agriculture to provide funding for continuation of the garlic mustard eradication.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to award the bid for the purchase of two (2) Hybrid Sport Utility Vehicles to Gresham Ford for the amount of $31,171.17 each, including sales tax.

 

Peggy Bryan, Executive Director for Skamania County Economic Development Council reported on the Wind River Business Park.  Discussion included expansion of Building #2226, possible use of HUD appropriation grant funds for maintenance, purchase of beams, possible storage of the modular building, broadband, leases, marketing of the site, and management of the site.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:27 a.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2008 and reconvened at 10:36 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

Department Heads presented the following reports, followed by discussion regarding the need for a debit/credit card system, with no action taken.

§         Scott Pineo, Facilities and Recreation Director reported on Fairgrounds activities, DASA, Search and Rescue building, prevention meetings, Salmon Falls Park and Ride, and a fire suppression system malfunction in the jail.

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

§         Larry Douglass, Public Works Director reported on Piper Road slide and material removal, Engineering Division projects, and County Road projects.

§         Marilyn Butler, Administrative Services Director reported on the state audit, policies, personnel, budget, risk management, Wind River site, and scheduling.

§         Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director reported on requirements to transport wheelchair passengers weighing up to 600 lbs, mini-van weight limitations for cargo, and limitations in scheduling for all passengers.

§         Kirby Richards, Community Health Director reported on chemical dependency, and Public Health transition.

§         Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director reported on the zoning project, environmental health, and an upcoming Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting.

 

The Board met with Auditor Mike Garvison to discuss the need to purchase a debit/credit card system to enable the public to submit payments electronically.  The Auditor advised he would prepare a request for proposals.

 

Sally Mansur, Program Assistant for WSU Cooperative Extension reported on 4-H, the elimination of the WSU undergraduate Forestry Degree Program from its curriculum, status of filling the vacant county Extension Agent position, and Title III projects.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Resolution 2008-37 Supplemental Budget #4 for 2008 for various funds.  Marilyn Butler, Administrative Services Director presented a staff report and advised of the need to include $6,000 for Probation for Intergovernmental Professional Services.  There was no public present.  Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 2008-37 as amended.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:39 a.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2008 and reconvened at 11:45 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 11:45 a.m. until 12:01 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:01 p.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2008 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in an informational workshop with representatives from The Williams Companies, owners of Northwest Pipeline to discuss a new proposed pipeline to be known as Blue Bridge Pipeline.  Present from The Williams Companies included Del Draper, State Government Affairs; Jeremiah Ross, Project Manger; Candace Fly, Assistant Project Manager; Mike Aubele, Environmental and Permitting Lead, Peggie Labrum, Right of Way Acquisition, and Larry Taggert, Router.  Discussion included the need for the project, route selection issues, land acquisition procedures, environment issues and procedures, permitting issues, and project timeline and status.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:21 p.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2008 and reconvened at 3:04 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Firewise Coordinator to discuss program funding, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:28 p.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2008 and reconvened at 9:18 a.m. Wednesday, August 27, 2008, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss Rock Creek, ER&R Policy Changes, Salmon Falls Park and Ride status, and Malfait Park, with no action taken.

 

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

 

The meeting recessed at 10:05 a.m. Wednesday, August 27, 2008 and reconvened at 10:18 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 an Administrative Assistant new job description and an upcoming environmental health meeting, with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding litigation from 10:28 a.m. until 10:42 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 10:42 a.m. until 10:52 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:52 a.m. Wednesday, August 27, 2008 and reconvened at 11:19 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Facilities and Recreation to discuss various projects throughout the county, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:05 p.m. Wednesday, August 27, 2008 and reconvened at 1:40 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Community Health to discuss job descriptions and ethnic minority and special populations, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 27, 2008 and reconvened at 2:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 2:35 p.m. until 3:14 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:14 p.m. Wednesday, August 27, 2008 and reconvened at 9:38 a.m. Thursday, August 28, 2008, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve a voucher to Quixtar, Inc in the total amount of $95.52.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending August 28, 2008 in the total amount of $299,928.71.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve a letter supporting the Skamania County Chamber of Commerce application for the Washington State Tourism Commission Fiscal Year 2008 Competitive Grant.

 

Commissioner Tolfree gave an update on an upcoming Council of Governments meeting.

 

The meeting recessed at 9:54 a.m. Thursday, August 28, 2008 and reconvened at 4:02 p.m. the same date, with Commissioner Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present via conference call.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 4:02 p.m. until 4:07 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:07 p.m. Thursday, August 28, 2008.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON