BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of March 18, 2008

 

Commissioners James D. Richardson, Chair, Paul Pearce and Jamie Tolfree participated in a Department Head Retreat from 11:00 a.m. until approximately 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2008 at the Forest Service Training Center, 171 Martha Creek Road in Stabler.

 

The Board met from 9:13 a.m. until 9:53 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 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 to discuss various projects and scheduling, and to give updates on attendance at various meetings, with no action taken.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:11 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, 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 March 11, 2008.

2.      Liquor license renewal for Bonneville Hot Springs Resort.

3.      Acknowledge receipt of Claim for Damages from Steven K. and Margie D. Polito.

4.       Reappoint Gloria Howell to position #13 on the Human Services Advisory Board for a three-year term expiring September 30, 2010.

5.      Submittal of Skamania County Swift Reservoir Wildfire Protection Plan to Department of Natural Resources.

6.      Agreement with Jeanie Smith for lease of real property known as cooler space in Building #2130 at Wind River Business Park.

7.      Authorize waiver to Personnel Policy Section 5.1.2 and allow Noxious Weed Natural Resource Workers to exceed the 1000 work hour limit for 2008.

8.      Authorize change of title for revenue code (BARS #349.100.000) from Title III Administrative Fee to County Administrative Fee.

 

Proposals were opened for Aquatic Vegetation Management at the Mouth of the Wind River.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to forward the following proposals to Planning and Community Development for review and recommendation:

§         Aqua Technex, Bellingham, WA

§         Dave’s Weed & Pest Control, Priest River, ID

§         Northwest Aquatic Eco-Systems, Tumwater, WA

 

Ann Lueders, Safety Committee Chair reported on the Safety Committee meeting of March 11, 2008.  The Board reviewed and discussed the following reports:

§         Report #2008-E-02.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to agree with the Safety Committee’s findings and recommendations.

§         Report #2008-E-03.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to agree with the Safety Committee’s findings and recommendations.

§         Report #2008-E-04.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to agree with the Safety Committee’s findings and recommendations.

§         Report #2008-E-05.  Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to agree with the Safety Committee’s findings and recommendations.

§         Report #2008-30.  Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to disagree with the Safety Committee’s findings and recommendations, stating that, based on the investigative report, the incident was unpreventable.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously that following review of accident/incident reports by the Risk Manager or Safety Officer, reports should be forwarded to the Safety Committee secretary, who may determine that a report should be returned to the department to request additional information for the Safety Committee, if that information would be required in order for the Safety Committee to make a recommendation.

 

Sarah Prince, Noxious Weed Coordinator reported on updates to the Weed website, contracts, upcoming meetings, various projects, staff vacancies, and 2008 Work Plan.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:49 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, 2008 and reconvened at 10:53 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding potential litigation from 10:53 a.m. until 11:20 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board met with David Waymire, Sheriff’s Correction Sergeant  to discuss a request from Superior Court Judge Reynolds to increase courtroom security for criminal trials, with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 11:35 a.m. until 11:45 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, 2008 and reconvened at 1:38 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding litigation from 1:38 p.m. until 2:19 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:19 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, 2008 and reconvened at 5:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson and Pearce present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider the adoption of Ordinance 2008-04 extending the Interim Zoning Controls for the Swift Subarea for six months.  Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director gave a staff report.  There were no comments from the public.  The hearing was closed to public comment.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to adopt Ordinance 2008-04 extending the Interim Zoning controls for the Swift Subarea for an six months.

 

The meeting recessed at 5:41 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, 2008 and reconvened at 9:24 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2008, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss the Home Valley Pit, Rock Creek fill materials, and Rock Creek conveyance and funding, with no action taken.

 

The Board discussed a letter from Columbia River Gorge Commissioners Jim Middaugh and Honna Sheffield to Jay Manning, Director of the Washington State Department of Ecology requesting an immediate assessment of potential contamination at the Broughton Mill site, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 9:56 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2008 and reconvened at 10:19 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 long range projects, fee schedule, and school wetland mitigation, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2008 and reconvened at 11:34 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Facilities and Recreation to discuss Big Brothers/Big Sisters Columbia Northwest and Wind River Boat Ramp, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2008 and reconvened at 9:45 a.m. Thursday, March 20, 2008, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Resolution 2008-14 Supplemental Budget #6 for the 2007 Budget to supplement the Substance Abuse Fund due to unanticipated expenditures for 2007.  No public was present.  Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 2008-14.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending March 20, 2008 in the total amount of $124,394.59.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss Cape Horn Conservancy Trail volunteer cleanup, Patton forest practices permit, and Community Action Team projects for 2008, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:43 a.m. Thursday, March 20, 2008 and reconvened at 10:56 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop to discuss a proposed GIS budget and GIS Coordinator position, and the Auditor’s new payroll system, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:42 a.m. Thursday, March 20, 2008 and reconvened at 1:48 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

Following discussion of a letter from Columbia River Gorge Commissioners Jim Middaugh and Honna Sheffield to Jay Manning, Director of the Washington State Department of Ecology requesting an immediate assessment of potential contamination at the Broughton Mill site, the Board agreed to prepare a press release for immediate release expressing the County’s outrage at the letter.

 

The meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2008.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON