BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of February 26, 2008

 

The Board met at 9:07 a.m. on Tuesday, February 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, for a staff meeting to discuss various projects, scheduling, public access terminal, debit cards, Title III projects, Underwood meeting, Health Department, and Malfait Park, with no action taken.

 

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

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows, with the exception of Item #13, that was removed:

1.      Minutes for week of February 19, 2008.

2.      Liquor license application for Carson Ridge Bed and Breakfast.

3.      Liquor license renewal for Eagles Cliff Store & Campground.

4.      Set a public hearing for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, 2008 to consider Ordinance 2008-04 extending the Interim Zoning controls for the Swift Subarea for six months.

5.      Contract with Mosquito Control District to implement a control plan for 2008.

6.      Agreement with Washington Gorge Action Programs for subrecipient of Community Development Block Grant funds to provide public services to low-and moderate-income persons within Skamania & Klickitat Counties.

7.      Contract amendment #1 with Sound Resolutions to provide professional consulting services for WRIA 29A Instream Flow Work – Parts B, and C-D, including facilitation of up to 11 planning unit meetings.

8.      Contract amendment #2 with Advanced Planning Solutions, Inc to complete technical work to support Instream Flow decision-making by the WRIA 29A Planning Unit for Parts C-D.

9.      Contract with Advanced Planning Solutions, Inc to act as project manager to complete WRIA 29A Instream Flow recommendations to the Department of Ecology.

10.  Contract with Steve Norton to provide polygraph services to youth ordered by Skamania County Juvenile Court.

11.  Interagency agreement with Department of Agriculture to provide funding for garlic mustard control.

12.  Agreement with Sherman Technical Industries for lease of real property known as Building #2226 at Wind River Business Park.

13.  Agreement with Jeanie Smith for lease of real property known as Cooler Space in Building #2130 at Wind River Business Park.

14.  Interlocal agreement with Stevenson-Carson School District 303 for Forest Youth Success Title III Program.

15.  Annual Certifications and Assurances to Department of Transportation for FTA Grants that fund Dial-a-Ride transportation services and capital replacement for Senior Services.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:07 a.m. Tuesday, February 26, 2008 and reconvened at 10:16 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met with Department Heads from Central Services, Counseling Center, Facilities and Recreation, Planning and Community Development, Public Works, Senior Services, Administrative Services, and WSU Cooperative Extension.  Department Heads presented the following reports, followed by discussion regarding public meeting space and the debit card policy:

§         Terry Blaisdell, Central Services Director reported on emails, computer replacements, new equipment purchases for various departments, and gave updates on various projects and programs.

§         Larry Douglass, Public Works Director reported on the Piper Road Slide, Rock Creek, private road standards, Engineering projects, County Road projects, ER&R, Building Department and Solid Waste.

§         Marilyn Butler, Administrative Services Director reported on various contracts, personnel, policies, and public health.

§         Kirby Richards, Community Health Director reported on a substance abuse audit, new building relocation certification, and HIPPA training.

§         Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director advised of an upcoming Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting, upcoming Commissioners public hearing regarding Ordinance 2008-03 Clearing and Grading, WRIA 29A Planning Unit Support meeting, and upcoming 2008 community Growth Update Forum.

§         Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director reported on staff retirements, Department of Transportation meeting, vehicle incidents, management training, Senior Services Revolving Fund issues, and state requirements for ethical standards policy.

§         Scott Pineo, Facilities and Recreation Director reported on facility use, recreation, community education/recreational programming, and upcoming events.

§         Ole Helgerson, WSU Cooperative Extension Agent gave updates on staffing, ad hoc GIS Committee, and upcoming training for fire districts.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 26, 2008 and reconvened at 11:50 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

Peggy Bryan, Executive Director for Skamania County Economic Development Council reported on the Wind River Business Park.  Discussion included leases, PUD power upgrade, structural beams, and marketing/management.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:42 p.m. Tuesday, February 26, 2008 and reconvened at 5:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Ordinance 2008-03 establishing a new Title 24 to Skamania County Code entitled Clearing and Grading.  Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director gave a staff report.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to acknowledge receipt of a letter from Fred Newman.  Comments from the public included the need to reference exemptions in critical areas and to include the term agriculture, concern with definitions for clearing and fill, grading standards, increased regulations, length of time for issuance of permits, and a request to include the term clearing in application requirements.  The hearing was closed to public comment.  Following deliberation by the Board the following motions were made:

§         Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to amend subsection 24.02.020(5) as follows: “Clearing” means the destruction and/or removal of all vegetation by manual, mechanical or chemical methods resulting in entirely exposed mineral soils in an area exceeding 10,000 square feet.

§         Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to amend subsection 24.02.020(18) as follows: “Filling” means a deposit of clean earth material, or concrete pieces or asphalt concrete less than one cubic foot in volume.

§         Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to add new subsection 24.02.060 (E) as follows: All exemptions as enumerated in the Critical Area and Shoreline Ordinances.

§         Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to add new subsection 24.02.060(F) as follows: Nothing herein may interfere or overrule the Right to Farm Ordinance.

§         Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to add new subsection 24.02.060(G) as follows: Nothing in this ordinance shall be retroactive and all current projects are hereby vested.

§         Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to amend section 24.02.070 as follows: Unless exempted under SCC Section 24.02.060, all persons proposing to conduct grading and/or clearing activity within the jurisdictional boundaries of unincorporated Skamania County Shall first apply for a grading permit.

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to adopt Ordinance 2008-03 with amendments.

 

The meeting recessed at 6:20 p.m. Tuesday, February 26, 2008 and reconvened at 9:17 a.m. Wednesday, February 27, 2008, with Commissioners Richardson and Pearce present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss Rock Creek, Upper Wind River snow plowing, private road standards, and Hot Spring Avenue, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 9:50 a.m. Wednesday, February 27, 2008 and reconvened at 10:18 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson and Pearce present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Planning and Community Development to discuss updates to the fee resolution, Title 22 NSA text changes, WRIA 25/26 and 27/28, and WRIA 29A, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:10 a.m. Wednesday, February 27, 2008 and reconvened at 11:24 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson and Pearce present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Facilities and Recreation to discuss the Park and Recreation Master Plan, Bridge of the Gods Little League, parking enforcement, and computer dedication, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:06 p.m. Wednesday, February 27, 2008 and reconvened at 1:49 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Administrative Services to discuss the budget, various contracts, personnel, and an upcoming department head retreat, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop to discuss new structure for public health, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:32 p.m. Wednesday, February 27, 2008 and reconvened at 1:57 p.m. Thursday, February 28, 2008, with Commissioners Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Resolution 2008-12 Supplemental Budget #1 to supplement various funds that have unanticipated budgeted expenditures and revenues for 2008.  The Board discussed the need for additional changes with the Administrative Services Director and the Auditor.   Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to change all references to Skamania County Business Park in the 2008 Budget to Wind River Business Park.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried to continue the hearing to 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 4, 2008 to allow for additional changes to the Supplemental Budget.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending December 31, 2007 in the total amount of $9,775.88.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending February 28, 2008 in the total amount of $293,504.38.

 

The Board discussed a voucher to Spokane County Clerk for filing fees, with no action taken.

 

The meeting adjourned at 2:35 p.m. Thursday, February 28, 2008.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON