BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of October 14, 2008

 

The Board met at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 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 the need for a supplemental budget, phones, appointments, and Title II and III funding, with no action taken.  The meeting recessed at 9:36 a.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2008.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:08 a.m. Tuesday, October 14, 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 Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows, with the exception of Item #2 that was removed:

1.      Minutes for week of October 7, 2008.

2.      Acknowledge receipt of a letter of request from the Port of Skamania County for a $200,000 grant from the County’s .09% optional sales and use tax to help fund the construction of a new public facility to be located in the Lewis and Clark Business Park needed to retain and create family wage jobs.

3.      Authorize the purchase of sand bags with draw string ties to replenish the supply for flood control.

4.      Resolution 2008-53 increasing the fee to $25.00 for the cost of processing and bank fees related to non-sufficient check fees for checks made payable to Skamania County.

5.      Resolution 2008-45 Reorganization of Skamania County Health Department.

6.      Resolution 2008-55 allocating Federal Fiscal Year 2008 Title II and Title II Funds.

7.      Contract with Columbia Gorge Landscaping for installation of fencing at various locations on the north and south side of Salmon Falls Road.

8.      Agreement with multiple agencies for Master Interlocal Mutual Law Enforcement Assistance.

9.      Contract with Emmert International to relocate the Wind River Business Park modular building.

                       

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to acknowledge receipt of a letter from the Port of Skamania County and approve their request for $200,000 from the County’s .09% optional sales and use tax to help fund the construction of a new public facility to be located in the Lewis and Clark Business Park, needed to retain and create family wage jobs.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to use reserve Title III funds for the 2009 budget to fund the Sheriff’s Forest Work Crew Project.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve a 0.5% wage increase for non-bargaining employees, retroactive to January 1, 2008.

 

Sealed bids were opened for the purchase of one (1) Loader Mounted Snow Blower.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to refer the following bids to Public Works for review and recommendation:

  1. Norstar Industries, Inc, Auburn, WA               $191,027.10 including sales tax
  2. Kodiak Northwest, Inc, Burley, ID                  $178,000.00 excluding sales tax
  3. R.P.M. Tech, Inc, Laval, Quebec Canada        $192,309.00 including sales tax (new)
  4. R.P.M. Tech, Inc, Laval, Quebec Canada        $179,355.00 including sales tax (used)

 

 

Peggy Bryan, Executive Director for Skamania County Economic Development Council reported on leases, facilities maintenance, and potential future tenants at Wind River Business Park.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:25 a.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2008 and reconvened at 10:35 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

Department Heads presented the following reports:

§         Karen Witherspoon, Community Development Director reported on environmental health, National Scenic Area, Zoning Project, and advised of receiving 20 new septic design plans.

§         Scott Pineo, Facilities and Recreation Director reported on various projects and programs, the Underwood Fire Hall and Underwood Post Office.

§         Larry Douglass, Public Works Director reported on the Piper Road slide, Engineering Division projects, County Road projects, snow plow contracting for Northwestern Lake area, and vehicle purchases.

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

§         Kirby Richards, Community Health Director reported on chemical dependency, mental health, developmental disabilities, public health, and advised of the need for a computer system for billing for nursing services.

 

Commissioner Pearce gave an update on the status of the proposed casino.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:21 a.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2008 and reconvened at 11:46 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 11:46 a.m. until 12:05 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2008 and reconvened at 2:03 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Tolfree and Pearce present.

 

The Board participated in 2009 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following, with no action taken: General Services Contracts - Economic Development Council, Chamber of Commerce, Domestic Violence, Interpretive Center, Washington Gorge Action Programs.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:55 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2008 and reconvened at 3:13 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Tolfree and Pearce present.

 

The Board participated in 2009 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following departments, with no action taken: WSU Cooperative Extension, Probation, and Senior Services, Inc.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2008 and reconvened at 9:04 a.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2008, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in 2009 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following departments, with no action taken: County Road, Building and Well, Solid Waste, and Equipment Rental and Revolving Fund.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2008 and reconvened at 10:46 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in 2009 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following departments, with no action taken: Facilities and Recreation, Pool, Fair, and Capital Improvements.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:19 p.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2008 and reconvened at 1:45 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Auditor advised of the need for IT services during the evening of the General Election.  The Board advised that staff would be available.

 

The Board participated in 2009 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following departments, with no action taken: Board of Equalization, Boundary Review Board, Commissioners, Title III, Cumulative Reserve (Contingent Liability, Salaries, Wages, Benefits, Loans); Hotel/Motel Tax, Nuisance Control, Operating Transfers, and General Services.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Prosecutor and Community Development Director to discuss the outcome of a critical areas violation with regards to a pond issue.  Discussion also included the gathering of religious groups in the National Scenic Area, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:27 p.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2008 and reconvened at 2:37 p.m. the same date, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Prosecutor to discuss legal counsel services for the CASA program.  The Board and Prosecutor were in agreement that the deputy prosecutor could provide the services and be paid from the Superior Court budget.

 

The Board continued in 2009 Preliminary budget workshops to discuss the following, with no action taken: Cumulative Reserve (Contingent Liability, Salaries, Wages, Benefits, Loans); Hotel/Motel Tax, Nuisance Control, Operating Transfers, and General Services.

 

The Board participated in 2009 Preliminary Budget workshops with the Prosecutor, Support Enforcement, Crime Victims Compensation, Law Library, Coroner, and Civil Service.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:25 p.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2008 and reconvened at 3:36 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board discussed the proposed Mt. Adams Collaborative Group, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:55 p.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2008 and reconvened at 9:34 a.m. Thursday, October 16, 2008, with Commissioners Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending October 16, 2008 in the total amount of $130,802.41.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to set a public hearing for 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2008 to consider Resolution 2008-57 Supplemental Budget #5 for 2008.

 

Walt Loehrke, Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC) member reported on the CRGC meeting of October 14, 2008, which included rulemaking housekeeping, management plan amendment process, Government to Government Summit, wildfire protection, Future Forum report and Urban Areas tour.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:01 a.m. Thursday, October 16, 2008 and reconvened at 10:07 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in 2009 Preliminary Budget workshops with the Auditor, Auditor O&M, Elections, Veteran’s Relief, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:50 a.m. Thursday, October 16, 2008 and reconvened at 10:55 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in 2009 Preliminary Budget workshop with Senior Services, with no action taken.

 

The meeting adjourned at 11:22 a.m. Thursday, October 16, 2008.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON