BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of June 10, 2008

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:06 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners James D. Richardson, Chair and Paul Pearce present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Commissioner Pearce gave an update on his West End Commissioner Office Hours held at the American Legion Hall.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve the Consent Agenda as follows, with the exception of item #12 that was removed:

1.      Minutes for week of June 3, 2008.

2.      Special occasion liquor license for American Legion Coy-Catlin Post 137 for July 11-12, 2008 at Home Valley Park and August 13-16, 2008 at Skamania County Fairgrounds.

3.      Acknowledge submission of a coordinated prevention grant application to the Department of Ecology for funding for drop box recycling construction, to include organic recycling capabilities.

4.      Nurse Practitioner new job description and salary at Range 28.

5.      Rescind a contract approved on May 6, 2008 with Les Hastings to organize and direct a Youth Tennis Program.

6.      Authorize the purchase of a Stationary Eagle Car Tire Derimmer for the Public Works Solid Waste Division.

7.      Authorize the purchase of a laptop computer for Public Works Engineering Department for field use.

8.      Revised agreement with Northwest Service Academy/ESD 112 for 2008 Forest Explorers Title III Program, replacing previous agreement dated March 3, 2008.

9.      Memorandum of agreement with Washington State University Extension to provide for Cooperative Extension services in Skamania County.

10.  Contract renewal with Human Services Council to provide funding for Medicaid transportation services for eligible residents.

11.  License agreement with Joseph and Diane Birkenfeld to provide parking for Skamania County Fair.

12.  Memorandum of Understanding between WSU Cooperative Extension and Washington Gorge Action Programs for 2008 Horizon Hoops Basketball Tournament.

13.  Contract with Bell Design Company to provide design and engineering services associated with the new Search and Rescue Building.

14.  Award bid for Hot Springs Grind and Overlay, to include Ryan-Allen Road, to Kodiak Pacific Construction of Sherwood, OR for the total amount of $26,455.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve the Public Works Collective Bargaining Agreement for 2008-2009.

 

Peggy Bryan, Executive Director for Skamania County Economic Development Council reported on the Wind River Business Park.  Information presented included an update on leases, NEON presentation, proposed facility expansion, inventory of large beams, the need for a site work order for cleanup, weed control, and the status of an RFQ for a County Development Analysis.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve payroll for the period ending May 31, 2008 in the total amount of $1,117,317.14.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:28 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2008 and reconvened at 10:38 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson and Pearce present.

Department Heads presented the following reports, followed by discussion regarding paper usage, paperless meetings, and proposed four-day work week, with no action taken.

§         Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director reported on the zoning project, Gorge Commission Future Forums Working Group, and an upcoming WRIA 29A Planning Unit Support meeting.

§         Scott Pineo, Facilities and Recreation Director reported on the Summer Recreation Guide, Fair, Fairgrounds, Wind River Business Park, Wind River Boat Launch Facility, Home Valley Park/Bridge of the Gods Little League, Columbia Gorge Bluegrass, and the status of the new Search and Rescue Building.

§         Larry Douglass, Public Works Director reported on the Piper Road slide, Rock Creek, Rock Cove area material haul contract, Engineering Division projects, County Road projects, and the Building Department.

§         Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director reported on contracts, training for the new payroll system, Farmers Market vouchers for low income seniors, and a grant for respite services.

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

§         Kirby Richards, Community Health Director reported on chemical dependency, mental health, developmental disabilities, and the WIC Program.

§         Marilyn Butler, Administrative Services Director reported on the Public Works Collective Bargaining Agreement, upcoming 2009 Financial Presentation, and retirement rates.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve the following agreements:

§         Department of Social and Health Services to provide funding for In-Home Personal Care Services to authorized county residents.

§         Department of Social and Health Services to provide funding for services for Senior Information and Assistance, Case Management, and Nutrition.

§         Department of Social and Health Services to provide funding for the Senior Transportation program.

 

The Board discussed environmental health issues, with no action taken.

 

The Board advised they would be attending an elected official lunch at River’s Edge Café at 12:00 p.m. this date.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:57 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2008 and reconvened at 1:36 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson and Pearce present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Central Services to discuss budget issues, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Assessor to discuss a proposed change to the salary range for the Lead Appraiser/Sales Analyst position, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to set the salary for the Lead Appraiser/Sales Analyst position at Range 19, effective June 10, 2008.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:54 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2008 and reconvened at 3:15 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson and Pearce present.  Commissioner Tolfree was present via phone.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding litigation from 3:15 p.m. until 3:58 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board advised they would be participating in a joint workshop, continued from May 6, 2008, with the Planning Commission regarding zoning at Rock Creek Center at 5:30 p.m. today.

 

The meeting recessed at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2008 and reconvened at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2008, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss Rock Creek, Salmon Falls Road, the 2009-2014 Six-Year Project worksheet, and ER&R/vehicle rates, with no action taken.

 

The Board discussed updates regarding the Human Services Council and Public Health, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Planning and Community Development to discuss a letter from Fire District #1, a draft letter to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and a recap of the second Planning Commission public hearing regarding zoning, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Facilities and Recreation to discuss utility costs and a reduced workweek, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:57 a.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2008 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Administrative Services to discuss contracts, personnel, and the budget, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2008 and reconvened at 2:43 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Community Health Director to discuss staffing and transition, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:20 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2008 and reconvened at 3:40 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Prosecutor to discuss the changes in state law for the prosecuting attorney salary, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:50 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2008 and reconvened at 9:35 a.m. Thursday, June 12, 2008, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending June 12, 2008 in the total amount of $311,635.63.

 

Walt Loehrke, Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC) member reported on the CRGC meeting of June 10, 2008.  Discussion included wind turbines, Urban Area boundary revisions, update of Indicators Project, and Skamania County’s appointment to the CRGC.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:01 a.m. Thursday, June 12, 2008 and reconvened at 10:30 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

Nancy Ryke, Mt. Adams District Ranger and Tom Mulder, Mount St. Helens Monument District Ranger gave updates on Forest Services activities.  Discussion included flood damage to roads, RAC projects, late recreation season due to snow, timber market, stewardship, speed limit signs for north county roads, recreation facilities analysis process, cooperative agency status, and the designation of Commissioner Tolfree as the County liaison with the Forest Service.

 

The Board advised they would be participating in a joint workshop/lunch with Skamania County Port Commissioners regarding economic development at Home Valley Café at 12:00 p.m. today.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:34 a.m. Thursday, June 12, 2008 and reconvened at 3:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

Marilyn Butler, Administrative Services Director gave a presentation on the 2008 Financial Status of the County and 2009 Budget Plan.

 

The meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m. Thursday, June 12, 2008.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON