BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of June 24, 2008

 

The Board met at 9:10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 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, offers to purchase county property, and to give updates on attendance at various meetings, with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 9:52 a.m. until 10:08 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:12 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, 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.

 

Bill Robak commented about his offer to purchase county property located on Rock Creek Drive.

 

Tom Schneider advised of permitting problems.

 

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

1.      Minutes for week of June 17, 2008.

2.      Corrections to Resolution 2008-22 Supplemental Budget #2 for Weed Control Garlic Mustard Program correcting Current Expense Fund numbers for Small Tools and Minor Equipment to 531.605.350 and Interfund Professional Services to 531.605.910.

3.      Contract Renewal with Northern Oregon Corrections (NORCOR) to provide a secure detention facility to house juvenile offenders from Skamania County

4.      Approve Resolution No. 2008-30 authorizing County Engineer to proceed with the Salmon Falls Re-Alignment Project

5.      Contract with Radio Parties to provide DJ services for Fair street dance

6.      Contract with USFS Gifford Pinchot Nat’l Forest to provide Law Enforcement services for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest

7.      Contract Renewal with Jonathan Maletz, M.A. to provide Functional Family therapy to juvenile offenders referred by the court to participate in the 12 week family program through the Community Juvenile Accountability Act (CJAA)

8.      Contract renewal with Skamania County Counseling Center to provide Intensive Outpatient Treatment services for youth placed on the Chemical Dependency Disposition Alternative (CDDA) by the Skamania County Juvenile Court

9.      Contract renewal with Steve Norton, to provide polygraph services to youth ordered by the Skamania County Juvenile Court

10.  Contract renewal with Northwest Treatment Services to provide intensive outpatient treatment for youth placed on the Special Sex Offender Disposition Alternative (SSODA) referred by the Skamania County Juvenile Court

11.  Authorize Publication of Notice for 2008 Title III Amendment for North Country EMS

12.  Approve intergovernmental transfer of 1995 Layton trailer to East County Fire and Rescue at no cost for use as the R4AHIMT Planning Section command post for the type 3 Region 4 All Hazards Incident Management Team

13.  Contract with Ben Sizemore to provide services for services in mowing field at Wind River Business Park

14.  Memorandum of Agreement between Skamania County, Washington State University, and Washington Gorge Action Programs to provide a lock box at Rock Creek Center to hold funds from a Horizons Hoops tournament for distribution to Washington Gorge Action Programs.

15.  Contract with Southwest Clean Air to provide BA/Cultural Consulting Services at the Wind River Boat Launch Facility

16.  Sponsorship agreement with KBOO Radio to provide promotion support for Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival.

17.  Contract Renewal with ECS Inc for maintenance of UPS system

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve a contract with Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation to complete a Level I Environmental Assessment for land donated to the Housing Corporation.

 

Ole Helgerson, WSU Cooperative Extension Agent reported on administration, 4-H, forestry, gardening and pest management, and Title III projects.

 

Peggy Bryan, Executive Director for Skamania County Economic Development Council reported on the Wind River Business Park.  Information included weed control service for service contract, processing center building, maintenance issues, expansion of Building #26, and leases.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:33 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2008 and reconvened at 10:40 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

Department Heads presented the following reports:

§         Kirby Richards, Community Health Director reported on credit card use, chemical dependency, mental health, developmental disabilities, and the Public Health Committee.

§         Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director reported on the zoning project, unzoned land moratorium extension, Swift interim zoning extension, environmental health, upcoming WRIA 29A Planning Unit Support meeting, upcoming Washington State Planning Executive Board Meeting, and training.

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

§         Scott Pineo, Facilities and Recreation Director reported on the Summer Recreation Program, a staff meeting, Fairgrounds activities, Community Action Team, Blues Brews and BBQs, Search and Rescue Building, Rock Creek Community Services Building, Skamania Klickitat Community Network Annual Retreat, and childcare issues.

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

§         Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director reported on dial-a-ride transportation, training, and an upcoming meeting with 15th District Legislators.

 

The Board discussed employee childcare issues and home health care, with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 12:02 p.m. until 12:20 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:20 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2008 and reconvened at 1:32 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 


The Board discussed rising fuel costs and the need to help reduce commute trips for employees.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously that based on rising fuel costs and to help reduce total commute trips, effective July 7th all elected officials and department heads are hereby allowed to implement 4- 10 hour shifts within their respective departments for their employees under the following conditions;

1.      Offices will remain open to the public 5 days a week with hours that are not less than those currently set by the Board of County Commissioners.

2.      Current services will continue to the public.

3.      Employees on 4-10’s may affirmatively opt out of their unpaid ˝ hour lunch period in exchange for an additional compensated 15 minute break. Such opt out must be in writing and filed with the Commissioner’s Office via their Elected Official or Department Head. (As amended on June 26, 2008)

4.      Shifts will begin no earlier than 7:00 a.m. and will end no later than 6:00 p.m.

A public hearing was held to consider an application from Friends of the Columbia Gorge for a change of classification from Designated Forest Land to Open Space for Current Use Assessment for tax parcels 01-05-09-0-0-1000-00 and 01-05-09-0-0-1000-06, totaling 33 acres.  Gabe Spencer, Assessor presented a report.  The applicant was not present. No public was present.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve a change of classification to Open Space and an Open Space Taxation Agreement.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:20 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2008 and reconvened at 9:24 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2008, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss ER&R, personnel, and an upcoming joint meeting with the City of Stevenson, with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 10:05 a.m. until 10:18 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:18 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2008 and reconvened at 10:30 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 National Scenic Area text and map amendments, testing new JARPA for Governor’s Office of Regulatory Assistance, a recap of the third Planning Commission public hearing on zoning, environmental health, and WRIA 29, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:11 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2008 and reconvened at 11:21 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Facilities and Recreation to discuss a childcare survey, mail pickup, a memorandum of understanding with the Counseling Center, and 4th of July at Rock Creek Park, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:03 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2008 and reconvened at 1:35 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, personnel issues, 4- 10 hour work shifts, policy issues, and Forest Service 401 permit appeal, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:39 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2008 and reconvened at 2:55 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Community Health to discuss the Criminal Justice Treatment Act and environmental health, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:32 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2008 and reconvened at 9:33 a.m. Thursday, June 26, 2008.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve a letter to Fire District No. 3 regarding Firewise Community Standards.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending June 26, 2008 in the total amount of $701,077.40.

 

Linda Schneider, Director for Washington Gorge Action Programs presented a Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development grant application to provide $27,000 for transitional housing, operating and rent for families and individuals in Skamania County.  Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve the Chair’s signature on the grant application.

 

Linda Schneider, Director for Washington Gorge Action Programs gave an update on the relocation efforts for the food bank.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss 4 – 10 hour shifts, Council of Governments, and the Horizon Program Hoops 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to continue WSU Cooperative Extension Agent’s signing authority for payroll and vouchers through August 2008.

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:28 a.m. Thursday, June 26, 2008.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON