BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of December 19, 2005

Commissioners Albert E. McKee, Chair, Paul Pearce and James D. Richardson participated in as staff workshop on Monday, December 19, 2005 from 9:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. to discuss budgets and loans, with no action taken.

The meeting was called to order at 10:15 a.m. Monday, December 19, 2005 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Albert E. McKee, Chair, Paul Pearce and James D. Richardson present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

1. Minutes of December 12, 2005.

2. Set public hearing for 10:00 AM Thursday, December 29, 2005 to consider Resolution 2005-66 Supplemental Budget #5 for 2005 to supplement budgets for various department funds due to unanticipated expenditures and revenues unknown at the time of passing the 2005 budget.

3. Certification of 2006 Property Tax Levies from Taxing Districts: Cemetery District revised, City of North Bonneville, Fire District #3, Fire District #4, Fire District #6 and Mosquito District.

4. Resolution 2005-62 distribution of PUD Privilege Taxes received in 2005.

5. Resolution 2005-65 establishing legal holidays for 2006.

6. Agreement between the Sheriff & City of Stevenson to transfer State Homeland Security Program Grant monies to the City to purchase a diesel generator to help improve the City’s emergency capabilities.

7. Release and settlement agreement with Van Kellems II.

8. Amendment to interlocal agreement with Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, and Wahkiakum Counties to extend the term for formation of the Southwest Washington Workforce Investment Area.

9. Contract amendment with Public Development Authority adding property insurance.

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve Resolution 2005-68 extending the Current Expense Fund interfund loan (Resolution 2002-58) until December 31, 2005.

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve Resolution 2005-69 to loan funds from various County funds to the Current Expense Fund.

Ole Helgerson, WSU Cooperative Extension Agent gave updates on the 4-H program, Title III projects, forestry activities, gardening and pest management, and the Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

The Board met in executive session regarding litigation from 10:35 a.m. until 10:50 a.m., with no action taken.

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to direct the Prosecutor to represent Sheriff Dave Brown and Deputy George Barker with regards to a lawsuit.

The meeting recessed at 10:50 a.m. Monday, December 19, 2005 and reconvened at 11:10 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to direct the Planning and Community Development Department to initiate the planning process to amend the 1977 Comprehensive Plan “A” to include the West End Subarea Plan designed to provide updated guidance on land use and transportation issues in the Westend Planning Area.

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to set a public hearing for 1:30 p.m. on Monday, January 9, 2006 to consider establishing a Public Participation Program for the 2006 Critical Areas update process and to consider amending the 1977 Comprehensive Plan “A” and associated map to include all land geographically located within the boundaries of unincorporated Skamania County.

The meeting recessed at 11:30 a.m. Monday, December 19, 2005 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

A public hearing was held to consider Resolution 2005-63 setting 2006 Current Expense and County Road Property Tax Levies and Resolution 2005-64 adopting the 2006 Skamania County Budget. Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services presented proposed changes to the 2006 preliminary budget for various departments, resulting in adjustments to the estimated fund balances in the total amount of $51,642. The hearing was closed to public comment. Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve Resolution 2005-63 setting the Current Expense property tax levy for 2006 at $1,402,700 and setting the County Road property tax levy for 2006 at $1,119,812. Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve Resolution 2005-64 adopting the 2006 Skamania County Budget in the total amount of $12,641,901 for the Current Expense Fund and $29,085,536 for all other County Funds for a total budget of $41,727,437.

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve a 1.5% wage increase effective January 1, 2006 and a 1% wage increase effective July 1, 2006 for all non-bargaining employees for 2006. Elected officials shall have their salary adjusted by 2.5% effective January 1, 2006 per Resolution 2002-48. Additionally, non-represented employees, elected officials and members of the Public Works bargaining unit shall pay an additional $22.84 per month toward their health insurance premium. Each Sheriff’s Guild member shall pay 5% of the total health premium insurance cost for that employee.

The meeting recessed at 2:05 a.m. Monday, December 19, 2005 and reconvened at 10:10 a.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2005, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve an exceptional qualification for Heidi Penner for Public Works Administrative Assistant position effective December 1, 2005, as recommended by the Personnel Committee.

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, presented a long range project schedule, gave an overview of the Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting of December 13, 2005, and gave updates on the Western Water Resource Inventory Area 29, Black Bear Permit Tracking employee training, and Westend Subarea Plan.

Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer reported on activities for the Road Department, Solid Waste, Building Department/Fire Marshal, engineering, surveying/right of way, bridges, and equipment, rental and revolving fund.

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to review and discuss the Rock Creek Bridge Hydrologic Study.

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve a contract with Brent Holman to provide engineering consulting services for the Rock Creek Bridge Hydrologic Study.

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve the certification of 2006 property tax levies for the City of Stevenson and Public Utility District No. 1.

The meeting recessed at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2005 and reconvened at 1:45 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss donated leave, board assignments for 2006, budget resolution, reclassification requests, staffing holiday time off, and upcoming agenda items, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2005 and reconvened at 10:10 a.m. Thursday, December 22, 2005, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve Resolution 2005-72 setting weight restrictions and special permit requirements on county roads.

Scott Pineo, Community Events and Recreation Director reported on Fairgrounds activities, training, swim center, recreation programs, Rock Creek Recreation Center activities, Community Mobilization, and presented a facilities usage report.

John Ostenson, Safety Committee Chair, reported on the December 13, 2005 Safety Committee meeting and presented accident/incident reports reviewed by the Safety Committee. Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to concur with the Safety Committee’s findings for the following reports: #2005-21, #2005-22, #2005-23, and #2005-24. Action regarding report #2005-E-16 was tabled pending policy review:

Commissioner Pearce presented proposed changes to the Personnel Policy for determining the classification of a new position and reclassification of an existing position. The proposed changes were forwarded to Commissioners’ staff for processing to be placed on the Commissioners’ agenda.

The meeting recessed at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 22, 2005 and reconvened at 11:15 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

The Board met in executive session regarding real estate from 11:15 a.m. until 11:25 a.m., with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 11:25 a.m. Thursday, December 22, 2005 and reconvened at 12:10 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Pearce and Richardson present.

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending December 22, 2005 in the amount of $265,578.36.

The meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, December 22, 2005.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON