BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of February 12, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 12, 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.

Mark Savarese of Columbia Phyto Technology advised of his objection to the proposed agreement between the County and World Wide Organics for the lease of property at Wind River Business Park.

Paul Mosbrucker of World Wide Organics encouraged the County to approve the proposed agreement for lease of property at Wind River Business Park.

Linda Hunter advised of her concerns regarding future planning at Wind River Business Park.

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to remove item #8 from the Consent Agenda, an agreement with World Wide Organics for lease of property known as Building #2130 and Building #2624 at Wind River Business Park, and table it until 11:30 a.m. Thursday, February 14, 2008.

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

1. Minutes for week of February 5, 2008.

2. Set public hearing for 1:30 PM Thursday, February 28, 2008 to consider Supplemental Budget #1 for 2008.

3. Agreement supplement #4 with Department of Transportation to extend the term of the Regional Mobility Grant Program State Funding to June 30, 2008 for the Salmon Falls Park and Ride Project.

4. Agreement with Department of Ecology to provide funding for coordinated prevention grant for solid Waste Drop Recycling project.

5. Contract with Skamania County Economic Development Council to provide management services, onsite maintenance and contract with a marketing/development specialist/firm for Wind River Business Park.

6. Agreement with Aptitude Solutions for imaging of microfilm and index books.

7. Contract with Greyson Rudd to provide services for graphic design for the Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival Poster.

8. Water Transmission Line Special Use Permit for use of the Forest Service water system at Wind River Work Center.

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to acknowledge receipt of a letter from the Department of Ecology reconfirming that the Wind River site water right applications would be processed by March 2008.

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve Resolution 2008-10 authorizing approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Revenue (DOR) for a Real Estate Excise Tax Automation Grant Program to assist in the development, implementation, and maintenance of an electronic processing and reporting system for real estate excise tax affidavits that is compatible with system developed by the DOR.

The Board discussed a funding issue in the Central Services Department and the need for payment of a voucher to transfer funds from county departments for 2008 data processing/copier charges. The Board advised Central Services they would address the issue.

Commissioner Tolfree joined the meeting at approximately 4:30 p.m.

The Board reviewed and discussed a recommendation from Public Works regarding snow plowing Upper Wind River recreation area. Larry Douglass, Public Works Director gave a staff report. Comments from he public included concern regarding people using the area at Carson National Fish Hatchery as a snow park. Sheriff Dave Brown advised that access to the north county needed to be top priority and advised of concerns regarding inadequate parking and daily enforcement of parking violations unless snow parks are opened for recreation. Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to provide additional funds from the General Fund, not to exceed $10,000, for the County Road Division to maintain Old Man Pass snow play area and Koshko and Lone Butte Sno-Parks for the remainder of the 2008 season.

The meeting recessed at 4:57 p.m. Tuesday, February 12, 2008 and reconvened at 5:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

A public hearing was held to receive public comments regarding the Board’s action of January 8, 2008 adopting Ordinance 2008-01 extending the moratorium for an additional six months on the acceptance and processing of building, mechanical and/or plumbing permits on any parcel of land 20 acres or larger that was created by deed since January 1, 2006, the acceptance and processing of land divisions (subdivisions and short subdivisions), and the acceptance and processing of State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) checklists related to forest practice conversions for any parcel located within unincorporated Skamania County that is not currently located within a zoning classification or the area generally known as the Swift Subarea of Skamania County until the zoning classifications related to the 2007 Comprehensive Plan and the Critical Areas Update Process are complete. Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director gave a staff report and recommended accepting public testimony and letting the moratorium stand as adopted on January 8, 2008. Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to acknowledge receipt of a letter from the Gifford Pinchot Task Force. Comments from the public included lack of services, concern for wildlife habitat in the North County, and support for the moratorium. The hearing was closed to public comment. Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to close the hearing without further action.

The meeting recessed at 5:52 p.m. Tuesday, February 12, 2008 and reconvened at 9:17 a.m. Wednesday, February 13, 2008, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss Rock Creek, snow plowing Upper Wind River recreation areas, private road standards, Hot Springs Avenue, Forest Service road agreement, and personnel, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed from 10:18 a.m. Wednesday, February 13, 2008 and reconvened at 10:32 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 an update to the fee resolution, business park zoning, cultural resource reviews, Carson Hot Springs, and WRIA 29A In-Stream Flow Gauges, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 11:02 a.m. Wednesday, February 13, 2008 and reconvened at 11:10 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 11:10 a.m. until 11:20 a.m., with no action taken.

The Board participated in a workshop with Facilities and Recreation to discuss snow parks, Mental Health room, and Fairgrounds, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 12:07 p.m. Wednesday, February 13, 2008 and reconvened at 1:38 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

The Board participated in a workshop with Administrative Services to discuss meeting reports, contracts, personnel, policies, public health, budget, risk management, and upcoming trainings and meetings, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 2:34 p.m. Wednesday, February 13, 2008 and reconvened at 2:41 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

The Board participated in a workshop with a representative from the Mosquito Control Board to discuss mosquito control in the Home Valley and Girl Scout Lakes areas, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 3:05 p.m. Wednesday, February 13, 2008 and reconvened at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, February 14, 2008, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending December 31, 2007 in the total amount of $46,276.70.

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending February 14, 2008 in the total amount of $550,306.26.

Walt Loehrke, Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC) member reported on the CRGC meeting of February 12, 2008. Discussion included a plan amendment for recreation resort, Future Forum meetings, rules making, and Gorge economy.

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss WSU Cooperative Extension 4-H, Horizons Project, non-traditional programs, director retirement issues, an intern from Northwest Academy, and the Fair, with no action taken.

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to authorize Commissioner Pearce to sign a memorandum of understanding for the SR-35 Columbia River Bridge Project.

The meeting recessed at 10:35 a.m. Thursday February 14, 2008 and reconvened at 11:30 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson, Pearce and Tolfree present.

The Board discussed a proposed lease agreement with World Wide Organics (WWO) for lease of property known as Building #2130 and Building #2624 at Wind River Business Park (WRBP). Paul Mosbrucker of WWO advised is his interest to keep Columbia Phyto Technology at WRBP and gave a history of WWO. Mark Savarese of Columbia Phyto Technology gave a summary of his business and requested the Board to resolve an issue with WWO regarding provisions in the lease and improvements to the premises. Prosecutor Peter Banks advised the Board that the County should not be involved in the disagreement between two private businesses. Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve the lease agreement with World Wide Organics. Commissioner Tolfree voted nay.

The meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m. Thursday, February 14, 2008.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON