BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MEETING for WEEK of February 17, 2003

In observance of President’s Day, no meeting was held on Monday, February 17, 2003. The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, reported on an accident involving a county vehicle, and gave updates on the Smith-Cripe Road project, Hamilton Creek project, Canyon Creek Road, Curly Creek Road, Salmon Falls Road, Drano Lake project and Carson Stormwater project. Also discussed were proposed Title II projects for 2004.

Motion was approved to certify the amount spent for fish passage barrier removal outside county rights-of-way during 2002 and forward the same to the County Road Administration Board.

Consent Agenda Items were approved as follows, with the exception of Item C which was removed for discussion:

A. Minutes of February 10, 2003.

B. Acknowledge receipt of Ordinance 2003-01, Amending portions of Skamania County Code Title 10 – Parking Restrictions and Miscellaneous Restrictions and set for public hearing at 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 17, 2003.

D. Special Occasion liquor license for March 22, 2003 for American Legion Post 122.

Following discussion, Item C from the consent agenda was approved as follows:

C. Resolution 2003-06 Invitation to Bidders for one Hydraulic Hammer, set deadline to receive bids for 4:00 p.m. Friday, March 14, 2003 and set date to open sealed bids for 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 17, 2003.

Contract amendment #1 was approved with Washington State Patrol to increase funding for plan review of additional fire suppression system at W.K. O. Sawmill. The cost for County and State Patrol services will be paid from the plan review fee paid by the applicant.

A Memorandum of Understanding and Membership Agreement to join Washington State Association of Counties Retrospective Rating Program was tabled until February 24, 2003.

A request from Ole Helgerson, WSU Extension Agent, was approved for Title III support for the Columbia Gorge Wildfire Preparedness Grant.

The following appointments were approved for the Skamania-Klickitat Family Services Network Board:

§ Jennifer Brewer, position #7, term expiring May 31, 2004, representing Skamania County Law and Justice.

§ Richard Jessel, Ph.D., position #8, term expiring May 31, 2006, representing Skamania County Counseling Center.

The meeting recessed at 11:20 a.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2003 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss an update on Water Resource Inventory Area 29 (WRIA 29), Blue Grass Festival costs and various Fairground costs, update on county policies, Columbia Gorge Airshed funding, and an RV dump station at the Fairgrounds, with no action taken. The Board agreed to send a letter to the Auditor authorizing issuance of checks, in the amount of $125.00 each, for boots and safety equipment to only those Road Department employees eligible to be part of the bargaining unit that actually work on county roads. Discussion of payments to Solid Waste and County Road Superintendent will be addressed at a later date.

The Board met in executive session from 2:10 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. regarding personnel and real estate, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2003.

The Board attended a joint meeting with Skamania County Port Commissioners at the Port Office in Stevenson at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2003 and discussed the North Bonneville Industrial Property, with no action taken.

The meeting reconvened at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2003, with all Commissioners present.

Clark Worth, of Barney and Worth, Inc., presented an overview of the purpose and results of Skamania Forward, presented copies of the Summary Report and Implementation Plan, and agreed to facilitate meetings for Phase 2. Also discussed was an upcoming meeting to initiate the next phase of the Skamania Forward process.

The meeting recessed at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2003 and reconvened at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, February 20, 2003, with all Commissioners present.

The Board met in executive session from 9:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. regarding litigation, with no action taken.

A letter was approved authorizing the Auditor to issue checks, in the amount of $125.00 each, for boots and safety equipment to only those Road Department employees eligible to be part of the bargaining unit that actually work on county roads.

Vouchers for the period ending February 20, 2003 were approved in the amount of $78,848.34.

Karen Witherspoon, Planning & Community Development Director, reported on the 2002 Annual Report, pending applications, county ordinance updates, and upcoming meetings and trainings.

The meeting recessed at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 20, 2003 and reconvened at 7:10 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

A public meeting was held, in conjunction with the Underwood Community Council meeting at Underwood Community Center, to receive comments on proposed Ordinance 2002-21, Zoning Text and Map Amendments. A presentation and overview of the proposed ordinance was given by Karen Witherspoon, Community Development and Planning Director, explaining that the purpose of the ordinance is to establish procedures to amend zoning code text and/or maps for lands outside the scenic area. Discussion included the need to circulate notice to all residents, process for map changes, proposed application process and hearing schedule, need for long range planning, and the need to encourage and accommodate new businesses. Several attendees spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 20, 2003.