BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MEETING for WEEK of March 31, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 31, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, reported on Road Crew maintenance activities, revising voting precinct legal descriptions for the Auditor, completion of all plat reviews, upcoming meeting with Carson Hot Springs management regarding new bath house, and reported on Duncan Creek Road Project, Carson Storm Water Project, and Smith-Cripe Road Project.
Consent Agenda Items were approved as follows. Items C and D were removed for clarification.
A. Minutes of March 24, 2003.
B. Fireworks Stand Permit for Sons of the American Legion Post 137 for sales for July 4, 2003.
E. Approval of 2003 Summer College Program Employee Procedures.
F. Approval of Banquet Permit for Jessica McCaslin to serve alcohol at Underwood Community Center on April 5, 2003.
G. Acknowledge receipt of letter from Curtis A. Skaar regarding boat launch fees.
Motion was approved to award the bid for a hydraulic hammer for the County Road Department excavator (equipment #225) to Pape¢ Machinery, Inc. of Portland, OR for the total amount of $36,647.50, including sales tax, as recommended by the County Road Maintenance Superintendent.
An agreement was approved with NW Natural Gas for the County to provide a storage site for equipment, at a charge of $200.00 per week, at the County’s North Bonneville property during repairs to the gas line.
A contract with Nine One One, Inc. to provide telephone hotline support relating to E-911 System via technical or operator support was tabled at this time to allow a representative from the Sheriff’s Office to be present.
Amendment #1 was approved to the mutual agreement with the Department of Transportation to increase funding for transportation services provided by Senior Services for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
A contract was approved with Skamania County Fair Board to provide professional services for the 2003 Skamania County Fair.
Ken Cohen, Community Events and Recreation Director, advised of possible grant funding through the USDA Rural Community Assistance Program for a feasibility study for Camp Wa-Ri-Ki. The study would include a needs assessment, market analysis, and community input for the highest and best use of the facility. The grant amount proposed would be approximately $19,200, with a required cash match commitment by the County of at least $3,200. No decision was made at this time, pending further discussion.
Following discussion of a letter from Curtis Skaar regarding boat launch fees, Ken Cohen was directed to draft a letter in response to Mr. Skaar’s questions and concerns.
The Board approved the following appointments to Noxious Weed Control Board:
§ Position #1 – Sally Newell, four-year term, expiring March 31, 2007.
§ Position #4 – Ken Bajema, four year-term, expiring March 31, 2007.
§ Position #5 – Larry Willson, four-term, expiring March 31, 2007.
Resolution 2003-11 was approved, amending the Commissioner’s Agenda Items Policy which clarifies the procedures for submitting and processing items for the Commissioners’ agenda. The effective date for the amendments to this policy is May 1, 2003.
A Proclamation was approved declaring the month of April 2003 as Drug Free Washington Month.
Receipt was acknowledged of the final draft resolution, charter, and by-laws for the development of the Wind River Public Development Authority (PDA). Following discussion of these documents, motion was approved to include the option of appointment of one County designee in lieu of one County Commissioner on the Board of Directors for the PDA.
The meeting recessed at 11:50 a.m. Monday, March 31, 2003 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
Jennifer Rasor, Program Coordinator, presented a proposed Title II Project for Riparian Guardians. The mission of the Riparian Guardians educational program is to improve scientific literacy in six schools by means of involving students in a partnership to improve the habitat of the Wind River.
An application for a Title II Project for Stabler Water Quality and Quantity Monitoring, submitted by Charly Boyd, Watershed Planner, was approved for submission to the Resource Advisory Committee.
The Board met in executive session from 2:30 p.m. until 3:25 p.m. regarding possible litigation, with no action taken.
The Board met in executive session from 3:25 p.m. until 4:25 p.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 4:25 p.m. Monday, March 31, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 1, 2003, with Commissioners Talent and Quinn present. Commissioner McKee was attending an Interagency Committee meeting in Portland, OR.
Following discussion, Consent Agenda Items C and D were approved as follows:
C. Authorization of Debra Van Camp and Mary Ann Duncan-Cole as designees to determine the direction of funds for the City/County Cable TV Board Fund.
D. Designation of David L. Cox as E911 Coordinator for Skamania County.
A contract was approved with Nine One One, Inc. to provide telephone hotline support to the Sheriff’s Office relating to the E-911 System via technical or operator support.
An application for a Title II Project for Skamania County – Gifford Pinchot National Forest Noxious Weed Program, submitted by Dan Wallenmeyer, Noxious Weed Coordinator, was approved for submission to the Resource Advisory Committee.
Tony Estey, Buildings & Grounds Director, reported on maintenance of facilities and grounds and animal control calls for March 2003. He asked for direction regarding additional proposed budget reductions in his department before considering applications for two summer college students. The Board directed Tony to discuss this issue with the Director of Administrative Services.
The Board discussed Emergency Management with Karl Tesch, Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Sheriff Dave Brown, Undersheriff Dave Cox, and Mayor John Kirk of the City of North Bonneville. Karl Tesch gave an update on the reduction of the 2003 DEM budget, County’s withdrawal from DEM effective June 30, 2003, transfer of DEM responsibilities to the Sheriff discussed during budget workshops, and state mandates. He asked the Board to consider restoring 2003 budget cuts to DEM in order to be eligible for grant funding to offset costs to comply with state mandates. Sheriff Brown stated his concern with taking on emergency management and responding to emergency incidents without increased funding and staffing. Following discussion, it was agreed to schedule another meeting to further discuss complying with state mandates for emergency management and funding.
The meeting recessed at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 1, 2003 and reconvened at 1:50 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Talent and Quinn present.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss scheduling a Water Resource Inventory Area 29 meeting, process for county agreements, update on Equipment, Rental and Revolving Fund process for repairing damaged vehicles, out of state quotes for printing, safety policy, surplus policy and DSHS waiver of requirements for unemployed single adults who need food assistance.
The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday April 1, 2003.