BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MEETING for WEEK of April 7, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 7, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rich Rush, Central Services Director, reported on computer problems and changes and/or upgrades to software programs for various departments.

A contract was approved with Corridor (Bryce McCollum) and Skamania County Juvenile Department to facilitate “aggression replacement” training groups for medium to high-risk youth on probation.

Todd LeFevre, Assistant County Engineer, reported on Road Crew maintenance activities and gave updates on projects for Washougal River Road, Smith-Cripe Road, Ryan-Allen Road and Drano Lake. He also gave updates on Rock Creek Cove bank erosion, Equipment, Rental and Revolving Fund Policy, Carson Storm Water Plan, Carson Hot Springs development of a new bathhouse and lodge facility and reported on a recent meeting with Burlington Northern Railroad regarding track grinding during fire season.

Consent Agenda Items were approved as follows:

A. Minutes for week of March 31, 2003.

B. Acknowledge receipt of Ordinance 2003-02, changing precinct boundaries and set for public hearing at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 21, 2003.

C. Acknowledge receipt of letter from City of White Salmon requesting a meeting of the Initialing Governments in the Water Resource Inventory Area 29 (WRIA 29).

D. Criminal Justice Treatment Account Grant Application to pay costs of drug treatment programs.

E. Amendment #1 to agreement with NW Natural Gas changing the term of the contract for County to provide storage site for equipment at North Bonneville property during repairs to the gas line.

Following discussion of final documents for creation of Wind River Public Development Authority (PDA), Resolution 2003-15 was approved creating the Wind River Public Development Authority, authorizing a Charter and Bylaws, which establishes a Board of Directors to govern the affairs of the PDA and describing how the PDA shall conduct its affairs.

Rich Lang, County Surveyor, presented a copy of legal opinions regarding the legalities and process for vacating county roads. He advised that a number of county roads may be identified in the process for vacation and advised that it would be more economical to consider all roads identified for possible vacation as a group rather than individually. He recommended putting the request from David Purcell to vacate a portion of Skamania Mines Road on hold at this time, pending review of other county roads that may be considered for vacation. Following discussion, motion was approved to direct the County Surveyor to provide a list of roads to be considered for vacation within two weeks and to provide information on the number of property owners that would be impacted, as well as the cost and advantage to the County.

A contract was approved with Margaret Roth to serve as a volunteer host for Home Valley Campground from April 1, 2003 through September 30, 2003.

A contract was approved with Cascade Amusements to provide amusement rides, carnival, concessions and games for the Skamania County Fair for the years 2003 through 2006.

A contract was approved with the Bridge of the Gods Little League to organize and oversee the Little League Baseball Program for 2003.

A contract with Wildwood Playgrounds to provide a playground kit for Rock Creek Park was tabled until April 10, 2003 at 10:00 a.m.

An agreement was approved with Skyline Hospital for a “chain of trust” agreement with the Sheriff to comply with requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and its implementing regulations.

A special use permit was approved with the Boy Scouts of America, Fort Vancouver District, for use of Trout Creek Field at Wind River Nursery site for a District Camporee from May 2, 2003 through May 4, 2003.

An amendment was approved to the agreement with the Employment Security Department to extend the term of the agreement until April 30, 2003 for the County to provide janitorial services at 704 SW Rock Creek Drive.

Resolution 2003-14 was approved, accepting and endorsing the amended 2003 Work Plan of the Community Strategic Plan.

Receipt was acknowledged of a letter from Curtis A. Skaar regarding boat launch fees.

The meeting recessed at 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 7, 2003 and reconvened at 2:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

The Board met in executive session from 2:30 p.m. until 4:20 p.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 4:20 p.m. Monday, April 7, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2003, with Commissioners Talent and McKee present. Commissioner Quinn was attending a Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting at The Dalles, OR.

Jim and Kim Erion, of western Skamania County, presented copies of correspondence with the USDA Forest Service regarding legal access to their property on Ryan-Tavelli Road. Following discussion with the Erions’ and the Prosecutor of the ongoing problem of access to their property and the vacation of a portion of Ryan-Tavelli Road by the County, Todd LeFevre, Assistant County Engineer, was directed to research the County records regarding Ryan-Tavelli Road and the vacation of a portion of this road and report his findings to the Board and the Prosecutor.

The Board met in executive session from 10:45 a.m. until 11:35 a.m. regarding litigation, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 11:35 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2003 and reconvened at 2:10 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss upcoming retirements and meetings, National Forest Counties and Schools Coalition Conference, rental of Wind River Nursery houses and facilities, Equipment, Rental and Revolving Fund Policy, 150^th Anniversary of Skamania County, Public Health Advisory Board, and the 2003 Budget, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2003 and reconvened at 10:10 a.m. Thursday, April 10, 2003, with Commissioners McKee and Quinn present. Commissioner Talent was attending the Eastern District Conference in Clarkston, WA.

A contract was approved with Wildwood Playgrounds to provide a playground kit for Rock Creek Park.

Ken Cohen, Community Events and Recreation Director, discussed the need to have someone on-site to monitor the purchase of boat launch passes at Wind River. Following discussion, Ken Cohen was directed to submit a job description for a part-time on-site position to monitor the purchase of boat launch passes during the peak fishing season.

Commissioner McKee advised of receiving updated written instructions from Community Events and Recreations for issuing boat launch fees and advised that the Drano Lake committee needs to be reconvened for the purpose of reviewing and discussing the best way to handle collecting boat launch fees.

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. Following discussion, motion was approved to authorize Ken Cohen to proceed with application for this grant.

Walt Loehrke, Columbia River Gorge Commission member, reported on the Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting of April 8, 2003. Discussion included land use topics, ancient subdivisions, and setting guidelines for establishing sites for dredge spoils.

Motion was approved to delegate authority to the Director of Administrative Services to decide whether to review and approve grant applications or to refer them to the Board for consideration. Completed grant applications approved by the Director of Administrative Services will be submitted to the Clerk of the Board for acknowledgement on the consent agenda.

Payroll for the period ending March 31, 2003 was approved in the amount of $665,740.94

Vouchers for the period ending April 10, 2003 was approved in the amount of $503,683.36.

The meeting recessed at 11:25 a.m. Thursday, April 10, 2003 and reconvened at 11:50 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee and Quinn present.

The Board discussed the helicopter landing pad at Skamania Lodge and was in agreement to charge a fee of $100.00 per year for up to five trips, with additional trips set at $10.00 each.

The meeting recessed at 11:55 a.m. Thursday, April 10, 2003 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee and Quinn present.

A public hearing was held to consider an application from Scott Maytubby to convert property to the Current Use Timber Land Program. Said property is Lot #4 of the Scott Maytubby Short Plat located in the Northwestern Lake area, tax parcel number 03-10-03-0-0-0233-00. Discussion included a letter from Northwestern Lake Development Homeowners’ Association advising of restrictive covenants regarding commercial activities and tree cutting. Motion was approved to continue the hearing to April 21, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. to allow the Prosecutor to draft language to be included as an additional condition to the Timber Land Agreement, referencing the restrictive covenants of the Northwestern Lake Development Homeowners’ Association.

The meeting adjourned at 2:25 p.m. Thursday April 10, 2003.