BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MEETING for WEEK of April 21, 2003
The Board participated in a staff workshop at 9:00 a.m. Monday, April 21, 2003 to discuss a report on a Risk Pool Board of Directors meeting and County budgets, with no action taken.
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 21, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, reported on a review of the Underwood Road Shop and Underwood Transfer Station by the Department of Labor and Industries, Drano Lake project, Carson Storm Water study, Ryan Allen Road project, and various Road Crew maintenance projects.
After bid review by the Department of Public Works, motion was approved to award the Washougal River Road Improvement Project to George Schmid and Sons, Inc. of Washougal, WA for the bid amount of $312,948.00.
Ole Helgerson, WSU Cooperative Extension Agent, reported on the 4-H Program, forestry workshops, and gardening and pest management workshops. He introduced Peter Mackwell, Columbia Gorge Wildfire Preparedness Coordinator, who reported on fire prevention projects and advised of an upcoming Firewise Workshop on May 8, 2003.
A public hearing was continued from April 10, 2003 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. The purpose of the continuance was to draft language for an additional condition to the Timber Land Agreement, referencing the restrictive covenants of the Northwestern Lake Development Homeowners’ Association. Motion was approved to convert 10.15 acres to the Current Use Timberland Program, as recommended by the Assessor’s Staff.
Consent Agenda Items were approved as follows:
A. Minutes of April 14, 2003.
B. Special Occasion Liquor License for American Legion Post 122 for April 25, 2003.
C. Acknowledge application for Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant, approved for submission by the Director of Administrative Services, for funding to monitor alcohol and drug usage by youth on probation.
D. Acknowledge receipt of Claim for Damages from Robert A. Bowlby and refer to Risk Manager.
E. Acknowledge receipt of Ordinance 2003-05 amending parking restrictions at Drano Lake Boat Launch, and set for public hearing at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 6, 2003.
F. Ratify Board action of April 17, 2003 to authorize Community Events & Recreation Director to hire up to six individuals, to work intermittently at Range 7-A, to collect boat launch fees at Wind River and Drano Lake.
A revised contract was approved with Cascade Amusements to provide amusement rides, carnival, concessions and games for Skamania County Fair, replacing a contact approved on April 7, 2003.
A contract with the Department of Social & Health Services, Mental Health Division, to provide funding for mental health evaluation services in nursing homes was tabled until additional information is provided by the Director of Administrative Services.
An agreement was approved with Washington State Employment Security for the County to provide janitorial services at 704-A SW Rock Creek Drive.
A contract with North Country Emergency Medical Services to provide ambulance and rescue vehicle, staffed with emergency medical technicians and paramedics, in the north county area from June through September 2003 was tabled, pending review of the scope of work by the Director of Administrative Services.
Following discussion regarding the option of instituting the second ¼ of 1% real estate excise tax and an additional 2% hotel/motel tax, already imposed by the City of Stevenson and City of North Bonneville, the Director of Administrative Services was directed to proceed with drafting documents to be set for consideration at a public hearing.
The meeting recessed at 11:20 a.m. Monday, April 21, 2003 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
Larry Mulcihy, Safety Committee Chair, reported on accidents and incidents. Following review and discussion, motion was approved to acknowledge the Accident/Incident Reports, concur with the assessments of the Safety Committee, and to direct the Safety Committee to follow-up on specific issues with Department Heads and Elected Officials and report on their action taken.
Following a public hearing, motion was approved to adopt Ordinance 2003-02, changing Nelson Creek Precinct and North Stevenson Precinct boundaries due to the Niedert Annexation Area into the City of Stevenson, and changing the Skye Precinct boundary and creating a new Bear Prairie Precinct due to the need to downsize the number of registered voters in the Skye Precinct.
Anne Goranson-Salas, Martin Campos-Davis and Bernice McCollum, of WorkSource Columbia Gorge, gave an update on employment services, training resources and programs provided by that organization.
The Board discussed the purchase of digital recording systems for Commissioner meetings and Planning and Community Development meetings, with no decisions made.
The meeting recessed at 3:55 p.m. Monday, April 21, 2003 and reconvened at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2003, with all Commissioners present.
Dave Cox, Undersheriff, requested authorization to surplus Vehicle #705 and the Jail Transport Vehicle #730 which will reduce their fleet by one vehicle, refurbish and utilize Vehicle #711 as the Jail Transport Vehicle rather than replacing it, and proceed with the purchase of a new vehicle, as previously authorized in the 2003 budget. Motion was approved authorize the request as presented.
Sharon Tiffany, Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Director, reported on exhibits, events, marketing, and efforts to reduce administrative costs. The Board authorized Sharon to approach the Public Utility District (PUD) with a request to allow membership drive material to be distributed in a PUD billing cycle.
Vouchers for the period ending April 22, 2003 were approved in the amount of $95,196.17.
Tony Estey, Buildings and Grounds Director, advised of two hazardous White Fir trees at Big Cedars Park and was directed to remove these trees before the opening of the Park.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss Skamania Forward, with no action taken.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday April 22, 2003.