BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MEETING for WEEK of May 12, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 12, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, gave an update on the Hamilton Creek project, Drano Lake project, Rock Creek Cove bank stabilization, and reported on miscellaneous road crew activities.

Consent Agenda Items were approved as follows:

A. Minutes for week of May 5, 2003.

B. Set for public hearing at 1:30 p.m. May 27, 2003, Ordinance 2003-06, changing speed limit on portion of Canyon Creek Road

C. Appointment of Jean Foster to Civil Service Board position #3, expiring December 31, 2008.

Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director, reported on 2003 Program Counts through April 2003, and advised that a gorge transportation study is nearing completion.

A contract was approved with Washington State Patrol to provide an Automated Fingerprint Identification System for the Sheriff’s office, at no cost to the County.

Contract amendment #2 was approved with Washington State Patrol, extending the term to April 15, 2005 for Carson Hot Springs plan review.

A contract was approved with the Department of Natural Resources to provide funding for Sheriff patrol of Dougan Falls area.

A contract was approved with Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency to provide funding to update Skamania County Emergency Operation Plan.

Acknowledgement of an increase in Veteran’s Relief Fund by Auditor and Resolution 2003-18, increasing the Veteran’s Relief Revolving Fund were tabled until May 13, 2003.

Robin Aman, of Rock Cove Assisted Living, gave a presentation on proposed construction of a Therapeutic Garden and flowerbeds for residents of the facility and requested authorization to construct a wheelchair accessible sidewalk to access the garden. Motion was approved to authorize construction of a wheelchair accessible sidewalk on the backside of the building.

The Board discussed a request from Northwoods to waive the building permit fee for construction of a fire hall. The Board was in agreement to not waive building permit fees in order to be consistent with requirements on other fire districts.

The meeting recessed at 11:15 a.m. Monday, May 12, 2003 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

A public hearing was held to consider a request from Dana Kemper for a variance to Skamania County Private Road Standards to upgrade Diamond View Road (private), required as a condition to the Diamond Creek Cove Short Plat. Rich Lang, County Surveyor, presented a staff report and recommended approval of this request. Dana Kemper presented a letter from Fire District No. 6 which recommended the road be posted “No Parking at Anytime” on both sides of the road. Following discussion, motion was approved to grant a variance to Skamania County Code Private Road Standards, Section 12.03.100A(3), that to require the application of the minimal requirements would be an undo hardship and would deprive the subject property of rights and privileges given other properties in the area, with the condition to require a notation placed on the face of the short plat prohibiting parking on the private road, as recommended by Fire District No. 6.

Motion was approved to authorize the Director of Administrative Services to proceed with the process for repayment of Current Expense Loans and the Washington Counties Risk Pool Retrospective Assessment.

The meeting recessed at 1:55 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2003 and reconvened at 3:00 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

The Board discussed ancient subdivisions, scenic resources and inadequate County representation at Columbia River Gorge Commission meetings with Peter Banks, Prosecutor, and Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director.

The meeting recessed at 3:55 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2003, with Commissioners Talent and McKee present. Commissioner Quinn was attending a Columbia River Gorge Commission Meeting at Cascade Locks, OR.

Resolution 2003-19 was approved, dedicating Skamania County Law Library, located in the Skamania County Courthouse, as the Shirley Little Law Library.

Receipt was acknowledged of a letter from Mike Garvison, Auditor, advising of increasing the amount of the annual disbursement to an indigent veteran from $300 to $600, paid from the Veteran’s Relief Fund.

Resolution 2003-18 was approved, increasing the Veteran’s Relief Revolving Fund from $1,000 to $5,000 to accommodate the increase in annual disbursements.

The meeting recessed at 10:20 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 15, 2003, with Commissioners Talent and Quinn present. Commissioner McKee was attending a Washington Community Economic Revitalization Team Symposium in Ellensburg, WA.

Vouchers for the period ending May 15, 2003 were approved in the amount of $182,905.56.

Walt Loehrke, Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC) member, reported on the Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting of May 13, 2003. Discussion included Management Plan Review and County representation at CRGC meetings.

The meeting recessed at 11:35 a.m., Thursday, May 15, 2003 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Talent and Quinn present.

A proclamation was approved, declaring the week of May 11-17, 2003 as National Police Week, and Wednesday, May 15, 2003 as Peace Officer Day in Skamania County. The flag was lowered to half-mast for the remainder of the week in recognition.

The meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m. Thursday May 15, 2003.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON