BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MEETING for WEEK of June 16, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 16, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Larry Mulcihy advised of a property line issue at the end of Eyman Cemetery Road. The Board acknowledged receipt of a picture and diagram submitted by Mr. Mulcihy and referred the issue to the County Engineer to research the status of the road and report his findings.
Sealed proposals were opened for Chemical Dependency and Violence Prevention Program as follows and referred to Susie Strom, Prevention Coordinator for the Sheriff’s Department, for review and recommendation:
§ Youth Leadership and Resiliency Program submitted by Skamania County Community Events & Recreation Department.
§ Skamania County Mentor Program submitted by Skamania County Community Events & Recreation Department.
Rich Lang, County Surveyor, presented a copy of an existing survey of Washougal River Kiwanis Camp. The Board authorized the Public Works Department to proceed with locating the established property lines.
Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, presented a Solid Waste disposal revenue report and reported on the following projects: Washougal River Road, Drano Lake, Hamilton Creek, Smith-Cripe Road, Carson Storm Water, and Rock Creek Cove.
Ole Helgerson, WSU Cooperative Extension Agent, gave updates on 4-H programs, Youth Forest Success program, and Forestry/Wildfire programs.
Consent agenda items were approved as follows:
A. Minutes of June 9, 2003.
B. Special voucher for VISA card payments.
C. Set Ordinance 2003-07, increasing special excise (hotel-motel) tax for public hearing at 11:00 AM Monday, June 30, 2003.
D. Acknowledge receipt of an application from Russ Lawrence, on behalf of Joseph Birkenfeld, for a shorelines substantial development permit for an interim bank stabilization project, and channel stabilization, realignment, and habitat improvement project on a portion of the Wind River at the Birkenfeld old mill site. Set for public hearing at 1:30 p.m., July 28, 2003.
A contract was approved with the City of Stevenson to provide criminal justice funding for continuation and enhancement of services provided by Skamania County Sheriff’s Department.
A contract addendum was approved with Clark Regional Emergency Services, changing the scope of work project funding, for update of Skamania County Emergency Operation and terrorism plan.
An agreement was approved with U.S. Department of Justice to share federally forfeited cash, property, proceeds and interest with the Sheriff’s Department.
A contract was approved with Jammin 95.5 Radio Parties to provide DJ entertainment for Skamania County Fair street dance.
A Compliance Agreement was approved with Leonard J. Blackledge for a nuisance violation.
Contract amendment #3 was approved with the Employment Security Department to extend the term of land rental agreement at 704-A SW Rock Creek Drive until July 31, 2003.
Resolution 2003-17, adopting Skamania County Health and Safety Manual was postponed until June 17, 2003.
Jim Shank, Department of Natural Resources, presented a quarterly report on the projection of income from state forest board lands in Skamania County.
The Board met in executive session from 11:25 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. regarding potential litigation, with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 12:15 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2003 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
The Board participated in a workshop to review and discuss Ordinance 1975-11, Wind River Road Pathway. Following discussion of reports from a property owner regarding the speed of motorbikes on the pathway when crossing residential driveways and damage to driveways from motorbikes jumping in driveways, motion was approved to post at lease two signs in opposite directions cautioning motorbikes to slow down and use caution at all driveways or motorbike privileges on the pathway would be revoked.
The Board participated in a workshop to discuss building department fees with Brent Holman, Public Works Director and Marlon Morat, Building Inspector. The Board requested to review all future proposed fee increases.
The Board met in executive session from 3:20 p.m. until 3:40 p.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 3:40 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2003, with all Commissioners present.
Ken Cohen, Community Events and Recreation Director, gave updates on the Drano Lake project, Underwood Caretakers, 2003 Skamania County Fair, and the Mentor Program. The Board directed Ken to meet with the Buildings and Grounds Director regarding installation of the fee meter at Wind River Boat Launch.
Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, reported on a pending application list, gave an update on a vacant Office Assistant 3 position, advised of upcoming meetings for the Water Resource Inventory Area 29 Planning Unit and Columbia River Gorge Commission, and advised of the need for an amendment to the Stabler Water Quality and Quantity Grant.
A public hearing was held to consider an application from Gary L. West to convert property to the Current Use Timber Land Program. Said property is located at 2011 Lacock-Kelchner Road in eastern Skamania County, tax parcel number 03-10-09-0-0-0200-00. The Assessor’s staff advised that the application does not meet the minimum criteria to qualify for the Timber Land Program and recommended denial of this application. Following discussion, motion was approved to deny this application based on the findings that the acreage requirement of five acres has not been met, the parcel does not have an established stand of trees, and the parcel is not devoted primarily to the growth and harvest of forest crops for commercial purposes.
The Board discussed Resolution 2003-17, adopting safety and health regulations for Skamania County employees, with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 11:50 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2003 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
Following discussion, Resolution 2003-17 was approved, adopting safety and health regulations for Skamania County employees.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss the following, with no action taken: Skamania Forward, recommendation of request for qualifications for Wind River Nursery Water Project, exempt employees leave/schedules, Section 125 update, security system upgrade, health department issues, telephone system maintenance, request for retiree addresses from Retired Public Employees Council of Washington, department head reports, defibrillators liability, purchase of one Sheriff Department in-car video system, emergency management satellite phones, labor and industries issues.
The meeting recessed at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 19, 2003, with Commissioners Talent and Quinn present. Commissioner McKee was tending to other business.
A contract was approved with Elevator Solutions for the purchase and installation of one portable platform lift for the grandstands at the fairgrounds.
Vouchers for the period ending June 19, 2003 were approved in the amount of $212,229.98
A special voucher was approved to Porter W. Yett Company for asphalt pulverization.
The meeting recessed at 10:10 a.m. Thursday, June 19, 2003 and reconvened at 10: 55 a.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.
A meeting was held to discuss emergency management issues. Sheriff Dave Brown presented the following options for discussion and consideration:
Option #1
Transfer responsibilities for emergency management (EM) to the Sheriff and appoint the Sheriff as Director of Emergency Management. Fund EM for the remainder of 2003 at the same level as past years, or $12,200 for the next six months. Beginning January 2004, fund EM to historic levels, or $24,400 per year. Approve hiring a part-time position to coordinate EM activities under the direction of the Sheriff.
Option #2
Choose not to fund EM for the remainder of 2003. Transfer EM to the Sheriff. Conduct no EM activities other than actual response to emergencies for remainder of 2003. Continue to plan for the future of EM for 2004 and beyond.
Option #3
Contract with Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA). Transfer responsibilities for EM to CRESA. CRESA Director will carry out all EM operations in future.
Option #4
Fund EM to 50% of previous levels or $12,200 per year. Transfer EM to Sheriff. Cities of Stevenson and North Bonneville contract for services from County. Develop funding mechanism based on population levels. Explore alternative funding sources.
Discussion of emergency management issues included the need to maintain necessary training, equipment and coordination of response efforts, increased responsibilities for the Sheriff’s Department, potential impacts to local fire districts, and the need to meet mandated obligations. This matter was scheduled for final decision on Monday, June 30, 2003.
The meeting recessed at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, June 19, 2003 and reconvened at 2:25 p.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss emergency management, with no decisions made.
The meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m. Thursday June 19, 2003.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON