BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MEETING for WEEK of June 30, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 30, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent agenda items were approved as follows:

A. Minutes of June 23, 2003.

B. Appointment to Board of Equalization

· Chris Woodall as District 1 representative through June 30, 2006

· Clyde Camp as alternate through June 30, 2006

C. Personnel Committee Transmittals

· Swim Pool Aquatic Supervisor revised job description

· Office Assistant III Planning and Community Development revised job description

· Sheriff’s office premium pay assignment guidelines

Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, presented a copy of a letter from Dan Harkenrider, Area Manager for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, regarding the County stockpiling gravel in the Prindle area. The Board requested a meeting to be scheduled with Mr. Harkenrider to discuss this issue.

Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, reported on the Carson Mineral Hot Springs project, signal damage at the Skamania Landing railroad crossing, Ryan Allen Road project, chip seal work, Washougal River Road project, Eyman Cemetery Road issue, road striping by Clark County, Carson Frontage Road state traffic report, and Drano Lake project. Following a brief discussion of fire season concerns, the Board requested Mr. Holman to research where fire danger signs could be made and where they could be posted in the County.

A contract was approved with Northern Oregon Corrections (NORCOR) to provide a secure facility for the detention of juvenile offenders from Skamania County.

A project agreement was approved with Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group to utilize excess fill material to prevent flooding of the Washougal School District and residents downstream from Schoolhouse Creek.

A purchase agreement was approved with TeleResearch & Design, Inc. to upgrade the County security system.

Resolution 2003-26 was approved, accepting and endorsing the amended 2003 Work Plan of the Community Strategic Plan.

Motion was approved to ratify the Chair’s action of June 27, 2003 for approval of a fire works stand permit for Home Valley Grocery.

Following a brief discussion regarding the revised job description of the Swim Pool Aquatic Supervisor, the Board agreed the effective date for payroll purposes was June 30, 2003.

An agreement was approved with R.E. Hill Construction to supervise the installation of a play structure at Rock Creek Park.

Following a public hearing to consider Ordinance 2003-07, increasing special excise (hotel-motel) tax, motion was approved to increase the current lodging tax from 2% to 4%, as provided by statute, for lodging facilities within the unincorporated areas of Skamania County, effective on August 1, 2003. The special excise tax of 4% applies to the sale of, or charges made for the furnishing of, lodging by hotels, rooming houses, tourist courts, motels, trailer camps, or any similar type license to use real property. This special excise tax does not apply to renting or leasing of real property. All revenues collected from the special excise tax are used only for the purposes of promoting or supporting tourism activities or facilities in Skamania County.

The Board approved a request from Dan Wallenmeyer, Noxious Weed Coordinator, to hire a temporary employee to replace an employee who is currently on sick leave.

The meeting recessed at 11:50 a.m. Monday, June 30, 2003 and reconvened at 1:15 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

The Board met in executive session from 1:15 p.m. until 1:40 p.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.

Carol Landsman, Consultant for the Regional Transportation Council, and Barb Savary, Rural Program Coordinator for the Department of Transportation, presented an overview and results of the Skamania County Public Transit Feasibility Study. They advised of the award of a Public Transportation State and Federal Grant for operating assistance to fund a transportation demonstration project based on findings of the Public Transit Feasibility Study, and made recommendations regarding this project. Motion was approved unanimously to accept the grant of $193,000 and proceed with implementation. Motion was approved to contract with Carol Landsman for $2,500 to develop a service plan, zone mapping, budget and recommendations, with Commissioners Talent and McKee voting aye and Commissioner Quinn voting nay.

Following discussion of options and funding for emergency management services, motion was approved unanimously to appoint Sheriff Dave Brown as Director of Emergency Management to provide emergency services for Skamania County, with total support from the Board and a commitment of up to $12,200 for the remainder of 2003. Additional discussion included future funding and the need to adopt an ordinance to provide procedures in the event a state of emergency exists within the unincorporated areas of Skamania County or within the incorporated areas of Skamania County if assistance is requested by such incorporated jurisdictions.

The meeting recessed at 4:20 p.m. Monday, June 30, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2003, with Commissioners Talent and McKee present. Commissioner Quinn was on personal business.

Tony Estey, Buildings and Grounds Director, reported on repairs and maintenance of various county buildings and grounds and gave an update on Rock Creek Park playground structure and installation of a pay station at Wind River Boat Launch. Tony advised that he was not able to use annual leave accrued in May during the month of June, as previously approved by the Board, due to an employee who is still off work, and requested to use this time during the month of July. The Board granted an extension to their approval of June 3, 2003, provided he use this time during the month of July after the employee returns to work.

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, reported on upcoming meetings for the West End Community, Water Resource Inventory Area 29, and the National Scenic Area Management Plan, and gave an update on the status of filling a vacant office assistant 3 position.

The meeting recessed at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2003, with Commissioners Talent and Quinn present. Commissioner McKee was meeting with constituents in the Swift Creek area.

Vouchers for the period ending July 3, 2003 were approved in the amount of $377,411.09.

Wade Alanzo, of the Department of Natural Resources, updated the Board on the current fire season conditions.

The meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m. Thursday July 3, 2003.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON