BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MEETING for WEEK of July 21, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

A Certificate of Appointment was presented to Al McKee as the Washington Counties reprenentative on the Region 6 Intergovernmental Advisory Committee. The purpose of the advisory committee is to provide advice and recommendations to facilitate better integration of forest management activities between Federal and non-Federal governmental entities and to ensure that such activities are complementary.

Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, reported on the chip seal program, Carson Stormwater project, on geographical information for the scenic area, turnaround issue at the end of Eyman Cemetery Road, Washougal River Road project, and advised that the Smith-Cripe Road maintenance project will be not be completed this year and will be added to the project list for 2004.

Ole Helgerson, WSU Cooperative Extension Agent, reported on the 4-H Program, Forestry Program, gardening and pest management, and the Fire Wise project.

Consent agenda items were approved as follows:

A. Minutes of July 14, 2003.

B. Acknowledge receipt of Ordinance 2003-10, for map amendments for certain parcels changing zoning designations from Special Management to General Management and set for public hearing 1:30 PM, Monday, August 4, 2003.

C. Acknowledge receipt of Shoreline Variance application from Gary Nelson to replace existing deck on Evergreen Lake of the Wauna Lake Club, set public hearing for 1:30 PM, Monday, September 8, 2003.

A contract was approved with the Department of Ecology to provide funding for community litter cleanup activities using work crew inmates.

A contract with Landsman Transportation Planning to develop a service plan for a Transportation Demonstration Project funded by Washington State Department of Transportation was rescheduled for July 24, 2003 to allow for additional discussion with the Senior Services Director.

A public hearing was held to consider Ordinance 2003-08, imposing an additional real estate excise tax of one-quarter of one percent of the selling price on each sale of real property within the unincorporated areas of Skamania County. A letter was acknowledged from Robert L. Serafini and Kathleen C. Walker. Dennis and Linda Gogolski addressed their concerns and objections to imposing an additional tax. A letter was acknowledged from the Gogolskis regarding their concerns and objections. After the hearing was closed to public comment, motion was approved to continue deliberations, at a date to be determined, to allow for a legal opinion from the Prosecutor regarding setting out specific uses for funds collected and a clause that the ordinance would become null and void if the State’s percentage of the real estate excise tax collected increases from the current 1.28%.

The meeting recessed at 12:05 p.m. Monday, July 21, 2003 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

Sheriff Dave Brown addressed safety concerns associated with the current portable communications system in the fleet of Sheriff’s vehicles. He requested to use a portion of the funds currently budgeted for the Babyshoe Pass Repeater Project for the purchase of a vehicle mounted repeater system that interfaces the portable radio with the mobile radio in the Sheriff’s vehicles. This system would increase the current 3-watt portable radio to transmit at 85-90 watts. Following discussion, motion was approved to authorize the purchase of a vehicle mounted repeater system for the fleet of Sheriff’s vehicles to modify the existing portable communications system, using a portion of the funds budgeted for the purchase the Babyshoe Pass Repeater System approved in the 2003 Budget. The Babyshoe repeater system will not be purchased.

The meeting recessed at 1:55 p.m. Monday, July 21, 2003 and reconvened at 3:25 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss the budget, with no decisions made.

The meeting recessed at 4:00 p.m. Monday, July 21, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 24, 2003, with all Commissioners present.

Commissioner McKee advised of granting permission, per a phone request from the Sheriff’s Office, to land a helicopter at the Wind River Nursery for refueling due to a fire in that area.

Vouchers for the period ending July 24, 2003 were approved in the amount of $330,064.87.

Commissioner McKee advised of the need to discuss contracting for towing services. This item will be scheduled for a staff workshop.

The 2004 Skamania County Commissioner Budget Goal letter was approved to distribute to all Elected Officials and Department Heads.

A Final Proof of Loss Statement and Policyholder’s Release were approved for final settlement for fire damage to the Ryan Allen Road Transfer Station in Stevenson, which occurred on June 21, 1998.

Commissioner Quinn advised of the need to allow local people the first opportunity to contract for services and stated he would not support approval of the contract with Landsman Transportation Planning. Following discussion, motion was approved to contract with Landsman Transportation Planning to develop a service plan for a Transportation Demonstration Project funded by Washington State Department of Transportation, and to advise all departments that the Board would like to contract with local contractors when possible, with Commissioners McKee and Talent voting aye and Commissioner Quinn voting nay.

Receipt was acknowledged of a letter, via email, from R. Robert Burns stating his support for Ordinance 2003-08 to impose a real estate excise tax of one-quarter of one percent on the sale price of real property.

Receipt was acknowledged of a letter from the Auditor regarding budget cuts for 2004.

Tony Estey, Buildings and Grounds Director, advised of funds available in his 2003 budget for installation of an RV dump station proposed on the southeast side of the Grange Hall in Stevenson, at an approximate cost of $5,000. He advised that the health department would require a small area to be surfaced with asphalt and suggested to install an fee station on site to collect dump fees. Following discussion, motion was approved to authorize installation of an RV dump station and fee station on the southeast side of the Grange Hall in Stevenson, to be completed prior to the 2003 Fair. Commissioner McKee advised he would contact the Public Works Department regarding the need for asphalt for this project.

Tony Estey advised of designating temporary RV parking sites at the Fairgrounds parking lot. Following discussion, the Board was in agreement that five parking sites would be sufficient.

Commissioner McKee advised of a memo from Charly Boyd, Watershed/Shoreline Planner suggesting a meeting to discuss control of Eurasian water milfoil in the mouth of the Wind River, Drano Lake and Rock Creek Cove. The Clerk was directed to work with Ms. Boyd to schedule a meeting with the Board.

The meeting recessed at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, July 24, 2003 and reconvened at 3:15 p.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss Department of Natural Resources harvest management alternatives, 150^th Anniversary Celebration of Skamania County, prevention funds for youth programs, hotel/motel tax, emergency management program planning, 2004 Title III projects and schedule, and dredging at mouth of Wind River, with no decisions made.

The meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m. Thursday July 24, 2003.

ATTEST: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON

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Commissioner

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Commissioner

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Clerk of the Board Commissioner

Aye _______

Nay _______

Abstain _______

Absent _______