BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MEETING for WEEK of July 28, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 28, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Forest Robins, Public Works Project Engineer, reported on the Hamilton Creek project, chip seal program, culvert replacement, and the emergency signage along Washougal River Road and Canyon Creek Road due to motocross event, with the possibility of billing Motocross event coordinator for overtime incurred.
Rick Jessel, Counseling Center Director, reported on the Developmental Disability program, Substance Abuse Program, and the Mental Health Program.
Acknowledge receipt of letters from Sharon Ensley and Joe Kear, both in opposition to the proposed Ordinance 2003-08, real estate excise tax. The Board will hold a second public hearing on the evening of August 21 at 7:00 p.m. to give the working public a chance to comment on the Real Estate Excise Tax, with advertising of public hearing given to community councils, post at transfer stations, and community boards informing them of the second public hearing.
Consent agenda items were approved as follows:
A. Minutes of July 21, 2003.
B. Acknowledge receipt of Shoreline Substantial Development Permit Application from Washington State Parks for a marine sewage pump out station at Beacon Rock State Park, set for public hearing at 1:30 PM, Monday, September 22, 2003.
Approval of bid award to Porter W. Yett Co., Inc. for Ryan Allen Road Improvement project in the amount of $31,304
A contract was approved with the Administrative Office of the Courts to provide funding for Skamania County Juvenile Court to handle Truancy, At-Risk Youth and Child in Need of Services program within the Courts jurisdiction.
A contract amendment to Jail Medical Services Contract naming Brian Bea as Payee was approved.
A contract was approved with the Military Department Emergency Management Division to provide funding for development of countywide terrorist threat and needs assessment as required by ODP (Office of Domestic Preparedness).
A contract amendment to Gordon, Thomas, Honeywell, Malanca, Petersn and Daheim, PLLC to increase the ceiling from $20,000 to $28,800 for compensation of services for labor contract negotiations was approved.
Acknowledged receipt of letter from City of Stevenson requesting permission to use the southwest corner of the courthouse lawn to set a temporary platform for ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, August 16th to celebrate the reconstruction of 2nd Street/SR14 through downtown Stevenson.
The Board approved to amend effective date of Ordinance 2003-07, increasing special excise (hotel-motel) tax, from August 1, 2003 to October 1, 2003 because Department of Revenue could not begin collecting the tax prior to October 1, 2003.
Skamania County Sheriff Dave Brown and Under-Sheriff, Dave Cox reported on an incident on the west end at the Washougal River Steel Bridge involving Washougal Motocross participants on Saturday, July 26, 2003. They reported that motocross participants threw rocks causing considerable damage to a Skamania County resident’s vehicle and a patrol vehicle which was responding to a call in the area. The Sheriff reported that additional police and security responded and after a time the crowd was dispersed. To prevent further problems in the area during the Motocross event the Sheriff’s office posted temporary no-parking signs on both sides of Canyon Creek Road beginning at the North end of the Washougal River Steel Bridge and along the shoulder of Washougal River road from Fire District 4 fire house to Cape Horn Skye School. The Sheriff further informed that the Sheriff’s office anticipates more problems in the area due to the unseasonably warm weather and requested that the Board consider keeping the area closed for parking until after Labor Day weekend, with an automatic tow-away zone. Sheriff will send the Board an official letter requesting the area closed for parking.
A public hearing was held on Ordinance 2003-09 to provide emergency procedures for emergency management. Motion was approved to adopt Ordinance 2003-09.
Marilyn Butler informed the Board that it was possible to put a sunset provision in Ordinance 2003-08, Real Estate Excise Tax, and that the tax revenue could be dedicated to specific uses. The Board could limit the use of the proposed tax through the budgetary process and at any time they may repeal or amend the proposed Ordinance 2003-08 through public hearings. The Board informed Ms. Butler they were holding a second Public Hearing in the evening of Thursday, August 21, at 7:00 p.m. at the Rock Creek Recreation Center. The Board also requested that Ms. Butler do some research and provide the Board with complete information regarding impact fees.
The meeting recessed at 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 28, 2003 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
A public hearing was held to consider a shoreline application from Russ Lawrence, acting agent for Joseph Birkenfeld, for a two-phase project consisting of Phase I – Interim bank stabilization project and Phase 2 – Channel stabilization, realignment, and habitat improvement on Wind River along the Wind River Road at approximately milepost 10. Charly Boyd, Watershed and Shorelines Planner, recommended the Board approve the application. Motion was approved for the shoreline application.
The Board made a motion to approve the exchange of benefit compensation for salary compensation for non-represented employees of paragraph 1 through 6 inclusive with a correction to paragraph 3, which shall read:
Authorize a monthly salary increase of $48 per step in the current salary schedule for non-represented employees and elected officials not receiving Skamania County Health Benefits effective July 1, 2003.
The meeting recessed at 2:15 p.m. Monday, July 28, 2003 and reconvened at 2:40 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
The Board held a discussion regarding need to revise Skamania County Code, Chapter 8.30, Outdoor Storage or Accumulation of Materials with Peter Banks, Skamania County Prosecutor and Randy Krog, Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor. The outcome of the discussion was not to make changes at this time to Skamania County Code, Chapter 8.30, but for the Prosecutor’s office to tighten up follow-up procedures of citations and/or compliance agreements made with violators.
Saundra Willing, Skamania County Treasurer informed the Board that the earnings allowance that the bank receives has decreased, this in turn has increased the cost of service and to compensate the Treasurer could either put more monies into the non-interest bearing account or increase the Treasurer’s budget next year for the increased cost of service. Saundra informed the Board that there was a possibility she would need a supplemental budget for this year due to the increase in bank fees, but that she would do everything she could to stay within her 2003 budget allowance.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss Skamania Forward.
The meeting recessed at 4:00 p.m. Monday, July 28, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2003, with all Commissioners present.
The Road Department gave a presentation on their current and future status of Equipment, Rental & Revolving Fund. Tod LeFevre, Skamania County Assistant Engineer gave a brief report on the ER&R Committee’s progress. Tod informed the Board that the committee has met with Elected Officials and Department Heads individually covering the equipment and/or vehicles each has and what each department felt was needed and was being used. The Committee determined the long term replacement schedule and rates specific to each department. Larry Douglas presented the Road Department’s list of current equipment and vehicles and explained to the Board that the Road Department felt they needed to retain all but a couple pieces of current equipment to maintain current levels of service. The Board asked that the Public Works Department coordinate with Ms. Butler in order to answer the questions on how this will save the County money and the specific impacts on each Departments expense budget to ER&R.
Acknowledge receipt of letter from Sheriff Dave Brown in regards to his departments request to prohibit parking in the area of the Washougal River Steel Bridge, with a discussion to follow on Thursday, July 31 with Commissioners, Sheriff Dave Brown and Prosecutor Peter Banks.
Acknowledged receipt of letter from Liz LaRue in regards to the incident in the area of the Washougal River Steel Bridge.
Acknowledged receipt of letter from Community Events & Recreation Director Ken Cohen announcing his resignation.
The meeting recessed at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2003 and reconvened at 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2003, with all Commissioners present.
Staff Workshop discussion on Emergency Management
The meeting recessed at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2003 and reconvened at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2003, with all Commissioners present.
Staff Workshop discussion on Community Events & Recreation Department
The meeting recessed at 3:50 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 31, 2003, with Commissioners McKee and Quinn present. Commissioner Talent was attending Workforce Development Council Meeting. Commissioner McKee was acting chair.
Vouchers for the period ending July 31, 2003 were approved in the amount of $176,874.99.
Approved contract with Ken W. Peterson Company, Inc. to supply and deliver crushed aggregate to various stockpiles in the amount of $55,201.30
Acknowledge letter from Tracey Yerxa in regards to the proposed Ordinance 2003-08, Real Estate Excise Tax.
Sheriff Dave Brown, Chief Criminal Deputy Pat Bond, Prosecuting Attorney Peter Banks participated in a discussion with the Commissioners regarding the Sheriff’s request for signage at Washougal River Steel Bridge Area. Sheriff Dave Brown informed the Commissioners that two more Motocross events are scheduled for August and although there haven’t been any major incidents thus far there was potential for one. Parking along the Bridge and the shoulder of the road causes traffic impediment and puts pedestrian traffic at risk. Prosecutor Peter Banks informed the Commissioners that they would need to do an ordinance and public hearing in order to prohibit parking and create a tow away zone, but that they need not wait two weeks as they could do a special meeting notice. Peter agreed to draft the Ordinance to prohibit parking and create a tow away zone for the area. The Board approved a motion to set a special meeting for proposed Ordinance 2003-11, to prohibit parking and create a two away zone on both sides of Canyon Creek Road beginning at the North end of the Washougal River Steel Bridge and along the shoulder of the Washougal River Road from the entrance of Cape Horn Skye School to the entrance of Fire District 4 station 1.
The meeting recessed at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, July 31, 2003 and reconvened at 11:05 a.m. the same day with Commissioners McKee and Quinn present.
The Board participated in a workshop with Skamania Forward facilitators, Kathy Sheehan, Christina Brittain, and Peggy Bryan.
The meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m. Thursday July 31, 2003.