BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MEETING for WEEK of August 25, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 25, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Rich Lang, County Surveyor, asked for clarification of condition #6, which states there will be no further development beyond the subject property, imposed as a condition of approval granted to Steve Miner for a variance to the Private Road Standards for Glacier Point Short Plat. The Board clarified that their intention was to limit future development beyond the already existing lots, and agreed that condition #6 should be changed to read there will be no further development beyond the already existing lots.
Larry Mulcihy requested a status report from the Public Works Department regarding issues with the turnaround at the end of Eyman Cemetery Road. Rich Lang, County Surveyor, gave a brief update and advised he will meet with Mr. Mulcihy to discuss the issue and report back to the Board.
Tod LeFevre, Assistant County Engineer, reported on the Ryan Allen Road project, Hamilton Creek project, Washougal River Road project, Drano Lake project, Rock Creek Bridge, and advised of working on the Equipment, Rental and Revolving Fund Radio Program.
Rick Jessel, Counseling Center Director, reported on the mental health program, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse program. He advised that Stevenson-Carson School District will be occupying the Rock Creek Daycare facility, and advised of the need to fill a vacant substance abuse counselor position.
Consent agenda items were approved as follows:
A. Minutes of August 18, 2003.
B. Acknowledge receipt Lang Consolidation Subdivision and set for pubic meeting at 11:30 AM September 2, 2003.
C. Acknowledge receipt of Claim for Damages from Jonathan and Carletta Jerde and refer to Risk Manager.
Motion was approved to award the bid to furnish petroleum products for 2003-2005 to Guler Oil Company, Inc. of Bingen, WA.
A contract amendment was approved with NW Natural Gas, extending the term of the agreement for equipment storage at North Bonneville property during pipeline shutdown.
A contract was approved with Porter W. Yett Company, Inc. for the Ryan Allen Road Reconstruction Project.
Contract amendment #1 with the US Forest Service, to include additional funding for transportation-mileage costs was tabled, pending further discussion.
A contract was approved with Scott Bergeron to provide entertainment during the Kinetic Race.
Resolution 2003-32, adopting an Exempt Employee Policy was tabled, pending further discussion.
Resolution 2003-36 was approved, allocating Federal Fiscal Year 2004 Title II and Title III funds of the Rural Schools and Community Self-determination Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-393).
Motion was approved for a salary adjustment for Senior Services Bus Drivers to correct an error from the 1997 Employee Classification Study and Pay Plan, changing the pay from Range 9 to Range 10, retroactive from January 1, 1997.
A new classification description was approved for the Senior Services Transportation Manager, as recommended by the Personnel Committee.
Receipt was acknowledged of the 2004 Preliminary Budget, presented by the Auditor
Contract amendment #1 was approved with the US Forest Service, to include additional funding for transportation-mileage costs.
The Board discussed unfinished business and delegated follow up to various Board members.
The meeting recessed at 12:00 p.m. Monday, August 25, 2003 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
Linda Schneider, Director for Klickitat-Skamania Development Council (KSDC), gave an update on programs and services provided by KSDC.
The meeting recessed at 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 25, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2003, with all Commissioners present.
Saundra Willing, Treasurer, addressed concern regarding the effective date of Ordinance 2003-08, imposing a real estate excise tax of ¼ of 1% on the sale price of real estate in the unincorporated areas of the County. She advised of the need to timely notify escrow and title companies and the public that the County has imposed this tax. She recommended changing the effective date to September 15, 2003 or October 1, 2003, as suggested by the Department of Revenue. Following discussion, motion was approved to change the effective date of Ordinance 2003-08 to October 1, 2003, with Commissioners Talent and McKee voting aye and Commissioner Quinn voting nay, because of loss of revenue.
Sharon Tiffany, Interpretive Center Director, gave an update on the proposed entrance to the Interpretive Center from State Road 14 and asked for an updated letter of support from the Board. She also reported on the Show and Shine Event, art workshops, and the Bridges Program.
Sheriff Dave Brown, Emergency Management Director, gave an update on the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, terrorism assessment, upcoming Washington State Emergency Management Conference, Emergency Management Coordinator position, Homeland Security funding for 2004, Office of Domestic Preparedness equipment allocation, and status of contracts for DEM services with cities of Stevenson and North Bonneville. He asked the Board to send a letter to the City of North Bonneville inquiring as to their intent for providing emergency services.
The meeting recessed at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2003 and reconvened at 11:00 a.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
Don and Sue Cannard and Roger Anderson, members of the Chinook Trails Association (CTA), advised of their involvement with improvements to various trail segments at Beacon Rock, and asked for a letter supporting the CTA’s application for National Recreation Trail designation for the segment of the Chinook Trail from Lucia Falls to Bluff Mountain. Following discussion, which included concern with protecting citizens and private property, the purchase of private lands by the public, and the need for increased emergency services due to increased tourism, the Board agreed to submit a letter, which would include the County’s concerns and expectations that before the trail is extended, another presentation be made by the CTA. The Board advised they would be consulting with Jim Shank of the Department of Natural Resources prior to submitting their letter of support.
The meeting recessed at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2003 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
Following discussion of the minimum number of work hours per day, Resolution 2003-32 was approved, adopting an Exempt Employee Policy.
The Board met in executive session from 1:50 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. regarding real estate, with no action taken.
The Board participated in a staff work to discuss the Community Events and Recreation Department and parking enforcement at Wind River and Drano Lake, with no action taken.
A letter of agreement was approved with TOM Fest for use of the fairgrounds and facilities for a music festival.
The Board discussed various departmental issues with Community Events and Recreation employees, with no decisions made.
The meeting recessed at 4:25 p.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 28, 2003, with all Commissioners present.
A Public hearing was held to consider Resolution 2003-34 Supplemental Budget #3 for 2003 for the 2003 budget for various funds due to unanticipated expenditures for 2003. Motion was approved to adopt Resolution 2003-34, Supplemental Budget #3 for 2003 with the following changes: transfer of $12,500 from Cumulative Reserve to Capital Improvement for the purchase of properties to resolve property line issues.
Vouchers for the period ending August 28, 2003 were approved in the amount of $300,936.43, reflecting a reduction of $801.00 for voucher #71494 to Wildwood Playgrounds. At such time a contract change order is approved, the balance of the invoice will be paid.
The Board met in executive session from 10:50 a.m. until 10:55 a.m. to discuss personnel, with no action taken.
Motion was approved for a salary adjustment for Community Events and Recreation employees for interim administrative duties during the absence of a director for the department. Effective August 25, 2003 the Office Assistant IV position was temporarily increased from Range 14 to Range 17, the Recreation Coordinator (60%) position was increased from Range 13 to Range 16 and the Pool Manager (40%) position was increased from Range 17 to Range 20, all remaining at the same current step within the new Range.
The Board advised they would be making a site visit to Home Valley Park at 1:30 p.m.
The meeting recessed at 11:05 a.m. Thursday, August 28, 2003 and reconvened at 2:40 p.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.
Motion was approved to amend the contract with Wildwood Playgrounds, increasing the contract amount by $801.43 for additional playground equipment, to correct the figures for funding on the contract facesheet and to pay the balance of $801.43 of an outstanding invoice.
The meeting adjourned a 3:05 p.m. Thursday, August 28, 2003.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON