BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MEETING for WEEK of September 8, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 8, 2003, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mary Repar complimented the Board on the new red florescent signs posted throughout the County advising of extreme fire conditions.

A contract was approved with the Administrative Office of the Courts to increase the number of children served by Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in dependency cases.

A contract was approved with Christopher R. Lanz, Attorney at Law, to provide legal services to the Court Appointed Special Advocates Program.

Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, gave an update on the Hamilton Creek drainage project, Ryan Allen Road project, revising precinct boundary maps, advised of preparing the bridge inspection report, and gave updates on the Rock Creek Bridge and Drano Lake project.

Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director, gave an update on the Transportation Demonstration Project funded by the Department of Transportation. She also advised of working with Southwest Washington Agency on Aging regarding concerns from hospital discharge planners with Senior Services advocacy with clients eligible for the COPES Program.

Bev Majors, Community Events and Recreation Office Assistant, presented a summary report of activities and programs and advised of problems with bicycles at the skate park.

Consent Agenda Items were approved as follows:

A. Minutes for week of September 1, 2003.

B. Acknowledge receipt of Stacey Acres Subdivision Final Plat, set for consideration at 11:30 AM, September 15, 2003.

An agreement was approved with Fort Vancouver Regional Library and the Sheriff to obtain a 1988 Ford bus for use as a crime scene response vehicle, replacing the current vehicle that will be surplused, in exchange for inmate labor on the Library grounds in Stevenson.

A contract was approved with Swanson Services Corporation to provide computer equipment for operation of Swanson’s Overnight Commissary Service for inmates.

Special vouchers for the period ending September 8, 2003 were approved in the amount of $5,979.49.

The meeting recessed at 10:50 a.m. Monday, September 8, 2003 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

A public hearing was held to consider a Shoreline Variance Application submitted by Gary Nelson to construct a replacement deck, approximately 200 square feet larger than the existing one, but no closer to the lake than the existing deck. The proposal is located adjacent to Evergreen Lake of the Wauna Lake Club, tax parcel number 32-07-10-0-0-1528-00. Motion was approved to grant the shoreline variance, with conditions as recommended by the Planning Department.

The meeting recessed at 1:45 p.m. Monday, September 8, 2003 and reconvened at 3:40 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss the Hamilton Creek drainage project, personnel, emergency management, and property insurance, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 4:50 p.m. Monday, September 8, 2003 and reconvened at 7:00 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

A public hearing was held at Canyon Creek Middle School Library to consider Ordinance 2003-12, extending the moratorium on accepting rezone applications for parcels located within the West End of Skamania County for an additional six-months. Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, presented a copy of the Work Plan and Timeline for the County Comprehensive Plan and West End Zoning update. Following discussion, which included support for extending the moratorium to allow for completion of the planning process, opposition to the extension due to concern for property rights, and concern with the length of the process, motion was approved to adopt Ordinance 2003-12, extending the moratorium for an additional six-months on accepting rezone applications for parcels located within the West End of Skamania County.

The meeting recessed at 8:10 p.m. Monday, September 8, 2003 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 9, 2003, with Commissioners Talent and McKee present. Commissioner Quinn was attending a Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting at Hood River, OR.

Payroll for the period ending August 31, 2003 was approved in the amount of $900,710.03.

The Board discussed the Hamilton Creek Channel Realignment Project with Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, and Tod LeFerve, Assistant County Engineer, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 10:40 a.m. Tuesday, September 9, 2003 and reconvened at 2:10 p.m. Thursday, September 11, 2003, with Commissioners Talent and Quinn present. Commissioner McKee was on personal business.

A voucher to VISA was approved in the amount of $35.00.

A special payroll was approved for the Community Events and Recreation Department in the amount of $3,769.30.

Resolution 2003-37 was approved, creating a change fund for the Wind River Boat Launch.

Motion was approved to concur with a Proclamation from Governor Gary Locke in recognition of 9-1-1 Day on September 11, 2003.

The Board met in executive session from 2:20 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. regarding litigation, with no action taken.

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, September 11, 2003.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON