BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MEETING for WEEK of September 15, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 15, 2003, with Commissioners Talent and Quinn present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner McKee was on County business at the Wind River Nursery site.

Larry Mulcihy addressed concerns with resolving parking issues at the end of Eyman Cemetery Road in Carson. The Board advised that a “No Parking” sign would be posted at the end of the road and they would discuss enforcement with the Sheriff.

Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, gave updates on the Smith Cripe Road project, Hamilton Creek drainage project, Drano Lake project, Ryan Allen Road project and advised of reviewing several plats.

Ole Helgerson, WSU Cooperative Extension Agent, reported on 4-H activities and programs, forestry management questions and workshops, gardening and pest management issues, and gave an update on the Firewise Program.

Laila Goldring, Community Events and Recreation Coordinator/Pool Manager, reported on fall classes and programs, and gave an update on the swim pool.

Consent Agenda Items were approved as follows:

A. Minutes of September 8, 2003.

B. Approval of Banquet Permit for Dave and Kathy McKenzie to serve alcohol at Rock Creek Center on October 4, 2003.

C. Set for public hearing regarding Notice of Nuisance Violation for Walter R. Long for property located at 102 Carson Creek Road for 1:30 PM Monday, September 29, 2003.

Resolution 2003-35 was approved, assigning County Road Project Number 2003-05 for development and administration of a Public Works contract for snow plowing Forest Service 90 Road from milepost 0.00 to 19.70. The Board advised they would be discussing the feasibility of snow plowing Forest Service 30 Road and Curly Creek Road.

Contract amendment #2 was approved with Envirovision Corporation to develop a scope of work for the Level 2 Assessment for the Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 29 Water Quantity and Quality Assessment.

A request from the Buildings and Grounds Director to accumulate annual leave in excess of the maximum hours allowed in Personnel Policy during the transition period of replacing the Community Events and Recreation Director was tabled.

The meeting recessed at 11:20 a.m. Monday, September 15, 2003 and reconvened at 11:30 a.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

Mark Mazeski, Senior Planner, presented a staff report for the Stacey Acres Subdivision Final Plat submitted by Leroy Goodrich. The proposal consists of seven lots located off of Bastrom Road in Carson, Tax Lot No. 03-08-20-2-1-0408-00. Following discussion of storm water drainage, motion was approved to accept the Stacey Acres Subdivision Final Plat and direct the Chair to sign.

The Board met in executive session from 12:00 p.m. until 12:30 p.m. regarding litigation, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 12:30 p.m. Monday, September 15, 2003 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

Scott Keillor, Consultant with Harper Houf Peterson Righellis, Inc. gave a presentation on summary findings for the Skamania County Trade and Revenue Study. The project will help identify trade and revenue income, develop strategies to keep local dollars in the County, and allow the community to receive useful information for decision-making and community and economic development.

The Board discussed a request from the Buildings and Grounds Director to accumulate annual leave in excess of the maximum hours allowed in Personnel Policy during the transition period of replacing the Community Events and Recreation Director. Further discussion was tabled until September 22, 2003.

The meeting recessed at 2:45 p.m. Monday, September 15, 2003 and reconvened at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, September 16, 2003, with all Commissioners present

The Board met in executive session from 9:45 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. regarding litigation, with no action taken.

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, gave an update on the pending application list, reported on the progress of the West End Community meetings and advised of the next meeting, as well as an upcoming meeting for the Water Resource Inventory Area 29 Oversight Committee. She advised that Klickitat County is working on subbasin planning for the Little White Salmon River for salmon recovery and asked who the Board would prefer to have represent Skamania County in this process. The Board advised that they would contact possible representatives. Other items reported on were the need to extend the Forest Lands Moratorium Lift/Wave Ordinance, and vacant Planning Commission positions.

The Board met in executive session from 10:40 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. regarding litigation, with no action taken.

Larry Mulcihy, Safety Committee Chair, reported on accidents and incidents. Following review and discussion of reports presented, motions were approved to concur with the assessments and recommendations of the Safety Committee, and to direct the Public Works Department to request payment from Blueline Transport for the replacement cost of the boots, shirt and pants with regards to Report 2003-12. The Board requested the Safety Committee to contact other counties regarding policies for use of safety equipment and employee exercises. Commissioner McKee advised of the need to review the reason for submission of a written accident/incident reports and the need to be aware of a history of a previous injury.

The meeting recessed at 11:35 a.m. Tuesday, September 16, 2003 and reconvened at 2:00 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss budgets, health insurance, and the Community Events and Recreation Department, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, September 16, 2003 and reconvened at 9:00 a.m. Thursday, September 18, 2003, with all Commissioners present.

The Board met in executive session from 9:00 a.m. until 10:05 a.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.

Vouchers for the period ending September 18, 2003 were approved in the amount of $208,050.86.

The Board met in executive session from 10:20 a.m. until 10:35 a.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.

The Board met with representatives from the Fair Board, Economic Development Council, Chamber of Commerce, Stevenson Business Association, Cities of Stevenson and North Bonneville, and employees from the Department of Community Events & Recreation (CE&R) to discuss the future direction of the CE&R. Discussion included current activities of the Department, priorities for CE&R activities, use of county recreation and exhibition facilities, and the expectations for the CE&R Director position, with no decisions made.

The Board met in executive session from 11:50 a.m. until 12:05 p.m. regarding litigation, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 12:05 p.m. Thursday, September 18, 2003 and reconvened at 1:40 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss future direction of the Community Events and Recreation Department, with no decisions made.

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, September 18, 2003.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON