BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Meeting for Week of March 8, 2004
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 8, 2004, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Rich Curran advised of safety concerns regarding children walking along Metzger Road from Eyman Cemetery north to Big Foot Trailer Park and the need for a walking path and adequate lighting. The Board requested the Engineer to look into this situation.
The Board acknowledged receipt of a display of the history of Skamania County put together by Megan Meyers of State Representative Newhouse’s office for the County’s 150th Birthday celebration on March 9, 2004.
Brent Holman, Public Works Director, advised of an offer from the Department of Natural Resources to record county surveys for the State Archives, gave updates on the Wind River Road project, Smith Cripe Road Project, finalizing input regarding transportation for the West End zoning, and advised of a stabilization issue at Carson Hot Springs bathhouse and guardrail work on Canyon Creek Road.
Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director, advised of concerns regarding a decrease in requests for in-home services and potential loss of revenue, and gave an update on the public transit program.
The Board reviewed a request from Public Works asking for direction as to whether or not to proceed with construction of the Carson Frontage Road project. The Board requested Public Works to prepare an update on proposals presented in 2003.
Consent Agenda items were approved as follows, with the exception of the Extension Wildfire Project Coordinator new job classification and Civil Service Administrative Assistance Chief Examiner/Secretary new job classification, which will be considered at a later date:
A. Minutes for week of March 1, 2004.
B. CDBG Grantee Closeout Performance Report for public services grant.
C. Personnel Committee Transmittal and recommendations:
§ Senior Services Bus Driver revised job classification.
§ Senior Services Assistance Bus Driver revised job classification.
§ Noxious Weed Natural Resource Specialist Title II Coordinator new job classification.
Resolution 2004-17, vacating a portion of St. Martin’s Springs Road from milepost 0.12 to 0.24 (end), was not approved at this time, pending revisions requested by the Prosecutor.
An agreement was approved with Skamania County Fire District #2 to use county fueling facilities for Fire District #2 fire vehicles and for the issuance of two key cards.
A contract amendment was approved with Brian Bea, PA-C, extending the term to provide medical services to jail inmates.
A compliance agreement was approved with Cheryl Trent for a nuisance violation at 772 Cape Horn Road.
A contract was approved with Gordon, Thomas, Honeywell, Malanca, Peterson and Daheim, PLLC, to provide consultant services for labor negotiations.
A workshop was held to discuss issues regarding Wind River and Drano Lake boat launches and the upcoming fishing season. Key issues discussed included staffing at launch sites, fee collection, parking, use of alcohol, and law enforcement.
The meeting recessed at 12:00 p.m. Monday, March 8, 2004 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
Winnie Alway addressed concerns regarding repair of a hole on county right of way on Old Detour Road and the requirement of a new driveway approach for Lot #3 of the Alway Short Plat.
Rich Rush, Central Services Director, presented a request for additional training funds to purchase a new product called Support Plus for the Eden System financial software program. No decision was made at this time.
The Public Works department presented a request to purchase a new software program called Win-Cams Cost Accounting Management. This request will be further reviewed at a later date.
Jim Shank, Department of Natural Resources, presented a quarterly report on the projection of income from state forest board lands in Skamania County and gave an update on the merger of the Central and Southwest Regions.
The meeting recessed at 3:50 p.m. Monday, March 8, 2004 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 9, 2004, with Commissioners McKee and Talent present. Commissioner Quinn was on personal business.
A voucher was approved to Washington State Association of Counties for Labor and Industries Retrospective Assessment.
Payroll for the period ending February 29, 2004 was approved in the amount of $828,029.93.
Ole Helgerson, WSU Extension Agent, gave an update on the Wildfire Project and collection of geographic information. The Board expressed concern with privacy issues and the availability of personal information to the public.
Consideration of the Extension Wildfire Project Coordinator new job classification was tabled until March 11, 2004 to allow all Commissioners to be present.
The Board participated in a workshop with Jeff Breckel, Executive Director, and Phil Trask, Watershed/Salmon Recovery Planning Coordinator, for Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board to review the final draft of the Lower Columbia Recovery/Subbasin Plan.
The meeting recessed at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, 2004 and reconvened at 1:40 p.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss the status of various projects, Eden access for Commissioners Office, legislation, Rock Creek bank armoring, applications for RAC, letter from Hood River regarding Gorge Air Study, housing assistance, letter concerning animal control, property tax initiative, annual forest service meeting, real estate issues, cell phones and health insurance, with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, 2004 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 11, 2004, with all Commissioners present.
Vouchers were approved for the periods ending December 31, 2003 in the amount of $9,266.27 and March 10, 2004 in the amount of $151,097.40.
Following discussion regarding concern with privacy issues and the availability of personal information to the public, the Extension Wildfire Project Coordinator new job classification was approved as presented.
Ole Helgerson, WSU Extension Agent, presented a request to obtain a high-speed internet connection to the nursery office site for the Firewise Program using budgeted funds for maintenance/custodial services. The Board advised of the need to discuss building maintenance/custodial services with Buildings and Grounds prior to making a decision regarding this request.
Receipt was acknowledged of a letter from Mark A. Erikson, attorney for Larry Mulcihy, regarding issues on Eyman Cemetery Road.
Tony Estey, Buildings and Grounds Director, gave an update on the Rock Creek embankment project. Motion was approved to authorize Buildings and Grounds to proceed with this project.
Kimmie Bringman, Skamania County’s 4-H delegate for the 4-H National Conference in Washington D.C. gave an overview of the upcoming conference and asked the Board if they had any issues they would like her to address at the conference on behalf of Skamania County. Commissioner McKee advised he would provide information for her.
The Board reviewed the Civil Service Administrative Assistance Chief Examiner/Secretary new job classification. Members of the Civil Service Board advised they feel the salary should be a Range 15 and not Range 14 as recommended by the Personnel Committee. Following discussion, motion was approved to remand the job description back to the Civil Service Board for revisions and resubmittal to the Personnel Committee for review and recommendation.
The meeting recessed at 12:05 p.m. Thursday, March 11, 2004 and reconvened at 2:15 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
A letter was approved to Washington State University advising that Skamania County met the 2003 commitment for computer and office support and office rent for the Columbia Gorge Wildfire Preparedness Project.
The Board met in executive session from 2:15 p.m. until 2:55 p.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.
The meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m. Thursday, March 11, 2004.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON