BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Meeting for Week of May 17, 2004
The Board met in executive session from 9:00 a.m. until 9:25 a.m. regarding potential litigation, with no action taken.
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 17, 2004, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Sandra Backus inquired about the salary of the Community Events and Recreation Director and advised of her concerns regarding the Board of Adjustment’s knowledge of their authority.
Rich Curran inquired as to the status of safety concerns previously expressed to the Board 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 directed the Engineer to look at the right of way on this road to determine if a walking path is feasible and report his findings.
Mary Repar advised of her concerns with limiting a market study to certain positions and feels a study should include all positions. She also advised she feels a study is inappropriate at this time due to budget constraints.
Larry Mulcihy advised of his concerns regarding right of way issues on Eyman Cemetery Road.
Mary Repar advised she feels Board of Commissioner meetings should be televised on public access Channel 32. The Board advised that this channel is not available to the west or east ends of the County and took no action as a result of this request because the expenditure o public monies would benefit only a very small portion of the County.
§ TerraScan, Inc. of Lincoln NE
§ Tyler Technologies, Inc/Eagle Division of Eagle, Co
Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, gave updates on the School House Road project, replacing catch basin grates on Canyon Creek Road, bridge inspections, guardrail replacement project, Carson Frontage Road project and Smith Cripe Road project.
Ole Helgerson, WSU Extension Agent, reported on the 4-H Program, Forest Youth Success Program, forestry activities, gardening and pest management, and gave an update on the Firewise Project.
The Board discussed two commissioner resignations from Fire District #4 and the need to appoint one commissioner to the Fire District by the Board of County Commissioners. The Clerk was directed to publish a notice of vacancy to solicit letters of interest. The deadline to receive letters of interest was set for Friday, May 28, 2004.
Receipt was acknowledged of the following letters:
§ Resignation of Dale L. Grams as Commissioner for Fire District #4.
§ Resignation of David Querry as Commissioner for Fire District #4.
§ Letter from Janelle Hoglan-Stanton, Commissioner for Fire District #4, regarding District issues.
§ Letter of interest from Timothy W. Young to serve as Fire District #4 Commissioner.
§ Letter from Keith Brown and Teresa Robbins recommending individuals for consideration for Fire District #4 Commissioner.
§ Letter signed by several residents of west end recommending individual for consideration for Fire District #4 Commissioner.
Consent Agenda items were approved as follows:
A. Minutes of May 10, 2004.
B. Appointment of Skamania County’s representative on the Columbia River Gorge Commission.
Bid was awarded and a contract was approved with Spring Hill Construction to provide a cement concrete traffic curb for the Carson Frontage Road project.
A contract was approved with Appraisal Associates, LLC to conduct a real property appraisal of County owned property located at the intersection of Rock Creek Drive and Foster Creek Road.
A contract was approved with the Office of Community Development to provide funding through a Community Development Block Grant for upgrades to the Carson Water System.
An interlocal cooperative agreement was approved with Public Utility District No. 1 of Skamania County to work jointly with the County as a sub-recipient of Community Development Block Grant funding for upgrades to the Carson Water System.
Vouchers for the period ending May 13, 2004 were approved in the amount of $63,043.47.
An authorization was approved for the purchase of a laser radar unit for speed enforcement for the Cape Horn Traffic Safety Corridor Project on Highway 14 for the Sheriff’s Department to be paid for with funds available under the Safety Corridor Program.
Kathy Hubka, Planning Technician, presented a staff report for the Wildwood Subdivision Final Plat submitted by Stephen Chambers. The proposal consists of three lots located on Wildwood Lane off of Shipherd Falls Road in Carson, Tax Lot No. 03-08-21-2-0-0825-00. Motion was approved to accept the Wildwood Subdivision Final Plat with conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission.
Receipt was acknowledged of a request from Dan Wallenmeyer, Noxious Weed Coordinator, to acquire a surplus vehicle(s) if grant funding for knotweed control is awarded to Skamania County.
The meeting recessed at 11:55 a.m. Monday, May 17, 2004 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
Lee Curtis, Director for Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD), gave an overview of services provided by MCEDD and advised of various projects which included telecommunications, business cluster developments, job creation, Gorge Trans Link transportation, child care programs, and outdoor tour guides.
The meeting recessed at 2:25 p.m. Monday, May 17, 2004 and reconvened at 3:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Quinn and Talent present. Commissioner McKee was attending another meeting.
Wayne White and Billy Snow advised of their new business to display and sell Washington made products and requested to use the County logo on tee shirts and sweatshirts to be sold. Following discussion, motion was approved to allow the use of the logo on apparel only for a one-year period, with the stipulation that it be used with full cognizance that it represents the County and its citizens, and if the leadership of the organization changes the use of the logo is no longer granted.
The meeting recessed at 3:15 p.m. Monday, May 17, 2004 and reconvened at 9:25 a.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2004, with all Commissioners present.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss the market study, an update on Labor Relations Institute training, and Public Health Director interviews, with no action taken.
A contract was approved with Skamania County Fair Board to provide for entertainment, judges, veterinarian services, EMT’s, security, Timber Carnival, and premium point compilation for Skamania County Fair for 2004. This contract clarifies insurance provisions and payment for premium point distribution and prizes and replaces a contract approved by the Board on April 26, 2004 but not approved by the Fair Board.
A contract was approved with Carlton Hart Architecture, PC for the Fairground Exhibit Hall Expansion feasibility study and preliminary design.
A contract was approved with Carlton Hart Architecture, PC for a feasibility study for Camp Wa-Ri-Ki.
A contract was approved with the Bridge of the Gods Little League to organize and oversee a little league softball/baseball program.
A contract was approved with Donald Marshall to serve as a volunteer host to provide caretaker and security functions at Big Cedars Campground.
Scott Pineo, Community Events and Recreation Director, gave updates on the 2004 Fair, Fairgrounds activities, recreation programs, smoking issues at Rock Creek Center, Rock Creek Center activities, boat launch fees, showers at Home Valley Park, and swim center activities. He advised of a memorial scholarship fund for swim lessons and requested to reduce swim lesson fees for the scholarship fund. Following discussion, motion was approved to reduce fees for swim lessons paid through the scholarship fund.
Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, gave updates on the pending application list, Water Resource Inventory Area 29, West End Community meetings, and the NSA Management Plan. She advised of two written requests for text amendments to the zoning code to allow RV’s as temporary hardship dwellings and to allow co-location of cellular antennas on existing towers and/or new cellular towers to be installed in various zoning locations. Motion was approved to authorize the Planning Director to proceed with the public hearing process for text amendments to the zoning code.
Charly Boyd, Watershed/Shorelines Planner, reported on various water and fish related meetings.
The meeting recessed at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2004 and reconvened at 2:00 p.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss the 2004 Fair, Wind River Nursery projects and rentals, public health comparison between counties, and vehicles for the weed program, with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2004 and reconvened for a special meeting at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 21, 2004 with all Commissioners present.
The Board met with Doug Putnam, US Army Corps of Engineers, to discuss the need for dredging and cleanup projects at Hamilton Creek, Rock Creek and Wind River. Following discussion, which included forming a diking district for Hamilton Creek, the need for dredging at Rock Creek due to safety concerns for the bridge and the City sewage system, and the need for dredging Wind River from the boat launch to the Columbia River, the Board participated in a field trip to Wind River and Rock Creek.
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, May 21, 2004.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON