BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Meeting for Week of May 24, 2004
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 24, 2004, with Commissioners Quinn and Talent present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner McKee was attending a Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board retreat in Vancouver, WA.
Cindy Williams, a tenant at Wind River Nursery, advised of keeping ducks and chickens on the premises, apologized for violating her current lease, and requested permission to keep the ducks and chickens. The Board advised Ms. Williams this issue would be discussed among all Commissioners and she would be advised of their decision.
Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, advised of an increase in plats and building permits, gave updates on the Five Corners project, guardrail replacement project, well drilling project at Wind River Nursery site, Carson Frontage Road project, School House Road project, and submitted a draft letter for review to the Corps of Engineers regarding Section 205 dredging projects.
Mary Repar inquired about access to the Interpretive Center from State Road 14. She was advised that this is a private project in need of funding.
Rick Jessel, Counseling Center Director, reported on mental health, substance abuse and developmental disabilities programs.
Receipt was acknowledged of the following:
§ Letter from Mike Garvison, Auditor, supporting appointment of Dennis Gogolski for Fire District #4 Commissioner.
§ Resignation letter from Rich Rush, Central Services Director, effective July 30, 2004.
Consent Agenda items were approved as follows, with the exception of Item B, which was removed pending further discussion and additional information, noting Commissioner Quinn’s concern with the cost for the project not clearly reflected in the current budget.
A. Minutes of May 17, 2004.
B. Acknowledge submission of grant application to Washington State Department of Agriculture for 2004 Southwest Washington Knotweed Control Program.
A contract was approved with Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency to provide funding for reproduction and printing of Community Emergency Response Team training materials.
A Letter of Engagement of Services was approved with Kathleen Callison, Attorney at Law, to represent the County with respect to gaining approvals for new water rights, transfers and/or mitigation strategies at Wind River Nursery. Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services, advised that the Wind River Nursery water project was funded by a congressional appropriation and that the Public Development Authority would be discussing the possibility of future reallocation of these funds.
A request from Dan Wallenmeyer, Noxious Weed Coordinator, to acquire surplus vehicle(s) if grant funding for knotweed control is awarded to Skamania County was tabled, pending additional information.
The meeting recessed at 10:50 a.m. Monday, May 24, 2004 and reconvened at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 25, 2004, with Commissioners Quinn and Talent present. Commissioner McKee was participating in interviews at Northwest Service Academy in Troutlake, WA.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss a letter to Congressman Richard “Doc” Hastings, Public Development Authority funding proposal, and 2005 budget status, with no action taken.
Following a comparison of proposals presented by Rich Rush, Central Services Director, motion was approved to accept the proposal from Terra Scan, Inc. of Lincoln, NE in the amount of $60,122.78 for a Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal, Assessment and Tax Administration System for the Assessor and Treasurer Offices.
Dan Wallenmeyer, Noxious Weed Coordinator, gave updates on the 2004 Noxious Weed Program, noxious weed issue with the PUD, and knotweed control, advised of a private individual who expressed a desire to obtain a commercial license to control noxious weeds, and requested to hire two additional summer employees with remaining funds from the 2003 Noxious Weed Program. No decision was made at this time regarding this request.
A letter was approved to Congressman Richard “Doc” Hastings regarding an economic development project.
Resolution 2004-24 was approved, authorizing the purchase and an invitation to bidders for digital sign making equipment, setting the deadline to receive bids for 4:00 p.m. June 4, 2004 and setting the date to open bids for 10:00 a.m. June 7, 2004.
Receipt was acknowledged of the following:
§ Letter from David C. Querry recommending appointment of Dennis Gogolski for Fire District #4 Commissioner.
§ Letter from Donnarae Querry recommending appointment of Dennis Gogolski for Fire District #4 Commissioner.
Mike Garvison, Auditor, advised of his concerns regarding how a 20% reduction of the 2005 budget would affect some departments. (Each County department has bee asked to produce a budget showing a 20% reduction.)
A public hearing was held to consider a request from George and Alice Barnes and Rolf and Astrid Diek to vacate a portion of Barnes Short Plat #1 and Robin’s Wood Short Plat by vacating 12 feet of private road easement from the east and west side of Delina Lane (private). Following a staff report by the Planning Department, motion was approved to grant the vacation of 12 feet of private road easement from the east and west side of Delina Lane (private), noting that the vacation does not include the 50 foot turnaround radius.
The meeting recessed at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, May 25, 2004 and reconvened at 2:45 p.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss a request for two additional summer employees for the Noxious Weed Program and Wind River Nursery rentals, with no action taken.
A request from Dan Wallenmeyer, Noxious Weed Coordinator was approved to hire two additional summer employees for the Noxious Weed Program using remaining funds from the 2003 Program.
Motion was approved to give notice to tenants of Wind River Nursery rentals who are in violation of the their lease that they have 30 days to remove all animals and/or pets or vacate the premises, and to further advise them that the no animals policy is included in their contractual agreement and that the buildings and structures at this site are designated as historical structures within a historical district.
The meeting recessed at 3:35 p.m. Tuesday, May 25, 2004 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 27, 2004 with all Commissioners present.
Vouchers for the period ending May 27, 2004 were approved in the amount of $412,225.60, reflecting a deduction of $136.00 for voucher #76658 to Skamania County Auditor for mileage reimbursement not approved.
Motion was approved to authorize the purchase of drug eradication equipment for the Sheriff’s Department to be paid from the drug fund and to reimburse the drug fund when funds are received from Washington State Patrol.
The Auditor informed the Board of personal charges by an employee on the County’s credit card, in violation of the County’s credit card policy.
John Carlson, Emergency Management Coordinator, gave updates on the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, Radio Amateur Community Emergency Services Plan, attendance at a Local Emergency Planning Committee workshop, and installation of computers and software obtained from Benton County. He also advised of an upcoming workshop for County Departments on July 23, 2004 on the role of Departments in the Emergency Operations Plan. Sheriff Dave Brown gave an update on Homeland Security Funds.
A letter was approved to Wesley Lannen, Rural Utility Service, supporting Tanager Telecom’s loan application for developing broadband telecommunications in the Wind River Valley and to support future proposals from private individuals, noting Commissioner Quinn’s nay vote because the County should not support a private company only.
Motion was approved to appoint Jim Hutchison as Skamania County’s representative to the Klickitat Citizens Review Committee Technical Advisory Group for the Salmon Recovery area bounded by the Little White Salmon River Watershed on the west and the Klickitat Watershed on the east.
Receipt was acknowledged of a letter from Keith Brown and Teresa Robbins recommending appointment of Dennis Gogolski for Fire District #4 Commissioner.
Receipt was acknowledged of a letter from Cindy Williams, a tenant at Wind River Nursery, regarding violation of the no pet policy in their lease agreement.
Letters were approved to Wind River Nursery tenants Cindy Williams and Karl Wilkie - House #1065, Ardis Caverlyn – House #1057, and Carrie Munz and Matt Schroder – House #1053, advising they are in violation of their current leases and requesting that all animals be removed from said property.
Receipt was acknowledged of an appraisal report submitted by Appraisal Associates, LLC for County owned property located on Rock Creek Drive.
Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services, presented a Collective Bargaining Agreement for 2004 with Skamania County and the Public Works Bargaining Unit OPEIU Local 11. Following discussion, motion was approved to accept the settlement between Skamania County and OPEIU Local 11 for the Public Works Bargaining per the signed document from OPEIU, to include a 1.5% general wage increase effective January 1, 2004.
Motion was approved to grant a 1.5% general wage adjustment for all non-represented employees effective January 1, 2004.
The meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m. on Thursday, May 27, 2004.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON