BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Meeting for Week of June 7, 2004
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 7, 2004, with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Larry Mulcihy addressed right of way issues on Eyman Cemetery.
One sealed bid was received and opened from Traffic and Parking Control Company, Inc. of Elm Grove, WI in the amount of $10,990.00 for digital sign making equipment and referred to the Public Works Department for review and recommendation.
Tod LeFevre, Assistant County Engineer, reported on chip and fog seal preparation, Schoolhouse Road project, Brooks Road culvert project, brush cutting, Drano Lake project, Wind River Road overly project, bridge inspections, Five Corners project, Washougal River Road right of way project, Wind River Nursery water system project, a request to widen Miller Road, proposed Rock Creek Cove improvement project, and Carson Hot Springs Resort project.
Rich Rush, Central Services Director, advised of problems with computers, gave an update on the Win Cams Accounting program conversion for Public Works, and advised of the progress of conversion from Pegasus Mail to Outlook Express for email.
Consent Agenda items were approved as follows:
A. Minutes for week of May 31, 2004.
B. Acknowledge Claim for Damages from Randall C. Krog.
Contract amendment #1 was approved with the Department of Social and Health Services, decreasing funding for Community Juvenile Accountability Act and Chemical Dependency Disposition Alternative for fiscal year 2003-2004.
Resolution 2004-26 was approved, vacating a portion of Delina Lane Private Road Easement.
Motion was approved to sign the acceptance of a Quit Claim Deed for the donation of a one-acre parcel from David and Brenda Creagan, located on US Forest Service 25 Road, approximately ½ mile north of Forest Service 90 Road, which includes water supplied from an approved community water system and approved road access to the lot.
Stephen White, Educational Services District 112, addressed the Board with a request to consider a partner certification as part of an application for funding for an Emergency Response and Crisis Management Grant, in which school district superintendents would work with local agencies in the improvement and strengthening of their school district’s Emergency Response and Crisis Management Plan. The Board advised they would discuss this request in a staff workshop prior to making a decision.
Commissioner McKee advised that Stevenson-Carson School District may be sending representatives to Washington, D.C. on July 12-13, 2004 to request continued funding through the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-393) because continued funding is critical to the taxpayers of Skamania County. The Board was in agreement that Commissioner McKee should also go to Washington, D.C. to represent the County.
The meeting recessed at 11:45 a.m. Monday, June 7, 2004 and reconvened at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, June 8, 2004, with Commissioners McKee and Talent present. Commissioner Quinn was attending a Columbia River Gorge Commissioner meeting at The Dalles, OR.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss Wind River Nursery water system update, funding request from the Wind River Public Development Authority, public health services options, position reclassification request, and 2005 proposed budget, with no action taken.
Ronn Schuttie, Chuck Turley, Jim Shank and Rex Hapala from the Department of Natural Resources gave an overview and update of the Pacific Cascade Region merger. Other topics discussed included sustainable harvest, forest resource plan update, forest practices, upcoming fire season, and scheduling a field trip to various sites.
The meeting recessed at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, 2004 and reconvened at 3:55 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee and Talent present.
The Board met in executive session from 3:55 p.m. until 4:35 p.m. regarding litigation, with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 4:35 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, 2004 and reconvened at 9:35 a.m. Thursday, June 10, 2004, with all Commissioners present.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss a health insurance committee, with no action taken.
A plaque for 25-years of faithful service to Skamania County was presented to Deputy Sheriff Tim Converse.
An amendment to and extension of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 11 was approved, ratifying the Board’s action of May 27, 2004.
Commissioner Quinn advised of budget cuts in the Federal Section 8 Program and how this will affect Columbia Gorge Housing Authority.
Motion was approved to authorize the Chair to sign an invitation letter to the public to join the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) and Skamania and Klickitat counties for special events on July 14 –15, 2004.
Walt Loehrke, Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC) member gave overview of the CRGC meeting of June 8, 2004 and Martha Bennett, CRGC Executive Director, gave a presentation on the Commission’s 2005-2007 Biennium Budget preparation.
The meeting recessed at 11:55 a.m. Thursday, June 10, 2004 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with all Commissioners present.
Vouchers for the period ending June 10, 2004 were approved in the amount of $139,658.99.
Motion was approved to rescind a prior motion of May 27, 2004 to deduct $136.00 from voucher #76658 to Skamania County Auditor, challenging the Auditor for misuse of taxpayer’s money, and to pay the balance of the invoice in the amount of $136.00, noting Commissioner Quinn’s nay vote.
Payroll for the period ending May 31, 2004 was approved in the amount of $899,659.70.
The Board advised they would not be taking any action, in concurrence with Washington Association of Counties, with regards to the federal holiday designating a National Day of Mourning in remembrance of former President Ronald Reagan.
Motion was approved to authorize the use of two surplus pickups from the Equipment, Rental and Revolving (ER&R) Fund for the Noxious Weed Board Title II Weed Control program and one surplus pickup from ER&R for the state funded knotweed program, with the stipulation that all three pickups are to be used for this season only and at the end of the season they would be disposed of through the usual bid process.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss the budget, with no action taken.
The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 10, 2004.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON