BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Meeting for Week of September 27, 2004
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 27, 2004 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Dave Cox, Undersheriff, gave a report on the current seismic activity on Mount St. Helens and advised that the Forest Service has closed climbing routes around the mountain.
Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, gave updates on the Drano Lake project, Wind River Nursery water system project, conversion to Black Bear software for the Building Division, conversion of WinCams cost accounting software, Wind River Road grind and overlay project, upcoming presentation of Wind River Boat Ramp project, and Road Division activities.
Rick Jessel, Counseling Center Director, reported on mental health, substance abuse and developmental disabilities programs.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
A. Minutes of September 20, 2004.
Commissioner McKee advised that Dennis and Carol Lloyd withdrew their appeal regarding applied conditions to the Deer Meadow Retreat Short Plat to upgrade Griffing Road (private), canceling the public hearing scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve an interagency agreement with Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission to provide funding to treat infestations of knotweed at Beacon Rock State Park.
The meeting recessed at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 27, 2004 and reconvened at 11:20 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve Resolution 2004-40, accepting and endorsing the amended 2004 Work Plan of the Community Strategic Plan.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried to approve Resolution 2004-41, joint with Clark, Klickitat and Skamania Counties appointing Merle Koplan to position #2 to serve as Fort Vancouver Regional Library Board trustee as the City of Vancouver designee for a term expiring December 31, 2012. Commissioner Quinn voted nay, citing his concern with appointees serving long term.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to prohibit the use of cell phones in the Commissioner’s meeting room during public meetings and to post a “no cell phones” sign outside the meeting room.
The meeting recessed at 11:30 a.m. Monday, September 27, 2004 and reconvened at 2:40 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending September 27, 2004 in the amount of $563,771.09.
The Board discussed the costs for cell phone usage and requested a review of cell phones and radios used by Public Works and the Sheriff’s Office.
The Auditor advised of receiving a voucher for payment of water usage for irrigation at Underwood Recreation Center and felt the usage was excessive.
The meeting recessed at 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 27, 2004 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 28, 2004, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
John Carlson, Emergency Management Coordinator, reported on the monitoring of Mount St. Helens activity and advised he would receive updated Response Plans from the State and USGS. He also reported on an exercise to provide training for local fire districts, status of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sheriff, Emergency Management and Bonneville Locks and Dam, received approval for an annual winter storm full scale exercise, presented a cost estimate for evaluating a possible evacuation signs project, implementation of Incident Command System training, upcoming visit of Emergency Operation Center on September 30 by Washington Emergency Management Division, and volunteer hours for the month of September.
The meeting recessed at 10:20 a.m. Tuesday, September 28, 2004 and reconvened at 11:05 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
Title III projects for 2005 were presented for final consideration. Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services, recommended approval of all projects as listed in the project announcement.
1. Skamania County Forest Explorers, sponsored by ESD 112 and WSU Extension. A multi-year program designed to develop and implement an after school forest ecology education program for elementary and middle school aged students in Mill A School, Skamania School, Cape Horn Sky School, Canyon Creek Middle School, and Mt. Pleasant School. Total project cost - $54,433.00.
2. Skamania County Firewise Planning for Woodland Dwellers, sponsored by WSU Cooperative Extension of Skamania County. To continue teaching wildfire risk reduction to wildland-urban interface residents; complete data base of interface dwellings to assist Skamania County fire districts, EMS providers, Sheriffs Department, Planning Department, and Public Works Department (county Fire Marshall) in emergency management, zoning and public works projects (in conjunction with 2005 USFWS National Fire Plan grant; further develop Skamania County’s Wildfire Plan using GIS data; and continuing assistance to rural fire districts in obtaining grant funding for wildfire equipment and training. The 2004 fiscal year request includes salary and benefits for a three-quarter-time wildfire director, a quarter-time office assistant, and two part-time surveyors, office services (photocopying and mailing), travel, training and Central Services consulting to facilitate data gathering and management as in 2004. Total project cost - $96,240.00.
3. Skamania County Forest Youth Success, sponsored by Stevenson-Carson School District and WSU Extension. To continue to provide summer employment for high school age youth to conduct projects on the national forest, and to teach forest ecology and management and to conduct an after-school program for younger students that teaches forest ecology and management, as well as life skills. The program requests for 2005 include continued funding for a program director, eight crew leaders, and the employment of up to 48 youth, and operating supplies and services. Total project cost – $239,020.00.
4. North Country EMS St. Helen’s Project, sponsored by North Country Emergency Medical Services. To continue to provide Emergency Medical Services to visitors, recreationalist, residents, and employees of the Northwest area of Skamania County including Mt. St. Helen’s National Volcanic Monument located in Skamania County. This project requests funding for personnel to staff an ambulance and rescue vehicle for the months of June, July, August, and September. Total project cost - $35,000.00.
5. Skamania County Sheriff’s Emergency Services, sponsored by Skamania County Sheriff’s Department. To enhance and improve the level of Search and Rescue Services in Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Columbia River Gorge NSA, as well as reduce and improve response times to all types of emergency calls. The funds requested are to maintain one full time Road Deputy Sergeant position, one half time civilian position, and one-quarter-time Road Deputy wage and overtime. This project also includes a one-time request to install a repeater for the Fire and Medical Emergency Services frequency at the Skamania County repeater site at Red Mountain at a cost of $12,000. Total project cost - $140,089.00.
6. Skamania County Forest Work Crew, sponsored by Skamania County Sheriff’s Department. Continuation from 2004 to reimburse Skamania County Sheriff Department for the supervision of in-custody inmates who perform a variety of projects to promote and enhance the ecosystem of Federal Forests in and around Skamania County. The Funds requested are to provide supervision of the Work Crew for 10 hours a day, 8 days a week. Total project cost - $137,672.00.
Following discussion and recommendation, Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve Title III projects for 2005, as listed in the project announcement, in the total funding amount of $691,460.
The meeting recessed at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 28, 2004 and reconvened at 1:55 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
The Board participated in a workshop to discuss the budget, with no action taken.
The Board met in executive session from 3:00 p.m. until 4:05 p.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 4:05 p.m. Tuesday, September 28, 2004 and reconvened at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, September 30, 2004, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
The Board participated in a workshop to discuss a potential public health grant, with no action taken.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve a license renewal application to the Department of Social and Health Services for community mental health services for the Counseling Center.
The meeting recessed at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, September 30, 2004 and reconvened at 3:05 the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
The Board participated in a workshop to discuss the market study on salaries and the budget, with no action taken.
Following discussion, the Board was in agreement to decline insurance coverage for losses arising out of an act of terrorism, as defined in the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, offered by Western Risk Specialists, Inc.
The Board met in executive session from 4:45 p.m. until 4:50 p.m. regarding litigation, with no action taken.
The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m. Thursday, September 30, 2004.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON