BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Meeting for Week of October 4, 2004
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 4, 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.
Mary Repar addressed concerns regarding weed spraying along Ash Lake Road and suggested more mechanical brush cutting in lieu of chemical spraying.
Sealed bids were opened for Equipment, Rental and Revolving Fund surplus equipment sale as follows:
#755 1978 19ft Glasply Boat w/Trailer Chris Moser $777.00
#755 1978 19ft Glasply Boat w/Trailer Duncan Mac Donald $526.51
#712 1999 Ford Expedition Calvin Doolin $305.05
#712 1999 Ford Expedition Darrin Opdycke $251.00
#712 1999 Ford Expedition Douglas Ohnemus $202.00
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to refer the bids to Public Works for consideration.
Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, gave updates on the Drano Lake project, completion of the Wind River Road grind and overlay project, upcoming presentation on proposed Wind River Boat Ramp project, meeting regarding Malfait Ballfield project, helping with disposal of material from athletic track at Stevenson High School, plat review, completion of paving at Prindle Park, and mechanical brushing and ditching.
Norm Wurzer, Public Works Engineering Technician, presented a report on the Home Valley Bridge, advised that the bridge has reached its serviceable life and is in need of major repairs. The report included options previously presented, contact with various agencies and recommendation to pursue funding for removal of the bridge during the 2005 Bridge Replacement Advisory Committee (BRAC) funding cycle. Commissioner Quinn advised he would like to see the bridge maintained and stated his concern with the need for more research before making a decision. Following discussion, Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried to authorize Public Works to pursue funding for removal of the bridge during the 2005 BRAC funding cycle and to keep the Board advised of the progress for funding. Commissioner Quinn voted nay.
Terry Blaisdell, Central Services Director, reported on providing support to the Auditor for elections, a proposed license agreement with Minisoft for the Spillman System for the Sheriff Office computer aided dispatch and record keeping system, Courtroom wireless project, document imaging project, and Terra Scan implementation.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
A. Minutes for week of September 27, 2004.
B. Acknowledge receipt of Notice of Administrative Appeal filed by John Karpinski, on behalf of Richard & Jensen Askey, of the Mark Riehl Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance for construction of a bridge across Canyon Creek to access a proposed 4-lot cluster development, set for public hearing at 1:30 on October 18, 2004.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve a one-year lease agreement with A&B Rock Distributors, LLC, contingent upon approval by the Public Development Authority, for lease of approximately 31,000 square feet (.75 acre) of land at Wind River Nursery for storage of decorative rock as part of a commercial business.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve salary increases for five market positions as a result of the Market Study conducted and recommended by the Director of Administrative Services, effective October 1, 2004.
§ Buildings and Grounds Director from Range 23-E to Range 24-E
§ Central Services Director from 23-B to Range 26-B
§ Community Events and Recreation Director from Range 24-D to Range 26-D
§ Planning and Community Development Director from Range 27-E to Range 28-E
§ Senior Services Director from Range 23-E to Range 25-E.
The meeting recessed at 11:45 a.m. Monday, October 4, 2004 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works and Planning and Community Development to review private road standards due to an increase in the number of requests for variances to the requirements.
The meeting recessed at 2:45 p.m. Monday, October 4, 2004 and reconvened at 4:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
The Board participated in a conference call from the Mount St. Helens Joint Operation Center in Vancouver with Dave Cox, Skamania County Undersheriff, for an update on activity on Mount St. Helens, road and trail closures and evacuation routes.
The meeting recessed at 4:20 p.m. Monday, October 4, 2004 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 5, 2004, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
The Board participated in a conference call from the Mount St. Helens Joint Operation Center in Vancouver with Dave Cox, Skamania County Undersheriff, for an update on the latest activity on Mount St. Helens. Also present was John Carlson, Emergency Management Coordinator, and Bruce Scherling, Skamania County Environmental Health Specialist, who gave a report on possible health risks of volcanic ash.
Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, gave an update on the West End Community Comprehensive Plan currently under review by the Planning Commission, and advised of agenda topics for the next Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting.
Charly Boyd, Watershed/Shorelines Planner, reported on various water and fish related meetings and advised of a potential project for 2005 to control Eurasian watermilfoil in Drano Lake to improve fishing and fish habitat. She requested authorization to proceed with a grant application to the Department of Ecology (DOE), which would require $14,000 from the County’s sales tax revenues and $14,000 from the National Scenic Area grant to match the DOE grant funds. She also requested authorization to proceed with grant applications to reduce the County’s $14,000 commitment from sales tax revenues as opportunities become available. Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to grant authorization to proceed with a grant application to DOE to control Eurasian watermilfoil in Drano Lake and to proceed with grant applications to reduce the County’s $14,000 match commitment.
Tod LeFevre, Assistant County Engineer, advised that Zakula Beal Auctioneers located in Troutdale, OR conducts government sales and requested authorization to use the auctioneer to dispose of the remaining Equipment, Rental and Revolving Fund (ER&R) surplus equipment not disposed of during the recent bidding process. Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to authorize Public Works to use a public the auctioneer to dispose of the remaining ER&R surplus equipment.
The meeting recessed at 11:35 a.m. Tuesday, October 5, 2004 and reconvened at 2:45 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve a contract with Zakula Beal Auctioneers of Fairview, OR to sell the remaining Equipment, Rental and Revolving Fund surplus equipment at a public auction to be held on October 9, 2005.
The meeting recessed at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, October 5, 2004 and reconvened at 4:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
The Board met in executive session from 4:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 5, 2004 and reconvened at 9:00 a.m. Friday, October 8, 2004, with Commissioners McKee and Quinn present. Commissioner Talent was attending the WSAC/WACO Joint Fall Conference in Spokane.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending October 6, 2004 in the amount of $127,256.99.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner McKee and motion carried to approve payroll for the period ending September 30, 2004 in the amount of $894,785.52.
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 a.m. Friday, October 8, 2004.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON