BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Meeting for Week of October 25, 2004
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss the 2005 Budget, with no action taken.
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 25, 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 thanked the Board for their letter to Mara Reynolds honoring her retirement from Fort Vancouver Regional Library and expressed her concern regarding a recent incident involving a dog.
Tod LeFevre, Assistant County Engineer, reported on winter evaluations of the road system, equipment, and service levels for all areas of the County, Road Crew maintenance activities, Drano Lake dedication plaque, Safety Improvement Program Accident Study, various road projects, Wind River Nursery water project, installation of scales at Underwood Transfer Facility, and advised that the Cemetery District has agreed to purchase surplus vehicle #206 for the amount of $964.00.
Barbara Klinger, Finance Manager for the Counseling Center, introduced Keith Stover who gave a presentation of his successful recovery from substance abuse and his newly founded artistic carving talent.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
A. Minutes of October 18, 2004.
B. Liquor license renewal for Wind River Market.
C. Call for bids for Prisoner Transport Vehicle, set deadline to receive bids for 4:00 PM Friday, November 5, set date to open bids for 10:00 AM Monday, November 8, 2004.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve an exceptional qualification for Jeremy Boyer for the Wildfire Project Coordinator position at Range 16, Step B, effective September 23, 2004.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to authorize the Planning Department to initiate the public process for the local adoption of the Revised National Scenic Area Management Plan.
Receipt was acknowledged of a letter from Kenneth and Dale Bajema regarding the West End Community Comprehensive Subarea Plan.
Jim Shank, Department of Natural Resources, presented a quarterly report on the projection of income from state forest board lands in Skamania County.
The meeting recessed at 12:05 p.m. Monday, October 25, 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 Elected Officials and Department Heads to provide an update on the 2005 budget. Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services, gave a presentation, which included an overview of the revenue-expenditure gap for non-sustaining funds and departments, expenditure changes between 2004 and 2005 budgets, proposed reduction and additions included in budget projections, and budget options.
The meeting recessed at 2:25 p.m. Monday, October 25, 2004 and reconvened at 2:45 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
The Board met in executive session from 2:45 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 4:00 p.m. Monday, October 25, 2004 and reconvened at 7:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
The Board participated in a workshop at Canyon Creek Middle School, 9731 Washougal River Road with Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, to discuss the West End Community Comprehensive Subarea Draft Plan, maps and the Planning Commission’s recommendation for adoption of the Plan. Ms. Witherspoon gave an overview of the process involving the public, Planning Commission, and recommendation to the Board. She advised of text changes made by the Planning Commission but inadvertently not changed in the draft Plan as follows:
§ Page 38(G) - Neighborhood Commercial should read the same as Page 32(A) Rural Lands: Single-family residences should be allowed.
§ Page 38(H) - Neighborhood Commercial should read the same as Page 33(H) Rural Lands: Domestic and Commercial Agriculture should be allowed.
§ Page 38 (J) - Neighborhood Commercial should read the same as Page 33(N) Rural Lands: New recreational vehicle parks should be listed as a conditional use permit.
She advised the Board that public testimony would be taken at a public hearing scheduled for November 15, 2004 at Canyon Creek Middle School and letters from the public may be sent to the Clerk of the Board or presented at the public hearing.
The meeting recessed at 7:30 p.m. Monday, October 25, 2004 and reconvened at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 19, 2004, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss two vacant positions in the Road Division, with no action taken.
The Board met in executive session from 9:45 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.
Sharon Tiffany, Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Director, reported on exhibits, upcoming events, marketing, fundraising, and administration.
John Carlson, Emergency Management Coordinator, reported on monitoring Mount St. Helens activity, printing instructor and student manuals for Community Emergency Response Teams, proposed trainings, and advised of compliance with National Incident Management requirements.
R. Robert Burns advised he would not be present at the November 15, 2004 public hearing regarding the West End Community Comprehensive Subarea Draft Plan. He advised that the Planning Commission recommended changing the zoning designation for his property from 20-acre zoning to 5-acre zoning and stated his concerns with effects the change may have because his land is managed for timber production. He requested his property remain in 20-acre zoning.
The meeting recessed briefly from 11:00 a.m. until 11:10 a.m.
R. Robert Burns addressed an issue regarding loss of his property due to reconstruction of Labarre Road, right of way encroaching on his property, and the likelihood that some of this area will be lost to future erosion of the existing back slope or slope failures. He requested replacement of the area lost with an equivalent area or compensation by the County for the taking of his property beyond the existing deeded property line. Following discussion, Mr. Burns agreed to provide a diagram of the area and a letter requesting the County to purchase right of way.
The meeting recessed at 11:50 a.m. Tuesday, October 26, 2004 and reconvened at 1:45 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee and Talent present. Commissioner Quinn was attending a ground breaking ceremony for the Hamilton Park Senior Housing project and joined the meeting at approximately 2:15 p.m.
Larry and Jeanne Smith and Ed Callahan, on behalf of the Carson/Stabler/Home Valley (CSHV) Business Association, requested funding from hotel-motel tax funds to fund projects to benefit the business community in their area. The Board advised that all hotel-motel tax funds received by the County are committed to the Chamber of Commerce. Amy Nyberg, Executive Director for the Chamber of Commerce, advised of funding sources received by the Chamber and explained that the funds are used for administration and marketing that increases visitors to the County. Marilyn Butler, Administrative Services Director, advised that when Carson Hot Springs comes on line, County hotel-motel tax funds would increase. She suggested that when hotel-motel funds received by the County exceed the amount of the Chamber contract the additional funds could be used for CSHV Business Association projects. She recommended that the 2005 contract with the Chamber include explicit deliverables for the CSHV Business Association as funds become available. The CSHV Business Association was requested to present a list of projects and a budget to the Chamber of Commerce.
The meeting recessed at 2:55 p.m. Tuesday, October 26, 2004 and reconvened at 10:20 a.m. Thursday, October 28, 2004, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
The Board reviewed proposed Filming Permit Application/Fee Schedule and Filming Permit forms for use by the Public Works Department and requested that the Permit language refer to Skamania County property.
The Board reviewed a proposed dedication plaque for the Drano Lake Boat Ramp, with no changes made.
Auditor Mike Garvison gave an update on the 2004 General Election.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending October 28, 2004 in the amount of $277,900.79.
Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director,
The meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m. Thursday, October 28, 2004.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Commissioner
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Commissioner
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Clerk of the Board Commissioner
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Nay _______
Abstain _______
Absent _______