BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of December 27, 2004

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 27, 2004 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Quinn and Talent present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, advised of a request for funding for a study of Rock Creek for flood damage reduction, increased plat review, working on designs for Metzger Road and Salmon Falls Road, Road Crew maintenance activities, and scheduled employee vacations.

Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve the Consent Agenda, as follows:

A. Minutes of December 20, 2004.

B. Acknowledge claims for damages from Winnie J. Alway.

Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve a request from the City of Stevenson for Skamania County Engineering Division to be the Certified Agency for administering the Bridge Replacement and Construction grant for the Rock Creek Bridge Hydraulic Study.

Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to send a letter, jointly with the City of Stevenson, to the US Army Corp of Engineers requesting funding assistance under Section 205 of the Flood Control Act to conduct a flood control study of Rock Creek to prevent and reduce flood damages.

Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to award the bid and execute a contract with Day Wireless for radio and repeater maintenance for 2005-2007.

Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve a monthly lease agreement with Lea and Michael Benedict for the Underwood Park residence.

Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve a contract amendment with Southwest Washington Agency on Aging to extend the term of the contract for nutrition services, information and assistance, and case management services for eligible seniors.

Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to accept the Personnel Committee’s recommendation and adopt the revised job description and reclassify the existing Public Works Accounting Tech II position at a Range 16, effective January 1, 2005.

Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve Resolution 2004-60, accepting and endorsing the amended 2004 Work Plan of the Community Strategic Plan.

Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve Resolution 2004-57, to partially repay the Solid Waste Fund Loan.

Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve Resolution 2004-61, establishing regulations for LEOFF I retirees for continuing health insurance.

The meeting recessed at 10:45 a.m. Monday, December 27, 2004 and reconvened at 2:20 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Quinn and Talent present.

The Board discussed changes and corrections presented at public hearings held on December 13 and 23 included in the final 2005 Budget. Commissioner Quinn reiterated his objection to the purchase of a rocket bucket for the excavator for the County Road Department. Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve Resolution 2004-51, adopting the 2005 Budget for a total budget of $36,430,307.

The meeting recessed at 2:50 p.m. Monday, December 27, 2004 and reconvened at 9:35 a.m. Thursday, December 30, 2004 with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.

The Board participated in a staff workshop to review the provisions of the union contract, with no action taken.

Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending December 30, 2004 in the amount of $171,645.31.

Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to authorize repairs and reconditioning of a 1991 International 10-yard dump truck.

The Board discussed the collective bargaining agreement with Skamania County Public Works Bargaining Unit OPEIU Local 11 for 2005. The Auditor advised of concerns regarding monitoring anniversary dates for employees under the revised vacation schedule. Non-bargaining employees present advised of concerns with the change in vacation accruals occurring on each employee’s years of service anniversary date, resulting in newly hired employees earning more vacation time than some employees who have been employed for a few years. Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services advised that the staggered effective date for the revised vacation schedule was negotiated as part of the total compensation changes offered to the Unions. Commissioner McKee suggested a July 1, 2005 effective date for implementing the revised vacation schedule for non-bargaining employees. This matter was tabled, pending legal advice on the ability to offer the Public Works Bargaining Union and the Sheriff’s Guild the option to choose a July 1, 2005 implementation date for the revised vacation schedule or keeping the anniversary date.

A Memorandum of Agreement with Skamania County Law Enforcement Guild regarding health insurance was tabled, pending legal advise.

Approval of a 1.5% wage increase for all non-bargaining employees for 2005 and adoption of a revised vacation schedule was tabled, pending legal advise.

Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve Resolution 2004-62, setting a public hearing for 10:00 a.m. January 13, 2005 for Supplemental Budget #4 for 2004.

Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve Resolution 2004-58, to partially repay Current Expense loans from state forest board transfer revenues.

Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve Resolution 2004-63, for distribution of 2004 federal forest fund receipts from the Treasurer’s trust.

Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve an agreement with Office Machine Maintenance for preventive maintenance for the postage machine and postage scale.

The meeting recessed at 10:50 a.m. Thursday, December 30, 2004 and reconvened at 1:40 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.

The Board discussed the following options for implementation of the revised vacation accrual schedule.

1. Adopt the contract ratified by the Public Works Union and the Memorandum of Agreement ratified by the Sheriff’s Guild as presented. Provide the same vacation provision to the non-bargaining employees.

2. Adopt the contract ratified by the Public Works Union and the Memorandum of Agreement ratified by Sheriff’s Guild as presented, but give the Guild and the Union the option, if legally allowed, of having a July 1, 2005 change date to the single vacation schedule for all employees on the B-2 schedule or keeping the schedule based on changing to the new schedule at the employee’s anniversary date. Warren Martin, Labor Relations Attorney for Skamania County, will be requested to determine if we can legally change the contract if this is the desire of the Guild or Union.

Give the non-bargaining unit the same provision as the Guild and Union, but take a vote of non-bargaining unit employees affected by the change in the vacation schedule by January 15, 2005 to determine if they want the July 1, 2005 implementation date or anniversary date and agree that if July 1, 2005 is determined to be the preferred option for non-bargaining unit employees, the policy will be changed to reflect the preferred option. A letter will be sent to all departments describing the options and asking for the affected employees to vote on their preferred option.

This option would be fairly revenue neutral.

Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to choose option #2 and ratify and approve the collective bargaining agreement with Skamania County Public Works Bargaining Unit OPEIU Local 11 for 2005, approve the Memorandum of Agreement with Skamania County Law Enforcement Guild regarding health insurance impact agreement, and send a letter to all departments describing the options and asking affected employees to vote on their preferred option.

Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve a 1.5% wage increase effective January 1, 2005 and a 1% wage increase effective July 1, 2005 for all non-bargaining employees for 2005 and a revised vacation schedule.

The meeting recessed at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 30, 2004 and reconvened at 4:25 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.

Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve the Minutes for week of December 27, 2004.

Commissioners Bud Quinn and Bob Talent asked that the minutes reflect their appreciation to the citizens of Skamania County. Both outgoing Commissioners said it has been an honor to represent the citizenry this last four years.

The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, December 30, 2004.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON