BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MEETING for WEEK of AUGUST 6, 2001
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Brent Holman, Public Works Director, presented the weekly road report.
Richard Rush, Central Services Director, presented his departmental report.
The Board acknowledged receipt of various requests for intergovernmental transfer/sale of certain surplus items. Motion was made and seconded to authorize the following items to be removed from the surplus sale list and transferred to the agencies as listed below:
1) Mill-A School District; one Xerox typewriter (inventory #3019) at no charge;
2) Fire District No. 1; 1993 Chevrolet Blazer 4x4; vin GNEK18K7PJ383846 (inventory #616) in the amount of $3,000 plus sales tax;
3) Department of Emergency Services; one Hewlett Packard Laser Jet 4 printer (inventory #3744); VGA Gateway computer monitor (inventory #3800); Area Pentium computer (inventory #4620) at no charge;
4) Community Events and Recreation; 1991 Chevrolet Van, 12 passenger; 2x41-ton; vin 1GAGG35K1M7120952 (inventory #626) in the amount of $800 plus tax;
5) Home Valley Water District; 1990 Chevrolet pickup ¾-ton; 4x4; vin 1GCGK24K5LE206129 (inventory #103) in the amount of $1,750 plus sales tax;
6) Stevenson-Carson School District; various computers and monitors listed on attached Exhibit “B” at no charge.
Public hearing was scheduled at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 20, 2001 to consider the method of disposal for surplus equipment.
Resolution No. 2001-49 was approved, creating a loan from the Cumulative Reserve Loan fund to the Law Library fund to alleviate temporary cash flow difficulties. The resolution was proposed with repayment no later than 3 years from this date at 6% interest.
Resolution No. 2001-50 was approved and signed. This authorizes Skamania County’s participation in the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) Timber Coordinator/Analyst position and also commits to provide funding in the amount of $5,000 annually as Skamania County’s share. Note was made that this amount will be adjusted to account for inflation through the remaining five years authorized under Public Law 106-393.
The Board also approved and signed a letter to Bill Vogler, WSAC Executive Director, requesting development and establishment of work products and definition of expectations for participating counties’ use in assessment of ongoing program effectiveness. Also included was Chairman McKee’s volunteering to participate in selection of the individual who will fill the Timber Analyst/Coordinator position.
A contract was approved with Z100 for providing disc jockey services from 9:00 a.m. August 18th through 12:00 a.m. August 19th for the teen dance at the Skamania County Fair. Total payment for these services is not to exceed $495.00.
A contract renewal was approved with the SW Agency on Aging, providing for continued reimbursement to the Senior Services Department for in-home COPES Personal Care Services provided through their Department to eligible clients. Term runs from July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002 in the approximate amount of $314,000 (varies depending upon total authorized units). Note was made that of the total project amount, $14,000 represents county in-kind matching funds
A contract was approved with the Washington State Department of Ecology for clean up of litter and illegal dump sites in recreational areas through Skamania County by utilizing the Sheriff’s Inmate Work Crew. Term runs from July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2003 for an amount not to exceed $73,075. Note was made that $8,850 of these funds are provided through County matching funds.
The Board acknowledged receipt of a letter from Rick Fields, President of the Northwoods Homeowners Association. This letter addresses the Association’s concerns related to the upcoming relicensing hearings and meetings for the Swift Creek Reservoir operation as well as services received by residents for taxes paid.
The Personnel Committee’s recommendation to approve an exceptional qualification request for the new Planning and Community Development Director, Karen Witherspoon, was approved and signed. The starting rate approved for the position was Range 26 Step C.
Marilyn Breckel, Administrative Services/Risk Pool Manager presented an update on the County’s options for 2001-2002 coverage through the Washington Counties Risk Pool. Motion was made and seconded to accept the recommendation before the Board of retaining the $10,000 deductible for claims and purchase of an additional $5 million in coverage (above the $10 million) for an additional $2,072 in premium. Total premium to the Risk Pool for the 2001-2002 period will be $179,791.00. Motion was seconded and passed.
The meeting recessed at 11:34 a.m., Monday, August 6, 2001.
The meeting reconvened at 1:35 p.m., Monday, August 6, 2001 with all Commissioners present.
Public hearing was held at 1:35 p.m. to consider Laura Barton’s administrative appeal to the Planning Director’s closure of short plat application no. SP-95-25). Three interested parties were in attendance. Ms. Barton was present to address questions of the Board. Note was made that work has been slow to progress. Interim Planning Director, Mark Mazeski, advised that the only deficiency their office found was to receive a correct mylar map of the proposal from the surveyor. Ms. Barton noted that she was aware that in addition to the updated mylar, the advance taxes would need to be paid in full prior to recording. Commissioner Quinn moved to approve Laura Barton’s request and grant an extension with a time line of 90 days to report back to the Commission as to her progress in completing this application. Commissioner Talent advised that he would not vote for another extension and seconded the motion which passed
The meeting recessed at 2:15 p.m., Monday, August 6, 2001.
The meeting reconvened at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 7, 2001 with all Commissioners present.
Tony Estey, Buildings & Grounds Director presented his departmental report.
Public hearing was held at approximately 10:25 a.m. to consider Norm Haight’s application for cluster development located at 452 Hudson Road (parcel no. 01-05-07-00-0700-00;)application no. NSA-96-47). There were approximately 10 interested parties in attendance. This hearing was for the Board’s consideration of the Planning Commission’s recommendations for approval of this application and the 18 conditions as outlined in their proposed findings of fact, conclusions and motion. Receipt was acknowledged of a letter from Martha Bennett, Columbia River Gorge Commission Executive Director, opposing the development for the County’s alleged failure to address their comments and concerns stated in their November 6, 2000 letter (addressed to the Planning Commission). These issues included their recommendation to the Planning Commission for denial of Mr. Haight’s application; the need for assuring protection of agricultural lands as well as the existing character of landscape settings; minimizing visibility from Key Viewing Areas and their alleged non-conformance with the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and certain sections of the Skamania County Code in application of the cluster development criteria. Mark Mazeski, Senior Planner, presented the proposal and discussed the definition of cluster development, noting that three homes were proposed to be built close together with the open space being reserved for “farm use” rather than “common recreation” (as listed in a dictionary’s definition). Mr. Haight’s development would provide for the home on lot 1 to be clustered with the existing home on lot 3 and the home on lot 2 would be clustered with existing homes on adjacent lots owned by the Irish’s, Hay’s and San Antonio’s. The primary objection brought forward by adjacent landowners addressed the western home site proposed for lot 2, which would allow for the home to be 28 feet in height and also cause it to be partially visible from the Vista House and the Columbia River. If the residential building site were moved approximately 130 feet south, visibility could be minimized enough that visibility from Key Viewing Areas would be minimized. The Gorge Commission’s allegations that this development would be visible from “several key viewing areas” was questioned, noting the only ones brought forward to date have been listed above – the Vista House and the Columbia River. Questions and comments were received and addressed. Mark Mazeski noted that the Prosecutor had concerns with regard to the Planning Commission not having a correct map for their review at the time of their hearing. Since then the applicant has had the map redrawn to show the Planning Commission’s wishes for construction within lot 2 to be no closer than 200 feet south of the north line in the northwestern 2.5 acres. This change was requested in an effort to achieve better visual subordinance. Issues addressed with those present included visual subordinance of structures, topography, percentage of property grade, adjacent parcels and residences, setbacks and access. Objections were voiced, alleging this is not a “true” cluster development, as the clustering is not proposed with “new” development but “existing” structures and lack of sufficient visual subordinance. Nathan Baker, Staff Attorney for Friends of the Columbia Gorge, objected to the proposal based on the manner the cluster development was formed, alleging the application is, in his opinion, fatally flawed. Mr. Baker requested the Board to deny this application. The hearing closed at approximately 11:30 a.m. Commissioner Talent noted there were significant differences of opinion on the term “cluster development” and without a concise, legal definition, the Board had no choice but to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation. Commissioner Talent then moved to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve Norm Haight’s application no. NSA-96-47 for a cluster development at 452 Hudson Road (parcel no. 01-05-07-00-700-0. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Quinn. The Board reiterated to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area counties that they needed to work out a definition for “cluster development”. Discussion followed which included the need to secure a revised plat map for the proposal; moving the building site an additional 50 feet south of the north property line and including additional language addressing the need for a grading plan for a particular lot only if over 100 cubic yards of material were moved and the grade exceed 10%. Commissioner Talent moved to amend his original motion to include amending condition no. 3 (in the third sentence) of the Planning Commission’s recommendations to read: “The house should be located far enough 250 feet south of the north property line. so that the top of the house does not exceed the height of the fir trees to the south..” This motion also included amending condition no. 12 (in the second sentence) to read: “If either lot does require more than 100 cubic yards of grading and the slope is greater than 10%, the applicant shall turn in a grading plan for that particular lot.” Commissioner Quinn seconded this motion which passed. Commissioner Talent subsequently restated the motion with the amendment as follows: Approve the Planning Commission’s recommendation for approval of Norm Haight’s application for cluster development with the following amendments to the 18 conditions listed: amending condition no. 3 (in the third sentence) of the Planning Commission’s recommendations to read: “The house should be located far enough 250 feet south of the north property line. so that the top of the house does not exceed the height of the fir trees to the south..” This motion also included amending condition no. 12 (in the second sentence) to read: “If either lot does require more than 100 cubic yards of grading and the slope is greater than 10%, the applicant shall turn in a grading plan for that particular lot.”. Commissioner Quinn reaffirmed his second of this motion, which passed. A copy of the findings, conclusions and motion are attached hereto and referenced as Exhibit “A”.
Don Struck, Klickitat County Commissioner and Dana Peck, Klickitat County Resource Development Director discussed with the Board issues relating to the Columbia River Gorge Commission and the proposed Columbia River Gorge Air Quality Project Work Plan which would effect all six Gorge counties. A memorandum from Klickitat County Chair, Don Struck (dated August 1st) addressing the need for a joint statement to be submitted by all six Gorge Counties at the August 14th Gorge Commission meeting endorsing the proposed work plan providing it is based on sound scientific data and rejects the concept of interim standards not based on the best available science. Further it should be suggested that the Gorge Commission’s airshed review to date has not incorporated the Federal clean air regulations and finally request the Gorge Commission to clarify it’s role in the regulatory process with respect to state environmental regulatory agencies of Washington and Oregon. A summary was also presented and discussed, outlining air quality trends in the Portland area which affect the air quality of the Columbia River Gorge. Receipt was acknowledged of the Columbia River Gorge Air Quality Project Work Plan in its final draft form (dated July 30, 2001). The Board will be reviewing this document prior to the Gorge Commission’s August 14th meeting when they will be accepting comments on the Plan. Heather O’Donnell, Staff Planner, presented a draft letter for each county’s signature addressing concerns of the 6 Gorge Counties. This letter will be finalized and presented for the Board’s approval. No action was taken as a result of this discussion.
The meeting recessed at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 7, 2001.
The meeting reconvened at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 9, 2001 with all Commissioners present.
Note was made that all Board members attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in honor of completion of the City’s Rock Creek Drive Upgrade Project and no action was taken.
Yuki Yaso-Nuokao Aieomi, a Japanese exchange student, accompanied by two other Japanese exchanges students, introduced herself to the Board.
The meeting recessed at approximately 11:20 a.m., Thursday, August 9, 2001.
The meeting reconvened at approximately 3:35 p.m., Thursday, August 9, 2001 with all Commissioners present.
Note was made that the Board did not recess into executive session at 3:00 p.m. to discuss personnel matters (per the agenda).
Resolution No. 2001-52 was approved and signed. This partially repays Current Expense loans created under Resolution No. 2000-20. Total amount repaid, including interest was $306,403.28.
Resolution No. 2001-49 was amended, reducing the interest rate from 6% to 5% with all other terms and conditions remaining intact. Saundra Willing, Treasurer, advised that State law required interest rates to be comparable to the present market, which is approximately 5%.
Three vouchers were approved and signed as follows: 1) Williams-Scottsman in the amount of $352.29 for office trailer rental for the Agent at the county fair; 2) Jim Eaves in the amount of $224.70 for a claim settlement and 3) OfficeMax in the amount of $352.29 for Criminal Justice Facility supplies.
Motion was made, seconded and approved to acknowledge Chairman McKee’s signing of the a change order #8 with Bergelectric Corp. for the Criminal Justice Facility Project. This provides for basement camera lenses and increases the total contract by $2,836 with the total amount not to exceed $739,204.
The Board approved and signed the final draft of a letter to the Columbia River Gorge Commission addressing the Columbia River Gorge Air Quality Project Work Plan (re: August 7, 2001 meeting).
Payrolls for the period ending August 30, 2001 were approved and signed in the total amount of $366,453.84 (including benefits).
The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, August 9, 2001.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ATTEST: __________________________________
Commissioner
___________________________________
Commissioner
_______________________________ __________________________________
Skamania County Auditor and Ex- Commissioner
Officio Clerk of the Board
AYE _______
NAY _______
ABSTAIN _______