BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MEETING for WEEK of SEPTEMBER 3, 2001
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Receipt was acknowledged of a letter presented by Gary Olson, Skamania County Auditor announcing his retirement effective December 31, 2001.
Minutes for the week of July 2, 2001 were approved.
Brent Holman, Public Works Director, gave an update on road projects for Duncan Creek Road, Metzger Road, and Canyon Creek Road. He advised that the County map project has been completed and maps are available to the public for $2.00 each.
Richard Rush, Central Services Director, gave an update on the status of expanding network service to County departments in the Rock Creek area.
Tony Estey, Buildings & Grounds Director, gave an update on the remodel and new jail projects at the Sheriff’s Office and maintenance performed at various County buildings and grounds.
Chuck Bryan, Sheriff, expressed his appreciation to the Buildings & Grounds crew for their work on the jail project. He advised that the deputies would be moved out of the Courthouse Annex within two weeks.
The Board reviewed and discussed a proposal presented by Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer to centralize the County road crews and the equipment repair operations. Savings in operations and equipment are estimated to be $350,000 to $500,000 per year, depending on the extent of the implementation. No action was taken as a result of this discussion. This proposal was set for further discussion on Tuesday, October 9, 2001 at 11:00 a.m.
Resolution 2001-58 regarding the Election to Receive National Forest Related Safety-Net Payments under Public Law 106-393 was reviewed and discussed. This proposed resolution sets out how Skamania County elects to receive federal forest fund payments from revenues derived from the National Forest land for the benefit of counties affected by the decline in timber harvest. It also provides an opportunity to invest a portion of the guaranteed minimum payments in projects on federal lands or projects that benefit resources on federal lands or on county projects or activities. Motion was made and seconded to elect to receive full payment of federal forest funds.
Motion carried. A second motion was made and seconded to allocate 15% of the full payment amount for expenditures on projects under Title II and Title II of Public Law 106-393. Motion carried. This subject of how the 15% monies would be divided between Titles II and II was set for further discussion on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 10:00 a.m.
A request for authorization from the City of Redmond, Oregon to use County Resolution 2001-17 to purchase a Regenerative Air Street Sweeper for the City of Redmond was approved.
A contract was approved with Guler Oil, Inc to furnish petroleum products to Skamania County. Term runs from September 1, 2001 through August 31, 2003 in the amount of $125,549.61.
A contract with the Office of the Administrator of the Courts to provide for an increase in the number of children served by court-appointed special advocates in dependency cases in Skamania County was approved. Term runs from July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2003. The total amount of this contract is $10,000. This amount will be reimbursed from the Office of the Administrator of the Courts.
Resolution 2001-48 Amending Resolution 2001-32 to change the County individual designated to receive claims served upon Skamania County was approved.
Resolution 2001-59 Designating the Official Seal for the Clerk of the Board for Skamania County was approved.
Receipt was acknowledged of a petition from Skamania County residents opposing creation or adoption of a noise ordinance, noting that the Board will revisit this issue and take necessary steps to protect property owners without impacting others.
Receipt was acknowledged of a letter from Millennium Digital Media advising of the completion of an upgrade of the cable system.
Receipt was acknowledged of a Claim for Damages from Scott and Dawn Peters for alleged damage to their vehicle incurred at the Lions Club paper drop site at the County Fairgrounds. This matter was referred to the Prosecutor and Risk Pool Manager.
Motion was made, seconded and approved to acknowledge Chairman McKee’s signing of the following Criminal Justice Facility Project contract change orders:
The meeting recessed at 12:05 p.m., Tuesday, September 4, 2001 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.
The Board discussed reviewing market positions with regard to County employees. Motion was made and seconded to direct Marilyn Breckel, Administrative Services Manager, to proceed with a study of market positions and to incorporate the findings into the 2002 budget discussions. Motion carried.
The Board discussed a letter from the Office of the Administrator for the Courts (OAC) that addresses superior court judge’s benefits. Due to the Legislature providing 50% of the judge’s benefits instead of 100%, as in past years, the OAC has paid all benefits and billed respective counties for reimbursement of 50%. Motion was made and seconded to pay Skamania County’s portion of the superior court judge’s benefits. Motion carried.
The Board discussed a letter from Southwest Washington Health District presented by Tony Estey, Buildings & Grounds Director, regarding the County RV dump site in Carson on Wind River Road. The letter advises that the drainfield has failed and needs replaced, stating it appears the failure has occurred due to vehicle parking (heavy axle loads) on the drainfield area and also using the same area as a staging area for parts and materials. Motion was made and seconded to direct Tony Estey to proceed with the project to install a new drainfield.
The meeting recessed at 1:55 p.m., Tuesday, September 4, 2001 and reconvened at 10:05 a.m., Thursday, September 6, 2001 with all Commissioners present.
Administration of burning regulations for large non-forest practice burns was discussed with Brent Holman, Public Works Director. Southwest Clean Air Agency has determined that the County’s open burning ordinance is consistent with state law and that the County is fully capable of administering and enforcing the provisions of WAC 173-425 Outdoor Burning. Brent Holman expressed his concern with the need for a professional person with fire protection knowledge for administration and enforcement of outdoor burning. Motion was made and seconded to approve Southwest Clean Air Agency as Skamania County’s permitting agency for large non-forest practice burns and further directed the Public Works Director to re-write the County’s ordinance to reflect the same. Motion carried.
Tony Estey, Buildings & Grounds Director, appeared before the Board for further discussion regarding the County RV dump site in Carson. The Board discussed the cost of a new drainfield, as well as alternate sites and existing sites, noting that the Carson site has been shut down for the past month due to problems with the drainfield. It was decided to leave the Carson site closed for the time being and not put in a new drainfield at this time. Tony Estey was directed to put up signage at the Carson site referring people to sites at the Texaco Station in Stevenson and the Bridge Mart in Bingen.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 6, 2001.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ATTEST: __________________________________
Commissioner
___________________________________
Commissioner
____________________________ ___________________________________
Clerk of the Board Commissioner
AYE _______
NAY _______
ABSTAIN _______
ABSENT ______