BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MEETING for WEEK of SEPTEMBER 17, 2001
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. with all Commissioners present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes for the weeks of July 30, 2001 and September 10, 2001 were approved as presented.
Brent Holman, Public Works Director, gave an update on the Carson Stormwater project, road projects for Canyon Creek Road, Duncan Creek Road and striping and skin patching projects. He also advised of projects to replace culverts throughout District No. 2.
Motion was made, seconded and carried to approve items A, B, C and D on the consent agenda:
A. Criminal Justice Facility Notice of Completion of contracts
· G.T.E. Metal Erectors, Inc.
B. Acknowledge receipt of completion of purchase agreements
C. Acknowledge receipt of Claim for Damages from Danny Garren and Julie Kester and refer to
County Risk Manager and Prosecutor
D. Acknowledge receipt of Claim for Damages from William and Jeanette Chevalier and refer
to County Risk Manager and Prosecutor
The Board acknowledged receipt of a letter from Susie Strom, Community Service Programs Coordinator, advising of the 25th Annual Great American Smokeout on November 15, 2001 and approved placement of approximately 50 plywood tombstones on the Courthouse lawn from November 14, 2001 to November 16, 2001 to commemorate the hundreds of Washington residents that die each year from tobacco use.
Motion was made, seconded and carried to acknowledge Chairman McKee’s signing of the following Criminal Justice Facility Project contract change order:
The meeting recessed at 11:15 a.m., Monday, September 17, 2001 and reconvened at 11:17 a.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.
Ole Helgerson, Cooperative Extension Agent, gave an update on forestry programs, 4-H programs, and the foreign exchange student program. He advised the Board of the 4-H Fall Awards Banquet that will be held at 4:00 p.m. on October 7, 2001at Rock Creek Center.
The meeting recessed at 11:25 a.m., Monday, September 17, 2001 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.
A public hearing was held at 1:30 p.m. to consider the Notice of Administrative Appeal of a Short Plat alleging excessive delays in plat recording and disagreement over wetland determination submitted by Louis and Diane Morisette. The plat proposes three lots of 5+ acres each located on property off of Huckins-Buhman Road, Tax Lot No. 02-05-30-00-1801. An update on the events that have occurred was given by Mark Mazeski, Senior Planner for the Department of Planning and Community Development citing the primary area of concern being the southwest corner of Lot 1 and the west side of Lot 3. He advised that a site visit was made to said property with Eric Holman, Area Habitat Biologist for the Dept of Fish & Wildlife, and determination was made that water courses and drainages needed to be identified on the plat mylar.
John Lawson of Lawson Surveying & Engineering and Scott Morey, Wetland Consultant of MRM Consulting addressed the Board on behalf of the Morisettes regarding their findings with regards to wetlands and drainages. They advised that septic permits have been approved for these lots and concerns with watercourses and drainages would be addressed at the time of application for a building permit.
Issues discussed included delays in process, costs to the property owners, wetland concerns and pertinent easements required to be shown on the plat mylar. Motion was made and seconded to accept approval of this plat with the following conditions to be met:
1. A note is to be placed on the plat mylar stating that further delineation may be required before issuance of a building permit;
2. Scott Morey, Wetland Consultant of MRM Consulting, must provide a list of his qualifications; and
3. Karen Witherspoon, Director of Planning & Community Development shall expedite this matter and notify the Board of any problems.
Chairman McKee stepped down to vote on the motion, which carried unanimously.
The meeting recessed at 3:10 p.m. Monday, September 17, 2001 and reconvened at 3:20 p.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.
A letter was approved to Beau D. Harlan, Attorney for Danny Garren and Julie Kester regarding a tort claim for damages.
A letter was approved to the Republican Central Committee requesting the submittal of three names to consider for appointment as County Auditor.
A letter was approved to Skamania County Civil Service Commission regarding a vacancy.
The meeting recessed at 3:13 p.m., Monday, September 17, 2001 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 18, 2001 with all Commissioners present.
Members of the Columbia River Gorge Commission and staff were present to lead a presentation and discussion regarding review of the Columbia River Scenic Area Management Plan. A preliminary list of plan review issues was presented which compiled comments gathered at public meetings in each of the six Gorge Counties, and from letters and e-mails. The key steps for the Plan review process as well as the timelines for this process was explained. The County was asked to review the preliminary list with respect to comments from Skamania County and to provide input by October 1, 2001 on which issues are the highest priorities to be addressed in the plan review. Concern was expressed by the County for the lack of land designated for private recreation, specifically in the Wind River area, that allows water access. Motion was made, seconded and carried to form a local county committee to conduct a comparison of issues and to send a letter to the Gorge Commission acknowledging the findings. A second motion was made, seconded and carried to request all six-gorge counties to conduct a similar process. A third motion was made, seconded and carried to designate Karen Witherspoon, Director of Planning and Community Development, to supervise the coordination of appointing a committee of elected officials and department heads to review the preliminary list of plan review issues.
The meeting recessed at 11:25 p.m., Tuesday, September 18, 2001 and reconvened at 1:37 p.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.
Dick and Marilyn Misner addressed the Board with a request to place a plaque on an easement deeded to the County by George and Bertha Misner for access to Wind River along Hemlock Road in Stabler. They advised that if permission were granted, they would purchase the plaque and would like the County to provide something to mount the plaque on, such as a large rock. The Board advised of the need to visit the site and consult with the County Road Department prior to making a decision. No action was taken on this issue at this time.
The Board continued discussion from September 11, 2001 on proposed Resolution 2001-58, Election to Receive National Forest Related Safety-Net Payments under Public Law 106-393. At a previous meeting regarding this issue, it was approved to elect to receive full payment and to allocate 15% of that amount for Title II and Title III projects. Projects proposed under Title II and Title III were discussed. Employment and educational opportunities and benefits to the County and residents were discussed. Motion was made and seconded to allocate 55% to Title II projects and 45% to Title III projects. Chairman McKee stepped down to vote, which carried unanimously.
Resolution 2001-60 was approved supporting the President of the United States to defend against and bring to justice the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks on the United States.
Vouchers for the period of August 31, 2001 through September 18, 2001 were approved and signed in the total amount of $775,707.10.
The meeting recessed at 3:05 p.m. on Tuesday, September 18, 2001 and reconvened at 3:45 p.m. the same date with Chairman McKee and Commissioner Quinn present. Commissioner Talent’s absence was due to personal business.
A letter of representation to the State Auditor regarding the 2000 audit was approved.
The Board discussed the issue of determining the method of sale of surplus items. Brent Holman, County Engineer, recommended handling the sale of vehicles separate from all other surplus items. Discussion included various options for disposing of surplus items with the least amount of cost involved. No action was taken on this issue at this time.
The meeting recessed at 4:05 p.m., Tuesday, September 18, 2001 and reconvened at 11:04 a.m., Thursday, September 20, 2001 with all Commissioners present.
The Board acknowledged receipt of a letter from Melody Manning regarding the proposal to consolidate the County Road Department.
The Board approved change order no. 1 in the amount of $5,505.00 and change order no. 2 in the amount of $20,892.00 with Creagan Excavating, Inc. for the Canyon Creek Road Project, increasing the total amount of this contract to $789,227.00
The meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, September 20, 2001. There was no quorum after 11:30 a.m. due to Commissioner Quinn and Commission Talent attending a Southwest Washington Health District Meeting in Stevenson.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ATTEST: __________________________________
Commissioner
___________________________________
Commissioner
____________________________ ___________________________________
Clerk of the Board Commissioner
AYE _______
NAY _______
ABSTAIN _______
ABSENT ______