BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MEETING for WEEK of SEPTEMBER 24, 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 week of September 17, 2001 were approved as presented.
Chairman McKee advised of a request from Terry Spencer of Stevenson High School for support of an event/activity calendar for Stevenson High School. No action taken on this request at this time.
Brent Holman, Public Works Director, presented the Board with a Resource Advisory Committee application for snow plowing and a letter he received from Southwest Clean Air Agency regarding large non-forest practice burns. He advised that the emergency closure of outdoor burning on private lands in Skamania County will end on October 1, 2001 and recommended extending this date due to extremely dry conditions. Motion was made, seconded and carried to extend the closure of outdoor burning on private lands until further notice. He also advised of an upcoming meeting regarding the Geographical Information System and gave an update on projects for Canyon Creek Road, Duncan Creek Road, Carson Creek, Fanning Hill, a water line project on Ryan-Allen Road, and skin patching projects.
Dr. Richard Jessel, Mental Health Director, gave an update on programs for mental health, alcohol and drug abuse, and developmental disabilities. He also advised of three new proposed projects included in his department’s preliminary budget for 2002.
Lori Cochran of the Skamania County Council on Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault advised of domestic violence awareness activities planned during the month of October. Motion was made, seconded and carried to proclaim October 2001 as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention month in Skamania County.
Motion was made, seconded and carried to approve items A on the consent agenda:
Receipt was acknowledged and a public hearing was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Monday, October 8, 2001 to consider a Current Use Timberland Application submitted by Matthew and Elaine Califf for their property located in western Skamania County on Silver Star Lane, parcel numbers 02-05-33-0-0-2504-00 and 02-05-34-0-0-0702-00.
A contract was approved with the Washington State Military Department, Emergency Management Division, to provide financial assistance in the amount of $163,655.00 to Skamania County Sheriff for salary expenses necessary to answer 911 calls originating in the County. The term of this contract is from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002.
A contract was approved with Rock Creek Daycare in which Senior Services will provide lunches, at a cost of $2.50 per meal, for the daycare children every Monday, Wednesday and Friday that the Senior meal site is open. The term of this contract is from October 1, 2001 to September 30, 2002.
A contract was approved with Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Community Programs, to provide funding in the amount of $10,000.00 to Skamania County Juvenile Department for drug and alcohol testing of probation and diversion youth and to fund a Coordinator to administer the juvenile court diversion program. The term of this contract is from June 1, 2001 to August 31, 2002.
A voucher to the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center in the amount of $4,500.00 was approved.
At approximately 11:30 a.m., the Board gathered in the foyer on the second floor of the Courthouse for a brief ceremony and presentation of the Proclamation to Skamania County Council on Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault declaring October 2001 as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
The meeting recessed at 11:50 a.m., Monday, September 24, 2001 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.
Receipt was acknowledged and a public hearing was scheduled for 1:30 on Tuesday, October 9, 2001 to consider a request from Steve Chambers to extend the deadline for final plat approval for Wildwood Subdivision. The proposed subdivision is located on Wildwood Lane off of Shipherd Falls Road in Carson, parcel number 03-08-21-2-0-0800.
The meeting recessed at 1:50 p.m., Monday, September 24, 2001 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 25, 2001 with all Commissioners present.
Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, gave an update on the activities for the previous month, as well as current issues, and provided a summary table of pending applications and reviews. She presented a new cover sheet that will be used by her department when submitting any actions to the Board.
Sheriff Chuck Bryan and Chief Deputy Dave Brown advised that Skamania County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting the 2002 Washington State Search and Rescue Conference in conjunction with Wind River Search and Rescue on May 17-19, 2002. They advised that this is a self-supporting event and a large attendance is anticipated. The proposed site location for this event is the former Wind River Nursery in Stabler.
Commissioner McKee recommended to not continue sponsoring an event/activity calendar, at a cost of $100.00, advising that only 15% of the money received from sales goes to Stevenson High School. All Commissioners were agreement with this recommendation.
The Board discussed the need for the use of the Carson RV Dump Site during hunting season for use by local residents. Motion was made, seconded and carried to open the Carson RV Dump Site on October 13, 2001 and for it to remain open through hunting season.
The Board discussed the need to include an ending date for the extension of closure of outdoor burning on private land in the County. Motion was made, seconded and carried to establish an ending date of October 12, 2001 for the emergency closure of outdoor burning on private lands in Skamania County per Resolution 2001-62.
The Board was advised that the tour of the USGS Columbia Research Center at Willard, WA scheduled for 1:30 p.m. this date was cancelled.
The meeting recessed at 11:05 p.m., Tuesday, September 25, 2001 and reconvened at 3:30 p.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss meeting room and office space and an update to the Commissioners 2002 Budget proposal with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 25, 2001 and reconvened at 9:05 a.m., Thursday, September 27, 2001 with all Commissioners present.
Motion was made, seconded and carried to move into an executive session for approximately two hours to discuss real estate.
The Board came out of executive session at approximately 11:10 a.m., with no action taken, to resume regular business.
Anita Gahimer, Director for the Port of Skamania County, advised that the Wind River Nursery conveyance consists of 187.5 acres and 18 buildings to be conveyed from the United States to Skamania County. In exchange, Skamania County will convey the following to the United States: 120 acres at Table Mountain, 30 acres at Wind Mountain and a small easement in the Mt. St. Helens area. A map of the Wind River Nursery site showing property boundaries, building locations and roads was presented. The conveyance documents to be executed were explained at follows:
· Memorandum of Understanding which states the partnership efforts of both parties in the future management of Wind River Nursery Site.
· Special Use Permit authorizing Skamania County to use the government-owned domestic water and sewer system at Wind River Nursery.
· Collection Agreement authorizing the collection of maintenance fees for the use of the domestic water and sewer system.
· Conveyance Agreement outlining the terms of the conveyance.
· Bargain and Sale Deed conveying Skamania County lands to the United States.
· USDA Conveyance Deed conveying the Federal property at Wind River Nursery to Skamania County.
· Special Use Permit for access to private land.
· Irrigation Water Transmission Pipeline Easement for an existing underground irrigation water transmission pipeline.
· Forest Road Easement – Limited Use granting use of certain roads.
Discussion included potential use and development of the site, historical view sheds on the property and concern from a member of the public regarding costs to taxpayers for the management and maintenance of the property, with no action taken. Execution of the conveyance documents will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 1, 2001 during the Commissioners public meeting.
The meeting recessed at 12:15 p.m. and reconvened at 3:47 p.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.
Minutes for the week of August 6, 2001 were approved as presented.
The meeting adjourned at 3:53 p.m., Thursday, September 27, 2001.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ATTEST: __________________________________
Commissioner
___________________________________
Commissioner
____________________________ ___________________________________
Clerk of the Board Commissioner
AYE _______
NAY _______
ABSTAIN _______
ABSENT ______