BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MEETING for WEEK of DECEMBER 3, 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, reported on time spent by County Road Crews on cleanup and snow plowing due to recent storms, costs to date for snow plowing winter recreation areas and gave an update on the slide area at milepost 3.0 Cook Underwood Road.

Rich Rush, Central Services Director, advised that installation of the network cable to Rock Creek Center, Counseling Center, Senior Services and District #2 Shop has been completed.  After the replacement of computers in these offices, the County will be changing to a new e-mail service.  He advised that Beacon Rock Works has requested two old computers for training purposes.  The Board voiced no objection to this request.

A contact was awarded and approved with Aquatic Renovation Systems, Inc. and Skamania County Buildings & Grounds Department to provide and install a PVC Liner at Skamania County Swim Pool in the amount of $34,855.25.  Term of the contract is from December 3, 2001 to December 31, 2001.

A contract was approved with Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development to provide funding for Skamania County Sheriff’s Department to reduce the incidence of substance abuse and violence for youth and families in the amount of $19,366.  Term of the contract is from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002.

The Board appointed Debby Tennison as a representative to the Skamania County Civil Service Board, position #1.  This is a six-year unexpired term, expiring on December 31, 2006.

Minutes for the week of November 26, 2001 were approved as presented.

The meeting recessed at 10:40 a.m., Monday, December 3, 2001 and reconvened at 10:50 a.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.

The Board participated in a workshop for the 2002 Preliminary Budget.  Budget discussions/directions regarding various departments were reviewed and discussed, with no action taken.

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 11:30 a.m. until 12:15 p.m., with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 12:15 p.m., Monday, December 3, 2001 and reconvened at 2:05 p.m. the same date with all Commissioners present.

The Board participated in a continued workshop for the 2002 Preliminary, with no action taken.

Tim Halme, representative for Olympic Resource Timber Management, and several taxpayers in northern Skamania County addressed the Board with a request that the County consider taking over the Forest Service 90 Road in northern Skamania County with regards to maintenance, snow plowing and signage.  Discussion included increased traffic and costs for road maintenance and plowing.  Greg Cox, USFS, advised that the Forest Service is considering designating the 90 Road as a Federal Forest Highway and bringing it up to federal standards if the County would consider taking over the maintenance as a County road.  No action was taken on this request at this time.

The meeting recessed at 4:10 p.m., Monday, December 3, 2001.

The Commissioner Quinn and Commissioner Talent attended a Sexual Harassment Training held at the Commissioners Meeting Room on Tuesday, December 4, 2001 from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 10:00 a.m.

The meeting reconvened at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 4, 2001 with all Commissioners present.

A public hearing, continued from November 20, 2001, was held to consider a Current Use Timber Land application from Robert A. Sourek, Jr. to transfer 5.76 acres from the Designated Forest Land program to the Current Use Timber Land program.  Said property is located off Bear Creek Road, tax parcel number 03-08-08-0-0-0201-00.  The continuance was previously granted to allow Mr. Sourek to meet with the Assessor’s Office and work out a detailed management plan.  Robert Sourek was present for the hearing.  Sharon DoByne, Administrative Assistant for the Assessor, presented a new Forest Management Plan submitted by Mr. Sourek and advised that it satisfies all concerns and required conditions.    Motion was made, seconded and carried to approve the Current Use Timber Land Application and Forest Management Plan.

The meeting recessed at 11:40 a.m., Tuesday, December 4, 2001 and reconvened at 1:00 p.m. the same date with Commissioner McKee and Commissioner Quinn present.  Commissioner Talent was absent due to personal business.

The Board participated in a continued workshop for the 2002 Preliminary Budget.  Budget discussions/directions with various departments were reviewed and discussed, with no action taken.

Dr. Richard Jessel, Mental Health Director, addressed the Board with concerns regarding the August 1, 2002 deadline for the elimination of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and the effects this will have on County residents.  Lisa Bleak, Supervisor of Public Assistance in Stevenson, Tammy Mistretta, Supervisor for Child Protective Services, Bob Marley, Klickitat-Skamania Development Council, and Lori Cochran, Domestic Violence presented information regarding services provided by their agencies.

The Board participated in a continued workshop for the 2002 Preliminary Budget, with no action taken.

The meeting recessed at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 4, 2001.

Commissioner McKee and Commissioner Quinn attended an Emergency Management Board meeting held at the Commissioners Meeting Room on Tuesday, December 4, 2001 from 3:00 p.m. until approximately 4:30 p.m.  Commissioner Talent was absent due to attending a Regional Transportation Committee meeting in Vancouver, WA.

The meeting reconvened at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 6, 2001 with all Commissioners present.

Karen Witherspoon, Director for Planning & Community Development, presented an overview of department projects and reviews for current planning applications, current and proposed long range planning projects, and proposed department goals for 2002.

Concerned parents and members of the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board presented a request to restructure the advisory board and meetings to make the board more functional in an advisory capacity and begin a more balanced approach to County programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.  The Board will further review this request and schedule a workshop to come up with a work plan and resolve issues.

The meeting recessed at 11:55 a.m. and reconvened at 1:45 p.m. with Commissioner Quinn and Commissioner Talent present.  Commissioner Quinn served as Acting Chair.  Commissioner McKee was absent due to attending a meeting at Chamber of Commerce.

Vouchers for the period ending December 6, 2001 were approved in the amount of $253,572.64.

Payroll for the period ending November 30, 2001 was approved in the amount of $629,196.74.

The meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m., Thursday, December 6, 2001.

                                     BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                          SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON

ATTEST:

                                                                        ________________________________________

                                                                                                Commissioner

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                                                                                                Commissioner

____________________________                            ________________________________________

Clerk of the Board                                                              Commissioner

AYE _______

NAY _______

ABSTAIN _______

ABSENT ______