Minutes - Meeting of Monday, July 23^rd, 2001

Topic

Agenda Item - Comment/Disposition

Call to Order/Roll Call

Morning Workshop Session – Monday, July 23^rd, 2001

Chairman Pro-Tem Joan Frey called the meeting to order at 10:05 A.M. Commissioners Present: Joan Frey and Ray Thayer. Chairman Don Struck was absent because of a serious illness in his family.

Workshop Session Agenda

10:05 A.M.

Attendance: Senior Services Director Roger Gadway, Personnel Director Lori Wolford and Patrick Schiappa, citizen.

Director Gadway advised that the State Legislature approved a $.50 per hour increase to In-Home Aides plus an additional $.18 per hour of which $.09 per hour will serve to offset the costs of fringe benefits for the increase. The remaining $.09 per hour goes toward agency costs. Director Gadway noted the increase must go toward In-Home worker salaries and is not optional.

Concluding discussion, Personnel Director Wolford will prepare the proper documentation increasing the hourly rate for In-Home Aides and limiting Range 3 specifically to those positions, noting the annual COLA would not be applicable to those positions.

On another topic, Director Gadway stated that there is an ongoing problem in picking up the portion of senior programs not funded by the legislature, again advising that the legislature mandates how the funds are expended. The State needs to fund programs at a level that will cover costs. Required budget adjustments will be better known through preparation of the 2002 budget projections.

Director Gadway reviewed the current transportation program staff structure in light of the potential loss of Intercity Transportation matching funds (Rural Mobility) and the need to downsize staff hours and trips accordingly. When Intercity Transportation was instituted the original agreement stipulated that if the funding was not secured then the two full-time driver positions would be eliminated. However, there is uncertainty at this time regarding how many casual positions will be retained. It is anticipated that the hours from the two driver positions will be redistributed and assigned to the casual drivers.

Patrick Schiappa stated he is concerned about the loss of the bus system that he utilizes frequently, noting at least one trip in the A.M. and one in the P.M. would be better than no bus. Residents utilize the bus for various reasons including medical, shopping, schooling etc. Mr. Schiappa feels ridership would have been more if the hours were scheduled differently.

Commissioner Frey advised a service is being provided, however, with the State cutting funding, the County now needs to determine where the funds will come from for the programs.

Director Gadway stated that a grant application needs to be submitted for Federal Transit Administration Section 5311 Operating Assistance to support the costs of senior transportation and general public transportation on a reduced basis in the amount of $359,376 for the period of January 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003. It was noted that the required assurances are in the Prosecuting Attorney’s office for review and signature and the application would be ready for consideration by the Board on Wednesday.

Chairman Pro-Tem Frey stated the Board would consider the application during their Wednesday session at approximately 10:15 AM.

10:50 A.M.

Interim County Engineer Ed Hoyle provided a brief overview and update on a claim for repair of an electrical system which was damaged during a construction project. Both Mr. Hoyle and Personnel Director Lori Wolford (also in attendance) will do a site visit this week, following which they will provide a recommendation to the Board for settlement.

Road Department organization and structure were reviewed, noting the organizational elements must be decided before a job description for County Road Engineer/Public Works Director can be developed.

Mr. Hoyle advised the position of Field Engineer has been offered to an applicant who has made no firm response to the offer.

Funding for the revised bid for improvements to BZ-Glenwood Highway, Sunnyside Road, Warner Road and Trout Lake Highway project was discussed with Mr. Hoyle recommending an award of bid.

11:25 A.M.

Executive Session

The Board convened into Executive Session with Interim County Engineer Ed Hoyle and Personnel Director Lori Wolford to discuss personnel issues.

The Board reconvened into Regular Session at 12:10 P.M.

Lunch Recess

The Board recessed for lunch at 12:15 P.M.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting for Monday, July 23^rd, 2001

Chairman Pro-Tem Joan Frey reconvened the meeting at 1:06 P.M. Commissioners Present: Joan Frey and Ray Thayer. Chairman Don Struck was absent because of a serious illness in his family.

Agenda

Business Agenda

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) the Business Agenda as presented.

Citizen Comment

There were no citizens wishing to make comments at this time.

Public Meetings/Public Hearings/Bid Openings

Public Meeting – Consider Short Plat SPL2001-00011; Applicant: Jacqueline Taylor

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Approved (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) Short Plat No. SPL2001-00011, which is an alteration of Lot 2 of SP-96-16, the applicant being Jacqueline Taylor.

Public Meeting – Consider Short Plat SPL2001-00012; Applicant: Melvin McDougal

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Approved (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) Short Plat No. SPL2001-00012, which includes a boundary line adjustment affecting Lot 3 of SP-99-17. The applicant is Melvin McDougal with Dick Robins being the owner of Lot 3 of SP-99-17.

Public Meeting – Consider Road Right-of-Way Dedication Within SPL2000-00038; Applicant: James Paul

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Accepted (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) a road right-of-way dedication as shown on SPL2000-00038, for the future maintenance of Counts Road, the applicant being James Paul.

Miscellaneous Reports/Comments

Variance to Klickitat County Burn Ban

Stephanie Stofiel, representing Buck Ghost Horse, said she was directed to talk to the Board about obtaining a variance to the county’s burn ban, so that Mr. Ghost Horse could conduct outdoor burning in preparation for religious ceremonies. Commissioner Frey stated that she had talked briefly to Sheriff Chris Mace about their request and understood that Prosecuting Attorney Jim Hagarty was still studying the issue. Commissioner Thayer suggested that Ms. Stofiel talk to Sheriff Mace.

State Route 35 Project Update

Dale Robins, Project Manager for the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council briefed the Board on the SR 35 Project, which will provide another crossing of the Columbia River in the White Salmon/Hood River vicinity. He stated that there are several corridors where a new crossing might be located. These include: West (Hood River) Corridor, City Center (of Hood River) Corridor, Existing Low Corridor (site of the existing bridge connecting Hood River and White Salmon), Existing High Corridor (using the same site but at a higher elevation of 500 feet), and the East A and East B Corridors that would connect eastern Bingen to I-84 east of Hood River. The study, which first received federal money in 1998, is divided into three tiers. Tier I was completed in June of 2001 and dealt with baseline conditions (what exists now and what the conditions will be in 20 years if a new crossing is not built). Tier I also identified the corridors and recommended the elimination of some of them. Tier II is now studying the corridors now left: City Center, Existing Low and East A. Tier II will also study financial feasibility issues. Tier III will hopefully deal with no more than two options, one being no action at all. There will also be development of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement in Tier III.

Discussion concluded with Mr. Robins stating that a steering committee meeting will be held in September. He also noted that about 60 people came to the last public meeting and that there is a web page for those interested in more information (www.rtc.wa.gov.studies.sr35).

Extension of the Airport Authority Board/ANPC Lease

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) a motion to support The City of The Dalles entering into a lease agreement with the Advance Navigation and Positioning Corporation (ANPC).

Prior to approval of the motion, Bill Coles, Manager of The Dalles Municipal Airport in Dallesport began his briefing by discussing the proposed ANPC lease. He stated that ANPC approached the airport with a proposal that would allow them to test and develop a new landing system in exchange for providing the airport with a free or nearly free system. However, the system is too complicated for use by the airport and the City of The Dalles wants to sign a lease agreement to obtain monetary compensation instead of receiving a system they do not want.

On another topic, Mr. Coles indicated that the City of The Dalles would like to extend for six months the agreement for the Airport Authority Board, which provides for joint management of the airport between Klickitat County and The Dalles. Commissioner Thayer responded that the Board would like to wait until after the next regional board meeting and Mr. Coles agreed, stating that there is a need to define the roles of both parties.

Old Business

Findings, Conclusion and Decision on Appeal of MDNS and Conditional Use Permit for Cliff’s Energy Project

Continued (M/Thayer, S/Frey) to 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 25^th, 2001consideration of findings, conclusion and decision regarding the appeal of the Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (SEP2001-00017) and proposed Conditional Use Permit for the Cliff’s Energy Project, the applicant being GNA Energy LLC and the appellant being Columbia Riverkeeper. Consideration was delayed because of the absence of Chairman Struck.

Consent Agenda

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) the Consent Agenda in its entirety:

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1. Resolution #15101 reappointing Nate Putnam to an additional three-year term on the Stakeholder’s Committee.

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2. Resolution #15201 establishing a review committee and appointing members to the Review Committee for the Dallesport Wastewater System.

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3. Public Utility Easements/Warranty Deed for acquisition of required right-of-way for the Dallesport Wastewater Facility project.

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4. Resolution #15301 authorizing the Code Compliance Officer to commence proceedings to cause the abatement of a nuisance on Parcel No. 05-17-3469-0014/00.

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5. Request for concurrence to award a bid in the amount of $2,702,001.00 to M. L. Houck Construction Co. for the BZ-Glenwood Highway, Warner Road, Sunnyside Road, and Trout Lake Highway project.

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6. Request for transfer of funds in the amount of $162.00 between BARS categories within the Commissioners’ 2001 budget.

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7. Request for transfer of funds in the amount of $280,000.00 between BARS categories within the Road Department’s 2001 budget.
8. Memorandum from the Planning Department scheduling a public meeting at 1:30 P.M. on Monday, July 30^th, 2001 to consider acceptance of a road right-of-way dedication and alteration of Short Plat WS-44, Short Plat No. SPL2001-00008, the applicant being Ray Holtman.

Payment Approvals

Voucher Certification and Approval

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Accounts Payable: (#103843 – 104041, including cancelled warrants #89678, 100712 and 103122) for a net of $542,177.57

Combined Payroll: (#055236 – 055507) $220,100.37

For a combined total of $762,277.94

Executive Session

Executive Session – Personnel Issue

The Board convened into Executive Session at 4:55 P.M. with Interim County Engineer Ed Hoyle regarding a personnel issue.

The Board reconvened back into Regular Session at 5:05 P.M.

Recess (5:05 P.M.)

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was recessed until 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, July 25^th, 2001.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting Extension: Workshop Session for Wednesday, July 25^th, 2001

Chairman Don Struck reconvened the meeting at 10:35 A.M.

Commissioners Present: Don Struck, Joan Frey and Ray Thayer.

Workshop Session Agenda

10:35 A.M.

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) a Federal Transit Administration Section 5311 Operating Assistance grant application in the amount of $359, 376.00 for the period of January 1^st, 2002 through June 30^th, 2003. The purpose of the funding is to support costs of senior transportation and general public transportation. It was noted that the costs to the county will increase due to the loss of Rural Mobility funding which served as a match for Intercity Transportation.

10:40 A.M.

Buildings & Grounds Director John Ihrig was advised that the Board is considering placing the Buildings & Grounds Department under the proposed County Road Engineer/Public Works Director structure. Director Ihrig stated he views the proposed realignment as being positive for his department, given their limited resources specific to equipment and project needs.

An overview was provided on status of various capital improvement projects, which are underway as well as activities at the fairgrounds.

Lunch Recess

The Board recessed for lunch at 12:00 Noon.

Workshop Session Agenda (Continued)

Regular Meeting Extension: Workshop Session for Wednesday, July 25^th, 2001 (Continued)

2:15 P.M.

Adopted (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) Resolution #15401 in the matter of appeal to the Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance SEP2001-00017, GNA Energy L.L.C. for the Cliff’s Energy Project and summary order stating the MDNS is not clearly erroneous and the appeal is hereby dismissed. Included in the summary order are the findings, conclusions and final decision.

Adopted (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Decision in the matter of a request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP2001-00011) to construct and operate a natural gas power generating facility allowing and supporting issuance of a conditional use permit.

Planning Director Curt Dreyer noted there is a 21 day appeal period to the Board’s decision to issue the conditional use permit which has to be filed in Superior Court. He noted that the order and decision will be mailed on July 26^th, 2001 which begins the appeal period.

It was noted for the record that GNA Energy LLC through their legal counsel, Matthew Cohen, presented a Citation of Supplemental Authority, which was presented after closure of the July 2^nd, 2001 public hearing/public testimony and is not included as a part of the record.

2:30 P.M.

County Auditor Diana Housden and Personnel Director Lori Wolford presented options regarding the replacement of the Assistant Deputy Auditor/Voter Registration position within the Auditor’s office. The position will be advertised, and meanwhile will likely hire a poll worker on a temporary basis for possibly two months until the advertised position is filled.

3:00 P.M.

Director Wolford advised that resolution had been reached with ESD #112 regarding hiring of an individual to serve as grant coordinator working with ESD on the "Rural Opportunity After School" program. It was noted that ESD would reimburse the County for all costs.

3:05 P.M.

The Board convened into Executive Session with Personnel Director Lori Wolford to discuss union negotiations and pending personnel issues.

The Board reconvened back into Regular session at 3:45 P.M.

3:45 P.M.

Attendance: Planning Director Curt Dreyer, Resource Development Director Dana Peck and various members of the public.

Planning Director Curt Dreyer recounted that he and Dana Peck had talked to the Board about an "energy overlay" back in March of this year. Following the positive response of the Board, Directors Dreyer and Peck discussed the overlay concept with Special Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Steve DiJulio. Mr. DiJulio had advised that a programmatic EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) would provide the best defense in the event of appeals of energy projects. The EIS would be used as the basis for adoption of comprehensive plan amendments, and amendments to the zoning ordinance. Director Dreyer contacted Jones and Stokes, an environmental consulting firm in Seattle, for an estimate of the cost of preparing and EIS. The estimate was approximately $300,000.

Mr. Dreyer outlined the steps of preparation of the EIS and the costs associated with each and added that the bid process would be required, which may result in a lower cost for preparing the EIS. The overlay would eliminate the conditional use process for wind energy and gas fired power plants in those areas where the overlay zone is applied. Mr. Peck added that the conditional use process presents major uncertainties for potential power developers, and having energy plants as a use permitted outright would be an incentive to locate in Klickitat County. Several potential developers have contacted him during the last few months wanting to know when the overlay might be in place.

Chairman Struck invited others in attendance for their comments.

Comments were supportive of the concept, with participants noting agricultural operations would not be impeded and the wind turbines would bring additional income for the landowners. It was suggested that other forms of energy should be included.

In conclusion, Directors Dreyer and Peck received direction to initiate the bid process.

Adjournment

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 4:30 P.M.

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Reference Document on File