Minutes - Meeting of Tuesday, September 4^th, 2001

Topic

Agenda Item - Comment/Disposition

Call to Order/Roll Call

Morning Workshop Session – Tuesday, September 4^th, 2001

Chairman Don Struck called the meeting to order at 9:30 A.M. Commissioners Present: Don Struck, Joan Frey and Ray Thayer.

Workshop Session Agenda

The Board convened into Executive Session with Special Counsel Steve DiJulio, Interim County Engineer Ed Hoyle and Solid Waste Director Tim Hopkinson to discuss negotiations with the Regional Disposal Company (RDC).

The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 10:30 A.M.

Interim County Engineer Ed Hoyle notified the Board that the Bear Creek arbitration hearing will be held on September 18^th with Office Engineer Keith Grundei and himself in attendance. The location has yet to be determined.

Also discussed was how best to provide an informational format for the upcoming hearing on the 6-Year Road Plan.

Attendance: Personnel Director Lori Wolford, Hugh Whitson of McCoy Holliston Insurance and Jay Bair, Roger Chamberlain and Randy Strom of Canfield and Associates, carrier for the Washington Rural Counties Risk Pool.

Options were discussed as Klickitat County considers changing its present insurance coverage from the Washington Counties Risk Pool to the Washington Rural Counties Risk Pool. Concern was expressed that a change would result in the loss of a long-term relationship and with Alicia Johnson in particular. Rates, savings and variables on premiums were also discussed. The Board noted that a decision would need to be made sometime in September, which is the deadline to inform the present carrier if the choice is made to terminate the present relationship.

Personnel Director Lori Wolford and Insurance Committee members Dani Burton, Larry Barker, Dave Haines, Jan Perez and Steve Nygaard presented the various options for health care providers and made a recommendation to go with Healthnet at a 21.21% increase.

Personnel Director Lori Wolford notified the Board that should Klickitat County select the Washington Rural Counties Risk Pool for its insurance needs, the pool is willing to provide in-house training for up to 10 employees at no extra cost.

Director Wolford also noted that the classification and compensation study of county positions is moving ahead as scheduled.

Lunch Recess

The Board recessed for lunch at 12:10 P.M.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting for Tuesday, September 4^th, 2001

Chairman Don Struck reconvened the meeting at 1:07 P.M.

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

Agenda

Business Agenda

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) the Business Agenda with one addition under New Business: Multi-User Disposal Site Project (MUDS)

Approval of Commissioner Meeting Minutes

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes for July 30^th, and August 6^th, 2001 as read and/or corrected.

Citizen Comment

There were no citizens wishing to make public comment.

Public Meetings/Public Hearings/Bid Openings

Public Hearing – Proposed Revisions and Extension to the Klickitat County Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program

Chairman Struck opened the public hearing and noted that this plan covers the period from 2002 to 2007. He then introduced Interim County Engineer Ed Hoyle.

Interim County Engineer Hoyle stated that he was a county employee from 1978 to 1995. He noted that in his tenure in the Road Department that Klickitat County did few road improvements as the county had very limited funding. Now the county has revenues from the regional landfill, but there is still a backlog of needed improvements. Mr. Hoyle added that the purpose of these public hearings is to solicit public comments as a guide in helping the Board of County Commissioners in selecting and planning improvements. He noted that even though changes can be made at any time, there is an effort to keep planning intact for the next two to three years as the Road Department must put in place engineering, environmental processes and right-of-way acquisition. He stated that there is a geographical focus so that materials such as crushed rock can be concentrated for greatest efficiency. Mr. Hoyle noted that Klickitat County is responsible for a total of 1084 miles of county road: 432 miles of paved road, 519 miles of gravel and 133 miles of dirt road. He added that local access roads, which do not qualify for most federal and state funding, have been prioritized and are being paid for with landfill dollars. He noted a large map in the chambers with roads on the six-year plan having been color-coded. In answer to a question from the audience, he stated that financial aspects are not the only consideration and human need and population factors figure into the decision making process.

Chairman Struck expressed his thanks to recently retired County Engineer Jim Miller for his aggressive approach to the road plan and then opened the public hearing to the public:

Mark Baughan of 536 Turkey Ranch Road, Goldendale, noted that there were large contingents of citizens from both Old Mountain and Turkey Ranch Roads in attendance. He thanked the county for the reconstructive improvements already made, but suggested that these improvements will be lost and will need to be duplicated if the road isn’t hard surfaced soon. He also presented a petition with 54 signatures from residents of Turkey Ranch Road and the surrounding area.

Sig Skowron of 704 Turkey Ranch Road said that improvements to his road are "getting torn up".

Karr Lewis of 355 Old Mountain Road, Goldendale, said that he has gotten three flat tires in the last month traveling on Old Mountain Road, even though his tires are fairly new. He also stated that the grader operator needs to be instructed to bring the loose gravel out to the center of the road.

John Crock of 708 Dooley Road, south of Centerville, stated that he is representing Louis Costner and other neighbors not able to attend. Mr. Crock stated that the construction of an additional cell phone tower will increase traffic and accompanying dust.

Joseph Bradwell of 1212 Ownby Road, Goldendale, stated that the unpaved portions of Old Mountain Road are unsafe as there are sections too narrow to allow oncoming traffic. He asked if the Board had made an onsite visit, and Commissioners Thayer and Frey replied that they had.

Bill Garren of 1053 Knotty Pine, Goldendale, said that he appreciates that part of Old Mountain Road that has been hard surfaced. However, the part that is not, is being graded improperly with the "fines" being pushed to the edge and berms being created across driveways. He added that the road is narrowing.

Jack Bisson of 244 Old Mountain Road said that he lives on a curve and notices many parts that have fallen off of vehicles. He added that the boulders need to be removed and some dirt added to the road to help the surface consistency.

Alice Bartoo of 567 Buckskin Lane suggested that Old Mountain Road should now be paved from the present end of the paving to its intersection with Ownby Road.

Russell Bartoo of 567 Buckskin Lane stated that Klickitat County should take over that part of Old Mountain Road that is still private (Buckskin Lane to Box Canyon Road).

Marian Pace of 608 Turkey Ranch Road remarked that it has taken nine years for a culvert to be installed (at her driveway) and added that her road shakes vehicles "to pieces".

Bob Butts of 546 Turkey Ranch Road said he has been a resident for 24 years and though he appreciates the improvements made so far, the grading hasn’t been good as fines are being pushed to the side. He asked why Cedar Valley Road was seal coated when Turkey Ranch Road residents have been here longer. He added that the Road Department used to sand Turkey Ranch Road, but have now been told that they won’t sand gravel roads despite the fact that there is often four inches of ice on the surface. He concluded by suggesting that the county could save money by hard surfacing those roads that have been reconstructed, rather than wait and have them deteriorate.

Lori Montour of 7 Seely Drive presented a petition from those county residents who use Garrison Road. She noted that the number of residents is increasing, with a lot of recreational vehicle traffic on the unpaved portion of Garrison Road. She added that the road returns to poor condition only a few days after it is graded and suggested it be hard surfaced.

Terry Scott of 445 Spring Creek Road, Goldendale, said he supports the present road plan, noting that Spring Creek Road is the number one priority with connecting West Winterstein Road also a high priority. He asked that these roads not be downgraded.

Jim Miller of 665 Garner Road, Centerville, offered general support for the present road plan. He asked that the county not forget the 3^rd and 4^th generation families who have been driving on dirt roads for the last century.

Stephanie Gonyeau of 740 Turkey Ranch Road said the she wants her road hard surfaced and complained that the ruts are so deep that it makes even walking difficult. She added that grading seems to occur right before it rains instead of after.

Toni Reita of 724 Turkey Ranch Road said that she appreciates the improvements to the road but that the improvements will not last until the scheduled time for it to be hard surfaced (2003) because it is so hilly.

Dwight Ellis of 724 Turkey Ranch Road stated that the hairpin turn just before Mill Creek is very narrow and when ruts are graded, they are merely covered up. He suggested that the hard surfacing of Turkey Ranch Road should be moved up to save the improvements already made.

Steve Richardson of 3 Barber Drive, Goldendale, said that the unpaved section of Old Mountain Road is in such poor shape that no one drives the speed limit of 35 MPH. He also noted the fatal accident at the intersection of Old Mountain and Badger Gulch Roads.

Jeff Teal of 570 Hearthside Lane, Goldendale, expressed his support for improvements to Turkey Ranch Road and said he appreciates the road plan process.

Alita Quantrell of 543 Turkey Ranch Road said that if hard surfacing of Turkey Ranch Road isn’t done until 2003 more rock will be used. She also asked that fog lines be painted on Knight Road as this would be very helpful in the winter. Chairman Struck replied that fog lines are expensive and Commissioner Frey said the cost is about $200 per mile.

Rebecca Eames of 603 Turkey Ranch Road wants improvements to her road as soon as possible as it "beats our car to death" and there is a bad dust problem.

Jan Stevens of 331 Old Mountain Road stated that the condition of her road is a problem for those residents who are disabled, and noted that she uses oxygen. She added that it is frightening that emergency vehicles can only go about 5 MPH.

Diana Pafford of 1280 Ownby Road said that many new families now use Old Mountain Road. She stated that she had to replace all four tires on her vehicle last week because one tire was destroyed by bad road conditions. She asked that further improvements to Old Mountain Road be made sooner than the four to six years it may now take. She added that many bad drivers use Old Mountain Road and it would help to have more patrols by law enforcement personnel.

Steve Stevens of 331 Old Mountain Road doesn’t understand why Old Mountain Road is no longer on the road plan when roads such as Box Canyon Road are on the plan and don’t service as many people. He stated that the dustiest and most rutted section of Old Mountain Road is where all the people live. He added that over 200 people use this part of the road and improvements need to be completed in two to three years.

David Mason of 719 Turkey Ranch Road said he wants the county to reconsider how roads are prioritized, suggesting some roads on the six-year plan shouldn’t have a high priority. He stated that his car and truck have both needed major suspension repairs because of poor road conditions.

Robert Thornton of 382 Old Mountain Road said that he could not get an emergency vehicle to come to his home after he suffered an accident last year. He added that the road is so unsafe that school buses won’t travel his part of the road.

Herman Schultz of 567 Spring Creek Road said that in a two-day period he has counted 320 vehicles using his road, many of them going too fast. He also stated that the grading is not done properly as there is now loose gravel on the sides of the road that is in some places two feet higher than the road surface.

Minnie Brim of 505 Browns Road, Goldendale, also remarked that loose gravel builds up on the sides of Turkey Ranch Road. She then related the great difficulties a tow truck was having pulling a school bus back on the road last winter. She questioned why gravel roads are not sanded when the ice can become so thick.

Joanne Walling questioned the training that grader operators receive.

Jasper Chambers said he supports the Winterstein Road project. He also suggested that the grader operators were simply following instructions by moving the loose gravel off to the side in the summer and then grading the material back to the center of the road in the wet part of the year.

Commissioner Thayer agreed with Mr. Chambers, stating that the fines are removed during the dry season, then put back on the road surface in the winter.

Chairman Struck noted that all those present had been given the opportunity to speak and reminded those gathered of a second chance to comment on the road plan at the continuation of this public hearing tomorrow, September 5^th, 2001 at 6:30 P.M. at the Lyle Lions Community Center in Lyle.

Public Hearing – Consider Supplements and Amendments to the Dallesport Wastewater System Fund 2001 Budget

*

Adopted (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) Resolution #17901 approving supplemental appropriations and amendments for the Dallesport Wastewater System Fund #401 ($4,835,200) and Cumulative Reserve Fund #125 ($622,751) for a total of $5,457,951. Chairman Struck noted for the record that there was no one present who wished to give public testimony.

Old Business

Bid Award Recommendation for Dallesport Wastewater Project

*

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) the award of two bids:

• The James W. Fowler Company, Dallas, OR in the amount of $6,614,532.96 for the Dallesport Wastewater Collection System, and
• IMCO General Construction, Bellingham, WA in the amount of $4,706,930.30 for the Dallesport Wastewater Treatment Facility.

Consent Agenda

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

1. Memorandum from the Planning Department scheduling:

• A public hearing at 1:30 P.M. on Monday, September 24^th, 2001 to hear testimony and review a proposal for a variance to reduce the road right-of-way standards from 60 ft. to 30 ft. along the west boundary of Lot 1 for proposed Boundary Line Adjustment BLA2001-00007, the applicant being Mike Rockwell, and

• Two public meetings at 1:30 P.M. on Monday, October 8^th, 2001 to consider approval to re-divide Lot 2, SP-99-07, Short Plat No. SPL2001-00003, the applicant being Hal Davidson, and to consider acceptance of a road right-of-way dedication within Short Plat No. SPL2000-00043, the applicant being Dale Richardson.

2. Reimbursable work order with the City of White Salmon for road construction projects on Vine and NE Tohomish streets.

3. Transfer Authorization to move the expense of $12,922.89 from the Auditor’s budget to the Non-Departmental Budget, Wage/Benefit-Misc. BARS #001/511.11.10.00.

4. Agreement (#C17201) with the State of Washington, Office of the Administrator of the Courts for purposes of increasing the number of children served by court-appointed special advocated (CASAs) in dependency cases.

5. Resolution #18001 establishing policies for providing communications and dispatch services to other governmental agencies and establishing an annual fee of $1460.00 per person affiliated with the other governmental agency.

(There were no Road Department permits to be approved at this time.)

Payment Approvals

Road Department Contract Pay Estimate Payments

*

Authorized (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) two Progress Payments to James Dean Construction, Inc:

• In the amount of $15,051.41, which includes $752.57 retainage for a net of $14,298.87 for the Lakeside Road project, and
• In the amount of $45,505.50, which includes $2275.27 retainage for a net of $43,230.22 for Hartland Area Roads.

Voucher Certification and Approval

*

Approved Warrants (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) two separate voucher certification amounts:

Accounts Payable: (#105027 – 105223 & 93264) $203,607.56 (This voucher includes Payroll Warrants #056068 & 055758 for a net of $0), and

Accounts Payable: (#105224 – 105227 & 93265) $5860.41

For a combined total of $209,467.97

Miscellaneous Reports/Comments

Multi User Disposal Site Project (MUDS)

Attendance: Jim Hodge, Kevin Evanto and Jeff Starin of TAU, LLC, Anne Fennessy of Cocker/Fennessy Consultants, Ty Ross of Tri-County Disposal, Solid Waste Director Tim Hopkinson and Resource Development Director Dana Peck.

Mr. Hodge began the discussion by informing the Board of an opportunity for the Roosevelt Regional Landfill to accept dredging sediment from Puget Sound. He noted that the Roosevelt site is perhaps the most economically viable because of the large quantities of sediment (estimated at perhaps ten million cubic yards) involved. He added that the sediments are not considered to be hazardous waste as the contamination levels are very low.

Ms. Fennessy stated that the Roosevelt Landfill is the best environmentally acceptable solution to disposal of these sediments and Klickitat County stands to gain significant revenues in tipping fees.

Discussion concluded with participants stating that communication will continue as the various parties are brought into this project.

Recess (5:15 P.M.)

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was recessed until 6:30 P.M. on Wednesday, September 5^th, 2001 for a continuation of the public hearing regarding the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting Extension: Wednesday, September 5^th, 2001

Chairman Don Struck reconvened the meeting at 6:30 P.M. at the Lyle Lions Community Center in Lyle.

Commissioners Present: Don Struck and Joan Frey. Commissioner Ray Thayer was absent.

Public Hearing

Chairman Don Struck opened the public hearing, noting the presence of fellow Commissioner Joan Frey, Clerk of the Board Larry Gourley and Interim County Engineer Ed Hoyle. Commissioner Ray Thayer was absent. Chairman Struck asked Mr. Hoyle for an introduction and Mr. Hoyle responded with a statement making the same points as his introductory remarks at yesterday’s public hearing. Chairman Struck then asked for public comments:

Russell Odle of 2 Snowden Cutoff Road, Appleton vicinity, said that he has been a resident of this road for 33 years and was told that the county would take care of the road within five years of his moving there. He added that logging trucks cause a major dust problem and the grading hasn’t removed the holes caused by these trucks. He added that after a conversation with Commissioner Frey, the county did apply gravel to the road but it didn’t cover the entire width.

Barbara Sexton of 20 Balch Road, Lyle, noted that improvements to her road are priority number 35 and scheduled for 2003. She requested that the project be moved forward. She also asked that the county address two other issues, the first being the hard to read stop sign at the intersection of Johnson Avenue and 7^th Street in Lyle. She was also concerned that sidewalks, including a walkway to the Lyle High School, have yet to be completed. Commissioner Frey replied that they continue to be in the road plan though noting that sidewalks are very expensive.

Darrell Hoover of 20 Melody Lane, Snowden, said he is a 21 year resident and that parts of Snowden Road are very dangerous, presenting pictures of the road showing numerous large rocks. He stated that the road returns to its poor condition only two days after grading and it is difficult to get up the grade except in summer. He added that there are special problems when snow is pushed to the side, resulting in just one lane. He also noted that a local theatre has increased traffic in the area.

Ed Farrell of 6 Melody Lane added his support to Darrell Hoover’s comments. In reply to a question from Chairman Struck, he noted that the theatre only operates in the summer.

Chris Patrick of 18 Hartwig Road, Lyle, said that he would like to see Oda Knight Road become a county road.

Cal Edwards of 683 Struck Road, Lyle expressed thanks that the county paved his road. He stated that the Road Department had done an excellent job and noted that their employees were hard workers who took short breaks.

Doug Taylor of 876 Centerville Highway, Lyle, said that the local fire district has problems getting their trucks around the curve and accessing Struck Road from the Centerville Highway. He suggested that widening and extending road surfaces would allow access. He also would like to see unpaved portions of Schilling Road hard surfaced, anticipating another fire hall on that road.

Kevin Smith of 1290 Snowden Road said that his road is dusty and dangerous. He noted that the road is scheduled to be hard surfaced in 2004 but would like it moved up as there are many families that have moved in. He added that there are culverts that are out of the ground because of erosion.

Elena Smith of 1290 Snowden Road thanked the county for road improvements but noted a letter to the Road Department suggesting improvements including removing portions of a bank.

Nate Putnam of 119 Glenwood Highway, Glenwood, said that on behalf of the Campbell Group he wished to thank the county for improvements to Lakeside Road, plus others including the BZ-Glenwood Highway. He stated that these improvements provide needed access for their logging operation and noted that Canyon Road was also on the six-year plan. He added that his company also wants to see Lakeside road completed and improvements made to Wahkiacus Road.

Linda Stair of 2 Rick Bob Lane, White Salmon, said that unpaved parts of Courtney Road are impaired by dust problems. Sharp curves and steep grades also cause risks.

Fred Heany of 293 Courtney Road, White Salmon, expressed thanks for the paving on his road noting there are now 35 families at the top of the hill. He also noted a rather sharp crown at the top that tilts toward the Columbia River. The narrowness of this section also makes it more dangerous as does the steep grade especially in the winter.

Chairman Struck noted that all participants have had the opportunity to comment and closed the hearing. He stated that the Board would continue to accept written testimony and weigh all comments as they make their decisions.

Adjournment

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 P.M.