Minutes - Meeting of Monday, September 10^th, 2001

Topic

Agenda Item - Comment/Disposition

Call to Order/Roll Call

Morning Workshop Session – Monday, September 10^th, 2001

Chairman Pro-Tem Joan Frey called the meeting to order at 10:10 A.M. Commissioners Present: Joan Frey and Ray Thayer.

Chairman Don Struck was absent.

Workshop Session Agenda

Interim County Engineer Ed Hoyle discussed the proposed Public Works/Road Department, including at which point the County will formally make the change from that of Road Department.

Engineer Hoyle and the Board reviewed comments from the Six Year Road Improvement public hearings held on September 4^th and 5^th. Due to limited funding sources Mr. Hoyle was requested to review and identify available funding sources and to schedule a workshop with the Board for final determination on the Six Year TIP.

Limited discussion was held regarding the work being performed on Lake Road in the vicinity of the Conboy Wildlife Refuge.

Personnel Director Lori Wolford noted that the salary classification/compensation study is underway, with the first phase to be employee review of their respective work descriptions.

The Insurance Committee provided a summary of quotes received for renewal of the county’s health insurance. They concluded with a recommendation to continue with Health Net for the 2002 coverage year. It was noted that Health Net was able to reduce their initial rate proposal from 40% to 21.21% and have also increased the provider network, reduced the budget plan out-of-network deductibles from $500 to $250.00, and now cover CDL physicals. Retirees, who are rated within the active employees group plan, will be placed in their own group pool for the 2002 coverage year to track costs and experience, though their premiums will be the same as the active employee group rate through 2002. Based on experience, the retiree pool rates could see an increase in the next coverage year.

The Board noted they would consider the recommendation as presented and would advise the Personnel Director of their decision.

The Board reviewed the Washington Rural Counties Pool proposal with Prosecuting Attorney Jim Hagarty noting concerns specific to the size of the Rural Insurance Pool versus the Washington Counties Risk Pool who is our current provider. Director Wolford stated reference checks with other counties who are members of the Rural Counties Pool appear satisfied with the services provided. The Board advised further discussion and consideration would be deferred until September 17 at which time Commissioner Struck will be available.

Prosecuting Attorney Hagarty advised of the need to hire a temporary person to fill in for an employee who is on sick leave to which the Board granted their concurrence.

The Board convened into Executive Session with Personnel Director Wolford to discuss bargaining unit negotiations

The Board reconvened into Regular Session at 12:00 Noon.

Lunch Recess

The Board recessed for lunch at 12:00 Noon.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting for Monday, September 10^th, 2001

Chairman Pro-Tem Joan Frey reconvened the meeting at 1:07 P.M. Commissioners Present: Joan Frey and Ray Thayer.

Chairman Don Struck was absent.

Agenda

Business Agenda

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

Citizen Comment

Gene Herin – Said it was ironic that the Maryhill Visitor’s Center is allowed to place a large sign for their wine tasting room, but have not been able to replace the large sign that used to promote Goldendale at the South Columbus exit. On another topic, Mr. Herin criticized the award of approximately $136,000 for placement of a modular office building to house county offices at 131 West Court. He stated that he has seen 4 bedroom modular homes advertised in the newspaper for $34,000. Commissioner Thayer responded that the modular office building is a turnkey bid, complete with foundation and all utilities. Mr. Herin also criticized plans for concerts at the Maryhill Winery, stating that he does not want security provided at taxpayer expense. Commissioner Frey replied that they would probably need to obtain a permit from the State Liquor Control Board, and Commissioner Thayer said that these events provide tourism income to Klickitat County.

Public Meetings/Public Hearings/Bid Openings

Public Meeting – Consider Boundary Line Adjustment BLA2001-00004

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Approved (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) Boundary Line Adjustment BLA2001-00004, altering the boundary line between Lots 1 and 4 of Short Plat SP2000-00004, the applicants being Del Matthews (Westpatriot Investments, Inc.) the owner of Lot 1and Mike Rockwell, the owner of Lot 4. Assistant Planner Jannette Herrington noted in her staff review that the original lot had been divided with the intention of separating the house and shop so that the shop could then be converted into a residence. The owner has now decided not to do convert the shop, so the purpose of this adjustment is to recombine the house and shop.

Public Meeting – Consider Final Approval of SPL2001-00014

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Granted (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) final approval of Short Plat SPL2001-00014 which is a re-division of Lot 1 of Short Plat SP-95-23 into two lots, as adjusted by BL-96-03, the applicant being Pat Driver.

Miscellaneous Reports/Comments

Natural Areas Program Update/Trust Land Transfers

Attendance: Jeannie Demorest and Francine Havercroft of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Dave McClure, consultant for salmon recovery.

Jeannie Demorest and Francine Havercroft briefed the Board on the Natural Areas Program and specifically the Trout Lake and Columbia Hills Management Plans. Ms. Demorest stated that these are interagency projects involving coordinated efforts between the DNR and the Washington State Parks Department that will attempt to address historic, cultural and recreation issues. Noting that a final draft for the Trout Lake Management Plan has been given to the Board, Ms. Demorest said that hunting and related issues will affect planned educational activities. She stated that she would create a draft to be completed next month that will deal with hunting, trespassing and other issues.

Discussion turned to trust land transfers with Ms. Demorest stating that the state is continuing to look for replacement land so that the Monte Cristo and Trout Lake parcels can be set aside. She said the Board would be informed of any new developments.

Dallesport Nuisance Abatement

Building & Compliance Director Skip Grimes briefed the Board on the effort to abate a nuisance at the Dallesport wrecking yard. He commended Sheriff Chris Mace for the professionalism that was displayed during the operation.

Old Business

Amendment to Contract Agreement with Quest Counseling

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Adopted (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) Amendment #1 (#C17301) to Contract Agreement #2001-2003-CD for Chemical Dependency Treatment with Quest Counseling, Inc. Central Services Director Glen Chipman stated that this allows a two month advance in payments to Quest Counseling. He also noted that the amendment was reviewed and approved by the Prosecuting Attorney’s office.

Consent Agenda

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

1. Memorandum from the Planning Department scheduling a public meeting at 1:30 P.M. on Monday, October 15^th, 2001 to con-sider the Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve a rezone of property (80 acres) from Extensive Agriculture (EA) and Forest Resource (FR) to General Rural (GR), ZON2001-00001, the applicant being Louis Huzar of Echo Glen Farms.

Permits Approved:

P091001 through P091001-2

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P091001

Myron Smith, Dallesport, WA – Construct an approach to the west side of Dalles Mountain Road at M.P. 1.83.

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P091001-1

James D. Brashers, Lyle, WA – Push, bore and maintain a waterline under Lyle-Snowden Road at M.P. 0.33.

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P091001-2

Sprint, Hood River, OR – Bury and maintain a cable along the north and east sides of Pine Forest Road from M.P. 2.85 to 3.50.

Payment Approvals

Road Department Contract Pay Estimate Payments

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Authorized (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) Progress Payments to Tom Arnold Logging, Inc., in the amount of $71,550.40, which includes $3577.52 retainage for a net of $67,972.88 for the Lyle-Snowden Road project.

Voucher Certification and Approval

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Approved Warrants (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously):

Accounts Payable: (#105242 – 105246, including cancelled warrant #105042) for a net of $170,597.74

Combined Payroll: (#056069 – 056352, 105228 – 105241 & Electronic Trans. # 84) $396,160.03

For a combined total of $566,757.77

Recess (5:30 P.M.)

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was recessed until 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, September 12, 2001.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting Extension: Workshop Session for Wednesday, September 12^th, 2001

Chairman Pro-Tem Joan Frey reconvened the meeting at 9:30 A.M. Commissioners Present: Joan Frey and Ray Thayer.

Chairman Don Struck was absent.

Workshop Session Agenda

Commissioners Thayer and Frey met with Building/Grounds Director John Ihrig at the Fairgrounds to view potential sites for the new restroom/shower facility.

Central Services Director Glen Chipman reviewed the preliminary 2002 budget document as well as the budget calendar for the remainder of the year.

For the record, Commissioner Thayer left to attend a Klickitat County Transportation Committee meeting in Bingen. He returned at 3:30 P.M.

Attendance: Columbia River Gorge Commission Executive Director Martha Bennett, Gorge Commissioners Kenn Adcock, Wayne Wooster, Doug Crow, and Kathy Sheehan; Keith Frederickson of the Gorge Commission Public Outreach, Resource Development Director Dana Peck, Building & Compliance Director Skip Grimes, Special Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Steve DiJulio, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tim O’Neill, consultants Dave Sauter and Steven Andersen and Goldendale resident Daniel Lichtenwald.

Director Martha Bennett provided the Board with the preliminary list of plan review issues and comments resulting from a series of public meetings, which the Gorge Commission used to gather input on revisions to their Management Plan. A general discussion was held regarding the nature of comments received. It was concluded that the County will need to review the 91 issues and provide comments to the Gorge Commission no later than October 1^st as to the County’s priorities.

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