Minutes - Meeting of Monday, November 5^th, 2001

Topic

Agenda Item - Comment/Disposition

Call to Order/Roll Call

Morning Workshop Session – Monday, November 5, 2001

Chairman Don Struck called the meeting to order at 10:10 AM.

Commissioners Present: Don Struck and Joan Frey.

Commissioner Thayer was absent.

Workshop Session Agenda

10:10 AM – Road Department Update

Interim County Engineer Ed Hoyle provided an update on Road Department issues:

• The accounting staff has completed their move to the Road Department.
• County engineer interviews are scheduled to take place on Friday, November 16.
• The mechanic position has been advertised and in-house advertising of the Party Chief position closes November 9.
• The Horseshoe Bend/Wahkiacus project has been completed at a cost of $16,055.
• There was discussion regarding a resident request for either improvements to or closure of O’Brien Road. Engineer Hoyle will review and determine what prompted the request.
• In response to a request from the Campbell Group, the estimate for improvements to 7.5 miles of Wahkiacus Heights Road is between $350,000 to $500,000 for pit run.
• The Road Fund deficit will be about $916,195 requiring a short-term loan while awaiting reimbursement from state funds.

Consultant Jim Miller provided a progress report for the 2001 annual construction program, noting all of the 2001 projects are complete with the exception of the Klickitat-Appleton project.

Discussion ensued regarding the preliminary 2002 annual construction program, advising it is an optimistic program that won’t be feasible unless one additional engineer is hired. The annual construction program does not take into account input from the six-year hearings and projections have not been made past 2002. It was estimated that a $2 million PWTF loan will be necessary to do projects over the next four years at 1% interest, advising the interest rate depends on what the county plans to provide as a match. As proposed, the annual construction plan will also require $775,000 from landfill dollars. Surveying costs can be substantially reduced if the projects are done as small works projects. Mr. Miller advised projects for the 2002 annual construction plan would need to be identified in order to proceed with completion of the six-year plan. Once approved, the annual construction program is finalized with adjustments allowed only if anticipated funding is not received. Mr. Miller received Board direction to proceed with work on the six-year plan and funding sources.

Mr. Hoyle then offered a brief summary of the Dallesport wastewater project, stating that legal counsel had completed consultations with the title company and found that it will cost approximately $8700 to provide an Opinion of Title. The Board advised Mr. Hoyle to proceed. Future treatment plant operation was briefly discussed with the Board concluding that Klickitat County will require assurances in the contract that it will have some authority over how the plant is maintained.

11:40 AM – Senior Services Organizational Chart Revisions/Supplemental Budget/Case Management Lawsuit

Senior Services Director Roger Gadway (with Personnel Director Lori Wolford present) reviewed proposed organizational changes that would move supervision of the transportation coordinator positions from the Office Manager/Information Services Coordinator to the Transportation Manager. There is no proposed increase in salary.

Director Gadway also discussed the need for a supplemental budget due to increased Medicaid trips for kidney dialysis (which are not fully reimbursed) and also over-runs in both senior transportation and senior programs. He noted that accurate figures would be available next week.

Director Gadway also advised the Board of proposed state requirements regarding case management resulting from a recent lawsuit. This will result in increased costs with no funding assistance from the state, adding that the Area Agency is considering returning case management back to the state if they implement the proposed changes.

Lunch Recess

The Board recessed for lunch at 12:00 Noon.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting for Monday, November 5, 2001

Chairman Don Struck reconvened the meeting at 1:04 PM.

Commissioners Present: Don Struck and Joan Frey.

Commissioner Thayer was absent.

Agenda

Business Agenda

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

Approval of Commissioner Meeting Minutes

Approved (M/Frey, S/Struck. Passed unanimously) the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes for September 4, and September 10, 2001 as presented.

Citizen Comment

Gene Herin – Said that he has concerns about the anthrax threat, stating also that he received a flu shot and now has a sore throat. On another topic, Mr. Herin said that Klickitat County spent too much money on the modular office building, suggesting that a "stick built" structure would have been less expensive. Chairman Struck replied that Mr. Herin should tour the new office building so that he could appreciate its quality.

Public Meetings/Public Hearings/Bid Openings

Public Meeting – Consider Approval of Short Plat SPL2001-00021; Applicant: Bruce Beaman

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Granted (M/Frey, S/Struck. Passed unanimously) final approval of Short Plat No. SPL2001-00021 which is a replat of Lot 1 of Short Plat SP-86-12 into two lots. Assistant Planner provided a staff review after which there was discussion regarding well easements and the significant amount of land they tie up.

Consent Agenda

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

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1. Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant Agreement (#C20601) with DSHS/Division of Community Programs.

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2. Resolution #20701 and Application (#C20701) authorizing the Klickitat-Skamania Development Council to apply for a lead-based paint hazard reduction grant in the amount of $70,418.00.

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3. Department of Ecology Grant (#C20801) for the Rock-Glade Management Plan in WRIA 31 in the amount of $50,000.

Road Permits

Permits Approved:

P110501 through P110501-5

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P110501

XL Cable, % Gene Legerski, Casper, WY – Bury and maintain a cable along the south side of Fourth Avenue from M.P. 0.00 to 0.129.

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P110501-1

Alpine Excavation, Lyle, WA – Construct an approach to the east side of Canyon Road at M.P. 9.18.

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P110501-2

Bert Arndt, Dallesport, WA – Construct an approach to the west side of Wahkiacus Heights Road at M.P. 1.70.

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P110501-3

Sprint, % Bill Muncey, Hood River, OR – Remove poles and aerial cable and replace with a buried cable along the east side of the BZ-Glenwood Highway from M.P. 13.16 to 13.61.

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P110501-4

Sprint, % Jesse Stutzman, Evergreen Utility Contractors, The Dalles, OR – Install and maintain a cable crossing of Guler Road at M.P. 0.01.

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P110501-5

Sprint, Hood River, OR – Bury and maintain a cable across Balfour Road at M.P. 0.04.

Payment Approvals

Voucher Certification and Approval

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

Accounts Payable: (#106860 – 107026 and including cancelled warrants #101895 and 106635) for a net of $137,219.18

(There were no payroll/benefit warrants requiring approval at this time.)

Road Department Payments

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Approved M/Frey, S/Struck. Passed unanimously) a Royalty Payment to Art Justman in the amount of $1359.45 for the pit run rock used on the Horseshoe Bend Road project.

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Authorized (M/Frey, S/Struck. Passed unanimously) Progress Payments to Norm Goree & Son Excavating, in the amount of $16,053.00, which includes $802.65 retainage for a net of $15,250.35 for the Horseshoe Bend Road project.

Public Meetings/Public Hearings/Bid Openings

Public Hearing – Community Investment Fund Grant for the Dallesport Wastewater System

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Approved (M/Frey, S/Struck. Passed unanimously.) transmittal of a Community Investment Fund Grant Application (#C20901) and related signatures, in the amount of $750,000 to the Washington Office of Community Development for the purpose of assisting low and moderate income households in Dallesport to offset costs from side sewer connections and septic tank demolition. Prior to approval of the motion, the public hearing proceeded as follows:

Chairman Struck began the proceedings by stating that Klickitat County has been notified by the Washington State Office of Community Development that the county is eligible to receive $750,000 in grant funding for the Dallesport wastewater System. These funds would be used to offset costs from side sewer connections and septic tank demolition for approximately 170 low and moderate income households.

It was noted that project description handouts in both English and Spanish were available in the hearing room and that a Spanish-language translator was available to assist in the hearing process.

Chairman Struck then opened the hearing to all parties in favor of the proposed Community Investment Fund grant application:

Allen Ginnett of Dallesport said that he supports the grant application because of shortfalls in funding from higher governmental entities for projects of this type.

Chairman Struck then asked for further comments in favor and getting no response, noted for the record that there was no further testimony in favor.

Chairman Struck then asked for testimony against the grant application and getting no response, noted for the record that there was no one present offering testimony against the grant application.

He then noted that a second public hearing would be held should the county receive the grant. He then closed the public hearing and asked for any Board comment or clarification.

Commissioner Frey stated that the issue had been well discussed and offered thanks to the Resource Development Department, the Dallesport community, and the advisory board.

Recess (3:50 PM)

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was recessed until 10:30 AM on Wednesday, November 7, 2001.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting Extension: Work Session for Wednesday, November 7, 2001

Chairman Don Struck reconvened the meeting at 10:35 AM. Commissioners Present: Don Struck and Joan Frey.

Commissioner Ray Thayer was absent.

Workshop Session Agenda

10:35 AM – Substance Abuse Board Discussion

Dialogue took place with County Substance Abuse Coordinator Steve White and Interim Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman regarding the present structure of addressing substance abuse treatment and prevention programs. It was noted that non-attendance and attrition of advisory board members has brought about the need to consider restructuring the county’s emphasis to better address substance abuse programs. Discussion concluded with direction to prepare a resolution formally dissolving the Substance Abuse Advisory Board as well as notification to the SAAB and CMASA members of the county’s intended actions.

12:00 Noon – Lunch

1:05 PM – Condit Dam Issues

Attendance: Planning Director Curt Dreyer, Prosecuting Attorney Tim O’Neill, Klickitat County Monitor Publisher Becky Blanton, Goldendale Sentinel News Reporter Jeff Chew and citizens Jim Fritchey, Jerry Smith, Jim Rhodes, George Mercereau, Ken Burhl, Irma Chambers, Howard Kubler and Elaine Kubler.

Jerry Smith expressed concerns regarding a determination by the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) that a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be required on the portion of PacifiCorp’s dam removal project not covered in the 1996 EIS. Mr. Smith stated that DOE would be focusing only on water quality and storm water runoff. He was also concerned that the comment period on the scope of the EIS ends November 21, 2001, noting that he and other members of the Husum Community Council feel the comment period is insufficient considering the magnitude of the overall project.

The presenters requested that the Board make the Condit Dam issue a high priority to be addressed in an aggressive pro-active manner and also suggested that the county consider legal action to challenge the project settlement agreement.

Chairman Struck suggested that the county should proceed to submit comments to DOE before the November 21 deadline, while also investigating the county's status as an intervenor in the FERC re-licensing process.

Jim Rhodes noted the various state and federal regulatory agencies that have allied themselves with PacifiCorp favoring removal of Condit Dam. He stated that the Condit Hydroelectric Project settlement agreement stipulates that parties to the agreement are prohibited from providing comments or reports that are adverse to the Dam Removal Plan that is attached to the agreement. These parties, including the United States Forest Service (USFS), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the Secretary of the Interior, DOE, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. In other words, there appears to be a foregone conclusion among the agencies that dam removal will occur. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) re-licensing process, if followed as intended, should allow opportunity for other utilities to purchase the dam, mitigate for impacts to fish, and continue production of power. With the change of leadership during last year's presidential election, there may have been a change in philosophy, from favoring fish restoration (that may not be likely five miles up the White Salmon River) to favoring energy production. This possibility needs to be explored before DOE proceeds any further with preparation of an EIS from what seems to be a pre-determined position to remove Condit Dam. Mr. Rhodes stated that he has copies of the petition submitted by Brad Anderson, on behalf of Klickitat and Skamania Counties for intervenor status in the FERC relicensing of the dam. Mr. Rhodes concluded that if Klickitat County still has intervenor status, they might be able to change a process that seems headed toward dam removal.

The presenters requested that the Board make the Condit Dam issue a high priority to be addressed in an aggressive pro-active manner and also suggested that the county consider legal action to challenge the project settlement agreement.

Chairman Struck suggested that the county should proceed to submit comments to DOE before the November 21 deadline, while also investigating the county's status as an intervenor in the FERC re-licensing process.

2:10 PM – Klickitat County Economic Issues

Resource Development Director Dana Peck and Business & Retention Specialist Tom Seifert reviewed the history and future economic development activities in Klickitat County. Director Peck also reviewed the history, mission statement and structure of the Klickitat County Public Economic Development Authority (EDA) and will prepare a similar presentation for the full EDA Board. Interim Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman and Goldendale sentinel Reporter Jeff Chew were also present.

3:45 PM – Presentation on In-Stream Flows

Attendance: Watershed Project Coordinator Dave McClure, Planning Director Curt Dreyer, Greg Schuler of the Washington State Department of Ecology, PUD Commissioner Dan Gunkel, Yakama Indian Nation representative Bill Sharpe, City of Goldendale Administrator Larry Bellamy and Goldendale resident Dan Lichtenwald.

Greg Schuler provided a presentation on the intent of watershed planning and main points of interest regarding in-stream flows. Mr. Schuler answered questions from the Board and others present regarding the benefits and challenges of addressing instream flows. It was noted that the Eastern/Central Klickitat Conservation District has taken the responsibility of TMDLs (Total Minimum Daily Loads) and that the Conservation District's work products could be used to support the water quality aspects of watershed planning. The obligations of the initiating governments and subsequent need to recognize governmental units were reviewed. The workshop concluded with the need to schedule an additional workshop with the initiating governments to decide whether or not they desire to include in-stream flows in the scope of work for watershed planning in Water Resource Inventory Area 30.

4:45 – Executive Session

The Board convened into Executive Session with Prosecuting Attorney Tim O’Neill and Personnel Director Lori Wolford to discuss pending litigation.

The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 5:00 PM.

Adjournment

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

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Reference Document on File