Minutes - Meeting of Monday, November 26^th, 2001

Topic

Agenda Item - Comment/Disposition

Call to Order/Roll Call

Morning Workshop Session – Monday, November 26, 2001

Chairman Don Struck called the meeting to order at 10:05 AM.

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

Workshop Session Agenda

10:05 AM – Road Department Update

Interim County Engineer Hoyle briefed the Board on current issues. Also in attendance were Consultant Jim Miller and Goldendale Sentinel Reporter Jeff Chew:

• A resolution has been prepared for Board consideration on a bid award for upgrade of the south entrance of the courthouse. This is Item 3 of the Consent Agenda.
• The speed limit of SR 14 through Lyle was discussed, with Commissioner Frey stating that the Washington State Department of Transportation wants to raise the speed limit from 35 MPH to 40 MPH, while most of the community, including the Lyle Community Council is in support of lowering the limit to 25 MPH.
• He noted that money from the Public Works Trust Fund has dried up for 2002. This will force Klickitat County to find alternate funding or cut projects, noting there is a reduction of $865,000 in what is now being presented to the Board.
• Discussion focussed on the Six-Year Road Plan with participants concluding that ways should be explored to prioritize Garrison, Turkey Ranch and Old Mountain Roads.
• Mr. Miller said that it is his experience that, in the long term, there is little difference in maintenance costs between hard surfaced and gravel roads.
• Chairman Struck stated that he wanted the Snowden Road project moved up in priority. He also stated that Powerhouse Road could be improved as a miscellaneous project. Mr. Miller suggested that the county might wish to wait until the Condit Dam issue is resolved.

Lunch Recess

The Board recessed for lunch at 12:05 PM.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting for Monday, November 26, 2001

Chairman Don Struck reconvened the meeting at 1:05 PM.

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

Agenda

Business Agenda

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) the Business Agenda with one addition: consideration of approval of commissioner meeting minutes for September 17, September 24 and October 1, 2001.

Approval of Commissioner Meeting Minutes

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes for September 17, September 24, and October 1, 2001 as presented.

Citizen Comment

Janis Sauter – Distributed and read from a memo thanking the Board for their efforts to address the issue of Scenic Area mapping errors. However she has objections to Steven Andersen being the consultant on this issue, noting among other things that his firm had been hired by the Gorge Commission to do a land use inventory of Skamania County. Commissioner Frey replied that the exposure that Mr. Andersen has had doesn’t necessarily create a bias. Chairman Struck said that he has known Mr. Andersen for 20 years and that he is intelligent and experienced. He added that he supports Mr. Andersen.

On another topic, Ms. Sauter read from another memo regarding the purchase of Lyle Point by the Trust for Public Lands (TPL). The memo said that, contrary to claims by the TPL and others, Lyle Point was not a cultural resource of Native Americans and that development of the site would not block access to tribal fishing grounds. The memo also noted problems that residents have had with Gorge Commission and Forest Service issues.

Miscellaneous Reports/Comments

Personnel Department Update

Personnel Director Lori Wolford and the Board discussed several issues:

• Comparables for the Classification and Compensation Study were discussed. It was emphasized that these comparisons do not obligate the Board to meet or exceed the recommendation.
• The Direct Deposit issue was discussed, with Director Wolford stating that a test will be conducted in December to assure that everything is working properly.
• Director Wolford noted that several questions had arisen regarding the Board’s decision to allow county employees to leave at 3:00 PM on December 24, notably the possible need to charge and document overtime hours of employees who would be working six hours, but being paid for eight. The Board suggested that some staff were unnecessarily complicating the issue.
• The open Health Director position was discussed and it was noted that interviews would begin December 3.
• Director Wolford informed the Board she would be taking risk pool training in Skamania County from January 14 to the 18. The county is not charged for these classes.
• A draft letter was discussed that would allow Klickitat County to choose whether or not to defend an employee in the instance that there was the possibility of a judgement awarding punitive damages.

Executive Session - Bargaining Unit Negotiations/

Commissioner Frey Leaves Meeting

The Board convened into Executive Session with Personnel Director Lori Wolford at 2:25 to discuss bargaining unit negotiations.

It was noted for the record that Commissioner Frey left the meeting for a medical appointment at 2:35 PM.

The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 3:00 PM.

Consent Agenda

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

1. Memorandum from the Planning Department scheduling three public meetings for 1:30 PM on Monday, December 17, 2001 to consider:

• Final approval of Short Plat No. SPL2001-00038, an alteration to SP-95-08, the applicant being Bill Hopper.
• Final approval of Short Plat No. SPL2001-00010, an alteration of Lot 4 of SP-79-37R, the applicant being Rob Kroder.
• Final approval of Roosevelt Replat No. P-97-02, the representative being Pete Keller.

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2. Joint resolutions of the Clark, Klickitat and Skamania Boards of County Commissioners appointing trustees to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Board:

Resolution #21201 reappointing Jerry King to Position 4 representing Clark County for a term expiring December 31, 2008,

Resolution #21201 appointing Karen Peterson to Position 1 representing Clark County for a term expiring December 31, 2003.

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3. Resolution #21401 upgrading the south entrance doors to the Courthouse to include panic exit devices.

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4. Human Services Council Contract Amendment (#C21101) to the Medicaid Transportation Contract to provide a two tiered rate.

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5. Request for transfer of funds between BARS categories: within the General Administration budgets in the amount of $22,250.00; within WSU in the amount of $14,600.00; and within Resource development in the amount of $10,500.00.

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6. Resolution #21501 setting a public hearing for 1:30 PM on Monday, December 10, 2001 to consider supplements and amendments to the 2001 Budget in the amount of $248,240.00.

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7. Klickitat County Public Defender Contract (#C21201) for 2002-2003 between Klickitat County Superior Court and Attorneys Rick L. Hansen, Gwendolyn Grundei and Gerald A. Matosich in the amount of $120,000.

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8. Resolution #21601 authorizing Klickitat County to receive a State Revolving Fund Loan for the Dallesport Wastewater System.

Road Permits

Permits Approved:

P112601 through P112601-6

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P112601

Robert Oglesby, White Salmon, WA – Install water and sewer services across West Main Street at M.P. 0.14.

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P112601-1

Northwest Natural Gas, The Dalles, OR – Install and maintain a natural gas line across Lincoln Street at M.P. 0.11.

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P112601-2

Northwest Natural Gas, The Dalles, OR – Install and maintain a natural gas line across Schilling Road at M.P. 3.99.

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P112601-3

Fred Newman, Carson, WA – Construct an approach to the north side of West Main Street at M.P. 0.14.

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P112601-4

Washington State Department of Natural Resources, White Salmon, WA – Construct an approach to the east side of Trout Lake Highway at M.P. 12.52.

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P112601-5

Sprint, Hood River, OR – Install and maintain a buried cable along the north right-of-way of High Prairie Road from M.P. 1.60 to 2.02 with a crossing at Hartland Road.

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P112601-6

Sprint, Hood River, OR – Install and maintain a buried cable along the north right-of-way of Lyle-Snowden Road from M.P. 4.86 to 4.94 then north easterly along the south side of Appleton Road from M.P. 0.00 to 0.74.

Commissioner Frey Rejoins Meeting

For the record, Commissioner Frey rejoined the meeting at 3:30 PM.

Miscellaneous Reports/Comments

Discussion Regarding Economic and Community Development

There was discussion regarding the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the general direction of economic and community development within Klickitat County. Those participating were Resource Development Director Dana Peck, Business Retention & Expansion Specialist Tom Seifert and Dallesport resident Mike Smith. Chairman Struck suggested a workshop for early January to discuss community development and other long-term economic strategies.

Payment Approvals

Voucher Certification and Approval

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

Combined Payroll: (#057491 – 057811, 107471 – 107489 & Electronic Trans. # 89) $457,098.16

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

Accounts Payable: (#107490 – 107553) $31,557.23

Miscellaneous Reports/Comments

There was dialogue with Planning Director Curt Dreyer and Dallesport resident Mike Smith regarding the Growth Management Act. Participants discussed a small works contract to hire a consultant who could identify the county’s aggregate resources.

Recess (5:10 PM)

Motion by Frey, second by Struck to recess the meeting until 10:30 AM on Wednesday, November 28, 2001, at which time the Board will consider a resolution to appoint Jeff Eiesland to the Economic Development Authority and conduct scheduled workshops. Motion passed unanimously.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting Extension: Workshop Session for Wednesday, November 28, 2001

Chairman Don Struck reconvened the meeting at 9:15 AM.

Commissioners Present: Don Struck and Ray Thayer.

Commissioner Joan Frey arrived at 9:45 AM.

Workshop Session Agenda

9:15 AM – Columbia Gorge Regional/The Dalles Municipal Airport; Contract for Dallesport Wastewater Treatment Plant

Attendance: Special Counsel Steve DiJulio, Skamania Prosecuting Attorney Brad Andersen, Interim County Engineer Ed Hoyle, Prosecuting Attorney Tim O’Neill, Resource Development Director Dana Peck, Solid Waste Director Tim Hopkinson, Planning Director Curt Dreyer and Watershed Project Coordinator Dave McClure.

Participants discussed an operations agreement between Klickitat County and the City of The Dalles for the Columbia Gorge Regional/The Dalles Municipal Airport. Special Counsel Steve DiJulio stated that his firm Foster, Pepper & Shefelman would present a draft document to the county before the next meeting of the airport board.

Also discussed was the contract for operation of the Dallesport Wastewater Treatment Plant. Participants noted the need for more meetings to refine contract terms.

9:55 AM – Executive Session – Condit Dam

The Board convened into Executive Session with Special Counsel Steve DiJulio, Skamania Prosecuting Attorney Brad Andersen, Interim County Engineer Ed Hoyle, Prosecuting Attorney Tim O’Neill, Resource Development Director Dana Peck, Solid Waste Director Tim Hopkinson, Planning Director Curt Dreyer, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Shawn Anderson and Watershed Project Coordinator Dave McClure to discuss potential legal action regarding the Condit Dam.

The Board reconvened into Regular Session at 11:00 AM.

11:10 AM – Gorge Commission Meeting

Attendance: David Sauter, consultant for Gorge issues, Prosecuting Attorney Tim O’Neill, Gorge Commissioner for Klickitat County Kenn Adcock, Special Counsel Steve DiJulio, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Shawn Anderson, Skamania Prosecuting Attorney Brad Andersen, Goldendale Sentinel Reporter Jeff Chew, and Goldendale resident Daniel Lichtenwald. Steven Andersen, consultant on gorge mapping errors and his wife Juanita arrived at 11:45 AM.

Consultant David Sauter updated participants on the recent meeting of the Gorge Commission, focussing on the Plan Review process currently being developed. A recommended list of Plan Review issues and a report on testimony were distributed.

Consultant Steven Andersen reviewed his Gorge Area mapping report that had previously been presented to the Board. He discussed the Lyle Urban Area and what direction Klickitat County should take on this issue. There was general agreement that the county would continue staff discussions regarding boundary revisions to the Lyle and Dallesport Urban Area boundaries.

12:00 Noon – Lunch

2:00 PM – Instream Flows

Attendance: PUD Executive Director Brian Skeahan, Goldendale City Administrator Larry Bellamy, Watershed Project Coordinator Dave McClure and Goldendale resident Daniel Lichtenwald.

There was discussion on whether the initiating parties for Watershed Inventory Resource Area (WRIA) 30, Klickitat County, City of Goldendale and the PUD, will want to include Instream Flows for the scope of work for WRIA 30. A vote of the three parties was taken and it was unanimously agreed that Instream Flows would not be included in the scope of work for WRIA 30.

3:40 PM – Rails to Trails Issue

Attendance: John Stanley of Columbia Title Company, Watershed Project Coordinator Dave McClure, Prosecuting Attorney Tim O’Neill, Planning Director Curt Dreyer, Sheriff Chris Mace, Warwick resident Cris Mattson, Lyle Community Council representative Jim Rutledge and Goldendale resident Daniel Lichtenwald.

John Stanley gave an historical briefing on how rail banking has come about, and the different types of right-of-way easements that rail lines were established under. He stated that roughly 60% of the 120 property owners on the Burlington Northern Corridor from Lyle to Goldendale are by right-of-way waiver. Mr. Stanley answered various questions, emphasizing his own personal opinion that he is not against these trails but that it is a property rights issue. Trespass issues were also discussed.

4:45 PM – Appointment of Jeff Eiesland to Economic Development Authority

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) Resolution #21701 appointing Jeff Eiesland to the Klickitat County Economic Development Authority (EDA) to fill the position vacated through the resignation of Alice Courtney. The appointment is to complete an unexpired one-year term which terminates December 31, 2001 and to an additional one-year term which terminates December 31, 2002.

Adjournment

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 4:55 PM.

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Reference Document on File