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

Topic

Agenda Item - Comment/Disposition

Call to Order/Roll Call

Morning Workshop Session – Monday, December 10, 2001

Chairman Don Struck called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM.

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

Workshop Session Agenda

The Board convened into Executive Session with Personnel Director Lori Wolford and Interim Health Director Terri Rundell to interview candidate Chris Young for the Public Health Director position.

The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 11:30 AM.

Interim County Engineer Ed Hoyle briefed the Board on current Road Department issues. Also in attendance was Resource Development Director Dana Peck:

• Mr. Hoyle noted receipt of a letter dated December 3, 2001 from Lorraine Reynolds, Public Utility District (PUD) Water/Wastewater Manager asking for county support for a planning grant for replacement of the Klickitat (community) Wastewater Treatment Plant. The letter stated that Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds will be pursued, however the PUD is not eligible to receive these funds directly as it isn’t a municipal government and is asking Klickitat County to be a pass-through. Mr. Hoyle stated that he and Director Peck have concerns and questions, as there are limitations on the number of CDBG grants that any one county can sponsor at one time. Mr. Peck also noted that these applications are very time consuming. Mr. Hoyle stated that he would continue the dialogue and reply by letter to Ms. Reynolds.
• Mr. Hoyle said discussions were continuing with County Treasurer Dani Burton, Prosecuting Attorney Tim O’Neill and Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman regarding investment of the Dallesport Wastewater System Fund #401. He stated he had a productive meeting on Friday, December 7 with Treasurer Burton, who wants a new or amended resolution before reinvesting these funds.

• Mr. Hoyle also noted a release of retainage for Norm Goree & Son Excavating, and a change order affecting the new modular office building on Court Street. The Board will consider approval of these items during the afternoon session.

Lunch Recess

The Board recessed for lunch at 12:05 PM.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting for Monday, December 10, 2001

Chairman Don Struck reconvened the meeting at 1:06 PM. Commissioners Present: Don Struck, Joan Frey and Ray Thayer.

Agenda

Business Agenda

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) the Business Agenda with several changes. Added under Approval of Commissioner Meeting Minutes are consideration of approval of minutes for October 8, October 15, and October 22, 2001. Added under New Business is a County Lease Agreement for use of the Courthouse lawn. Added under Old Business is a Funding Assistance Agreement for loan of funds to Hospital District No. 2. Also, a discussion with Rural Fire District No.7 regarding Juniper Point issues has been cancelled.

Approval of Commissioner Meeting Minutes

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes for October 8, October 15, and October 22, 2001 as presented.

Citizen Comment

Fred Heany – Introduced several of his neighbors who share his interest in establishing a Lower Burdoin Community Council: Dan McBride, Henry Trosper and Bill Schmidt.

Dan McBride – Said he has been a resident for twenty years, having fought the Gorge Commission for about that same period for permission to build his home. He added that he is a firefighter and was very alarmed by the fires last year in his area. He stated that he wants to establish a Lower Burdoin Community Council so that they will have a better way to address these issues.

Henry Trosper – Identified himself as a lieutenant with Rural Fire District No. 4 and said they don’t have facilities to store all of their fire equipment year round and want a satellite station to reduce response time. He added that the large amount of burned acres last year could have been substantially reduced if equipment had been closer.

Bill Schmidt – Stated that the Board should recognize their group as the population has increased greatly since he has lived here.

Fred Heany – Said that fire protection, school bus service, garbage collection and relations with the Gorge Commission are all important issues to them and they need formal recognition to be most effective in these areas. He added that their area is unique demographically and geographically and that the Snowden Community Council does not represent their views or interests. Chairman Struck replied to Mr. Heany and his group by stating that this issue will be seriously considered after the 2002 Budget process. While cautioning that the county must be careful in considering expanding the number of community councils, the Board will schedule a workshop on this issue with the Resource Development Department.

Dave Bohl – Stated that he is concerned about reports that the regional landfill will be accepting garbage from foreign countries. He said he does not want to see a problem created that future generations will have to solve. Commissioner Frey responded by saying that the Roosevelt landfill already accepts material from Canada and there have been discussions about waste from Japan. She noted that she traveled to Japan to talk to officials and now understands that Japan has very serious garbage problems. However, the issue of Japan exporting waste to Klickitat County is many years away and that this would only occur under strict guidelines and would have to economically benefit county residents. Commissioner Frey added that the landfill would be capped when it reaches capacity and that it does not accept hazardous waste. She said that guidelines protect the county and the Board will not allow these standards to decline. She also noted the great economic benefit the landfill has been to Klickitat County.

Public Meetings/Public Hearings/Bid Openings

Public Hearing – Consider Establishing Supplements and Amendments to the 2001 Budget

*

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) Resolution #22601 allowing supplemental appropriations and amendments to the 2001 Budget for various funds and departments in the sum of $238,740 and that the county financial records shall be changed to reflect said changes per the attached chart. Prior to approval of the resolution, Chairman Struck opened the hearing and asked for a staff review:

Interim Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman summarized the various changes in expenditures including utility rate hikes that increased the Building and Grounds budget. He also noted unanticipated legal and trial costs that affected department budgets.

Chairman Struck asked for testimony both for and against. He noted for the record there was no one present wishing to testify in either instance.

Commissioner Thayer commented that even though there were no citizens present to voice their opinion at this hearing, it would have been appropriate for those departments seeking budget supplements to have representatives that could have answered questions from the public.

Public Hearing – Consider Reducing Road Construction Standards for SPL2001-00036

*

Denied (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) a request to reduce road construction standards from Rural Minor Collector to Rural Access for proposed Short Plat No. SPL2001-00036, the applicant being Ron Aspaas. Included in Commissioner Thayer’s motion was instruction to the Planning Department to prepare findings in support of the motion to deny the request. Prior to passage of the motion, Chairman Struck asked for a staff review:

Assistant Planner Jannette Herrington began by stating that Mr. Aspaas is requesting a reduction from the Rural Minor Collector width of 20 feet, to Rural Access, which is a 12-foot width. She noted that the applicant has submitted a short plat to create two twenty-acre lots on Palmer Lane, a private road off the Bickleton Highway. She added that the threshold for requiring a 20-foot width is 17 lots. She also noted comment from Rural Fire District No. 7 asking that the county compel the 20-foot standard. Ms. Herrington also stated that Bjorn Hedges and Keith Grundei of the Road Department have counseled adhering to county standards. They recommended that the first 1315 feet be widened to 20 feet with 3 inches of top course being added to the entire length (to the second 20-acre parcel).

Chairman Struck asked for testimony in favor of the request:

Frank Childs of Taylor Engineering said that Mr. Aspaas would be willing to provide turnouts every 600 feet and that a twenty-foot width seems unnecessary with the limited number of parcels the road serves and the minimum 20-acre zoning.

Bill Nelson stated that he lives on Palmer Road and that the road width is sufficient as it is. Increasing the width would only add to road maintenance.

Chairman Struck then asked for testimony against the request:

John Palmer said he wasn’t necessarily against the request but did wish to know the threshold (number of lots) for requiring a 20-foot width, and how many lots this road would now serve. Office Engineer Grundei replied that 16 lots or less would qualify for the lower standard and that the road presently serves about 20 potential lots.

Commissioner Thayer offered the comment that citizens in the past have wanted wider roads in large part because of concerns about access for emergency vehicles.

Chairman Struck stated that compelling the applicant to widen a quarter mile of road seems excessive when he is creating only one additional lot and that the issue would be revisited if there were further short plat requests in the future.

Mr. Palmer noted that when he approached the Board with his own subdivision plans in the past, he found former Commissioner Lane Smith in support of strict enforcement of road standards and very unwilling to compromise on these kinds of issues.

Commissioner Thayer repeated his concerns about allowing a reduction of the road standard, and Commissioner Frey stated she was in agreement with Commissioner Thayer. The Board then requested clarification about their options.

Ms. Herrington stated for the record that if the Board approved the request, then the applicant would just need to provide turnouts every 600 feet or less, the entire length of Palmer Lane.

Office Engineer Grundei stated that denying the request would compel the applicant to widen the road to a 20-foot width for the first 1320 feet and provide turnouts every 600 feet for the remaining length. Approving the request would allow the applicant to apply just the 3-inch top course to the entire length (plus the required turnouts).

Public Meeting – Consider Road Right-of-Way Dedica-tion and Final Approval of SPL2001-00030; Applicants: Allen and Miralee Ferrell

*

Accepted (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) the road right-of-way dedication for future maintenance of Acme Road within Short Plat SPL2001-00030, the applicants being Allen and Miralee Ferrell. Acceptance of the right-of-way dedication completes all requirements for final approval of the short plat, which creates two lots.

Miscellaneous Reports/Comments

SR 504 Extension Project Update (Mt. St. Helens Vicinity)

Consultant Van Youngquist briefed the Board on the proposed extension of State Route 504 that would link the Mt. St Helens National Monument by road with western Klickitat County. He stated that there has been an unexpected delay in gaining congressional funding for a preliminary engineering study, noting that Third District Congressman Baird indicated that he would not request the funding for this year but leaving open the possibility he would make the request for next year. Mr. Youngquist suggested that they might wish to continue to seek Congressman Baird’s support, especially since he is on the transportation committee. But it is not clear if the Mt. St. Helens area will remain in his district after redistricting has been accomplished. Mr. Youngquist also noted that Fourth District Congressman Hastings has endorsed the project. Commissioner Frey said that she is very supportive of this project. Chairman Struck also voiced his support and said that Mr. Younquist should meet with the Trout Lake and Husum Community Councils.

New Business

County Property Lease Agreement

*

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) a County Property Lease Agreement (#C21801) with the Greater Goldendale Area Chamber of Commerce for use of the courthouse lawn for the Tenth Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Included in Commissioner Thayer’s motion was waiver of the $25 rental fee.

Old Business

Loan of Funds for the Klickitat County Public Hospital District No. 1

*

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) Resolution # 22201 granting a loan of funds in the amount of $200,000.00 from the Cumulative Reserve Fund No. 125 through a Funding Assistance Agreement (#C21901) to Klickitat County Public Hospital District No. 1. Commissioner Frey noted in her motion that the loan must be repaid by December 17, 2006.

Loan of Funds for the Klickitat County Public Hospital District No. 2

*

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) Resolution # 22301 granting a loan of funds in the amount of $200,000.00 from the Cumulative Reserve Fund No. 125 through a Funding Assistance Agreement (#C22001) to Klickitat County Public Hospital District No. 2. Commissioner Frey noted in her motion that the loan must be repaid by December 17, 2006.

Collective Bargaining Agreement with Deputy Sheriff’s Association

*

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) a Collective Bargaining Agreement (#C21701) with the Klickitat County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, representing non-uniformed personnel. The agreement is effective from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2002.

Adoption of the Annual Road Construction Program for 2002 and the Six Year Road Transportation Improvement Program for 2002-2007

*

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

• Resolution #22401 adopting the Annual Road Construction Program for 2002, and
• Resolution #22501 adopting the Six Year Road Transportation Improvement Program for Klickitat County, 2002-2007.

Executive Session

Executive Session – Personnel Issue

The Board convened into Executive session at 3:15 PM with Sheriff Chris Mace and Personnel Director Lori Wolford to discuss a personnel issue.

The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 3:35 PM.

Consent Agenda

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) the Consent Agenda except for Item 5:

*

1. Local Agency Federal Aid Project Prospectus for the Depot Road Project, Federal Aid Project # STPH 2020, Local Agency Project # CRP 178 in the amount of $83,700 (federal funds).

*

2. Resolution #22701 expressing appreciation to members of the Washington Community Economic Revitalization Team (WACERT) for their extensive support and assistance to Klickitat County throughout the years.

*

3. Resolution #22801 appointing members to the Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 30.

*

4. Service Agreements (#C22101, C22201 and C22301) with Encompass for maintenance of the heating and cooling systems in Annex 5, West End Sheriff’s Office and West End Senior Services.

5. (Pulled) Authorization to proceed with a Request for Proposal process to identify and retain a contractor for public relations technical assistance for the Multi-User Disposal Site.

Road Permits

There were no Road Department permits requiring approval at this time.

Payment Approvals

Voucher Certification and Approval

*

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

Accounts Payable: (#107812 – 107995 and including cancelled warrants #107330, 107410,107533, 107564, 107568, 107611 and 107700) for a net of $328,314.90

Combined Payroll: (#057812 – 058074) $238,104.00

For a combined total of $566,418.90

Road Department Contract Pay Estimate Payments

*

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) Release of Retainage to Norm Goree & Son Excavating, in the amount of $802.65 for the Horseshoe Bend Road project.

*

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) Change Orders No. 1 through 5 to the Legacy Corporation, Goldendale, for the Modular Office Building project. The change orders increase project costs by $5321.25.

Executive Session

Executive Session – Interview for the Chief Financial Officer Position

The Board convened into Executive Session at 5:00 PM. to interview Glen Chipman for the Chief Financial Officer position.

The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 5:50 PM.

Recess (5:50 PM)

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was recessed until 10:30 AM on Tuesday, December 11, 2001.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting Extension: Workshop Session for Tuesday, December 11, 2001

Chairman Don Struck reconvened the meeting at 10:30 AM.

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

Workshop Session Agenda

County Assessor Van Vandenberg, Interim Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman and Personnel Director Lori Wolford discussed various aspects of the 2002 Budget. The Board decided to approve a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of 1.8% for non-represented employees and some elected officials. They also chose to increase property tax levies 1% as allowed by Initiative 747. Landfill revenues were also discussed with a projection offered of $6.2 Million in 2002.

Recess 12:00 Noon

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

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting Extension: Workshop Session for Wednesday, December 12, 2001

Chairman Don Struck reconvened the meeting at 10:30 AM.

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

Workshop Session Agenda

The Board met with Interim Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman on various aspects of balancing the 2002 Budget.

12:05 PM – Lunch

The Board and Interim Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman continued their discussions on the 2002 Budget.

Scenic Area Consultant David Sauter briefed the Board on the December 11 Gorge Commission Meeting:

• Mr. Sauter noted a new state appointee to the Gorge Commission, Jane Jacobsen, from Clark County.
• He also stated that Oregon State Senator Ted Ferriolli has scheduled three oversight meetings to listen to resident and landowner concerns regarding actions taken by the Gorge commission.
• Mr. Sauter explained the presentation done by Husum Community Council members regarding the Condit Dam removal issue. The presentation focussed on the role of the United States Forest Service in this matter.
• He also noted that there was an update on the Dalles Mountain Ranch Natural Area Preserve.
• There was concern expressed regarding possible loss of funding to Clark and Skamania Counties for Scenic Area administration of regulations.
• Mr. Sauter also provided data and explanations of the Gorge Commission Plan Review/Work Plan process.

The Executive Session scheduled for an annual performance evaluation was postponed to a later date.

Adjournment

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 3:30 PM.

*

Reference Document on File