Klickitat County

Board of Commissioners

Minutes – Meeting of Tuesday, June 6^th, 2006

Agenda Item - Comment/Disposition

Call to Order/Roll Call

Morning Workshop Session – Tuesday, June 6, 2006

Chairman Ray Thayer called the meeting to order at 10:08 AM.

Commissioners present: Ray Thayer and Joan Frey.

Commissioner Don Struck was absent because of his participation in union negotiations and was expected to join the meeting later.

Workshop Session Agenda

10:08 AM – Public Works Department Update

Attendance: Public Works Director/County Engineer Scott Smith, Assistant County Engineer Bjorn Hedges and Goldendale resident Daniel Lichtenwald.

Building and Grounds Manager John Ihrig said that they have recently discovered that a Building and Grounds employee has been incorrectly classified as a “Grounds Attendant” when the employee is actually performing “Custodian” duties and has been for over ten years. This has been accompanied by a lower wage than is appropriate. Director Smith requested that the employee be given the Custodian job title and a raise in wages from the present Range 8, Step J to Range 9, Step J, noting that Range 9 is the same as other Custodians. Commissioner Frey stated that the oversight needs to be corrected as soon as possible. Chairman Thayer agreed, stating that the Board would discuss the matter with Personnel Director Lori Wolford.

Engineer Hedges provided a handout on the revised Maintenance Work Schedule.

Engineer Hedges stated that Prosecuting Attorney Tim O'Neill is now reviewing several small works contracts for rock needs in the west end, noting that they should be on the Board’s agenda for next week.

Engineer Hedges said that he has received a request from Goldendale City Manager Larry Bellamy for county support as the city applies for a TIB (Transportation Improvement Board) grant to install sidewalks and a bike path along Mill Street to provide a path up to the Klickitat County Fairgrounds. Engineer Hedges added that the city is seeking a letter of support as well as undisclosed financial support, noting that part of the path is in the city limits, while a portion is in the county. He noted that more information would be forthcoming. Chairman Thayer suggested that Engineer Hedges discuss this grant opportunity with Dale Robins, Senior Transportation Planner with the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council, because Mr. Robins has provided valuable advice in the past in regard to grant applications.

Engineer Hedges stated that the City of Goldendale has also expressed interest in entering into an interlocal agreement to have Klickitat County review the city’s subdivisions. He noted that this is probably not a good time for the department’s engineers to take on any more projects as they already have a work backlog. The Board agreed with the assessment.

Engineer Hedges asked if there were any questions or concerns regarding the request to temporarily hire a replacement maintenance technician for the Glenwood road crew (Item 4 of today’s Consent Agenda). Chairman Thayer inquired as to why the suggested wage was on the non-union wage scale. Director Smith responded that he was unsure, but the department doesn’t care whether the wage for the hire is at the step shown on the collective bargaining agreement pay scale, or the non-bargaining pay scale, so long as they are equivalent. Executive Secretary Cris McEwen also noted that the request has an “August 7 (approx)” ending date, while it was the Board’s understanding that the temporary hire would continue until the regular employee returned to work. The Board indicated that they would discuss the matter with Personnel Director Lori Wolford.

Engineer Hedges stated that oiling of the first portion of Hale Road has now been completed and construction on the Randall/Niva Road project will resume shortly.

Director Smith stated that Windy Point Partners, the developers of the Windy Point wind power project located in the Goodnoe Hills, who had previously proposed an agreement with the county to overlay portions of Hoctor Road, would also like improvements to Chamberlain Goodnoe Road.

Commissioner Struck Arrives

For the record Commissioner Don Struck joined the meeting at 10:36 AM.

Director Smith revisited the issue of citizens gating county roads noting that in a tour of Hoctor Road, he saw a county road that was gated and had a sign attached that said it would remain closed from June through December. Chairman Thayer replied that the road is gated because of fire danger by a prior written agreement. Director Smith stated that the county should have a consistent policy and if the public isn’t using the roads in question, including some in the Bickleton area, then they should be vacated. He noted that some roads may be closed in the summer because of fire danger, while others are closed during the wet part of the year because they are impassable. Engineer Hedges stated that grader operators have complained that they sometimes have to open and close multiple gates on a single road. Chairman Thayer said that these roads are probably used for some portion of the year and the adjacent owners would prefer that they stay in the county road system, noting that they typically get graded once a year. Commissioner Frey stated that county roads should not be gated and Director Smith responded that they would go forward with plans to remove the gates.

Director Smith said that they will be ordering a data collector for the survey crew.

Commissioner Struck stated that the county’s Preservation Committee decided at their last meeting that the purchase of a scanner for right-of-way documents was not an appropriate use of this fund.

Morning Workshop Session – Tuesday, June 6, 2006 (Continued)

11:05 AM – Economic Development Update

Interim Economic Development Director Glen Chipman said that he plans to attend the next meeting of the Klickitat County Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) noting that this will be the last TAB meeting before they have to submit a budget for next year.

Director Chipman said that he has made a number of contacts and also scheduled upcoming meetings with various individuals and also organizations such as the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) and the Mid-Columbia Council of Government (MCCOG) in his effort to formulate suggestions on the direction and possible reorganization of the department.

Director Chipman stated that fourteen applications have been received so far for the open position for Economic Development Director and a review will begin soon.

In a follow-up from last week, Director Chipman said that U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell did visit the county last Friday, June 2 and toured the Insitu facility in Bingen and also visited the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport in Dallesport.

Director Chipman stated that he is preparing a summary of projects that Consultant Miland Walling is working on and will present to the Board when it is completed.

Director Chipman said that he reviewed the agenda for the Port of Klickitat Board of Commissioners meeting tonight. Noting that there were just routine items to be discussed, he stated that he was not inclined to attend.

Director Chipman provided a handout on Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen’s visit to Klickitat County on June 13, including a proposed guest list for both the roundtable discussion and the luncheon.

Director Chipman said that he has met with Auditor Pafford and Prosecutor O’Neill in regard to problems with the Chamber of Commerce contracts (involving hotel/motel tax revenues from the state), noting that revisions will have to be made to the two contracts.

Lunch Recess

The Board recessed for lunch at 11:35 AM

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting for Tuesday, June 6, 2006

Chairman Ray Thayer reconvened the meeting at 1:10 PM.

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

Agenda

Business Agenda

Approved (M/Struck, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) the Business Agenda with one change: the discussion with County Treasurer Dani Burton regarding cash and check handling procedures in the west end offices has been postponed.

Approval of Commissioner Meeting Minutes

Approved (M/Frey, S/Struck. Passed unanimously) the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes for May 30, 2006 as presented.

Citizen Comment

There was no one present wishing to provide public comment.

Public Meetings/Public Hearings/Bid Openings

Public Hearing: Consider a Supplemental for the 2006 Budget for Various Funds in the Amount of $190,334

Approved (M/Struck, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) Resolution #09506 in the matter of a supplemental budget and amendments for the 2006 budget for various funds in the amount of $177,394, which is a reduction of $12,940 from the advertised supplemental amount. Prior to the motion the public hearing proceeded as follows with Chairman Thayer opening the hearing and asking for a staff review:

Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman stated that the supplemental amount ($23,209) for Adult Probation has been reduced by about one third from the advertised amount, which will be covered by the Trial Court Improvement Fund.

Officer Chipman stated that the Building and Grounds budget was increased by $8,462 to cover a Non-Capital project, but this was offset by a transfer out from the Road Fund #101 of the same amount.

Officer Chipman said that the LEOFF Disability Board budget is increasing by $325 to cover unanticipated travel and training expenditures.

Officer Chipman stated that $40,241 from the General Fund is being transferred to the newly reestablished County Tax Refund Fund #122, as requested by the Auditor and Treasurer.

Officer Chipman said that the Elections Fund has been increased due largely to unexpected elections and their associated costs.

Chairman Thayer opened the proceedings to public comment and got no response. He noted for the record that there was no one present wishing to testify for or against the proposed supplemental budget.

Commissioner Struck Departs

For the record Commissioner Struck left the meeting at 1:45 PM to participate in ongoing union negotiations.

Consent Agenda

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) the Consent Agenda except for Item 2 to be reconsidered at a later time. It was also noted that Item 4 has been modified to clarify the ending date of the temporary hire.

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1. Memorandum from the Planning Department scheduling a public meeting for 1:30 PM on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 to consider acceptance of road right-of-way (Jennings Road), Short Plat No. SPL2005-43; Applicant: Imogene Marshall

2. (Pulled) Memorandum of Understanding and Membership Agreement with Washington Counties Select Retrospective Program for program year July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007; AND, Application for Group Membership and Authorization for Release of Insurance Data.

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3. Preventative Service Agreement No. 320016017 between DIVCO Inc. and Klickitat County (Road Department) to perform preventative maintenance for the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in the Road Department office building (#C10906) and Agreement No. 9260134 for preventative maintenance of the systems in the County Jail (#C11006).

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4. Authorization to Hire to fill a Maintenance Technician position on the Glenwood road crew on a temporary basis starting June 7 and ending when the regular employee returns from surgical recovery, at Range 14, Step C/$15.68 per hour.

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5. Klickitat County Public Defender Contract (#C11106) between Klickitat County (West District Court) and the following three attorneys: Gerald A. Matosich, Kathleen J. Marshall and Randall C. Krog for the 2006 calendar year.

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6. Interlocal Funding Assistance Agreement (#C11206) between Klickitat County and the Klickitat County Port District No. 1 to provide a $300,000 grant to serve as gap financing as a share of the estimated project cost for the construction of a new industrial Building (Building 1E) at the Bingen Industrial Park.

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7. Intergovernmental Agreement (#C11306) for the Yakima Basin Water Resources Agency by and among the interested governments of Benton County, Klickitat County, Yakima County, City of Yakima, City of Ellensburg, Roza Irrigation District, Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District, and Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District.

New Business

Request for Approval of Burn Ban in the Unincorporated Areas of Klickitat County

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Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) Resolution #09606 in the matter of establishing outdoor burning restrictions within the unincorporated areas of Klickitat County, starting July 1 and ending September 30, 2006. Commissioner Frey noted in her motion the addition of the following sentence: “At the discretion of the Fire Chief, Fire Protection Districts are exempt from this ban for the purpose of live fire training activities.”

Prior to the motion, Doug Hutchison, President of the Klickitat County Interagency Fire Association and also Fire Chief of Rural Fire Protection District No. 14 stated that all fire districts in the association support approval of the resolution, including the July 1 through September 30 duration. He added that Fire District No. 5 requested an exemption to allow them to burn an abandoned building for live fire training and the association agreed to the addition of the new exemption.

Elected Official Report/Update

Prosecuting Attorney Update

Prosecuting Attorney Tim O'Neill stated that his office has now filed 108 felony cases and is on track to surpass the 230 filings of last year. He noted a child abuse case that will start in Superior Court tomorrow.

Prosecutor O’Neill said that they are continuing to research software that would streamline many of their office procedures.

Executive Session

Executive Session – Pending and Potential Litigation

The Board convened into Executive Session at 2:57 PM with Prosecuting Attorney Tim O'Neill in accordance with RCW 42.30.110(1) (i) to discuss potential and pending litigation in regard to the Housden matter, Condit Dam, and another matter in litigation. It was noted that the session would last until 3:15 PM (18 minutes).

The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 3:15 PM.

Miscellaneous Reports/Comments

Columbia River Gorge Commission Report

Gorge Commissioner Kenn Adcock, Klickitat County’s representative, and Planning Director Curt Dreyer discussed Gorge Commission issues, notably the selection of Al Wright to be the interim Executive Director. Mr. Adcock suggested that the Board meet with Mr. Wright, or perhaps just exchange correspondence. Director Dreyer added that he would like to see the Gorge Commission provide their budget information to the Board. Following discussion, a date of Tuesday, June 20 was tentatively scheduled for a meeting between the Board and Mr. Wright. Mr. Adcock stated that he would talk to Mr. Wright to see if he was available at that time.

Payment Approvals

Voucher Certification and Approval

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

Accounts Payable: (#155870 – 156040) $106,635.52

There were no payroll/benefits warrants requiring approval at this time.

Adjournment (3:54 PM)

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned until 2:00 AM on Thursday, June 8, 2006

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting Extension: Workshop Session for Thursday, June 8, 2006

Chairman Ray Thayer reconvened the meeting at 2:10 PM.

Commissioners present: Ray Thayer and Joan Frey.

Commissioner Don Struck was absent.

Workshop Session Agenda

2:10 PM – Consideration of Nuisance Abatement of Parcel Numbers 04-12-0954-0013/00 and 04-13-2814-0008/00

Code Compliance Officer Joyce DeVries presented nuisance abatement case involving Parcel No. 04-12-0954-0013/00, Paul Brace owner, and Parcel No. 04-13-2814-0008/00, Howard and Brenda Clack, owners. Officer DeVries recommended abatement of both parcels. The Board agreed with Officer DeVries and requested that she prepare the necessary resolutions authorizing commencement of nuisance abatement proceedings of these parcels.

Adjournment

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 2:30 PM.

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Reference Document on File