Klickitat County

Board of Commissioners

Minutes – Meeting of Tuesday, August 1^st, 2006

Agenda Item - Comment/Disposition

Call to Order/Roll Call

Morning Workshop Session – Tuesday, August 1, 2006

Chairman Ray Thayer called the meeting to order at 10:05 AM.

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

Workshop Session Agenda

10:05 AM – Public Works Department Update

Attendance: Public Works Director/County Engineer Scott Smith, Assistant County Engineer Bjorn Hedges and Goldendale resident Daniel Lichtenwald. Personnel Director Lori Wolford was present for the first discussion item.

Director Smith said that they have received a request from the GIS Operator for a reduction of her hours from 40 to 28 per week. He noted that they are supportive of the request because they believe that the priority projects that the GIS Operator is responsible for will continue to be completed in a timely fashion. Chairman Thayer stated that he was supportive, but wanted to revisit the situation at a future point to ensure that it was working out for all concerned. Personnel Director Lori Wolford said that she had no problem with this specific request but noted that there is an overall trend in county government of going from full-time employment to part-time, with the number of part-time employees increasing from 6 to 15 in the last few years. She suggested that there may need to be an inquiry as to what sort of impact this may be having, adding that the Auditor’s Office workload increases because of this trend. The Board reached consensus to approve the request (which will be formally presented at a later date). Commissioner Struck suggested that a workshop be scheduled on this general issue.

Engineer Hedges stated that he wants to combine the pulverizing and surfacing of Dot Road, between Newell and Schrantz Roads, with the reconstruction of lower Dot Road. He added that ballast from existing stockpiles will be used for the road base.

Engineer Hedges said that the contract portion of Randall Road project has now been completed and the first shot of oil will be applied next week.

Engineer Hedges stated that patching repairs have now been completed on the slide damage on the BZ-Glenwood Highway.

Engineer Hedges said that the first shot of oil has now been applied on the upper Snowden Road paving project. He added that Courtney Road paving will start tomorrow.

Engineer Hedges stated that he has contacted several regional airports in an effort to get information on how to use the raw data from the non-destructive testing done at the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport in Dallesport. Unfortunately, he noted that the data provided by Clark County isn’t useable in trying to determine what sorts of landing weights the runways can handle. He added that the airport will not be charged for the testing.

Engineer Hedges said that they received a complaint that recent pavement repair work on NE Pioneer Place in White Salmon has harmed their road approach.

Director Smith informed the Board that several coin operated shower meters and the RV waste dump payment lock box at the Trout Lake County Park were broken into, resulting in the theft of more than $100 and even more significant property damage. They will explore ways to counter the problem.

Director Smith stated that strong winds caused a metal panel from the Fairgrounds Exhibit Building to contact overhead electrical wires, which then caused a small fire. He noted that the local fire department quickly put out the fire.

Director Smith noted recent correspondence from the Columbia River Gorge Commission regarding a rock stockpile that was deposited on private property and the Gorge Commission wanted the stockpile moved to a county rock site and also assurances that the situation would not occur again. Following discussion the Board and Director Smith all agreed that the Gorge Commission’s request should be accommodated but a letter clarifying the county’s involvement should be written. Director Smith stated that he would draft a letter for the Board’s review.

Director Smith said that a reprint of Tips for Country Living has been ordered and the booklets should be arriving soon.

Director Smith stated that the issue of whether the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will allow campfires at the Trout Lake County Park is still not resolved, so he will send a letter to the DNR requesting an exemption. Chairman Thayer noted that Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Brown had previously inspected the fire boxes and surrounding areas at the park and determined that they did not meet requirements. Director Smith responded that he believed that corrections had been made.

Director Smith said that employees at the White Salmon road shop have requested a copy machine, noting that they presently do not have one. Chairman Thayer instructed Director Smith to make a request directly to Building and Compliance Director Skip Grimes.

Commissioner Frey requested that Director Smith contact Louis Cosner regarding a petition by residents who use Olson Road to make some basic improvements to a short section of that road.

Engineer Hedges stated that they plan to present longevity certificates to department employees, with ten or more years of service, at the truck rodeo scheduled for this Thursday, August 3. He noted that the event will begin at 6:30 AM with a 12:00 Noon lunch.

11:13 AM – Economic Development Update

Interim Economic Development Director Glen Chipman stated that the High Prairie community has received approval for their pre-application for a $389,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for a combined community center and fire station and will have until September 18 to submit the application itself. Director Chipman said that they will therefore schedule a public hearing for September 5 in order to comply with state application procedures.

Director Chipman said that they have tentatively scheduled a follow-up interview for 2:00 PM this Thursday, August 3 with an applicant for the Economic Development Director position, noting however that they haven’t yet heard back from the applicant.

Morning Workshop Session – Tuesday, August 1, 2006 (Continued)

11:27 AM – Executive Session

The Board convened into Executive Session in accordance with RCW 42.30.110(1) (g) to evaluate the qualifications of applicants for public employment, specifically for the position of Economic Development Director. It was noted that the session would last until 11:45 AM. At 11:45 AM it was announced that the Executive Session would be extended until 12:00 Noon.

The Board reconvened back to 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 Tuesday, August 1, 2006

Chairman Ray Thayer reconvened the meeting at 1:11 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 addition: a resolution establishing and funding a revolving account for operation of the 2006 Klickitat County Fair and Rodeo.

Approval of Commissioner Meeting Minutes

Approved (M/Frey, S/Struck. Passed unanimously) the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes for July 25, 2006 as presented.

Citizen Comment

Patricia Richardson presented a letter to the Board explaining that major medical expenses are forcing her and her husband Charles to sell their home on Firwood Road, northwest of Goldendale. She noted that they would like to subdivide their 20 acres and sell their home with ten acres, and then build a more modest home on the remaining ten acre lot. However the Planning Department has stated that as a condition of approval of the short plat they would have to improve Firwood Road, which is private and one mile long, by widening to 20 feet and adding rock to a depth of one foot. Ms. Richardson stated that this is beyond their financial means and not to the liking of their neighbors, who would like Firwood Road to stay the same. Several of these neighbors, who are also their friends, were in attendance and Charles Stager, Don Behr and Betty Brown made brief statements in support of Patricia and Charles Richardson. Associate Planner Jannette Herrington was also in attendance and stated that she has tentatively scheduled a public meeting near the end of the month on the issue, but asked if the Board felt that they even had the option of considering a variance to the road construction standards. The Board stated that they would confer with Prosecuting Attorney Tim O'Neill on the matter later in the meeting.

Public Meetings/Public Hearings/Bid Openings

Public Meeting – Consider Approval of Boundary Line Adjustment No. BLA2006-17; Applicant: Dean Mitchell

Approved (M/Struck, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) Boundary Line Adjustment No. BLA2006-17, altering the boundary lines of Lots 36 and 37 of West Roosevelt Addition 1, the applicant being Dean Mitchell. Associate Planner Jannette Herrington stated in her staff review that the purpose of this adjustment is to remove the common boundary line between the two lots so a structure can be constructed on the old line. She added that the Building Department will not allow structures to be constructed over boundary lines.

Public Hearing – Consider the Klickitat River Watershed Management Plan.

Approved (M/Struck, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) Resolution #11106 in the matter of approving the Klickitat River Watershed Management Plan. Prior to the motion the public hearing proceeded as follows with Chairman Thayer opening the proceedings and noting the procedural sequence. He then asked for a staff review:

Watershed Project Coordinator Dave McClure stated that watershed planning was conducted for Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 30 according to RCW 90.82 and the plan presented today covers the issues of water quantity, water quality, and habitat within WRIA 30. He added that the plan was unanimously approved by the WRIA 30 Planning Unit. Coordinator McClure noted also that both Yakima and Klickitat Counties have jurisdiction within WRIA 30, but Yakima County has chosen and was allowed to “opt out” of WRIA planning. This leaves Klickitat County as the only jurisdiction needing to hold a public hearing and its Board of Commissioners has sole authority to approve or not approve the proposed plan. He noted that should the Board choose not to approve they cannot change the plan itself but would have to send the plan back to the Planning Unit with recommendations.

Coordinator McClure went on to state that Klickitat County (Planning Director/Responsible Official Curt Dreyer) and the Washington State Department of Ecology (Central Regional Director/Responsible Official Derek Sandison) acted as co-leads under the State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA), adopted the Final Environmental Impact Statement of Watershed Planning (EIS) and public notice was published. He noted that two letters were received commenting on the EIS and the public comment period was extended upon the written request of the Yakama Nation Cultural Resource Program Manager Johnson Meninick. Thereafter no further comments were received from the Yakama Nation and no appeals of the SEPA determination were filed. The co-leads reviewed the comments that were received and found no cause to change their decision regarding the EIS.

Chairman Thayer opened the proceedings to public testimony and two members of the WRIA 30 Planning Unit provided brief comment. Dave Griffin, Public Works Director for the City of Goldendale stated that this plan is the culmination of four and one-half years of work and represents their best effort. Jim Hill, the Central Klickitat Conservation District Manager stated that after a “shaky start” the Planning Unit developed a cohesive effort and he recommends approval of the plan.

Chairman Thayer asked for clarification regarding the involvement of the Yakama Nation and Coordinator McClure stated that the Yakama Nation was invited to nominate someone to the Planning Unit but they got not response in return. He added that the Yakama Nation did receive all materials, including copies of the meeting minutes.

Prior to his motion Commissioner Struck offered, on behalf of the entire Board, thanks and commendation to all members of the Planning Unit.

Elected Official Report

Auditor’s Office Update

Klickitat County Auditor Diana Pafford began by introducing the department’s new Senior Accountant, Donna McDaniel, noting that she has considerable experience with the BARS program, the county’s accounting system.

Auditor Pafford discussed the case of a former Senior Services employee who submitted an after-the-fact travel authorization. Chairman Thayer stated that the Board would discuss the matter with Senior Services Director Roger Gadway.

Auditor Pafford discussed a travel authorization for one of her employees that had been questioned by the Board, stating that she felt it would be useful to send the employee to a training session on the recording of surveys and other land documents. She stated that there had been some confusion on the number of days involved and indicated that it was for just one day.

Auditor Pafford noted that the state auditors will be in and out of the county during the next few weeks and will be examining a number of things, including HAVA (Help America Vote Act) grants.

Auditor Pafford stated that they will probably need to increase their training budget, first to assist the new Senior Accountant and also election workers.

Auditor Pafford said that her office has fielded many inquiries regarding the August 15 recall election of White Salmon Mayor Roger Holen.

Auditor Pafford stated that the Preservation Committee is considering going out to bid again for a document preservation/scanning system, as they only received one bid.

Department Update/Comments

Proposed Changes to the Public Health Department Organizational Chart

Public Health Director Kevin Barry submitted a request to make several changes to the department’s organizational chart. First, they propose to change a Public Health Nurse (presently filled by someone who is retiring) from 0.6 FTE to full-time (1.0 FTE), with additional duties being assigned. Also, he would like to increase the hours of the WIC Certifier from 0.8 FTE to full-time, with additional duties also being assigned. Director Barry also requested an additional part-time Administrative Assistant position with primary duties in billings and revenue recovery. Director Barry noted that they have found some additional sources of revenue with a net result that the amount of funds coming from the county and landfill revenues for the departmental budget will actually be reduced. The Board reached consensus to approve.

Elected Official Report

Prosecuting Attorney Update

Prosecuting Attorney Tim O'Neill began his briefing by stating that a former teacher in the White Salmon Valley School District has pled guilty to two felonies, including child molestation.

Prosecutor O’Neill also noted that his office has succeeded in getting a convicted child molester indicted on two federal counts. He noted that the individual was about to be released, and federal authorities will now determine what happens next.

Prosecutor O’Neill said that legal counsel with Foster Pepper continues the review of a proposed Natural Resources Plan for the county.

Prosecuting Attorney Tim O'Neill stated that the Windy Point Wind Project appeal has been denied by the Hearings Examiner and the SEPA decision and EOZ permit decision made by the county have been affirmed.

Executive Session

Executive Session – Pending and Potential Litigation

The Board convened into Executive Session at 2:50 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 case and Condit Dam. It was noted that the session would last for 5 minutes.

The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 2:55 PM.

Consent Agenda

Approved (M/Frey, S/Struck. Passed unanimously) the Consent Agenda except for item 1 to be reconsidered at a later date:

1. (Pulled) Interlocal Agreement to establish the South Central Workforce Development Council as a non-profit corporation and to designate the South Central Workforce Development Council as the fiscal and administrative agent of the South Central Consortium effective August 1, 2006.

*

2. Memorandum from the Planning Department scheduling public meetings for 1:30 PM on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 as follows: Consider Planning Commission recommendation for Rezone Request ZON2006-03; Applicant: Doug Grunke, Stephen Anderson, and Matt Anderson, and Consider Planning Commission recommendation for Rezone Request ZON2006-04; Applicant: Marvin Norris.

*

3. Memorandum from the Planning Department scheduling public meetings for 1:30 PM on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 as follows: Consider approval of alteration to Short Plat WS-125, Boundary Line Adjustment No. BLA2006-11; Applicant: Patricia Kreps, and Consider approval of redivision of Lot 4, SP-94-05, Short Plat No. SPL2005-23; Applicant: Danny Jeffries.

*

4. Resolution #11306 in the matter of declaring certain equipment/inventory within the Technical Services Department as surplus to be removed from that department’s inventory list for disposal by donation to the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport.

*

5. Contract No. 06-07-TSB-07 (#C15706) between the Human Services Council/Transportation Services Brokerage and Klickitat County (Senior Services) to assure the provision of medical transportation services and senior transportation to eligible residents in Klickitat County.

*

6. Resolution #11406 in the matter of changing the status of the Administrations Assistant I – Elections position in the Auditor’s Office from 1.0 FTE to 0.8 FTE, effective August 1, 2006.

*

7. Voting System Agreement (#C15806) between Diebold Election Systems and Klickitat County (Auditor’s Office) for purchase of Disability Access Units.

*

8. Amendment No. 1 (#C15906) to the Voting System Agreement between Diebold Election Systems and Klickitat County (Auditor’s Office) for the update to the Diebold Accuvote Optical Scan machines to a visible light.

*

9. Agreement for Digital Data Sharing (#C16006) between Klickitat County and the Pittmon Map Company for specific digital data compiled by the Public Works Department in an ArcView “shape” file format.

*

10. Agreement for Digital Data Sharing (#C16106) between Klickitat County and Williams Northwest Pipeline for specific digital data compiled by the Public Works Department in an ArcView “shape” file format.

*

11. Proposal and Contract (#C16206) between Klickitat County and Pioneer Surveying and Engineering, Inc. to survey Fisher Hill Road. Contract amount is $32,130.00 and work is to be completed by October 15, 2006.

*

12. County Program Agreement (#C16306) – Juvenile Accountability Block Grant between Klickitat County (Juvenile Department) and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Juvenile Rehabilitation, starting July 1, 2006 and ending June 30, 2007.

New Business

Establishing a Revolving Account for Operation of the 2006 Klickitat County Fair and Rodeo

*

Approved (M/Struck, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) Resolution # 11206 in the matter of establishing and funding a revolving account for operation of the 2006 Klickitat County Fair and Rodeo, by authorizing and directing the Klickitat County Treasurer to issue a check in the amount of $133,960.00 from the County Fair Fund #116 to be deposited into the Klickitat County Fair and Rodeo Revolving Fund.

Payment Approvals

Voucher Certification and Approval

*

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

Accounts Payable: (#157582 – 157761) $178,937.82

There were no payroll/benefit warrants to be approved at this time.

Adjournment (4:02 PM)

Motion by Struck to adjourn the meeting until 10:30 AM on Thursday, August 3, 2006 for scheduled workshops. Seconded by Frey and passed unanimously.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting Extension: Workshop Session for Thursday, August 3, 2006

Chairman Ray Thayer reconvened the meeting at 10:30 AM.

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

Workshop Session Agenda

10:30 AM – Discussion on the proposed “Outdoor Festival” Ordinance

The Board and Prosecuting Attorney Tim O'Neill chose to continue the workshop to another date, yet to be determined.

11:30 AM – Port of Klickitat Management Discussion

Port of Klickitat Commissioner Norm Deo presented a letter from the Port to the Board of County Commissioners. He also offered a summary of the contents of the letter that attempted to clarify the relationship between the Port and Klickitat County. Also present was Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman, and Dallesport resident and Board of Adjustment member Mike Smith.

12:00 Noon – Lunch

2:00 PM – Executive Session

The Board convened into Executive Session with Personnel Director Lori Wolford and Interim Economic Development Director Glen Chipman in accordance with RCW 42.30.110(1) (g) to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for the position of Economic Development Director. It was noted that the session would last until 3:00 PM. At 3:00 PM it was announced that the Executive Session would be extended for another 30 minutes. The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 3:30 PM.

Regular Meeting Extension: Workshop Session for Thursday, August 3, 2006 (Continued)

3:30 PM – Executive Session

The Board convened into Executive Session with Building and Compliance Director Skip Grimes in accordance with RCW 42.30.110(1) (g) to discuss the salary of a Building Department employee. It was noted that the session would last for 40 minutes.

The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 4:10 PM.

4:15 PM – Appointment of the Economic Development Director

Approved (M/Struck, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) an Authorization to Pay Outside of the Base Rate to place Michael A. Canon as Economic Development Director at Range 23, Step E, $4,322.00 per month, which reflects his past years of experience. The effective date is August 4, 2006 which is Mr. Canon’s first day of work in the exempt, full-time position. It was noted that the position was advertised at the full salary range, or Steps A through J.

Adjournment

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 4:18 PM.

*

Reference Document on File