Klickitat County

Board of Commissioners

Minutes – Meeting of Tuesday, December 5^th, 2006

Agenda Item - Comment/Disposition

Call to Order/Roll Call

Morning Workshop Session – Tuesday, December 5, 2006

Chairman Ray Thayer called the meeting to order at 10:09 AM.

Commissioners present: Ray Thayer and Joan Frey.

Commissioner Don Struck was absent due to his attendance at a meeting in White Salmon with staff representatives from the offices of U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and Congressman Doc Hastings.

Workshop Session Agenda

10:09 AM – Public Works Department Update

Attendance: Public Works Director/County Engineer Scott Smith and Assistant County Engineer Bjorn Hedges. Road Foreman Joe Smith was present for the first item.

Engineer Hedges presented the results of the 2006 Truck Rodeo with Larry Holtman winning the track hoe competition, George Greenlee winning on the grader, Shannon Middleton the best in truck spreading, Robert Ripplinger coming in first for truck weighing, and Larry Hurst winning the truck backing competition. However, Engineer Hedges noted that Joe Smith was the overall winner with very strong and consistent marks in the categories. Mr. Smith was awarded a special commemorative belt buckle for his efforts.

Engineer Hedges stated that they received a $10,000 transportation grant that will be used for sidewalk repairs in Lyle, which must be used by July of next year.

Engineer Hedges said that the Dot Road project was restarted yesterday with culvert and excavation work being done on the lower three miles.

Engineer Hedges noted the addition of two more contractors for emergency snow removal (Items 8 and 9 of today’s Consent Agenda). He also stated that they are weighing the advantages and disadvantages of basalt sand versus red rock for use next year.

Engineer Hedges said that letters have been sent out and roads posted in preparation for the December 19, 2006 public hearing on proposed changes to maximum speed limits on certain county roads. He suggested that a proposed reduction in the speed limit for Van Hoy Road may be the most contentious.

Director Smith noted that following the meeting he had with Chairman Thayer, the first three years (2007-2009) of the six year road plan is basically finalized and once the Board decides how much is to be spent on local access roads for 2010-2012, then the plan can be completed and formally approved. He added that once the county begins to receive extra revenues from wind power project property taxes there may be an opportunity to increase the funding that goes to local access roads to something beyond the usual $1 million that comes from landfill revenues annually. He added that, on the other hand, asphalt prices have risen sharply and are hard to predict, though prices for crude oil and derived products are now trending lower.

Chairman Thayer said that he recently drove Randall Road and noticed that the centerline is hard to see, and it appears that the reason for this is that the road is losing surface rock. He asked that the department investigate the matter.

Director Smith suggested that the county should consider requiring a stormwater analysis for all land divisions, noting that it has been some time since the county has done a flood control plan.

Morning Workshop Session – Tuesday, December 5, 2006 (Continued)

11:02 AM – Auditor’s Office Update

Klickitat County Auditor Brenda Sorensen began her briefing by stating that the Board should consider excluding accounts payable warrants for junior taxing districts in their voucher certification, noting that it creates an inflated amount because the Board is not really responsible for these payments. Chairman Thayer responded that it was a reasonable suggestion and he supports it.

Auditor Sorensen stated that she has been pleased with how quickly the county’s Technical Services Division has taken care of her computer and telephone needs.

Chairman Thayer encouraged Auditor Sorensen to talk to the Board about any topics or concerns that may arise.

Lunch Recess

The Board recessed for lunch at 11:25 AM

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting for Tuesday, December 5, 2006

Chairman Ray Thayer reconvened the meeting at 1:09 PM.

Commissioners present: Ray Thayer and Joan Frey.

Commissioner Don Struck was absent due to his attendance at a meeting in White Salmon with staff representatives from the offices of U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and Congressman Doc Hastings.

Agenda

Business Agenda

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) the Business Agenda as presented/with one addition:

Approval of Commissioner Meeting Minutes

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes for October 31, 2006 and November 7, 2006 as presented.

Citizen Comment

Gene Herin again criticized the Economic Development Department and the county’s refusal to assist him with constructing a private road in his subdivision.

Mike Smith discussed the August 2, 2006 letter from the Port of Klickitat Board of Commissioners that Mr. Smith noted was very critical of the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) and centered on the performance of the Port’s Executive Director Dianne Sherwood. Mr. Smith stated that there were allegations made by the Port Commissioners that the BOCC was trying to get Director Sherwood dismissed from her position but no proof was offered for this charge. Mr. Smith also explained that there was an exchange of email in September between the BOCC and the Port of Klickitat in which the BOCC suggested a joint meeting between the two agencies. He noted that the reply from the Port was conciliatory and in a very different tone from the August 2 letter, but did not directly respond to the BOCC’s suggestion for a joint meeting. Mr. Smith stated that he is very concerned about the situation, and said that the public needs to know how money provided by the county is spent by the Port. He specifically requested that a joint meeting be held between the Port and BOCC to resolve these issues.

Public Meetings/Public Hearings/Bid Openings

Public Meeting – Consider Approval of Boundary Line Adjustment BLA2006-22; Applicant: Michael Brislawn

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) Boundary Line Adjustment No. BLA2006-22 which alters the boundary between Lot 1 of Short Plat SP-91-12 and the adjoining deeded property, the applicant being Michael Brislawn. Associate Planner Jannette Herrington stated in her staff review that the purpose of the adjustment is to meet settlement conditions of an estate.

Public Hearing – Consider Supplemental Appropriations and Amendments to the 2006 Budget for Various Funds and Departments.

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Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) Resolution #17706 in the matter of allowing supplemental appropriations and amendments to the 2006 Budget for various funds and departments in the amount of $2,975,480. Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman provided a brief summary of the requests for each fund and department, noting that the total amount had changed from the $2,967,480 that was initially indicated due to a last minute request of $8,000 from the Clerk’s Office to cover a calculation error on wages and benefits. Chairman Thayer noted for the record that there was no one present wishing to provide public testimony for or against the request.

New Business

Proposed Lease Agreement for the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport

Attendance: Chuck Covert of Gorge Aviation Services LLC, Jim Broehl of Aeronautical Management Inc., The Dalles City Manager Nolan Young, Dennis Kindig and Anne Yanotti of Flightline Services Inc., Columbia Gorge Regional Airport board member Jim Riley, Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman, and Ed Cox, reporter for The Dalles Chronicle.

City Manager Young accepted Chairman Thayer’s offer to speak first and stated that after ten years of having Flightline Services as the Fixed-Base Operator (FBO), the City of The Dalles (which owns the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport jointly with Klickitat County) felt that it was time to change the Airport’s maintenance agreement from part-time to full-time. He added that Flightline Services had rejected the proposed new arrangement (which includes the FBO paying rent for airport space) and the Airport Board of Directors then requested that Aeronautical Management, Inc. (AMI) the firm that is now managing the Airport, to pursue a new lease. When it was decided to award the new lease maintenance agreement to a new entity, Gorge Aviation Services, (who’s partners include Chuck Covert, who resigned as chair of the Airport Board, Rolf Anderson, the president of AMI, and Jim Broehl, also of AMI) Flightline Services filed a formal notice of protest of award of contract for the FBO to Gorge Aviation Services. Manager Young added that the Airport stands to make an additional $40,000 a year in rents (including $3,300 from Gorge Aviation Services for lease of the large maintenance hangar). He also noted that the City Attorney for The Dalles examined the notice of protest and recommended that the protest be denied on both technical and substantive grounds.

Chuck Covert stated that Gorge Aviation Services made a presentation to the Airport Board, which subsequently made a decision to go forward with the new arrangement. He added that this is a step forward in making the Airport self sufficient and the cost for leasing the maintenance hangar was arrived at fairly.

Denny Kindig was then invited to speak and stated that his main concern was the lack of a competitive, advertised, sealed-bid selection process. He urged the Board to postpone approval of the lease agreement until the new arrangement can be advertised regionally. He also questioned the proposal to add Chuck Cover to the AMI management team, suggesting that there was a need for more public discussion.

Chairman Thayer responded by stating that the proposal to have Mr. Covert join AMI was a separate decision from consideration of the new lease agreement. He added that it was his understanding that Flightline Services was given the opportunity to meet the same requirements as Gorge Aviation Services has agreed to, but Mr. Kindig declined, stating that he couldn’t make it work.

Mr. Kindig replied that Gorge Aviation Services provided no business plan. Annie Yanotti added that an additional $40,000 for the Airport would be “wonderful”, but Gorge Aviation Services has no track record and there is concern that they would be able to stay in business over the long term.

Jim Broehl responded that no one would disclose a business plan in an open hearing, and Jim Riley added that airport management contacted at least three other entities in trying to arrange for an FBO and Flightline Services had the opportunity to continue. Mr. Riley stated that it was his opinion that the Airport should pursue an arrangement with Gorge Aviation Services.

Commissioner Frey stated that she would like the opportunity to review documents that she has not seen as yet and would also like to include Commissioner Struck in the decision. Chairman Thayer agreed that a postponement was in order. City Manager Young stated that there would be no harm in waiting a week, but noted that they would recommend that The Dalles City Council adopt the lease agreement.

Manager Young asked about the second issue, that being the request to add Mr. Covert to the AMI management team. Chairman Thayer replied that he would prefer to wait on that issue also, to allow discussion between the Board of Commissioners.

Elected Official Reports

Prosecuting Attorney Update

Prosecuting Attorney Tim O'Neill commented on a request that was made by a representative of Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health for a Sheriff deputy to transfer a resident of the Klickitat community to the Klickitat Valley Hospital for a mental evaluation. Prosecutor O’Neill stated that he was unsure whether this was an appropriate function of the Sheriff’s Office and he has solicited an opinion from the Washington State Attorney General’s Office.

Prosecutor O’Neill said that they have begun interviews for the part-time Victim-Witness Administrative Assistant, with four scheduled today.

Prosecutor O’Neill said that he would like to discuss with the Board a possible bid by the county to provide prosecuting attorney services to the City of Goldendale. It was decided that the matter would best be discussed in Executive Session.

Department Update/Comment

Discussion on the Proposed Natural Resources Department

Personnel Director Lori Wolford requested clarification regarding the status of the proposed Natural Resources Department and whether the Board supported going forward with creation of the department and advertising for a director. Chairman Thayer responded that he wished to go forward and the Board reached consensus to approve the steps necessary to advertise the director’s position. Director Wolford replied that she would prepare the necessary paperwork.

Executive Session

Executive Session – Pending and Potential Litigation

The Board convened into Executive Session at 3:03 PM with Prosecuting Attorney Tim O'Neill in accordance with RCW 42.30.110(1) (i) to discuss a possible bid by the county to provide prosecuting attorney services to the City of Goldendale. It was noted that the session would last for 10 minutes.

The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 3:13 PM.

Consent Agenda

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

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1. Settlement Agreement (#C23506) between Klickitat County and SDS Company for acquisition of right-of-way required for the purpose of reconstruction of a portion of Snowden Road.

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2. Settlement Agreement (#C23606) between Klickitat County and Westly LaBryer for acquisition of right-of-way required for the purpose of reconstruction of a portion of Snowden Road.

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3. Settlement Agreement (#C23706) between Klickitat County and Mary Austin for acquisition of right-of-way required for the purpose of reconstruction of a portion of Snowden Road.

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4. Settlement Agreement (#C23806) between Klickitat County and John Schmerber for acquisition of right-of-way required for the purpose of reconstruction of a portion of Snowden Road.

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5. Contract Agreement (#C23906) #2005-2007-CD-2 for Youth Outreach and Referral Services between Klickitat County and Merit Resource Services to provide Youth Outreach, Referral, and Intervention services to the students at Goldendale High School to provide a continuum of care for youth at risk for chemical dependency.

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6. Fiscal Year 2007 Loan and Grant Application Statement of Agreed Priority for Water Resource Inventory Area 29 for the Underwood Conservation District Clean Water Fund grant for the White Salmon River and Klickitat River Restoration and Monitoring.

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7. Resolution #17806 renaming the WRIA 30 Planning Unit as the “Water Resource Planning and Advisory Committee” and appointing the WRIA 30 Planning Unit Members to the WRPAC and extending their terms through December 31, 2007.

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8. Small Works Contract (#C24006) #SMW127, 2006-2007 County-wide Snow Removal between Klickitat County and Pacific Excavation, LLC. for emergency snow removal.

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9. Small Works Contract (#C24106) #SMW127, 2006-2007 County-wide Snow Removal between Klickitat County and Edward J. Lehner for emergency snow removal.

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10. Resolution #17906 in the matter of appointing Larry Barker to the Klickitat-Skamania Family Service Network sponsored by the Klickitat County Adult Probation Department, representing law enforcement, as a fiduciary member.

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11. Agreement for Use of the Klickitat County Adult Correction and Detention Facility (#C24206) between Klickitat County and the City of Goldendale to provide suitable jail facilities and personnel for the booking and confinement of city prisoners effective January 1, 2007, terminating December 31, 2010.

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12. Certification and Acknowledgment of receipt of the 2007 budgets and estimates as submitted by the various taxing districts within Klickitat County certifying the amounts to be raised by taxation on the assessed valuation of the property within each taxing district for the purpose of levying taxes.

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13. Contract Addendum (#C24306) to the Agreement between Klickitat County and Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health (#C28105) to provide a match from CWCMH in the form of free services to the community.

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14. Professional Services Agreement (#C24406) between Klickitat County and Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health for chemical dependency prevention services.

Payment Approvals

Voucher Certification and Approval

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

Accounts Payable: (#161295 – 161527) $433,964.45

Combined Payroll: (#092075 – 092131, 161294 & Electronic Transfer 369) $6,734.18

For a combined total of $440,698.63

Adjournment (4:20 PM)

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned until 10:30 AM on Thursday, December 7, 2006

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting Extension: Workshop Session for Thursday, December 7, 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 – Executive Session

The Board convened into Executive Session in accordance with RCW 42.30.110(1) (d) to conduct an annual personnel evaluation. It was noted that the session would last for 90 minutes.

The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 12:00 Noon.

12:00 Noon – Lunch

1:30 PM – Consideration of Nuisance Abatement of Parcel Numbers 04-18-3000-0006/00, 04-16-0952-0003/00 and 02-15-1754-0523/00

Building and Compliance Director Skip Grimes and Code Compliance Officer Joyce DeVries presented three nuisance abatement cases involving Parcel No. 04-18-3000-0006/00, Clyde L. Jones owner; Parcel No. 04-16-0952-0003/00, Bill and Glenda Baxter, owners; and Parcel No. 02-15-1754-0523/00, Chase Manhattan Bank, owner. In each instance the recommendation was to proceed with abatement. The Board directed them to prepare the necessary resolution authorizing commencement of nuisance abatement proceedings of these parcels.

1:50 PM – 2007 Budget Workshops

The Board met with Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman, Public Works Director Scott Smith and other employees of his department to discuss the 2007 Capital Improvements Fund which was reduced from its proposed $382,400 to $271,400. The 2007 Non-Capital Budget was also discussed and was left at the $179,200 preliminary amount.

2:45 PM – 2007 Budget Workshops

The Board met with Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman, Economic Development Director Michael Canon and Economic Development Specialist Denney Newell to review the 2007 Economic Development Department Budget. The Board reduced the overall budget by approximately $29,000.

3:55 PM – 2007 Budget Workshops

The Board continued their budget discussions with Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman and discussed the 2007 General Fund Budget, which was reduced by $155,360 to balance with other projections.

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