Klickitat County

Board of Commissioners

Minutes – Meeting of Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Agenda Item - Comment/Disposition

Call to Order/Roll Call

Morning Workshop Session – Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Chairman David M. Sauter called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM. Commissioners present: David M. Sauter, Rex F. Johnston and Ray Thayer.

Workshop Session Agenda

10:00 AM – Public Works Department Update

Attendance: Public Works Director Gordon Kelsey and Assistant County Engineer Jeff Hunter.

Public Works Director Gordon Kelsey began the department update with a review of pay estimates for the South Columbus and Bickleton Highway Overlay projects and the final acceptance and release of retainage for the Fisher Hill Quarry and Trout Lake Quarry Crushing projects.

Director Kelsey provided an update of the 2009 Construction Program which included Horseshoe Bend Road, Rock Creek Bridge, South Columbus & Bickleton Highway Overlays, the Courthouse Window replacement project, the WSU building roof repair and an update of maintenance road projects.

Assistant County Engineer Jeff Hunter reported that Public Works has been notified that the county has been awarded an energy reducing grant from the Department of Commerce.

The Board had a discussion concerning a moisture problem which is causing the Pioneer Center’s roof decking to buckle and push the roof up, with Director Kelsey requesting and receiving Board support to address the matter in a letter to the contractor. The Board requested that the original Architect also receive a copy of the letter.

Director Kelsey advised that he is reviewing the Condit Dam haul routes, adding that the road is not adequate for the loads that are proposed to be hauled during the removal of the dam.

The Board continued a previous discussion concerning merging the Public Works and Buildings & Grounds Departments into one team and the restructuring of duties and responsibilities, with Director Kelsey proposing to move forward to advertise In-House to fill the new Project Engineer/Maintenance Coordinator position.

Following discussion, the general consensus of the Board was supportive of Director Kelsey’s proposal. Director Kelsey noted that he would work with Personnel Manager Randi Post and prepare the necessary paper work for the Board’s review and consideration.

Natural Resources Director Dave McClure and Planning Director Curt Dreyer: Mitigation bank discussion.

The Board had a discussion concerning the formation of a mitigation bank for wind farm development projects. Natural Resources Director Dave McClure advised that he and Planning Director Curt Dreyer have met with landowners, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife representatives and wind farm developers and are ready to move forward with a letter inviting various landowners to further discussion of formation of the mitigation bank.

Following discussion Director McClure received approval from the Board to move forward with the proposed letter.

11:05 AM – Economic Development Department Update

Attendance: Economic Development Director Michael Canon, Economic Development Specialist Denny Newell and County Consultant Miland Walling.

Economic Development Director Michael Canon provided a brief county unemployment report and an update on the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport Development CERB project, noting that all files and reports have been turned over to the Public Works Department.

Director Canon advised that Aeronautical Management Inc., managers of the airport are pursing the possibility of changing the tax status of the airport and feel that due to the joint ownership of the airport with Klickitat County it should be tax exempt.

Director Canon advised that the Washington State Department of Commerce has issued a two-year ADO contract to the Klickitat County Public Economic Development Authority (KCPEDA) for signature, once signed the contract between KCPEDA and Klickitat County will be presented for inclusion on the Consent Agenda for Board review and consideration. Director Canon noted that the contract is for a two year period beginning July 1, 2009 and will provide approximately $42,500.00 per year.

Due to conflicts with the Board’s schedule, Director Canon requested and received Board direction concerning dates for four (4) KCPEDA meetings with the dates of January 14, February 18, March 18 and November 18, 2010 being selected for the dates in question.

Director Canon provided a brief update on the Goldendale Economic Development Committee’s request for CERB funding for a planning study regarding building an incubator building at the Goldendale Industrial Park.

Director Canon reported that he recently participated in a conference hosted by the Aspen Institute in partnership with the Northwest Area Foundation and the Annie Casey Foundation. The event was focused on providing training for local community development leaders on a variety of ways to assist rural working families (low and moderate income) and dealt with economic success for rural families; community building; entrepreneurship; small business development, financial education and resources for training.

Director Canon noted that the entire program was aimed at reducing poverty in rural communities and was an intensive training exercise that has strengthened the Horizons activities in a half dozen Klickitat County communities and in Skamania County.

Director Canon reported that Economic Development Specialist Denny Newell is now serving his first full term representing business and economic development on the South Central Workforce Council, adding that Specialist Newell will travel to Florida in December to participate in the national conference focusing on federal re-authorization of the Workforce Investment Act.

Director Canon advised that the Columbia River Mountain Institute, a public/private partnership has proposed to build the Columbia River Mountain School on the Dalles Mountain Ranch property which has become part of the Columbia Hills State Park.

Director Canon advised that the Economic Development Department plans to attend the Northwest Wind Industry Supply Chain Summit in Portland on December 18, 2009. Director Canon stated that this conference offers a chance to learn more about production and service industry opportunities related to wind farms.

Lunch Recess

The Board recessed for lunch at 12:00 Noon.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting for Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Chairman David M. Sauter reconvened the meeting at 1:00 PM. Commissioners present: Rex F. Johnston, David Sauter and Ray Thayer.

Agenda

Business Agenda

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Johnston. Passed unanimously): the Business Agenda as presented.

Approval of Commissioner Meeting Minutes

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Approved (M/Johnston, S/Thayer. Passed): the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes for November 3, 2009 (Commissioner Sauter abstained due to being absent from the November 3^rd meeting) and the Meeting Minutes for November 10, 2009 (Commissioner Thayer abstained due to being absent from the November 10^th meeting).

Citizen Comment

No one was present to offer citizen comment.

Public Meetings/Public Hearings/Bid Openings

Public Meeting: Consider final approval of Boundary Line Adjustment No. BLA2009-04, which adjusts lot lines between Lots 229, 232 & 233, Fruit Home Colony; Applicant: Darold Ward.

Approved (M/Johnston, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously): Boundary Line Adjustment No. BLA2009-04 which alters Lots 229, and portions of Lots 232 and 233 of Fruit Home Colony and grant final approval to the boundary line adjustment; Applicant: Darold Ward.

Assistant Planner Crista Schroder reported that the purpose of this adjustment is to move the portion of Lot 232 to become part of Lot 229 to allow Lot 229 to front Northwestern Lake Road.

Assistant Planner Schroder advised that the zoning for the property is Resource Lands and that lots as adjusted meet the requirements of the zoning designation; noting that all conditions had been met with all assurances received.

Elected Official Report/Update

Prosecutor’s Update

Attendance: Prosecuting Attorney O’Neill and the County Assessor’s Chief Appraiser Mike McBride.

The Board had a discussion concerning the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport and a claim by airport management, Aeronautical Management Inc. that the airport should be exempt from paying property taxes pursuant to RCW 84.36.130, with Prosecuting Attorney Tim O'Neill disagreeing with the claim and advising that there is a previous history of the airport paying property taxes.

Following discussion, Chief Appraiser Mike McBride advised that exemptions in the RCW apply only to airports 500 acres or less in size, adding that the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport consists of a total of 965 acres.

Executive Session – Potential and Pending Litigation

The Board convened into Executive Session at 2:15 PM with Prosecuting Attorney Tim O’Neill in accordance with RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss potential and pending litigation. It was noted that the executive session would last for 10 minutes.

The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 2:25 PM.

Consent Agenda

Approved (M/Johnston, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) the Consent Agenda.

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1) Letter and Resolution No 13409 in the matter of reappointing Carl McNew to serve as Klickitat County’s representative on the Columbia River Gorge Commission for a four (4) year term effective July 1, 2009 and expiring June 30, 2013.

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2) Grant Agreement No. G1000101 (C29509) between Klickitat County (Natural Resources Department) and the State of Washington Department of Ecology for the purpose of providing $110,000.00 to fund water availability studies for selected areas within Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 30 which have been identified as a high priority in the approved Watershed Management Plan, effective September 1, 2009 and expiring June 30, 2011.

3) Scheduling a public meeting to be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 1:30 PM to consider final approval of a lot line adjustment Lot 1, SP-92-13 (altered by SPL2001-00031): Applicant: Six S Co.

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4) Alternative work schedule for the Personnel Manager position within the Personnel Division allowing a flexible work schedule to work four-10 hour days per week, Tuesday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. The work schedule will provide longer office coverage and time at the end of the day to handle complex projects without interruption; AND Alternative work schedule for the Administrative Assistant III position within the Personnel Division allowing a flexible work schedule to work four-10 hour days per week, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM. The work schedule will provide longer office coverage and time at the end of the day to handle complex projects without interruption.

Payment Approvals

Voucher Certification and Approval

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

Accounts Payable: First run warrants (#195009 - 195158) for a net of $953,689.70 and second run warrants (#195159 – 195187) for a net $30,147.16, for a combined total of $983,836.86 for date ending November 16, 2009. There were no Payroll warrants requiring approval.

Road Department Payments

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Approved (M/Thayer, S/Johnston. Passed unanimously): Pay estimate to payment No. 1 to Granite Northwest, Inc. –dba- Mid Columbia, in the amount of $377,420.41, which includes $18,871.02 retainage for a net of $358,549.39 for the Bickleton Highway Overlay 2 Project, CRP 287, TA 3940.

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Approved (M/Thayer, S/Johnston. Passed unanimously): Pay estimate to payment No. 1 to Granite Northwest, Inc. –dba- Mid Columbia, in the amount of $438,008.96, which includes $21,900.45 retainage for a net of $416,108.51 for the South Columbus Overlay Project, CRP 286, TA 3867.

Release of Retainage Payment

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Approved (M/Thayer, S/Johnston. Passed unanimously): Release of Retainage payment to DeAtley Crushing Company in the amount of $29,528.89 for the Fisher Hill Quarry CRP-250 and Trout Lake Quarry Crushing WP-29.

Adjournment

Approved (M/Johnston, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously): There being no further business before the Board the motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 2:34 PM.

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Reference Document on File