Klickitat County

Board of Commissioners

Minutes – Meeting of Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Agenda Item - Comment/Disposition

Call to Order/Roll Call

Morning Workshop Session – Tuesday, January 12, 2010

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

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 provided a brief review of various department items before the Board during the afternoon session via the consent agenda and road project payment requests.

Director Kelsey presented an update on 2009 Construction Program projects and road maintenance projects, noting that load restrictions in Goldendale, Bickleton Highway to Cleveland and East Road will start on Friday.

The Board had a brief discussion concerning the Radio Project, with Director Kelsey providing an overview of the SEPA and Conditional Use Permit (CUP) process and project timeline and a draft offer letter for the Board’s review and consideration.

The Board had a follow up discussion regarding a proposal presented last spring by Alderdale area resident Rick Mercer to exchange a one mile section of private road (Gandy Road) for Warner Road, a county owned four mile long dirt road which is used almost exclusively by Mercer Ranch.

Following discussion, Director Kelsey advised that he had spoken with Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regional land manager concerning the proposal and DNR was opposed to the vacation, noting that it is DNR’s preference to maintain public access to public lands.

Following further discussion, it was estimated that it would cost approximately $250,000 to bring the one mile section of Gandy Road up to County road standards, with Commissioner Sauter stating that he would not be in favor of the exchange.

Director Kelsey offered a follow up to a previous discussion concerning Hoctor Road with a report on an inspection of the seal coating and plow chatter that has been occurring and causing lose aggregate.

Auditor Brenda Sorensen: Department Update

11:00 AM – Elected Officials Report

Attendance: County Auditor Brenda Sorensen.

County Auditor Brenda Sorensen presented an Election Department update, noting that the next election is February 9^th with six (6) school districts participating and will nearly be a county wide election with approximately 85% of the voters receiving ballots.

Auditor Sorensen advised that her office has received the required funds to be applied to the overall election costs associated with the March 2008 petition proposing a new fire district which would encompass a portion of existing Fire District 3. Auditor Sorensen stated, that the Fire District will now proceed according to statute with additional hearings.

Auditor Sorensen reported that the Licensing and Finance Departments are conducting business as usual with nothing to report at this time, adding that the Recording Department had server and scanner problems which have been resolved.

The Board had a discussion regarding the December 28^th bomb threat, with Auditor Sorensen stating that she would encourage that a policy be adopted to address situations relating to employee safety and courthouse security.

Chief Probation Officer Larry Barker: Review 2010 Adult Probation approved budget

11:30 AM – Adult Probation Department Update

Attendance: Chief Probation Officer Larry Barker and Administrative Services Director Glen Chipman.

The Board continued a discussion concerning the 2010 Adult Probation budget and a request from the County Judges to make an Administrative Assistant position within Adult Probation a full-time position funded from the General Fund. Prior to the 2010 budget year the position received one-third funding from the Trial Court Improvement fund and two-thirds from the General Fund.

Following discussion, the Board advised that they would honor their commitment to fund two-thirds of the position from the General fund, with Chief Probation Officer Barker noting that he would explore other funding sources for the other one-third of the position.

Administrative Services Director Glen Chipman: 2010-2011 budget review

11:40 AM – Administrative Services Department Update

Attendance: Administrative Services Director Glen Chipman.

The Board continued budget discussions concerning the 2010 Klickitat County Budget and review of preparation for the 2011 budget with Administrative Services Director Glen Chipman.

Lunch Recess

The Board recessed for lunch at 12:00 Noon.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting for Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Chairman Rex F. Johnston reconvened the meeting at 1:00 PM. Commissioners present: Ray Thayer and Rex F. Johnston. Commissioner David Sauter was absent due to a previous commitment.

Agenda

Business Agenda

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

Approval of Commissioner Meeting Minutes

Approval of Meeting Minutes

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Approved (M/Thayer, S/Johnston. Passed unanimously) the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes for January 5, 2010 as presented.

Citizen Comment

Alderdale area resident Rick Mercer inquired about the status of his proposal to exchange a one mile section of private road (Gandy Road) for Warner Road, a county owned four mile long dirt road which is used almost exclusively by Mercer Ranch which was followed by discussion.

Following discussion Mr. Mercer noted that the county road is a primitive road and if the county vacated the road, he would upgrade the road to meet the ranches needs, especially during harvest.

Director Kelsey advised that he has spoken with the DNR regional land manager concerning the proposal and DNR is opposed to the vacation of Warner Road.

Director Kelsey stated that it would not be cost effective for the County to take over Gandy Road, noting that it could cost as much as $250,000 to bring the one mile section of road up to county road standards.

Following further discussion, Commissioner Thayer suggested that Mr. Mercer contact DNR as well as the neighboring property owners to discuss the proposed vacation of Warner Road.

Department Update

Senior Services Director Sharon Carter: Review 2010 approved departmental budget.

Attendance: Senior Services Director Sharon Carter and Administrative Services Director Glen Chipman.

The Board continued a discussion concerning the 2010 Senior Services Department budget, with Senior Services Director Sharon Carter advising that the state has proposed to cut senior transportation and information services by 65 % which could happen by July 2010 or sooner.

Following discussion, Administrative Services Director Glen Chipman advised that the Senior Services Department Budget has been balanced with a line item which requires additional cuts of $131,635 to be made in order to maintain the 2010 budget.

Following further discussion, the Board advised Director Carter that she will need to present a revised budget to the Board for 2010 reflecting the cuts that she intends to make in order to stay within the 2010 budget.

Consent Agenda

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Johnston. Passed unanimously) the Consent Agenda with item #2 being pulled for further consideration.

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1) Resolution #00710 setting a public hearing to be held at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 to consider an application for classification from Regular Taxation to Open Space Timber Land for current use tax assessment under Chapter 84.34 RCW involving one parcel of property consisting of approximately 6.5 acres; Applicant/Owner: David P. Anderson and Karen Hadley.

2) (Pulled) Certification and Acknowledgement: Pursuant to the provisions of RCW 84.52.070 the Board of County Commissioners hereby acknowledges receipt of the 2010 budgets and estimates as submitted by 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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3) Request from Natural Resources Director David McClure to carry over vacation leave into 2010 up to a maximum of 120 hours which shall be used by June 1, 2010 or be forfeited.

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4) Memorandum of Agreement (C01010) between Washington State University Extension and Klickitat County to provide $19,155 for the extension program for January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010.

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5) Agreement (C01110) between the Klickitat County (Public Health Department) and the Washington State Department of Commerce, Community Services Division, Safe and Drug-Free Communities Unit, Community Mobilization Program to increase funding by $4,694.00 for a revised contract amount of $37,863.00 for communities to reduce the incidence of substance abuse and violence for youth and families, effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

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6) Resolution #00810 setting a public hearing to be held at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 to receive public testimony regarding a performance audit of building and inspection permit fees and the process used to set said fees performed by the Washington State Auditor’s Office.

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7) Resolution #00910 in the matter of authorizing the Public Works Department to purchase one (1) new ˝ Ton 4 x 4 extended cab pickup from state bid in the amount of $26,388.49 using the Washington State Office of Procurement.

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8) Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement (C01210) between Adams County and Klickitat County for the purpose of acknowledging the parties mutual interest to jointly bid acquisition for goods and services and disposition of property where such mutual effort can be planned in advance and to authorize the acquisition/purchase of goods and services under contracts where a price is extended by either party’s bidder to other governmental agencies.

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9) Notice of Public Hearing to be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 to review the final project performance and to hear all interested parties who wish to testify for or against the Klickitat County Fire District #14 Fire Hall and Community Center Grant, CDBG No. 06-64006-053.

10) Scheduling a public meeting to be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 1:30 PM to consider approval of alterations to Lots 4 – 6 Block 2, Plat of Wishram Hillside Tract, and Boundary Line Adjustment No. BLA2009-08; Applicants: Jystad and NW Storage.

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11) Professional Services Contract (C01310), Franklin County Emergency Management and Benton, Walla Walla, Yakima, Klickitat Counties and Yakama Nation between Franklin County Emergency Management and Klickitat County (Emergency Management) for the purpose of providing $50,000.00 in Washington State Military Department funding to plan, train and exercise their emergency responders and assess the readiness of their jurisdictions to prepare for and respond to a terrorist attack, effective August 1, 2009 through August 31, 2011.

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12) Independent Contractor’s Agreement (C01410) between Klickitat County (Economic Development Department) and Miland Walling to provide necessary consulting services that actively identify opportunities in State and Federal assistance related to economic and community development in Klickitat County, effective January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010.

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13) Independent Contract (C01510) for Law enforcement Services between Klickitat County in association with the Timber and Cattle Association, and Robert L. Songer to provide law enforcement services for the enforcement of livestock, agricultural and timber related laws within certain areas of Klickitat County. This contract is effective January 1, 2010 and shall remain in effect through December 31, 2010.

Miscellaneous Reports/Comments

Candy Didier: Director of Klickitat County Services, Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health: Programs update.

Attendance: Candy Didier, Director of Klickitat County Services, Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health, Public Health Director Kevin Barry and Administrative Services Director Glen Chipman.

Director Candy Didier presented updates on dependency health and mental health programs, noting that Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health (CWCMH) has been fortunate to hire a new psychiatrist after the former psychiatrist resigned.

Director Didier stated that the new facility has made CWCMH more visible to White Salmon and continues to provide staff with more opportunities to be involved with the community.

Director Didier reported that CWCMH has been able to position themselves in up times and down times and they are always looking at cuts where ever possible to maintain their budget as state funding sources continue to shrink.

Elected Official Report/Update

Prosecutor’s Update

Prosecuting Attorney Tim O’Neill provided a brief department update, noting that the Prosecutor’s office has been researching the cost to purchase a conference phone and conference table and chairs for the new conference room, adding that his office is also researching the cost to replace a multiple page scanner.

Executive Session – Pending Litigation and Pending Appeals

The Board convened into Executive Session at 2:33 PM with Prosecuting Attorney Tim O’Neill in accordance with RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss pending litigation and pending appeals. It was noted that the executive session would last for ten (10) minutes. At 2:43 PM it was announced that the executive session would be extended for an additional five (5) minutes.

The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 2:48 PM.

Payment Approvals

Voucher Certification and Approval

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

Accounts Payable: (#196574 - 196681) for a net of $251,999.95.

Combined Payroll: (#113682 – 113966, County Benefit Warrants #196561 - 196573, Electronic Transfer #495) $577,901.67.

For a combined total of $829,901.62 for the date ending January 11, 2010.

Road Department Payments

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Johnston. Passed unanimously): Pay estimate to payment No. 3 and final payment to Granite Northwest, Inc., -dba- Mid Columbia in the amount of $8,060.00, which includes $403.00 retainage for a net of $7,657.00 for the South Columbus Overlay Project, CRP 286.

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Johnston. Passed unanimously): Pay estimate to payment No. 1 to Bigelow Construction, Inc. in the amount of $16,906.98, which includes $845.35 retainage for a net of $16,061.63 for the 2009 Esteb Quarry Fencing Project WP-40.

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Johnston. Passed unanimously): Pay estimate to payment No. 3 and final payment to Granite Northwest, Inc., -dba- Mid Columbia in the amount of $2,800.00, which includes $140.00 retainage for a net of $2,660.00 for the Bickleton Highway Overlay 2, CRP 287, TA 3940.

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Johnston. Passed unanimously): Pay estimate to payment No. 6 and final payment to Tapani Underground Inc., in the amount of $65,246.31 for the Horseshoe Bend Road Project (CRP 279). No Retainage is being held as Tapani Undergrounds Inc. has posted a retainage bond.

Adjournment

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Johnston. Passed unanimously): There being no further business before the Board, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 3:00 PM.

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Reference Document on File