Klickitat County

Board of Commissioners

Minutes – Meeting of Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Agenda Item - Comment/Disposition

Call to Order/Roll Call

Morning Workshop Session – Tuesday, August 24, 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, Assistant County Engineer Jeff Hunter and Administrative Services Director Glen Chipman.

Public Works Director Gordon Kelsey provided a brief review of Consent Agenda items and the second and final pay estimate for the Low Cost Run-Off-Road Safety Program, followed by updates on 2010 Construction Program projects, road maintenance projects and wind development road projects.

Director Kelsey advised the Board concerning a request from The Relationship Abuse Prevention Program to be allowed to host a fundraiser car wash in the county’s main parking lot this Saturday. The Board expressed support for the request.

Director Kelsey noted that in preparing the 2011 budget he has compared the Klickitat County Public Works Department with other comparable counties, noting that it has been an interesting exercise.

The Board had a discussion concerning water usage at the fairgrounds, with Director Kelsey noting that the well at the fairgrounds does not have enough capacity to handle all of the county’s needs and water from the City of Goldendale has to be used.

The Board had a brief discussion regarding the placement of two informational signs along The Dalles/Fort Simcoe Military Road, with the Board requesting that Director Kelsey assist Mr. Wheelhouse through the permitting process. Additionally, Executive Secretary Cris McEwen noted that she would prepare a letter expressing the Board’s support of Mr. Wheelhouse’s efforts for review and consideration for next week’s meeting.

Commissioner Thayer provided a review of citizen comments he received during the fair concerning county roads, with excellent reviews for the paving recently done on Rock Creek Road and positive comments concerning the priority placed on roads used by the logging industry, but with a bad review of the paving done on the culvert on Dot Road, with Director Kelsey advising that he would check into the matter.

The Board had a discussion concerning the Radio Project and proposed work to be done at Juniper Point, with the Board advising that they would like a project update and a work plan lined out for their consideration and further discussion.

Following discussion, the Board directed Administrative Services Director Glen Chipman and the Radio Project contractors to work with the Public Works Department to coordinate, schedule and complete the tasks that can be done by Public Works personnel.

Personnel Manager Randi Post: Department Update

11:00 AM – Personnel Department Update

Attendance: Personnel Manager Randi Post and Administrative Services Director Glen Chipman.

Personnel Manager Randi Post provided an overview of employee medical insurance plan options for the Board’s consideration, adding that she is waiting on more figures and composite rates which she will provide to the Board for further consideration and discussion.

Personnel Manager Post noted that the Benefit Committee’s goal is to provide the best employee medical coverage and stay cost neural with zero increase in cost to the county.

The Board had a discussion concerning an Elected Official’s Wage Study, with Manager Post proposing wage increases to provide wages that are an average to our comparable counties for elected officials for 2011. Manager Post advised that non-represented and union employee average comparable wages were provided in 2010 and the implementation of this recommendation from the Elected Officials Wage Study will offer equity to all Klickitat County employees.

Following discussion, the general consensus of the Board was supportive to move forward with resolutions to implement the 2011 wage increase for elected officials.

The Board had a brief discussion concerning longevity pay for elected officials, with the Board directing Manager Post to move forward with a resolution to grandfather in current elected officials and eliminating longevity pay in the future.

Executive Session – Personnel Performance of a Public Employee

The Board convened into Executive Session at 11:58 AM with Personnel Manager Randi Post and Administrative Services Director Glen Chipman in accordance with RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) to discuss the performance of a public employee. It was noted that the executive session would last for two (2) minutes.

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

Lunch Recess

The Board recessed for lunch at 12:00 Noon.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting for Tuesday, August 24, 2010

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

Agenda

Business Agenda

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

Approval of Commissioner Meeting Minutes

Approval of Meeting Minutes

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Approved (M/Thayer, S/Sauter. Passed unanimously) the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes for August 17, 2010 as presented.

Citizen Comment

The Board had a discussion concerning the policies, rules and regulations of Mt. Adams Transportation and its availability to transport Klickitat County senior citizens to events, with Dr. James Ogden noting that he is willing to pay the driver’s wages and the usual and customary fee for a bus to transport people that are in wheel chairs to special events which are mostly on the weekends.

Following discussion, Senior Services Director Sharon Carter advised that some policies are set by the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Federal Transportation Commission, adding that other issues are whether the schedule is already full and whether there would be a driver available without going into over-time. Director Carter noted that at least two (2) weeks advanced notice is important, adding that it is not uncommon to be booked out a month so as much advanced notice as possible is recommended.

Roosevelt residents Wayne and Linda Briggs inquired about the status of the code violations that individuals staying on their property in camp trailers had received from the County Code Enforcement Officer and asked why the Economic Development Department was told to stay out of the discussion.

Chairman Johnston advised that code violations are not the Economic Development Departments area of responsibility and recommended that the Briggs’ talk with the Code Compliance Director Skip Grimes and/or the Planning Director Curt Dreyer. Chairman Johnston noted that Planning Director Dreyer may be able to assist them since this is a zoning issue.

County Auditor Brenda Sorensen requested and received verbal approval from the Board for authorization to hire to fill the part-time licensing position from the recently interviewed applicants of the full-time licensing position. County Sorensen indicated that she had discussion the matter with Personnel Manager Randi Post.

Miscellaneous Reports/Comments

Scott Keller, Executive Director, Director of Special Projects Marvin Kinney and Kitty Thomas, Administrative Assistant, Port of Benton: Crow Butte capital improvement projects update.

Attendance: Port of Benton Executive Director Scott Keller, Director of Special Projects Marvin Kinney and Administrative Assistant Kitty Thomas.

Port of Benton Executive Director Scott Keller thanked the Board for their past financial support of Crow Butte Park and provided a brief review of the improvements made.

Administrative Assistant Kitty Thomas provided a review of expenditures for 2009, noting that the RV restrooms were remodel at a cost of $114,584 of which Klickitat County contributed $50,000.

Ms. Thomas advised that due to the development of the Crow Butte Park website, which allows the public to make camping reservations on line, usage of the park has increased 44 % since 2008.

Centerville resident Jim Sizemore requested and received direction from the Board concerning his recommendation to name the fairgrounds beef barn after former beef barn superintendent Bruce Cameron, with the Board suggesting a written request from the Klickitat County Cattleman’s Association be submitted for the Board’s consideration.

The Board had a discussion concerning the state’s pilot cougar program and the need to have someone more responsive and available to investigate potential cougar kills that occur in the county, with Mr. Sizemore advising that Timber Patrol Deputy Bob Songer would be willing to take the training to assist in investigations.

Commissioner Thayer noted that he would contact the Donny Martorello with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife for assistance, adding that Mr. Martorello has been helpful in the past.

Following further discussion, Commissioner Thayer advised that the cougar pilot program will be expiring and a draft bill is being put together to make the program permanent and the counties will need WDFW’s help to successfully pass the bill.

Consent Agenda

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Sauter. Passed unanimously) the Consent Agenda with Item # 10 being pulled for further discussion.

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1) Resolution No. 11410 in the matter of authorizing the code compliance Officer to commence proceedings to cause the abatement of the nuisance on Parcel No. 06-19-2400-0020/00 – James and Anne Jensen (1.5 miles north of Bickleton Highway on Timber Road).

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2) Resolution No. 11510 in the matter of authorizing the Code compliance Officer to commence proceedings to cause the abatement of the nuisance on Parcel No. 06-19-2400-0018/00 – George M. and Patricia A. Stephenson (1 mile north of Bickleton Highway on Timber Road).

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3) Agreement (C23410) for Housing of Inmates between NORCOR (Northern Oregon Corrections) and Klickitat County (Sheriff’s Office) for the purpose of providing aid and to assist each other in the planning, response and recovery from any emergent situation which may arise.

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4) Appointment of Jan Brending, City Administrator for the City of Bingen to serve on the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District Board representing the three (3) incorporated cities, effective September 1, 2010 and expiring August 31, 2011.

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5) Washington State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Planning-only Grant Agreement (C23510) between the State of Washington Department of Commerce and Klickitat County (Economic Development Department) for the purpose of providing $24,000 in grant funding to develop a community center feasibility plan with the Klickitat School District.

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6) Cumulative Reserve Fund #125 project list change which is required in order to reflect approval of Supplemental Budget 2010-02 on August 17, 2010.

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7) Resolution No. 11610 in the matter of setting a public hearing for September 14, 2010 at 1:30 PM to consider an abatement assessment which may constitute a special assessment against and a alien upon the property or a person obligation of Collen P. Gahagan, Bonnie J. Spatig and Linda J. Cannon, Parcel No. 05-17-3369-0010/00.

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8) Scheduling a public meeting to be held on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 1:30 PM to consider approval of an alternation of Lot 2, SP84-03, Short Plat No. SPL2010-07; Applicants: Dickey Farms & Robert Dickey.

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9) Settlement Agreements for the acquisition of required right-of-way for the purpose of reconstruction of a portion of Hale Road, County Road No. 46180 between Klickitat County (Public Works Department) and the following individuals:

• (C23610) Clark Ranch LLC 2.32 Acres Parcel No. 05-21-2200-0002/00
• (C23710) Christine Toomey, Trustee 5.46 Acres Parcel No. 05-21-0800-0002/00
• (C23810) Christine Toomey, Trustee 3.24 Acres Parcel No. 05-21-1700-0000/00

o (C23910) Christine Toomey, Trustee 6.30 Acres Parcel No. 05-21-0700-0001/00

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10) Memorandum of Understanding between Klickitat County (Public Works Department) and Council 2, Washington State Council of County and City Employees representing Klickitat County Road/Survey Crew Employees and Road Department Supervisors.

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11) Resolution No. 11710 in the matter of temporarily increasing the FTE from .6 to .8 for the Goldendale Senior Services Department Case Manager Terra Barrett for the maximum period of 10 weeks due to the absence of a key employee, effective August 15, 2010.

Elected Official Report/Update

Prosecutor’s Update

Prosecuting Attorney Tim O’Neill provided a brief department update advising the Board about a death resulting from a motorcycle crash on the Bickleton Highway and an update on the hiring process for the vacant Deputy Prosecutor position.

Executive Session: Potential and Pending Litigation.

The Board convened into Executive Session at 2:13 PM with Prosecuting Attorney Tim O’Neill and Planning Director Curt Dreyer 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 five (5) minutes. At 2:18 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 2:23 PM.

The Board had a brief discussion regarding a request for Board consideration concerning the removal of a pasture easement on a parcel located in Ponderosa Park represented by Realtor Lorna Dove, with Planning Director Curt Dreyer advising that if the easement is on the original plat it will legally require the complete process to remove it, adding that he will check the original plat and prepare a response letter reflecting his findings.

Director Dreyer noted that he has scheduled a workshop in September to discuss potential code revisions, i.e. ATV/race course, keeping of livestock on small lots, accessory dwelling units, Growth Management Act requirements specific to mineral lands, and merging/marrying small lots together.

Payment Approvals

Voucher Certification and Approval

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

Accounts Payable: (#203629 – 203724; DOR Electronic Transfer # 519) for a total of $224,253 for the date ending August 23, 2010.

There were no Payroll warrants requiring approval.

Road Department Payments

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Sauter. Passed unanimously): Pay estimate to payment No. 2 and final payment to Construction Ahead Inc., -dba- Pavement Surface Control in the amount of $51,513.44, which includes no retainage for the Low Cost Run-Off-Road Safety Project, CRP 297, TA 4123, Fed. Aid. No. HRRR-000S(233).

Adjournment

Approved (M/Sauter, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously): There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 3:15 PM.

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Reference Document on File