Klickitat County

Board of Commissioners

Minutes – Meeting of Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Agenda Item - Comment/Disposition

Call to Order/Roll Call

Morning Workshop Session – Tuesday, September 27, 2011

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 Kelsey and Assistant County Engineer Hunter provided a brief review of Consent Agenda items and pay estimates; a Construction Program project update, road maintenance project report and facilities update.

The Board held a follow up discussion concerning the Monastery Fire, with the Board considering possible options to streamline the permit process for the residents that will be rebuilding after the fire. It was noted that more discussion would be needed.

Director Kelsey stated during the “post fire” briefing DNR reported that they received strong support from all agencies. Incident Commander Lafave stated that the shared use of a facility by fire command and the Red Cross had never been done before, but it worked well.

Director Kelsey said that it took a lot of personnel to coordinate facility usage at the Fairgrounds for the DNR fire crews, evacuees, and the Red Cross, noting that they are always looking at ways to improve. County personnel are working to incorporate the lessons learned from this event into their action plans, as well as how to improve communications and coordination during future events.

The Board discussed the proposed Emergency Management facility which will be located at the Goldendale Industrial Park, with the Board inquiring if Public Works has enough resources to move forward with the project. Director Kelsey advised that they do, noting that they will need technical assistance from architects and engineers during the design and construction of the project.

Following discussion, Director Kelsey advised that he would anticipate being able to advertise the building project for bidding next spring, noting that winter is a good time to focus on the project. Commissioner Sauter stated that he would like to be completed with the project and testing the equipment and facility by October 2012, well before the deadline of December 31, 2012.

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 presented an updated medical insurance experience report, followed by an open enrollment update, advising that the process is nearly complete.

Manager Post noted that interviews for the selection of the Third Party Administrator for the Health Reimbursement Arrangement will start near the end of September, with the intent of having a recommendation by the October 11^th Board meeting for Board consideration.

Manager Post advised that she is working with the Senior Services Department on changes in health insurance for causal aides due to the State’s recent rule changes.

Manager Post provided a brief review of Safety Committee activities and the Public Works’ and Sheriff’s Labor/Management Team meetings and changes within the Personnel Department.

Executive Session: Union Negotiations and public employee performance issue.

The Board convened into Executive Session at 11:46 AM with Personnel Manager Randi Post and Administrative Services Director Glen Chipman in accordance with RCW 42.30.140(4)(a) to discuss union bargaining negotiations and RCW 42.30.110(l)(g) to discuss a disciplinary action of a public employee. It was expected to last ten (10) minutes.

The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 11.56 AM.

Lunch Recess

The Board recessed for lunch at 12:00 Noon.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting for Tuesday, September 27, 2011

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 with one Add-on under Board Pending: Auditor Brenda Sorensen: Redistricting Update.

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 September 20, 2011 as presented.

Citizen Comment

City of White Salmon Councilman Adrian Bradford advised that he has been appointed to negotiate on behalf of the City of White Salmon with Klickitat County on matters involving properties now in county ownership due to tax foreclosure and that the City of White Salmon also has LID (Local Improvement District) liens on each of the parcels behind the County’s property tax claims.

Mr. Bradford stated that he would be doing the work to stimulate interest in the properties and find a use for them to help get them sold and stated that he is asking for cooperation between the City and County to start the process of marketing the properties.

County Treasurer Dani Burton advised that there are no liens by the City of White Salmon recorded in the Auditor’s office associated with the properties, noting that tax titled property must be sold at public auction; it can’t be put on the market to be sold.

Treasurer Burton advised that the first thing that should be done is to check with the Prosecuting Attorney and get an opinion concerning the issues, noting that the title report does not show a lien from the City of White Salmon.

Following further discussion, the general consensus of the Board was supportive of exploring the City of White Salmon’s request for mutual cooperation. The Board noted that first they would like to get the Prosecutor’s opinion of the status of the City’s lien and asked Treasurer Burton to present all materials associated with the matter to the Prosecutor for review.

New Business

Resolution in the matter of employing attorneys to serve as special counsel as authorized pursuant to RCW 36.32.200

Approved (M/Sauter, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously): Resolution No. 12011 in the matter of the Board of Klickitat County Commissioners employing the law firm of Foster Pepper PLLC to serve as special counsel to assist on matters relating to the County Solid Waste Management Plan, the continuing relations with Republic Services, Inc., and other matters relating to the county’s solid waste program as pursuant to RCW 36.32.200 which authorizes such engagements of special counsel, effective upon approval by the Presiding Superior Court Judge, through December 31, 2012. The Resolution will be forwarded to the Superior Court Judge Brian Altman for signature.

Prior to the motion, the Board noted that they have had discussions with Prosecuting Attorney Hoctor regarding the appointment of special council and requested the privilege of having special council advise the Board on landfill issues.

The Board stated that the prosecutor wanted to approve each point of contact which would not work, noting that the County has had a relationship with special council, Foster Pepper since before the inception of the landfill.

In open public session the Board requested approval from Prosecutor Hoctor for contact on specific landfill issues and were declined. The Board noted that all options have been exhausted.

It was noted that funding for telephone calls/time with special council Foster Pepper will be funded from the general fund and Solid Waste not the Prosecuting Attorney’s budget.

Department Update

Susan Kerr, WSU Extension: Review 2012 preliminary budget request.

The Board convened into a budget workshop with WSU Extension Director Susan Kerr and Administrative Services Director Chipman to review the WSU Extension’s proposed 2012 budget.

Director Kerr advised that WSU has proposed the creation of a new position, 4-H Youth Specialist of which there will be 12 to 14 regional extension specialists. Yakima and Klickitat Counties will be jointly served with the specialist housed in Yakima County and serving Klickitat County.

Director Kerr noted that the hope is that both counties will fund a portion of the position which will require professional services to be increased if the position comes to be.

Miscellaneous Reports/Comments

Doug Hutchison, KCIFA President: Request to extend the countywide burn ban beyond September 30, 2011

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Sauter. Passed unanimously): Resolution No. 12111 in the matter of establishing outdoor burning restrictions within the unincorporated areas of Klickitat County. The Board of County commissioners of Klickitat County hereby places into effect a ban on outdoor burning outside the corporate limits of any city or town; the jurisdiction of the Yakama Indian Nation; and the jurisdiction of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and prohibiting the issuance of burning permits except for authorized agricultural burning. Attended camp fires will be allowed in the Mt. Adams Guler County Park in Trout Lake, Washington within the designated 8 foot cleared area with steel fire rings (rock rings are not allowed), however, the County and/or the Department of Natural Resources reserves the right to ban at any time all campfires within the Park during periods of extreme fire danger or during Industrial Fire Precaution Level. Residential barbecues will be allowed. At the discretion of the Fire Chief, Fire Protection Districts are exempt from this ban for the purposes of live training activities. Said burn ban shall be in full force and effect through October 16, 2011. The public is directed to check with the appropriate authorities concerning burning restrictions within the corporate limits of any city or town.

Consent Agenda

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

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1) Senior Nutrition Services Amendment No. 1 (C21811) between Southwest Washington Agency on Aging and Disabilities and Klickitat County (Senior Services) for the purpose of increasing the Older Americans Act (OAA) and Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP) allocations available for the period of performance of January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011 as follows:

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2) Client Services Contract (C21911) between Southwest Washington Agency on Aging and Disabilities and Klickitat County (Senior Services) for the purpose of providing Home Care Agency Services which includes a range of personal care services for Clients and respite services for Caregivers. Reimbursement for Home Care Agency Services for a large number of Clients is funded by Medicaid and Medicaid Waiver programs. Funding Sources for services to non-Medicaid Clients include one (1) or a combination of the following: Title IIIB of the Older Americans Act; Washington State Senior Citizens Services Act; Title IIIE of the Older Americans Act; State Family Caregivers Support Program; and Stated-funded CHORE (closed in August 2011 to new applicants, effective September 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

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3) Resolution No. 12211 in the matter of designating Jeff Hunter, Public Works Assistant County Engineer as the authorized representative and Susan Gregson, Finance Manager as the alternate to represent Klickitat County in order to secure federal aid reimbursements for the Monastery fire.

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4) Notice of public hearings to be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 1:30 in the Commissioners’ room in the Klickitat County Courthouse, Goldendale, Washington and Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 7:00 PM in the White Salmon Room #112, Pioneer Center, White Salmon, Washington to consider proposed amendments and extension to be made to the Klickitat County Six Year Transportation Improvement Program for 2012-2017.

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5) Klickitat County Emergency Rental Agreement (C22011) between Klickitat County (Public Works) and Northwest Southern Baptist Convention – Relief for the purpose of renting the area under the grandstands at the fairgrounds establishing an assistance site in support of the public affected by the Monastery fire and granting a waiver request of the daily rental fee of $150.00, effective September 15, 2011.

Elected Official Report/Update

Prosecuting Attorney’s Update

It was noted that Prosecuting Attorney Lori Hoctor did not make an appearance for her scheduled update.

Payment Approvals

Voucher Certification and Approval

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

Accounts Payable: (#215418 - 215536; DOR Electronic Transfer #563) for a net of $579,141.39.

Combined Payroll: (#124961 – 125228, County Benefit Warrants #315403 - 215417, Electronic Transfer #562) $778,072.94.

For a combined total of $1,357,214.33 for the date ending September 26, 2011.

Road Department Payments

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Sauter. Passed unanimously): pay estimate No. 6 to Thompson Brothers in the amount of $243,562.41 which includes $12,178.12 retainage for a total of $231,384.29 for the Hale Road Project, CRP309.

Approved (M/Sauter, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously): pay estimate No. 1 and Final to DCM Construction, Inc. in the amount of $14,057.78 which includes $653.85 retainage for a total of $13,403.93 for the Replace Blinds Courthouse Project; N10004, Fed #F10-52110-034.

Unfinished Business

Administrative Services Director Glen Chipman: Third quarterly 2011 budget review with Elected Officials and Department Directors

The Board convened into the 3^rd Quarterly 2011-2012 budget workshop with elected officials and department heads. Administrative Services Director Glen Chipman provided a General Fund revenue update, noting that it appears the revenues are on target for 2011.

Commissioner Thayer provided a brief overview of the recent Allied Waste update, advising that Allied is projecting landfill revenues to be flat for 2012.

Commissioner Sauter reported on landfill marketing activities and ongoing joint efforts to increase revenues.

A brief discussion followed with a question and answer period.

Board Pending

County Auditor Brenda Sorensen: Redistricting Update

County Auditor Brenda Sorensen and Deputy Auditor/Election Administrator Brandy Sullivan provided an update on the state redistricting plan and deadlines, noting that the state currently has four plans.

Auditor Sorensen advised that the plan the state chooses and the legislature passes will affect the county’s redistricting plan, noting that they are prepared with alternate options if needed but for now they are waiting on the state.

As a result of the redistricting discussion, the Board requested a report showing how many registered voters are in each district of the current plan as well as the proposed plan.

Adjournment

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Sauter. Passed unanimously): There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 3:33 PM.

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Reference Document on File

Please Note: The Board of Commissioners’ minutes are action minutes. An audio record is on file as part of the official record and available on Tape #2011-07, Tape Count 2642 through 2855.