Klickitat County

Board of Commissioners

Minutes – Meeting of Tuesday, April 12^th, 2005

Agenda Item - Comment/Disposition

Call to Order/Roll Call

Morning Workshop Session – Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Chairman Don Struck called the meeting to order at 10:02 AM.

Commissioners present: Don Struck, Joan Frey and Ray Thayer.

(It was noted that the legislative update with Lobbyist Jim Potts that was scheduled for 9:30 AM was cancelled.)

Workshop Session Agenda

10:02 AM – Public Works Department Update

Attendance: Assistant County Engineer Bjorn Hedges, Building and Grounds Manager John Ihrig, and Goldendale residents James Daniel and Daniel Lichtenwald.

Engineer Hedges said that a resident of Dalles Mountain Road complemented the department on the recent improvements to his road, stating that the grading was excellent.

Engineer Hedges said that they now have a good selection of flaggers for the Canyon Road reconstruction project, some of whom have flagger cards.

Related to this issue Engineer Hedges stated that the department would like to get two flagger vehicles for the Canyon Road project and have determined that there are two Jeep Cherokees on the 2005 Surplus Vehicle Auction List that are in good mechanical shape and might be reinstated for their temporary use. He also wanted to switch tires between these two Jeeps and other vehicles on the auction list. Commissioner Thayer stated, and the Board concurred, that the department should rent the vehicles for the duration of the project, and they would also allow an exchange of tires.

Engineer Hedges said that recent rains have caused a debris slide on the BZ-Glenwood Highway. He has made inquiries to contractors to see who might have the necessary equipment because county equipment won’t reach some of the debris.

Engineer Hedges briefly discussed the possibility of the county getting funding through the state for replacement of Northwestern Bridge, should Condit Dam be removed. Afterward, there would be an opportunity to obtain a partial refund through the Settlement Agreement from PacifiCorp (the owner of Condit Dam).

Engineer Hedges said that he would prepare a comparison sheet, with help from Finance Manager Eric Greene, showing the pros and cons of separating rock inventory funds from the ER&R Fund. He noted that the problem has been the need for working capital at the beginning of the construction season.

Engineer Hedges said that he received an inquiry from a resident of Sunset Drive (just east of Goldendale) complaining of high vehicle speeds and asking how the road can become part of the county road system. Commissioner Thayer noted that this situation was addressed about a year ago when Director Nicholas provided information to the residents of Sunset Drive on how to bring the road up to county standards. Commissioner Thayer noted that the residents may need to form a Local Improvement District (LID).

Engineer Hedges stated that the reprint of 10,000 county maps will arrive by the end of the week.

Manager Ihrig stated that the interior wood trim for the Pioneer Center is needed in the next 30 days. He added that the remaining salvaged timbers from the Klickitat Mill have now been transported to the Fairgrounds Indoor Arena and need to be re-sawn to provide the interior trim pieces. Manager Ihrig suggested that Building and Grounds personnel could sort the timbers and also detect nails by use of a metal detector in preparation for the re-sawing operation by an outside contractor (Steve Jones of Goldendale, who has bid $75 per hour). Manager Ihrig also noted that this material would have to be machine sanded, and stated that they had received a verbal quote of $50 per hour from Kurt Patterson. Engineer Hedges estimated the total cost to be about $3,500 but the alternative to have the contractor supply the trim would be many times more. The Board reached consensus to proceed and also agreed to the use of two employees for the sorting operation in preparation for the outside contractors.

Manager Ihrig revisited the issue of whether 4-H would be paying rental fees on their Fairgrounds events, noting that they received a Fairgrounds Licensing Agreement signed by both Chairman Struck and WSU Extension Agent Susan Kerr for a horse camp that took place from April 6^th through the 8^th. Commissioner Thayer responded that he thought it was established that they would not be billed. He added however that as part of the understanding that the county won’t bill for 4-H activities at the Fairgrounds, it should also be understood that if there is a conflict between a 4-H event and a paying renter, then the paying renter will be accommodated instead. Manager Ihrig responded that he would prepare a new agreement for that event and would also propose a new resolution to amend the latest fee schedule and the standard Fairgrounds Licensing Agreement (adopted on February 22, 2005 as Resolution #03705) so that 4-H activities are exempted.

Morning Workshop Session – Tuesday, April 12, 2005 (Continued)

11:04 AM – Consider rescheduling a public hearing for a rezone appeal

Attendance: Planning Director Curt Dreyer and Goldendale residents James Daniel and Daniel Lichtenwald.

Director Dreyer came before the Board to recommend rescheduling a public hearing to consider a request to appeal the Planning Commission’s recommendation of denial of CPA2004-03, ZON2004-05, involving property in Dallesport, with applicant Jeanne Farwig, representative Steven Andersen, and landowners Sandra Powell and Mary Ahnger. The public hearing was scheduled for 1:30 PM on Tuesday, April 26, 2005. Director Dreyer stated that there were two major issues prompting his recommendation, the first being a change of ownership of the property in question. The second was the receipt of a number of requests from Dallesport residents, including John Kincheloe, that the hearing be moved to a time and location more convenient for interested Dallesport residents, especially those who have jobs during the day. Director Dreyer recommended that the hearing be rescheduled for an evening in Dallesport. After further discussion the Board reached consensus to reschedule to 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 5, 2005 at the Dallesport Community Center. Director Dreyer said that he would confirm the availability of the facility for that evening.

Lunch Recess

The Board recessed for lunch at 11:35 AM

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting for Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Chairman Don Struck reconvened the meeting at 1:07 PM.

Commissioners present: Don Struck and Ray Thayer.

Commissioner Frey was delayed momentarily and arrived at 1:08 PM.

Agenda

Business Agenda

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) the Business Agenda with one addition: a discussion with Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman regarding quarterly allocations and deposits as relates to 2005 landfill revenues.

Approval of Commissioner Meeting Minutes

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes for March 29, 2005 as presented.

Citizen Comment

There was no one present wishing to provide public comment.

Public Meetings/Public Hearings/Bid Openings

Review of Request for Proposals for Voter Registration and Election Management System

Proposals Returned (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) to the Auditor’s Office for their review and recommendation of four proposals received for Klickitat County’s voter registration and election management system:

Election Systems and Software, Omaha, NE –

$66,090.03

Votek Corporation, San Diego, CA –

$30,326.00 (“excluding Oracle fees”)

DFM Associates, Irvine, CA –

$115,600.00 (for first five years)

Data Information Management Systems, Roseville, CA –

$63,870.63 (for first five years)

Public Meeting – Consider Approval of Boundary Line Adjustment No. BLA2003-10

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) Boundary Line Adjustment No. BLA2003-10 which alters the boundary lines of Lots 2, 3 and 4 of Short Plat No. SP-95-20, the applicant being Donald Stern. Associate Planner Jannette Herrington stated in her staff review that the purpose of this adjustment is to reconfigure the lots to protect views of the Columbia River.

Public Meeting – Consider Final Approval of Short Plat No. SPL2004-35; Applicant: Robert Long

Accepted (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) the Road Construction Agreement and grant final approval of Short Plat No. SPL2004-35 which will create one additional lot, the applicant being Robert Long.

Motion amended (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) to set a deadline of February 16, 2006 for completion of road improvements and if the improvements are not completed by the original maturity date of August 16, 2005, then the $5,000 certificate of deposit will be renewed for another six months.

Planner Herrington noted in her staff review that the Public Works Department determined that $5,000 was sufficient to make the necessary road improvements and Prosecuting Attorney Tim O'Neill reviewed and approved the Road Construction Agreement.

Public Meeting – Consider Planning Commission Recommendation for Approval of Shoreline Variance Permit Application No. SH2005-01; Applicant: Klickitat County Public Utility District

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Accepted (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) the recommendation of the Planning Commission to grant approval of Shoreline Variance Application No. SH2005-01, the applicant being the Klickitat County Public Utility District (KPUD). Senior Planner Joe Sheridan stated in his staff review that the KPUD is seeking a variance so as to allow some work to take place within 50 feet of the Klickitat River. The KPUD is managing a project to replace the existing wastewater treatment plant in the community of Klickitat with a new plant. It was noted that all work will be contained within the existing dike, which will not be disturbed. Doug Miller, representing KPUD’s Water/Wastewater Department thanked for the Board and Planning staff for their support of this project.

New Business

Request to Establish Outdoor Burning Restrictions

Klickitat County Interagency Fire Association (KCIFA) President Doug Hutchison came before the Board to request establishment of outdoor burning restrictions within the unincorporated areas of Klickitat County. President Hutchison stated that the vast majority of KCIFA members wanted a June 1 start date, rather than May 1, and they reached consensus to support the June 1 date. The Board and President Hutchison also discussed the issue of barbecues with President Hutchison suggesting that language in the resolution discriminating between charcoal and propane barbecues be removed because the fire districts are on record as not wishing to involve themselves in determining which type of fuel a barbecue might be using. The Board reached consensus to continue the issue until next week when they would consider formal approval of a resolution to establish burning restrictions.

Old Business

Resolution Granting Variance to Reduce Access Easement for a Proposed Short Plat; Applicant: Dean Stowell

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Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) Resolution #07305 in support of the Board’s motion on Tuesday, March 29, 2005 adopting the findings of fact and conclusions granting approval of a variance to reduce the access easement from 60 feet to 30 feet for a proposed short plat located within a portion of Section 36, Township 4 North, Range 10 East, W.M. (Husum Vicinity), the applicant being Dean Stowell.

County-Wide Crushing 2005 Contract

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Approved (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) a Contract with Deatley Crushing Company in the amount of $539,600.00 for County-Wide Crushing 2005, Contract #WP-25 Niva Quarry and Contract #WP-26 Badger Gulch Quarry.

Miscellaneous Reports/Comments

2005 Landfill Revenues – Quarterly Allocations/Deposits

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Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman informed the Board that the county should be receiving a first quarter of 2005 landfill revenue payment in the amount of $2,365,968.25 within the next few days. He offered a sheet with the suggested distribution of this revenue to various county funds. The Board reached consensus to approve and Chairman Struck asked that the distribution document be made available to the County Treasurer. Mr. Chipman responded that it would be deposited as written and noted that the check will be about $500,000 more than the first quarter 2004 payment.

Consent Agenda

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

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1. Resolution #07405 scheduling a public hearing to be held at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 to declare certain county vehicles as surplus and to set a date for disposal at a public auction conducted by the County Treasurer.

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2. Concurrence and authorization to allow the Public Works Department to proceed with making the first offers on a parcel of property and to proceed according to established procedures with the acquisition of right-of-way for the Bickleton Highway, County Road #34000.

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3. Acceptance and approval of the project proposal/agreement (#C08705) by Locus Interactive Inc. to design the website for the Klickitat County Meth Action Team to communicate with the target audience to increase awareness, raise consciousness, provide resources and information on the KCMAT Team and how to get involved.

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4. Order and Agreement (#C08805) with Meadows Outdoor Advertising for lease of a billboard on Highway 197 in Dallesport regarding prevention of use of methamphetamine.

5. Memorandum from the Planning Department scheduling a public meetings as follows:

For 1:30 PM on Tuesday, April 19, 2005: Consider final approval of SUB2004-03, Husum Hills Subdivision; Applicant: Don Struck, and

For 1:30 PM on Tuesday, April 26, 2005: Consider acceptance of road right-of-way (Rimrock Road) SPL-2005-01; Applicant: Sunset Real Estate, Inc., and Consider approval of alteration to Lot 1, SP-99-07, Short Plat No. SPL2004-36; Applicant: John Meyer.

6. Memorandum from the Planning Department scheduling a public meeting for 1:30 PM on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 to consider approval of alteration to Lot 3, SP-90-03, Short Plat No. SPL2005-03; Applicant: Kelly Cooper.

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7. Amendment No. 7 (#C08905) to the Technical Services Contract between Klickitat County and Air Sciences, Inc. to provide necessary air quality consulting services.

Payment Approvals

Voucher Certification and Approval

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

Accounts Payable: (#143633 – 143847 and cancelled warrant #143114) for a net of $203,098.11

Combined Payroll: (#080349 – 080617, 143622 – 143632 & Electronic Transfer 329) $461,000.09

For a combined total of $664,098.20

Road Department Payments

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Authorized (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) Progress Payment Number 6 to Todd Construction, Inc., in the amount of $559,213.13 for the Pioneer Center construction project.

Executive Session

Executive Session – Potential and Pending Litigation

The Board convened into Executive Session at 3:15 PM with Prosecuting Attorney Tim O'Neill in accordance with RCW 42.30.110(1) (i) to discuss potential and pending litigation in regard to County Auditor Diana Housden, the Big Horn Wind Project the Washington State Governor’s race and the contract for medical services for the county jail. It was noted that the session would last for 25 minutes. At 3:40 PM Prosecutor O’Neill announced that the session would be extended for an additional 25 minutes.

The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 4:05 PM.

Miscellaneous Reports/Comments

Introduction of the New Economic Development Specialist

Economic Development Director Dana Peck came before the Board to present Wayne Wooster, the new Economic Development Specialist.

Adjournment (4:30 PM)

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned until 10:30 AM on Thursday, April 14, 2005

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting Extension: Workshop Session for Thursday, April 14, 2005

Chairman Pro-Tem Joan Frey reconvened the meeting at 10:40 AM.

Commissioners present: Joan Frey and Ray Thayer.

Chairman Don Struck was absent.

Workshop Session Agenda

Regular Meeting Extension: Workshop Session for Thursday, April 14, 2005 (Continued)

10:40 AM – Emergency Management Organization, Structure and Communication Issues

Attendance: Interim Emergency Management Director Glen Chipman and Goldendale Sentinel News Editor Valerie Brockbank.

Director Chipman discussed Emergency Management Department issues, noting that the situation is somewhat in a holding pattern as they await a response from the City of White Salmon on the interlocal agreement to set up a permanent emergency management organization in the county. Director Chipman added that recruitment of a permanent Emergency Management Coordinator continues and there will be a meeting of the Emergency Management Advisory Board this afternoon.

11:30 AM – Lunch

1:30 PM – Public Health Department Recruiting Issues

Personnel Director Lori Wolford and Public Health Director Kevin Barry discussed recruitment problems within the Public Health Department, noting that they have been attempting to recruit a Nurse Practitioner for approximately one month with no results. An alternative was presented to the Board that would potentially separate the current Clinical Division Manager/Nurse Practitioner position from nursing director duties and create a nursing director position. Director Barry stated that there would be a greater chance of success in recruiting a Nursing Director. The Board was asked for approval to simultaneously advertise for both the Nursing Director and Nurse Practitioner positions, but to only fill one. The Board reached consensus to approve, with the Nursing Director being advertised at Range 21. Director Wolford would present the Authorization to Hire at the next regular meeting for formal Board approval.

2:00 PM – Department of Natural Resources Update

Attendance: Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) representatives George Shelton (Assistant Regional Manager of State Lands) and Pete Stocks (District Manager for Klickitat County), and Nan Nelson, News Reporter for The Goldendale Sentinel.

Managers Shelton and Stocks presented information on how the DNR is attempting to “block-up” their land holdings, by way of land exchanges with adjacent land owners, so as to better manage their properties. They also presented Administrative Amendment No. 1 to the Northern Spotted Owl Conservation Strategy for the Klickitat HCP Planning Unit. They explained that this would allow for more consistent funding allocations.

Adjournment

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 3:10 PM.

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Reference Document on File