Minutes - Meeting of Tuesday, February 19^th, 2002

Topic

Agenda Item - Comment/Disposition

Call to Order/Roll Call

Morning Workshop Session – Tuesday, February 19, 2002

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

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

Workshop Session Agenda

10:02 AM – Public Works Department Update

Public Works Director Larry Nicholas briefed the Board on current department issues:

• Presented Building & Grounds Manager John Ihrig’s monthly report to the Board.
• Discussed Nate Putnam’s (The Campbell Group) request to meet with the Board regarding the upgrade of 6.1 miles of Wahkiacus Heights Road. They would provide the right-of-way, some preparation work and a source of rock for this project as well as other county projects. Director Nicholas noted however, that the county’s budget has been set and so this upgrade would mean the deferral of other road work, which he is not recommending. (A workshop to discuss this with Mr. Putnam was later scheduled for Monday, March 5, 2002.)
• Commissioner Thayer stated that he is not certain that the Road Department needs as much temporary summer help as has been proposed in the past. Director Nicholas replied that eight positions were funded last year, while this year, six positions have been budgeted.
• Chairman Struck inquired about vacancies within the department. Director Nicholas stated that a Senior Engineering Technician position closed last Friday, February 15, while the Survey chief position closes February 28. He added that he is anxiously awaiting the completion of the Classification/Compensation study, as this will aid his recruitment efforts.
• Director Nicholas noted that the newly hired Finance Manager would start March 18.
• Director Nicholas stated that consultant Jim Miller has completed inspection of all county bridges and is now writing his report. Also, Project Engineer Bjorn Hedges has completed the bridge inspection training as of last week.
• Commissioner Frey stated that she received a phone call from a Johnson Road resident. They were very pleased with the recent work done by the county’s grader operator.
• Commissioner Thayer said there had been complaints about road conditions on Oak Flat Road, though this has probably already been taken care of.
• Commissioner Thayer also noted complaints about the northern part of Pipeline Road that is not hard surfaced. He said that logging trucks use Pipeline Road and widening some sections of the road would be extremely difficult because the City of Goldendale has their main water line on one side and a ravine on the other. Director Nicholas said gravel has been placed on poor stretches of the road.
• Director Nicholas said that the department is preparing a maintenance policy that will be presented to the Board. This is an effort to establish a uniform response to road complaints.
• There was discussion regarding the reconfiguration of office space in the former Central Services area and also the present Personnel/Commissioner’s office space. Following the Board’s visit to both areas, consensus was reached about the Central Services area and Director Nicholas said he would prepare more sketches for the Personnel/Commissioner’s space.

11:00 AM – Public Health Department Update

Public Health Director Kevin Barry briefed the Board on current issues:

• Director Barry provided a handout detailing proposed purchases of small tools, including a video camera and a palm pilot. He noted the county’s current moratorium on capital outlays, but hoped to get approval soon, as funding through the Healthy Child Care Washington Program is limited. The Board asked for a formal proposal, noting that Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman has authorization requests for palm pilots.
• Director Barry stated that the fax machine at the White Salmon office is essentially not functioning and servicing is difficult to obtain. The fax machine in Goldendale produces very poor quality copies. Director Barry would like to obtain two new fax machines because faxing is one of the most effective means the department has to communicate, especially the sharing of documents between the two offices. He said that they are attempting to keep the costs below $1000 per machine. The Board reached consensus to proceed.
• Director Barry stated that his department has more money in their 2002 budget than they are proposing to spend.
• He also suggested that the department needs an "administrative" person, though he doesn’t expect the Board to take immediate action on this issue.

11:35 – Nuisance Abatement Administrative Costs

Building & Compliance Director Skip Grimes discussed administrative costs relating to the abatement of nuisances, stating his opinion that those indirect, administrative costs, such as staff time, cannot be retroactively assessed to the landowners subject to the abatement process. He suggested that the Board might consider establishing such administrative fees, perhaps as a percentage of the direct costs of future abatements. Commissioner Thayer said he would like to see the county reimbursed for these administrative costs. Commissioner Frey stated that legal counsel should be consulted on this issue. Chairman Struck suggested that the Board should schedule a meeting with Prosecuting Attorney Tim O’Neill tomorrow to discuss the issue.

Chairman Struck also noted that Prosecutor O’Neill praised the Building Inspection & Compliance Department’s professionalism in their handling of the nuisance abatement at the Dallesport junkyard.

Lunch Recess

The Board recessed for lunch at 12:00 Noon.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting for Tuesday, February 19, 2002

Chairman Don Struck reconvened the meeting at 1:15 PM.

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

Agenda

Business Agenda

Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) the Business Agenda with one addition under Old Business: an update on the Classification/Compensation Study.

Citizen Comment

Harry Miller and Oop Burgin of Glenwood – Discussed notification from the Klickitat County Assessor’s Office stating that there was no documentation regarding the Glenwood Rodeo Ground’s tax-exempt status. Mr. Miller stated that tax-exempt status was granted many years ago by the Assessor’s Office but because no paperwork has been found, there is now concern that the rodeo may owe back taxes of $1,100/year for the last three years. He noted that the proper forms have recently been obtained from the state, but if taxes must be paid for the last three years it will leave their operating funding very short. Chairman Struck stated that the Board would confer with the Assessor and Prosecuting Attorney to try to find a solution. On a related topic, Mr. Miller said that property assessments in the north half of the Glenwood Valley have risen sharply, stating that his sixty acres has increased by $1,600/acre and that $3,500/acre is just too high. Chairman Struck responded that the Board would discuss this topic at the 1:30 PM workshop tomorrow.

Public Meetings/Public Hearings/Bid Openings

Public Meeting – Consider Approval of Boundary Line Adjustment BLA2002-00001; Applicant: Richard Hunt

Continued (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) to 3:00 PM on Monday, February 25, 2002, the public meeting to consider approval of a lot line adjustment of Lot 1 of P-99-02, BLA2002-00001 the applicant being Richard Hunt. Assistant Planner Jannette Herrington requested the continuation, stating that survey changes have not been completed.

Public Meeting – Consider Preliminary Approval of SUB2001-00003; Applicant: Sam Smith

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Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) Resolution #03702 accepting the Planning Commission recommendation and granting preliminary plat approval of SUB2001-00003, and adopting the findings and conclusions as presented, the applicant being Sam Smith.

Prior to approval, Chairman Struck opened the meeting and asked for a staff review:

Assistant Planner Jannette Herrington stated that Mr. Smith proposes to re-plat Lot 4 of SPL2000-00044 into four lots. He is required to use the long subdivision process because the five year limitation for re-division doe not expire until July 2, 2006. She noted that the Planning Commission held a public hearing on December 17, 2001, which was continued to January 22, 2002. Several individuals objected to the subdivision, largely on the issue of water availability. The applicant has indicated that there will drill two shared wells to serve the four lots.

Chairman Struck noted that the burden of providing potable water rests upon the applicant, as this is a condition for final acceptance. He then noted for the record that there was no one present who wished to speak for or against the proposal.

Commissioner Thayer inquired about fencing requirements, as cattle issues were brought up during the Planning Commission’s meeting and Assistant Planner Herrington noted that fencing upgrades, including cattle guards are required before final approval is granted.

Old Business

Denial of Request for Variance to Road Construction Standards for SPL2001-00036; Applicant: Ron Aspaas

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Approved (M/Frey, S/Thayer. Passed unanimously) Resolution #03802 denying SPV2001-00004, a request for a variance to reduce road construction standards for 1320 feet of Palmer Lane from Rural Minor Collector to Rural Access for proposed Short Plat SPL2001-00036, the applicant being Ron Aspaas. The Board had issued their preliminary decision on December 10, 2001, instructing the Planning Department to prepare findings and conclusions in support of denying the request.

Consent Agenda

Approved (M/Thayer, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) the Consent Agenda except for Item 4 which will be reconsidered after review with Sheriff Mace:

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1. Resolution #03902 in the matter of temporary closures of various streets in Dallesport due to construction of the wastewater collection and treatment systems.

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2. Resolution #04002 authorizing the Public Works Department to purchase two new vehicles: 1) One (1) SUV from Empire Ford of Spokane at the Washington State bid price of $27,065.35, including sales tax; 2) One (1) F250 Crew Cab and Chassis from Frontier Ford of Anacortes at the Washington State bid price of $26,816.84, including sales tax. It will also be necessary to purchase a utility box at an estimated price of $9900.00, including sales tax, to contain the equipment and supplies for a survey crew.

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3. Resolution #04102 declaring a 1991 Chevrolet S-10 pickup (VIN# 1GCCS19R1M8136871, Lic. # 15630C) as surplus property to be removed from the Klickitat County Building & Grounds Department (Fairgrounds) inventory list. The pickup is to be sold at public auction and has been replaced by a used vehicle purchased from the Road Department.

4. (Pulled) Interlocal Communication/Dispatch Services Agreement with the Klickitat County Public Utility District effective the first day of the month after the agreement has been fully executed and terminating December 31, 2002. The PUD shall pay the county $250 per month.

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5. Letter of commitment to provide a grant in an amount not to exceed $500,000 to the Klickitat County Port District #1 for economic development construction activities. This commitment is contingent upon the Port successfully securing the balance of funds required for construction of the Bingen Port 1-D building. The EDA Board reviewed the request to assist in construction of Bingen Point Building 1-D and endorsed it. The Port indicates the project is necessary for retention of 18 jobs and the creation of 40 to 60 jobs.

6. Memorandum from the Planning Department scheduling a public meeting at 1:30 PM on Monday, February 25, 2002 to consider approval of a road right-of-way dedication, Lincoln Street, for Short Plat No. SPL2001-00006, the applicant being Michael Slater.

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7. Reimbursable Work Order request from the City of White Salmon for Klickitat County to perform work on behalf of the City to be completed no later than August 15, 2002.

8. Request from the Resource Development Department to schedule a public hearing at 2:00 PM on Monday, March 4, 2002 to receive testimony for or against the Community of Klickitat’s Wastewater Facilities Plan Community Development Block Grant.

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9. Resolution #04202 in the matter of verifying the list of fixed assets for 2001.

Road Permits

Permits Approved:

P021902 through P021902-7

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P021902

Richard & Joan Robins, Toppenish, WA – Construct an approach to the north side of Orchard Heights Road at M.P. 3.92.

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P021902-1

Allen Ferrell, White Salmon, WA – Construct an approach to the north side of Acme Road at M.P. 0.43.

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P021902-2

Sprint, Sunnyside, WA – Install & maintain a buried cable along the south side of Sandridge Road from M.P. 13.98 to 14.94.

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P021902-3

Sprint, Sunnyside, WA – Install & maintain a buried cable along the north side of Sandridge Road from M.P. 16.18 to 17.32.

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P021902-4

Sprint, Sunnyside, WA – Bury & maintain a buried cable along the south side of Hale Road from M.P. 0.60 to 2.60.

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P021902-5

Mark Schmid, Trout Lake, WA – Construct an approach to the west side of Sunnyside Road at M.P. 2.58.

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P021902-6

Sprint, c/o Bill Muncey, Hood River, OR – Bury & maintain a buried cable along the south side of Sprinkle Lane from M.P. 0.033 to 0.091.

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P021902-7

Jerry E. Dumolt, Washougal, WA – Construct an approach to the east side of Garrison Road at M.P. 2.76.

Payment Approvals

Voucher Certification and Approval

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

Accounts Payable: (#109787 – 109986 and 93274) $1,129,843.06

(There were no payroll/benefit warrants at this time.)

Miscellaneous Reports/Comments

Department of Fish and Wildlife – National Fire Plan Grant Opportunities

Rico George of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) briefed the Board on several National Fire Plan grant opportunities:

• Community Assistance and Economic Action Programs will provide approximately $8,000,000 for community based fire planning, hazardous fuels reduction and other programs. Applications are due by March 15, 2002.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program will provide $360,000,000 for fire prevention programs focussed on children, training, firefighting vehicles and other aid to local fire departments. The application process will begin in March, 2002.
• Volunteer and Rural Fire Department Assistance is available to rural departments not serving an incorporated city of over 10,000 population. Applications will be accepted until April 1, 2002.
• State Fire Assistance Wildland Urban Interface Hazard Mitigation Grants will be used to reduce the threat of fire in the wildland urban interface, fuels reduction, information and education programs. Grants have been awarded for this year, but applications for 2003 funds can be made in the fall of 2002.

Commissioner Thayer asked if this information had been made available to the rural fire districts and Mr. George said it had not. Commissioner Thayer urged Mr. George to supply the rural districts with this information.

Old Business

Update on the Classification/Compensation Study

Attendance: Personnel Director Lori Wolford, Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman, Public Works Director Larry Nicholas, Business Recruitment and Retention Specialist Tom Seifert and Don Walker of Martech Associates.

Mr. Walker provided the Board an update on the Classification/Compensation Study:

• Noted the development of internal relationships between family groupings, with values for each position within the county. He stated that the family groupings should be reviewed and the Board could suggest re-evaluations. Director Wolford said the committee members would be asked to review this alignment.
• Suggested that the county establish two wage schedules or scales. One would be for professional positions and the other for supervisory and technical employees.

• Mr. Walker stated that the next step is to use the comparables obtained from other counties and then determine whether the financial impact to the county is acceptable.

• Commissioner Thayer stated that it was important to consider the issue of "total compensation", noting that those counties that offer more valuable benefit packages need to be rated accordingly. Director Wolford stated that the comparable data is designed to weigh these benefit factors. Commissioner Thayer said he wanted to review the total compensation issue in detail.

Chairman Struck Leaves Meeting.

For the record, Chairman Struck left the meeting to attend another function at 3:20 PM, shortly before the recess.

Recess (3:40 PM)

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was recessed until 10:30 AM on Wednesday, February 20, 2002.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting Extension: Workshop Session for Wednesday, February 20, 2002

Chairman Don Struck reconvened the meeting at 10:30 AM.

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

Workshop Session Agenda

10:40 AM – Gorge Meetings Update

Consultant on Gorge Issues David Sauter briefed the Board, starting with the Gorge Commission plan review process. Mr. Sauter stated that there appears to be a reduction of public involvement in serving on committees as had been indicated earlier. Other aspects of Gorge Commission meetings were discussed and a paper providing a Condit Dam overview from the Forest Service to the Gorge Commission was presented to the Board.

12:05 PM – Lunch

1:40 PM – Nuisance Abatement Charges

Prosecuting Attorney Tim O’Neill and Building & Compliance Director Skip Grimes discussed what charges should be included in determining the total costs incurred in nuisance abatement. Prosecutor O’Neill will review the abatement ordinance to determine what charges are legally eligible.

2:30 PM – Prosecuting Attorney’s Update

Prosecuting Attorney Tim O’Neill stated that he would investigate what avenues may be available for forgiving the tax assessment on the Glenwood Rodeo Association property. The property has not been taxed for many years.

Prosecutor O’Neill will also review a request from the City of The Dalles to defer taxes on property in Dallesport they wish to develop a golf Course on.

2:30 PM – Executive Session

The Board convened into Executive Session with Personnel Director Lori Wolford to discuss aspects of the Classification/Compensation Study.

The Board reconvened back to Regular session at 3:30 PM.

(It was noted that Legal Counsel Steve DiJulio determined that preliminary workshops on the study are eligible to be executive session. Final adoption is, of course, open session.)

3:40 PM – Mental Health Update

Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health (CWCMH) Director Rick Weaver briefed the Board on current issues, including the recently established mental health facility at Skyline Hospital in White Salmon. He also presented information on new programs being administered by CWCMH. There was also discussion about the Regional Support Network, with Mr. Weaver noting that it seems to be functioning much smoother with the new director in place.

4:45 PM – Emergency Preparedness Issues

Sheriff Chris Mace discussed emergency preparedness issues with the Board. The Board noted their consensus that Sheriff Mace was handling this issue well with the resources available to him.

Adjournment

There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM.

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Reference Document on File